The day had advanced into evening. From his hollow on the hillside, Pilgrim saw that his master had indeed become a general, the mission to bring back the scriptures abandoned. This threw his mind into great turmoil. [C. If no turmoil, then no stillness.] Totally at a loss for what to do, he transformed himself into the form of a soldier, mixed himself into the ranks, and spent a night amid the chaotic hustle and bustle. [K. A vivid description of an army in disarray and chaos.]

At daybreak on the following day, the Tang Monk took his seat in the commander’s tent and instructed the troops to hoist up the flag proclaiming the recruitment of warriors and the purchase of horses. Soldiers followed these orders, and by noon, the new recruits, both officers and men, reached two million. Another day passed in chaotic hustle and bustle.

The Tang Monk then promoted a junior commander under the white banner to be his personal junior commander attaché. At night he issued an order to construct a general’s platform with iron chains and to draw up a roster of the soldiers and officers; he proclaimed that the following night he would mount the platform and call the roll.

At midnight that night, the moon was as bright as day. [C. What is marvelous is the brightness of the moon at midnight.] The Tang Monk ascended the platform and dictated instructions to all the officers: “When I call the roll tonight, it will be different from the usual practice. When one stroke of the bell is sounded, the soldiers will cook their food. When two strokes of the bell are sounded, armor will be put on. When three strokes of the bell are sounded, minds will be calm and fervor heightened. When four strokes of the bell are sounded, prepare for the calling of the roll.”

The White-Banner Commander received the order and instructed all the officers to listen: “By the General’s order: The roll call tonight will be different from the usual practice. When the bell sounds once, cook your food. When the bell sounds twice, put on your armor. When the bell sounds three times, calm your minds and rouse up your spirit. When the bell sounds four times, prepare for the calling of the roll. Do not be late or sloppy!”

The officers and their troops all shouted, “Yessir! When the General issues orders, who would dare to disobey!”

The Tang Monk again summoned his White Banner Attaché and ordered him, “Officers and soldiers are not allowed to call me General. Instead, they should address me as Elder-General!” [C. Return to the root and origin.] The White-Banner Commander then went to all the camps to transmit the order.

When the bell on the platform was struck once, the troops responded by hastily cooking and eating. The Tang Monk again instructed the White-Banner Junior Commander, “Tell all the officers. When their names are called, they are to reply by manifesting all at once their full strength. They will not be allowed to respond carelessly or to be disorderly in any way.”

When the bell on the platform was struck twice, the soldiers hastened to strap on their armor. The Tang Monk ordered White-Banner to have the roll-call flag hoisted and instructed all the camps, “The waterways and mountain ravines are to be guarded with utmost diligence and care. Anyone who lets into the camps those who speak alien tongues or wear alien clothes, political persuaders or itinerant scholars, will be beheaded!” White-Banner had the order transmitted.

The Tang Monk again ordered White-Banner, “Instruct the officers and troops in all camps: Anyone who does not respond to the roll call will be beheaded. Anyone who loiters around the camp entrance will be beheaded. Anyone who pretends to be sick will be beheaded. Anyone who is not paying attention will be beheaded. Anyone who recommends himself will be beheaded. Anyone who cuts in line will be beheaded. Anyone who gets out of order or makes noise will be beheaded. Anyone who hides a superior will be beheaded. Anyone who takes the place of anyone else will be beheaded. Any who put their heads together to spread rumors will be beheaded. Anyone who brings a woman into the camp will be beheaded. [C. Pay attention here.] Anyone who lets his mind wander and harbors absurd thoughts will be beheaded. Anyone who is not fierce in his resolve will be beheaded. Anyone who quarrels or competes with his fellow soldiers will be beheaded!”

After the order was relayed, the bell sounded three times, and all calmed their minds and strengthened their resolve. [K. Only when one has stirred up one’s spirit and advances fiercely and courageously can one break through the many layers of encirclements.] The Tang Monk, his eyes closed, sat silently on the platform under the white moon.

After what seemed to be an hour, the bell on the platform sounded four times, and all the officers and men assembled in front of the platform for the roll call. This is what was to be seen:

Banners and flags in ordered ranks,

Swords and halberds glistened chill and forbidding.

Banners and flags in ordered ranks,

Arrayed to match the twenty-eight heavenly constellations,¹

With the flag of the Great Dipper on the left,

And the flag of Oxherd on the right,

Each flag for every constellation in its proper place.

Swords and halberds glistened chill and forbidding:

Grouped as in the sixty-four hexagrams,

With yang battle axes in odd-numbered lines,

And yin battle axes in even-numbered lines,

All lines in their right places.

When precious swords begin to roar,

Fierce tigers in ten thousand mountains are silenced.

When rhinoceros armor is arranged like scales,

The golden dragons of the Five Seas are shamed.

Each and every one is an evil star shining with malice;

Each and every voice a mighty clap of thunder!²

The Tang Monk had their names called one by one, according to the roster. He said loudly, “Officers and soldiers, in military matters I cannot give rein to my compassionate heart. [K. Points precisely to “benevolent and compassionate by nature” in the first chapter.³] Be diligent, all of you, so as to avoid punishment by the axe.” Thereupon he signaled with the flag and gave the command. In a single stretch the names of 6,605 officers and men were called out.

Suddenly, First Lieutenant Zhu Wuneng was called. When the Tang Monk saw the name, he realized it was Eight Vows, but discipline is strict in the military, and he could not reveal their relationship. He said, “You—that officer there—your appearance is so ugly and evil: you must be a demon trying to fool me.” He called White-Banner to march him out for execution. Eight Vows could only keep knocking his head against the ground, crying, “Elder-General [K. Eye-opening.], please calm your anger! Allow me to say something before I die.” Eight Vows said,

My name is Zhu,

Eighth in my line.

I went with the Tang Monk to the Western land,

But midway there he wrote a divorce so hateful.

I hastened to the village of my wife and her father,

But my wife and sons had gone to Dried-Up Valley. [K. The most important part of the sentence.]

Since they’re in Dried-Up Valley,

I turned back to head once more to the West,

I never thought I’d find myself in General’s command.

I beseech you, General, to spare my wretched life,

Keep me in your camp to watch the cooking fires!

A slight smile crept over the Tang Monk’s face, and he instructed White-Banner to set him free from his bonds. Eight Vows knocked his head against the ground one hundred times more, reverently thanking the Tang Monk.

Then another name was called: Woman Commander Hua Kui!⁴ [C. Pay attention here.] [K. The insertion of the Hua Kui episode keeps the narration from becoming conventional. It also parallels other matters and is by no means superfluous. Wujing does not appear. Wonderful.] A woman officer galloped out from the ranks with a saber under her arm. Indeed,

A beautiful girl of sixteen, her body like cream,

Inhales the essence of Heaven and Earth until both go dry.

At her waist she carries a flying-dragon sword,

To take the head of her handsome green, green mate.⁵

Next called was Major General Sun Wukong. The Tang Monk blanched and fixed his gaze at the foot of the platform.

To return to Pilgrim: Having spent three days in the chaos of the ranks, Pilgrim had transformed into a soldier in the form of a six-eared macaque.⁶ [C. When the Six-Eared Macaque posed as Pilgrim the two minds created turmoil in the world. What does it mean that Pilgrim has again changed into his form? May the reader think hard about this.] [K. This is a key to the meaning here; this is not just a matter of tying (the narrative here) to the previous text.] When he heard his name, Sun Wukong, called, he leaped out as if flying and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, “The humble officer Sun Wukong is away transporting military rations and did not get back in time. [K. Wonderful. Not present because of transporting military rations secretly follows on his going to beg food in the first chapter.] I am his brother, Sun Wuhuan,⁷ and I beg to fight in his place, so I risk my life violating the Elder-General’s orders.”

“Sun Wuhuan,” the Tang Monk said, “what is your origin? Give a quick account of yourself, and I will spare your life.” Hopping and dancing about, Pilgrim chanted these lines,

I was a demon in the past,

Who falsely took the Pilgrim’s name.

But once the Great Sage took leave of the Tang Monk,

Through a marriage we’re now kin.

No need to inquire about my names:

I’m the Six-Eared Macaque, Major General Sun Wuhuan. [K. Only when one has searched out the origin, returned to the root, destroyed the heretical paths, and the two minds have become one can one comprehend the Great Dao. Mention of the Six-Eared Macaque also foreshadows the acceptance of a new disciple in the final chapter.]

“The Six-Eared Macaque was Sun Wukong’s sworn enemy,” said the Tang Monk, “but now he focuses on new kindnesses and forgets old resentments. He is a good man after all.” He then ordered his white-banner attaché to give the iron armor of the Vanguard to Sun Wuhuan and appointed him commander of the Vanguard to Break Down the Ramparts.

With the roll call completed, the Tang Monk immediately issued his command, calling on his troops to march in “Beautiful Woman in Search of Her Husband” formation [K. Wonderful.] and attack the Western Barbarians, taking advantage of the moonlight.

The troops entered Western Barbarian territory. The Tang Monk shouted, “Soldiers, use a small-size yellow banner to identify our forces. Don’t get confused.” The troops received the order, arrayed their banners, and marched forward. Coming around a bend in the mountains, they ran right into a band of cavalry and infantry under a green banner. [C. Prepares for future case.]

As commander of the Vanguard, Pilgrim immediately leaped out in front. The center of that troop of men and horses was a general wearing a purple-gold helmet, who raised his saber to engage the enemy. [K. A remote parallel to King Xiang’s self-narration of his battle with Zhang Han.] Pilgrim challenged, “Who comes there?”

“I am King Pāramitā,”⁸ said that general. [K. His seeing King Pāramitā is evidence of Pilgrim’s gradual enlightenment.] “Who are you to dare challenge me?”

“I am Sun Wuhuan,” Pilgrim shouted, “commander of the Vanguard of the Imperially Commissioned Great Green-Eradication General of the Great Tang.”

That general said, “I am the Great King of Mi [Honey], come to capture the King of Great Tang [Sugar].” He flourished his saber and made a chop with it.

“What a pity,” said Pilgrim, “that a nameless junior officer such as you should soil Old Sun’s iron staff.” He raised his staff to engage him. After several rounds, neither was able to prevail.

“Halt!” the general called. “If I don’t reveal my lineage, don’t tell you my name, after I have killed you, as a ghost you will still think that I am some nameless junior officer. Let me make it clear to you: I, King Pāramitā, am none other than the true son born of the primary wife of Pilgrim Sun, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven who wrought havoc in Heaven.” [K. Written with great emphasis! Once you recognize your true appearance you can obtain the Right Fruit.]

Having heard this, Pilgrim thought to himself, “Amazing! Does that mean that the play they performed the other day was true? Now that the evidence is right here, in what way could it be false? But I don’t know where my four other sons are, or whether my wife is still alive or not. [K. Every stroke of the brush is extraordinary and magical; every stroke of the brush is very precise.] If she is still alive, what does she do for a living? I don’t even know whether this is my youngest son or the oldest? I’d like to ask him for details, but my master’s military orders are strict—I dare not violate them. I’ll just sound him out and see.”

He then called out, “Pilgrim is my sworn brother. He never told me he had a son—how can he suddenly have sons?”

“You don’t understand my situation,” said that general. “I, King Pāramitā, and Pilgrim, my own father⁹ [C. My own father, my own uncle, my own mother—each of these terms is extremely marvelous.], are actually father and son who have never seen each other. When Pilgrim, my own father, started out as a demon in Water-Curtain Cave, there he swore brotherhood with my own uncle, the Bull Monster King. [K. Precisely mirrors the mention of sworn brotherhood above.] My own uncle had a first wife, Lady Rākṣasī, with whom he did not share a bed. She lived in Palm-Leaf Cave. She is my own mother. There was a Tang Monk in the Southeast who was journeying to the West to see the Buddha, and he invited my own father to be his disciple temporarily. They endured innumerable hardships on the way to the West. Suddenly one day they came upon the treacherous Mountain of Flames. [C. It is precisely after the Mountain of Flames episode that Further Adventures on the Journey to the West is set. See how meticulously the author makes the episodes reflect each other.] The master and his several disciples suffered endless anxiety and bitterness. At that point my own father came up with an idea. He said, ‘A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime.’ I will have to repay the kindness of my paternal master at the expense of my fraternal relationship. He went straight to the Palm-Leaf Cave, first having transformed himself into my own uncle in order to deceive my own mother. Then he transformed into a tiny insect to enter my own mother’s belly [K. A small insect enters her belly, forced there by the Mountain of Flames—a joke! See how he tells the story: every sentence makes one want to laugh.], where he stayed for half a day and made untold mischief. By then my own mother could not take the pain any longer; she could only surrender the Palm-Leaf Fan to my own father, Pilgrim. Having obtained the Palm-Leaf Fan, my own father, Pilgrim, cooled the Mountain of Flames, and they went on their way. But then in the fifth month of the following year, my own mother suddenly gave birth to me, King Pāramitā. [K. The Palm-Leaf Fan appeared, the Palm-Leaf Cave was left behind, the Mountain of Flames cooled, and the tiny insect was gone. But in her belly was left a King Pāramitā. Bodhi, Svaha!¹⁰] I grew day by day, but my wisdom grew more. When you think about it, my own uncle and my own mother never consummated their marriage; my father made his way into my own mother’s belly only once and I was born, so I am the direct descendant of my own father, Pilgrim—this goes without saying.” Hearing all this, Pilgrim Sun could neither laugh nor cry.

Amid all the commotion, from the northwest he saw the King of the Lesser Moon leading a column of troops [K. Wonderful.] under purple banners¹¹ as reinforcements for the Tang Monk. From the southwest a column of ghost soldiers under dark banners arrived to assist King Pāramitā. King Pāramitā’s military prowess was formidable; he first broke into the Tang Monk’s formation, killed the King of the Lesser Moon, and then turned and beheaded the Tang Monk. [C. With this clean cut the Great Sage may be awakened.] For a time, chaos reigned as the four armies engaged in massive slaughter.

Totally disoriented, Pilgrim Sun could only mimic what the others in his company did. The dark banners fell into the purple banner regiment, and purple banners dropped horizontally onto the green banners. One green banner flew into the purple banner unit, a purple banner rushed into the yellow banner troops, and yellow banners ran obliquely into a formation of dark banners. A huge dark banner fell onto the yellow banner troops from midair, killing some of them. Soldiers of the yellow banner charged into the formation of the green banner and snatched several green banners, all of which were in turn snatched away by the purple banner troops. The purple banner soldiers killed hundreds of their own, their purple banners falling into the blood and getting dyed a lychee-red color, only to be snatched up by the yellow banner troops, who carried them into their ranks. The green banner people charged into the dark banner crowd, killing many there. Several smaller-size dark banners hovered in the air and then fell on a pine tree. One million yellow banner men fell into a pit. One hundred yellow command banners flew into the small green command banners, turning them a duck’s-head green color. Sixteen or seventeen small purple command banners fell upon the green banner forces. The green-banner regiment threw them into midair, where they fell on the dark-banner troops and abruptly disappeared. [K. Becomes fine writing through echoing the robe made of patches from the donations of one hundred households in the first chapter. It is with color¹² that the book begins and ends, and it is the Lord of the Void that wakes one up from delusion: the meaning behind this is worth thinking about. The author’s writing is unrestrainable, like an angry horse that has slipped its harness—untamable and uncontrollable.]

Furious and enraged, Pilgrim could bear this no longer. [K. If he did not become extremely furious and enraged, how could he gain complete enlightenment?]

[C. The chaos of the flags of five colors is the root cause for the Mind-Monkey to be able to escape from the demonic world, a critical juncture in Further Adventures on the Journey to the West. These descriptions penetrate to the very spirit of things; this truly is divinely creative writing!]