Chapter twenty-four
At Long Life Mountain the Great Immortal detains his old friend.
At Five Villages Abbey, Wukong steals the ginseng fruit.
wànshòushāndàxiānliúgùyǒu万寿山大仙留故友wǔzhuāngguānxíngzhěqièrénshēn五庄观行者窃人参
How to read this chart:
Bajie's Suffering in the Forest
Longevity MountainThe four travelers encounter Idiot tied to a tree, screaming from pain. Wukong mocks him while Wujing frees him. Idiot is shamed and performs a kowtow. Bajie admits he was in a stupor and fails to recognize bodhisattvas. Wukong teases Bajie, who vows to remain disciplined on the journey.
Approaching Long Life Mountain
Longevity MountainThe group admires the mountain's beauty. Wukong estimates their journey will take years, emphasizing spiritual resolve over physical travel.
Introducing Master Zhenyuan and the Ginseng Fruit
Five Villages AbbeyThe Daoist abbey's immortal, Master Zhenyuan, is preparing for a lecture. His disciples Clear Breeze and Bright Moon are tasked with protecting the rare ginseng fruit while he is away. The Great Immortal reveals that Sanzang is an old friend and instructs the disciples to give Sanzang two ginseng fruits but not let his disciples know.
Arrival at Long Life Mountain
Five Villages AbbeyThe Sanzang and his disciples discover the Daoist abbey's serene scenery. They enter the gate and observe inscriptions and a couplet praising immortality, with Wukong mocking its grandeur.
Meeting the Immortal Lads
Five Villages AbbeyThe immortal lads Clear Breeze and Bright Moon greet the group. The Sanzang questions their simple worship of 'Heaven, Earth,' to which they humorously explain it as flattery by their absent teacher. Wukong laughs at the Daoist lad's remark about their teacher, citing his past Heavenly Palace antics. The Sanzang intervenes to avoid conflict.
Meal Arrangement and Lads' Discussion
Five Villages AbbeyThe disciples prepare a meal while the immortal lads debate whether to serve the sacred ginseng fruit—remarkably rare and closely guarded—fearing Wukong’s brashness and the potential danger if such a treasure were to be mishandled.
Presentation of Ginseng Fruits
Five Villages AbbeyTwo young lads collect the rare ginseng fruits—revered as spiritual treasures by Daoists—presenting them to Sanzang as instructed by Zhenyuan. Sanzang is horrified and refuses to eat them, convinced they are newborn infants, and as a devout Buddhist monk sworn to non-harm, declines in shock and alarm.
Ears in the Wall
Five Villages AbbeyThe lads later consume the fruits themselves in their room. Bajie overhears the Daoist lads discussing and eating the ginseng fruit after Sanzang's refusal.
Plotting to Steal Ginseng Fruits
Five Villages AbbeyBajie, always scheming for a rare treat, convinces Wukong to steal more, insisting they are priceless immortal treasures—his mischief stoking Wukong’s curiosity and getting him to help plan a midnight raid.
Exploration of the Ginseng Garden
Five Villages AbbeyUsing body concealment, Wukong explores the lush Ginseng Garden and adjacent vegetable plots, marveling at their beauty while searching for fruits to steal.
Encounter at the Ginseng Tree
Five Villages AbbeyWukong discovers a ginseng tree in a garden. After failing to retrieve a fallen fruit, he confronts the local spirit, who explains the fruit's rarity and unique properties (resistance to the Five Phases). Wukong later returns to collect three fruits using his shirt as a sack.
Sharing the Immortal Fruit
Five Villages AbbeyWukong, Bajie, and Wujing share the ginseng fruits. Bajie hastily swallows one whole, prompting Wukong to scold him for wastefulness. The trio enjoys the rare treat despite its scarcity.
Investigation of Missing Ginseng Fruits
Five Villages AbbeyThe Daoist lads Clear Breeze and Bright Moon investigate the open doors to the flower and vegetable gardens, then count ginseng fruits in the garden. They discover only 22 of the original 30 fruits remain and suspect theft by Sanzang's disciples.
Confrontation with Sanzang
Five Villages AbbeyThe Daoist lads accuse Sanzang of stealing ginseng fruits in the main hall, using harsh language. Sanzang denies it and calls his disciples to account for themselves. The disciples (Wukong, Bajie, Wujing) reluctantly confront the accusations but refuse to admit guilt.