Chapter twenty-eight
At Flower-Fruit Mountain, the demons gather in assembly.
In the Black Pine Forest, Sanzang encounters demons.
huāguǒshānqúnyāojùyì花果山群妖聚义hēisōnglínsānzàngféngmó黑松林三藏逢魔
How to read this chart:
Crossing the Ocean
East SeaThe Great Sage crosses the Great Eastern Ocean with regret, reflecting on five hundred years since his last visit. He composes a poem describing the ocean's vastness and turbulent waves.
Desolate Mountain
Flower-Fruit MountainThe Great Sage arrives at Flower-Fruit Mountain but finds it barren and destroyed. He composes a lamenting poem describing the mountain's ruined state and blames Erlang God for burning it during his capture.
Reunion with Monkeys
Flower-Fruit MountainSeven small monkeys appear, expressing their suffering under hunters and population decline. They explain that half were killed in a fire led by Erlang God, and the remaining face starvation and capture.
Confronting Leadership
Flower-Fruit MountainThe monkeys inform Wukong that Ma, Liu, Beng, and Ba now lead the remaining population. The Great Sage orders them to prepare for incoming threats as hunters approach.
Recounting Suffering
Flower-Fruit MountainThe monkeys detail their hardships: being hunted, skinned, and forced into performance. Wukong grows angry about the hunters' atrocities but refuses to stay for celebration.
Preparing Defense
Flower-Fruit MountainThe Great Sage directs monkeys to build rock barriers while observing approaching hunters with men, horses, hawks, and traps. He prepares for confrontation as the group watches from hiding.
The Violent Wind of the Great Sage
Flower-Fruit MountainWukong summons a destructive wind to attack hunters on his mountain, causing massive destruction. He then orders monkeys to collect resources from the dead and use them for practical purposes.
Sanzang Is Hungry
Black Pine ForestThe group journeys through a dense forest. Sanzang feels hungry and asks Bajie to find food.
Bajie's Search for Food and Slumber
Black Pine ForestBajie ventures westward to find food but grows weary, falls asleep in the grass, and fails to return.
Wujing Searches for Bajie
Black Pine ForestAfter Sanzang grows anxious waiting for Bajie, Wujing volunteers to search for him. Wujing leaves the pine forest, looking for Bajie, but finds no villages or people.
Sanzang's Encounter with the Golden Pagoda
Black Pine ForestLost while waiting for Bajie and Wujing, Sanzang discovers a gleaming golden pagoda. Despite its beauty, it is an evil place where a demon resides. Sanzang ties his horse to explore it, unknowingly setting up an encounter that will lead to conflict.
Sanzang's Encounter with the Demon
Current-Moon CaveSanzang enters a pagoda and discovers a fearsome sleeping demon. After being spotted by the demon's subordinates, he is captured and bound to a pillar. The demons secure the pagoda's entrance to capture Sanzang's disciples later.
Bajie and Wujing's Search
Black Pine ForestWujing climbs a knoll and hears someone talking in the grass, eventually discovering Bajie asleep. Wujing wakes Bajie and urges him to return.
Discovery of the Demon's Lair
Casserole MountainApproaching the sealed pagoda marked 'Current-Moon Cave,' Bajie and Wujing deduce it is a demon's dwelling. They prepare to confront the threat to rescue Sanzang.
Arrival at Yellow Robe's Lair
Current-Moon CaveBajie and Wujing approach the cave, with Bajie announcing their presence. A small demon opens the door, informs his master of two monks' arrival, prompting Yellow Robe to prepare for battle.
Confrontation with Yellow Robe
Current-Moon CaveYellow Robe confronts Bajie and Wujing, taunting them about the Sanzang being in his possession. Bajie pretends to be their father sent by the Great Tang but is nearly tricked into entering the cave until Wujing warns him.
Battle on the Clouds
Current-Moon CaveAfter being alerted, Bajie and Wujing fight Yellow Robe in a fierce aerial battle. The three engage in intense combat using magical powers, but no clear resolution is reached by the end of this scene.