Journey to the West | Chapter 002
Where the Mind Awakens to the True Path
悟徹菩提真妙理 斷魔歸本合元神
Chapter Intro
As dawn settles over the quiet valleys of the Mountain of Three Stars, our stone-born monkey steps into a brand new chapter of his destiny.
Gone are the wild dances of the forest and the carefree days by the Water Curtain Cave. Here, under the guidance of the mysterious master Pu Ti Zu Shi, Sun Wu Kong begins his first true test — learning what it means to walk the path of cultivation.
In this chapter, you’ll witness Wu Kong’s early days as a student, the quiet routines of immortal training, and the moment he finally hears the teachings that spark something deep inside him.
But awakening comes with challenges. Not everyone is thrilled to see a clever monkey rising so quickly, and the mountain holds more secrets than it shows.
Get ready to step into a world of hidden lessons, whispered mysteries, and the very first flicker of the power Wu Kong will one day command.
Sun Wu Kong completes seven years of training, learning manners, reading, meditation, chores, and temple life. One day, the Patriarch Preaches the Great Dao, and Wu Kong becomes so overwhelmed by joy that he literally dances in place. The Patriarch notices immediately and calls him out, which leads to a subtle test.
When asked how long he has been training, Wu Kong only remembers eating peaches behind the mountain seven times — meaning seven years. The Patriarch then asks what kind of “path” he wishes to learn. Wu Kong rejects four entire systems of cultivation:
Shu (術) — divination, fortune-telling
Liu (流) — reciting scriptures, rituals, orthodox religious practice
Jing (靜) — fasting, meditation, asceticism
Dong (動) — alchemy, sexual practices, body-based cultivation
He dismisses each one as unable to grant true immortality.
The Patriarch becomes stern, strikes Wu Kong three times, closes the main door, and disappears.
The disciples think Wu Kong has been scolded; but Wu Kong understands the hidden message:
Three strikes = come at the third watch
Closing the main door = enter through the back
Hand behind his back = secrecy
That night, under the moonlight, Wu Kong sneaks to the back door and kneels by the Patriarch’s bed. The Patriarch awakens, pleased that Wu Kong understood the cryptic signal, and finally transmits to him the true path to immortality — the secret of refining essence, qi, and spirit (精氣神) and sealing internal leaks. This is the first genuine milestone in Wu Kong’s transformation from beast to immortal.
Wu Kong spends three years practicing this secret method, strengthening his foundation. The Patriarch later tests him again and warns him about the Three Disasters faced by immortals:
Thunder
Inner fire
Demon wind
Only if he can overcome these will he truly gain eternal life.
Wu Kong then chooses to learn the 72 Transformations (地煞變化), absorbing the secret incantations instantly.
Later, the Patriarch also teaches him the legendary Somersault Cloud (筋斗雲) — letting him travel 108,000 li in a single flip.
The disciples cheer for Wu Kong’s talent, but their excitement annoys the Patriarch. He scolds them and warns Wu Kong against showing off his abilities. Finally, the Patriarch sends him away:
“Go home. Whatever chaos you cause, do not claim me as your master.”
Wu Kong puts on a brave face, promises never to implicate his teacher, and leaves.
Returning to Flower-Fruit Mountain in less than a single hour, Wu Kong finds his monkeys terrorized by a demon called the Hunshi Mowang (混世魔王). Without hesitation, he storms the demon’s lair, fights hand-to-hand, and when outmatched, uses his new hair-based magic to create hundreds of clones. Together they overwhelm the demon, kill him, burn his lair, and rescue the captured monkeys.
He brings everyone home safely, restores their stolen belongings, and celebrates with his tribe. The monkeys rejoice at their king’s new greatness, now calling themselves:
“Old Sun, second Sun, third Sun… one whole family of Suns!”
The chapter closes with Wu Kong fully transformed:
no longer an ordinary monkey
but a powerful immortal
returning home to begin the next phase of his destiny
After receiving his name from the Patriarch, Wu Kong was delighted and full of energy. He bowed deeply in thanks. The Patriarch ordered the senior disciples to lead Wu Kong beyond the second gate and teach him how to sweep, respond properly, come and go with etiquette. The disciples obeyed, guiding him outside.
Wu Kong bowed to his senior brothers, arranged a place to sleep in the corridor, and the next morning began training with them. He learned speech, manners, recitation of scripture, Daoist principles, writing, and incense-offering. In spare time he swept the grounds, tended the garden, gathered firewood, cooked, fetched water. Everything necessary in the cave was cared for.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, six or seven years went by.
One day, the Patriarch ascended the platform and summoned all disciples to lecture on the Great Way. Truly:
Heaven-flowers drifted down; golden lotuses rose from the earth. The three vehicles were explained, ten thousand laws made clear. The whisk stirred and pearls of wisdom poured out; thunderous sound shook the nine heavens.
He spoke of Dao, of Chan, of principles that united the Three Teachings. Wu Kong listened with joy. He grew so excited he scratched his ears, stomped his feet, and waved his hands before noticing the Patriarch staring at him.
“Wu Kong! Why are you dancing in the lecture hall instead of listening?”
Wu Kong quickly knelt. “Master, I truly am listening. Your teachings are profound. When they delight me, I cannot help my movements. Please forgive me!”
The Patriarch nodded. “Since you understand the subtle sound, then tell me — how long have you been here?”
Wu Kong replied, “Disciple is not sure. I only remember that when the kitchen had no firewood, I often went behind the mountain to gather wood. There is a peach tree there. I have eaten seven times to fullness. It must have been seven years.”
The Patriarch asked, “Now, what Way do you wish to learn?”
Wu Kong said, “Whatever the Patriarch teaches. As long as it is a true path, I will learn it.”
The Patriarch said, “Within the character ‘Dao’ are 360 side paths, each capable of producing results. Which one will you choose?”
Wu Kong said, “I leave it to Master’s guidance.”
The Patriarch said, “Then I shall teach you the Path of Techniques (術).”
Wu Kong asked, “What is the Path of Techniques?”
“It concerns spirit-writing, divination, and fortune-telling — discerning auspiciousness and misfortune.”
Wu Kong asked, “Can this bring long life?”
The Patriarch shook his head. “No.”
“Then I will not learn it!”
The Patriarch said, “Then I will teach you the Path of Flow (流) — the methods of Confucians, Buddhists, Daoists, Yin-Yang scholars, Mohists, physicians, ritual invocations, scripture-recitation.”
Wu Kong asked, “Can this bring long life?”
The Patriarch said, “If long life comes, it is like ‘a pillar placed inside a wall.’ Eventually it rots.”
Wu Kong blinked. “Master, I do not understand this saying.”
The Patriarch explained, “It means that it will not last.”
Wu Kong shook his head. “Then I will not learn it either.”
The Patriarch said, “Then I will teach you the Path of Stillness (靜) — grain-avoidance, fasting, meditation, sitting in seclusion.”
Wu Kong asked again, “Can this bring long life?”
The Patriarch answered, “It is like an unfired brick at the kiln — it dissolves in the rain.”
Wu Kong laughed. “Then this path is not lasting either. I will not learn it.”
The Patriarch grew stern. “Then I will teach you the Path of Action (動) — alchemy, gathering yin and nourishing yang, refining minerals, internal cauldrons, medicine-making.”
Wu Kong asked, “Can this bring long life?”
The Patriarch said, “It is like trying to scoop up the moon’s reflection from water.”
Wu Kong sighed. “Then none of these are true long life. I will not learn them.”
At this, the Patriarch leapt down from the platform, struck Wu Kong three times on the head with his staff, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked inside, closing the center gate behind him.
The disciples were shocked.
“Stupid monkey! Master offered to teach you, and you refused each path? Now you’ve offended him — who knows when he will return!”
They scolded him, looked down on him, and avoided him. But Wu Kong only smiled. Inside, he had understood the hidden message.
The three strikes signaled third watch of the night. The turned back and closed center gate signaled enter by the back door.
That night, the disciples slept early. Wu Kong pretended to rest, regulated his breath, and waited. When the time felt right, around midnight, he quietly put on his clothes and slipped outside.
Moonlight was clear with dew that chilled the air. The back door was half open. Wu Kong whispered, “Master is truly compassionate.”
He entered silently and knelt at the Patriarch’s bedside.
The Patriarch awoke and sighed a verse:
“Difficult, difficult — the Way is most mysterious. Without a true master’s secret, words alone exhaust the tongue.”
1  | 話表美猴王得了姓名，怡然踴躍；對菩提前作禮啟謝。那祖師即命大眾引悟空出二門外，教他灑掃應對，進退周旋之節。眾仙奉行而出。悟空到門外，又拜了大眾師兄，就於廊廡之間，安排寢處。次早，與眾師兄學言語禮貌、講經論道，習字焚香，每日如此。閑時即掃地鋤園，養花修樹，尋柴燃火，挑水運漿。凡所用之物，無一不備。在洞中不覺倏六七年，一日，祖師登壇高坐，喚集諸仙，開講大道。真個是： |
| 2 | 天花亂墜，地湧金蓮。妙演三乘教，精微萬法全。 |
| 3 | 慢搖麈尾噴珠玉，響振雷霆動九天。 |
| 4 | 說一會道，講一會禪，三家配合本如然。 |
| 5 | 開明一字皈誠理，指引無生了性玄。 |
| 6 | 孫悟空在旁聞聽，喜得他抓耳撓腮，眉花眼笑。忍不住手之舞之，足之蹈之。忽被祖師看見，叫孫悟空道：「你在班中，怎麼顛狂躍舞，不聽我講？」悟空道：「弟子誠心聽講，聽到老師父妙音處，喜不自勝，故不覺作此踴躍之狀。望師父恕罪！」祖師道：「你既識妙音，我且問你，你到洞中多少時了？」悟空道：「弟子本來懵懂，不知多少時節。只記得灶下無火，常去山後打柴，見一山好桃樹，我在那裡吃了七次飽桃矣。」祖師道：「那山喚名爛桃山。你既吃七次，想是七年了。你今要從我學些甚麼道？」悟空道：「但憑尊祖教誨，只是有些道氣兒，弟子便就學了。」 |
| 7 | 祖師道：「『道』字門中有三百六十傍門，傍門皆有正果。不知你學那一門哩？」悟空道：「憑尊師意思。弟子傾心聽從。」祖師道：「我教你個『術』字門中之道，如何？」悟空道：「術門之道怎麼說？」祖師道：「術字門中，乃是些請仙扶鸞，問卜揲蓍，能知趨吉避兇之理。」悟空道：「似這般可得長生麼？」祖師道：「不能！不能！」悟空道：「不學！不學！」 |
| 8 | 祖師又道：「教你『流』字門中之道，如何？」悟空又問：「流字門中，是甚義理？」祖師道：「流字門中，乃是儒家、釋家、道家、陰陽家、墨家、醫家，或看經，或念佛，並朝真降聖之類。」悟空道：「似這般可得長生麼？」祖師道：「若要長生，也似『壁裡安柱』。」悟空道：「師父，我是個老實人，不曉得打市語。怎麼謂之『壁裡安柱』？」祖師道：「人家蓋房，欲圖堅固，將墻壁之間，立一頂柱，有日大廈將頹，他必朽矣。」悟空道：「據此說，也不長久。不學！不學！」 |
| 9 | 祖師道：「教你『靜』字門中之道，如何？」悟空道：「靜字門中，是甚正果？」祖師道：「此是休糧守穀，清靜無為，參禪打坐，戒語持齋，或睡功，或立功，並入定坐關之類。」悟空道：「這般也能長生麼？」祖師道：「也似『窯頭土坯』。」悟空笑道：「師父果有些滴澾。一行說我不會打市語。怎麼謂之『窯頭土坯』？」祖師道：「就如那窯頭上，造成磚瓦之坯，雖已成形，尚未經水火煆煉，一朝大雨滂沱，他必濫矣。」悟空道：「也不長遠。不學！不學！」 |
| 10 | 祖師道：「教你『動』字門中之道，如何？」悟空道：「動門之道，卻又怎樣？」祖師道：「此是有為有作，採陰補陽，攀弓踏弩，摩臍過氣，用方炮制，燒茅打鼎，進紅鉛，煉秋石，並服婦乳之類。」悟空道：「似這等也得長生麼？」祖師道：「此欲長生，亦如『水中撈月』。」悟空道：「師父又來了！怎麼叫做『水中撈月』？」祖師道：「月在長空，水中有影，雖然看見，只是無撈摸處，到底只成空耳。」悟空道：「也不學！不學！」 |
| 11 | 祖師聞言，咄的一聲，跳下高臺，手持戒尺，指定悟空道：「你這猢猻，這般不學，那般不學，卻待怎麼？」走上前，將悟空頭上打了三下，倒背著手，走入裡面，將中門關了，撇下大眾而去。唬得那一班聽講的，人人驚懼，皆怨悟空道：「你這潑猴，十分無狀！師父傳你道法，如何不學，卻與師父頂嘴？這番沖撞了他，不知幾時才出來啊！」此時俱甚抱怨他，又鄙賤嫌惡他。悟空一些兒也不惱，只是滿臉陪笑。原來那猴王，已打破盤中之謎，暗暗在心，所以不與眾人爭競，只是忍耐無言。祖師打他三下者，教他三更時分存心，倒背著手，走入裡面，將中門關上者，教他從後門進步，秘處傳他道也。 |
| 12 | 當日悟空與眾等，喜喜歡歡，在三星仙洞之前，盼望天色，急不能到晚。及黃昏時，卻與眾就寢，假合眼，定息存神。山中又沒打更傳箭，不知時分，只自家將鼻孔中出入之氣調定。約到子時前後，輕輕的起來，穿了衣服，偷開前門，躲離大眾，走出外，抬頭觀看。正是那： |
| 13 | 月明清露冷，八極迥無塵。深樹幽禽宿，源頭水溜汾。 |
| 14 | 飛螢光散影，過雁字排雲。正直三更候，應該訪道真。你看他從舊路徑至後門外，只見那門兒半開半掩。悟空喜道：「老師父果然注意與我傳道，故此開著門也。」即曳步近前，側身進得門裡，只走到祖師寢榻之下。見祖師蜷局身軀，朝裡睡著了。悟空不敢驚動，即跪在榻前。那祖師不多時覺來，舒開兩足，口中自吟道： |
| 15 | 「難！難！難！道最玄，莫把金丹作等閑。 |
| 16 | 不遇至人傳妙訣，空言口困舌頭乾！」悟空應聲叫道：「師父，弟子在此跪候多時。」祖師聞得聲音是悟空，即起披衣，盤坐喝道：「這猢猻！你不在前邊去睡，卻來我這後邊作甚？」悟空道：「師父昨日壇前對眾相允，教弟子三更時候，從後門裡傳我道理，故此大膽徑拜老爺榻下。」祖師聽說，十分歡喜，暗自尋思道：「這廝果然是個天地生成的！不然，何就打破我盤中之暗謎也？」悟空道：「此間更無六耳，止只弟子一人，望師父大舍慈悲，傳與我長生之道罷，永不忘恩！」祖師道：「你今有緣，我亦喜說。既識得盤中暗謎，你近前來，仔細聽之，當傳與你長生之妙道也。」悟空叩頭謝了，洗耳用心，跪於榻下。祖師云： |
| 17 | 「顯密圓通真妙訣，惜修生命無他說。 |
| 18 | 都來總是精氣神，謹固牢藏休漏洩。 |
| 19 | 休漏洩，體中藏，汝受吾傳道自昌。 |
| 20 | 口訣記來多有益，屏除邪欲得清涼。 |
| 21 | 得清涼，光皎潔，好向丹臺賞明月。 |
| 22 | 月藏玉兔日藏烏，自有龜蛇相盤結。 |
| 23 | 相盤結，性命堅，卻能火裡種金蓮。 |
| 24 | 攢簇五行顛倒用，功完隨作佛和仙。」 |
| 25 | 此時說破根源，悟空心靈福至，切切記了口訣，對祖師拜謝深恩，即出後門觀看。但見東方天色微舒白，西路金光大顯明。依舊路，轉到前門，輕輕的推開進去，坐在原寢之處，故將床鋪搖響道：「天光了！天光了！起耶！」那大眾還正睡哩，不知悟空已得了好事。當日起來打混，暗暗維持，子前午後，自己調息。 |
| 26 | 卻早過了三年，祖師復登寶座，與眾說法。談的是公案比語，論的是外像包皮。忽問：「悟空何在？」悟空近前跪下：「弟子有。」祖師道：「你這一向修些什麼道來？」悟空道：「弟子近來法性頗通，根源亦漸堅固矣。」祖師道：「你既通法性，會得根源，已注神體，卻只是防備著『三災利害』。」悟空聽說，沉吟良久道：「師父之言謬矣。我常聞道高德隆，與天同壽，水火既濟，百病不生，卻怎麼有個三災利害？」祖師道：「此乃非常之道：奪天地之造化，侵日月之玄機；丹成之後，鬼神難容。雖駐顏益壽，但到了五百年後，天降雷災打你，須要見性明心，預先躲避。躲得過，壽與天齊，躲不過，就此絕命。再五百年後，天降火災燒你。這火不是天火，亦不是凡火，喚做『陰火』。自本身湧泉穴下燒起，直透泥垣宮，五臟成灰，四肢皆朽，把千年苦行，俱為虛幻。再五百年，又降風災吹你。這風不是東南西北風，不是和薰金朔風，亦不是花柳松竹風，喚做『贔風』。自囟門中吹入六腑，過丹田，穿九竅，骨肉消疏，其身自解。所以都要躲過。」悟空聞說，毛骨悚然，叩頭禮拜道：「萬老爺垂憫，傳與躲避三災之法，到底不敢忘恩。」祖師道：「此亦無難，只是你比他人不同，故傳不得。」悟空道：「我也頭圓頂天，足方履地，一般有九竅四肢，五臟六腑，何以比人不同？」祖師道：「你雖然像人，卻比人少腮。」原來那猴子孤拐面，凹臉尖嘴。悟空伸手一摸，笑道：「師父沒成算！我雖少腮，卻比人多這個素袋，亦可準折過也。」祖師說：「也罷，你要學那一般？有一般天罡數，該三十六般變化，有一般地煞數，該七十二般變化。」悟空道：「弟子願多裡撈摸，學一個地煞變化罷。」祖師道：「既如此，上前來，傳與你口訣。」遂附耳低言，不知說了些甚麼妙法。這猴王也是一竅通時百竅通，當時習了口訣，自修自煉，將七十二般變化，都學成了。 |
| 27 | 忽一日，祖師與眾門人在三星洞前戲玩晚景。祖師道：「悟空，事成了未曾？」悟空道：「多蒙師父海恩，弟子功果完備，已能霞舉飛升也。」祖師道：「你試飛舉我看。」悟空弄本事，將身一聳，打了個連扯跟頭，跳離地有五六丈，踏雲霞去勾有頓飯功夫，返復不上三里遠近，落在面前，叉手道：「師父，這就是飛舉騰雲了。」祖師笑道：「這個算不得騰雲，只算得爬雲而已。自古道：『神仙朝游北海暮蒼梧。』似你這半日，去不上三里，即爬雲也還算不得哩！」悟空道：「怎麼為『朝游北海暮蒼梧』？」祖師道：「凡騰雲之輩，早辰起自北海，游過東海、西海、南海、復轉蒼梧，蒼梧者卻是北海零陵之語話也。將四海之外，一日都游遍，方算得騰雲。」悟空道：「這個卻難！卻難！」祖師道：「世上無難事，只怕有心人。」悟空聞得此言，叩頭禮拜，啟道：「師父，『為人須為徹』，索性舍個大慈悲，將此騰雲之法，一發傳與我罷，決不敢忘恩。」祖師道：「凡諸仙騰雲，皆跌足而起，你卻不是這般。我才見你去，連扯方才跳上。我今只就你這個勢，傳你個『筋斗雲』罷。」悟空又禮拜懇求，祖師卻又傳個口訣道：「這朵雲，捻著訣，念動真言，攢緊了拳，對身一抖，跳將起來，一筋斗就有十萬八千里路哩！」大眾聽說，一個個嘻嘻笑道：「悟空造化！若會這個法兒，與人家當鋪兵，送文書，遞報單，不管那裡都尋了飯吃！」師徒們天昏各歸洞府。這一夜，悟空即運神煉法，會了筋斗雲。逐日家無拘無束，自在逍遙此一長生之美。 |
| 28 | 一日，春歸夏至，大眾都在松樹下會講多時。大眾曰：「悟空，你是那世修來的緣法？前日師父拊耳低言，傳與你的躲三災變化之法，可都會麼？」悟空笑道：「不瞞諸兄長說，一則是師父傳授，二來也是我晝夜殷勤，那幾般兒都會了。」大眾道：「趁此良時，你試演演，讓我等看看。」悟空聞說，抖搜精神，賣弄手段道：「眾師兄請出個題目。要我變化甚麼？」大眾道：「就變棵松樹罷。」悟空捻著訣，念動咒語，搖身一變，就變做一棵松樹。真個是： |
| 29 | 鬱鬱含煙貫四時，凌雲直上秀貞姿。 |
| 30 | 全無一點妖猴像，盡是經霜耐雪枝。大眾見了，鼓掌呀呀大笑。都道：「好猴兒！好猴兒！」不覺的嚷鬧，驚動了祖師。祖師急拽杖出門來問道：「是何人在此喧嘩？」大眾聞呼，慌忙檢束，整衣向前。悟空也現了本相，雜在叢中道：「啟上尊師，我等在此會講，更無外姓喧嘩。」祖師怒喝道：「你等大呼小叫，全不像個修行的體段！修行的人，口開神氣散，舌動是非生。如何在此嚷笑？」大眾道：「不敢瞞師父，適才孫悟空演變化耍子。教他變棵松樹，果然是棵松樹，弟子們俱稱揚喝採，故高聲驚冒尊師，望乞恕罪。」祖師道：「你等起去。」叫：「悟空，過來！我問你弄甚麼精神，變甚麼松樹？這個工夫，可好在人前賣弄？假如你見別人有，不要求他？別人見你有，必然求你。你若畏禍，卻要傳他；若不傳他，必然加害：你之性命又不可保。」悟空叩道：「只望師父恕罪！」祖師道：「我也不罪你，但只是你去吧。」悟空聞此言，滿眼墮淚道：「師父教我往那裡去？」祖師道：「你從那裡來，便從那裡去就是了。」悟空頓然醒悟道：「我自東勝神洲傲來國花果山水簾洞來的。」祖師道：「你快回去，全你性命，若在此間，斷然不可！」悟空領罪，「上告尊師，我也離家有二十年矣，雖是回顧舊日兒孫，但念師父厚恩未報，不敢去。」祖師道：「那裡甚麼恩義？你只是不惹禍不牽帶我就罷了！」 |
| 31 | 悟空見沒奈何，只得拜辭，與眾相別。祖師道：「你這去，定生不良。憑你怎麼惹禍行兇，卻不許說是我的徒弟。你說出半個字來，我就知之，把你這猢猻剝皮銼骨，將神魂貶在九幽之處，教你萬劫不得翻身！」悟空道：「決不敢提起師父一字，只說是我自家會的便罷。」 |
| 32 | 悟空謝了。即抽身，捻著訣，丟個連扯，縱起筋斗雲，徑回東海。那裡消一個時辰，早看見花果山水簾洞。美猴王自知快樂，暗暗的自稱道： |
| 33 | 「去時凡骨凡胎重，得道身輕體亦輕。 |
| 34 | 舉世無人肯立志，立志修玄玄自明。 |
| 35 | 當時過海波難進，今日來回甚易行。 |
| 36 | 別語叮嚀還在耳，何期頃刻見東溟。」悟空按下雲頭，直至花果山。找路而走，忽聽得鶴唳猿啼，鶴唳聲沖霄漢外，猿啼悲切甚傷情。即開口叫道：「孩兒們，我來了也！」那崖下石坎邊，花草中，樹木里，若大若小之猴，跳出千千萬萬，把個美猴王圍在當中，叩頭叫道：「大王，你好寬心！怎麼一去許久？把我們俱閃在這裏，望你誠如饑渴！近來被一妖魔在此欺虐，強要占我們水簾洞府，是我等舍死忘生，與他爭鬥。這些時，被那廝搶了我們家火，捉了許多子侄，教我們晝夜無眠，看守家業。幸得大王來了！大王若再年載不來，我等連山洞盡屬他人矣！」悟空聞說，心中大怒道：「是甚麼妖魔，輒敢無狀！你且細細說來，待我尋他報仇。」眾猴叩頭：「告上大王，那廝自稱混世魔王，住居在直北下。」悟空道：「此間到他那裡，有多少路程？」眾猴道：「他來時雲，去時霧，或風或雨，或雷或電，我等不知有多少路。」悟空道：「既如此，你們休怕，且自頑耍，等我尋他去來！」 |
| 37 | 好猴王，將身一縱，跳起去，一路筋斗，直至北下觀看，見一座高山，真是十分險峻。好山： |
| 38 | 筆峰挺立，曲澗深沉。筆峰挺立透空霄，曲澗深沉通地戶。兩崖花木爭奇，幾處松篁鬥翠。左邊龍，熟熟馴馴；右邊虎，平平伏伏。每見鐵牛耕，常有金錢種。幽禽□睆聲，丹鳳朝陽立。石磷磷，波凈凈，古怪蹺蹊真惡獰。世上名山無數多，花開花謝繁還眾。爭如此景永長存，八節四時渾不動。誠為三界坎源山，滋養五行水臟洞！「□：左「目」右「見」；」美猴王正默看景致，只聽得有人言語。徑自下山尋覓，原來那陡崖之前，乃是那水臟洞。洞門外有幾個小妖跳舞，見了悟空就走。悟空道：「休走！借你口中言，傳我心內事。我乃正南方花果山水簾洞洞主。你家甚麼混世鳥魔，屢次欺我兒孫，我特尋來，要與他見個上下！」 |
| 39 | 那小妖聽說，疾忙跑入洞裏，報道：「大王！禍事了！」魔王道：「有甚禍事？」小妖道：「洞外有猴頭稱為花果山水簾洞洞主。他說你屢次欺他兒孫，特來尋你，見個上下哩。」魔王笑道：「我常聞得那些猴精說他有個大王，出家修行去，想是今番來了。你們見他怎生打扮，有甚器械？」小妖道：「他也沒甚麼器械，光著個頭，穿一領紅色衣，勒一條黃絳，足下踏一對烏靴，不僧不俗，又不像道士神仙，赤手空拳，在門外叫哩。」魔王聞說：「取我批掛兵器來！」那小妖即時取出。那魔王穿了甲胄，綽刀在手，與眾妖出得門來，即高聲叫道：「那個是水簾洞洞主？」悟空急睜睛觀看，只見那魔王： |
| 40 | 頭戴烏金盔，映日光明；身掛皂羅袍，迎風飄蕩。下穿著黑鐵甲，緊勒皮條；足踏著花褶靴，雄如上將。腰廣十圍，身高三丈，手執一口刀，鋒刃多明亮。稱為混世魔，磊落兇模樣。 |
| 41 | 猴王喝道：「這潑魔這般眼大，看不見老孫！」魔王見了，笑道：「你身不滿四尺，年不過三旬，手內又無兵器，怎麼大膽猖狂，要尋我見甚麼上下？」悟空罵道：「你這潑魔，原來沒眼！你量我小，要大卻也不難。你量我無兵器，我兩隻手勾著天邊月哩！你不要怕，只吃老孫一拳！」縱一縱，跳上去，劈臉就打。那魔王伸手架住道：「你這般矬矮，我這般高長，你要使拳，我要使刀，使刀就殺了你，也吃人笑，待我放下刀，與你使路拳看。」悟空道：「說得是。好漢子！走來！」那魔王丟開架子便打，這悟空鉆進去相撞相迎。他兩個拳捶腳踢，一沖一撞。原來長拳空大，短簇堅牢。那魔王被悟空掏短肋，撞了襠，幾下筋節，把他打重了。他閃過，拿起那板大的鋼刀，望悟空劈頭就砍。悟空急撤身，他砍了一個空。悟空見他兇猛，即使身外身法，拔一把毫毛，丟在口中嚼碎，望空中噴去，叫一聲「變！」，即變做三二百個小猴，周圍攢簇。 |
| 42 | 原來人得仙體，出神變化，無方不知。這猴王自從了道之後，身上有八萬四千毛羽，根根能變，應物隨心。那些小猴，眼乖會跳，刀來砍不著，槍去不能傷。你看他前踴後躍，鉆上去，把魔王圍繞，抱的抱，扯的扯，鉆襠的鉆襠，扳腳的扳腳，踢打撏毛，摳眼睛，捻鼻子，抬鼓弄，直打做一個攢盤。這悟空才去奪得他的刀來，分開小猴，照頂門一下，砍為兩段。領眾殺進洞中，將那大小妖精，盡皆剿滅。卻把毫毛一抖，收上身來。又見那收不上身者，卻是那魔王在水簾洞中擒去的小猴，悟空道：「汝等何為到此？」約有三五十個，都含淚道：「我等因大王修仙去後，這兩年被他爭吵，把我們都攝將來，那不是我們洞中的家火？石盆、石碗都被這廝拿來也。」悟空道：「既是我們的家火，你們都搬出外去。」隨即洞裡放起火來，把那水臟洞燒得枯乾，盡歸了一體。對眾道：「汝等跟我回去。」眾猴道：「大王，我們來時，只聽得耳邊風聲，虛飄飄到於此地，更不識路徑，今怎得回鄉？」悟空道：「這是他弄的個術法兒，有何難也！我如今一竅通，百竅通，我也會弄。你們都合了眼，休怕！」 |
| 43 | 好猴王，念聲咒語，駕陣狂風，雲頭落下。叫：「孩兒們，睜眼。」眾猴腳屣實地，認得是家鄉，個個歡喜，都奔洞門舊路。那在洞眾猴，都一齊簇擁同入，分班齒序，禮拜猴王。安排酒果，接風賀喜，啟問降魔救子之事。悟空備細言了一遍，眾猴稱揚不盡道：「大王去到那方，不意學得這般手段！」悟空又道：「我當年別汝等，隨波逐流，飄過東洋大海，徑至南贍部洲，學成人像，著此衣，穿此履，擺擺搖搖，雲游八九年餘，更不曾有道；又渡西洋大海，到西牛賀洲地界，訪問多時，幸遇一老祖，傳了我與天同壽的真功果，不死長生的大法門。」眾猴稱賀。都道：「萬劫難逢也！」悟空又笑道：「小的們，又喜我這一門皆有姓氏。」眾猴道：「大王何姓？」悟空道：「我今姓孫，法名悟空。」眾猴聞說，鼓掌忻然道：「大王是老孫，我們都是二孫、三孫、細孫、小孫、——一家孫、一國孫、一窩孫矣！」都來奉承老孫，大盆小碗的，椰子酒、葡萄酒、仙花、仙果，真個是合家歡樂！咦！貫通一姓身歸本，只待榮遷仙錄籙名。畢竟不知怎生結果，居此界終始如何，且聽下回分解。 |
