Journey to the West 064: The Pilgrims and the White Bone Demon

The White Bone Demon

As Tripitaka and his disciples continued their journey westward, they entered a barren and desolate region known as White Bone Mountain (白骨山). The mountain was a place of death and decay, littered with the bones of countless travelers who had perished there. The source of the danger was a fearsome creature known as the White Bone Demon (白骨精), a demon that could take on the appearance of a beautiful maiden, a child, or an elderly person to deceive and trap its victims.

The White Bone Demon was a master of deception, using its ability to transform to lure unsuspecting travelers into its lair, where it would consume their flesh and add their bones to its collection. The demon had heard of Tripitaka and his disciples and saw them as powerful prey that would greatly increase its strength.

The Deception

As the pilgrims made their way through the desolate landscape, the White Bone Demon decided to use its powers of transformation to deceive them. It first appeared as a beautiful maiden carrying a basket of fruit, approaching the pilgrims with a plea for help. Despite Wukong’s suspicions, Tripitaka, moved by compassion, wanted to assist the maiden.

Wukong, however, sensed the demon’s true nature and struck the maiden down with his Ruyi Jingu Bang, revealing the demon’s true form. The White Bone Demon, realizing that its ruse had been exposed, quickly fled, but not before vowing to return.

Unbeknownst to the pilgrims, the White Bone Demon was not finished with them. It soon returned, this time disguised as an elderly man searching for his lost daughter (the maiden). Once again, Tripitaka was moved by the sight of the elderly man’s distress, but Wukong saw through the deception and struck the old man down, revealing the demon’s true form once more.

The demon fled again, but it was not ready to give up. It returned a third time, this time in the form of a small child crying for its mother. Tripitaka, his heart filled with pity, refused to let Wukong strike the child, but Wukong knew that the demon was trying to deceive them again. He struck the child, revealing the White Bone Demon’s true form for the third time.

Tripitaka’s Anger

Despite Wukong’s actions saving them from the demon’s deceptions, Tripitaka was deeply upset. He believed that Wukong had acted with unnecessary violence against innocent beings. In his anger and disappointment, Tripitaka recited a spell that caused the magical headband Wukong wore to tighten, causing him immense pain.

Wukong, hurt by Tripitaka’s mistrust, decided to leave the group and return to his mountain. The other disciples, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, tried to convince Tripitaka to forgive Wukong, but he was resolute in his decision.

The Demon’s Return

With Wukong gone, the White Bone Demon saw an opportunity to strike. It returned in its true form and attacked the remaining pilgrims. Without Wukong’s protection, Tripitaka and his disciples were quickly overpowered by the demon.

Realizing the grave mistake he had made, Tripitaka called out to Wukong for help. Wukong, hearing his master’s plea, quickly returned and fought the White Bone Demon with renewed determination. The battle was fierce, but Wukong’s strength and cunning allowed him to finally defeat the demon, destroying it completely.

Reconciliation

After the battle, Tripitaka, deeply remorseful for doubting Wukong, apologized to him. Wukong, understanding the weight of his master’s burden, forgave him, and the two were reconciled. The pilgrims continued their journey westward, their bond stronger than ever.

The chapter ends with the pilgrims moving forward, having learned important lessons about trust, deception, and the strength that comes from unity.