Journey to the West
Performing a thousand maneuvers;
The other moves to and fro,
Never relaxing for an instant.
The gold−banded cudgel
Comes within inches of the skull;
The Seven−star Sword
Strives for a thrust to the heart.
The one strikes fear into the stars;
The other's wrath is more terrible than lightning.
The two of them fought thirty rounds, but neither came out on top. Monkey was delighted, though without
showing it. "So this vicious devil is a match for my iron cudgel. As I've already got his three treasures I'm
only wasting my time slogging it out with him like this. It'd be much better to pop him into the gourd or the
vase. But that's no good," he reflected further. "As the saying goes, 'a possession is at its owner's disposal.' If
they don't do what I tell them, everything will be ruined. I'll have to lasso him with the Dazzling Golden
Cord."
Using one hand to parry the magic sword with his cudgel, the splendid Great Sage raised the rope in the other
and sent it whistling through the air to lasso the demon king. Now the king had a Rope−tightening Spell and a
Rope−loosening Spell. When he lassoed others he would say the tightening spell, and nobody would be able
to get free, and if he lassoed his own people he would say the loosening spell, and no one would be hurt.
Recognizing this rope as one of his own family's treasures he said the loosening spell, at which the noose slid
open. He got free and threw the rope back at Monkey, catching him. Before the Great Sage could apply some
slimming magic to escape the demon had recited the tightening spell. Monkey was held fast, unable to free
himself; he was locked tight by a gold ring at his neck. The demon jerked at the rope and pulled him over,
then struck seven or eight blows at his head with the magic sword. This did not even redden Monkey's scalp.
"If your head's that hard, you ape, I'll not hack at you any more," the demon said. "I'll take you back to kill
later. Give me my two treasures back at once."
"I haven't got any treasures of yours," Monkey replied, "so why ask me?" The demon king searched him very
carefully, found the gourd and the vase, and dragged him back into the cave by the rope.
"Brother, I've got him," he announced.
"Who?" the Senior King asked.
"Sun the Novice," replied the Junior King. "Come and see."
When the Senior King saw that it was Monkey his face was wreathed in smiles. "It's him," he said, "it's him.
Tie him to a pillar with a very long rope and we'll have some fun with him." And indeed Monkey was tied up
Chapter 34 482
