Chapter Summaries

Xiao Jiu completed her transformation into a pure-blooded Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, and Ao Tu teased and doted on her. Meanwhile, Wukong sought help at the Blood Sea, learned Ao Tu was away, and left with gifts to recruit other allies.

• Xiao Jiu refined her bloodline into a pure-white Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, and Ao Tu played with her ears and tails.
• Ao Tu teased Xiao Jiu as he carried her through the halls to their room, then gave her Primordial Heaven Essence Qi to refine.
• Wukong visited the Blood Sea and learned from Patriarch Styx that Ao Tu would not return for a year or two.
• Minghe refused to leave the Blood Sea, so Wukong asked Patriarch Styx for gifts to use when seeking help.
• Patriarch Styx sent Wukong ten Red Fruits and ten jin of Blood Essence, and Wukong headed up to heaven.

Ao Tu joined Wukong and Nezha in recruiting Erlang Shen to help confront the forces at Hidden Mist Mountain. At the mountain, Ao Tu revealed that Monk Buzheng and the other leaders had once cultivated alongside him, then went to call for their surrender.

• Ao Tu brought Xiao Jiu to the Flower Realm, where Jiangzhu and Apricot Immortal welcomed her and Xiao Zhenying mistook her for a new disciple.
• Wukong recruited Nezha, who advised him to seek Ao Tu’s help; Ao Tu agreed to join them and shared Wukong’s gifts among the Flower Realm residents.
• Ao Tu, Wukong, and Nezha visited Erlang Shen, who agreed to help and gathered the Six Brothers of Meishan and twelve hundred Grass-Headed Gods.
• The group arrived above Hidden Mist Mountain, where Ao Tu asked Erlang Shen to hold back the troops and revealed he had once cultivated with Monk Buzheng and the other Daoist leaders.
• Ao Tu descended to the cave entrance to call for the enemy’s surrender.

Ao Tu, Erlang, Nezha, and Wukong fought Youde Taoist while trying to rescue Tang Sanzang and his disciples, but Youde Taoist defeated Erlang and forced the others to retreat. Youde Taoist sealed himself inside his cave and secretly went to Spirit Mountain to accuse Wukong of aiding demons against the Dao.

• Ao Tu and Youde Taoist exchanged verses, then Youde Taoist refused to free the monk unless they fought.
• Erlang ordered an attack, and Youde Taoist unleashed Six-Ding Divine Fire before Ao Tu absorbed it with his precious furnace.
• Youde Taoist used Yin and Yang magic to turn Nezha's sword against Ao Tu, nullify Wukong's Alms Bowl, and injure Erlang, whom he struck down onto Mount Hua.
• Ao Tu summoned Yuqing Divine Thunder and battered Youde Taoist's cave for three days, but Youde Taoist sealed himself inside and refused to emerge.
• Youde Taoist secretly sent his Primordial Spirit to Spirit Mountain and hired a lawyer to accuse Wukong of helping demons destroy the Dao.

Youde Taoist filed a complaint against Sun Wukong at Spirit Mountain, where Kasyapa accepted a bribe and promised him victory. As Wukong and his allies struggled to free Tang Sanzang and defeat Youde Taoist, Tathagata ordered the Four Great Guardian Kings to seize Wukong, who learned of the order outside the cave.

• Youde Taoist brought a complaint against Wukong to Spirit Mountain, bribed the officials through a litigation lawyer, and gave Kasyapa Wukong’s alms bowl as evidence.
• Erlang visited the Third Holy Mother on Mount Hua, recovered from his injuries after eating her fruit, and returned to Hidden Mist Mountain.
• Wukong and Erlang entered Youde Taoist’s cave through a drainage channel, freed Tang Sanzang, and found him absorbed in Daoist scriptures beneath the Bodhi Tree.
• Youde Taoist returned and defeated the group, recapturing Bajie and Sha Wujing while Wukong and Erlang escaped.
• Kasyapa presented the petition to Tathagata, who sent the Four Great Guardian Kings to seize Wukong; they confronted him outside the cave.

Wukong faced a charge of aiding demons and extinguishing the Dao at Spirit Mountain, where Tathagata Buddha refused to clear him despite witnesses and written testimony. After Guanyin secured a delay in judgment, Ao Tu proposed a private settlement, and he and Wukong prepared to seek Kasyapa at night.

• The Four Great Guardian Kings brought Wukong to Spirit Mountain after Youde Taoist accused him, and Erlang and Nezha agreed to testify for him.
• Tathagata Buddha sentenced Wukong to confession and the cangue and lock precept despite testimony from Erlang, Nezha, and the Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy.
• Ao Tu advised Erlang to obtain written statements from Tang Sanzang, Bajie, Sha Wujing, and White Horse, but Tathagata still upheld the charge.
• Nezha brought Guanyin Bodhisattva to Spirit Mountain, and Tathagata postponed judgment until after the Journey to the West.
• Ao Tu whispered a plan to Wukong, who asked Tathagata to let him settle the complaint privately with Youde Taoist; Ao Tu said they should go at night and offered to find Kasyapa's residence.

Wukong bribed Kasyapa to end Youde Taoist’s complaint, but Youde Taoist refused to release Tang Sanzang and trapped more immortals in his cave. While Tang Sanzang studied Daoist classics with their help, he began to wonder whether Buddhist scriptures could be adapted for the Eastern Land.

• Wukong gave Kasyapa eight jin of blood essence and a fake Alms Bowl, and Kasyapa promised to have Youde Taoist’s complaint withdrawn.
• After Kasyapa told Tathagata Buddha that the case was settled, Wukong returned to Hidden Mist Mountain and showed Youde Taoist the Alms Bowl.
• Youde Taoist tried to complain again, but the Vajras and Sangharamas turned him away; he protested in the streets, attracting poor people before escaping back to the mountain.
• Youde Taoist refused to release Tang Sanzang and used his yin and yang Dao principles to repel Wukong and capture the immortals Wukong summoned.
• Tang Sanzang studied Daoist classics with the imprisoned immortals’ guidance and began considering whether some Buddhist scriptures could be improved for the Eastern Land.

Tang Sanzang persuaded Youde Taoist to free the imprisoned demons and gods, then learned that Fengxian County lay ahead and that a Daoist-trained monk had been detained there. After the group reached Fengxian County, Ao Tu’s next side quest began, requiring him to keep the Pilgrim within the county.

• Tang Sanzang used Daoist scripture to convince Youde Taoist to release the little demons, Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the other gods, and return the demons’ Immortal Elixirs.
• Youde Taoist explained that he had come from Fengxian County in the Tianzhu Kingdom and warned that a Daoist-trained monk had been detained there.
• Wukong reassured Tang Sanzang, and the group continued west after the gods and Ao Tu departed.
• Ao Tu settled the previous rewards, planted the Yellow Pear Tree beside the Immortal Spring, and sent a new incarnation, Baoshan Daoist, to the lower realm with several treasures.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived in Fengxian County, where Ao Tu’s new quest began with six hundred and thirty days of progress already recorded.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples reached drought-stricken Fengxian County, where the people expected rain and the Water Virtue Star Lord explained why he had been repeatedly blamed for unauthorized rainfall. He asked Wukong to help stop the monk imprisoned beneath Sweet Rain Mountain from stealing his water seal and bringing down rain.

• Tang Sanzang and his disciples saw Fengxian County’s people banging on pots and jars despite the drought, and Wukong learned that they believed rain would come in a few days.
• Wukong repaired an old man’s cracked water jar with immortal breath, then rejoined the others as they continued toward the city.
• Sha Wujing mistook the Water Lord of Fengxian County and his two water ghosts for monsters, but Wukong recognized the Water Virtue Star Lord.
• The Water Virtue Star Lord offered the travelers vegetarian food and fruit wine, then told Wukong that a monk had tricked him into issuing an unauthorized rain decree.
• The Water Virtue Star Lord said the monk escaped Sweet Rain Mountain each year, stole his water seal, and brought rain, leaving him to suffer the blame; he begged Wukong to help.

Wukong and Tang Sanzang learned why Fengxian County had changed its name and why its people held three festivals tied to a drought and an imprisoned Dharma master. They stayed at the Courier Station to see the master escape and bring rain.

• The Water Virtue Star Lord told Wukong about his troubles, and Wukong agreed to investigate after taking Tang Sanzang to town.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples entered Fengxian County, where townspeople were buying containers to catch water.
• Governor Shangguan warned them that three consecutive festivals would make travel difficult and explained the county’s drought, its name change, and the Dharma master imprisoned beneath Sweet Rain Mountain.
• Wukong learned that the Dharma master escaped each year to bring rain and persuaded Tang Sanzang to stay and see what happened.
• Wukong recognized Shangguan and joked that he feared his wife, astonishing the governor.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples watched Fengxian County’s people welcome the monk who had brought rain, then discovered that he was Alu, the former monk from Chechi Kingdom. Alu admitted taking the Water Seal to make rain, while the Water Virtue Star Lord complained about their unequal share of the merit, and Wukong left them facing the threat of exposure to the Heavenly Court.

• The people of Fengxian County crowded outside the Courier Station with offerings as the monk arrived in a golden body.
• Wukong and the others waited until night to approach the incense pavilion, but first saw the Water Virtue Star Lord emerge and accuse the monk of taking his Water Seal.
• The monk came out and Wukong recognized him as Alu, who explained that he had used two Golden Elixirs to obtain the Water Seal and bring rain after three years of drought.
• Alu said the Water Virtue Star Lord had handed over the seal willingly under pressure, while the Star Lord complained that Alu kept seventy percent of the merit.
• Wukong suggested reporting the matter to the Heavenly Court, but Alu warned that the Star Lord and the people could also be punished, leaving Wukong to ask what they should do.

Alu’s rain brought Fengxian County seven days of downpour, but he remained imprisoned in a cave for violating Heaven’s laws. Wukong and his companions visited him at Sweet Rain Mountain, where Alu explained that his master might eventually secure his release, just as someone arrived claiming to be Alu’s martial uncle.

• Alu used the Water Lord's Precious Seal to bring rain to Fengxian County, and the downpour lasted seven days and ten hours.
• The grateful people offered incense and merit to Alu and the Water Virtue Star Lord, who gathered his share to use in currying favor at court.
• After leaving Fengxian County, Tang Sanzang and his disciples visited Sweet Rain Mountain and found Alu chained in a cave.
• Alu explained that his incense-offerings golden body had brought the rain and that he was imprisoned for breaking the Heavenly Laws, but he expected his master to seek his pardon later.
• Wukong refused to take Alu’s offerings, though Bajie eventually took some to keep the food from spoiling, and they heard someone outside call out that Alu’s martial uncle had come to save him.

Ao Tu disguised himself as Baoshan Daoist and tried to free Alu from beneath the mountain, but Alu refused to escape against his master's orders. After Ao Tu agreed to wait while Alu sought an Arhat's appointment and imperial pardon, Alu asked Wukong to introduce him on Spirit Mountain, leaving Wukong worried that Kasyapa might have discovered his Alms Bowl deception.

• Ao Tu appeared as Baoshan Daoist, claimed Alu as his martial nephew, and tried to topple the mountain to rescue him.
• Alu refused to leave, warning that his escape would bring punishment upon his master, the Water Virtue Star Lord, and Fengxian County.
• Ao Tu captured Alu's Golden Body and trapped Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing in a Third-Grade Green Lotus as he continued trying to topple the mountain.
• Alu persuaded Ao Tu to release them by promising to seek an Arhat's rank on Spirit Mountain and obtain the Jade Emperor's pardon; Ao Tu agreed to wait and let him try.
• Alu asked Wukong to introduce him to Venerable Kasyapa, while Wukong worried that Kasyapa had discovered the monkey hair substituted for the Alms Bowl.

Alu’s attempt to reach the Buddha without offering a courtesy gift failed, so Wukong took Alu’s accumulated merit to Spirit Mountain to seek help. Kasyapa accepted the merit but demanded three mountains of gold, silver, and jade before he would bring Wukong to see the Buddha.

• Alu went to Spirit Mountain with a sincere heart, but the Sangharama demanded a courtesy gift and sent him away when he had none.
• Alu returned to Fengxian County, where Ao Tu urged him to abandon his pursuit, and Alu asked Wukong for help.
• Alu revealed his remaining Merit Golden Light and persuaded Wukong to take it to Spirit Mountain as a gift for Kasyapa.
• Kasyapa recognized Wukong, recalled the alms-bowl trick, and accepted Alu’s merit in exchange for letting the matter pass.
• Kasyapa led Wukong to the Rear Garden and demanded mountains of gold, silver, and jade before he would take him to see the Buddha.

Wukong retaliated after Kasyapa demanded more gifts for helping Alu, raiding the Treasure Pavilion and raining its treasures over Spirit Mountain. Tathagata Buddha heard Wukong’s case and ordered Kasyapa to return the merit, which Wukong recovered before asking Buddha to meet Alu.

• Kasyapa demanded mountains of gold and silver from Wukong after accepting merit, and threatened to obstruct Alu’s promotion.
• Wukong took Bajie to Spirit Mountain and secretly entered the Treasure Pavilion with the Cloth-Bag Arhat’s bag.
• Wukong and Bajie loaded the bag with treasure, then Wukong poured gold, silver, jade, and other riches over the believers below.
• Tathagata Buddha summoned Wukong and heard why he had caused an uproar at the monastery.
• Tathagata Buddha ordered Kasyapa to return Wukong’s merit, and Wukong asked Buddha to summon Alu.

Wukong failed to persuade Tathagata Buddha to help Alu, but Baoshan Taoist broke Alu’s chains and defeated the Heavenly forces sent to arrest him. As Baoshan urged Alu to flee, Alu remained worried about Fengxian County’s people, and Water Virtue Star Lord arrived fearing Alu would implicate him.

• Tathagata Buddha refused Wukong’s request to help Alu, so Wukong returned to Fengxian County without a solution.
• Baoshan Taoist cut Alu’s divine chains with his Precious Sword, prompting Heavenly King Li to lead troops toward the mortal realm.
• Giant Spirit God confronted the group, but Baoshan Taoist struck him down with the Heart-Piercing Lock; he then used the lock and Green Lotus Treasure Crown to subdue Heavenly King Li, Heavenly Horse, and Nezha.
• Baoshan Taoist captured the Heavenly forces and urged Alu to leave for the Eastern Land, but Alu refused to abandon Fengxian County’s people.
• Water Virtue Star Lord reached the cave, saw the captives, and cried that Alu had doomed him.

Daoist Baoshan, Alu, and the Water Virtue Star Lord struggled to decide how to answer for capturing Heavenly King Li and the other Heavenly troops. Wukong went to the Flower Realm to fetch Ao Tu, who agreed to return with him to Fengxian County.

• Daoist Baoshan prepared to leave with Alu, but the Water Virtue Star Lord feared the Jade Emperor's punishment and considered abandoning his post.
• Tang Sanzang urged them not to leave the people of Fengxian County without help, and Alu and Daoist Baoshan agreed to stay and face the Heavenly troops.
• The Water Virtue Star Lord asked Wukong to bring Taixi down from the Heavenly Realm, and Wukong instead went to the Flower Realm to seek Ao Tu's help.
• Ao Tu listened as Wukong explained how Alu and Daoist Baoshan had captured Heavenly King Li and the others.
• Ao Tu told Wukong he would have handled the matter sooner if Wukong had come to him earlier, then followed him down to the mortal realm.

Ao Tu persuaded Heavenly King Li to spare Alu, then took Wukong to Spirit Mountain to seek Kasyapa’s help in settling the matter. Kasyapa delayed meeting them and tried to dismiss Ao Tu, who ended the chapter by revealing a Golden Elixir.

• Ao Tu freed the Heavenly Soldiers, appeased Heavenly King Li with pears and private persuasion, and secured his agreement to drop the accusation against Alu.
• Ao Tu explained that he had invoked Alu’s connection to the Buddha, then invited Wukong to accompany him to Spirit Mountain.
• Kasyapa kept Ao Tu waiting for hours, while Ao Tu and the old Bhikshu Monk discussed how people treated plants planted by others on their land.
• Kasyapa met Ao Tu near closing time but claimed the evening bell prevented him from hearing Ao Tu’s request.
• Ao Tu stopped Wukong from confronting Kasyapa and revealed a Golden Elixir in his palm.

Ao Tu used Golden Elixirs to win Kasyapa’s support for Alu’s admission to Spirit Mountain, then sent Wukong to secure Manjushri’s recommendation. Tathagata Buddha heard of Alu’s merit in Fengxian County and ordered two Arhats to ask the Jade Emperor to release him.

• Ao Tu gave Kasyapa a Golden Elixir, restoring Kasyapa’s lost cultivation, and then presented him with three more.
• Kasyapa agreed not to obstruct Alu’s recommendation, while Ao Tu said he would seek help from someone else.
• Ao Tu sent Wukong to Mount Wutai, where Manjushri agreed to recommend Alu to Tathagata Buddha.
• Manjushri praised Alu’s merit before Tathagata Buddha, and the assembled monks admitted they had failed to report it.
• Tathagata Buddha ordered Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming to ask the Jade Emperor to release Alu.

Alu was pardoned, honored on Spirit Mountain as Rainfall Arhat and Attendant Venerable, but Tathagata Buddha refused to ask Heaven to lift Fengxian County’s drought punishment. After weeks of feasting, Tang Sanzang and his disciples prepared to leave, only to learn that the county was nearly out of water.

• Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor pardoned Alu after the two Arhats pleaded for him, and Heavenly King Li ordered the Mountain God to move Sweet Rain Mountain.
• Baoshan Taoist removed the mountain and gave Alu an Ancient Buddha's Kasaya and a White Jade Bowl before Alu left for Spirit Mountain.
• Tathagata Buddha conferred the titles of Rainfall Arhat and Attendant Venerable on Alu, appointing him to oversee the Scripture Pavilion.
• Alu asked Tathagata Buddha to have Heaven lift Fengxian County’s drought punishment, but Tathagata Buddha refused.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples feasted in Fengxian County for more than half a month before preparing to depart.
• The old prefect told Tang Sanzang that the county’s water was almost gone.

With Fengxian County facing a worsening drought, Wukong went to Spirit Mountain to find out why Alu had not returned, only to learn Alu could no longer bring rain and that Heaven’s decree still stood. Tathagata Buddha told Wukong to go to Heaven for an answer.

• After more than a year without rain, the County Governor asked Tang Sanzang and his disciples to stay and reassure the people while they awaited Alu.
• As the drought continued, grain merchants hoarded supplies and prices soared, so the County Governor asked Wukong to investigate Alu’s delay.
• At Spirit Mountain, Wukong found Alu with Kasyapa and learned that Alu said his new status as an Arhat meant he could no longer bring rain.
• Kasyapa dismissed the drought as outside Spirit Mountain’s concern and invoked the Buddha’s decree against going down the mountain.
• Wukong confronted Tathagata Buddha, who said Heaven’s prohibition on rain in Fengxian County could not be changed by the Buddha and directed Wukong to visit Heaven.