Chapter sixty-five
Demons set up falsely the Small Thunderclap.
The four pilgrims all meet a great ordeal.
yāoxiéjiǎshèxiǎoléiyīn妖邪假设小雷音sìzhòngjiēzāodàènàn四众皆遭大厄难
How to read this chart:
Journey Through Spring Landscape Toward Tall Mountain
Small Thunderclap TempleMaster and disciples travel westward through a vibrant spring landscape, encountering a towering mountain.
Arrival at Small Thunderclap Monastery
Small Thunderclap TempleThe group reaches a monastery resembling Thunderclap, but Wukong suspects danger. Sanzang insists on entering despite warnings. They discover it is the 'Small Thunderclap Monastery,' and Sanzang prepares to prostrate before its sacred site.
Encounter at Tathagata’s Hall
Small Thunderclap TempleInside the monastery, Sanzang and his disciples are confronted by a mysterious voice accusing them of insolence. They prostrate before Tathagata’s hall filled with arhats and guardians, while Wukong remains alert.
Confrontation at Small Thunderclap Monastery
Small Thunderclap TempleSun Wukong recognizes that the Buddha on the throne is a demon-king in disguise and attacks with his rod. A pair of golden cymbals fall from the air and trap Wukong completely. The other pilgrims—Sanzang, Bajie, and Wujing—are captured and bound by the demon's fiendish followers disguised as arhats. The demon-king reveals his true form and imprisons the pilgrims, planning to kill and eat them.
Struggle Within Golden Cymbals
Golden Cymbals InteriorTrapped in the golden cymbals, Wukong tries various transformations—growing large, shrinking small, and using his magic rod and hairs as drills—but cannot escape. He summons the Guardian of Five Quarters, the Six Gods of Darkness and Light, and the Eighteen Guardians of Monasteries, but none can open the cymbals.
Summoning Divine Aid from Heaven
HeavenThe Guardian of Five Quarters leaves the monastery and reports to the Jade Emperor about Wukong's predicament. The Jade Emperor orders the Twenty-Eight Constellations to descend and rescue the pilgrims.
Rescue Attempt with Gold Dragon's Horn
Small Thunderclap TempleThe Gold Dragon of the Twenty-eight Constellations uses his transformed horn to wedge into the cymbals. Wukong drills through the horn, escaping as the horn is pulled out.
Destruction of Golden Cymbals
Small Thunderclap TempleWukong emerges from a hole, destroys the Buddha's golden cymbals with his iron rod,causing panic among the constellations and demons.
Confrontation Between Wukong and Demon-King
Small Thunderclap TempleThe demon-king reveals himself as the self-cultivated Old Buddha of Yellow Brows and challenges Wukong to a duel, wagering the fate of the pilgrims. A fierce battle follows, with Wukong's iron rod and the demon-king's wolf-tooth club clashing repeatedly, but neither can gain the upper hand.
Trapping with White Cloth Wrap
Small Thunderclap TempleDuring the battle, the demon-king uses a magical white cloth wrap to trap Wukong, the Twenty-Eight Constellations, the Guardian of Five Quarters, Bajie, and Wujing. All are bound and imprisoned in the rear of the monastery, weakened and exhausted. The demon-king and his fiends celebrate their victory with a banquet.
Night Escape and Luggage Retrieval
Small Thunderclap TempleAt midnight, Wukong uses magic to escape his bindings, then frees Sanzang, Bajie, Wujing, the Twenty-Eight Constellations, and the Guardian of Five Quarters.
Stealthy Luggage Retrieval
Small Thunderclap TempleWukong transforms into a bat to stealthily re-enter the monastery and retrieve their luggage, avoiding detection as he navigates closed doors and shutters.
Escape and Pursuit
Small Thunderclap TempleWukong retrieves the glowing luggage but causes a commotion when it falls, waking the sleeping demon-spirit. The demons pursue him as Wukong abandons the luggage and escapes via cloud.
Battle on the Mountain Slope
Mountain of Seven ExtremesA fierce battle erupts between the demon-king's fiendish army and the divine warriors led by Wukong, Bajie, Wujing, and the Twenty-Eight Constellations. Amidst the chaos of banners, drums, and gongs, the Great King Yellow Brow uses his magical white cloth to capture all but Wukong, who narrowly escapes.
Wukong's Lament and Plan
Mountain of Seven ExtremesWukong escapes to the heavens but returns alone, finding his allies imprisoned and the monastery sealed. Wukong mourns his captured companions and resolves to seek help from the Demon-Conquering Celestial Worthy in Wudang Mountain to rescue them.