Sun understood and said:  “Since you have come in person for the magic treasures, I return them to you.”  After receiving them, the Ancient of Days returned to his T’ai Sui mansion in the skies.

The Red Child Demon

By the autumn the travellers arrived at a great mountain.  They saw on the road a red cloud which the Monkey thought must be a demon.  It was in fact a demon child who, in order to entrap the Master, had had himself bound and tied to the branch of a tree.  The child repeatedly cried out to the passers-by to deliver him.  Sun suspected that it was a trick; but the Master could no longer endure the pitiful wails; he ordered his disciples to loose the child, and the Monkey to carry him.

As they proceeded on their way the Demon caused a strong whirlwind to spring up, and during this he carried off the Master.  Sun discovered that the Demon was an old friend of his, who, centuries before, had pledged himself to eternal friendship.  So he consoled his comrades by saying that he felt sure no harm would come to the Master.

A Prospective Feast

Soon Sun and his companions reached a mountain covered with pine-forests.  Here they found the Demon in his cave, intent upon feasting on the Priest.  The Demon refused to recognize his ancient friendship with Sun, so the two came to blows.  The Demon set fire to everything, so that the Monkey might be blinded by the smoke.  Thus he was unable to find his Master.  In despair he said:  “I must get the help of some one more skilful than myself.”  Pa-chieh was sent to fetch Kuan Yin.  The Demon then seized a magic bag, transformed himself into the shape of Kuan Yin, and invited Pa-chieh to enter the cave.  The simpleton fell into the trap and was seized and placed in the bag.  Then the Demon appeared in his true form, and said:  “I am the beggar child, and mean to cook you for my dinner.  A fine man to protect his Master you are!” The Demon then summoned six of his most doughty generals and ordered them to accompany him to fetch his father, King Ox-head, to dine off the pilgrim.  When they had gone Sun opened the bag, released Pa-chieh, and both followed the six generals.

The Generals Tricked

Sun thought that as the Demon had played a trick on Pa-chieh, he would play one on his generals.  So he hurried on in front of them, and changed himself into the form of King Ox-head.  The Demon and his generals were invited into his presence, and Red Child said:  “If anyone eats of the pilgrim’s flesh, his life will be prolonged indefinitely.  Now he is caught and I invite you to feast on him.”  Sun, personifying the father, said:  “No, I cannot come.  I am fasting to-day.  Moreover, Sun has charge of the pilgrim, and if any harm befall him it will be the worse for you, for he has seventy-two magic arts.  He can make himself so big that your cave cannot contain him, and he can make himself as small as a fly, a mosquito, a bee, or a butterfly.”