Tang Monk was scared out of his wits. Liu Boqin quickly said: “Master, don’t be afraid. I heard from the old people that when Wang Mang rebelled in those years, this mountain fell from the sky. There is a divine monkey under the mountain who can’t starve or freeze to death. It must be that divine monkey who was shouting. Master, you might as well go and see.”
This divine monkey was none other than Sun Wukong, who was pressed under the mountain by the Buddha in those years. He saw Tang Monk and shouted: “Master, save me out. I will protect you to West Heaven to obtain the scriptures. A few days ago, Guanyin Bodhisattva came to persuade me to be your disciple.” Tang Monk was very happy, but also very worried. He had no way to save Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong said that as long as he removed the golden seal of the Buddha on top of the mountain, it would be fine. Tang Monk removed the golden seal as Wukong requested, and according to Wukong’s instructions, he and Liu Boqin and others retreated to a place ten miles away and waited. Suddenly there was a loud noise like the sky breaking and the earth cracking. The Five Elements Mountain split into two halves. There was flying sand and rocks, and dust filled the sky, making people unable to open their eyes.
When Tang Monk finally opened his eyes, Wukong was already kneeling on the ground, kowtowing to him. Seeing Wukong naked, Tang Monk took out a pair of shoes and a pair of trousers from his bundle for him to wear. Liu Boqin, seeing Tang Monk had taken a disciple, was very pleased and bade farewell to them, returning home. Wukong immediately packed up and set out with his master.
