Chapter twenty-five
Zhenyuan Immortal pursues and captures the scripture-seeking monk.
Wukong creates havoc at Five Villages Abbey.
zhènyuánxiāngǎnzhuōqǔjīngsēng镇元仙赶捉取经僧sūnxíngzhědànàowǔzhuāngguān孙行者大闹五庄观
How to read this chart:
Accusation and Admission
Five Villages AbbeySanzang accuses his disciples of stealing ginseng fruits. Wukong admits they ate three fruits, but Clear Breeze and Bright Moon accuse him of stealing four. Tensions rise as the monks defend their actions.
Destruction of the Ginseng Tree
Five Villages AbbeyWukong creates a hair transformation duplicate to stand with his companions while his true spirit goes to the garden. He destroys the ginseng tree with his golden-hooped rod, causing all fruits to fall and disappear into the earth when they touch the ground. The tree is completely ruined with exposed roots and broken branches.
Discovery and Deception
Five Villages AbbeyThe two Daoist lads discover the destroyed tree, panic, and devise a plan to deceive the pilgrims by pretending there was no theft. They resolve to lock the pilgrims in after a meal.
Deception and Confinement
Five Villages AbbeyThe lads serve a meal to the pilgrims, then lock them inside. They falsely claim no fruits were missing and accuse the monks of theft, leaving Sanzang distressed.
Planning the Escape
Five Villages AbbeyThe Sanzang scolds Wukong for causing trouble by stealing and damaging the ginseng tree. Wukong suggests escaping under cover of darkness, but Bajie questions how they will exit locked doors. Wukong boasts he can open them with magic. Wukong uses his golden-hooped rod to magically open all locked doors, allowing them to flee.
Inducing Sleep
Five Villages AbbeyWukong sprinkles magic sleep-insects over Clear Breeze and Bright Moon, whisking them into a comical, unbreakable slumber so the pilgrims can slip away.
Flight West
Longevity MountainThe group escapes under moonlight. They journey west without pausing until dawn.
Immortal Zhenyuan's Return
Five Villages AbbeyThe Great Immortal and lesser immortals return from a lecture at Tushita Palace to find the abbey abandoned. The immortals awaken Clear Breeze and Bright Moon using a spell to remove the sleep curse. They learn of Wukong's destructive actions and prepare instruments of punishment for his group.
Great Immortal Pursues Pilgrims
Longevity MountainThe Great Immortal chases Sanzang's group, rushing a thousand miles through the clouds, and realizes the pilgrims have only traveled 120 miles. He returns and disguises as a mendicant Daoist to confront Sanzang.
Confrontation and Capture
Longevity MountainThe Great Immortal accuses Wukong of destroying his ginseng tree. Wukong attacks, leading to a battle where the Great Immortal captures all pilgrims in his magical sleeve.
Imprisonment at Five Villages Abbey
Five Villages AbbeyThe pilgrims are bound and imprisoned. Furious, the Great Immortal threatens to flog and ultimately cook the monks in retribution for the theft—a wild escalation reflecting his rage and despair.
Voluntary Punishment
Five Villages AbbeyWukong insists on taking 30 lashes in Sanzang’s stead, bravely (and magically) enduring the punishment without injury—his loyalty both moving and comic as he shrugs off the pain.
Second Round of Punishment
Five Villages AbbeyThe Great Immortal orders another 30 lashes for Sanzang's 'negligence,' which Wukong again takes instead, suffering silently.
Night of Confinement
Five Villages AbbeyThe pilgrims grumble about their imprisonment. Wukong reassures Sanzang, while Bajie questions his ability to escape.
Escape Using Transformed Willow Tree Decoys
Five Villages AbbeyWukong frees himself and his companions from ropes using magical transformation. He transforms four willow trees into magical doppelgangers of the pilgrims—complete with lifelike appearance and even mimicry—using his magical blood. The group escapes the abbey under cover of night, leaving confusion behind.
Discovery of Willow Tree Deception
Five Villages AbbeyThe Great Immortal orders his disciples to flog the pilgrims the next morning. When they attempt to beat the 'pilgrims,' they discover they are only striking willow trees. Wukong feels pain from his decoy being beaten and stops the magic, exposing the deception.
Second Battle and Recapture
Longevity MountainZhenyuan pursues and confronts the pilgrims again. A fierce battle ensues with Wukong, Bajie, and Wujing fighting the immortal together. After half an hour of combat, Zhenyuan recaptures them all in his magical sleeve.
Preparation for Cooking by Immortals
Five Villages AbbeyThe captured pilgrims are wrapped in lacquered cloth and prepared to be fried as retribution. Wukong mocks the immortals while bound.
Wukong's Deception at the Boiling Pan
Five Villages AbbeyWukong, pretending to accept being boiled, creates a stone lion decoy using blood magic. His true self escapes.
Stone Lion Deception and Pan Rupture
Five Villages AbbeyTwenty immortals manage to lift the stone lion decoy (disguised as Wukong) and throw it into the pan. The pan ruptures from the impact, spilling oil everywhere and burning them. The deception is exposed when they discover only a stone lion remains in the broken pan.
Wukong Offers Himself in Place of Sanzang
Five Villages AbbeyWhen the Great Immortal threatens to boil Sanzang instead, Wukong returns voluntarily to take his master's place in the pan, mocking the Immortal with bravado.