且不言天神圍繞，大聖安歇。話表南海普陀落伽山大慈大悲救苦救難靈感觀世音菩薩，自王母娘娘請赴蟠桃大會，與大徒弟惠岸行者，同登寶閣瑤池，見那裡荒荒涼涼，席面殘亂；雖有幾位天仙，俱不就座，都在那裡亂紛紛講論。菩薩與眾仙相見畢，眾仙備言前事。菩薩道：「既無盛會，又不傳杯，汝等可跟貧僧去見玉帝。」眾仙怡然隨往。至通明殿前，早有四大天師、赤腳大仙等眾俱在此，迎著菩薩，即道玉帝煩惱，調遣天兵，擒怪未回等因。菩薩道：「我要見見玉帝，煩為轉奏。」天師丘弘濟即入靈霄寶殿，啟知宣入。時有太上老君在上，王母娘娘在後。
且不言天神围绕，大圣安歇。话表南海普陀落伽山大慈大悲救苦救难灵感观世音菩萨，自王母娘娘请赴蟠桃大会，与大徒弟惠岸行者，同登宝阁瑶池，见那里荒荒凉凉，席面残乱；虽有几位天仙，俱不就座，都在那里乱纷纷讲论。菩萨与众仙相见毕，众仙备言前事。菩萨道：「既无盛会，又不传杯，汝等可跟贫僧去见玉帝。」众仙怡然随往。至通明殿前，早有四大天师、赤脚大仙等众俱在此，迎着菩萨，即道玉帝烦恼，调遣天兵，擒怪未回等因。菩萨道：「我要见见玉帝，烦为转奏。」天师丘弘济即入灵霄宝殿，启知宣入。时有太上老君在上，王母娘娘在后。
Let us leave the heavenly gods surrounding the mountain and the Great Sage at rest. Our story turns to the greatly kind and compassionate Bodhisattva Guanshiyin, who answers prayers and delivers those in suffering and distress, of Mount Potalaka in the South Sea. Invited by the Queen Mother of the West to the grand Peach Banquet, she went with her senior disciple, Pilgrim Hui’an, up to the precious pavilion at the Jade Pool. They found the place desolate and deserted, the banquet tables plundered and in disarray. A few heavenly immortals were there, but none had taken a seat: all stood about talking in confusion. When the Bodhisattva had exchanged greetings with them, they told her everything that had happened. “Since there is no grand banquet and no wine going round,” she said, “come with this poor monk to see the Jade Emperor.” The immortals gladly followed. Before the Hall of Clear Light they found the Four Great Heavenly Masters, the Barefoot Immortal and the others already waiting. They welcomed the Bodhisattva and explained that the Jade Emperor was distressed, that he had sent heavenly troops to capture the monster, and that they had not yet returned. “I would like to see the Jade Emperor,” said the Bodhisattva. “Please announce me.” Heavenly Master Qiu Hongji went straight into the Hall of Divine Mists to report, and she was summoned inside. Lord Lao the Most High was there in the place of honour, with the Queen Mother seated behind.
菩薩引眾同入裡面，與玉帝禮畢，又與老君、王母相見，各坐下。便問：「蟠桃盛會如何？」玉帝道：「每年請會，喜喜歡歡；今年被妖猴作亂，甚是虛邀也。」菩薩道：「妖猴是何出處？」玉帝道：「妖猴乃東勝神洲傲來國花果山石卵化生的。當時生出，即目運金光，射沖斗府。始不介意，繼而成精，降龍伏虎，自削死籍。當有龍王、閻王啟奏。朕欲擒拿，是長庚星啟奏道：『三界之間，凡有九竅者，可以成仙。』朕即施教育賢，宣他上界，封為御馬監弼馬溫官。那廝嫌惡官小，反了天宮。即差李天王與哪吒太子收降，又降詔撫安，宣至上界，就封他做個齊天大聖，只是有官無祿。他因沒事幹管理，東遊西蕩。朕又恐別生事端，著他代管蟠桃園。他又不遵法律，將老樹大桃，盡行偷吃。及至設會，他乃無祿人員，不曾請他。他就設計賺哄赤腳大仙，卻自變他相貌入會，將仙殽仙酒盡偷吃了，又偷老君仙丹，又偷御酒若干，去與本山眾猴享樂。朕心為此煩惱，故調十萬天兵，天羅地網收伏。這一日不見回報，不知勝負如何。」菩薩聞言，即命惠岸行者道：「你可快下天宮，到花果山，打探軍情如何。如遇相敵，可就相助一功，務必的實回話。」
菩萨引众同入里面，与玉帝礼毕，又与老君、王母相见，各坐下。便问：「蟠桃盛会如何？」玉帝道：「每年请会，喜喜欢欢；今年被妖猴作乱，甚是虚邀也。」菩萨道：「妖猴是何出处？」玉帝道：「妖猴乃东胜神洲傲来国花果山石卵化生的。当时生出，即目运金光，射冲斗府。始不介意，继而成精，降龙伏虎，自削死籍。当有龙王、阎王启奏。朕欲擒拿，是长庚星启奏道：『三界之间，凡有九窍者，可以成仙。』朕即施教育贤，宣他上界，封为御马监弼马温官。那厮嫌恶官小，反了天宫。即差李天王与哪吒太子收降，又降诏抚安，宣至上界，就封他做个齐天大圣，只是有官无禄。他因没事干管理，东游西荡。朕又恐别生事端，着他代管蟠桃园。他又不遵法律，将老树大桃，尽行偷吃。及至设会，他乃无禄人员，不曾请他。他就设计赚哄赤脚大仙，却自变他相貌入会，将仙殽仙酒尽偷吃了，又偷老君仙丹，又偷御酒若干，去与本山众猴享乐。朕心为此烦恼，故调十万天兵，天罗地网收伏。这一日不见回报，不知胜负如何。」菩萨闻言，即命惠岸行者道：「你可快下天宫，到花果山，打探军情如何。如遇相敌，可就相助一功，务必的实回话。」
The Bodhisattva led the others inside. After paying her respects to the Jade Emperor, she exchanged greetings with Lord Lao and the Queen Mother, and they all sat down. She asked, “What has happened to the grand Peach Banquet?” The Jade Emperor said, “Every year We invite everyone to a joyful feast. This year a demon monkey has caused such havoc that Our invitations have come to nothing.” The Bodhisattva asked, “Where did this demon monkey come from?” The Jade Emperor said, “He was born from a stone egg on Flower-Fruit Mountain in the kingdom of Aolai, on the Eastern Continent of Purvavideha. At his birth, golden beams shot from his eyes and reached the Palace of the Dipper. We paid no heed at first. Later he developed supernatural powers, subdued dragons and tigers, and struck his own name from the register of the dead. The Dragon King and the King of the Underworld reported this to Us. We meant to arrest him, but the Venus Star addressed the throne: ‘Within the Three Realms, any creature with nine openings may become an immortal.’ So We extended Our teachings to nurture his talents, summoned him to the upper realm and appointed him Keeper of the Horses in the Imperial Stables. The wretch thought the office beneath him and rebelled against the Heavenly Palace. We sent Heavenly King Li and Prince Nezha to subdue him, then issued a decree to win him over, called him back to the upper realm and made him Great Sage Equal to Heaven — an office, but with no salary. With nothing to manage, he wandered east and west. Fearing further mischief, We put him in temporary charge of the Peach Garden. Again he defied the law and stole and ate all the large peaches on the old trees. When the banquet was held, he was not invited, being an unsalaried official. He devised a trick to deceive the Barefoot Immortal, took on his appearance and entered the feast. He stole and consumed all the immortal food and wine, then stole Lord Lao’s immortal elixir, and still more imperial wine to share with the monkeys on his own mountain. That is what has distressed Us. We have therefore sent a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers with the Nets of Heaven and Earth to subdue him. A whole day has passed without a report, and We do not know who has won.” At this the Bodhisattva ordered Pilgrim Hui’an, “Go down from the Heavenly Palace at once to Flower-Fruit Mountain and find out how the campaign is going. If you come upon a battle, lend a hand. Be sure to bring back an accurate report.”
惠岸行者整整衣裙，執一條鐵棍，駕雲離闕，徑至山前。見那天羅地網，密密層層，各營門提鈴喝號，將那山圍繞的水泄不通。惠岸立住叫：「把營門的天丁，煩你傳報：我乃李天王二太子木吒──南海觀音大徒弟惠岸，特來打探軍情。」那營裡五岳神兵，即傳入轅門之內。早有虛日鼠、昴日雞、星日馬、房日兔，將言傳到中軍帳下。李天王發下令旗，教開天羅地網，放他進來。此時東方才亮，惠岸隨旗進入，見四大天王與李天王下拜。拜訖，李天王道：「孩兒，你自那廂來者？」惠岸道：「愚男隨菩薩赴蟠桃會，菩薩見勝會荒涼，瑤池寂寞，引眾仙並愚男去見玉帝。玉帝備言父王等下界收伏妖猴，一日不見回報，勝負未知，菩薩因命愚男到此打聽虛實。」李天王道：「昨日到此安營下寨，著九曜星挑戰，被這廝大弄神通，九曜星俱敗走而回。後我等親自提兵，那廝也排開陣勢。我等十萬天兵，與他混戰至晚，他使個分身法戰退。及收兵查勘時，止捉得些狼蟲虎豹之類，不曾捉得他半個妖猴。今日還未出戰。」
惠岸行者整整衣裙，执一条铁棍，驾云离阙，径至山前。见那天罗地网，密密层层，各营门提铃喝号，将那山围绕的水泄不通。惠岸立住叫：「把营门的天丁，烦你传报：我乃李天王二太子木吒──南海观音大徒弟惠岸，特来打探军情。」那营里五岳神兵，即传入辕门之内。早有虚日鼠、昴日鸡、星日马、房日兔，将言传到中军帐下。李天王发下令旗，教开天罗地网，放他进来。此时东方才亮，惠岸随旗进入，见四大天王与李天王下拜。拜讫，李天王道：「孩儿，你自那厢来者？」惠岸道：「愚男随菩萨赴蟠桃会，菩萨见胜会荒凉，瑶池寂寞，引众仙并愚男去见玉帝。玉帝备言父王等下界收伏妖猴，一日不见回报，胜负未知，菩萨因命愚男到此打听虚实。」李天王道：「昨日到此安营下寨，着九曜星挑战，被这厮大弄神通，九曜星俱败走而回。后我等亲自提兵，那厮也排开阵势。我等十万天兵，与他混战至晚，他使个分身法战退。及收兵查勘时，止捉得些狼虫虎豹之类，不曾捉得他半个妖猴。今日还未出战。」
Pilgrim Hui’an straightened his robes, took an iron cudgel and rode a cloud out of the palace, straight to the mountain. There he saw the Nets of Heaven and Earth laid thickly, layer upon layer. At every camp gate soldiers rang watch bells and called out the signals; the mountain was surrounded so tightly that not a drop of water could have passed through. Hui’an stopped and called, “Heavenly soldier guarding the gate, please announce me. I am Mu Zha, Heavenly King Li’s second son — Hui’an, senior disciple of Guanyin of the South Sea. I have come expressly to inquire about the campaign.” The divine soldiers of the Five Sacred Mountains passed the message through the headquarters gate. The Sun Rat of Emptiness, the Sun Rooster of Hairy Head, the Sun Horse of Star and the Sun Hare of Room soon carried it to the central command tent. Heavenly King Li sent out his command flag and ordered the Nets of Heaven and Earth opened to admit him. Dawn was just breaking in the east. Hui’an followed the flag inside and bowed to the Four Heavenly Kings and Heavenly King Li. When he had finished, Heavenly King Li asked, “My son, where have you come from?” Hui’an said, “Your foolish son accompanied the Bodhisattva to the Peach Banquet. Finding the feast deserted and the Jade Pool desolate, she took the immortals and your foolish son to see the Jade Emperor. His Majesty explained that you, Father, and the others had gone down to subdue the demon monkey, but a day had passed without a report, and he did not know who had won. So the Bodhisattva sent your foolish son here to find out what has happened.” Heavenly King Li said, “We arrived yesterday and pitched camp. I sent the Nine Luminaries to challenge him, but the wretch put on a great display of magic, and all nine came running back defeated. Then we led out the troops ourselves, and he drew up his forces too. Our hundred thousand heavenly soldiers fought him in a mêlée until evening. He drove us back with an art of dividing his body. When we withdrew and counted our captures, we had taken only wolves, other beasts, tigers, leopards and the like. Not so much as half a demon monkey! We have not yet fought today.”
說不了，只見轅門外有人來報道：「那大聖引一群猴精，在外面叫戰。」四大天王與李天王並太子正議出兵，木吒道：「父王，愚男蒙菩薩吩咐，下來打探消息，就說若遇戰時，可助一功。今不才願往，看他怎麼個大聖。」天王道：「孩兒，你隨菩薩修行這幾年，想必也有些神通，切須在意。」
说不了，只见辕门外有人来报道：「那大圣引一群猴精，在外面叫战。」四大天王与李天王并太子正议出兵，木吒道：「父王，愚男蒙菩萨吩咐，下来打探消息，就说若遇战时，可助一功。今不才愿往，看他怎么个大圣。」天王道：「孩儿，你随菩萨修行这几年，想必也有些神通，切须在意。」
Before he had finished, someone came from outside the headquarters gate to report, “The Great Sage has brought a band of monkey spirits and is challenging us to fight.” The Four Heavenly Kings, Heavenly King Li and the prince were discussing sending out the troops when Mu Zha said, “Father, the Bodhisattva sent your foolish son down to gather news, and told him to help if he came upon a battle. Unworthy though I am, I would like to go and see just what sort of Great Sage he is.” The Heavenly King said, “My son, after these years of practice under the Bodhisattva you must have acquired some magic of your own. But take great care.”
好太子，雙手掄著鐵棍，束一束繡衣，跳出轅門，高叫：「那個是齊天大聖？」大聖挺如意棒，應聲道：「老孫便是。你是甚人，輒敢問我？」木吒道：「吾乃李天王第二太子木叉，今在觀音菩薩寶座前為徒弟護教，法名惠岸是也。」大聖道：「你不在南海修行，卻來此見我做甚？」木吒道：「我蒙師父差來打探軍情，見你這般猖獗，特來擒你。」大聖道：「你敢說那等大話，且休走，吃老孫這一棒。」木吒全然不懼，使鐵棒劈手相迎。他兩個立那半山中，轅門外，這場好鬥：
棍雖對棍鐵各異，兵縱交兵人不同。一個是太乙散仙呼大聖，一個是觀音徒弟正元龍。渾鐵棍乃千鎚打，六丁六甲運神功；如意棒是天河定，鎮海神珍法力洪。兩個相逢真對手，往來解數實無窮。這個的陰手棍萬千兇，繞腰貫索疾如風；那個的夾槍棒不放空，左遮右擋怎相容。那陣上旌旗閃閃，這陣上鼉鼓鼕鼕。萬員天將團團繞，一洞妖猴簇簇叢。怪霧愁雲漫地府，狼煙煞氣射天宮。昨朝混戰還猶可，今日爭持更又兇。堪羨猴王真本事，木吒復敗又逃生。
好太子，双手抡着铁棍，束一束绣衣，跳出辕门，高叫：「那个是齐天大圣？」大圣挺如意棒，应声道：「老孙便是。你是甚人，辄敢问我？」木吒道：「吾乃李天王第二太子木叉，今在观音菩萨宝座前为徒弟护教，法名惠岸是也。」大圣道：「你不在南海修行，却来此见我做甚？」木吒道：「我蒙师父差来打探军情，见你这般猖獗，特来擒你。」大圣道：「你敢说那等大话，且休走，吃老孙这一棒。」木吒全然不惧，使铁棒劈手相迎。他两个立那半山中，辕门外，这场好斗：
棍虽对棍铁各异，兵纵交兵人不同。一个是太乙散仙呼大圣，一个是观音徒弟正元龙。浑铁棍乃千锤打，六丁六甲运神功；如意棒是天河定，镇海神珍法力洪。两个相逢真对手，往来解数实无穷。这个的阴手棍万千凶，绕腰贯索疾如风；那个的夹枪棒不放空，左遮右挡怎相容。那阵上旌旗闪闪，这阵上鼍鼓冬冬。万员天将团团绕，一洞妖猴簇簇丛。怪雾愁云漫地府，狼烟煞气射天宫。昨朝混战还犹可，今日争持更又凶。堪羡猴王真本事，木吒复败又逃生。
Our fine prince swung his iron cudgel in both hands, tucked his embroidered robe tight and sprang out through the headquarters gate. “Which one is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?” he shouted. The Great Sage levelled his As-You-Will cudgel and answered, “Old Sun is! Who are you, to dare ask me?” Mu Zha said, “I am Mu Zha, Heavenly King Li’s second son. I now serve before the Bodhisattva Guanyin’s precious throne as her disciple and a defender of her teaching. My religious name is Hui’an.” The Great Sage said, “Why aren’t you practising in the South Sea? What have you come here to see me for?” Mu Zha said, “My Master sent me to inquire about the campaign. Seeing you rampage like this, I have come to capture you.” The Great Sage said, “You dare talk so big? Stay where you are and taste Old Sun’s cudgel!” Mu Zha showed no fear at all and swung his iron cudgel to meet the blow. There on the mountainside outside the headquarters gate, what a battle they fought!
Cudgel meets cudgel, but the iron differs;weapon clashes with weapon, but the men are not the same.One is a wandering immortal of Great Unity, hailed as Great Sage;the other, Guanyin’s disciple, a true primal dragon.The solid iron cudgel was forged with a thousand hammer blows,the Six Ding and Six Jia lending their divine power;the As-You-Will cudgel fixed the River of Heaven,a sacred treasure that steadies the sea, immense in magic.Here two true opponents meet,their thrusts and counters without end.This one’s hidden cudgel strokes are fierce beyond counting,whirling round his waist like a rope as swift as wind;that one’s spear-like cudgel thrusts never miss,parrying left and blocking right — how can either yield?On that side the banners flash;on this side alligator-hide drums boom.Ten thousand heavenly generals ring them round;a whole cave of demon monkeys crowds in clusters.Strange mists and gloomy clouds spread through the Underworld;war smoke and murderous fury shoot toward the Heavenly Palace.Yesterday’s mêlée was fierce enough,but today’s struggle is fiercer still.Truly admirable are the Monkey King’s skills:Mu Zha is beaten once more and flees for his life.
這大聖與惠岸戰經五六十合，惠岸臂膊酸麻，不能迎敵，虛幌一幌，敗陣而走。大聖也收了猴兵，安扎在洞門之外。只見天王營門外，大小天兵接住了太子，讓開大路，徑入轅門，對四天王、李托塔、哪吒，氣哈哈的喘息未定：「好大聖，好大聖！著實神通廣大，孩兒戰不過，又敗陣而來也！」李天王見了心驚，即命寫表求助，便差大力鬼王與木吒太子上天啟奏。
这大圣与惠岸战经五六十合，惠岸臂膊酸麻，不能迎敌，虚幌一幌，败阵而走。大圣也收了猴兵，安扎在洞门之外。只见天王营门外，大小天兵接住了太子，让开大路，径入辕门，对四天王、李托塔、哪吒，气哈哈的喘息未定：「好大圣，好大圣！着实神通广大，孩儿战不过，又败阵而来也！」李天王见了心惊，即命写表求助，便差大力鬼王与木吒太子上天启奏。
The Great Sage and Hui’an fought fifty or sixty exchanges. Hui’an’s arms grew sore and numb, and he could no longer withstand him. He made a feint and fled in defeat. The Great Sage also called back his monkey troops and stationed them outside the cave entrance. Before the Heavenly King’s camp gate, heavenly soldiers great and small met the prince and cleared a broad path for him straight through to headquarters. Facing the Four Heavenly Kings, Li the Pagoda-Bearer and Nezha, he was still gasping for breath. “What a Great Sage! What a Great Sage! His magic really is tremendous. Your son could not beat him and has come back defeated too!” Alarmed at the sight, Heavenly King Li at once ordered a memorial requesting help to be written, and sent the Mighty Ghost King and Prince Mu Zha up to Heaven to present it.
二人當時不敢停留，闖出天羅地網，駕起瑞靄祥雲。須臾，徑至通明殿下，見了四大天師，引至靈霄寶殿，呈上表章。惠岸又見菩薩施禮。菩薩道：「你打探的如何？」惠岸道：「始領命到花果山，叫開天羅地網門，見了父親，道師父差命之意。父王道：『昨日與那猴王戰了一場，止捉得他虎豹獅象之類，更未捉他一個猴精。』正講間，他又索戰，是弟子使鐵棍與他戰經五六十合，不能取勝，敗走回營。父親因此差大力鬼王同弟子上界求助。」菩薩低頭思忖。
二人当时不敢停留，闯出天罗地网，驾起瑞霭祥云。须臾，径至通明殿下，见了四大天师，引至灵霄宝殿，呈上表章。惠岸又见菩萨施礼。菩萨道：「你打探的如何？」惠岸道：「始领命到花果山，叫开天罗地网门，见了父亲，道师父差命之意。父王道：『昨日与那猴王战了一场，止捉得他虎豹狮象之类，更未捉他一个猴精。』正讲间，他又索战，是弟子使铁棍与他战经五六十合，不能取胜，败走回营。父亲因此差大力鬼王同弟子上界求助。」菩萨低头思忖。
The two dared not delay. They broke out through the Nets of Heaven and Earth and mounted their auspicious clouds and blessed mists. In a moment they were before the Hall of Clear Light, where they met the Four Great Heavenly Masters, who led them into the Hall of Divine Mists to present the memorial. Hui’an also paid his respects to the Bodhisattva. “What did you learn?” she asked. Hui’an said, “On receiving your command I went to Flower-Fruit Mountain, called for the gate in the Nets of Heaven and Earth to be opened, and saw my father. I told him why you had sent me, Master. My father said, ‘Yesterday we fought the Monkey King, but captured only his tigers, leopards, lions, elephants and the like. We did not take a single monkey spirit.’ While we were talking he challenged us again. Your disciple took his iron cudgel and fought him for fifty or sixty exchanges, but could not win and fled back to camp. That is why my father has sent the Mighty Ghost King and your disciple to the upper realm for help.” The Bodhisattva lowered her head in thought.
卻說玉帝拆開表章，見有求助之言，笑道：「叵耐這個猴精，能有多大手段，就敢敵過十萬天兵？李天王又來求助，卻將那路神兵助之？」言未畢，觀音合掌啟奏：「陛下寬心，貧僧舉一神，可擒這猴。」玉帝道：「所舉者何神？」菩薩道：「乃陛下令甥顯聖二郎真君，見居灌洲灌江口，享受下方香火。他昔日曾力誅六怪，又有梅山兄弟與帳前一千二百草頭神，神通廣大。奈他只是聽調不聽宣，陛下可降一道調兵旨意，著他助力，便可擒也。」玉帝聞言，即傳調兵的旨意，就差大力鬼王賫調。
却说玉帝拆开表章，见有求助之言，笑道：「叵耐这个猴精，能有多大手段，就敢敌过十万天兵？李天王又来求助，却将那路神兵助之？」言未毕，观音合掌启奏：「陛下宽心，贫僧举一神，可擒这猴。」玉帝道：「所举者何神？」菩萨道：「乃陛下令甥显圣二郎真君，见居灌洲灌江口，享受下方香火。他昔日曾力诛六怪，又有梅山兄弟与帐前一千二百草头神，神通广大。奈他只是听调不听宣，陛下可降一道调兵旨意，着他助力，便可擒也。」玉帝闻言，即传调兵的旨意，就差大力鬼王赍调。
Meanwhile, the Jade Emperor opened the memorial and saw that it asked for reinforcements. He laughed. “That insufferable monkey spirit! What powers can he have, to dare stand against a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers? Heavenly King Li is asking for help again. Which divine force shall We send him?” Before he had finished, Guanyin joined her palms and addressed the throne. “Set your mind at ease, Your Majesty. This poor monk can recommend a god who will capture the monkey.” The Jade Emperor asked, “Which god do you recommend?” The Bodhisattva said, “Your Majesty’s honoured nephew, the True Lord Erlang, the Manifest Saint, who now lives at the Guan River Mouth in Guanzhou and receives the incense offerings of the people below. In former days he slew six monsters by his own strength. He also has the Plum Mountain Brothers and twelve hundred grass-head gods serving before his tent, and his powers are great. But he answers orders to mobilize, not summons to court. If Your Majesty issues a decree calling out his troops to assist, the monkey can be captured.” At this the Jade Emperor issued a decree to mobilize troops and sent the Mighty Ghost King to deliver it.
那鬼王領了旨，即駕起雲，徑至灌江口，不消半個時辰，直至真君之廟。早有把門的鬼判傳報至裡道：「外有天使，捧旨而至。」二郎即與眾弟兄出門迎接旨意，焚香開讀。旨意上云：
花果山妖猴齊天大聖作亂：因在宮偷桃、偷酒、偷丹，攪亂蟠桃大會，見著十萬天兵、一十八架天羅地網，圍山收伏，未曾得勝。今特調賢甥同義兄弟即赴花果山助力剿除。成功之後，高陞重賞。
真君大喜道：「天使請回，吾當就去拔刀相助也。」鬼王回奏不題。
那鬼王领了旨，即驾起云，径至灌江口，不消半个时辰，直至真君之庙。早有把门的鬼判传报至里道：「外有天使，捧旨而至。」二郎即与众弟兄出门迎接旨意，焚香开读。旨意上云：
花果山妖猴齐天大圣作乱：因在宫偷桃、偷酒、偷丹，搅乱蟠桃大会，见着十万天兵、一十八架天罗地网，围山收伏，未曾得胜。今特调贤甥同义兄弟即赴花果山助力剿除。成功之后，高升重赏。
真君大喜道：「天使请回，吾当就去拔刀相助也。」鬼王回奏不题。
The Ghost King received the decree, mounted a cloud and went straight to the Guan River Mouth. In less than an hour he reached the True Lord’s temple. The ghostly judges guarding the entrance hurried inside to announce, “An envoy from Heaven has arrived outside, bearing a decree.” Erlang and his brothers came out to receive it, burned incense and opened it to read. The decree said:
The demon monkey of Flower-Fruit Mountain, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, has rebelled.He stole peaches, wine and elixir in the palace and disrupted the grand Peach Banquet. A hundred thousand heavenly soldiers with eighteen sets of the Nets of Heaven and Earth are now surrounding the mountain to subdue him, but have not yet won.We therefore specially call upon Our worthy nephew and his sworn brothers to go at once to Flower-Fruit Mountain and help destroy him.Success will bringhigh promotion and generous rewards.
The True Lord was delighted. “Envoy of Heaven, please return. I shall go at once and lend my blade.” The Ghost King went back to report, but let us leave him there.
這真君即喚梅山六兄弟乃康、張、姚、李四太尉，郭申、直健二將軍，聚集殿前道：「適才玉帝調遣我等往花果山收降妖猴，同去去來。」眾兄弟俱忻然願往。即點本部神兵，駕鷹牽犬，搭弩張弓，縱狂風，霎時過了東洋大海，徑至花果山。見那天羅地網密密層層，不能前進，因叫道：「把天羅地網的神將聽著：吾乃二郎顯聖真君，蒙玉帝調來，擒拿妖猴者，快開營門放行。」一時，各神一層層傳入。四大天王與李天王俱出轅門迎接。相見畢，問及勝敗之事，天王將上項事備陳一遍。真君笑道：「小聖來此，必須與他鬥個變化。列公將天羅地網不要幔了頂上，只四圍緊密，讓我賭鬥。若我輸與他，不必列公相助，我自有兄弟扶持；若贏了他，也不必列公綁縛，我自有兄弟動手。只請托塔天王與我使個照妖鏡，住立空中。恐他一時敗陣，逃竄他方，切須與我照耀明白，勿走了他。」天王各居四維，眾天兵各挨排列陣去訖。
这真君即唤梅山六兄弟乃康、张、姚、李四太尉，郭申、直健二将军，聚集殿前道：「适才玉帝调遣我等往花果山收降妖猴，同去去来。」众兄弟俱忻然愿往。即点本部神兵，驾鹰牵犬，搭弩张弓，纵狂风，霎时过了东洋大海，径至花果山。见那天罗地网密密层层，不能前进，因叫道：「把天罗地网的神将听着：吾乃二郎显圣真君，蒙玉帝调来，擒拿妖猴者，快开营门放行。」一时，各神一层层传入。四大天王与李天王俱出辕门迎接。相见毕，问及胜败之事，天王将上项事备陈一遍。真君笑道：「小圣来此，必须与他斗个变化。列公将天罗地网不要幔了顶上，只四围紧密，让我赌斗。若我输与他，不必列公相助，我自有兄弟扶持；若赢了他，也不必列公绑缚，我自有兄弟动手。只请托塔天王与我使个照妖镜，住立空中。恐他一时败阵，逃窜他方，切须与我照耀明白，勿走了他。」天王各居四维，众天兵各挨排列阵去讫。
The True Lord called his six Plum Mountain Brothers — the four Grand Commandants Kang, Zhang, Yao and Li, and the two generals Guo Shen and Zhi Jian — to gather before the hall. “The Jade Emperor has just ordered us to Flower-Fruit Mountain to subdue the demon monkey,” he said. “Come, let us go together.” All the brothers gladly agreed. They mustered their own divine troops, carrying hawks and leading hounds, loading crossbows and drawing bows. On a wild wind they crossed the great Eastern Ocean in an instant and went straight to Flower-Fruit Mountain. There they found the Nets of Heaven and Earth so thickly layered that they could go no farther. “Divine generals guarding the Nets of Heaven and Earth, listen!” they called. “I am the True Lord Erlang, the Manifest Saint, sent by the Jade Emperor to capture the demon monkey. Open the camp gate and let us through at once!” The message passed from god to god, layer by layer. The Four Heavenly Kings and Heavenly King Li all came out of the headquarters gate to welcome him. When greetings were over, they asked about the battle’s outcome, and the Heavenly King gave a full account of all that had happened. The True Lord laughed. “This Lesser Sage (Xiaosheng) has come to match transformations with him. Gentlemen, do not cover the top with the Nets of Heaven and Earth. Keep them tight on all four sides and let me fight. If I lose to him, you need not help: my own brothers will support me. If I beat him, you need not bind him: my own brothers will do that. I ask only that the Heavenly King the Pagoda-Bearer hold a Demon-Revealing Mirror for me up in the air. If he loses and tries to flee elsewhere, be sure to shine it on him clearly. Do not let him get away.” The Heavenly Kings took their places at the four corners, and the heavenly soldiers formed their ranks in order.
這真君領著四太尉、二將軍，連本身七兄弟，出營挑戰；吩咐眾將緊守營盤，收全了鷹犬。眾草頭神得令。真君只到那水簾洞外，見那一群猴齊齊整整，排作個蟠龍陣勢。中軍裡立一竿旗，上書「齊天大聖」四字。真君道：「那潑妖，怎麼稱得起齊天之職？」梅山六弟道：「且休讚嘆，叫戰去來。」那營口小猴見了真君，急走去報知。那猴王即掣金箍棒，整黃金甲，登步雲履，按一按紫金冠，騰出營門，急睜睛觀看，那真君的相貌果是清奇，打扮得又秀氣。真個是：
儀容清俊貌堂堂，兩耳垂肩目有光。頭戴三山飛鳳帽，身穿一領淡鵝黃。縷金靴襯盤龍襪，玉帶團花八寶粧。腰挎彈弓新月樣，手執三尖兩刃槍。斧劈桃山曾救母，彈打鋋羅雙鳳凰。力誅八怪聲名遠，義結梅山七聖行。心高不認天家眷，性傲歸神住灌江。赤城昭惠英靈聖，顯化無邊號二郎。
这真君领着四太尉、二将军，连本身七兄弟，出营挑战；吩咐众将紧守营盘，收全了鹰犬。众草头神得令。真君只到那水帘洞外，见那一群猴齐齐整整，排作个蟠龙阵势。中军里立一竿旗，上书「齐天大圣」四字。真君道：「那泼妖，怎么称得起齐天之职？」梅山六弟道：「且休赞叹，叫战去来。」那营口小猴见了真君，急走去报知。那猴王即掣金箍棒，整黄金甲，登步云履，按一按紫金冠，腾出营门，急睁睛观看，那真君的相貌果是清奇，打扮得又秀气。真个是：
仪容清俊貌堂堂，两耳垂肩目有光。头戴三山飞凤帽，身穿一领淡鹅黄。缕金靴衬盘龙袜，玉带团花八宝粧。腰挎弹弓新月样，手执三尖两刃枪。斧劈桃山曾救母，弹打鋋罗双凤凰。力诛八怪声名远，义结梅山七圣行。心高不认天家眷，性傲归神住灌江。赤城昭惠英灵圣，显化无边号二郎。
The True Lord led out the four Grand Commandants and the two generals — seven brothers including himself — to issue a challenge. He ordered his officers to guard the camp closely and keep all the hawks and hounds together. The grass-head gods received their orders. The True Lord went straight to the Water-Curtain Cave. There he saw the monkeys neatly drawn up in a coiled-dragon formation, with a flag in the centre bearing the words ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’. “How can that wretched demon deserve an office equal to Heaven?” he said. His six Plum Mountain brothers answered, “Enough admiring him. Let us challenge him.” A little monkey at the camp entrance saw the True Lord and hurried to report. The Monkey King drew his gold-banded cudgel, straightened his golden armour, put on his cloud-treading shoes, settled his purple-gold crown and leaped out of the camp gate. He opened his eyes wide to look. The True Lord’s features were indeed striking and refined, and his dress elegant too. Truly:
Handsome and clear of feature, majestic in bearing,his ears hang to his shoulders, his eyes shine bright.On his head a three-peaked cap with flying phoenixes;on his body a robe of pale goose yellow.Gold-threaded boots with coiled-dragon socks;a jade belt with round flowers and the eight treasures.At his waist a pellet bow shaped like the new moon;in his hand a three-pointed, double-edged spear.He cleft Peach Mountain with an axe to save his mother,and shot down Chanluo’s pair of phoenixes.His fame spread far when he slew eight monsters by his strength;he joined the seven sworn sages of Plum Mountain.Too proud of heart to claim kinship with Heaven’s house,too haughty of nature, he returned as a god to dwell by the Guan River.Chicheng’s glorious, gracious, numinous saint,boundless in his manifestations, bears the name Erlang.
大聖見了，笑嘻嘻的將金箍棒掣起，高叫道：「你是何方小將，輒敢大膽到此挑戰？」真君喝道：「你這廝有眼無珠，認不得我麼？吾乃玉帝外甥、敕封昭惠靈顯王二郎是也。今蒙上命，到此擒你這造反天宮的弼馬溫猢猻，你還不知死活。」大聖道：「我記得當年玉帝妹子思凡下界，配合楊君，生一男子，曾使斧劈桃山的，是你麼？我行要罵你幾聲，曾奈無甚冤仇；待要打你一棒，可惜了你的性命。你這郎君小輩，可急急回去，喚你四大天王出來。」真君聞言，心中大怒道：「潑猴！休得無禮，吃吾一刃。」大聖側身躲過，疾舉金箍棒，劈手相還。他兩個這場好殺：
昭惠二郎神，齊天孫大聖。這個心高欺敵美猴王，那個面生壓伏真梁棟。兩個乍相逢，各人皆賭興。從來未識淺和深，今日方知輕與重。鐵棒賽飛龍，神鋒如舞鳳。左擋右攻，前迎後映。這陣上梅山六弟助威風，那陣上馬流四將傳軍令。搖旗擂鼓各齊心，吶喊篩鑼都助興。兩個鋼刀有見機，一來一往無絲縫。金箍棒是海中珍，變化飛騰能取勝。若還身慢命該休，但要差池為蹭蹬。
大圣见了，笑嘻嘻的将金箍棒掣起，高叫道：「你是何方小将，辄敢大胆到此挑战？」真君喝道：「你这厮有眼无珠，认不得我么？吾乃玉帝外甥、敕封昭惠灵显王二郎是也。今蒙上命，到此擒你这造反天宫的弼马温猢狲，你还不知死活。」大圣道：「我记得当年玉帝妹子思凡下界，配合杨君，生一男子，曾使斧劈桃山的，是你么？我行要骂你几声，曾奈无甚冤仇；待要打你一棒，可惜了你的性命。你这郎君小辈，可急急回去，唤你四大天王出来。」真君闻言，心中大怒道：「泼猴！休得无礼，吃吾一刃。」大圣侧身躲过，疾举金箍棒，劈手相还。他两个这场好杀：
昭惠二郎神，齐天孙大圣。这个心高欺敌美猴王，那个面生压伏真梁栋。两个乍相逢，各人皆赌兴。从来未识浅和深，今日方知轻与重。铁棒赛飞龙，神锋如舞凤。左挡右攻，前迎后映。这阵上梅山六弟助威风，那阵上马流四将传军令。摇旗擂鼓各齐心，呐喊筛锣都助兴。两个钢刀有见机，一来一往无丝缝。金箍棒是海中珍，变化飞腾能取胜。若还身慢命该休，但要差池为蹭蹬。
At the sight of him the Great Sage grinned, raised his gold-banded cudgel and shouted, “What little general are you, and where have you come from? How dare you challenge me here?” The True Lord roared, “You wretch! Have you eyes but no sight? Do you not recognize me? I am the Jade Emperor’s nephew, Erlang, appointed by imperial decree the King of Glorious Grace and Numinous Manifestation. I have been sent by the throne to capture you, you Keeper of the Horses, you ape who rebelled against the Heavenly Palace! And still you have no sense of whether you’ll live or die.” The Great Sage said, “I remember the Jade Emperor’s younger sister once longed for mortal life, came down to earth, married Master Yang and bore a son who split Peach Mountain with an axe. Was that you? I could give you a good cursing, but then, we have no quarrel. I could give you a blow with my cudgel, but it would be a pity to waste your life. A young fellow like you had better hurry home and call out your Four Heavenly Kings.” Furious at these words, the True Lord said, “You wretched ape! Enough of your insolence. Taste my blade!” The Great Sage twisted aside to dodge it, then swiftly raised his gold-banded cudgel and struck back. What a fight the two of them had!
Erlang, the God of Glorious Grace;Great Sage Sun, Equal to Heaven.This one is the Handsome Monkey King, proud of heart, scorning his foe;that one, an unfamiliar face, a true pillar of strength who comes to subdue him.They meet for the first time,each eager to test the other.Neither has ever sounded the other’s depths;today they learn whose weight is greater.The iron cudgel is a flying dragon;the sacred blade a dancing phoenix.They block left and attack right,meet blows in front and cover behind.On that side the six Plum Mountain brothers lend their might;on this side Ma, Liu and the other two commanders pass the orders.All pull together, waving banners and beating drums;all spur them on with shouts and rattling gongs.Both are alert to every opening with their blades of steel,striking back and forth without a gap.The gold-banded cudgel is a treasure from the sea,its transformations and flying leaps can win the day.Let either grow slow and his life is done;the smallest slip will bring him down.
真君與大聖鬥經三百餘合，不知勝負。那真君抖擻神威，搖身一變，變得身高萬丈，兩隻手舉著三尖兩刃神鋒，好便似華山頂上之峰，青臉獠牙，朱紅頭髮，惡狠狠，望大聖著頭就砍。這大聖也使神通，變得與二郎身軀一樣，嘴臉一般，舉一條如意金箍棒，卻就是崑崙頂上擎天之柱，抵住二郎神。諕得那馬、流元帥戰兢兢，搖不得旌旗；崩、芭二將虛怯怯，使不得刀劍。這陣上，康、張、姚、李、郭申、直健傳號令，撒放草頭神，向他那水簾洞外縱著鷹犬，搭弩張弓，一齊掩殺。可憐沖散妖猴四健將，捉拿靈怪二三千。那些猴拋戈棄甲，撇劍丟槍，跑的跑，喊的喊，上山的上山，歸洞的歸洞。好似夜貓驚宿鳥，飛灑滿天星。眾兄弟得勝不題。
真君与大圣斗经三百余合，不知胜负。那真君抖擞神威，摇身一变，变得身高万丈，两只手举着三尖两刃神锋，好便似华山顶上之峰，青脸獠牙，朱红头发，恶狠狠，望大圣着头就砍。这大圣也使神通，变得与二郎身躯一样，嘴脸一般，举一条如意金箍棒，却就是昆仑顶上擎天之柱，抵住二郎神。諕得那马、流元帅战兢兢，摇不得旌旗；崩、芭二将虚怯怯，使不得刀剑。这阵上，康、张、姚、李、郭申、直健传号令，撒放草头神，向他那水帘洞外纵着鹰犬，搭弩张弓，一齐掩杀。可怜冲散妖猴四健将，捉拿灵怪二三千。那些猴抛戈弃甲，撇剑丢枪，跑的跑，喊的喊，上山的上山，归洞的归洞。好似夜猫惊宿鸟，飞洒满天星。众兄弟得胜不题。
The True Lord and the Great Sage fought more than three hundred exchanges, with neither winning. Then the True Lord summoned his divine might, shook himself and grew a hundred thousand feet tall. In both hands he raised his three-pointed, double-edged sacred blade, like a peak atop Mount Hua. With a blue face, jutting fangs and vermilion hair, he savagely struck at the Great Sage’s head. The Great Sage used his magic too, growing to match Erlang in body and face alike. He raised his As-You-Will Gold-Banded Cudgel, now like a pillar holding up the heavens on the summit of Mount Kunlun, and held Erlang off. Marshals Ma and Liu were so terrified that they trembled and could no longer wave their flags; Generals Beng and Ba were so frightened that they could no longer wield their swords. On the other side, Kang, Zhang, Yao, Li, Guo Shen and Zhi Jian gave the order and unleashed the grass-head gods. Outside the Water-Curtain Cave they loosed hawks and hounds, loaded crossbows and drew bows, and attacked all together. Poor demon monkeys! Their four stalwart commanders were scattered, and two or three thousand spirits were captured. The monkeys threw down halberds, abandoned armour, dropped swords and flung away spears. Some ran, some shouted, some fled up the mountain, some back into the cave. They were like roosting birds startled by an owl, scattered stars spraying across the sky. The brothers won the day, but let us leave them there.
卻說真君與大聖變做法天象地的規模，正鬥時，大聖忽見本營中妖猴驚散，自覺心慌，收了法象，掣棒抽身就走。真君見他敗走，大步趕上道：「那裡走？趁早歸降，饒你性命。」大聖不戀戰，只情跑起。將近洞口，正撞著康、張、姚、李四太尉，郭申、直健二將軍，一齊帥眾擋住道：「潑猴！那裡走？」大聖慌了手腳，就把金箍棒捏做繡花針，藏在耳內。搖身一變，變作個麻雀兒，飛在樹梢頭釘住。那六兄弟慌慌張張，前後尋覓不見，一齊吆喝道：「走了這猴精也！走了這猴精也！」
却说真君与大圣变做法天象地的规模，正斗时，大圣忽见本营中妖猴惊散，自觉心慌，收了法象，掣棒抽身就走。真君见他败走，大步赶上道：「那里走？趁早归降，饶你性命。」大圣不恋战，只情跑起。将近洞口，正撞着康、张、姚、李四太尉，郭申、直健二将军，一齐帅众挡住道：「泼猴！那里走？」大圣慌了手脚，就把金箍棒捏做绣花针，藏在耳内。摇身一变，变作个麻雀儿，飞在树梢头钉住。那六兄弟慌慌张张，前后寻觅不见，一齐吆喝道：「走了这猴精也！走了这猴精也！」
Meanwhile, the True Lord and the Great Sage had taken forms that modelled Heaven and mirrored Earth. As they fought, the Great Sage suddenly saw the demon monkeys in his camp scatter in terror, and his own heart faltered. He put away his giant form, drew back his cudgel, broke off and ran. Seeing him flee in defeat, the True Lord strode after him. “Where are you going? Surrender at once and I’ll spare your life!” The Great Sage had no wish to keep fighting; he simply ran. Near the cave entrance he came straight upon the four Grand Commandants Kang, Zhang, Yao and Li and the two generals Guo Shen and Zhi Jian, leading their troops to block the way. “You wretched ape! Where are you going?” In a flurry, the Great Sage squeezed his gold-banded cudgel down to an embroidery needle and hid it in his ear. He shook himself, became a sparrow and flew up to perch on a treetop. The six brothers rushed about, looking in front and behind, but could not find him. “The monkey spirit has escaped!” they all shouted. “The monkey spirit has escaped!”
正嚷處，真君到了，問：「兄弟們，趕到那廂不見了？」眾神道：「才在這裡圍住，就不見了。」二郎圓睜鳳目觀看，見大聖變了麻雀兒，釘在樹上。就收了法象，撇了神鋒，卸下彈弓。搖身一變，變作個鷂鷹兒，抖開翅，飛將去撲打。大聖見了，颼的一翅飛起去，變作一只大鶿老，沖天而去。二郎見了，急抖翎毛，搖身一變，變作一隻大海鶴，鑽上雲霄來嗛。大聖又將身按下，入澗中，變作一個魚兒，淬入水內。二郎趕至澗邊，不見蹤跡。心中暗想道：「這猢猻必然下水去也，定變作魚蝦之類。等我再變變拿他。」果一變，變作個魚鷹兒，飄蕩在下溜頭波面上，等待片時。那大聖變魚兒，順水正游，忽見一隻飛禽：似青鷂，毛片不青；似鷺鷥，頂上無纓；似老鸛，腿又不紅：「想是二郎變化了等我哩！」急轉頭，打個花就走。二郎看見道：「打花的魚兒：似鯉魚，尾巴不紅；似鱖魚，花鱗不見；似黑魚，頭上無星；似魴魚，鰓上無針。他怎麼見了我就回去了？必然是那猴變的。」趕上來，刷的啄一嘴。那大聖就攛出水中，一變，變作一條水蛇，游近岸，鑽入草中。二郎因嗛他不著，他見水響中，見一條蛇攛出去，認得是大聖。急轉身，又變了一隻朱繡頂的灰鶴，伸著一個長嘴，與一把尖頭鐵鉗子相似，徑來吃這水蛇。水蛇跳一跳，又變做一隻花鴇，木木樗樗的，立在蓼汀之上。二郎見他變得低賤，（花鴇乃鳥中至賤至淫之物，不拘鸞、鳳、鷹、鴉，都與交群）故此不去攏傍。即現原身，走將去，取過彈弓，拽滿，一彈子把他打個躘踵。
正嚷处，真君到了，问：「兄弟们，赶到那厢不见了？」众神道：「才在这里围住，就不见了。」二郎圆睁凤目观看，见大圣变了麻雀儿，钉在树上。就收了法象，撇了神锋，卸下弹弓。摇身一变，变作个鹞鹰儿，抖开翅，飞将去扑打。大圣见了，飕的一翅飞起去，变作一只大鹚老，冲天而去。二郎见了，急抖翎毛，摇身一变，变作一只大海鹤，钻上云霄来嗛。大圣又将身按下，入涧中，变作一个鱼儿，淬入水内。二郎赶至涧边，不见踪迹。心中暗想道：「这猢狲必然下水去也，定变作鱼虾之类。等我再变变拿他。」果一变，变作个鱼鹰儿，飘荡在下溜头波面上，等待片时。那大圣变鱼儿，顺水正游，忽见一只飞禽：似青鹞，毛片不青；似鹭鸶，顶上无缨；似老鹳，腿又不红：「想是二郎变化了等我哩！」急转头，打个花就走。二郎看见道：「打花的鱼儿：似鲤鱼，尾巴不红；似鳜鱼，花鳞不见；似黑鱼，头上无星；似鲂鱼，鳃上无针。他怎么见了我就回去了？必然是那猴变的。」赶上来，刷的啄一嘴。那大圣就撺出水中，一变，变作一条水蛇，游近岸，钻入草中。二郎因嗛他不着，他见水响中，见一条蛇撺出去，认得是大圣。急转身，又变了一只朱绣顶的灰鹤，伸着一个长嘴，与一把尖头铁钳子相似，径来吃这水蛇。水蛇跳一跳，又变做一只花鸨，木木樗樗的，立在蓼汀之上。二郎见他变得低贱，（花鸨乃鸟中至贱至淫之物，不拘鸾、凤、鹰、鸦，都与交群）故此不去拢傍。即现原身，走将去，取过弹弓，拽满，一弹子把他打个躘踵。
In the midst of their shouting the True Lord arrived. “Brothers, where did you lose him?” The gods said, “We had him surrounded right here, and then he vanished.” Erlang opened his phoenix eyes wide and looked. He saw that the Great Sage had become a sparrow perched on a tree. He put away his giant form, laid aside his sacred blade and took off his pellet bow. Shaking himself, he became a sparrowhawk, spread his wings and flew at him. The Great Sage saw him, beat his wings and shot off with a whizz, turning into a great cormorant and soaring into the sky. Erlang shook his feathers in haste, changed into a great sea crane and darted up through the clouds to snap at him. The Great Sage dropped down into a mountain stream, turned into a fish and plunged into the water. Erlang pursued him to the bank, but there was no trace of him. He thought, “That ape must have gone into the water, and turned into a fish or shrimp or something of the sort. Let me change again and catch him.” Sure enough, he turned into an osprey and hovered over the water downstream, waiting a little while. The Great Sage, in fish form, was swimming with the current when he suddenly saw a bird. It looked like a blue hawk, but its feathers were not blue; like an egret, but it had no crest; like an old stork, but its legs were not red. “That must be Erlang, transformed and waiting for me!” He quickly turned his head, flicked up a swirl and swam away. Erlang saw him and thought, “That fish making a swirl looks like a carp, but its tail is not red; like a mandarin fish, but it has no patterned scales; like a snakehead, but it has no speckles on its head; like a bream, but it has no spines at its gills. Why did it turn back as soon as it saw me? It must be the monkey in disguise.” He swooped after him and pecked with a swish. The Great Sage sprang out of the water, turned into a water snake, swam toward the bank and slipped into the grass. Erlang’s beak had missed him, but amid the splashing he saw a snake dart out and knew it was the Great Sage. He quickly wheeled round and became a grey crane with an embroidered crimson crown. Stretching out a long bill like pointed iron pincers, he came straight at the water snake to eat it. The snake gave a leap and turned into a spotted bustard, standing dull and ungainly on a spit of land among the smartweed. Seeing him take so base a form, Erlang would not go near. (The spotted bustard is the lowest and most lustful of birds: luan, phoenix, hawk or crow, it mates with them all.) He resumed his own shape instead, went over to fetch his pellet bow, drew it full and sent the bird tumbling with a single pellet.
那大聖趁著機會，滾下山崖，伏在那裡又變，變一座土地廟兒：大張著口，似個廟門；牙齒變做門扇；舌頭變做菩薩；眼睛變做窗櫺；只有尾巴不好收拾，豎在後面，變做一根旗竿。真君趕到崖下，不見打倒的鴇鳥，只有一間小廟。急睜鳳眼，仔細看之，見旗竿立在後面，笑道：「是這猢猻了，他今又在那裡哄我。我也曾見廟宇，更不曾見一個旗竿豎在後面的。斷是這畜生弄諠。他若哄我進去，他便一口咬住。我怎肯進去？等我掣拳先搗窗櫺，後踢門扇。」大聖聽得，心驚道：「好狠，好狠！門扇是我牙齒，窗櫺是我眼睛，若打了牙，搗了眼，卻怎麼是好？」撲的一個虎跳，又冒在空中不見。
那大圣趁着机会，滚下山崖，伏在那里又变，变一座土地庙儿：大张着口，似个庙门；牙齿变做门扇；舌头变做菩萨；眼睛变做窗櫺；只有尾巴不好收拾，竖在后面，变做一根旗竿。真君赶到崖下，不见打倒的鸨鸟，只有一间小庙。急睁凤眼，仔细看之，见旗竿立在后面，笑道：「是这猢狲了，他今又在那里哄我。我也曾见庙宇，更不曾见一个旗竿竖在后面的。断是这畜生弄諠。他若哄我进去，他便一口咬住。我怎肯进去？等我掣拳先捣窗櫺，后踢门扇。」大圣听得，心惊道：「好狠，好狠！门扇是我牙齿，窗櫺是我眼睛，若打了牙，捣了眼，却怎么是好？」扑的一个虎跳，又冒在空中不见。
The Great Sage seized his chance, rolled down the cliff and crouched there to change again. He became a little earth-god temple. His mouth gaped wide for the entrance; his teeth became the doors; his tongue became the divine image; his eyes became the window lattices. Only his tail was awkward to deal with, so he stuck it up behind and turned it into a flagpole. The True Lord came down below the cliff, but there was no fallen bustard, only a little temple. He opened his phoenix eyes and examined it closely. Seeing the flagpole at the back, he laughed. “It’s that ape! He’s trying to trick me again. I’ve seen temples before, but never one with a flagpole behind it. This must be the beast playing tricks. If he gets me to go inside, he’ll bite down and catch me. Why should I go in? I’ll take my fist to his window lattices first, then kick in his doors.” The Great Sage heard him and was alarmed. “How cruel! How cruel! The doors are my teeth and the windows are my eyes. If he smashes my teeth and pounds out my eyes, what am I to do?” With a sudden bounding leap he shot up into the air and vanished.
真君前前後後亂趕，只見四太尉、二將軍一齊擁至，道：「兄長，拿住大聖了麼？」真君笑道：「那猴兒才自變座廟宇哄我。我正要搗他窗櫺，踢他門扇，他就縱一縱，又渺無蹤跡。可怪，可怪！」眾皆愕然，四望更無形影。真君道：「兄弟們在此看守巡邏，等我上去尋他。」急縱身駕雲，起在半空。見那李天王高擎照妖鏡，與哪吒住立雲端，真君道：「天王，曾見那猴王麼？」天王道：「不曾上來，我這裡照著他哩。」真君把那賭變化，弄神通，拿群猴一事說畢。卻道：「他變廟宇，正打處，就走了。」李天王聞言，又把照妖鏡四方一照，呵呵的笑道：「真君，快去，快去。那猴使了個隱身法，走出營圍，往你那灌江口去也。」二郎聽說，即取神鋒，回灌江口來趕。
真君前前后后乱赶，只见四太尉、二将军一齐拥至，道：「兄长，拿住大圣了么？」真君笑道：「那猴儿才自变座庙宇哄我。我正要捣他窗櫺，踢他门扇，他就纵一纵，又渺无踪迹。可怪，可怪！」众皆愕然，四望更无形影。真君道：「兄弟们在此看守巡逻，等我上去寻他。」急纵身驾云，起在半空。见那李天王高擎照妖镜，与哪吒住立云端，真君道：「天王，曾见那猴王么？」天王道：「不曾上来，我这里照着他哩。」真君把那赌变化，弄神通，拿群猴一事说毕。却道：「他变庙宇，正打处，就走了。」李天王闻言，又把照妖镜四方一照，呵呵的笑道：「真君，快去，快去。那猴使了个隐身法，走出营围，往你那灌江口去也。」二郎听说，即取神锋，回灌江口来赶。
The True Lord rushed about in pursuit, looking in front and behind. Then the four Grand Commandants and the two generals all came crowding up. “Elder brother, have you caught the Great Sage?” The True Lord laughed. “That monkey just turned himself into a temple to trick me. I was about to smash his windows and kick in his doors when he gave a leap and vanished again. Strange! Strange!” They were all astonished. They looked in every direction, but saw no sign or shadow of him. The True Lord said, “Brothers, guard and patrol this place. I’ll go up and look for him.” He sprang onto a cloud and rose into the air. There he saw Heavenly King Li standing on a cloud with Nezha, holding the Demon-Revealing Mirror high. “Heavenly King, have you seen the Monkey King?” the True Lord asked. “He hasn’t come up here,” said the Heavenly King. “I’m keeping the mirror on him.” The True Lord told him about their contest of transformations and magic, and the capture of the monkeys. “He turned into a temple, but just as I was about to strike, he escaped.” At this Heavenly King Li swept the Demon-Revealing Mirror in all four directions and laughed aloud. “True Lord, hurry! Hurry! The monkey has used a spell of invisibility, slipped out of the encirclement and gone to your Guan River Mouth!” Erlang took up his sacred blade at once and went back to the Guan River Mouth in pursuit.
卻說那大聖已至灌江口，搖身一變，變作二郎爺爺的模樣，按下雲頭，徑入廟裡。鬼判不能相認，一個個磕頭迎接。他坐中間，點查香火：見李虎拜還的三牲，張龍許下的保福，趙甲求子的文書，錢丙告病的良願。正看處，有人報：「又一個爺爺來了。」眾鬼判急急觀看，無不驚心。真君卻道：「有個甚麼齊天大聖，才來這裡否？」眾鬼判道：「不曾見甚麼大聖，只有一個爺爺在裡面查點哩。」真君撞進門，大聖見了，現出本相道：「郎君不消嚷，廟宇已姓孫了。」這真君即舉三尖兩刃神鋒，劈臉就砍。那猴王使個身法，讓過神鋒。掣出那繡花針兒，幌一幌，碗來粗細，趕到前，對面相還。兩個嚷嚷鬧鬧，打出廟門，半霧半雲，且行且戰，復打到花果山。慌得那四大天王等眾，隄防愈緊。這康、張太尉等迎著真君，合心努力，把那美猴王圍繞不題。
却说那大圣已至灌江口，摇身一变，变作二郎爷爷的模样，按下云头，径入庙里。鬼判不能相认，一个个磕头迎接。他坐中间，点查香火：见李虎拜还的三牲，张龙许下的保福，赵甲求子的文书，钱丙告病的良愿。正看处，有人报：「又一个爷爷来了。」众鬼判急急观看，无不惊心。真君却道：「有个甚么齐天大圣，才来这里否？」众鬼判道：「不曾见甚么大圣，只有一个爷爷在里面查点哩。」真君撞进门，大圣见了，现出本相道：「郎君不消嚷，庙宇已姓孙了。」这真君即举三尖两刃神锋，劈脸就砍。那猴王使个身法，让过神锋。掣出那绣花针儿，幌一幌，碗来粗细，赶到前，对面相还。两个嚷嚷闹闹，打出庙门，半雾半云，且行且战，复打到花果山。慌得那四大天王等众，隄防愈紧。这康、张太尉等迎着真君，合心努力，把那美猴王围绕不题。
Meanwhile, the Great Sage had already reached the Guan River Mouth. He shook himself, took on Lord Erlang’s appearance, lowered his cloud and went straight into the temple. The ghostly judges could not tell the difference and all kowtowed to welcome him. He sat in the centre and inspected the incense offerings. There were the three sacrificial animals Li Hu had brought in thanksgiving, Zhang Long’s vow for continued blessings, Zhao Jia’s written prayer for a son, and Qian Bing’s pious pledge for recovery from illness. As he was looking them over, someone announced, “Another lord has arrived!” The ghostly judges hurried to look and were all struck with alarm. The True Lord asked, “Has someone called the Great Sage Equal to Heaven just come here?” The ghostly judges said, “We haven’t seen any Great Sage. There is only a lord inside checking the offerings.” The True Lord barged through the entrance. Seeing him, the Great Sage resumed his true appearance. “No need to shout, young sir. This temple belongs to the Sun family now.” The True Lord raised his three-pointed, double-edged sacred blade and struck straight at his face. The Monkey King twisted his body and let the blade pass. He drew his embroidery needle and shook it until it was as thick as a bowl, then rushed forward and struck back face to face. Shouting and brawling, the two fought out through the temple entrance. Half in mist and half in cloud, they travelled and fought until they were back at Flower-Fruit Mountain. The Four Heavenly Kings and the rest were so alarmed that they tightened their guard still further. Grand Commandants Kang and Zhang and the others joined the True Lord, put their strength together and surrounded the Handsome Monkey King. But let us leave them there.
話表大力鬼王既調了真君與六兄弟提兵擒魔去後，卻上界回奏。玉帝與觀音菩薩、王母並眾仙卿，正在靈霄殿講話，道：「既是二郎已去赴戰，這一日還不見回報。」觀音合掌道：「貧僧請陛下同道祖出南天門外，親去看看虛實如何？」玉帝道：「言之有理。」即擺駕，同道祖、觀音、王母與眾仙卿至南天門。早有些天丁、力士接著，開門遙觀。只見眾天丁佈羅網，圍住四面；李天王與哪吒擎照妖鏡，立在空中；真君把大聖圍繞中間，紛紛賭鬥哩。
话表大力鬼王既调了真君与六兄弟提兵擒魔去后，却上界回奏。玉帝与观音菩萨、王母并众仙卿，正在灵霄殿讲话，道：「既是二郎已去赴战，这一日还不见回报。」观音合掌道：「贫僧请陛下同道祖出南天门外，亲去看看虚实如何？」玉帝道：「言之有理。」即摆驾，同道祖、观音、王母与众仙卿至南天门。早有些天丁、力士接着，开门遥观。只见众天丁布罗网，围住四面；李天王与哪吒擎照妖镜，立在空中；真君把大圣围绕中间，纷纷赌斗哩。
Now, once the Mighty Ghost King had called out the True Lord and his six brothers to lead their troops against the demon, he returned to the upper realm to report. The Jade Emperor was talking in the Hall of Divine Mists with the Bodhisattva Guanyin, the Queen Mother and the immortal ministers. “Erlang has gone to fight,” he said, “but a whole day has passed without a report.” Guanyin joined her palms. “This poor monk invites Your Majesty and the Patriarch of the Way to go outside the Southern Gate of Heaven and see for yourselves how matters stand.” The Jade Emperor said, “You speak rightly.” His procession was prepared at once, and he went to the Southern Gate of Heaven with the Patriarch of the Way, Guanyin, the Queen Mother and the immortal ministers. Heavenly soldiers and strongmen came to meet them and opened the gate for them to look into the distance. They saw the soldiers spread their nets all round; Heavenly King Li and Nezha stood in the air with the Demon-Revealing Mirror; and the True Lord had the Great Sage hemmed in at the centre, fighting him in a furious contest.
菩薩開口對老君說：「貧僧所舉二郎神如何？果有神通，已把那大聖圍困，只是未得擒拿。我如今助他一功，決拿住他也。」老君道：「菩薩將甚兵器？怎麼助他？」菩薩道：「我將那淨瓶楊柳拋下去，打那猴頭，即不能打死，也打個一跌，教二郎小聖好去拿他。」老君道：「你這瓶是個磁器，能打著他便好，如打不著他的頭，或撞著他的鐵棒，卻不打碎了？你且莫動手，等我老君助他一功。」菩薩道：「你有甚麼兵器？」老君道：「有，有，有。」捋起衣袖，左膊上取下一個圈子，說道：「這件兵器，乃錕鋼摶煉的，被我將還丹點成，養就一身靈氣，善能變化，水火不侵，又能套諸物。一名『金鋼琢』，又名『金鋼套』。當年過函關，化胡為佛，甚是虧他。早晚最可防身。等我丟下去打他一下。」
菩萨开口对老君说：「贫僧所举二郎神如何？果有神通，已把那大圣围困，只是未得擒拿。我如今助他一功，决拿住他也。」老君道：「菩萨将甚兵器？怎么助他？」菩萨道：「我将那净瓶杨柳抛下去，打那猴头，即不能打死，也打个一跌，教二郎小圣好去拿他。」老君道：「你这瓶是个磁器，能打着他便好，如打不着他的头，或撞着他的铁棒，却不打碎了？你且莫动手，等我老君助他一功。」菩萨道：「你有甚么兵器？」老君道：「有，有，有。」捋起衣袖，左膊上取下一个圈子，说道：「这件兵器，乃锟钢抟炼的，被我将还丹点成，养就一身灵气，善能变化，水火不侵，又能套诸物。一名『金钢琢』，又名『金钢套』。当年过函关，化胡为佛，甚是亏他。早晚最可防身。等我丢下去打他一下。」
The Bodhisattva said to Lord Lao, “What do you think of the Erlang this poor monk recommended? He truly has magic: he has surrounded the Great Sage, though he has not yet captured him. I shall give him a little help now, and then he is sure to take him.” Lord Lao asked, “What weapon will you use, Bodhisattva? How will you help him?” The Bodhisattva said, “I shall throw down my pure-water vase with its willow branch and strike that monkey. Even if it does not kill him, it will knock him over and give the Lesser Sage Erlang a chance to catch him.” Lord Lao said, “That vase of yours is porcelain. It will be all very well if it hits him, but if it misses his head or strikes his iron cudgel, won’t it shatter? Do not act yet. Let me, Lord Lao, lend him a hand.” The Bodhisattva asked, “What weapon have you?” Lord Lao said, “I have one, I have one, I have one.” He rolled up his sleeve, took a ring from his left arm and said, “This weapon was forged and refined from Kun steel. I perfected it with my reverted elixir and nurtured it until it was filled with spiritual power. It is skilled in transformation, proof against fire and water, and can snare all manner of things. One name for it is the Diamond Ring, another the Diamond Snare. When I passed through Hangu Pass and converted the barbarians to Buddhism, I owed a great deal to it. It is excellent protection at any time. Let me throw it down and give him a blow.”
話畢，自天門上往下一摜，滴流流，徑落花果山營盤裡，可可的著猴王頭上一下。猴王只顧苦戰七聖，卻不知天上墜下這兵器，打中了天靈，立不穩腳，跌了一跤，爬將起來就跑。被二郎爺爺的細犬趕上，照腿肚子上一口，又扯了一跌。他睡倒在地，罵道：「這個亡人！你不去妨家長，卻來咬老孫！」急翻身爬不起來，被七聖一擁按住，即將繩索捆綁，使勾刀穿了琵琶骨，再不能變化。
话毕，自天门上往下一掼，滴流流，径落花果山营盘里，可可的着猴王头上一下。猴王只顾苦战七圣，却不知天上坠下这兵器，打中了天灵，立不稳脚，跌了一跤，爬将起来就跑。被二郎爷爷的细犬赶上，照腿肚子上一口，又扯了一跌。他睡倒在地，骂道：「这个亡人！你不去妨家长，却来咬老孙！」急翻身爬不起来，被七圣一拥按住，即将绳索捆绑，使勾刀穿了琵琶骨，再不能变化。
With that he hurled it down from Heaven’s gate. Spinning round and round, it fell straight into the camp at Flower-Fruit Mountain and struck the Monkey King squarely on the head. The Monkey King was intent on his hard fight with the seven sages and knew nothing of the weapon falling from Heaven. Hit on the crown, he lost his footing and fell. He scrambled up and ran, but Lord Erlang’s slender hound caught him, bit him in the calf and pulled him down again. Lying on the ground, he cursed, “You death-bringing brute! Why don’t you bring bad luck on your master instead of biting Old Sun?” He tried to turn over but could not get up. The seven sages rushed in together and pinned him down. They bound him with ropes and drove hooked blades through his shoulder blades, so that he could no longer transform.
那老君收了金鋼琢，請玉帝同觀音、王母、眾仙等，俱回靈霄殿。這下面四大天王與李天王諸神，俱收兵拔寨，近前向小聖賀喜，都道：「此小聖之功也。」小聖道：「此乃天尊洪福，眾神威權，我何功之有？」康、張、姚、李道：「兄長不必多敘，且押這廝去上界見玉帝，請旨發落去也。」真君道：「賢弟，汝等未受天籙，不得面見玉帝。教天甲神兵押著，我同天王等上界回旨。你們帥眾在此搜山，搜淨之後，仍回灌口。待我請了賞，討了功，回來同樂。」四太尉、二將軍依言領諾。這真君與眾即駕雲頭，唱凱歌，得勝朝天。不多時，到通明殿外。天師啟奏道：「四大天王等眾已捉了妖猴齊天大聖了，來此聽宣。」玉帝傳旨，即命大力鬼王與天丁等眾，押至斬妖臺，將這廝碎剁其屍。咦！正是：
欺誑今遭刑憲苦，英雄氣概等時休。
那老君收了金钢琢，请玉帝同观音、王母、众仙等，俱回灵霄殿。这下面四大天王与李天王诸神，俱收兵拔寨，近前向小圣贺喜，都道：「此小圣之功也。」小圣道：「此乃天尊洪福，众神威权，我何功之有？」康、张、姚、李道：「兄长不必多叙，且押这厮去上界见玉帝，请旨发落去也。」真君道：「贤弟，汝等未受天箓，不得面见玉帝。教天甲神兵押着，我同天王等上界回旨。你们帅众在此搜山，搜净之后，仍回灌口。待我请了赏，讨了功，回来同乐。」四太尉、二将军依言领诺。这真君与众即驾云头，唱凯歌，得胜朝天。不多时，到通明殿外。天师启奏道：「四大天王等众已捉了妖猴齐天大圣了，来此听宣。」玉帝传旨，即命大力鬼王与天丁等众，押至斩妖台，将这厮碎剁其尸。咦！正是：
欺诳今遭刑宪苦，英雄气概等时休。
Lord Lao retrieved his Diamond Ring and invited the Jade Emperor, Guanyin, the Queen Mother and the immortals to return to the Hall of Divine Mists. Below, the Four Heavenly Kings, Heavenly King Li and the other gods called back their troops, struck camp and came forward to congratulate the Lesser Sage. “The credit belongs to the Lesser Sage!” they all said. The Lesser Sage answered, “This is the Celestial Lord’s great good fortune and the gods’ mighty authority. What credit can I claim?” Kang, Zhang, Yao and Li said, “Elder brother, no need for more words. Take this wretch up to the Jade Emperor and ask how he is to be dealt with.” The True Lord said, “Worthy brothers, you have not been enrolled in the Celestial Register and cannot appear before the Jade Emperor. Let the armoured divine soldiers escort him. I shall go to the upper realm with the Heavenly Kings and the others to report that the decree has been fulfilled. Lead your troops in searching the mountain. When you have searched it thoroughly, go back to the Guan River Mouth. Once I have asked for our rewards and claimed our merits, I shall return and we will celebrate together.” The four Grand Commandants and the two generals accepted his orders. The True Lord and the others mounted their clouds, singing songs of victory as they went triumphantly to Heaven. Before long they reached the Hall of Clear Light. A Heavenly Master addressed the throne. “The Four Heavenly Kings and the others have captured the demon monkey, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and have come to await Your Majesty’s summons.” The Jade Emperor issued a decree, ordering the Mighty Ghost King and the heavenly soldiers to take the wretch to the Demon-Execution Terrace and hack his body into pieces. Ah! Truly:
For his deceits he now must bear the law’s bitter punishment;his heroic spirit comes, at this hour, to its end.
畢竟不知那猴王性命何如，且聽下回分解。
毕竟不知那猴王性命何如，且听下回分解。
What would become of the Monkey King’s life? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.