Chapter 17: Spending the Night at Gao Village—Will Bajie Eat Someone?

"Just crossed a few mountains—"
"Hey!"
"And passed a few rivers—"
"Hehe!"
"Why are there so many demons and monsters—"
"Hehe, the Great Sage is on his way~"

After Tang Sanzang and his disciples left Guanyin Monastery, they journeyed westward for many days. The land around them was desolate, with wild mountains and untamed wilderness—no spirits or monsters, not even a single soul in sight. To relieve the monotony, Hu Rong composed a little tune for entertainment, taking on the lead vocals himself, while Wufan was pressed into service for the chorus.

Yielding to Hu Rong's insistence, Wufan sought Tang Sanzang's approval, then shouldered his load and matched Hu Rong's rhythm, singing the "Song of the Great Sage" all the way west. At last, just before nightfall, they stumbled upon a village.

Tang Sanzang, famished and weary, saw signs of human habitation and halted his horse. "Wukong, there's a mountain village ahead. Let's find lodging there for the night," he said.

Hu Rong glanced over and thought to himself, "Well, isn't that Gao Village? Isn't the legendary Second Brother Pigsy waiting here to join the group? Wait... Why should I call him Second Brother anyway?"

Turning these thoughts over, Hu Rong leapt down from the slope and replied, "Master, for your safety, allow me to scout ahead."

With that, Hu Rong entered Gao Village. Bamboo fences lined the paths, thatched cottages stood clustered together, wild trees grew unchecked before and behind the houses, winding streams and curved bridges connected the village, each household prosperous, cattle and sheep grazing in herds, people thriving—a picturesque place of mountains and waters.

Hu Rong circled the air a few times and returned to Tang Sanzang. "Master, I've checked—this is a good village. We may lodge here tonight."

"Wukong, you've worked hard!" Tang Sanzang was moved, and, urging his white horse forward, entered Gao Village. At the entrance to the street, they encountered a young man, head wrapped in cloth, clad in a blue jacket, carrying an umbrella and bag, pants tied at the ankles, feet shod in three-eared straw sandals, hurrying out of the village.

Hu Rong knew this youth was an "NPC" from the Gao Village chapter, so he reached out, seized him, and asked kindly, "Good sir, may I ask what this place is called?"

"Gao Village!" The youth, unable to see Hu Rong and Wufan clearly in the dusk, took them for hairy itinerant traders from afar and replied gruffly. But upon noticing Tang Sanzang atop the white horse, he realized he was speaking to monks, and his restless demeanor settled as he explained:

"This is the border of the Kingdom of Usang. Most families here bear the surname Gao, so it's called Gao Village! May I ask where you holy monks come from, and what brings you here?"

"Amitabha, good sir, I am a humble monk from the Tang Dynasty in the East, journeying west to worship and seek scriptures. Passing through here as night falls, I wish to find a place to rest for the night and leave at dawn," Tang Sanzang dismounted, reciting the Buddhist greeting.

"You'd best leave quickly, holy monk! Gao Village has been plagued by a pig demon lately—he kills but doesn't burn, eats people but doesn't salt them, fierce as can be!" the youth said impatiently.

A pig demon killing people? Eating them? Are you sure that's Second Brother... Bah, Pigsy's doing?

Hu Rong was dubious, thinking the youth was exaggerating. Grabbing his collar, he demanded, "Stop spouting nonsense! How could the pig demon possibly eat people?"

"How is it nonsense? I am Gao Cai, a member of the Elder Gao's household!" the youth retorted, now agitated. "The pig demon is called Zhu Ganglie. He arrived at Gao Village about three years ago, saw Elder Gao's daughter Cuilan, and, charmed by her beauty, took human form to marry into our family!

At first, the pig demon hid his true nature—no one in the village suspected a thing. But half a year ago, one day, he got drunk and forgot himself, revealing his real form. Thus we learned Elder Gao's son-in-law was a wild boar demon!"

"Hmm... that part of the story I believe. But what about eating people? That sounds a bit far-fetched," Hu Rong said, knowing the tale of Pigsy flirting with Gao Cuilan, but doubting the bit about unsalted human flesh.

"Don't interrupt, little monk! Listen and I'll explain," Gao Cai shot Hu Rong an annoyed glare and continued, "Once his true form was revealed, Elder Gao was furious that his daughter had married a monster. He gathered a dozen brave villagers and drove the pig demon out!

Who knew, that very night, the pig demon returned, locked Cuilan in his back house, and for nearly half a year, has not let her see her family!

Elder Gao, worried for his daughter, gave me some silver and sent me to seek demon-catchers to subdue the pig demon! But all I found were frauds—monks and priests who proved useless!"

"Oh? Who did you hire?" Hu Rong asked, curious about the profession of demon-catchers he'd never heard of.

Gao Cai replied, "The Twin Heroes of Shanxi, the Not-Three Monk from Hubei, the Not-Four Daoist from Hexi, and the One-Punch Hero from Jiaodong! All were devoured by the pig demon Zhu Ganglie!"

"Ha... Zhu Ganglie has quite the appetite!" Hu Rong, hearing the detailed account, began to believe there was truth in Pigsy's cannibalism.

"Just this afternoon, three more odd-looking fellows arrived from outside, claiming to be demon-catchers, here to challenge the pig demon! But I say, they're likely to end up as another batch of meat for the monster," Gao Cai said, his face showing disgust.

"Oh? Who are these people?" Hu Rong inquired.

"They aren't much, but their boasts are bigger than their skills! One is a cripple from the Western Regions, calling himself Heavenly Crippled Foot; one is a Five-Form Boxing master from Hebei; and the last is the Empty Son from Jiangnan!"

"What?!" Hu Rong couldn't help but laugh, recognizing these names as characters from the film "Journey to the West: Conquering Demons." Who would have thought they'd appear in the world of "Journey to the West"?

"You little monk—do you not believe me?" Gao Cai looked Hu Rong over and said, "They're guests in the village now. If you're not afraid of death, go see for yourself! I must go search for capable demon-catchers!"

With that, Gao Cai picked up his bundle and skirted around Hu Rong, heading east. But before he'd taken two steps, Hu Rong yanked him back and said,

"No need to look further. We are a legitimate demon-catching team, experts in subduing monsters! Lead us to the village at once, prepare vegetarian meals and treat my master well. Leave the pig demon to me!"

"Ha! I say, hairy-faced little monk, claiming to be demon-catchers just for a meal? Are you not worried for your lives? Do you think the pig demon cares for Buddhist teachings?"

"Enough talk! Lead the way!" Hu Rong tossed Gao Cai toward the road, pulled out the golden staff from behind his ear, twirled it in his hand, and declared, "That pig demon is doomed. Even the Bodhisattva can't save him, mark my words!"