Journey to the West 007: The Capture of Zhu Bajie

Encounter with Zhu Bajie

As Wukong and Tripitaka continued their journey westward, they entered a region known for its dense forests and remote villages. It was here that they encountered their next challenge—Zhu Bajie (also known as Pigsy), a former heavenly marshal who had been banished to the mortal realm for his transgressions. Due to his lustful and gluttonous nature, Zhu Bajie was reborn with the form of a humanoid pig.

Zhu Bajie had settled in a village, where he caused trouble for the locals, using his immense strength and magical abilities to intimidate and exploit them. Despite his flaws, Zhu Bajie retained some of his former heavenly powers, making him a formidable adversary.

Wukong Confronts Zhu Bajie

When Wukong and Tripitaka arrived in the village, they learned of Zhu Bajie's misdeeds. Wukong, always eager to confront a challenge, decided to deal with him. He approached Zhu Bajie, who at first attempted to deceive Wukong by pretending to be friendly. However, Wukong, seeing through the ruse, challenged Zhu Bajie to a duel.

The battle between Wukong and Zhu Bajie was intense, with both displaying their unique abilities. Wukong, with his agility and combat skills, and Zhu Bajie, with his brute strength and the use of his nine-toothed rake, clashed in a dramatic showdown. The villagers watched in awe as the two powerful beings fought, their battle shaking the earth and filling the air with the sounds of their mighty blows.

Zhu Bajie’s Surrender and Redemption

Despite his strength, Zhu Bajie soon realized that he was no match for Wukong’s speed and cunning. As the fight wore on, Zhu Bajie grew tired and recognized the futility of his resistance. Knowing that Wukong was far superior in skill, Zhu Bajie eventually surrendered.

Recognizing an opportunity for redemption, Wukong offered Zhu Bajie a chance to join their pilgrimage to the West. Tripitaka, guided by his compassion and Guanyin's instructions, accepted Zhu Bajie as his second disciple. Zhu Bajie, though reluctant at first, agreed to the arrangement, hoping to atone for his past sins and earn a place in the celestial realms once again.

Zhu Bajie’s New Role

With Zhu Bajie now part of the group, the dynamics of the journey changed. Zhu Bajie’s personality—his laziness, gluttony, and occasional cowardice—often clashed with Wukong’s disciplined and determined nature. However, despite his flaws, Zhu Bajie proved to be a valuable ally. His strength and loyalty were crucial in overcoming the many obstacles they encountered on their journey.

As the journey progressed, Zhu Bajie began to show signs of personal growth. His experiences alongside Tripitaka and Wukong slowly transformed him, and he started to develop a sense of responsibility and a desire to reform.

Continuing the Journey

With Zhu Bajie’s addition to the group, Tripitaka and his disciples continued their westward journey. Each member of the group brought unique strengths and weaknesses, and together they faced new challenges and adversaries. The journey was not only a quest for sacred scriptures but also a path of redemption and self-discovery for each of the disciples.

The themes of transformation and redemption in Journey to the West are central to Zhu Bajie’s character arc, much like Wukong’s. These themes continue to resonate in modern adaptations like Black Myth: Wukong, where the complex nature of these characters is explored in depth.