Chapter 10: The Great Sage Catches Zhu Bajie

Summary

In this chapter, the disciples of Tripitaka—Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie—encounter a monster named Zhu Ganglie, a celestial being who was cursed and turned into a pig-like creature. After hearing the troubles of a man named Gao, whose daughter was taken by this monster, Wukong agrees to help. After a fierce battle with the monster, Zhu Ganglie is captured and redeemed. He is given a new name, Zhu Wuneng (Bajie), and joins Tripitaka's journey to the West, leaving behind his monstrous ways to follow the path of redemption. The chapter reflects themes of transformation, redemption, and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Content

The two masters and disciples traveled for six or seven days on a barren road. One evening, as dusk approached, Tripitaka saw a village in the distance and said, "Wukong, there is a village up ahead. Should we rest here for the night and continue our journey tomorrow?" Wukong replied, "Let me first check the omens before making a decision." He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun and stared at the village. "Master, this is a good place. We can stay here."

They entered the village and saw a young man walking quickly, carrying a bundle and an umbrella. Wukong approached him, grabbed him by the arm, and asked, "Tell me, what place is this?" The young man struggled, unable to break free, and yelled, "Why are you grabbing me? Can't you ask someone else? Are you picking on me because I look easy to bully? I won't tell you anything." Wukong held him tighter. "If you don't tell me, you won't be going anywhere." Tripitaka, seeing this, stepped forward and said, "Wukong, be polite. We should ask for directions first." Wukong released the young man. Tripitaka bowed politely and said, "Please do not be angry. Could you kindly tell us where we are?"

The young man, seeing Tripitaka’s courtesy, stopped arguing. "This is the Ustancang Kingdom, and this village is called Gao Lao Village. Most families here are named Gao." Wukong asked, "You seem in a hurry. Where are you going?" The young man said, "I am a servant of Old Gao, a man named Gao Cai. His daughter, who has not married, was taken by a monster three years ago. Old Gao sent me to find a capable monk to capture the monster."

Upon hearing this, Wukong became interested and laughed, "This is your lucky day! You've met me. Quickly go back and tell Old Gao that we are disciples of the Tang Dynasty, sent by the Emperor to journey westward to seek scriptures. We are experts in capturing monsters." Gao Cai, excited, led them back to the village.

When they arrived at the gate, Gao Cai went inside to report. Hearing that two monks from the Tang Dynasty had arrived, Old Gao thought that these travelers must have some ability, so he quickly changed into formal clothes and came out to greet them. After greeting Tripitaka, he saw Wukong and immediately became frightened. He said to Gao Cai, "What have you done, bringing a thunder god to harm me?" Wukong retorted, "Old man Gao, why judge me by my appearance? I'm not a thunder god. That is my great-grandson." Tripitaka intervened, "Wukong, don't speak recklessly." Wukong explained, "Master, I am going to help them capture the monster, but they are judging me by my looks instead of my abilities." He turned to Old Gao and said, "I may be ugly, but I can catch monsters. Just watch."

Old Gao was trembling, so he reluctantly invited them inside. Once seated, Old Gao served tea and asked, "I hear you are from the Tang Dynasty?" Tripitaka confirmed, "Yes, we are traveling to the west to seek scriptures and stopped here for the night." Old Gao said, "So you came to stay for the night, but you also mentioned capturing monsters?" Wukong asked, "We can stay, but capturing a few monsters along the way is no problem. How many monsters are there in your village?" Old Gao replied, "Only one, but it has caused my family great trouble." Wukong asked, "Tell me about this monster so I can help you capture it."

Old Gao explained, "I have three daughters. The eldest, Xianglan, and the second, Yulan, are already married. My youngest daughter, Cui Lan, is still unmarried. Three years ago, a man came, claiming to be from Fuling Mountain. His name is Zhu, and he had no family. He wanted to marry my daughter, so I invited him in. At first, he was hardworking, but soon, he began changing his face, turning into a foolish pig-like monster. He eats a lot and causes chaos. He locked Cui Lan in the back courtyard and doesn’t let us see her. We need your help to capture him." Wukong laughed, "Don't worry, old man. Tonight, I'll catch him and make him write a letter to break the engagement." Old Gao replied, "I don’t need a letter, just get rid of him." Wukong assured him, "It will be easy."

After dinner, the evening grew darker, and Old Gao asked, "Do you need any weapons or help?" Wukong replied, "I have my own weapon. I just need a few elderly people to talk to my master." Old Gao agreed and led them to the back yard. Wukong noticed the door was locked with copper, so he used his magic staff to break it open. "Go inside and check if your daughter is there," Wukong said to Old Gao. Old Gao nervously entered and called, "Third daughter!" Cui Lan weakly responded, "Father, I am here." They embraced and wept. Wukong said, "Stop crying. Tell me, where is the monster?" Cui Lan replied, "He comes at night and leaves before dawn, always disappearing in a mist. I don’t know where he goes."

Wukong told Old Gao, "Take your daughter back to the front hall and catch up. I will wait here for the monster. If he doesn’t come, don’t blame me. If he does, I will deal with him." Old Gao gladly led Cui Lan away.

Soon after they left, Wukong transformed into Cui Lan’s appearance and sat in the room waiting for the monster. Before long, a strong wind blew, and a figure appeared in the air—a large-eared, long-mouthed monster. Wukong pretended to be ill, groaning in bed. The monster, not recognizing the deception, entered the room and immediately tried to kiss Wukong. Wukong pushed him away, and the monster asked, "Did I come too late?" Wukong replied, "Not at all. Why did you push me?" The monster said, "You look beautiful tonight, so why avoid me?" Wukong retorted, "You are so ugly, I’m afraid of you." The monster then revealed his identity, "I am called Zhu Ganglie, from Fuling Mountain." Wukong immediately realized it was a former celestial general, now transformed into a monster.

The monster tried to leave, but Wukong grabbed him, revealing his true form. The monster was terrified and tried to escape. Wukong pursued him with his staff. They fought, and the monster eventually fled into his cave, taking out a nine-pronged rake to battle Wukong. The two fought until dawn. Realizing he couldn’t win, the monster fled again, and Wukong returned to the village.

When Wukong returned, Tripitaka asked, "Did you capture the monster?" Wukong explained the situation, and Old Gao quickly knelt before Tripitaka, begging him to capture the monster once and for all. Wukong assured him, "He is a celestial being, so he has some abilities. Although he eats a lot, he has also helped you gain wealth. Perhaps it’s best to leave him be." But Old Gao insisted that he couldn’t allow the monster to stay. Tripitaka agreed that Wukong should capture him.

Wukong returned to the monster's cave and broke down the door. The monster, angry, came out to fight, but soon realized he could not defeat Wukong. He begged Wukong for mercy and agreed to help him on his journey west to redeem himself. Wukong, satisfied, agreed to let him go and had him burn his cave to the ground.

The monster, now called Zhu Wuneng, agreed to become a disciple of Tripitaka. Old Gao was overjoyed, and a feast was prepared to celebrate. Tripitaka, however, refused the offer of money, but Wukong accepted it, giving it to Gao Cai for shoes. Zhu Wuneng, now officially named Bajie (Eight Precepts), promised to take care of the family’s needs.

As they continued on their journey, Bajie expressed concern about the journey’s difficulties, but Tripitaka urged him to focus on the task ahead.