Sun quickly changed himself from a Taoist priest, and appeared in his natural form.  At this they all fell down and worshipped him, asking his forgiveness because their mortal eyes could not recognize him.  They then begged him to enter the city and compel the demons to repent.  Sun told them to follow him.  He then went with them to a sandy place, emptied two carts and smashed them into splinters, and threw all the bricks, tiles, and timber into a heap, calling upon all the priests to disperse.  “Tomorrow,” he said, “I am going to see the King, and will destroy the Taoists!” Then they said:  “Sir, we dare not go any farther, lest they attempt to seize you and cause trouble.”  “Have no fear,” he replied; “but if you think so I will give you a charm to protect you.”  He pulled out some hairs, and gave one to each to hold firmly on the third finger.  “If anyone tries to seize you,” he said, “keep tight hold of it, call out ‘Great Holy One, the Equal of Heaven,’ and I will at once come to your rescue, even though I be ten thousand miles away.”  Some of them tried the charm, and, sure enough, there he was before them like the God of Thunder.  In his hand he held a rod of iron, and he could keep ten thousand men and horses at bay.

The Magic Circle

It was now winter.  The pilgrims were crossing a high mountain by a narrow pass, and the Master was afraid of wild beasts.  The three disciples bade him fear not, as they were united, and were all good men seeking truth.  Being cold and hungry they rejoiced to see a fine building ahead of them, but Sun said:  “It is another devil’s trap.  I will make a ring round you.  Inside that you will be safe.  Do not wander outside it.  I will go and look for food.”  Sun returned with his bowl full of rice, but found that his companions had got tired of waiting, and had disappeared.  They had gone forward to the fine building, which Pa-chieh entered.  Not a soul was to be seen, but on going upstairs he was terrified to see a human skeleton of immense size lying on the floor.  At this moment the Demon of the house descended on them, bound the Master, and said:  “We have been told that if we eat of your flesh our white hair will become black again, and our lost teeth grow anew.”  So he ordered the small devils who accompanied him to bind the others.  This they did, and thrust the pilgrims into a cave, and then lay in wait for Sun.  It was not long before the Monkey came up, when a great fight ensued.  In the end, having failed, notwithstanding the exercise of numerous magic arts, to release his companions, Sun betook himself to the Spiritual Mountain and besought Ju Lai’s aid.  Eighteen lohan were sent to help him against the Demon.  When Sun renewed the attack, the lohan threw diamond dust into the air, which blinded the Demon and also half buried him.  But, by skilful use of his magic coil, he gathered up all the diamond dust and carried it back to his cave.