When Ao Tu exposed his past with a single remark, Great Sage Yellow Wind's imposing air weakened a little.
On the day he had stolen the oil, he had not examined his surroundings carefully, so he could not remember whether Ao Tu had been there.
But he had never spoken of the incident to anyone. Since Ao Tu knew about it, there had to be some truth to his words.
He took another careful look at Ao Tu and saw a figure of noble bearing, his eyes alight with divine vigor. Dragon horns rose from his head, and golden scales adorned his brow. He wore an immortal's brocade robe embroidered with golden thread and a flying-dragon crown bearing a dragon prince with a pearl in its mouth. He was clearly no ordinary being.
Probing more closely, he discovered that Ao Tu's cultivation equaled his own. Now seven or eight parts convinced, Great Sage Yellow Wind cupped his hands and said:
"So that was how it happened! That day, I was so intent on stealing the oil that I failed to remember your kindness, elder brother. Please forgive me!"
Ao Tu laughed heartily. "Not at all, not at all!"
Great Sage Yellow Wind then invited Ao Tu into his cave dwelling for a chat.
After Ao Tu entered Yellow Wind Cave, Great Sage Yellow Wind questioned him about the various sights of Spirit Mountain, and Ao Tu answered without hesitation.
Great Sage Yellow Wind became even more convinced. Delighted, he ordered Tiger Vanguard to catch some wild cattle, Wild Boar, fat deer, and sheep in the mountains for their feast.
Tiger Vanguard received his orders and soon returned with the game. Great Sage Yellow Wind brought out wine to share with Ao Tu.
After they had feasted for a while, Great Sage Yellow Wind asked Ao Tu:
"Elder brother, why have you come here instead of serving as Bell Keeper at Spirit Mountain?"
Ao Tu said, "I came to offer you a grand venture, worthy younger brother!"
Great Sage Yellow Wind asked, "What sort of venture?"
Ao Tu said, "Before long, a monk on a Journey to the West to fetch scriptures will pass through here. You can seize him."
Great Sage Yellow Wind laughed. "How does one monk count as a grand venture? If you want to eat monks, elder brother, I can send Tiger Vanguard to catch eight or ten for you to enjoy. Tiger Vanguard!"
Tiger Vanguard answered, "Here!"
Great Sage Yellow Wind said, "Go at once and catch ten monks."
Tiger Vanguard said, "Yes."
Ao Tu hurriedly stopped him. "Wait. Worthy younger brother, you do not understand. This monk is no ordinary monk!"
Great Sage Yellow Wind said, "Oh? What kind of monk is he?"
Ao Tu explained, "This monk is the reincarnation of Golden Cicada, a good man who has cultivated through ten lifetimes. A single bite of his flesh grants eternal life and youth! Even though you have already attained the fruit of immortality, eating him will greatly increase your cultivation!"
Great Sage Yellow Wind asked in astonishment, "Is that really true?"
Ao Tu said, "The monk will arrive soon. You will know once you see him."
At these words, Great Sage Yellow Wind fell into thought.
When the lesser demons in the cave heard that they could gain eternal life and youth, they clamored impatiently:
"Your Majesty, let's catch that monk! We can eat his flesh, gain eternal youth together, and become carefree immortals!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Such a blessed opportunity comes but once in a thousand years!"
Great Sage Yellow Wind did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked:
"Elder brother, if this venture is so profitable, why not catch Tang Sanzang yourself?"
Ao Tu said, "Worthy younger brother, you do not know that Tang Sanzang has two disciples with him. One is Sun Wukong, who wreaked havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago. The other is the Heavenly River Water God, descended to the mortal realm. Alone, I lack the strength to fight them, so I came especially to seek your help."
Great Sage Yellow Wind said, "I see. I have heard of Sun Wukong, who wreaked havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago. He is not someone to provoke lightly!"
Ao Tu smiled. "Worthy younger brother, with your Supernatural Ability of the Samadhi Divine Wind, why should you fear a mere Sun Wukong?"
Great Sage Yellow Wind asked in surprise, "You even know about that?"
Ao Tu smiled. "I also know that Tathagata sent Lingji Bodhisattva to subdue you, granting him a Wind-Settling Pill and a Flying Dragon Treasure Staff specifically to overcome your Supernatural Ability."
Great Sage Yellow Wind cupped his hands. "Your Supernatural Ability truly reaches far and wide, elder brother! Indeed, that is exactly what happened. That is why I dare not act rashly, for fear that Sun Wukong will summon Lingji Bodhisattva to subdue me."
Ao Tu said, "You need not worry, worthy younger brother. As the saying goes, every thing has its bane. I have a magic treasure that will help you defeat Lingji Bodhisattva."
Great Sage Yellow Wind was overjoyed. He immediately set up an incense altar in the cave, exchanged the eight bows of sworn friendship with Ao Tu, and became his sworn brother, joining him in plotting to obtain Tang Sanzang's flesh.
Summer passed and autumn came. As the verse went: the azure heavens shone clear and bright, the autumn moon was round as ever; flowers faded, leaving butterflies nothing to tell, and high in the trees, cicadas no longer clamored.
Tang Sanzang and his disciples traveled beyond Wusizang Territory and, after more than a month, reached the borders of Yellow Wind Ridge.
Before entering the ridge, Tang Sanzang and his disciples stayed overnight with a local household.
When the family learned that they were heading west, they warned Tang Sanzang, "Yellow Wind Ridge stretches eight hundred li. Its mountains teem with demons, making passage terribly difficult."
Thus, after Tang Sanzang entered Yellow Wind Ridge, Wukong and Bajie stayed close beside him, never straying a step as they guarded their master.
Ao Tu and Great Sage Yellow Wind led a crowd of lesser demons to watch from Soul-Clutching Cliff. Seeing Tang Sanzang and his disciples approach, Great Sage Yellow Wind said, "This is bad, this is bad."
Ao Tu asked, "Why do you sigh, worthy younger brother?"
Great Sage Yellow Wind said, "Look at Tang Sanzang. He is a frail mortal who could scarcely withstand a breeze. If I unleash my Samadhi Divine Wind, I fear it will blow him to ashes as well. What are we to do?"
"That is easily handled." Ao Tu turned to the chieftains of Yellow Wind Cave, great and small. "Which of you has the ability to lure away Tang Sanzang's two disciples? Whoever succeeds will receive one of his legs to eat and share in eternal life and youth."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tiger Vanguard stepped forward to volunteer:
"This humble warrior knows a spell called Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell. Without either of Your Majesties lifting a hand, I will surely capture Tang Sanzang!"
Ao Tu said, "Good. Go, then. Succeed, and you shall certainly receive a generous reward!"
Tiger Vanguard accepted the command, leaped down the mountain, transformed into a fierce, striped tiger, and hid in a hollow among the rocks.
As Tang Sanzang and his disciples approached, Tiger Vanguard suddenly sprang out with a roaring howl. Tang Sanzang was so frightened that he lost his seat in the saddle, tumbled off the white horse, and landed beside the road, his soul all but scattered in terror.
Bajie had committed a misdeed earlier, and now that a demon had appeared, he was eager to prove himself. Dropping the luggage, he drew the Rake and stopped Wukong from advancing. "Wicked beast! Where do you think you're going!" he bellowed, rushing forward to strike straight at its head.
Tiger Vanguard stood bolt upright, swung up his left forepaw, hooked it into his own chest, and raked downward. With a ripping swish, he peeled off his tiger skin and stood beside the road.
His hideous appearance, naked body, bloody flesh, and crooked legs frightened Tang Sanzang until his whole body went limp and he could not move at all.
Tiger Vanguard drew two red-copper sabers and fought several rounds with Bajie. Finding himself somewhat outmatched, he retreated into a jumble of rocks below the slope and continued fighting.
Watching them, Wukong's hands itched for action. He helped Tang Sanzang up and said, "Master, do not be afraid. Sit here while Old Sun goes to help Bajie. Once we knock that demon down, we can be on our way."
Only then did Sanzang shakily sit up, reciting the Heart Sutra to barely steady his mind.
Wukong drew the Golden Cudgel and leaped down to strike.
Seeing this, Tiger Vanguard rolled over, revealed his original form, and fled on a foul wind.
Wukong and Bajie pursued him together, determined to tear out the threat by its roots.
Tiger Vanguard fled past a mountaintop and stuck his tiger skin onto a Crouching Tiger Stone. Then his true body turned into a gale, and he raced back by another path.
Tang Sanzang was still sitting at the crossroads reciting the Heart Sutra when Tiger Vanguard seized him.
A fine vanguard indeed! He truly had not boasted. Without Ao Tu or Great Sage Yellow Wind lifting a hand, he had captured Tang Sanzang all by himself.
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