Journey to the West 024: The Encounter with the Lady Earth Flow and the Golden Horned and Silver Horned Kings

The Journey Through the Rolling Curtain Cave

After their victory over the Golden-Headed Fish Demon, Tripitaka and his disciples continued their journey westward. Their path soon led them to a region filled with rugged mountains and deep valleys. As they made their way through this challenging terrain, they encountered the Rolling Curtain Cave, a place known for its treacherous landscape and the demons that inhabited it.

The cave was home to two powerful and cunning demon brothers, the Golden Horned King and the Silver Horned King, who were notorious for their magical abilities and their desire for immortality. These demons had heard of Tripitaka’s pilgrimage and sought to capture him, believing that his flesh would grant them eternal life.

The Ambush and Capture

As the pilgrims approached the Rolling Curtain Cave, the Golden Horned King and Silver Horned King prepared an ambush. The demons used their magical artifacts, including the Seven-Star Sword, the Purple Gold Red Gourd, and the Sheepskin Bottle, to ensnare the disciples and separate them from Tripitaka.

The ambush was swift and effective. The demons used the Purple Gold Red Gourd to capture Wukong, trapping him inside the gourd before he could react. With Wukong out of the way, the Golden Horned King and Silver Horned King easily captured Tripitaka and took him to their lair inside the Rolling Curtain Cave.

Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, though initially caught off guard, managed to escape the ambush and regrouped. Realizing that their master had been captured and Wukong trapped, they knew they had to act quickly to rescue them.

Wukong’s Escape and Plan

Trapped inside the Purple Gold Red Gourd, Wukong used his cleverness and magical abilities to escape. He transformed into a small insect and slipped out of the gourd unnoticed. Once free, Wukong returned to the cave, determined to rescue Tripitaka and defeat the demon brothers.

Wukong devised a plan to outwit the Golden Horned King and Silver Horned King. He knew that direct confrontation would be difficult, as the demons were powerful and had several magical artifacts at their disposal. Instead, Wukong decided to use deception and trickery to turn the demons’ own weapons against them.

The Battle with the Demon Brothers

Wukong, using his shape-shifting abilities, disguised himself as one of the demons' servants and infiltrated their lair. He then used his cunning to manipulate the demons into using their magical artifacts against each other. By subtly sowing discord between the brothers, Wukong caused them to doubt each other's loyalty.

In the ensuing confusion, Wukong managed to seize the Purple Gold Red Gourd and the Sheepskin Bottle, using them to trap the demons. The Golden Horned King and Silver Horned King, realizing too late that they had been outwitted, were captured by their own magical items.

Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing then joined the battle, helping Wukong to subdue the demons and secure Tripitaka’s release. With the demon brothers defeated, the Rolling Curtain Cave was cleared of its dangers, and the group was able to continue their journey.

The Intervention of Lady Earth Flow

However, just as they were about to leave the cave, the group encountered Lady Earth Flow (also known as Digu Nainai), a powerful earth goddess who had been watching over the region. She had observed the entire encounter and was impressed by Wukong’s cleverness and the group’s determination.

Lady Earth Flow, though initially wary of the pilgrims, ultimately decided to assist them. She granted them safe passage through the mountains and provided them with a charm that would protect them from future dangers. Her intervention ensured that the group could continue their journey without further hindrance.

Continuing the Journey

With the Rolling Curtain Cave behind them and the blessings of Lady Earth Flow, the group resumed their journey westward. The encounter had been a challenging one, but it had also demonstrated the importance of cleverness, strategy, and the willingness to seek help when needed.

This chapter emphasizes themes of intelligence, the use of strategy over brute force, and the importance of seeking assistance from powerful allies—values that are central to Journey to the West and resonate in modern adaptations like Black Myth: Wukong, where characters often use wit and cunning to overcome formidable challenges.