第074回 Warning of the Three Demon Lords of Lion Camel Ridge

第074回Chapter 74

話表三藏師徒們打開慾網，跳出情牢，放馬西行。The tale tells how Sanzang and his disciples broke free of the net of desire, leapt clear of the prison of passion, and drove their horse onward to the west.走不多時，又是夏盡秋初，新涼透體。They had not gone far when summer ended and autumn began, and a fresh coolness pierced their bodies.但見那：Behold:

三藏正然行處，忽見一座高山，峰插碧空，真個是摩星礙日。As Sanzang was travelling along, he suddenly saw a towering mountain, its peaks piercing the blue sky — truly high enough to graze the stars and block out the sun.長老心中害怕，叫悟空道：「你看前面這山十分高聳，但不知有路通行否？」行者笑道：「師父說那裡話，自古道：『山高自有客行路，水深自有渡船人。』豈無通達之理？The elder's heart filled with fear, and he called to Wukong, saying, "Look how lofty that mountain ahead rises — I wonder whether there is a path through it or not?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Master, what kind of talk is that? As the old saying goes: 'Where the mountain is high, there is a traveler's road; where the water is deep, there is a ferryman.' How could there fail to be a way through?可放心前去。」長老聞言，喜笑花生，揚鞭策馬而進，徑上高岩。Set your mind at ease and go forward." Hearing this, the elder's face bloomed with joy; he raised his whip and urged his horse onward, straight up the high cliff.

行不數里，見一老者，鬢蓬鬆，白髮飄搔；They had not gone many li when they saw an old man, his temple-hair wild and tangled, his white hair fluttering and disheveled;鬚稀朗，銀絲擺動；his beard sparse and thin, its silvery strands stirring in the wind;項掛一串數珠子，手持拐杖現龍頭。a string of prayer beads hung about his neck, and in his hand he held a staff carved with a dragon's head.遠遠的立在那山坡上高呼：「西進的長老，且暫住驊騮，緊兜玉勒。He stood far off on the mountain slope, calling out loudly, "Elder bound west, halt your fine steed a moment and draw tight your jade bridle.這山上有一夥妖魔，吃盡了閻浮世上人，不可前進。」三藏聞言，大驚失色。On this mountain there is a band of demons who have devoured all the people of the mortal world — you must not go forward." Hearing this, Sanzang was greatly startled and lost his color.一是馬的足下不平，二是坐個雕鞍不穩，撲的跌下馬來，掙挫不動，睡在草裡哼哩。First, the horse's footing was uneven; second, he sat unsteady in the carved saddle — with a thud he tumbled off the horse, and unable to struggle up, lay in the grass groaning.行者近前攙起道：「莫怕，莫怕，有我哩。」長老道：「你聽那高岩上老者報道這山上有夥妖魔，吃盡閻浮世上人，誰敢去問他一個真實端的？」行者道：「你且坐地，等我去問他。」三藏道：「你的相貌醜陋，言語粗俗，怕衝撞了他，問不出個實信。」行者笑道：「我變個俊些兒的去問他。」三藏道：「你是變了我看。」好大聖，捻著訣，搖身一變，變做個乾乾淨淨的小和尚兒，真個是目秀眉清，頭圓臉正；Xingzhe came up and helped him rise, saying, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I am here." The elder said, "Did you hear that old man on the high cliff report that there is a band of demons on this mountain who have devoured all the people of the mortal world? Who dares go and ask him the plain truth of it?" Xingzhe said, "Just sit here, and let me go ask him." Sanzang said, "Your face is ugly and your speech coarse — I fear you will offend him, and get no true word out of him." Xingzhe laughed and said, "I'll turn myself into something handsomer and go ask him." Sanzang said, "Transform yourself and let me see." The splendid Great Sage formed a mudra, shook himself, and changed into a clean, tidy little monk, truly with fine eyebrows and clear eyes, a round head and proper face;行動有斯文之氣象，開口無俗類之言辭。in his movements there was an air of refinement, and when he opened his mouth there was no trace of vulgar speech.抖一抖錦衣直裰，拽步上前，向唐僧道：「師父，我看變得好麼？」三藏見了大喜道：「變得好。」八戒道：「怎麼不好？He shook out his brocade robe, strode forward, and said to Tang Seng, "Master, do you see — have I transformed well?" Sanzang was overjoyed at the sight and said, "Well transformed." Bajie said, "How could it not be good?只是把我們都比下去了。It's just that it puts the rest of us to shame.老豬就滾上二三年，也變不得這等俊俏。」Old Zhu could tumble about for two or three more years and still never turn out so handsome as that."

好大聖，躲離了他們，徑直近前，對那老者躬身道：「老公公，貧僧問訊了。」那老兒見他生得俊雅，年少身輕，待答不答的，還了他個禮，用手摸著他頭兒，笑嘻嘻問道：「小和尚，你是那裡來的？」行者道：「我們是東土大唐來的，特上西天拜佛求經。The splendid Great Sage left them behind, went straight up to the old man, bowed, and said, "Venerable elder, this poor monk greets you." Seeing how handsome and refined he looked, so young and light of frame, the old man, half-inclined to answer and half not, returned his greeting, patted him on the head with his hand, and asked with a smile, "Little monk, where do you come from?" Xingzhe said, "We come from the Land of Tang in the East, bound especially for the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures.適到此間，聞得公公報道有妖怪，我師父膽小怕懼，著我來問一聲：端的是甚妖精，他敢這般短路？Just now, arriving here, we heard you report that there are demons about. My master is timid and fearful, and sent me to ask: just what kind of demon is it, that it dares block the road like this?煩公公細說與我知之，我好把他貶解起身。」那老兒笑道：「你這小和尚年幼，不知好歹，言不幫襯。I beg you, venerable elder, to explain it to me in detail, so that I may go and banish him." The old man laughed and said, "You are a young little monk, and do not know good from bad — your words are reckless and unguarded.那妖魔神通廣大得緊，怎敢就說貶解他起身？」行者笑道：「據你之言，似有護他之意，必定與他有親，或是緊鄰契友；Those demons are of vast and formidable power — how dare you speak so easily of banishing them?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "By what you say, it seems you have some wish to shield them — you must be kin to them, or a close neighbor and bosom friend;不然，怎麼長他的威智，興他的節概，不肯傾心吐膽說他個來歷？」公公點頭笑道：「這和尚倒會弄嘴。otherwise, why would you build up their might and praise their valor, and refuse to speak from the heart about their true origins?" The old man nodded and laughed, saying, "This monk really has a glib tongue.想是跟你師父遊方，到處兒學些法術，或者會驅縛魍魎，與人家鎮宅降邪。I suppose you travel about with your master, learning some tricks of magic here and there, perhaps able to bind spirits and ghosts, and help households ward off evil and secure their homes.你不曾撞見十分狠怪哩。」行者道：「怎的狠？」公公道：「那妖精一封書到靈山，五百阿羅都來迎接；But you have never yet met a truly fierce demon." Xingzhe said, "How fierce are they?" The old man said, "That demon has only to send a single letter to Vulture Peak, and all five hundred arhats come out to receive it;一紙簡上天宮，十一大曜個個相欽。a single note sent up to the Heavenly Palace, and all eleven great stellar lords show him respect.四海龍曾與他為友，八洞仙常與他作會；The dragon kings of the Four Seas have been his friends, and the immortals of the Eight Grottoes often gather with him;十地閻君以兄弟相稱，社令、城隍以賓朋相愛。」the Ten Kings of the underworld address him as brother, and the local gods and city gods cherish him as guest and companion."

大聖聞言，忍不住呵呵大笑，用手扯著老者道：「不要說，不要說。Hearing this, the Great Sage could not help bursting into loud laughter, and taking hold of the old man's arm, said, "Say no more, say no more.那妖精與我後生小廝為兄弟、朋友，也不見十分高作。If that demon calls my young disciple brother and friend, then he can't amount to much after all.若知是我小和尚來啊，他連夜就搬起身去了。」公公道：「你這小和尚胡說，不當人子。If he knew it was I, little monk, who had come, he would pack up and flee that very night." The old man said, "Little monk, you talk nonsense — that's no way for a person to speak.那個神聖是你的後生小廝？」行者笑道：「實不瞞你說，我小和尚祖居傲來國花果山水簾洞，姓孫，名悟空。Which divine being is your young disciple, then?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "To tell you the truth and hide nothing, this little monk's ancestral home is the Water Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit in the Aolai Kingdom. My surname is Sun, my given name is Wukong.當年也曾做過妖精，幹過大事。In years past I too was once a demon, and did great deeds.曾因會眾魔，多飲了幾杯酒睡著，夢中見二人將批勾我去到陰司。Once, after gathering with a host of demons, I drank a few too many cups of wine and fell asleep, and in my dream I saw two men come with a warrant to summon me down to the underworld.一時怒發，將金箍棒打傷鬼判，諕倒閻王，幾乎掀翻了森羅殿。In a sudden rage I struck the ghost clerks with my golden-hooped rod, terrifying the King of Hell, and very nearly overturned the Senluo Hall itself.嚇得那掌案的判官拿紙，十閻王簽名畫字，教我饒他打，情願與我做後生小廝。」那公公聞說道：「阿彌陀佛！This so frightened the judge in charge of the records that he brought out paper, and the Ten Kings of Hell signed their names upon it, begging me to spare them the beating, and willingly took me as their young 'little brother.'" Hearing this, the old man said, "Amitabha Buddha!這和尚說了這過頭話，莫想再長得大了。」行者道：「官兒，似我這般大也夠了。」公公道：「你年幾歲了？」行者道：「你猜猜看。」老者道：「有七八歲罷了。」行者笑道：「有一萬個七八歲。This monk has spoken such extravagant words that he'll surely never grow any bigger." Xingzhe said, "Sir, being this size is quite enough for me." The old man said, "How old are you?" Xingzhe said, "Guess." The old man said, "Seven or eight years old, I'd say." Xingzhe laughed and said, "Ten thousand times seven or eight years old.我把舊嘴臉拿出來你看看，你卻莫怪。」公公道：「怎麼又有個嘴臉？」行者道：「我小和尚果有七十二副嘴臉哩。」Let me show you my old true face — but don't be alarmed." The old man said, "How could you have another face?" Xingzhe said, "This little monk truly has seventy-two different faces."

那公公不識竅，只管問他。The old man, not understanding the hint, kept right on questioning him.他就把臉抹一抹，即現出本像，咨牙徠嘴，兩股通紅，腰間繫一條虎皮裙，手裡執一根金箍棒，立在石崖之下，就像個活雷公。So he wiped his face once, and at once revealed his true form: jutting fangs and a protruding mouth, two thighs glowing red, a tiger-skin skirt tied about his waist, a golden-hooped rod gripped in his hand, standing there beneath the stone cliff just like a living Thunder God.那老者見了，嚇得面容失色，腿腳酸麻，站不穩，撲的一跌；At the sight, the old man's face lost all color from fright, his legs went weak and numb, and unable to stand steady, he fell with a thud;爬起來，又一個躘踵。scrambling up again, he stumbled and fell once more.大聖上前道：「老官兒，不要虛驚，我等面惡人善，莫怕，莫怕。The Great Sage stepped forward and said, "Venerable sir, don't be needlessly alarmed — we may look fierce, but our hearts are kind. Don't be afraid, don't be afraid.適間蒙你好意，報有妖魔。Just now you were kind enough to report that there are demons about.委的有多少怪？Just how many demons are there, truly?一發累你說說，我好謝你。」那老兒戰戰兢兢，口不能言，又推耳聾，一句不應。Please trouble yourself further to tell me, so that I may properly thank you." The old man, trembling all over, could not speak a word, and pretended to be deaf, not answering a single question.

行者見他不言，即抽身回坡。Seeing that he would not speak, Xingzhe at once turned and went back down the slope.長老道：「悟空，你來了？The elder said, "Wukong, you're back?所問如何？」行者笑道：「不打緊，不打緊。What did you learn?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Nothing to worry about, nothing to worry about.西天有便有個把妖精兒，只是這裡人膽小，把他放在心上。In the Western Heaven there may well be a demon or two, it's just that the people here are timid, and take it too much to heart.沒事，沒事，有我哩。」長老道：「你可曾問他此處是甚麼山？It's nothing, it's nothing — I am here." The elder said, "Did you ask him what mountain this is?甚麼洞？What cave is here?有多少妖怪？How many demons are there?那條路通得雷音？」八戒道：「師父，莫怪我說。And which road leads through to Thunderclap?" Bajie said, "Master, don't blame me for saying so.若論賭變化，使促掐，捉弄人，我們三五個也不如師兄；When it comes to competing at transformation, playing tricks, and fooling people, the five or six of us together still can't match Elder Brother;若論老實，像師兄就擺一隊伍，也不如我。」唐僧道：「正是，正是，你還老實。」八戒道：「他不知怎麼鑽過頭不顧尾的問了兩聲，不尷不尬的就跑回來了。but when it comes to honesty, Elder Brother could line up a whole company of himself, and still not match me." Tang Seng said, "Just so, just so — you are indeed the honest one." Bajie said, "He, not knowing how, poked his head in without a tail, asked a couple of questions in some awkward fashion, and came scurrying back without getting anywhere.等老豬去問他個實信來。」唐僧道：「悟能，你仔細著。」Let old Zhu go and ask him for the plain truth." Tang Seng said, "Wuneng, be careful."

好獃子，把釘鈀撒在腰裡，整一整皂直裰，扭扭捏捏，奔上山坡，對老者叫道：「公公，唱喏了。」那老兒見行者回去，方拄著杖掙得起來，戰戰兢兢的要走，忽見八戒，愈覺驚怕道：「爺爺呀！The splendid idiot tucked his rake into his belt, straightened his black robe, and mincing along, hurried up the slope, calling to the old man, "Venerable sir, greetings." Seeing that Xingzhe had gone, the old man had just managed to struggle up on his staff, and trembling, was about to leave, when he suddenly caught sight of Bajie, and grew even more frightened, saying, "Heavens above!今夜做的甚麼惡夢，遇著這夥惡人？What manner of evil dream did I have tonight, to run into this pack of wicked men?為先的那和尚醜便醜，還有三分人相；The one who came first was ugly, true, but he still had three parts of a human look to him;這個和尚，怎麼這等個碓梃嘴，蒲扇耳朵，鐵片臉，��毛頸項，一分人氣兒也沒有了？」八戒笑道：「你這老公公不藏興，有些兒好褒貶人。but this monk here — how does he come to have such a pestle-shaped snout, fan-like ears, an iron-plate face, and a bristling neck, without one part of human air about him at all?" Bajie laughed and said, "You old fellow, you don't hold back — you're quite fond of running people down.你是怎的看我哩？How exactly do you see me, then?我醜便醜，奈看，再停一時就俊了。」那老者見他說出人話來，只得開言問他：「你是那裡來的？」八戒道：「我是唐僧第二個徒弟，法名叫做悟能八戒。Ugly I may be, but I grow on you — give it a little while and I'll turn handsome." Seeing that he spoke in human fashion after all, the old man had no choice but to open his mouth and ask him, "Where do you come from?" Bajie said, "I am Tang Seng's second disciple, my Dharma name is Wuneng, called Bajie.才自先問的，叫做悟空行者，是我師兄。The one who asked you first, called Wukong the Pilgrim, is my elder brother.師父怪他衝撞了公公，不曾問得實信，所以特著我來拜問。My master feared he had offended you, venerable sir, and had not gotten a true answer, so he sent me especially to come and ask respectfully.此處果是甚山？Just what mountain is this, truly?甚洞？What cave is here?洞裡果是甚妖精？What demons, truly, are in the cave?那裡是西去大路？And which way is the great road west?煩公公指示指示。」老者道：「可老實麼？」八戒道：「我生平不敢有一毫虛的。」老者道：「你莫像才來的那個和尚走花溜水的胡纏。」八戒道：「我不像他。」I beg you, venerable sir, to point it out to me." The old man said, "Will you be honest with me?" Bajie said, "In all my life I have never dared tell the slightest falsehood." The old man said, "Don't be like that monk who came before, flitting about and rambling on." Bajie said, "I am not like him."

公公拄著杖，對八戒說：「此山叫做八百里獅駝嶺。Leaning on his staff, the old man said to Bajie, "This mountain is called the eight-hundred-li Shituo Ridge.中間有座獅駝洞。In the middle of it lies the Shituo Cave.洞裡有三個魔頭。」八戒啐了一聲：「你這老兒卻也多心，三個妖魔也費心勞力的來報遭信？」公公道：「你不怕麼？」八戒道：「不瞞你說，這三個妖魔，我師兄一棍就打死一個；In that cave there are three demon kings." Bajie spat and said, "You old fellow are far too anxious — three demons, and you go to all this trouble to bring word of them?" The old man said, "Aren't you afraid?" Bajie said, "To tell you the truth, of these three demons, my elder brother could kill one with a single blow of his rod;我一鈀就築死一個。I could kill one with a single blow of my rake.我還有個師弟，他一降妖杖又打死一個：三個都打死，我師父就過去了，有何難哉？」那老者笑道：「這和尚不知深淺。And I have another junior brother besides, who could kill one more with a single blow of his demon-subduing staff: kill all three, and my master could simply pass on through — what difficulty is there in that?" The old man laughed and said, "This monk does not know how deep the water runs.那三個魔頭，神通廣大得緊哩。Those three demon kings are of vast and formidable power indeed.他手下小妖，南嶺上有五千，北嶺上有五千；Among the lesser demons under their command, there are five thousand on the south ridge and five thousand on the north ridge;東路口有一萬，西路口有一萬；ten thousand at the east road entrance and ten thousand at the west road entrance;巡哨的有四五千，把門的也有一萬；four or five thousand on patrol, and another ten thousand guarding the gates;燒火的無數，打柴的也無數：共計算有四萬七八千。countless numbers tending fires, and countless numbers gathering firewood: all told, there are some forty-seven or forty-eight thousand.這都是有名字帶牌兒的，專在此吃人。」All of these are registered by name and carry tallies, and their sole business here is devouring people."

那獃子聞得此言，戰兢兢跑將轉來，相近唐僧，且不回話，放下鈀，在那裡出恭。Hearing this, the idiot came trembling back, and drawing near Tang Seng, without a word first set down his rake and squatted there relieving himself.行者見了，喝道：「你不回話，卻蹲在那裡怎的？」八戒道：「諕出屎來了。Seeing this, Xingzhe shouted, "You don't answer, but squat there doing what?" Bajie said, "I was so frightened the shit came out of me.如今也不消說，趕早兒各自顧命去罷。」行者道：「這個獃根，我問信偏不驚恐，你去問就這等慌張失智。」長老道：「端的何如？」八戒道：「這老兒說：此山叫做八百里獅駝山。There's nothing more to say now — let's each save our own skin and be quick about it." Xingzhe said, "You idiot fool — when I went to ask, I wasn't the least bit frightened, but you go and ask and come back in such a panic, out of your wits." The elder said, "What exactly did he say?" Bajie said, "That old man said: this mountain is called the eight-hundred-li Shituo Mountain.中間有座獅駝洞。In the middle of it lies the Shituo Cave.洞裡有三個老妖，有四萬八千小妖，專在那裡吃人。In the cave there are three old demons, with forty-eight thousand lesser demons, whose sole business is devouring people there.我們若屣著他些山邊兒，就是他口裡食了。If we so much as brush past the edge of that mountain, we'll become food in his mouth.莫想去得。」三藏聞言，戰兢兢，毛骨悚然道：「悟空，如何是好？」行者笑道：「師父放心，沒大事。There's no thought of getting through." Hearing this, Sanzang trembled, his hair standing on end with fright, and said, "Wukong, what shall we do?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Master, set your heart at ease, it's no great matter.想是這裡有便有幾個妖精，只是這裡人膽小，把他就說出許多人，許多大，所以自驚自怪。I expect there really are a few demons here, it's just that the people of this place are timid, and so they exaggerate them into many people and great numbers, and frighten themselves with their own tales.有我哩。」八戒道：「哥哥說的是那裡話？I am here." Bajie said, "Brother, what kind of talk is that?我比你不同，我問的是實，決無虛謬之言。I am not like you — what I asked was the plain truth, with not one word of falsehood in it.滿山滿谷都是妖魔，怎生前進？」行者笑道：「獃子嘴臉，不要虛驚。The whole mountain, the whole valley, is full of demons — how can we possibly go forward?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Look at the idiot's face — there's no need for such needless alarm.若論滿山滿谷之魔，只消老孫一路棒，半夜打個罄盡。」八戒道：「不羞，不羞，莫說大話。As for a mountain and valley full of demons, old Sun need only make one pass with his rod, and by midnight they'll all be wiped clean out." Bajie said, "Shameless, shameless — don't talk big.那些妖精點卯也得七八日，怎麼就打得罄盡？」行者道：「你說怎樣打？」八戒道：「憑你抓倒，綑倒，使定身法定倒，也沒有這等快的。」行者笑道：「不用甚麼抓、拿、綑縛。It would take seven or eight days just to call the roll of those demons — how could you possibly wipe them all out?" Xingzhe said, "How do you think it should be done?" Bajie said, "Whether you grab them, tie them up, or use a spell to freeze them in place, none of those could be done so fast." Xingzhe laughed and said, "There's no need for any grabbing, seizing, or binding.我把這棍子兩頭一扯，叫：『長！』就有四十丈長短。I'll take this rod of mine and pull it out at both ends, calling, 'Grow!' and it will at once be forty zhang long.幌一幌，叫：『粗！』就有八丈圍圓粗細。Then I'll give it a shake and call, 'Thicken!' and it will at once be eight zhang around in girth.往山南一滾，滾殺五千；Roll it once across the south of the mountain, and it kills five thousand;山北一滾，滾殺五千；roll it once across the north of the mountain, and it kills five thousand;從東往西一滾，只怕四五萬砑做肉泥爛醬。」八戒道：「哥哥，若是這等趕麵打，或者二更時也都了了。」沙僧在傍笑道：「師父，有大師兄恁樣神通，怕他怎的？roll it once from east to west, and I daresay forty or fifty thousand will be crushed to a bloody pulp." Bajie said, "Brother, if you roll it out like flattening dough like that, then perhaps by the second watch it will all be finished." Sha Seng, standing by, laughed and said, "Master, with Elder Brother's such divine power, what is there to fear from them?請上馬走啊。」唐僧見他們講論手段，沒奈何，只得寬心上馬而走。Please mount up and let us go on." Seeing them discuss their powers this way, Tang Seng had no choice but to set his mind at ease, mount his horse, and press onward.

正行間，不見了那報信的老者。As they traveled along, they found that the old man who had brought the warning had disappeared.沙僧道：「他就是妖怪，故意狐假虎威的來傳報，恐諕我們哩。」行者道：「不要忙，等我去看看。」好大聖，跳上高峰，四顧無跡，急轉面，見半空中有彩霞晃亮，即縱雲趕上看時，乃是太白金星。Sha Seng said, "He must have been a demon himself, deliberately borrowing the tiger's might like the fox, coming to deliver a false warning meant to frighten us." Xingzhe said, "Don't be alarmed — let me go and take a look." The splendid Great Sage leapt up onto a high peak, looked all about, and saw no trace of anyone; turning quickly, he saw bright colored clouds glowing in the sky, and at once rode his cloud up to look, and found it was none other than Venus, the Great White Planet.走到身邊，用手扯住，口口聲聲只叫他的小名道：「李長庚，李長庚，你好憊懶。Coming up beside him, he seized him by the hand and, calling him again and again by his childhood name, said, "Li Changgeng, Li Changgeng, you are truly wicked.有甚話，當面來說便好，怎麼裝做個山林之老，魘樣老孫？」金星慌忙施禮道：「大聖，報信來遲，乞勿罪，乞勿罪。If you had something to say, you should have come and told me to my face — why disguise yourself as an old mountain man to give old Sun a fright?" The Venus Star hastily made a bow and said, "Great Sage, forgive me, forgive me, for bringing the warning so late.這魔頭果是神通廣大，勢要崢嶸。This demon truly is of vast and formidable power, his might towering and fierce.只看你那移變化，乖巧機謀，可便過去；If you rely on your transformations, your cleverness and cunning, you may well get through;如若怠慢些兒，其實難去。」行者謝道：「感激，感激。but if you grow careless in the least, it will truly be hard to pass." Xingzhe thanked him, saying, "I am grateful, I am grateful.果然此處難行，望老星上界與玉帝說聲，借些天兵，幫助老孫幫助。」金星道：「有有有，你只口信帶去，就是十萬天兵，也是有的。」Since this place is truly hard to pass, I hope you, old star, will go up to Heaven and speak to the Jade Emperor for me, to lend me some heavenly troops to help old Sun out." The Venus Star said, "Certainly, certainly — just send word by mouth, and even a hundred thousand heavenly troops can be had."

大聖別了金星，按落雲頭，見了三藏道：「適才那個老兒，原是太白星來與我們報信的。」長老合掌道：「徒弟，快趕上他，問他那裡另有個路，我們轉了去罷。」行者道：「轉不得。The Great Sage took leave of the Venus Star, lowered his cloud, and went to see Sanzang, saying, "That old man just now was in fact the Great White Planet, come to bring us warning." The elder pressed his palms together and said, "Disciple, hurry after him and ask whether there is another road elsewhere, so that we may turn and go around." Xingzhe said, "There is no going around.此山徑過有八百里，四週圍不知更有多少路哩，怎麼轉得？」三藏聞言，止不住眼中流淚道：「徒弟，似此艱難，怎生拜佛？」行者道：「莫哭，莫哭，一哭便膿包行了。This mountain runs straight through for eight hundred li, and there's no telling how much further it extends all around — how could we possibly go around it?" Hearing this, Sanzang could not hold back his tears, and said, "Disciple, with such hardship as this, how am I ever to worship the Buddha?" Xingzhe said, "Don't cry, don't cry — one cry and you turn into a spineless coward.他這報信，必有幾分虛話，只是要我們著意留心，誠所謂：『以告者，過也。』你且下馬來坐著。」八戒道：「又有甚商議？」行者道：「沒甚商議。In this warning of his there must be a good deal of exaggeration — he only meant for us to take extra care. As the saying truly goes: 'What is reported is always overstated.' Just dismount for now and sit a while." Bajie said, "What more is there to discuss?" Xingzhe said, "Nothing much to discuss.你且在這裡用心保守師父，沙僧好生看守行李、馬匹。Just stay here and look after the master carefully, and Sha Seng, keep good watch over the luggage and the horse.等老孫先上嶺打聽打聽，看前後共有多少妖怪，拿住一個，問他個詳細，教他寫個執結，開個花名，把他老老小小一一查明，吩咐他關了洞門，不許阻路，卻請師父靜靜悄悄的過去，方顯得老孫手段。」沙僧只教：「仔細，仔細。」行者笑道：「不消囑付。Let old Sun go up the ridge first and scout about, to see how many demons there are altogether in front and behind. I'll catch one and question him in detail, make him write out a confession, and draw up a full roster, checking every single one of them, old and young, and order him to shut the cave gate and not block our road, so that the master may pass through quietly and undisturbed — that will show what old Sun is really capable of." Sha Seng could only say, "Be careful, be careful." Xingzhe laughed and said, "No need to tell me that.我這一去，就是東洋大海也湯開路，就是鐵裹銀山也撞透門。」On this trip of mine, even the Eastern Ocean itself would have to part and open a road for me, and even an iron mountain wrapped in silver would have to be smashed through."

好大聖，唿哨一聲，縱觔斗雲，跳上高峰。The splendid Great Sage gave a long whistle, mounted his somersault cloud, and leapt up onto the high peak.扳藤負葛，平山觀看，那山裡靜悄無人。Grasping vines and creepers, he made his way across the level ground of the mountain to look around, and found the mountain silent and empty, with no one in sight.忽失聲道：「錯了，錯了，不該放這金星老兒去了．他原來恐諕我。Suddenly he blurted out, "A mistake, a mistake — I should not have let that old Venus fellow go. He must have been trying to frighten me on purpose.這裡那有個甚麼妖精？How could there be any demons here at all?他就出來跳風頑耍，必定拈槍弄棒，操演武藝，如何沒有一個？」正自家揣度，只聽得山背後叮叮噹噹、辟辟剝剝梆鈴之聲。If they were really here, out enjoying themselves in the wind, they would surely be practicing with spears and clubs, drilling in their martial arts — why is there not a single one to be seen?" Just as he was pondering this to himself, he heard from behind the mountain the clang and clatter of gongs and bells, the crackling snap of clappers.急回頭看處，原來是個小妖兒，掮著一桿「令」字旗，腰間懸著鈴子，手裡敲著梆子，從北向南而走。Turning quickly to look, he saw it was in fact a lesser demon, shouldering a banner marked with the character 'Command,' bells hanging at his waist, beating a wooden clapper in his hand, walking from north to south.仔細看他，有一丈二尺的身子。Looking closely, he found the creature stood twelve feet tall.行者暗笑道：「他必是個鋪兵，想是送公文下報帖的。Xingzhe secretly laughed and thought, "He must be a courier soldier, probably delivering official documents or dispatches.且等我去聽他一聽，看他說些甚話。」Let me go and listen to him a bit, and hear what he has to say."

好大聖，捻著訣，念個咒，搖身一變，變做個蒼蠅兒，輕輕飛在他帽子上，側耳聽之。Splendid Great Sage — he formed a hand seal, recited a spell, shook himself, and transformed into a fly, lightly landing on the creature's hat, tilting his ear to listen.只見那小妖走上大路，敲著梆，搖著鈴，口裡作念道：「我等巡山的，各人要謹慎隄防孫行者，他會變蒼蠅。」行者聞言，暗自驚疑道：「這廝看見我了？He saw the little demon walk onto the main road, striking a clapper and shaking a bell, muttering as he went, "We who patrol the mountain must each be careful and guard against Sun Wukong — he can transform into a fly." Hearing this, Xingzhe was secretly startled and suspicious, thinking, "Has this fellow seen me?若未看見，怎麼就知我的名字，又知我會變蒼蠅？」原來那小妖也不曾見他，只是那魔頭不知怎麼就吩咐他這話，卻是個謠言，著他這等胡念。If he hasn't seen me, how does he know my name, and know that I can turn into a fly?" As it happened, the little demon had not actually seen him at all — it was simply that the demon king had, for some reason, given him these words to recite, which were mere rumor, and had him chant them like this without real cause.行者不知，反疑他看見，就要取出棒來打他，卻又停住，暗想道：「曾記得八戒問金星時，他說老妖三個，小妖有四萬七八千名。Not knowing this, Xingzhe instead suspected the demon had seen him, and was about to draw out his cudgel to strike him, but then stopped himself, thinking, "I recall that when Bajie questioned the Gold Star, he said there were three old demons, and some forty-seven or forty-eight thousand lesser demons.似這小妖，再多幾萬，也不打緊。As for demons like this one, even a few tens of thousands more wouldn't matter much.卻不知這三個老魔有多大手段。But I don't yet know how great the powers of these three old demons are.等我問他一問，動手不遲。」Let me question him first — there will still be time to act afterward."

好大聖，你道他怎麼去問？Splendid Great Sage — do you know how he went about questioning him?跳下他的帽子來，釘在樹頭上，讓那小妖先行幾步。He jumped down off the demon's hat and perched atop a tree, letting the little demon go on ahead a few steps.急轉身騰那，也變做個小妖兒，照依他敲著梆，搖著鈴，掮著旗，一般衣服，只是比他略長了三五寸，口裡也那般念著。Then he quickly turned and shifted himself, also transforming into a little demon, striking a clapper and shaking a bell and shouldering a flag just as the other did, wearing identical clothes, only some three to five inches taller, and muttering the same words as he went.趕上前叫道：「走路的，等我一等。」那小妖回頭道：「你是那裡來的？」行者笑道：「好人呀，一家人也不認得？」小妖道：「我家沒你呀。」行者道：「怎的沒我？He hurried up and called out, "Fellow traveler, wait for me a moment." The little demon turned back and said, "Where do you come from?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Good fellow, don't you even recognize one of your own household?" The little demon said, "There's no one like you in our household." Xingzhe said, "How can there be no me?你認認看。」小妖道：「面生，認不得，認不得。」行者道：「可知道面生。Look closely and see." The little demon said, "Your face is unfamiliar — I don't recognize you, I don't recognize you." Xingzhe said, "Of course my face seems unfamiliar.我是燒火的，你會得我少。」小妖搖頭道：「沒有，沒有。I'm one of the fire-tenders, so you'd have little occasion to know me." The little demon shook his head and said, "No, no.我洞裡就是燒火的那些兄弟，也沒有這個嘴尖的。」行者暗想道：「這個嘴好的變尖了些了。」即低頭，把手侮著嘴揉一揉道：「我的嘴不尖啊。」真個就不尖了。Among the fire-tending brothers in our cave, there's not one with such a pointed mouth as yours." Xingzhe thought to himself, "This mouth of mine has turned out a bit too pointed." He lowered his head at once, rubbed his mouth with his hand, and said, "My mouth isn't pointed at all." And indeed, it was no longer pointed.那小妖道：「你剛才是個尖嘴，怎麼揉一揉就不尖了？The little demon said, "Just now your mouth was pointed — how did one rub make it not pointed anymore?疑惑人子，大不好認，不是我一家的。You're a suspicious fellow, very hard to place — you don't belong to our household.少會少會，可疑可疑。I hardly know you, hardly know you — this is suspicious, most suspicious.我那大王家法甚嚴，燒火的只管燒火，巡山的只管巡山。Our Great King's household rules are very strict — fire-tenders only tend fires, and mountain patrols only patrol the mountain.終不然教你燒火，又教你來巡山？」行者口乖，就趁過來道：「你不知道。Surely he wouldn't have you tend fires and also patrol the mountain?" Xingzhe, glib of tongue, seized the opening and said, "You don't know the reason.大王見我燒得火好，就陞我來巡山。」The Great King saw that I tended the fire well, so he promoted me to patrol the mountain."

小妖道：「也罷；The little demon said, "Very well then;我們這巡山的，一班有四十名，十班共四百名，各自年貌，各自名色。among us mountain patrollers, each squad has forty members, and there are ten squads, four hundred in all, each with his own age and appearance, each with his own name.大王怕我們亂了班次，不好點卯，一家與我們一個牌兒為號。The Great King, fearing we might mix up the squads and make roll call difficult, gave each of us a token as a sign.你可有牌兒？」行者只見他那般打扮，那般報事，遂照他的模樣變了；Do you have a token?" Xingzhe, having seen only how the demon was dressed and how he made his report, had transformed himself to match his appearance;因不曾看見他的牌兒，所以身上沒有。but since he had not seen the demon's token, he had none on his own person.好大聖，更不說沒有，就滿口應承道：「我怎麼沒牌？Splendid Great Sage — rather than admit he had none, he readily agreed at once, saying, "How could I not have a token?但只是剛才領的新牌。It's just that I received a new one only a moment ago.拿你的出來我看。」那小妖那裡知這個機關，即揭起衣服，貼身帶著個金漆牌兒，穿條絨線繩兒，扯與行者看看。Show me yours first." The little demon, having no idea of this ruse, at once lifted up his clothing, revealing a gold-lacquered token worn close against his skin, strung on a woolen cord, and pulled it out for Xingzhe to see.行者見那牌背是個「威鎮諸魔」的金牌，正面有三個真字，是「小鑽風」。Xingzhe saw that the back of the token read, in gold, "Awesome Power Suppresses All Demons," and on the front were three characters in regular script: "Xiaozuanfeng."他卻心中暗想道：「不消說了，但是巡山的，必有個『風』字墜腳。」便道：「你且放下衣走過，等我拿牌兒你看。」即轉身，插下手，將尾巴梢兒的小毫毛拔下一根，捻他把，叫：「變！」即變做個金漆牌兒，也穿上個綠絨繩兒，上書三個真字，乃「總鑽風」。He thought to himself, "No need to ask further — anyone on mountain patrol must have the character 'feng' at the end of his name." So he said, "Go ahead and put your clothes back down, and let me get my token to show you." He turned around, reached behind himself, plucked out a fine hair from the tip of his tail, twirled it between his fingers, and cried, "Change!" It at once became a gold-lacquered token, strung likewise on a green woolen cord, inscribed with three characters in regular script: "Zongzuanfeng."拿出來，遞與他看了。He took it out and handed it over for the demon to see.小妖大驚道：「我們都叫做個小鑽風，偏你又叫做個甚麼『總鑽風』。」行者幹事找絕，說話合宜，就道：「你實不知。The little demon was greatly startled and said, "All of us are called Xiaozuanfeng — how is it that you alone are called this 'Zongzuanfeng'?" Xingzhe, always thorough in his schemes and apt in his words, said, "You truly don't know the reason.大王見我燒得火好，把我陞個巡風；The Great King saw that I tended the fire well and promoted me to patrol duty;又與我個新牌，叫做『總巡風』，教我管你這一班四十名兄弟也。」那妖聞言，即忙唱喏道：「長官，長官，新點出來的，實是面生，言語衝撞，莫怪。」行者還著禮笑道：「怪便不怪你，只是一件：見面錢卻要哩，每人拿出五兩來罷。」小妖道：「長官不要忙，待我向南嶺頭會了我這一班的人，一總打發罷。」行者道：「既如此，我和你同去。」那小妖真個前走，大聖隨後相跟。and then gave me a new token, calling me 'General Patrol Officer,' and put me in charge of you forty brothers in this squad." Hearing this, the demon hastily bowed with a salute and said, "Sir, sir — you're newly appointed, so it's only natural your face seemed unfamiliar; forgive me if my words gave offense." Xingzhe returned the courtesy with a laugh and said, "I don't blame you for that — there's just one thing: you still owe me a courtesy fee for our first meeting; each man should hand over five taels." The little demon said, "Don't be in a hurry, sir — let me go meet the rest of my squad at South Ridge, and I'll settle it all at once." Xingzhe said, "Very well then, I'll go along with you." The little demon indeed walked on ahead, and the Great Sage followed close behind.

不數里，忽見一座筆峰。Before they had gone many miles, they suddenly saw a brush-shaped peak.何以謂之筆峰？Why was it called Brush Peak?那山頭上長出一條峰來，約有四五丈高，如筆插在架上一般，故以為名。On the mountaintop rose a single spire, some forty or fifty feet high, resembling a writing brush set upright in its stand — hence the name.行者到邊前，把尾巴掬一掬，跳上去，坐在峰尖兒上。Xingzhe came up to it, gave his tail a curl, leapt up, and sat himself on the very tip of the peak.叫道：「鑽風，都過來。」那些小鑽風在下面躬身道：「長官，伺候。」行者道：「你可知大王點我出來之故？」小妖道：「不知。」行者道：「大王要吃唐僧，只怕孫行者神通廣大，說他會變化，只恐他變作小鑽風，來這裡屣著路徑，打探消息，把我陞作總鑽風，來查勘你們這一班可有假的？」小鑽風連聲應道：「長官，我們俱是真的。」行者道：「你既是真的，大王有甚本事，你可曉得？」小鑽風道：「我曉得。」行者道：「你曉得，快說來我聽。He called out, "Zuanfeng, all of you come here." The little Zuanfengs below bowed and said, "Sir, at your service." Xingzhe said, "Do you know why the Great King singled me out for this appointment?" The little demons said, "We do not know." Xingzhe said, "The Great King wishes to eat the Tang Monk, but fears that Sun Wukong, whose magic powers are vast, might transform himself — worried he could turn into a Xiaozuanfeng and come here to spy out the roads and gather information — so he promoted me to Zongzuanfeng, to come and examine whether any among your squad are impostors." The little Zuanfengs answered again and again, "Sir, we are all genuine." Xingzhe said, "If you're genuine, then you surely know what powers the Great King possesses?" The little Zuanfeng said, "I know." Xingzhe said, "If you know, tell me quickly and let me hear it.如若說得合著我，便是真的；If what you say matches what I know, then you are genuine;若說差了一些兒，便是假的，我定拿去見大王處治。」那小鑽風見他坐在高處，弄獐弄智，呼呼喝喝的，沒奈何，只得實說道：「我大王神通廣大，本事高強，一口曾吞了十萬天兵。」行者聞說，吐出一聲道：「你是假的。」小鑽風慌了道：「長官老爺，我是真的，怎麼說是假的？」行者道：「你既是真的，如何胡說？but if you're off even a little, then you're an impostor, and I will certainly take you before the Great King for punishment." The little Zuanfeng, seeing him perched up high, putting on such clever airs and barking orders, had no choice but to answer honestly: "Our Great King's magic powers are vast, his abilities supreme — in a single mouthful he once swallowed a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers." Hearing this, Xingzhe let out a snort and said, "You're an impostor." The little Zuanfeng panicked and said, "Sir, my lord, I am genuine — how can you say I'm an impostor?" Xingzhe said, "If you're truly genuine, why do you talk such nonsense?大王身子能有多大，一口就吞了十萬天兵？」小鑽風道：「長官原來不知。How large can the Great King's body possibly be, that in one mouthful he could swallow a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers?" The little Zuanfeng said, "So you really don't know, sir.我大王會變化，要大能撐天堂，要小就如菜子。Our Great King can transform himself — when he wishes to be large, he can fill up the whole of heaven; when he wishes to be small, he can shrink to the size of a mustard seed.因那年王母娘娘設蟠桃大會，邀請諸仙，他不曾具柬來請，我大王意欲爭天，被玉皇差十萬天兵來降我大王。That year, when the Queen Mother held the Grand Peach Banquet and invited all the immortals, she failed to send our Great King an invitation. Our Great King, intent on contending for the heavens, was met with a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers sent by the Jade Emperor to subdue him.是我大王變化法身，張開大口，似城門一般，用力吞將去。So our Great King transformed his true body, opened his mouth wide as a city gate, and swallowed them in with all his might.諕得眾天兵不敢交鋒，關了南天門。This so terrified the heavenly soldiers that they dared not engage in battle, and shut the Southern Gate of Heaven.故此是一口曾吞十萬兵。」行者聞言，暗笑道：「若是講手頭之話，老孫也曾幹過。」又應聲道：「二大王有何本事？」小鑽風道：「二大王身高三丈，臥蠶眉，丹鳳眼，美人聲，匾擔牙，鼻似蛟龍。That is how he came to swallow a hundred thousand troops in one mouthful." Hearing this, Xingzhe secretly laughed and thought, "If we're talking about feats like that, old Monkey has done such things himself." Then he spoke up again, "What powers does the Second Great King have?" The little Zuanfeng said, "The Second Great King stands thirty feet tall, with silkworm-shaped eyebrows, phoenix eyes, a voice like a beautiful woman's, teeth like a carrying-pole, and a nose like a flood dragon's.若與人爭鬥，只消一鼻子捲去，就是鐵背銅身，也就魂亡魄喪。」行者道：「鼻子捲人的妖精也好拿。」又應聲道：「三大王也有幾多手段？」小鑽風道：「我三大王不是凡間之怪物，名號雲程萬里鵬。When he fights with someone, all it takes is one sweep of his nose to snatch them up — even one with an iron back and bronze body would lose both soul and spirit." Xingzhe thought, "A demon who snatches people with his nose should be easy enough to catch." Then he spoke again, "And how many powers does the Third Great King have?" The little Zuanfeng said, "Our Third Great King is no ordinary monster of the mortal world — his title is the Roc of Ten Thousand Li's Cloud Journey.行動時，摶風運海，振北圖南。When he moves, he stirs the winds and churns the seas, surging from the north and soaring toward the south.隨身有一件兒寶貝，喚做陰陽二氣瓶。He carries with him a treasure called the Vase of Yin and Yang.假若是把人裝在瓶中，一時三刻，化為漿水。」Should he put a person inside that vase, within a short while they would be melted into a pool of fluid."

行者聽說，心中暗驚道：「妖魔倒也不怕，只是仔細防他瓶兒。」又應聲道：「三個大王的本事，你倒也說得不差，與我知道的一樣。Hearing this, Xingzhe was secretly alarmed and thought, "The demons themselves I need not fear, but I must be careful to guard against that vase of his." Then he spoke up again, "You've described the powers of all three Great Kings without error — it matches exactly what I already knew.但只是那個大王要吃唐僧哩？」小鑽風道：「長官，你不知道？」行者喝道：「我比你不知些兒。But which of the Great Kings is it who wants to eat the Tang Monk?" The little Zuanfeng said, "Sir, don't you know?" Xingzhe barked, "I know somewhat less of it than you.因恐汝等不知底細，吩咐我來著實盤問你哩。」小鑽風道：「我大大王與二大王久住在獅駝嶺獅駝洞。It's precisely because I feared you lot might not know the details that I was ordered to come and question you thoroughly about it." The little Zuanfeng said, "Our First Great King and Second Great King have long dwelt at Shituo Ridge, in Shituo Cave.三大王不在這裡住，他原住處離此西下有四百里遠近。The Third Great King does not live here — his original home lies some four hundred li to the west of this place.那廂有座城，喚做獅駝國。Over there stands a city called the Kingdom of Shituo.他五百年前吃了這城國王及文武官僚，滿城大小男女也盡被他吃了乾淨，因此上奪了他的江山。Five hundred years ago he devoured the king of that city along with all his civil and military officials, and every man and woman, young and old, throughout the city was likewise eaten clean away — and so he seized the kingdom's realm for himself.如今盡是些妖怪。Now it is populated entirely by demons.不知那一年打聽得東土唐朝差一個僧人去西天取經，說那唐僧乃十世修行的好人，有人吃他一塊肉，就延壽長生不老。At some point he learned that the Tang court of the Eastern Lands had sent a monk to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven, and heard it said that this Tang Monk was a virtuous man who had cultivated himself through ten lifetimes, such that anyone who ate a piece of his flesh would gain long life and eternal youth.只因怕他一個徒弟孫行者十分利害，自家一個難為，徑來此處與我這兩個大王結為兄弟，合意同心，打夥兒捉那個唐僧也。」But fearing that the monk's disciple Sun Wukong was exceedingly formidable, and that he alone would find it hard to manage, he came straight here to swear brotherhood with our two Great Kings, so that with one mind and joined purpose the three of them together might capture that Tang Monk."

行者聞言，心中大怒道：「這潑魔十分無禮。Hearing this, Xingzhe grew furious at heart, thinking, "This vile fiend is utterly outrageous.我保唐僧成正果，他怎麼算計要吃我的人？」恨一聲，咬響鋼牙，掣出鐵棒，跳下高峰，把棍子望小妖頭上砑了一砑，可憐，就砑得像一個肉陀。I am escorting the Tang Monk toward the attainment of true fruition — how dare he scheme to devour my charge?" With a growl of hatred he gnashed his steel teeth, drew out his iron cudgel, leapt down from the high peak, and brought the club crashing down once upon the little demon's head — alas, it was flattened at once into a lump of flesh.自家見了，又不忍道：「咦！Seeing this himself, he could not help feeling a pang of regret and said, "Ai!他倒是個好意，把些家常話兒都與我說了，我怎麼卻這一下子就結果了他？He meant well enough, telling me all these matters of his household so freely — how could I finish him off with a single blow like that?也罷，也罷，左右是左右。」好大聖，只為師父阻路，沒奈何幹出這件事來。Ah well, ah well — what's done can't be helped either way." Splendid Great Sage — it was only for his master's sake, to clear the road ahead, that he had no choice but to do this deed.就把他牌兒解下，帶在自家腰裡，將「令」字旗掮在背上，腰間掛了鈴，手裡敲著梆子。He then untied the demon's token and fastened it at his own waist, shouldered the banner marked "Order" onto his back, hung the bell at his waist, and took up the clapper to strike in his hand.迎風捻個訣，口裡念個咒語，搖身一變，變的就像小鑽風模樣。Facing into the wind he formed a hand seal, murmured an incantation, shook himself, and transformed into the very likeness of the little Zuanfeng.拽回步，徑轉舊路，找尋洞府，去打探那三個老妖魔的虛實。Then he turned his steps back the way he had come, retracing the old path in search of the cave, to spy out the truth of those three old demon kings.這正是：Truly it was thus:

闖入深山，依著舊路。He plunged into the deep mountains, following the familiar road.正走處，忽聽得人喊馬嘶之聲。Just as he was walking along, he suddenly heard the sound of men shouting and horses neighing.即舉目觀之，原來是獅駝洞口有萬數小妖排列著槍刀劍戟，旗幟旌旄。Raising his eyes to look, he saw that at the mouth of Shituo Cave there stood arrayed some ten thousand lesser demons, bearing spears, swords, blades, and halberds, with banners and pennants flying.這大聖心中暗喜道：「李長庚之言，真是不妄，真是不妄。」原來這擺列的有些路數：二百五十名作一大隊伍。The Great Sage was secretly delighted at heart, thinking, "What Li Changgeng told me was no idle word indeed, no idle word at all." It turned out that this array followed a certain order: every two hundred and fifty demons formed one large company.他只見有四十名雜彩長旗，迎風亂舞，就知有萬名人馬。He saw there were forty long banners of mixed colors fluttering wildly in the wind, and from this he knew there were ten thousand troops in all.卻又自揣自度道：「老孫變作小鑽風，這一進去，那老魔若問我巡山的話，我必隨機答應。Then he weighed the matter within himself, thinking, "Now that old Monkey has transformed into the little Zuanfeng, once I go inside, if the old demon questions me about the mountain patrol, I must answer according to circumstance.倘或一時言語差訛，認得我啊，怎生脫體？But should my words happen to slip and give me away, how would I ever get free?就要往外跑時，那夥把門的擋住，如何出得門去？And if I tried to run back out, that crowd guarding the gate would block my way — how could I ever get out through the gate?要拿洞裡妖王，必先除了門前眾怪。」你道他怎麼除得眾怪？To capture the demon kings within the cave, I must first do away with the horde of demons guarding the gate." Now, how do you suppose he managed to do away with that horde of demons?好大聖，想著：「那老魔不曾與我會面，就知我老孫的名頭，我且倚著我的這個名頭，仗著威風，說些大話，嚇他一嚇看。Splendid Great Sage — he thought to himself, "Those old demons have never even met me face to face, yet they already know old Monkey's name and reputation. Let me then rely on this very reputation, put on an air of authority, and talk big to give them a fright and see what happens.果然中土眾生有緣有分，取得經回，這一去，只消我幾句英雄之言，就嚇退那門前若干之怪；If indeed the beings of the Central Land are fated and destined to obtain the scriptures and bring them home, then this time, a few heroic words from me alone will be enough to frighten off however many demons stand before that gate;假若眾生無緣無分，取不得真經啊，就是縱然說得蓮花現，也除不得西方洞外精。」心問口，口問心，思量此計，敲著梆，搖著鈴，徑直闖到獅駝洞口。but if all beings lack that fate and destiny, and the true scriptures cannot be obtained, then even if I speak so eloquently as to make lotus flowers bloom from my words, I still won't be able to dispose of the demons outside this cave in the west." Weighing this plan, heart questioning mouth and mouth questioning heart, he struck the clapper and shook the bell, and strode straight up to the mouth of Shituo Cave.早被前營上小妖擋住道：「小鑽風來了？」行者不應，低著頭就走。Before long he was stopped by the little demons of the front camp, who said, "Is that Xiaozuanfeng?" Xingzhe made no answer and simply walked on with his head lowered.

走至二層營裡，又被小妖扯住道：「小鑽風來了？」行者道：「來了。」眾妖道：「你今早巡風去，可曾撞見甚麼孫行者麼？」行者道：「撞見的，正在那裡磨杠子哩。」眾妖害怕道：「他怎麼個模樣？When he reached the second camp, the little demons there again caught hold of him, saying, "Is that Xiaozuanfeng?" Xingzhe said, "It is." The demons said, "You went out patrolling this morning — did you happen to run into that Sun Wukong fellow at all?" Xingzhe said, "I did run into him — he was right there sharpening his cudgel." The demons, alarmed, said, "What does he look like?磨甚麼杠子？」行者道：「他蹲在那澗邊，還似個開路神；And what sort of cudgel was he sharpening?" Xingzhe said, "He was crouched there by the ravine, looking for all the world like the Road-Opening God;若站起來，好道有十數丈長。and if he stood up straight, he'd surely measure over a hundred feet tall.手裡拿著一條鐵棒，就似碗來粗細的一根大杠子，在那石崖上抄一把水，磨一磨，口裡又念著：『杠子啊，這一向不曾拿你出來顯顯神通，這一去就有十萬妖精，也都替我打死，等我殺了那三個魔頭祭你。』他要磨得明了，先打死你門前一萬精哩。」那些小妖聞得此言，一個個心驚膽戰，魂散魄飛。In his hands he held an iron rod, thick as a large bowl, and he scooped up water from the stone cliff and ground it against the rock, muttering all the while, 'Oh my rod, it's been a good while since I brought you out to show your magic power — this time, even if there were a hundred thousand demons, you'd strike them all dead for me; let me first slay those three demon kings as an offering to you.' Once he's ground it sharp, he means to strike dead the ten thousand demons at your gate first." When the little demons heard this, every one of them was struck with terror, their souls scattering and their spirits flying.行者又道：「列位，那唐僧的肉也不多幾斤，也分不到我處，我們替他頂這個缸怎的？Xingzhe went on, "Gentlemen, that Tang Monk's flesh doesn't amount to more than a few pounds anyway, and none of it would come our way — why should we take the blame and the risk on his behalf?不如我們各自散一散罷。」眾妖都道：「說得是，我們各自顧命去來。」原來此輩都是些狼蟲虎豹，走獸飛禽，嗚的一聲，都鬨然而去了。Better that we each scatter and go our own ways." All the demons said, "Well said — let each of us save his own skin and be off." As it turned out, this whole crowd were nothing but wolves, vermin, tigers, leopards, beasts of the field and birds of the air, and with a great whoosh they all scattered and fled in a tumult.這個倒不像孫大聖幾句鋪頭話，卻就如楚歌聲吹散了八千兵。This was no mere matter of a few opening remarks from the Great Sage Sun — it was just like the songs of Chu that once scattered eight thousand troops.

行者暗自喜道：「好了！Xingzhe secretly rejoiced, thinking, "Excellent!老妖是死了。The old demons are as good as dead.聞言就走，怎敢覿面相逢？Hearing mere words was enough to send them running — how would they ever dare face me directly?這進去還似此言方好；When I go in now, I'd best keep to this same story;若說差了，才這夥小妖有一兩個倒走進去聽見，卻不走了風汛？」你看他存心來古洞，仗膽入深門。for if I say something different, and one or two of this bunch of little demons who just fled should happen to go inside and hear it, wouldn't that give the whole game away?" Just watch him now, resolved in heart, approaching the ancient cave, mustering his courage to enter through the deep gate.

畢竟不知見那個老魔頭有甚吉凶，且聽下回分解。What fortune or misfortune awaited him upon meeting those old demon kings remains unknown; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

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What it’s about

Approaching Lion-Camel Ridge, the pilgrims hear terrifying reports of a mountain crowded with demons. Sanzang is frightened, so Wukong changes into a little monster and captures a patrolman called Little Drill-Wind. Through comic interrogation and impersonation, he learns that three kings rule the region: a blue-haired lion, a yellow-tusked elephant and a great roc, supported by thousands of organized lesser demons.

Wukong enters their cave disguised as the patrolman and studies an enemy that resembles a disciplined state rather than a loose band of beasts. His boasting and questions eventually arouse suspicion, but he continues manipulating passwords, ranks and rumors while the three rulers prepare to seize the pilgrims. The chapter suspends direct combat in favor of reconnaissance. Its achievement is a map of the threat: three distinct leaders, a fortified population and a road made dangerous by administration as much as supernatural strength.

When it was written 背景

Lion-Camel Ridge enlarges the familiar monster cave into a grotesque polity with gates, officers, patrols and massed troops. Little Drill-Wind's detailed report is comic because Wukong terrifies a low-ranking functionary into explaining the whole bureaucracy, yet the intelligence is essential. Names, uniforms and command structures become weapons before the cudgel is raised. Learners should track 探路, 巡山, 大王 and 小鑽風, terms that make espionage legible. The episode's scale also prepares for a conflict in which Wukong's transformations cannot simply isolate one captor from a few servants.

Words in this chapter 生词

妖yāo妖yāo — goblin · witch · devil · bewitching · enchanting · monster · phantom · demon
僧sēng僧sēng — (bound form) Buddhist monk (abbr. for 僧伽 (sēng qié))
諕háo諕háo — to intimidate
砑yà砑yà — to calender
兢jīng兢jīng — to be fearful · apprehensive
嶺lǐng嶺lǐng — mountain range · mountain ridge
梆bāng梆bāng — watchman's rattle
裡lǐHSK 1裡lǐ — lining · interior · inside · internal · also written 裏 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
鈀bǎ鈀bǎ — palladium (chemistry) · Taiwan pr. (bā)
杠gāng杠gāng — flagpole · footbridge
戒jièHSK 5戒jiè — to guard against · to exhort · to admonish or warn · to give up or stop doing sth · Buddhist monastic discipline · ring (for a finger) (HSK 5)
峰fēng峰fēng — (of a mountain) high and tapered peak or summit · mountain-like in appearance · highest level · classifier for camels