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at the table to the left, the Tank Monk was placed at the right, and Master Zhenyuan as the host took up the seat down below. We have a testimonial poem that says:
        
At Long Life Mountain’s cave-heaven of old,
        
Ginseng fruits ripen every nine thousand years.
        
The spirit root exposed, hurting twigs and shoots;
        
The sweet dew revives, fruits and leaves made whole.
        
Three Elders gladly meet all these old chums;
        
The four monks find by luck friends foreordained.
        
Now they have learned to eat the ginseng fruits;
        
They’ll all be immortals who never age.
    Presently the Bodhisattva and the Three Elders each ate a fruit. Finally convinced that this was a treasure of the immortals, the Tang Monk also ate one. Each of the three disciples also ate one, and Master Zhenyuan himself took one to keep his guests company. The last one of the fruits was divided among the other residents of the Abbey. Pilgrim thanked the Bodhisattva and the Three Stars, who went back to the Potalaka Mountain and Penglai Island, respectively. Master Zhenyuan also prepared some vegetarian wine for a banquet, during which he and Pilgrim became bond-brothers. As the proverb says,
        
Without fighting they would not know each other;
        
But now the two parties have become one household.
    Happily, master and disciples spent a restful night there. Thus it was with that Elder, who was
        
Lucky to have tasted the grass of reverted cinnabar;
        
His long life would endure the ordeals of ogres.
    We do not know how they will part the following day; let’s listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

TWENTY- SEVEN
    The cadaver demon three times mocks Tripitaka Tang;
    The holy monk in spite banishes Handsome Monkey King.
    We were telling you about Tripitaka and his disciples, who made preparations to leave the next morning. Our Master Zhenyuan, however, had become such a fast friend of Pilgrim since the two were made bond-brothers that he refused to let them leave. He gave orders instead that they should be feted for five or six days. Ever since he took the grass of the reverted cinnabar, the elder’s spirit had been strengthened and his body made healthier; he felt as if his entire physical frame had been renewed. As he was intent on acquiring the scriptures, he refused to stay, and so they departed.
    After taking their leave, master and disciples took to the road and soon came upon a tall mountain. “Disciples,” said Tripitaka, “the mountain ahead appears to be rugged and steep, and I fear that the horse may not be able to proceed so easily. Every one of you should be careful.” “Have no fear, Master,” said Pilgrim. “We know how to take care of everything.” Dear Monkey King! He led the way; carrying his rod horizontally across both his shoulders, he opened up a mountain path and led them up to a tall cliff. They saw
        
Peaks and summits in rows;
        
Streams and canyons meandrous;
        
Tigers and wolves running in packs;
        
Deer and fallow deer walking in flocks;
        
Countless musks and boars massed together;
        
A mountain swarming with foxes and hares.
        
The huge python of a thousand feet;
        
The long snake of ten thousand feet.
        
The huge python blew out awful mists;
        
The long snake belched dreadful air.
        
By the road thorns and thistles sprawled unending;
        
On the peak pines and cedars grew resplendent.
        
Wild hemps and creepers filled their eyes;
        
Fragrant plants reached up to the sky.
        
Light descended from the northern pole;
        
Clouds parted at the south pole star.
        
Ten thousand fathoms of mountain holding old, primal breath;
        
A thousand peaks stood august in the cold sunlight.
    The elder on the horse became fearful, but our Great Sage Sun was ready to show off his abilities. Wielding the