Journey to the West 026: The Three Daoist Immortals and Their Magical Gourd

The Arrival at the Golden and Silver Horned Demon’s Kingdom

After overcoming the challenges of Lion Camel Ridge, Tripitaka and his disciples continued their journey westward. They soon arrived at a kingdom ruled by two powerful demons: the Golden Horned King and the Silver Horned King. These demons were known for their cunning and possession of powerful magical artifacts. They had enslaved the people of the kingdom, forcing them to worship the demons as gods.

Upon learning of the pilgrims’ arrival, the demon kings devised a plan to capture Tripitaka and his disciples. They intended to use their magical gourd, which had the ability to trap anyone who spoke their name, to capture Wukong and the others.

The Encounter with the Three Daoist Immortals

As the group approached the demons’ palace, they were met by three Daoist immortals who served the Golden Horned and Silver Horned Kings. These immortals were skilled in magic and deception, and they tried to trick the pilgrims into submission. However, Wukong quickly saw through their ruse and challenged them to a contest of magical abilities.

The contest involved transforming objects and summoning creatures, and Wukong, with his vast knowledge of magic, easily bested the immortals. However, the immortals, unwilling to accept defeat, used the magical gourd to trap Wukong.

Wukong’s Escape and Plan

Trapped inside the magical gourd, Wukong used his shape-shifting abilities to escape, just as he had done before. Once free, he devised a plan to turn the tables on the immortals and the demon kings. Wukong disguised himself as one of the immortals and infiltrated the demons’ palace, where he began to sabotage their efforts from within.

Using his cunning and quick thinking, Wukong tricked the Golden Horned and Silver Horned Kings into trapping themselves in their own gourd. With the demons incapacitated, Wukong was able to free Tripitaka and his fellow disciples from the traps that had been set for them.

The Defeat of the Demon Kings

With the Golden Horned and Silver Horned Kings trapped, Wukong and the others were able to defeat the remaining forces of the demons and liberate the kingdom. The people, freed from the demons’ tyranny, expressed their deep gratitude to Tripitaka and his disciples.

The defeat of the Golden Horned and Silver Horned Kings marked another victory for the pilgrims on their journey to the West. However, the encounter also served as a reminder of the constant dangers and deceptions that awaited them.

Continuing the Journey

After defeating the demons and restoring peace to the kingdom, the group continued their journey westward. The experience had tested their resolve and unity, but it also reinforced the importance of vigilance and the power of quick thinking.

This chapter highlights themes of cunning, deception, and the use of intelligence over brute strength—values that are central to Journey to the West and resonate in modern adaptations like Black Myth: Wukong, where characters must often outsmart their enemies to succeed.