Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 57, Encountering a Demon in the Black Pine Forest (Part 1)
Meanwhile, Pigsy was being lazy and taking a nap.

Tang Sanzang waited in the forest until nightfall, but Pigsy did not return. He was so hungry that his stomach was rumbling, his legs were trembling, and he was dizzy.

He called to Sha Wujing, "Wuneng went to beg for alms, why hasn't he returned yet?"

Sha Wujing said, "Master, it seems that there are many families in this superior western region who offer alms to monks. Second Brother has a big belly, so he will wait until he is full before returning."

Tang Sanzang said, “Oh dear. He’s over there enjoying his vegetarian meals, while we’re here starving and freezing. What should we do? It’s getting late, and this isn’t a good place to stay. We need to find somewhere to rest.”

Sha Wujing said, "It's alright, Master. You sit here with His Highness for now, and I'll go find him and bring him back."

Tang Sanzang said, "That's right, that's right."

Sha Wujing took his magic staff and went straight out of the pine forest to find Zhu Bajie.

Tang Sanzang and Ao Tu sat in the forest, feeling very bored and tired.

Just as the sun was setting, a cluster of golden light appeared in the south for some unknown reason.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang became curious and asked, "Your Highness, what is that thing emitting light in the south?"

Ao Tu stood up to observe and said, "I think that's a cluster of demonic light."

Tang Sanzang said, "Your Highness is mistaken. That golden light is peaceful and serene; how can it be called demonic light?"

Ao Tu shook his head and said, "How do you know that the light is peaceful and serene? It is difficult to see the truth with the naked eye alone; one must personally experience it to understand."

Tang Sanzang said, "What Your Highness says is very true."

So he ordered Tiger Vanguard to guard the luggage and horses, and the two of them headed towards the small path to the south.

Ignoring the chirping of birds returning to their nests, the wildflowers and grasses, I walked through the secluded forest and looked up to see a golden light shimmering and colorful glow. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a pagoda with a golden top shining brightly.

Tang Sanzang said, “Amitabha! It is fate! Fate! I am in this desolate wilderness with nowhere to go, but I have seen a golden pagoda. It is truly a manifestation of the Buddha. I think there must be a temple under the pagoda, and monks in the temple. Please allow us to stay and have a meal.”

Ao Tu said, "This is a demonic tower; how could it possibly offer any vegetarian meals?"

Tang Sanzang asked, "How is it a demon tower?"

Ao Tu asked, "Why is it a Buddhist pagoda?"

Tang Sanzang said, "That golden light and colorful aura, isn't that a Buddhist pagoda?"

Ao Tu said, "That golden light and colorful aura are exactly what demons use to lure passersby."

Tang Sanzang said, "Your Highness has not personally visited the area, how can you speak so recklessly?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Absolutely! Absolutely! That's exactly right! You'll have to see it for yourself to understand."

The two walked toward the tower, which was indeed a good place.

Beneath a stone bridge, a clear spring gurgles; on a platform, bright white blossoms gleam. Fragrant pines and purple bamboos abound, birds and beasts roam in rows, verdant herbs flourish, and vibrant wildflowers bloom. Flowers reflect in the grass tips, casting shadows in the wind; water flows through the clouds, and the moon seems to have no roots.

Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "Your Highness, you are wrong, you are wrong!"

Ao Tu didn't explain, and said, "Please!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Please!"

Tang Sanzang stepped forward and arrived at the pagoda gate, where he saw a bamboo curtain hanging inside. He broke through the curtain, lifted it, and went inside. Suddenly, he looked up and saw a demon sleeping on his side on the stone bed.

Do you know what he looks like?

His face was bluish-green, with white fangs and a large mouth three feet long and wide. His sideburns were disheveled, as if dyed with rouge; his three or four purple mustaches resembled aged lychees.

Its parrot-like nose is arched, and its star-like eyes are pleading. Its two fists are bigger than bowls; its two blue feet are rougher than tree stumps.

He wore a pale yellow robe draped diagonally, surpassing even the finest brocade cassock. He carried a gleaming knife; he slept on a smooth, flawless stone bed.

It was indeed an old demon, a terrifying mountain monster.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang was so frightened that he stumbled backward, his whole body went numb, and his legs went weak. He hurriedly tried to turn back and leave.

Ao Tu, who was following behind, asked, "What's wrong? Why are you so scared? Did you see the Buddha?" Tang Sanzang replied in a panic, "There's no Buddha here, just a terrifying old demon!"

Ao Tu said, "This tower is radiating golden light and colorful energy. How could there be any old demon inside? You must be mistaken. Let me go in and take a look."

Tang Sanzang hurriedly said, "Your Highness, stop looking! Stop looking! It's a long-standing demon! Run! If we're too late, our lives will be in danger!"

Just then, the demon heard the commotion, awoke, opened its golden demonic eyes, and cried out, "Minions, who is outside the door!"

Upon hearing this, a little demon ran over and peeked out the door.

Ao Tu called out, "Benefactor, we have come to beg for alms."

The little demon shrank back and reported, "Your Majesty, two people have arrived outside, one of whom is a monk. They say they've come to beg for alms!"

Upon hearing this, the demon laughed loudly, "There are still people coming to beg for alms from us? This is truly a 'food-gathering business, food and clothing provided on their own.' Minions, quickly bring these two people to me!"

Upon hearing this, the lesser demons swarmed out.

When Tang Sanzang saw this, he was terrified, and his legs went weak and his feet went numb.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Look, it really is a Buddhist pagoda. It is generous to offer alms to monks. When it saw us come to beg for alms, so many people came to entertain us."

The group of lesser demons—including jackal spirits, wild wolf spirits, black wolf spirits, gray wolf spirits, weasel spirits, fox spirits, lynx spirits, and wild dog spirits—all bared their fangs, drooling, and their eyes gleaming green, as if they wanted to devour the two alive.

Tang Sanzang was so frightened that he turned to run away. The road was uneven, and he tripped and fell to the ground. His hat fell off, revealing his bald head.

The monsters laughed, "This tender, fleshy monk has even shaved his head, saving us the trouble. He's quite a delicious meal!"

The wolf spirit drooled and said, "A monk like this is the most delicious when steamed!"

The gray wolf spirit said, "This monk's flesh is delicious; it tastes best when boiled in plain water!"

The fox spirit said, "No, no, this monk is so small, there won't be enough to go around even if we steam or boil him. It would be best to chop him up and use him as filling to make human flesh buns!"

All the demons said, "Great, that's a good suggestion!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was so frightened that he almost lost his soul.

Ao Tu said, "No, no, esteemed benefactors, I can eat the meat buns without any problem, but he is a monk and only eats vegetarian food. Please bring some vegetarian ones instead!"

Upon hearing this, all the monsters laughed and said:
"You young man, you're quite bold to actually come to us begging for alms! Have you ever seen a benefactor like us before?"

Ao Tu said, "Although your appearances are somewhat peculiar, they are still quite pleasing to the eye. I think you must all be kind and benevolent people."

The little demons laughed, "Look, he even said we're good people!"

The wolf spirit, holding a gleaming spiked club, said:

"Since you're so sensible, I'll give you a quick death and beat you to death with this stick, so you won't have to cry out in pain after being eaten alive!"

As he spoke, he swung a stick at him.

Ao Tu dodged to the side, and the wolf spirit stumbled and missed its target.

The wolf spirit said, "You little rascal, you're quite the cunning one!"

Another blow came sweeping down, but Ao Tu dodged it again, tripped, and the wolf spirit fell to the ground.

The wolf spirit roared, "Attack together!"

A group of lesser demons swarmed forward.

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu grabbed Tang Sanzang and they fled into the mountains and forests.

The little demons scattered, some grabbing to the right, some to the left, some blocking in front, some flanking from behind.

Ao Tu grabbed Tang Sanzang, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes in front, sometimes behind, circling around the big tree and jumping around the rocks.

Exhausted, the group of lesser demons lay sprawled on the ground, their tongues lolling out, unable to catch the two.

(End of this chapter)