Chapter thirty-four
The Demon King's cunning entraps Wukong.
The Great Sage leaps and tricks for the treasures.
mówángqiǎosuànkùnxīnyuán魔王巧算困心猿dàshèngténgnápiànbǎobèi大圣腾那骗宝贝
How to read this chart:
Wily Worm and Sly Devil with the Gourd
Lotus Flower CaveWily Worm and Sly Devil attempt to use the gourd received from Wukong, but it fails to work, leading them to suspect it is a fake. Wukong, hidden, retrieves the fake gourd using magic, leaving the demons empty-handed and panicked about reporting their failure.
Wukong Follows the Demons
Lotus Flower CaveWukong transforms into a fly, shrinks the treasures, and follows the demons as they return to their cave.
Demons Report to Head Demons
Lotus Flower CaveThe two demons confess their failure and loss of treasures to the head demons, who deduce Wukong’s involvement.
Sending for Old Madam
Lotus Flower CaveSilver Horn instructs Hill-Pawing Tiger and Sea-Lolling Dragon to fetch Old Madam and the yellow-gold rope.
Journey to Dragon-Crushing Cave
Dragon-Crushing CaveWukong overhears, follows, and kills the two after confirming the location, then transforms into Hill-Pawing Tiger to infiltrate Old Madam’s cave.
Meeting Old Madam
Dragon-Crushing CaveWukong, disguised as a demon, approaches Old Madam’s cave, kneels in forced humility, and delivers the invitation, reflecting on his humiliation for Sanzang’s sake.
Wukong’s Deception and Killing Old Madam
Dragon-Crushing CaveWukong kills the sedan carriers and the Old Madam (revealed as a nine-tailed fox), and transforms into her.
Entry into Lotus-Flower Cave
Lotus Flower CaveWukong, disguised as Old Madam, enters the cave. Bajie and Wujing nearly recognize him. The demons prepare a grand reception.
Bajie’s Revelation
Lotus Flower CaveBajie, hanging from a beam, recognizes Wukong’s tail and realizes the disguise, sharing this with Wujing.
Confrontation and Second Demon’s Challenge
Lotus Flower CaveWukong’s identity is exposed. The second demon challenges Wukong to battle, and a fierce fight ensues in midair, compared to tigers and dragons fighting.
Wukong’s Tactical Escape and Capture
Lotus Flower CaveAfter a stalemate, Wukong tries to use the yellow-gold rope, but the demon counters and binds Wukong instead. Wukong is tied to a pillar but escapes using transformation magic.
Deception in Captivity
Lotus Flower CaveWukong, still captive, disguises his true form. Bajie tries to sabotage the disguise and calls out the flaws in his transformation by pointing out his tail/red buttocks, so Wukong blackens them with soot.
Treasure Theft and Trickery
Lotus Flower CaveWukong steals the yellow-gold rope, replaces it with a fake, and creates a hair clone to deceive the demons, escaping again.
Wukong’s Downfall
Lotus Flower CaveThe demon tricks Wukong into responding to his fake name, activating the gourd’s magic and trapping Wukong inside.
Wukong’s Plan for Escape
Purple-Gold-Red GourdWukong, trapped, uses a hair to create a decoy and escapes as an insect, tricking the demons.
The Gourd Trickery
Lotus Flower CaveWukong, disguised as Sea-Lolling Dragon, steals the real gourd, replaces it with a fake, and rejoins the demons undetected.