Tang Sanzang embarks on his great journey

Setting out from Chang’an, Tang Sanzang journeyed westward for over ten days until he reached Gongzhou City. After another two or three days, he arrived at Hezhou Garrison—the very frontier of the Tang Empire. Resting overnight at Fuyuan Temple, he rose early the next morning and, accompanied by his two attendants, crossed the border to continue his pilgrimage.

It was now deep autumn. Having traveled several dozen li, they came upon a rugged mountain ridge where the path vanished into overgrown grass. As they pushed through the wilderness, all three suddenly plunged into a hidden pit—man and horse alike. In an instant, fifty or sixty fiends surged forth, hauling Tang Sanzang and his companions to the surface. Trembling with terror, Tang Sanzang stole a glance at their chieftain: a savage demon king who roared orders to bind them. The horde then dragged the captives back to their mountain lair.

Just as the demons prepared to feast upon them, a voice announced: "Lord Bear and Hermit Special approach!" Through the cave entrance swaggered a dark, burly figure followed by a stout companion. The demon king welcomed them. The dark one—Lord Bear—exclaimed, "General Yin! Our congratulations!" Hermit Special echoed, "General Yin! Joyous news!" "How fares your hunt these days?" inquired the demon king. Both replied, "We’ve been fasting." Their eyes then fell upon the bound attendants, who wailed in despair. "Where did these three come from?" asked Lord Bear. "They delivered themselves to us," the demon king answered. With a chuckle, Hermit Special proposed, "Shall they grace our table?" The demon king assented.

"Devour two now," Lord Bear suggested, "save one for later." At General Yin’s command, the attendants were slain and shared among the three monsters. Witnessing this, Tang Sanzang nearly perished from fright—his first ordeal since leaving Chang’an.

At dawn, Lord Bear and Hermit Special took their leave. Dazed and despondent, Tang Sanzang suddenly beheld an old man leaning on a staff. With a wave of his hand, the elder severed Tang Sanzang’s bonds. The monk knelt in gratitude. "I am the Great White Planet Venus," declared the elder, "come to deliver you. This is Twin-Fork Ridge, den of tigers and wolves. That hermit is a wild ox spirit; Lord Bear, a black bear demon; General Yin, a tiger fiend. The rest are but goblins, tree specters, beasts, and gray wolves. Follow me—I shall lead you out."

Guiding Tang Sanzang from the cave, he recovered the horse and helped the monk mount. Then, dissolving into a pure breeze, Venus ascended to the heavens.

Tang Sanzang rode onward until he met a hunter named Liu Boqin, who escorted him partway. After half a day’s travel, they beheld a towering peak. "This is the Mountain of Two Realms," said Liu. "Beyond lies Tatar territory. Here our paths must part." As Tang Sanzang prepared to bid farewell, a cry echoed from the mountainside: "My master has come! My master has come!" Who was calling out? The next chapter will tell.