Journey to the West 090: The Pilgrims Face the Scorpion Demoness

The Lair of the Scorpion Demoness

After their encounter with the Red Boy, Tripitaka and his disciples continued their journey westward. They soon found themselves in a desolate and eerie region known as the Scorpion Ridge (蝎子岭), a place infamous for its dangerous terrain and the presence of a fearsome demoness known as the Scorpion Demoness (蝎子精). This demoness was a powerful and malevolent being who had terrorized the area for years, using her venomous stinger to subdue and kill anyone who dared to enter her domain.

The Scorpion Demoness was not only known for her deadly sting but also for her cunning and deceitful nature. She had lured many travelers to their doom, disguising herself as a beautiful woman to gain their trust before revealing her true form and striking them down.

As the pilgrims approached Scorpion Ridge, they sensed the malevolent energy that permeated the area. Wukong, always vigilant, warned his companions to be on guard, knowing that the Scorpion Demoness was a formidable adversary.

The Encounter with the Scorpion Demoness

As they traveled through the treacherous terrain, the pilgrims were suddenly confronted by a stunningly beautiful woman who appeared to be in distress. She claimed to be a lost traveler seeking help, and despite Wukong’s suspicions, Tripitaka, ever compassionate, insisted on assisting her.

Wukong, sensing danger, kept a close eye on the woman, and it wasn’t long before his suspicions were confirmed. The woman suddenly revealed her true form as the Scorpion Demoness, her body transforming into a monstrous creature with a deadly stinger poised to strike.

The Scorpion Demoness attacked the pilgrims with ferocity, her venomous stinger aiming for Tripitaka. Wukong, quick to react, intercepted the attack with his Ruyi Jingu Bang, deflecting the stinger and engaging the demoness in battle.

The Battle with the Scorpion Demoness

The battle between Wukong and the Scorpion Demoness was intense and fierce. The demoness was incredibly fast and agile, using her stinger to launch rapid and deadly strikes at Wukong. Each time the stinger struck the ground, it left behind a crater, demonstrating the immense power behind her attacks.

Wukong, however, was equally quick and skillful. He used his staff to parry the demoness’s strikes, countering with powerful blows that sent shockwaves through the air. The two clashed repeatedly, with neither gaining the upper hand.

Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing joined the fray, attempting to flank the Scorpion Demoness and create an opening for Wukong to deliver a decisive blow. However, the demoness was cunning and used her environment to her advantage, making it difficult for the pilgrims to land a solid hit.

Seeking Divine Assistance

Realizing that the Scorpion Demoness was more powerful than they had anticipated, Wukong decided to seek help from the Bodhisattva Guanyin (观音菩萨), who had aided them in previous battles. Wukong called out to Guanyin, asking for her intervention.

Guanyin, hearing Wukong’s plea, descended from the heavens in a radiant beam of light. She approached the Scorpion Demoness with a calm and compassionate demeanor, urging her to abandon her evil ways and seek redemption through the Dharma.

The Scorpion Demoness, however, was too consumed by her own malice and pride to heed Guanyin’s words. She attempted to strike Guanyin with her stinger, but Guanyin, with her divine power, rendered the stinger ineffective, preventing the demoness from causing any harm.

Realizing that the Scorpion Demoness could not be reasoned with, Guanyin used her magical vase to summon a stream of pure, divine water. The water cascaded over the demoness, weakening her and neutralizing her venomous power.

With the Scorpion Demoness subdued, Wukong seized the opportunity to deliver a final blow, defeating the demoness and ending her reign of terror over Scorpion Ridge.

The Aftermath

With the Scorpion Demoness defeated, the pilgrims were able to continue their journey westward. The once-treacherous Scorpion Ridge was now safe to traverse, and the malevolent energy that had plagued the area began to dissipate.

Tripitaka, grateful for Guanyin’s assistance, offered prayers of thanks and continued to lead his disciples on their sacred mission. The encounter with the Scorpion Demoness had tested their strength and resolve, but they had emerged victorious once again.

Continuing the Journey

The chapter ends with the pilgrims moving forward, their spirits renewed by their victory over the Scorpion Demoness. They knew that their journey would continue to present challenges, but they were confident that, with the Dharma as their guide, they could overcome any obstacle that lay ahead.