Now, when Sun Wukong reached Black Wind Mountain, he did indeed find three demons: a dark-skinned fellow, a Daoist, and a scholar dressed in white. The three were gathered together, discussing some Buddhist Robe Festival they planned to hold the day after tomorrow.
Anger flared in Sun Wukong's heart. He leaped down, killed the white-robed scholar with one blow of his staff, then chased after the dark fellow.
The dark fellow fled back to Black Wind Cave, fetched his weapon, donned his armor, and came out to fight Sun Wukong.
Seeing that the fellow was black from head to toe, Sun Wukong laughed and cursed:
"You wretch, you look just like a kiln burner, no different from a coal heaver! You must make your living here shoveling charcoal. How dare you steal my cassock? Return it at once, and I'll spare your life. Otherwise, I'll topple Black Wind Mountain, flatten Black Wind Cave, and grind this whole cave of demons into powder!"
The Black Bear Spirit sneered. "Last night, I saw you whipping up the wind to spread destruction. So I took the cassock. What are you going to do about it? Where did you come from? What's your name, and what abilities do you have, to dare come here boasting and demanding it back?"
Sun Wukong said, "Your granddaddy here is the disciple of Master Sanzang, the Imperial Younger Brother before the throne of the great realm of Great Tang. My surname is Sun, my name Wukong. Five hundred years ago, I wreaked havoc in Heaven, and our Buddha Tathagata pinned me beneath Five Elements Mountain. Now I've embraced the faith of the West and escort the Pilgrim on the Journey to the West to fetch the scriptures. If you want to know what Old Sun can do, go ask throughout the Four Seas of the Universe. I'm the foremost demon ever known!"
The Black Bear Spirit laughed. "So you're that Bimawen!"
Nothing infuriated Sun Wukong more than being called Bimawen. At those words, rage surged through him, and he whipped out his staff to strike.
The Black Bear Spirit seized his Black-Gold Spear and swung it up to meet him.
The two clashed amid sprays of colored mist and bursts of radiant light. The earth trembled, the mountains shook, and rocks shattered and collapsed. They fought dozens of rounds without either gaining the upper hand.
Watching from the sky, Ao Tu was all the more impressed by Sun Wukong's prowess. Had he been the one fighting, he feared he would have been routed after only a few exchanges. Only in the water, aided by his innate divine abilities, could he have held his own.
After they fought like this for some time, the Black Bear Spirit withdrew into his cave. Unable to break through the entrance, Sun Wukong had no choice but to return.
Early the next morning, Tang Sanzang again ordered Sun Wukong to retrieve the cassock.
This time, Sun Wukong assumed Elder Jinchi's appearance, hoping to trick the cassock out of the Black Bear Spirit. Unfortunately, the bear saw through him, and they fought for another half day without a clear victor.
On the third day, Tang Sanzang again urged Sun Wukong to find the cassock. At his wits' end, Sun Wukong reflected that this place was called Guanyin Monastery and received offerings in Guanyin Bodhisattva's name, so he went to the Southern Sea to seek her help.
Meanwhile, seeing Sun Wukong leave for the Southern Sea, Ao Tu knew the Black Bear Spirit was about to be subdued. He prepared to set his own plan in motion.
He flew down from the clouds and cast a transformation spell, taking on Ananda's appearance.
By now, Guanyin Monastery had been destroyed by the fire, but none of its monks, great or small, dared flee. Threatened by Sun Wukong, they remained there to attend to Tang Sanzang. Guangzhi and Guangmou were tending a fire and cooking.
Ao Tu had once tended the bell in Tathagata's service in the Western Heaven and knew something of Buddhist teachings. Now, transformed into Ananda and wreathed in Buddhist radiance, he looked just like the real venerable as he descended before Guangzhi and Guangmou.
With their mortal eyes, how could Guangzhi and Guangmou recognize Ao Tu's true form?
Believing a true divinity had descended, they hurriedly bowed down.
Ao Tu said, "I am the Venerable Ananda, who serves Tathagata Buddha in the Western Heaven. I was returning from the Ullambana Festival when I passed this place and saw the monastery burned and the Buddha statues shattered. Thus, I have appeared to ask you two how this monastery came to be destroyed. As disciples of the Buddha, why are you serving here at another's command?"
At these words, Guangzhi and Guangmou dared not utter a single lie. Kowtowing repeatedly, they told Ao Tu everything that had happened.
After hearing their account, Ao Tu said:
"You have been deceived. I can see that Tang Sanzang and his disciple are two demons. They deliberately burned down the monastery to seize the treasures it has accumulated over a hundred years."
Guangzhi and Guangmou were utterly stunned.
Guangzhi said, "So Tang Sanzang is actually a demon!"
Guangmou said, "Now that you mention it, that disciple really does look like a demon."
Both turned to Ao Tu and said, "Venerable, if these two are demons, what are we to do?"
Ao Tu said, "Go at once and report this to the authorities. Ask them to come arrest Tang Sanzang and his disciple."
Puzzled, Guangzhi and Guangmou asked, "Venerable, if they are demons, surely ordinary officials won't be able to capture them. Why don't you subdue them yourself?"
Ao Tu said, "These two demons are posing as monks from the Tang realm, so it would be improper for me to intervene. Once the authorities arrive, if the demons use their powers and reveal their true forms, I shall subdue them."
Reassured by his words, Guangzhi and Guangmou said:
"We shall obey your instruction, Venerable."
The two immediately prepared to go down the mountain and report the matter.
Ao Tu added, "Wait."
They hurried back and asked:
"What further instructions do you have, Venerable?"
Ao Tu said, "Do not reveal my name when you go, lest you divulge Heaven's secrets and alert the two demons, allowing them to escape."
Guangzhi and Guangmou asked:
"Venerable, what should we tell the authorities when we get there?"
Ao Tu said, "Simply tell them that two thieving monks came to your monastery, intending to seize its treasures, and set it ablaze, so you have come to report the crime."
Guangzhi and Guangmou said, "Yes."
Ao Tu added, "One of you must remain behind to keep the demons here."
Guangzhi and Guangmou again assented.
After discussing it, they decided Guangmou would stay to detain Tang Sanzang, while Guangzhi went down the mountain to report the crime.
With his scheme successfully set in motion, Ao Tu turned and flew back into the clouds.
Sometimes, stopping the Pilgrim did not necessarily require tremendous strength. Mortals might prove harder to deal with than demons.
Meanwhile, Sun Wukong traveled to the Southern Sea and secured Guanyin Bodhisattva's help.
Upon returning to Black Wind Mountain, they arrived just as the Black Bear Spirit was preparing his Buddhist Robe Festival.
The old Daoist who had escaped two days earlier was carrying a tray with two pills of Immortal Elixir on it when he ran straight into Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong immediately whipped out his staff and struck the old Daoist dead. He proved to be a Gray Wolf Spirit.
Looking at the tray, Sun Wukong hit upon an idea. He asked Guanyin Bodhisattva to take the Daoist's form while he transformed into a pill, so they could subdue the Black Bear Spirit.
Unable to withstand Sun Wukong's repeated pleas, Guanyin Bodhisattva finally agreed. She assumed the Daoist's appearance, entered Black Wind Cave, and presented the pills.
Unaware of the trick, the Black Bear Spirit swallowed the pill Sun Wukong had become, allowing Sun Wukong to slip into his stomach.
Sun Wukong wreaked havoc inside him, and the Black Bear Spirit rolled all over the ground in agony.
Guanyin Bodhisattva revealed her true form and demanded the cassock from the Black Bear Spirit.
Sun Wukong emerged from the Black Bear Spirit's stomach. Guanyin Bodhisattva returned the cassock to him, then took out a band and tossed it onto the Black Bear Spirit's head.
The band took root the moment it touched his head. Guanyin Bodhisattva began reciting an incantation, and the Black Bear Spirit's head instantly felt as though it would split apart. He rolled wildly over the ground.
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Wicked beast, will you take refuge in the faith?"
How could the Black Bear Spirit dare refuse? He hurriedly said, "I willingly take refuge! Only spare my life!"
Only then did Guanyin Bodhisattva descend upon her auspicious light and lay her hand on the Black Bear Spirit's crown to confer the precepts,
appointing him the Mountain-Guarding Deity of Mount Luojia.
Afterward, Guanyin Bodhisattva took the Black Bear Spirit with her and returned straight to the sea.
After bidding farewell to Guanyin Bodhisattva, Sun Wukong used magic to kindle a fire inside Black Wind Cave, burning that Black Wind Cave into a Red Wind Cave.
By the time Sun Wukong returned, noon had long passed, and the sun was sinking in the west.
With his cassock recovered, Tang Sanzang repeatedly bowed in thanks for the Bodhisattva's help, then ordered Sun Wukong to hurry and pack their luggage so they could set out.
Sun Wukong said, "No hurry, no hurry. It's getting late, and this is no time to travel. Better to leave tomorrow morning."
Remembering Ao Tu's instructions, Guangmou hurriedly led the other monks in kneeling and pleading:
"Master Sun is right. First, it's getting late; second, we have yet to thank you, masters. Please let us see you off on your Journey to the West tomorrow morning."
Tang Sanzang therefore agreed to stay.
Before you continue