Chapter 10: Exorcism In Gao Lao Village
Meanwhile, Ao Tu ordered Ba Jie to buy grain. Soon, Ba Jie returned with the grain: two hundred pounds each of rice, millet, panicled millet, wheat, and beans, totaling one thousand pounds.
He handed the grain to the old woman and prepared a table of sumptuous vegetarian meal. Master and disciple ate it, and the remaining grain was stored in the old woman’s home. Ao Tu instructed the old woman:
“Old benefactor, this poor monk is entrusting this grain to your home. If your family lacks grain in the future, feel free to take and use it, as payment for this poor monk’s storage fee. But you must not sell it outside. Do you remember?”
The old woman knew full well that Ao Tu was helping her. She knelt down with her young grandson and said:
“Thank you, Holy Monk, for your mercy. This old woman will never forget your great kindness for the rest of her life.”
Ao Tu smiled and said: “Get up. By the way, if this poor monk visits your home again, you must warmly host him without neglect.”
The old woman repeatedly agreed, promising to host him with utmost hospitality.
The next day, Ao Tu took Ba Jie to other poor families in the village, giving them silver taels, more or less, one by one.
Then he repeated to these people the same words he had said to the old woman.
In no time, everyone was praising Ao Tu’s good deeds.
During this, when some asked about the Earth God matter, Ao Tu said:
“This poor monk is giving alms today; tomorrow we start reclaiming the land.”
Thus, the third day arrived.
Early in the morning, Ao Tu gazed from afar in the air and saw Tang Sanzang and his disciples not far from here. He called to Ba Jie:
“Ba Jie, your senior brother is coming soon. Are you willing to go welcome him?”
Ba Jie quickly sobered up and said:
“There really is a senior brother! Where is he?”
Ao Tu said: “Don’t rush, don’t rush. Here is something for you.”
Ao Tu took out a golden flower.
Ba Jie said in surprise: “What is this?”
Ao Tu said: “This is the golden flower that Venerable Ananda gave to your master in the past. Eating it makes the body light and strong, prolongs life, and increases magic power. Your master is giving it to you today; refine it.”
Ba Jie happily took the golden flower and said:
“Master, you are so good to me. Why did you suddenly think of giving me this?”
Ao Tu said: “This is your master’s compensation to you.”
Ba Jie said: “Compensation? What compensation?”
Ao Tu said: “Refine it first, then we’ll talk.”
Ba Jie refined the golden flower and sighed with lingering satisfaction:
“This old pig hasn’t enjoyed such a good thing since being demoted to the mortal realm. Thank you, Master! By the way, Master, you haven’t said what this compensation is for yet.”
Ao Tu said: “It’s because your senior brother has a hot temper and is hard to get along with. I’m afraid he’ll bully you, so I’m compensating you.”
Ba Jie patted his chest and said:
“Master, I’m not afraid! Not to boast, this old pig has great skills. I once commanded eighty thousand navy in the Heavenly River, have thirty-six transformations, and wield a Precious Gold-infused Rake forged from divine iron. No matter what immortal comes down to the mortal realm, none can bully me.”
Ao Tu said: “That’s good. Go wait outside the village; he’ll arrive soon.”
Ba Jie said: “Yes, Master. I’ll go wait for him now.”
Ba Jie followed his master’s order and went outside the village. Ao Tu then transformed into his true form and departed.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Tang Sanzang and his disciples traveled several days through barren roads. That day, they saw a village under the mountain from afar.
Tang Sanzang said: “Wukong, look, there’s a village there. Let’s go beg for some vegetarian meal.”
Sun Wukong said: “Master, don’t rush. Let Old Sun go check if it’s auspicious or not.”
Sun Wukong flew up to the clouds and fixed his gaze. He saw the village under the mountain:
Dense bamboo fences, clustered thatched cottages. Old trees before doors, stream bridges by houses. Farmers tilling at field edges, loyal dogs guarding house corners. It must be a fine village.
He was about to return when he saw a demon emerge from the village, sitting on the main road outside. Black face, short hair, long snout, big ears—was it not a refined old pig?
Sun Wukong hurriedly returned to Tang Sanzang and said:
“Master, don’t go yet. That village is a good village, but there’s a pig spirit standing at the village entrance blocking the road.”
Tang Sanzang was startled and said: “Such a fine village, how can there be a pig spirit blocking the road? What are we to do?”
Sun Wukong said: “Master, don’t fear. Sit here while Old Sun goes eliminate that pig spirit so you can proceed safely.”
Tang Sanzang grabbed Sun Wukong and said: “Wukong, we don’t know if that pig spirit is a refined domestic pig or a wild boar.”
Sun Wukong said: “It’s a pig spirit—what does it matter if it’s domestic or wild?”
Tang Sanzang said with a face full of worry:
“If it’s a refined domestic pig, there’s likely only one; you can go beat it to death. But if it’s a refined wild boar, there might be more in the mountains. After you leave, they could sneak out and harm me too.”
Sun Wukong said: “Master, rest easy. You have the Six Ding and Six Jia protecting you; that pig spirit can’t harm you. I’m off!”
With that, Sun Wukong somersaulted on his Somersault Cloud to Gao Lao Village entrance and sternly shouted:
“Hey, you pig spirit! Where did you come from, demon? Why are you blocking Old Sun’s path at the village entrance?”
Ba Jie was sitting on the main road at the village entrance waiting for his senior brother when he suddenly heard this and jumped in fright.
Looking up, he saw a monster baring teeth, with fiery golden eyes, sharp mouth, and monkey face; wearing a cotton robe, tiger skin skirt around the waist. Because it looked very different from the golden armor and purple gold crown from five hundred years ago, Ba Jie didn’t recognize him at first and said:
“Damn monkey spirit, which mountain did you crawl out from to scare your Pig Grandpa? Get lost quick, don’t bring me bad luck, or one rake from me will poke nine more holes in your skinny body.”
Sun Wukong, hearing this, flew into a rage and said:
“Insolent demon, dare to boast like that? Eat Old Sun’s cudgel!”
With that, he took out the Golden Cudgel from his ear, swung the staff, and struck at his head.
Ba Jie hastily raised his rake to meet it, but the blow numbed his hands and arms, shocking him greatly.
Looking closely at Sun Wukong again, the appearance seemed somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection and seeing the Golden Cudgel, he recognized him and exclaimed in surprise:
“Aren’t you that Marshal of the Heavenly Horses who caused havoc in Heaven? How did you escape to bully me here?”
Sun Wukong swung his cudgel and said:
“You scoundrel, what demon are you? How do you know Old Sun’s title?”
Ba Jie revealed his origin as Marshal Tian Peng descended to the mortal realm, raised his rake, and said: “Marshal of the Heavenly Horses! Back when you caused havoc in Heaven, you implicated us countless times. Now you’re here making trouble again! Don’t be rude! Take rake!”
Sun Wukong laughed: “So you’re Marshal Tian Peng descended to the mortal realm, daring to block my path here. Take cudgel!”
The two fought fiercely, Golden Cudgel against Nine-Tooth Rake.
Ba Jie, beaten for no reason, got truly angry, wielded his rake fiercely, stirring up an evil wind that darkened the sky and earth. It probed like a flying dragon claw, struck the ground startling ghosts and gods.
Sun Wukong was unafraid, met him with his cudgel back and forth. They fought over a hundred rounds. Ba Jie’s arms grew sore and weak, unable to win, so he retreated in defeat, turned into a gust of wind, and fled back into Gao Lao Village.
Sun Wukong pursued him. Because they were in the village, he couldn’t fight freely and just chased Ba Jie to tease him.
Ba Jie couldn’t beat him and angrily cursed: “You damned Marshal of the Heavenly Horses, I never provoked you, yet you come to beat me and won’t let up. What’s the reason?”
Sun Wukong said: “You blocked the village entrance, obstructing Old Sun’s path. What’s your reason?”
Ba Jie said: “I’m following Master’s order to wait for my senior brother at the village entrance. What business is it of yours? How did I block your path?”
Sun Wukong said: “Who is your senior brother?”
Ba Jie didn’t know who it was and was at a loss for words.
Sun Wukong grabbed Ba Jie’s ear and said: “Oh, you dare to deceive me?”
Ba Jie said: “How did I deceive you? Master didn’t tell me who my senior brother is, only that he’s an immortal from heaven descended to the mortal realm, with a higher rank than me, managing agriculture and animal husbandry in the Heavenly Palace, and arriving soon.”
Suddenly, Ba Jie realized.
