Chapter eighty-five
Wukong envies Bajie.
The Demon Lord schemes to devour Sanzang.
xīnyuándùmùmǔ心猿妒木母mózhǔjìtūnchán魔主计吞禅
How to read this chart:
Loss of Hair and Royal Pardon
Destroy-Dharma KingdomThe king and his officials discover that everyone in the kingdom, including the royal family, has lost their hair overnight. Interpreting this as a divine sign, they vow never to harm monks again.
Monks Revealed at Court
Destroy-Dharma KingdomOfficials present the recovered cupboard and white horse to the king. When the cupboard is opened, Sanzang and his disciples emerge, astonishing the court.
King Seeks Discipleship
Destroy-Dharma KingdomThe king learns of the monks’ pilgrimage, apologizes for his vow to harm monks, and requests to become their disciple.
Departure and Ominous Mountain Encounter
Thorn-Tree RidgeAfter leaving the kingdom, the monks soon face a rugged, ominous mountain. Sanzang grows anxious at the violent clouds and mist, but Wukong reassures him. As they proceed, an unnatural wind and dense fog arise, prompting Wukong to investigate.
Wukong's Discovery
Thorn-Tree RidgeWukong investigates, discovers a demon creating the disturbance, and decides to trick Bajie into confronting the demon.
Bajie Ambushed and Battles the Great King
Thorn-Tree RidgeTricked by Wukong, Bajie approaches the demons in disguise but is ambushed. He reverts to his true form, fights off the minions, and battles the Great King of the Southern Hill.
Wukong's Secret Aid
Thorn-Tree RidgeAs Bajie is surrounded, Wukong secretly creates a double from his hair to stay with Sanzang and rushes to help. Hearing Wukong, Bajie rallies and drives the Great King and his minions into retreat. Wukong quietly returns and retrieves his hair, so Sanzang and Wujing remain unaware.
Aftermath and New Role for Bajie
Thorn-Tree RidgeBajie returns, battered and embarrassed, and accuses Wukong of abandoning him. Wukong laughs it off and appoints Bajie as the path-finding general.
Great King of the Southern Hill's Frustration
Thorn-Tree RidgeThe Great King of the Southern Hill laments his failure to capture Sanzang and discusses with his minions the formidable strength of Sanzang’s three disciples.
Demons Fear Wukong and Plot to Capture Sanzang
Thorn-Tree RidgeA little demon frightens the Great King of the Southern Hill by recounting Wukong’s fearsome reputation and past exploits. Another demon then proposes a cunning plan: three demons will transform to distract each disciple, allowing the Great King to ambush and capture Sanzang.
Ambush and Sanzang's Capture
Thorn-Tree RidgeThe plan succeeds: three transformed demons ambush the disciples, and the Great King of the Southern Hill seizes Sanzang, carrying him away in a gust of wind.
Debate on Sanzang's Fate
Thorn-Tree RidgeThe vanguard demon advises delaying Sanzang’s consumption to avoid Wukong’s wrath. The Great King of the Southern Hill agrees and orders Sanzang bound in the back garden.
Captives' Conversation and Lament
Thorn-Tree RidgeBound together as captives, Sanzang and a woodcutter share their sorrows: Sanzang grieves for his failed mission and the souls depending on him, while the woodcutter mourns for his elderly mother who will be left alone if he dies.
Wukong's Search
Thorn-Tree RidgeWukong returns after defeating a demon, finds Sanzang missing, and begins searching the mountain for his master.