The Woman in the Crowd

Journey to the West 68 The Woman in the Crowd

Wukong stared at the cave door, shocked. “ I don’t believe it. One-Horned Buffalo stole our weapons again! ” “ What will we do now?” asked the fire god. “ This demon’s powers are stronger than any I’ve seen before, ” said Wukong. “ I know one person who can definitely defeat him—Buddha. I’ll be back soon. ”

The monkey leaped onto a cloud and soared toward the west. He arrived at the Thunderclap Monastery. A guard at the gate stopped him. “ I need to ask Buddha for help, ” Wukong told the guard. “ It’s about the Tang Monk’s journey. ” The guard waved the monkey through. Wukong entered the monastery and bowed before Buddha.

“ Greetings, Buddha, ” said the monkey. “ I need—” Buddha held up a hand. “ I know why you’re here, Wukong. I also know who the demon is. You must go to Laozi for help. ” “ Oh, okay, ” said the monkey, a bit surprised. “ Thank you. ” Wukong flew toward Heaven.

“ Laozi doesn’t like me much, ” thought the monkey. “ He won’t be happy to see me. ” When Wukong arrived at Laozi’s house, the sage frowned. “ What do you want, Wukong?” asked Laozi. “ Buddha told me to come here, ” said Wukong. “ The Tang Monk was captured by a demon called One-Horned Buffalo. ”

“ Oh dear! ” said Laozi. “ Do you know him?” asked the monkey. Laozi nodded. “ He’s my green buffalo. I didn’t realize he’d escaped. ” “ Well, he did, ” said Wukong, getting annoyed. “ And he’s planning to eat the Tang Monk. Your buffalo also has a metal ring. Every time we try to fight him, the ring sucks in our weapons! ”