Journey to the West: Starting with the Hunting of the Three Demons of Twin Fork Ridge

Chapter 37 Changes Determine Victory or Defeat

Sun Wukong said, "You're quite decisive, but we're still evenly matched. What should we do?"

Li Fa stroked his beard and said, "Then let's gamble on another transformation technique."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You old man, you don't know my supernatural powers. I, Sun Wukong, have seventy-two transformations. I can transform into a hawk or falcon, or a tiger, leopard, wolf, or jackal. In the water, I can become a crab or clam, and in the forest, a bee or mosquito. How can you possibly compete with me?"

Li Fa said unhurriedly, "This time, we will not change into insects, crickets, birds, tigers, leopards, or fish; we will only change one thing."

Wukong asked, "What are you transforming into?"

Li Fa looked at Gao Taigong and said, "I think that since we want to rescue Miss Gao and capture that strange son-in-law, then transforming into Miss Gao would be the best option."

Upon hearing this, Wukong clapped his hands and laughed, "Wonderful! Wonderful! This is interesting! Whether it looks like the real thing or not, Old Gao will judge for himself; it's perfectly fair!"

He turned to Gao Taigong and said, "Old Gao, what do you think? This old Taoist priest has come up with a good idea!"

Old Master Gao, however, looked troubled and rubbed his hands, saying, "This...this...my daughter is currently trapped in the inner quarters by that vixen and cannot be seen easily. Besides, if the two of you were to impersonate her, I'm afraid..."

Li Fa bowed and said, "Rest assured, sir. My actions are precisely to ensure the safe rescue of your daughter."

Since the demon is so fond of your beloved, he will be caught off guard when the person in disguise gets close.

Whoever can transform more convincingly, Elder Sun or I, will go; wouldn't that increase our chances of victory?

Wukong also said, "Absolutely! Lead us to the back courtyard, to see where the demons live."

Old Master Gao then got up and was about to lead them to the inner courtyard.

Just as Tang Sanzang was about to follow, Wukong said, "Master, don't worry, we'll be back in a bit."

Old Master Gao also said, "Gao Hua, Gao Cai, please keep the holy monk company for a while and get some water."

Then he led the two to the back gate of the house, where they saw a large brass lock on the door.

Li Fa knew the keyhole was blocked; in the original story, the monkey simply smashed it open, so he didn't say anything.

But then Sun Wukong said, "Quickly, get the key."

Old Master Gao said, "Take a look. If you need the key, then we won't need to invite you."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You old man, though you're old, you don't know how to joke. I'm just telling you this to fool you, and you've taken it seriously."

He stepped forward, touched it, and sure enough, it was a lock filled with molten copper.

He was so ruthless that he swung his golden cudgel and smashed open the door, only to find it was pitch black inside.

Sun Wukong said, "Old Gao, go and call your daughter, see if she's inside."

The old man mustered his courage and called out, "Third Sister."

The daughter recognized her father's voice and weakly replied, "Father, I'm here."

Sun Wukong flashed his golden eyes and looked carefully into the shadows. Sure enough, he saw a woman who was very weak and looked sickly.

Her hair was disheveled, her face unwashed. Her lips were pale and lifeless, her waist was bent and hunched.

When Miss Gao saw her father, she rushed over, grabbed him, and burst into tears.

Wukong said, "Don't cry! Don't cry! I'm asking you, where did the monster go?"

The woman said, "I don't know where I go. These days, I leave at dawn and return at night. It's all foggy and I don't know where I go back to. I know my father wants to get rid of him, and he's always on guard, so I go at dusk and leave at dawn."

Wukong said, "We have come to subdue the demon at your father's request. It is still early today, so please come with us to the front house first."

Gao Cuilan then nodded timidly, and Gao Taigong was also very happy. The four of them went to the main hall.

Upon arriving at the main hall, he offered Miss Gao some water and allowed her to rest for a while. He then explained the whole story to her and instructed her to return to the inner quarters.

At this moment, Wukong's eyes lit up, and he said to Li Fa, "Old Taoist, have you seen the true face of Old Gao's daughter? Transform, let's transform together."

Then he turned to Old Man Gao and Tang Sanzang and said, "Master and Old Man Gao, be the judges and see who can imitate the likeness!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Taigong repeatedly agreed, and even though it was broad daylight, he ordered his family to light lanterns, illuminating the central hall brightly.

Tang Sanzang also uttered "Amitabha" and quietly observed the situation.

Sun Wukong, being impatient, shouted, "I'll go first! I'll go first!"

Before he finished speaking, he made a hand seal, chanted an incantation, swayed his body, and shouted, "Transform!"

A flash of golden light appeared, and where was the monkey with the hairy face and thunderous mouth? Instead, stood a graceful woman.

Judging from her appearance, she was exactly the same as Gao Cuilan from before: her hair was disheveled and unkempt, her jade-like face was still covered in dust. Her heart remained pure, but her delicate beauty had faded. Her cherry lips were lifeless, and her waist was hunched over. She was frowning with sorrow, her eyebrows were pale; she was thin and timid, and her voice was low.

"Father..." Sun Wukong called out in the same tone as Miss Gao, which made the old man very happy.

Grandpa Gao was stunned, muttering, "So alike...so alike! The build and appearance are exactly the same!"

He then turned to Tang Sanzang and said, "Elder, look at him, your disciple is indeed extraordinary!"

Tang Sanzang also said, "Not bad, not bad, it really does look like it!"

At this moment, Wukong turned to Li Fa and said, "Old Taoist, it's your turn."

Li Fa stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, and said, "Elder Sun's transformations are exquisite, and his appearance has reached its pinnacle. I, a humble Taoist, will now make a fool of myself."

She also made hand gestures and chanted incantations, and in a flash, she transformed into Miss Gao.

He was dressed in disheveled hair, his makeup faded slightly. His tender heart remained unchanged, though his once beautiful face had grown weary. Tears welled in his lips, and his slender waist swayed weakly. His brows were furrowed, his eyes dim; he was timid, his elegant charm gone.

Upon seeing this, Old Master Gao was also startled, exclaiming, "The old Celestial Master has transformed into someone exactly like him! Exactly the same!"

Tang Sanzang also stepped forward and said, "Amitabha, monks do not lie, and the old Taoist priest has changed just like that."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "The old Taoist has changed into the same form, and I have changed into the same form, but there has to be a winner and a loser."

Li Fa smiled slightly, then walked behind Sun Wukong, lifted his skirt, and sure enough, there was a tail there, but it was hidden by the skirt and not seen.

It turns out that Wukong was a stone monkey who had become a spirit. He was born with fewer cheeks than a human, but he had an extra tail. If he transformed into a tiger or wolf or something with a tail, that would be fine, but he could only transform into a human and could not become good.

But Li Fa was originally a human being, and even if he changed his appearance, he was still a human being, without any flaws.

Sun Wukong was startled when his skirt was lifted, revealing his tail. He then jumped back and laughed loudly, "You old Taoist! You've got a sharper eye!"

"Not bad, not bad. This tail is indeed my weakness. It's easy to hide when I transform into birds or beasts, but when I transform into human form, it takes much more effort. Fine! Fine! I'll admit defeat this time!"

He readily agreed, turning around on the spot and reverting to his original form. Scratching his ears and cheeks, he said to Li Fa, "Your transformation is both lifelike and expressive; it is indeed superior."

This task of disguising yourself as Miss Gao and infiltrating the inner quarters is perfect for you!