Help from Heaven

Journey to the West 66 Help from Heaven

One-Horned Buffalo went back into his cave and slammed the door shut. “ He stole my iron bar! ” cried Wukong. “ What am I going to do?” He thought for a moment. “ That demon said he remembered me. He also mentioned the Jade Emperor. Maybe that demon escaped from Heaven. ”

The monkey shot into the sky and soon arrived at the southern gate of Heaven. He told the guard everything that had happened. The guard sent a messenger to see if any spirits were missing from Heaven. The messenger returned quickly with a warrior. The warrior held a large sword. “ The emperor sent me, ” said the warrior. “ Nobody is missing from Heaven. But I will arrest One-Horned Buffalo for you. ”

Wukong returned to Earth with the warrior. The warrior banged on the cave door. “ Open up, One-Horned Buffalo! ” The demon came outside and eyed the warrior. “ What do you want?” The warrior puffed out his chest. “ I’m here to arrest you. ” One-Horned Buffalo snorted. “ Go away. ”

“ How dare you tell me to go away! ” said the warrior. “ The Jade Emperor sent me. ” He pointed his sword at the demon. “ If you don’t come with me, I’ll have to—” One-Horned Buffalo held up the metal ring, and . . . whoosh! The warrior’s sword flew into it. The warrior’s face fell as he looked at his empty hand. The demon laughed and went back into his cave.

“ That metal ring is powerful, ” said the warrior to Wukong. “ We need more help. ” They returned to Heaven and bowed before the Jade Emperor. “ I’m sorry, Your Majesty, ” said the warrior. “ But the demon stole my sword. I need more help. ” The Jade Emperor turned to his general. “ Send a fire god to Earth with these two. ”