Chapter ninety-seven
Gold-dispensing benefactor meets demonic harm.
The sage reveals his soul to bring restoration.
jīnchóuwàihùzāomózhé金酬外护遭魔蟄shèngxiǎnyōuhúnjiùběnyuán圣显幽魂救本原
How to read this chart:
Thieves Rob and Kill Kou Hong
Kou EstateThirty thieves target the wealthy Kou household after seeing the lavish send-off for the monks. During a rainstorm, they ransack the estate. When Kou Hong pleads for mercy, a bandit kicks him to death. The thieves escape with stolen treasure.
Madam Kou's False Accusation
Kou EstateMadam Kou maliciously fabricates a lie, claiming she witnessed Sanzang hold the torch, Bajie wield the knife, Wujing carry treasure, and Wukong kill her husband.
Arrest Order Issued
Bronze Estrade PrefectureHer sons file a formal complaint. Magistrate Jiang Kunsan receives the complaint and dispatches 150 officers to capture the four monks.
Pilgrims Capture the Bandits
Bright Light Travel CourtThe same thirty bandits ambush the pilgrims demanding travel money. Wukong immobilizes them then interrogates them. They confess to robbing Kou Hong. Sanzang decides to return the stolen goods.
Pilgrims Arrested While Returning Goods
Bright Light Travel CourtWhile returning the stolen treasure, the pilgrims encounter the 150 officers who arrest them as thieves.
Trial and Imprisonment
Bronze Estrade PrefectureThe magistrate refuses to believe Sanzang's explanation. To spare his master, Wukong falsely confesses to all charges. Officers try to clamp his head but the ropes break. All four are imprisoned.
Wukong Escapes as Dragonfly
Bronze Estrade PrefectureJailers beat the imprisoned monks demanding bribes. The prison warden recognizes their travel documents and protects their belongings. At the fourth watch, Wukong transforms into a small insect and escapes.
Ghost Voice Threatens the Kou Family
Kou EstateWukong imitates Kou Hong's voice from the coffin, claiming Yama King sent him back to expose his wife's false accusation. The ghost threatens to haunt the Kou family unless they retract the charges.
Supernatural Warnings to Officials
Bronze Estrade PrefectureWukong speaks from a painting of Magistrate Jiang's deceased uncle, demanding the monks' release.
Supernatural Warnings to Officials
Bronze Estrade PrefectureAt Diling County office, he manifests as a giant divine body with one enormous foot from the sky, threatening destruction as the Jade Emperor's Wandering Spirit.
Release and Journey to Underworld
Bronze Estrade PrefectureThe Kou brothers file a retraction after the ghost's warning. The magistrate releases the monks with apologies and accompanies them to the Kou estate.
Wukong Retrieves Kou Hong's Soul
UnderworldWukong flies to the underworld where the Ten Yama Kings direct him to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Ksitigarbha extends Kou Hong's life by twelve years and releases his soul. Wukong carries it back to the mortal realm.
Resurrection and Exoneration
Kou EstateWukong restores Kou Hong's soul to his body, reviving him. Kou Hong testifies that thirty bandits killed him, exonerating the pilgrims. The magistrate pardons the family. Kou Hong hosts a banquet and the next day arranges another grand send-off for the pilgrims.