話表孫大聖無計可施，縱一朵祥雲，駕觔斗，徑轉南贍部洲去拜武當山，參請蕩魔天尊，解釋三藏、八戒、沙僧、天兵等眾之災。他在半空裡無停止，不一日，早望見祖師仙境，輕輕按落雲頭，定睛觀看，好去處：
巨鎮東南，中天神岳。芙蓉峰竦傑，紫蓋嶺巍峨。九江水盡荊揚遠，百越山連翼軫多。上有太虛之寶洞，朱陵之靈臺。三十六宮金磬響，百千萬客進香來。舜巡禹禱，玉簡金書。樓閣飛青鳥，幢幡擺赤裾。地設名山雄宇宙，天開仙境透空虛。幾樹榔梅花正放，滿山瑤草色皆舒。龍潛澗底，虎伏崖中。幽禽如訴語，馴鹿近人行。白鶴伴雲棲老檜，青鸞丹鳳向陽鳴。玉虛師相真仙地，金闕仁慈治世門。
上帝祖師乃淨樂國王與善勝皇后夢吞日光，覺而有孕，懷胎一十四個月，於開皇元年甲辰之歲三月初一日午時降誕於王宮。那爺爺：
幼而勇猛，長而神靈。不統王位，惟務修行。父母難禁，棄舍皇宮。參玄入定，在此山中。功完行滿，白日飛昇。玉皇敕號，真武之名。玄虛上應，龜蛇合形。周天六合，皆稱萬靈。無幽不察，無顯不成。劫終劫始，剪伐魔精。
孫大聖玩著仙境景致，早來到一天門、二天門、三天門。卻至太和宮外，忽見那祥光瑞氣之間，簇擁著五百靈官。那靈官上前迎著道：「那來的是誰？」大聖道：「我乃齊天大聖孫悟空，要見師相。」眾靈官聽說，隨報。祖師即下殿，迎到太和宮。行者作禮道：「我有一事奉勞。」問：「何事？」行者道：「保唐僧西天取經，路遭險難。至西牛賀洲，有座山喚小西天，小雷音寺有一妖魔。我師父進得山門，見有阿羅、揭諦、比丘、聖僧排列，以為真佛，倒身才拜，忽被他拿住綁了。我又失於防閑，被他拋一副金鐃，將我罩在裡面，無纖毫之縫，口合如鉗。甚虧金頭揭諦請奏玉帝，欽差二十八宿，當夜下界，掀揭不起。幸得亢金龍將角透入鐃內，將我度出，被我打碎金鐃，驚醒怪物。趕戰之間，又被撒一個白布搭包兒，將我與二十八宿並五方揭諦，盡皆裝去，復用繩綑了。是我當夜脫逃，救了星辰等眾與我唐僧等。後為找尋衣缽，又驚醒那怪，與天兵趕戰。那怪又拿出搭包兒，理弄之時，我卻知道前音，遂走了。眾等被他依然裝去。我無計可施，特來拜求師相一助力也。」祖師道：「我當年威鎮北方，統攝真武之位，剪伐天下妖邪，乃奉玉帝敕旨。後又披髮跣足，踏騰蛇神龜，領五雷神將、巨虯獅子、猛獸毒龍，收降東北方黑氣妖氛，乃奉元始天尊符召。今日靜享武當山，安逸太和殿，一向海岳平寧，乾坤清泰。奈何我南贍部洲並北俱蘆洲之地，妖魔剪伐，邪鬼潛蹤，今蒙大聖下降，不得不行。只是上界無有旨意，不敢擅動干戈。假若法遣眾神，又恐玉帝見罪；十分卻了大聖，又是我逆了人情。我諒著那西路上縱有妖邪，也不為大害。我今著龜、蛇二將並五大神龍與你助力，管教擒妖精，救你師之難。」
话表孙大圣无计可施，纵一朵祥云，驾觔斗，径转南赡部洲去拜武当山，参请荡魔天尊，解释三藏、八戒、沙僧、天兵等众之灾。他在半空里无停止，不一日，早望见祖师仙境，轻轻按落云头，定睛观看，好去处：
巨镇东南，中天神岳。芙蓉峰竦杰，紫盖岭巍峨。九江水尽荆扬远，百越山连翼轸多。上有太虚之宝洞，朱陵之灵台。三十六宫金磬响，百千万客进香来。舜巡禹祷，玉简金书。楼阁飞青鸟，幢幡摆赤裾。地设名山雄宇宙，天开仙境透空虚。几树榔梅花正放，满山瑶草色皆舒。龙潜涧底，虎伏崖中。幽禽如诉语，驯鹿近人行。白鹤伴云栖老桧，青鸾丹凤向阳鸣。玉虚师相真仙地，金阙仁慈治世门。
上帝祖师乃净乐国王与善胜皇后梦吞日光，觉而有孕，怀胎一十四个月，于开皇元年甲辰之岁三月初一日午时降诞于王宫。那爷爷：
幼而勇猛，长而神灵。不统王位，惟务修行。父母难禁，弃舍皇宫。参玄入定，在此山中。功完行满，白日飞升。玉皇敕号，真武之名。玄虚上应，龟蛇合形。周天六合，皆称万灵。无幽不察，无显不成。劫终劫始，剪伐魔精。
孙大圣玩着仙境景致，早来到一天门、二天门、三天门。却至太和宫外，忽见那祥光瑞气之间，簇拥着五百灵官。那灵官上前迎着道：「那来的是谁？」大圣道：「我乃齐天大圣孙悟空，要见师相。」众灵官听说，随报。祖师即下殿，迎到太和宫。行者作礼道：「我有一事奉劳。」问：「何事？」行者道：「保唐僧西天取经，路遭险难。至西牛贺洲，有座山唤小西天，小雷音寺有一妖魔。我师父进得山门，见有阿罗、揭谛、比丘、圣僧排列，以为真佛，倒身才拜，忽被他拿住绑了。我又失于防闲，被他抛一副金铙，将我罩在里面，无纤毫之缝，口合如钳。甚亏金头揭谛请奏玉帝，钦差二十八宿，当夜下界，掀揭不起。幸得亢金龙将角透入铙内，将我度出，被我打碎金铙，惊醒怪物。赶战之间，又被撒一个白布搭包儿，将我与二十八宿并五方揭谛，尽皆装去，复用绳捆了。是我当夜脱逃，救了星辰等众与我唐僧等。后为找寻衣钵，又惊醒那怪，与天兵赶战。那怪又拿出搭包儿，理弄之时，我却知道前音，遂走了。众等被他依然装去。我无计可施，特来拜求师相一助力也。」祖师道：「我当年威镇北方，统摄真武之位，剪伐天下妖邪，乃奉玉帝敕旨。后又披发跣足，踏腾蛇神龟，领五雷神将、巨虬狮子、猛兽毒龙，收降东北方黑气妖氛，乃奉元始天尊符召。今日静享武当山，安逸太和殿，一向海岳平宁，乾坤清泰。奈何我南赡部洲并北俱芦洲之地，妖魔剪伐，邪鬼潜踪，今蒙大圣下降，不得不行。只是上界无有旨意，不敢擅动干戈。假若法遣众神，又恐玉帝见罪；十分却了大圣，又是我逆了人情。我谅着那西路上纵有妖邪，也不为大害。我今着龟、蛇二将并五大神龙与你助力，管教擒妖精，救你师之难。」
Now, the Great Sage Sun had no plan left. He launched an auspicious cloud, mounted his somersault and headed straight back to the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, to visit Mount Wudang and ask the Demon-Quelling Celestial Venerable to deliver Sanzang, Bajie, Sha Monk and the heavenly host from their plight. He flew through the air without stopping. Before long, he could already see the Patriarch’s immortal realm. Gently lowering his cloud, he looked closely. What a fine place:
A mighty bulwark in the southeast;a divine peak reaching midheaven.Lotus Peak towers splendidly;Zigai Ridge rises grand and high.The Nine Rivers drain through distant Jing and Yang;the mountains of the Hundred Yue stretch beneath Wings and Chariot.Above lie the precious Great Void Caveand the sacred Vermilion Mound Terrace.Golden chimes ring through thirty-six palaces;pilgrims by the hundred, thousand, million come to offer incense.Shun made his tour, and Yu his prayers;jade tablets and golden writings.Blue birds fly about the towers;crimson skirts flutter among the banners.Earth sets a famous mountain to command the universe;Heaven opens an immortal realm that pierces the void.Several langmei trees are in full bloom;precious grasses spread their colours over all the mountain.Dragons lurk beneath the streams;tigers crouch within the cliffs.Secluded birds seem to speak their thoughts;tame deer walk close beside men.White cranes nest with clouds in ancient junipers;blue luan and crimson phoenixes sing toward the sun.The Master Minister of the Jade Void has a true immortal dwelling;the Benevolent One of the Golden Gates has a portal for governing the world.
The divine Patriarch was born to the King of Pure Joy and Queen Shansheng. The queen dreamed she swallowed sunlight and, on waking, found herself pregnant. She carried him for fourteen months, and at noon on the first day of the third month, in the jiachen year, the first year of the Kaihuang reign, he was born in the royal palace. This venerable lord:
In childhood brave and fierce,in manhood filled with divine power.He would not take the royal throne,but gave himself to cultivation.His parents could not hold him back;he left the royal palace.He sought the mysteries and entered meditationhere within this mountain.His merits complete, his practice fulfilled,he ascended in broad daylight.The Jade Emperor bestowed his title:the True Warrior.He answered the dark void above;tortoise and snake combined their forms.Throughout the heavens and the six directions,all called him lord of the myriad spirits.Nothing hidden escaped his gaze;nothing manifest lay beyond his power.At each age’s end and each age’s beginning,he cut down demons and evil spirits.
Enjoying the sights of the immortal realm, the Great Sage Sun soon passed the First, Second and Third Gates of Heaven. Outside the Palace of Supreme Harmony, amid auspicious light and blessed vapours, he suddenly saw five hundred Divine Inspectors clustered together. They came forward to meet him. “Who is that approaching?” The Great Sage said, “I am Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. I wish to see the Master Minister.” On hearing this, the Divine Inspectors reported his arrival. The Patriarch came down from his hall at once and welcomed him into the Palace of Supreme Harmony. Pilgrim paid his respects. “I have a matter in which I must trouble you.” “What matter?” he asked. Pilgrim said, “While protecting the Tang Monk on his journey to fetch the scriptures from the Western Heaven, I have met danger on the road. In the Western Continent of Aparagodaniya there is a mountain called the Little Western Heaven, and a demon lives in the Little Thunderclap Monastery. My master went through its gate and saw ranks of arhats, guardians, bhikshus and holy monks. Thinking he had found the true Buddha, he had barely bowed down when the demon seized him and tied him up. I too let down my guard. He threw a pair of golden cymbals over me and trapped me inside, without the slightest crack: their rims clamped together like pincers. Fortunately, the Gold-Head Guardian petitioned the Jade Emperor, who sent the Twenty-eight Lunar Mansions down that very night. They could not lift the cymbals apart. Luckily the Metal Dragon of Neck pushed his horn through them and brought me out. I smashed the golden cymbals and woke the monster. During the ensuing battle, he tossed up a white cloth shoulder bag and swept me, the Twenty-eight Lunar Mansions and the Guardians of the Five Directions inside, then tied us up again. That night I escaped and freed the star gods, my Tang Monk and the others. But while looking for the robe and bowl, I woke the monster again, and he pursued us and fought the heavenly troops. He brought out the shoulder bag once more. As he handled it, I knew what was coming and ran. The others were swept inside as before. I have no plan left, and have come expressly to beg the Master Minister for help.” The Patriarch said, “In former days We held the north in awe, occupied the seat of the True Warrior and cut down the demons and evil spirits of the world, all by the Jade Emperor’s decree. Later, with loose hair and bare feet, treading on the Flying Snake and the Divine Tortoise, We led the Divine Generals of the Five Thunders, mighty horned dragons and lions, fierce beasts and venomous dragons, to subdue the dark vapours and demonic miasma of the northeast. That was by a summons from the Celestial Venerable of the Primordial Beginning. Now We enjoy the peace of Mount Wudang and repose in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Seas and mountains have long been tranquil, Heaven and Earth clear and at ease. Demons have been cut down in Our Southern Continent of Jambudvipa and in the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru, and evil ghosts have gone into hiding. Now that the Great Sage has honoured Us with a visit, We cannot refuse to act. Yet no decree has come from above, and We dare not take up arms on Our own authority. If We send out the gods by Our command, I fear the Jade Emperor may hold Us guilty; if We refuse the Great Sage outright, We offend the bonds of friendship. We judge that even if there are demons on the western road, they cannot be doing any great harm. We will send the Tortoise and Snake Generals and the Five Divine Dragons to help you. They shall capture the demon and rescue your master from his ordeal.”
行者拜謝了祖師，即同龜、蛇、龍神各帶精銳之兵，復轉西洲之界。不一日，到了小雷音寺，按下雲頭，徑至山門外叫戰。
行者拜谢了祖师，即同龟、蛇、龙神各带精锐之兵，复转西洲之界。不一日，到了小雷音寺，按下云头，径至山门外叫战。
Pilgrim bowed to thank the Patriarch, then set out with the Tortoise, Snake and Dragon Gods, each bringing his finest troops, and returned to the Western Continent. Before long, they reached the Little Thunderclap Monastery. Lowering their cloud, they went straight to the gate and challenged the demon to battle.
卻說那黃眉大王聚眾怪在寶閣下說：「孫行者這兩日不來，又不知往何方去借兵也。」說不了，只見前門上小妖報道：「行者引幾個龍、蛇、龜相，在門外叫戰。」妖魔道：「這猴兒怎麼得個龍、蛇、龜相？此等之類，卻是何方來者？」隨即披掛，走出山門高叫：「汝等是那路龍神，敢來造吾仙境？」五龍、二將相貌崢嶸，精神抖擻，喝道：「那潑怪！我乃武當山太和宮混元教主蕩魔天尊之前五位龍神、龜蛇二將。今蒙齊天大聖相邀，我天尊符召，到此捕你。你這妖精，快送唐僧與天星等出來，免你一死；不然，將這一山之怪碎劈其屍，幾間之房燒為灰燼。」那怪聞言，心中大怒道：「這畜生，有何法力，敢出大言？不要走，吃吾一棒。」這五條龍翻雲使雨，那兩員將播土揚沙，各執槍刀劍戟，一擁而攻；孫大聖又使鐵棒隨後。這一場好殺：
兇魔施武，行者求兵。兇魔施武，擅據珍樓施佛像；行者求兵，遠參寶境借龍神。龜蛇生水火，妖怪動刀兵。五龍奉旨來西路，行者因師在後收。劍戟光明搖彩電，槍刀晃亮閃霓虹。這個狼牙棒，強能短軟；那個金箍棒，隨意如心。只聽得扢撲響聲如爆竹，叮噹音韻似敲金。水火齊來征怪物，刀兵共簇繞精靈。喊殺驚狼虎，諠譁振鬼神。渾戰正當無勝處，妖魔又取寶和珍。
行者帥五龍、二將，與妖魔戰經半個時辰，那妖精即解下搭包在手。行者見了心驚，叫道：「列位仔細。」那龍神、蛇、龜不知甚麼仔細，一個個都停住兵，近前抵擋。那妖精幌的一聲，把搭包兒撇將起去。孫大聖顧不得五龍、二將，駕觔斗，跳在九霄逃脫。他把個龍神、龜、蛇一搭包子又裝將去了。妖精得勝回寺，也將繩綑了，擡在地窖子裡蓋住不題。
却说那黄眉大王聚众怪在宝阁下说：「孙行者这两日不来，又不知往何方去借兵也。」说不了，只见前门上小妖报道：「行者引几个龙、蛇、龟相，在门外叫战。」妖魔道：「这猴儿怎么得个龙、蛇、龟相？此等之类，却是何方来者？」随即披挂，走出山门高叫：「汝等是那路龙神，敢来造吾仙境？」五龙、二将相貌峥嵘，精神抖擞，喝道：「那泼怪！我乃武当山太和宫混元教主荡魔天尊之前五位龙神、龟蛇二将。今蒙齐天大圣相邀，我天尊符召，到此捕你。你这妖精，快送唐僧与天星等出来，免你一死；不然，将这一山之怪碎劈其尸，几间之房烧为灰烬。」那怪闻言，心中大怒道：「这畜生，有何法力，敢出大言？不要走，吃吾一棒。」这五条龙翻云使雨，那两员将播土扬沙，各执枪刀剑戟，一拥而攻；孙大圣又使铁棒随后。这一场好杀：
凶魔施武，行者求兵。凶魔施武，擅据珍楼施佛像；行者求兵，远参宝境借龙神。龟蛇生水火，妖怪动刀兵。五龙奉旨来西路，行者因师在后收。剑戟光明摇彩电，枪刀晃亮闪霓虹。这个狼牙棒，强能短软；那个金箍棒，随意如心。只听得扢扑响声如爆竹，叮当音韵似敲金。水火齐来征怪物，刀兵共簇绕精灵。喊杀惊狼虎，諠哗振鬼神。浑战正当无胜处，妖魔又取宝和珍。
行者帅五龙、二将，与妖魔战经半个时辰，那妖精即解下搭包在手。行者见了心惊，叫道：「列位仔细。」那龙神、蛇、龟不知甚么仔细，一个个都停住兵，近前抵挡。那妖精幌的一声，把搭包儿撇将起去。孙大圣顾不得五龙、二将，驾觔斗，跳在九霄逃脱。他把个龙神、龟、蛇一搭包子又装将去了。妖精得胜回寺，也将绳捆了，抬在地窖子里盖住不题。
Meanwhile, Great King Yellow Brows had gathered his demons beneath the jewelled pavilion. “Pilgrim Sun hasn’t come these past two days,” he said. “Who knows where he’s gone to borrow troops this time?” Before he had finished, a lesser demon came from the front gate to report, “Pilgrim has brought some dragon, snake and tortoise figures, and is challenging us outside.” The demon said, “How did that monkey get hold of dragons, snakes and tortoises? Where can creatures of that sort have come from?” At once he put on his armour, went out through the monastery gate and shouted, “What quarter do you Dragon Gods belong to, that you dare intrude upon my immortal realm?” The five dragons and two generals looked formidable and were full of vigour. They shouted, “You wretched monster! We are the Five Dragon Gods and the Tortoise and Snake Generals who serve the Demon-Quelling Celestial Venerable, Lord of the Primordial Unity, in the Palace of Supreme Harmony on Mount Wudang. At the invitation of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and by our Celestial Venerable’s command, we have come to seize you. Demon, bring out the Tang Monk and the heavenly stars at once, and you may keep your life. Otherwise we will hack every monster on this mountain to pieces and burn these buildings to ashes!” The monster flew into a rage. “You beasts! What powers have you, to dare such big talk? Don’t run! Take my cudgel!” The five dragons churned clouds and sent down rain; the two generals scattered earth and raised sand. With spears, sabres, swords and halberds in hand, they attacked as one, and the Great Sage Sun followed with his iron cudgel. What a battle:
The savage demon wields his might;Pilgrim seeks reinforcements.The savage demon wields his might,seizing precious towers and putting on the Buddha’s form;Pilgrim seeks reinforcements,travelling to a distant sacred realm to borrow Dragon Gods.Tortoise and Snake bring forth water and fire;the demon sets his weapons moving.The five dragons come to the western road by command;Pilgrim guards their rear for his master’s sake.Swords and halberds flash like coloured lightning;spears and sabres glitter like rainbows.This one’s wolf-tooth cudgelcan grow or shrink, supple and yielding;That one’s gold-banded cudgelanswers every wish.Thuds and cracks sound like firecrackers;ringing clangs like blows upon metal.Water and fire join to assail the monster;weapons crowd about the evil spirit.Battle cries startle wolves and tigers;the uproar shakes ghosts and gods.With the melee still undecided,the demon brings out his treasure once again.
Pilgrim led the five dragons and two generals against the demon for half a double hour. Then the demon untied his shoulder bag and took it in his hand. Pilgrim’s heart leapt at the sight. “Careful, everyone!” he cried. The Dragon Gods, Snake and Tortoise had no idea what there was to be careful of. Each paused with his weapon and moved forward to resist. With a swish the demon flung up the shoulder bag. The Great Sage Sun could no longer look after the five dragons and two generals. He mounted a somersault and leapt into the Nine Heavens to escape. Once again the demon swept the Dragon Gods, Tortoise and Snake into his bag. Victorious, he returned to the monastery, had them tied with ropes, and sent them into the cellar, where the cover was shut over them. Let us leave them there.