Chapter fifty-nine
Sanzang's Journey is Blocked at the Mountain of Flames.
Wukong's First Attempt to Borrow the Banana-Leaf Fan.
tángsānzànglùzǔhuǒyànshān唐三藏路阻火焰山sūnxíngzhěyīdiàobājiāoshàn孙行者一调芭蕉扇
How to read this chart:
Debating the Autumn Heat
Flaming MountainAs they travel, Sanzang and his disciples feel intense heat during autumn. Bajie suggests it might be the Surya Kingdom, where the sun sets into the sea, creating scorching conditions.
The Old Man’s Warning
Flaming MountainUpon arriving near the Mountain of Flames, the group meets an old man who explains that the region is always hot and warns them about the impassable fiery mountain ahead. The old man invites them into his home and describes the Mountain of Flames, its dangers, and the impossibility of crossing it without special help.
The Rice-Pudding Seller’s Secret
Flaming MountainLater, a young man selling rice-puddings passes by. Wukong buys one, but finds it unbearably hot to the touch. The seller explains that the region's crops can only grow when Immortal Iron Fan uses her Banana-Leaf Fan to extinguish the flames, and that the fan is the only way to control the fire and allow agriculture.
The Woodcutter’s Revelation
Jade Cloud MountainWukong arrives at Jade Cloud Mountain and meets a woodcutter. The woodcutter clarifies that 'Immortal Iron-Fan' is actually Princess Iron Fan, also known as Raksasi, wife of the Bull Demon King and mother of Red Boy, whom Wukong previously subdued.
Wukong Faces Princess Iron Fan
Palm-Leaf CaveWukong enters the cave and requests the Banana-Leaf Fan from Princess Iron Fan, but she is enraged by his past actions against her son Red Boy. They argue heatedly about Red Boy being taken by Guanyin, and Princess Iron Fan refuses to lend the fan out of vengeance. A physical battle ensues; despite Wukong's bravado, Princess Iron Fan uses her Banana-Leaf Fan to blow him away, sending him flying for miles.
Aid from Bodhisattva Lingji
Palm-Leaf CaveWukong arrives at Bodhisattva Lingji's temple after being blown by Princess Iron Fan's Banana-Leaf Fan. Lingji explains the power of her fan and gives Wukong a Wind-Arresting Elixir to counter its effects, preparing him for another confrontation with Raksasi.
Wukong’s Return and Ruse
Palm-Leaf CaveWukong returns to Palm-Leaf Cave, now protected by the Wind-Arresting Elixir. They fight again; Princess Iron Fan tries to blow him away with her Banana-Leaf Fan, but Wukong remains unmoved. Princess Iron Fan flees inside, and Wukong transforms into a mole cricket, sneaks in through a crack, and hides in her tea, preparing to torment her from within.
Battle Within the Stomach
Palm-Leaf CaveWukong torments Princess Iron Fan from within by causing unbearable pain in her abdomen and heart. She begs for mercy, leading to her agreeing to lend him the fan.
The False Banana-Leaf Fan
Flaming MountainWukong returns to Sanzang and the others with the Banana-Leaf Fan, recounting his ordeal with Raksasi and how he obtained the fan. He attempts to use the fan to extinguish the flames of the Mountain of Flames, but each wave only makes the fire more intense, burning the hair off his thighs and forcing the group to retreat. Wukong realizes that Princess Iron Fan has tricked him with a fake or enchanted Banana-Leaf Fan, leaving the group at a loss for how to proceed.
A Fiery Impasse and New Quest
Flaming MountainThe group faces a dilemma: they cannot proceed west due to the deadly flames, but refuse to turn back, leaving them at an impasse. A local spirit of the Mountain of Flames and a demon with a hawk beak and fish jowl appear, offering food and explaining that the fan Wukong obtained is a fake. The spirit tells them that to obtain the real palm-leaf fan (Banana-Leaf Fan) needed to extinguish the fire, they must seek out the Bull Demon King.