Journey to the West - Chapter 14 Part 1

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0:21 Thank you Journey to the West, an audio drama series. Chapter 14, Part One We speak again of Liu Boixin and Tang Shan Zhang, who were in the panic after hearing a voice shouting. My master has arrived, the house servant said. The one shouting must be that old ape from the stone case by the foot of the mountain, The Grand Guardian exclaimed. It is him.

0:56 It is him? Shan Zhang asked what OA the Grand Guardian explained this mountain was formerly called the Five Faces Mountain. It was only because our great Tang Emperor conquered and settled the western border of the nation that it was renamed the Two Frontier Mountain years before. I have heard from the elderly that the mountain fell from the skies at the time of one month's usurpation of Han Dynasty. It trapped a divine monkey underneath who was unafraid of cold or heat and needed not drink or eat. He had deities of the soil guarding him. They would feed him iron pallets when he was hungry and copper juice when he was thirsty.

1:37 From that day on, till this very moment he has survived both cold and hunger. The shells must be coming from him. Be not afraid. Elder, let us head down the mountain to have a look. San Zan could only obey and drag the horse back down. They walked no more than a few Lee before coming up to a stone case. And indeed, within it lied a monkey. His head was exposed with arms reaching out. He frantically waved and yelled.

2:07 Master, why are you only here now? I'm glad you arrived. I'm so very glad. Help me out and I will protect you. On the way to the West Heaven, the Elder came closer to look more carefully and this was what he saw. The creature had a sharp mouth and sunken cheeks. Golden pupils and fire. Eyes, moths and lichen covered his face, his skin layered with mud and dust.

2:35 Fortunately his eyes could still move and he produced pleasant sounds from his mouth. Though his speech came out in ease, his body remained unmovable. This was great sage. Soon, from 500 years ago to day, his ordeals would reach an end and he would be freed from the cosmic Nets. Grand Guardian Liu indeed had nerves. He approached the monkey and pulled out the growth on his face before asking.

3:04 What do you have to say? The monkey answered. I haven't got anything to say. Tell that master to come here and let me ask him something. Sun Sung asked. What do you have to ask me? The monkey said, Are you sent by the ruler of the land of the east to the West Heaven for scriptures? San Zan answered.

3:28 I certainly am. Why do you ask? The monkey explained. I am the heaven equalling great sage who wreaked havoc in the heavenly palace 500 years ago for the crime of deceiving the throne. Buddha trapped me here as punishment. Earlier, by Buddha's edict, Guanyin Bodhizatwar was heading to the land of the East to find a scripture seeker.

3:49 I asked her to save me. She told me to never become violent again and have me convert to Buddhism. I shall diligently protect the scripture seeker and bring him to Buddha in the West. Once the merit is complete, I will be rewarded. That is why my heart and nerves have been hanging in the air day and night, just waiting for you, Master, to free me. I am willing to protect you as a disciple on your way to find scriptures.

4:13 Sansan heard his words and his heart was filled with joy. He said You may have the good faith and willingness to enter the religion by the instructions from Bodhisattva, but I have no axe or chisel. How am I supposed to free you? The monkey answered. You need no axe or chisel. As long as you are willing to free me, I will be able to come out, San Zan said. I am willing to free you.

4:40 How will you come out? The monkey explained on top of this mountain is a strip of note from Rue Lai with golden inscriptions. Just go up there and pull the note off and I will be able to come out. Suntan took in his words before turning around to beg. Liu Boitin, Dear Grand Guardian, let's head up the mountain, Boitin remarked. I wonder if he's telling the truth. The monkey shouted at the top of his voice. I am telling the truth.

5:11 I dare not lie. Bochin thereby called up his house servants to ring the horse, while he himself helped Sansang up the mountain once again. After pulling on vines and creepers, they arrived at the very top. There indeed were 10,000 rays of golden light and 1000 wisps of auspicious air. There also lied a large square rock.

5:35 On it stuck a note with the following six characters in Gold Om Money Bei Meihong. Sansang approached and knelt down, facing the rock and staring at the golden characters he bowed several times before praying westward. Your disciple Chen Xuanzang is here seeking scriptures by an edict. Should he be destined to be my disciple, I will pull off the golden inscriptions, save the Divine Monkey, and we shall witness Spirit Mountain together. If that is not our destiny.

6:11 This creature is in fact a cunning monster who is here to deceive your disciple. And nothing goodwill come out of this, I will not be able to pull off the note. After he was done praying, he bowed again. Then he walked up and carefully pulled off the six characters. A fragrant breeze blew past and swept the strip of note up in the air. The voice was heard saying I am the God for the Great Sage to day marks the end of his suffering. We shall head back to see Rulai and return the slip of note. Frightened San, Zhang Boetin and the rest all kowtow to the sky. They then descended from the high mountain and went back to the stone case, telling the monkey the note has been pulled off.

7:02 Are you coming out? The monkey was overjoyed and shouted. Master, please go farther away so I can come out without frightening you. Bootchin heard that and brought San Zhang and the rest back eastward. They walked about 5 to 7 Lee away before hearing the monkey yelling again. Go further, go further. San Zhang then walked further till he was off the mountain. The next thing they heard was a crash so loud it nearly split the ground and collapsed mountains, shattering everyone's nerves.

7:38 On the other hand, the monkey was already before Sun Tang's horse. Completely naked. He cowed out and said master, I have come out. He prostrated to Sun Tang 4 times before hopping up to pay respect to Boazin. Thank you elder brother for helping my master all the way here and thank you for helping me. Pulled off the grass on my face.

8:02 After showing his gratitude, he went to pack the luggage and equip the horse. The moment the horse saw him, its waist went soft and hoofs weak, shaking and terrified, it could barely stand. This was because the monkey used to be B Mawin and raised the dragon horses in heaven. He had his way with these creatures and therefore mortal horses would also fear him. Tansan saw the way he carried himself and knew he truly had a good heart, just like a man of religion. So he said, disciple, what is your last name? The Monkey King answered.

8:41 My last name is Sun Shan, Zhang said Let me give you a religious name so it's easier to address you, the Monkey King explained. Thank you for the thought, master, but there is no need. I already have a religious name. It is Sun Wukong. Delighted, Shan Zhang said. It suits very well with our sect too. Your looks very much resembled that of a young Doo Doo or a toe.

9:06 Toe, a young mandakin, that is. Let me give you a nickname called Xinju. How would you like that? Wukong said. I love that, love that indeed love it, and therefore he would since be called Sun Xinju. Xinju, you see, referred to laborers who worked in temples but might not have officially entered the religion.

9:29 If you recall, MU Cha also had the title Xinju. In Layman's language, the meaning of Total and Xinju sometimes overlap and just refers to practicing Buddhists in a general sense. Watching Sun, Xinju focused on packing for the trip was in turn around to gesture to San Zhang Elder. How fortunate that you found a disciple here. Congratulations, Congratulations. He can certainly make the trip.

9:57 I shall bid farewell now. Sun Zhang bowed to thank him, saying sorry for keeping you here. I cannot describe how grateful I am. When you arrive home, please send my greetings and gratitude to your dear mother and wife. This humble cleric was such a bother at your household. I shall pay you another visit as thanks on my way back. What's in return?

10:19 The gesture and the two groups parted, and so Seng Xingju asked San Zang to mount the horse as he took the lead with all the luggage on his back. Stark naked, he walked in uneven steps. Soon they made past the two frontier mountain. Suddenly a fearsome tiger appeared, roaring with his tail sweeping around.

10:42 Sung Zung panicked on the horse while Xingzhu rejoiced by the road, saying be not afraid master, it's here to bring me clothes. And so, putting down the luggage, he pulled out a needle from his ear, swinging it towards the wind. It turned into an iron rod as thick as a bowl. He held it in his hands and said in delight. This precious darling has not been in use for over 500 years. I'm taking it out to day to earn myself a garment. Look at him striding forward, approaching the mighty tiger, shouting cursed beast.

11:17 Where do you think you're going? That tiger crouched and lied in the dust, not daring to move even a little bit. Then, with a hit right on the head, its brains exploded into 10,000 spots of peachy red and its teeth dropped like broken pieces of jade. Chen Shenzhen was so terrified he fell off the saddle. Biting his fingers he cried.

11:43 Good heavens, good heavens. Earlier, when Grand Guardian Leo fought A striped tiger, he had to battle the creature for half a day-to-day. Sung Wukong beat the tiger into a Pope with just one strike of the rod without having to fight it at all. It is indeed for the strong. There is always someone stronger.

12:06 Seemed to have dragged the tiger back and said master, do sit down for a bit. Wait till I pulled off his clothes so I can wear them for the journey. Sansan asked. What clothes do you mean? Seemed to have said. Don't you bother master. I know my way with it. Splendid Monkey King. He pulled off one hair and blew magical breath on to it, yelling change. It then transformed into a sharp knife in the shape of a cow's ear.

12:36 He cut open the skin from the Tiger's stomach and then with a pole, the entire skin ripped off. Chopping off the claws and cutting off the head, he produced a square piece of tiger skin. He held it up and measured it against himself, saying it's a bit too wide. One piece can be cut into two, and so he took the knife and cut it into two pieces.

13:02 He put away 1/2 and wrapped the other half on his waist. Then he pulled off a strand of vine from the roadside and firmly tied the skin in place to cover his lower body before saying master, let's go, let's go. Once we reach someone's house, we can borrow some thread and a needle and put this together. He gave the iron rod a good squeeze and turned it back into a needle before placing it into his ear. With the luggage on his back, he asked his master to mount the horse as the two moved forward.

13:34 The elder asked while riding the horse. Ukon, how come the iron rod you just used to be the tiger has disappeared? Sindur laughed and said, Master, you have no idea. That Rod of Mine was obtained from the Dragon Palace of the East Sea. It was called the rare piece of divine iron, fixing the bottom of the heavenly river, also known as the Compliant Golden Hooked Rod. I owe a great deal to this treasure. When I rebelled against the Heavenly Palace years ago, it transforms with my body.

14:09 It will grow big when I want it to be big, and goes small when I want it to be small. Just now I turn it into the size of a sewing needle and keep it in my ear. Only when I need it will I take it out, Sun Tang heard his words and was secretly delighted. He then asked just now, when the tiger saw you, why did it not move at all and just let you beat it? How did that happen?

14:36 Ukon explained. To be honest with you, Master, a tiger is nothing. Even if it's a dragon, it wouldn't dare act out in front of me. I, Elder Sun, you see, possess the ability to subdue Dragons and tigers, and the power to overturn rivers and seas. Through appearance I could tell the essence, and by mere listening I could discern the truth.

14:56 If I want to be large, I can be as large as the universe. If I want to be small, I can be as small as a piece of hair. There is no boundary to my transformations and no way to predict when I hide or show myself. What do you think is so impressive about skinning a tiger? Wait till you reach somewhere truly difficult and then you will see my true talent.

15:19 San Zhang took in his words and became increasingly relieved, urging the horse forward. The master and disciple walked while they talked without realizing the sunset. As beasts and birds returned home in groups. A Crescent moon rose into the dusk as thousands of stars shone in the sky. Seemed to have said Keep moving, master. It's getting late.

15:44 There are some dense clumps of trees ahead. It must be someone's house. Let's head there quickly and ask to stay the night sun. Tang indeed hurried the horse forward and went straight toward the house. He got off the horse once they reached the front yard while Sinjua threw down the luggage and walked forward, shouting open the door, Open the door. An elderly man came out holding a bamboo cane. He opened the creaking door and what he saw was Sinjua's frightening appearance with the piece of Tiger's skin tied to his waist and that face of a Thunder God. The old man was so terrified his legs went weak and his body numb as he muttered incoherently.

16:27 It's a ghost. It's a ghost. Sun Tan came forward to help him up, saying, Elderly patron, be not afraid. He is a disciple of this humble cleric, not a ghost or a monster. The old man looked up. Only when he saw San Zan's refined features did he finally calm down and stand up. He asked which temple are you from, monk?

16:53 Why bring this vile creature to my door? San Zan answered. This humble cleric is from Tang now heading to the West heaven to see Buddha for scriptures. We happen to pass through here. It is getting late, so we pay this visit to us to stay the night at your respectable residence. We will be on our way before dawn to Morrow morning. We beg that you could help us, the old man said. You may be a man from tongue, but that vile 1 isn't a tongue man.

17:28 Ukon shouted at the top of his voice. You, old fellow, have no idea what you're looking at. A tongue man is my master. I am his disciple and I am no sugar man or honey man either. I am the heaven equalling great sage. Some of the folks who live here should know me. I have met you before as well.

17:47 Sugar, you see, is also pronounced pang in Chinese, hence Wukong's sudden pun. The old man asked Where have you met me? Wukong asked. Didn't you collect wood in front of me when you were little? Didn't you pick vegetables from my face? The old man exclaimed. This fellow is not making any sense. Where did you live and where do I live? No way I could have collected wood or picked vegetables in front of you.

18:20 Wacom said whoever is not making sense shall be my son. You simply can't recognise me any more. I am the great sage who was caught in the stone case below the two frontier mountain. Have a closer look and see if you recognise me, The old man only then realized and asked. You do look a bit like him, but how did you get out?

18:43 Wukong then told the old man in great detail of how Parisatua converted him to the sight of good and instructed him to wait for the tongue monk to pull off the note and free him. Only then did the elderly man bow down and bite the tongue monk inside. He also called out his elderly wife and his children to come meet them.

19:04 Having exchanged everything that took place, everyone was full of joy. The hosts then served tea. Once that was done, the old man said to Wukong. Great sage, you must be pretty old. Wukong asked. How old are you? The old man answered in my senile ways. I have grown to be 130, Sindhya remarked. That puts you in the generation of my grandson or great grandson. I can't quite remember the year I was born, however, speaking only of my time under the mountain. It has been over 500 years, the old man said. Certainly that is certainly the case. I do remember hearing from my grandfather about the mountain falling from the sky, trapping a divine monkey underneath. It wasn't until now that you are

20:00 finally freed. When my younger self saw you, you had grass on your head and mud on your face. I wasn't afraid of you then. Now there is no more mud on your face and no more grass on your head. You seem skinnier and with that large piece of tiger skin covering your waist, how different are you from a monster? Everyone heard his words and burst into laughter. The old man was indeed kind and immediately arranged a vegetarian meal.

20:32 After they ate, Wukong asked What is your family name? The old man answered. This humble household goes by the name Chen Sansang heard this and instantly left his seat. Gesturing as a sign of respect, he said the elderly patron belongs to the same illustrious clan as this humble cleric. Sinto asked Master, your last name is Tang.

20:58 How come you share the same clan as him? San Zhang explained. My secular family is also named Chen. We come from the talent assembling Manor in the town of Hong Nong, which lies in Hai Zhou of Tang Dynasty. My religious name is Chen Shen Zhang. It is only because Emperor Taizhong of the Great Tang give to me the title of Royal Younger Brother and the name San Zhang that my last name was assigned to be Tang. That is why I am also known as Tang Sung the Tongue Monk. The old man learned that they were from the same family and grew even happier.

21:37 Seemed to have said, Old Chen, since I'm bothering your family anyway, I haven't bathed in over 500 years. Could you boil some hot water so the two of us could wash ourselves? I will thank you even more when we leave. The old man soon had water boiled and brought out basins and candlelight. When master and disciple were done bathing, they sat before the light when Xinjua said Old Chen, there is one more thing I would like to bother you with. Please lend me needle and thread, the old man said. Certainly, certainly I've got them. He then had his wife bring a needle and thread and hand them to Xinjua.

22:19 Xinjua was very observant. He saw his master taking off a short white robe, which he didn't put on after bathing, so he pulled it over and put it on himself. Then he took off the piece of tiger skin and sewed it into a pleat with what we call the horse face folds where the center area of the garment is flat and without folds.

22:41 Wrapping it around his waist and fastening it with the vine, he walked up to his master saying Elderson is dressed up like this today. How do I look compared to yesterday? Samsung commented. Very nice. Very nice indeed. Indeed. The way you look is just like a Sinjua. He then added disciple. If you do not mind how worn out it is, you can wear the robe from now on. Wukong gestured and gratitude.

23:13 Thank you for the gift. Thank you very much. He then went to find some grass to feed the horse. By now all the tasks have been complete. And so master and disciple, along with the old man, when to rest. Journey to the West and Audio Drama Series is an independent production by The 5th Monkey. For subtitles, please visit our YouTube channel, subscribe for free on YouTube to get us closer to monetization.

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24:05 Shares, comments, emails. All are welcome. This is Lynn. See you in the next episode.