Chapter 11: Tang Monk Encounters Disaster at Yellow Wind Ridge

Summary

Tang Sanzang and his disciples reach Yellow Wind Ridge, where they encounter a demon army led by Yellow Wind King. The vanguard, a tiger demon, is killed by Pigsy, angering the demon king. Wukong battles the Yellow Wind King but is defeated by his Yellow Wind Storm, which temporarily blinds him. Seeking a cure, Wukong receives divine assistance and learns that only Lingji Bodhisattva can subdue the demon. The Bodhisattva provides a Wind-Restraining Pill and Flying Dragon Staff. In battle, he transforms the staff into a golden dragon, capturing the demon, who is revealed to be a yellow-furred weasel. Lingji takes the demon to Buddha for judgment, and Tang Sanzang is rescued, allowing the journey to continue.

Content

Master and disciples left Gao Village and continued westward for over a month. One evening, while traveling, they saw a village by the roadside. Tang Sanzang said, “Wukong, it is getting late. Fortunately, there is a house nearby where we can seek lodging.” Pigsy said, “I have been hungry for a long time. We can also beg for some food there to regain strength.” Wukong mocked, “You homesick fool, you’ve barely left home and are already complaining.” Pigsy retorted, “Unlike you, who feeds on wind and smoke, I haven’t had a proper meal since I followed Master.” Tang Sanzang sighed, “If you long for home so much, you may return.” Pigsy quickly replied, “Master, I only said I was hungry, but Brother Wukong accused me of being homesick. I have taken the Bodhisattva’s vow and am committed to protecting you on this journey to the West. I will not turn back. Please do not tell me to leave.” Tang Sanzang nodded, “Very well, let us proceed.”

As they approached the village, Tang Sanzang asked Wukong and Pigsy to wait while he went to seek lodging. An old man reclined on a bamboo chair at the entrance. Hearing that Tang Sanzang was a monk from the Great Tang traveling to the West for scriptures, he welcomed them into his humble abode for the night. The next morning, as they took their leave, the old man warned them, “Thirty miles west lies Yellow Wind Ridge, a treacherous mountain spanning over eight hundred miles, inhabited by demons. Please be cautious.” Tang Sanzang thanked the old man and continued the journey.

After traveling for nearly thirty miles, they saw a towering mountain ahead. Suddenly, a whirlwind arose. Tang Sanzang, still on horseback, exclaimed, “This wind is unnatural. We must be careful.” Wukong sniffed the air and detected a foul, fishy scent. “Indeed, this is no ordinary wind—something sinister is afoot.” Just as he spoke, a ferocious tiger leaped out from the hillside, causing Tang Sanzang to fall from his horse in fright. Pigsy dropped his luggage, raised his rake, and shouted, “Evil beast, where do you think you’re going?” He charged forward and swung his rake at the tiger’s head. The tiger dodged and, to their surprise, stood up, shedding its skin like a cloak. “I am the vanguard of Yellow Wind King’s army, sent to capture a few humans for our feast. Who are you monks that dare attack me?”

Pigsy scoffed, “We are no ordinary travelers. My master is the imperial monk, Tang Sanzang, traveling to the West for scriptures. I advise you to step aside, lest you enrage my master, who will not spare your life.” The demon ignored his warning and lunged at Pigsy. They exchanged blows before the demon fled into a rocky outcrop, retrieved two bronze swords, and resumed the fight. Seeing this, Wukong told Tang Sanzang, “Master, stay here. I will assist Pigsy.” He drew his iron staff and joined the battle. Unable to withstand their combined assault, the demon turned and ran. Wukong and Pigsy pursued him, but the demon suddenly shed his tiger form, left his skin draped over a rock, and vanished in a gust of wind.

When Wukong and Pigsy reached the spot, they found only a lifeless tiger skin. Alarmed, Wukong cried, “We’ve been tricked! He used a deception tactic! Let’s check on Master.” They rushed back but found Tang Sanzang missing. “The demon’s lair must be nearby,” Wukong declared. “We must search for it.” They scoured the mountain and finally spotted a cave under a rocky cliff. The entrance bore the inscription: Yellow Wind Ridge, Yellow Wind Cave.

Wukong brandished his staff and bellowed, “Demon, release my master at once, or I will destroy your cave!” The sentries rushed inside to report, “Great King, disaster! A hairy-faced, thunder-mouthed monk is demanding his master back!” The Yellow Wind King trembled at the news and summoned the tiger vanguard. “Sun Wukong has come for battle. What should we do?” The vanguard replied, “Fear not, my king. I will lead fifty warriors and capture the monkey for our feast.”

The tiger demon led his troops out, but within moments of combat, he was overwhelmed. As he fled, he encountered Pigsy, who struck him squarely on the head with his rake, killing him instantly. Wukong rejoiced and returned to the cave entrance, taunting the Yellow Wind King.

Hearing of the tiger vanguard’s death, the Yellow Wind King was furious. “I haven’t even eaten his master, yet he dares to kill my men? Unforgivable!” He armed himself with a three-pronged steel fork and led his army outside. “Who is Sun Wukong?” he bellowed.

Wukong sneered, “Your grandfather is here!” The demon inspected Wukong’s small frame and laughed, “I thought you’d be a great warrior, but you look like a frail skeleton!” Enraged, Wukong attacked. They fought fiercely for thirty rounds without a clear winner. Wukong, growing impatient, plucked hairs from his body and transformed them into clones of himself. But the demon inhaled deeply and unleashed a Yellow Wind Storm, scattering the clones and nearly blinding Wukong with dust and debris. Defeated, Wukong retreated. Pigsy, watching from afar, saw the storm and cowered in fear.

When the storm settled, Pigsy met Wukong. “Brother, that wind was terrifying! Did you win?” Wukong sighed, “That wind is stronger than anything I’ve ever faced.” Pigsy asked, “What do we do now?” Wukong replied, “We must find a healer for my eyes first. The demon likely won’t harm Master immediately.”

While searching for shelter, they found a village. The kind host offered medicine, Three-Flower Nine-Seed Balm, which cured Wukong’s eyes overnight. The next morning, the village disappeared—it was an illusion set up by a divine protector. Renewed in strength, Wukong infiltrated Yellow Wind Cave and found Tang Sanzang tied to a Wind-Restraining Pillar. Meanwhile, overhearing the demon’s fear of Lingji Bodhisattva, Wukong flew off to seek divine aid.

Lingji Bodhisattva explained that the Yellow Wind Monster was once a yellow-furred weasel from the foot of Mount Ling. It had stolen sacred oil and fled. The Bodhisattva gifted Wukong a Wind-Restraining Pill and Flying Dragon Staff and accompanied him back. As soon as Wukong provoked the demon into battle, Lingji intervened. He cast a spell, transforming the staff into a golden dragon that seized the demon, smashing him against the rocks. The demon reverted to its true form—a yellow-furred weasel.

As Wukong prepared to kill it, Lingji stopped him. “Let me take it to the Buddha for judgment.” Wukong thanked the Bodhisattva as he ascended into the clouds. With the monster defeated, the disciples rescued Tang Sanzang, and the journey westward continued.