Chapter 27: Freedom at Last from the Headband

But the red leaf flew to the foot of Mount Putuo and informed the apprentice guarding the mountain of its purpose, and only then was it allowed to enter.

Having found Hong Hai'er, the red leaf said, "Young master, young master, the goddess has not seen you for a long time and is worrying intensely. She asks that you return to Banana Leaf Cave for a visit. In recent years, she has lost all interest in food and drink and ceased her cultivation, spending all her days sitting and staring into space. Your servant truly feels pained to see this."

Upon thinking of his mother, Hong Hai'er felt a pang in his heart and said, "Sister Hong Ye, I understand."

Having said that, he bid farewell to Hong Ye to seek out Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Bodhisattva Guanyin was sitting upon a lotus pedestal with closed eyes, her willow branch gently swaying in her pure bottle, surrounded by Buddha's light.

Seeing that the Bodhisattva was cultivating, Hong Hai'er dared not disturb her. He both feared and resented the Bodhisattva, yet he was also powerless to resist. With just one incantation from her, his head would hurt so excruciatingly that he would rather bash it against a mountain. Ever since Guanyin's Daoist Temple had been turned upside down, his temper had grown even worse, and he would be met with the Tightening-Crown Spell at the slightest dissatisfaction.

Hong Hai'er, tormented by Guanyin to the point of losing his own temper, waited obediently by the side.

Moments later, Guanyin seemed to sense Hong Hai'er's presence and retracted the Dharma Seal in her hand, asking, "What matter brings you to me?"

Hong Hai'er said, "Bodhisattva, my mother misses me dearly. Day and night, she neither eats nor drinks, nor does she focus on her cultivation. I wish to go home and see her."

Guanyin pondered for a moment, then said, "Then go you may. Ten days' time, will that suffice?"

Hong Hai'er hurriedly bowed and said, "It is enough, enough, thank you, Bodhisattva!"

After receiving the Bodhisattva's permission, Hong Hai'er found Hong Ye, and then, riding the clouds and commanding the fog, he took Hong Ye toward the direction of Banana Leaf Cave.

"Has anything happened at home recently?" Hong Hai'er asked.

"Yesterday, a formidable Taoist visited our cave abode. The mistress tried to fan him away with the Palm-Leaf Fan, but it did not work. Later, the two of them entered the cave to have a talk, and the mistress seemed extremely pleased," Hong Ye told Hong Hai'er, now far from Mount Putuo.

Hong Hai'er nodded. A Taoist? He wondered who it could be that had made his mother so happy. Could it be a subordinate of his master?

With his ability to ride the clouds and command the fog far superior to that of Hong Ye, the servant girl, and now that he had finally left Mount Putuo with a desire to play, Hong Hai'er slowed his speed considerably, appreciating the scenery along the way—scenery that seemed ordinary on any other day now appeared exceedingly wonderful.

"Young master, ever since you started wearing that tight band on your head, you've become much more well-behaved, though not as cheerful as before," Hong Ye said, puzzled.

"Sister Hong Ye, how can one be happy when they are bound by an object?" sighed Hong Hai'er, unable to help himself.

"Isn't that the treasure given by the Bodhisattva?" Hong Ye asked with surprise.

Hong Hai'er just sighed silently, not daring to speak ill of Guanyin.

Upon reaching the entrance of Banana Leaf Cave, Hong Hai'er dispelled the clouds and fog, and entered the cave abode with Hong Ye.

"Home is truly where the heart is," Hong Hai'er couldn't help but sigh.

"Many people yearn to be where the Bodhisattva resides, yet you seem to dislike it!" Hong Ye said with a laugh.

Before long, Princess Iron Fan had already come out to greet them, saying, "My child, you've finally come. Your mother has missed you to death!"

Hong Hai'er said, "Mother, your son has been unfilial."

Princess Iron Fan smiled and said, "I have invited a Taoist Master who may be able to remove that tight band from your head."

Princess Iron Fan reached out to touch Hong Hai'er's head, as well as the golden tight band adorning it.

"Really?" Hong Hai'er was first overjoyed, but then he fell into a slump, asking, "Even my master was unsure about removing this band. What kind of person is this Taoist, to be even more capable than my master? Tell you what, let's have a competition first. If you win, I will let you try to remove it."

Princess Iron Fan slapped Hong Hai'er on the back of his head with her fan and said, "Stop talking nonsense and do not upset the Taoist Master!"

Hong Hai'er stuck out his tongue and knew better than to disobey his mother's wishes, saying, "I was merely joking with the Taoist Master just now. Please do not take offense."

Wukong smiled and said, "No worries at all, a child's temperament should indeed be so." He pointed to a meditation cushion nearby, "You sit there, calm your mind and spirit, clear all thoughts, and think of nothing. I shall help remove that tight band for you."

Hong Hai'er nodded and took a seat, looking at the Taoist and feeling he seemed decent. He thought to himself, "Could it be that this man isn't simply boasting?"

Wukong's eyes were slightly closed as he silently recited the "Tightening Ring Spell". With the incantation complete, a golden light flickered around Hong Hai'er's headband and it loosened a bit. Wukong continued chanting, and the headband became loose enough that, with a gesture of his hand, it fell off Hong Hai'er's head and into Wukong's grasp.

"Heh heh, putting on this headband is easy, but taking it off is hard. You'd better not get caught in this trap again," Wukong chuckled.

Full of surprise and joy, Hong Hai'er saw that the Taoist had indeed managed to remove the headband that even his own master couldn't take off. He was immensely impressed and bowed to Wukong, saying, "Taoist Master, your mana is profound indeed! Hong Hai'er was offensive before, and I hope the Taoist Master will forgive me."

His words were sincere, no longer half-hearted as they had been.

Wukong laughed and said, "Ha ha, I've never blamed you. From today onwards, you are free!"

Princess Iron Fan was also overjoyed and said, "Child, from today, you don't need to go to Bodhisattva Guanyin anymore!"

But Hong Hai'er frowned and said, "Guanyin's mana is powerful. If I don't go, what should I do if she comes to capture me herself?"

Princess Iron Fan furrowed her brow and suggested, "Perhaps you should go to your master's home."

Hong Hai'er replied, "Wouldn't that bring trouble upon my master? The conflict between the Buddhist and Daoist sects is already intense. If I go there, I'll only give the Buddhist Sect more to gossip about behind my master's back."

Princess Iron Fan asked, "Then what should we do?"

Hong Hai'er looked to Wukong, thinking that the Taoist who could remove his headband surely had a good solution.

"I do have a place in mind. It was established by Di Jun, the Heaven-Defying Heavenly Emperor of the Demon Tribe in ancient times. If you go there, nobody will be able to find you. Moreover, it's an excellent place for cultivation, with forty-nine steps laid by the Heavenly Emperor himself to aid your practice," Wukong explained.

Di Jun was a figure of renown; a place established by him would naturally be bound with endless enchantments, beyond even Guanyin's ability to divine. And as for the Saints, would they bother to act for a mere apprentice? That would surely be beneath their dignity. Besides, if Hong Hai'er escaped, Guanyin would never dare to disclose it, for she had already lost face many times before—and now with Sudhana's escape, it would be even more disastrous!

"I had actually thought of escaping long ago," Hong Hai'er said, "but it was only the fear of this headband that stopped me. Ever since the Six-Eared Macaque and the Black Bear Spirit escaped to the Northern Region's Demon Abyss, Guanyin has been reciting the spell from time to time. I suppose that neither the Six-Eared Macaque nor the Black Bear Spirit can find peace in the Demon Abyss. But now that I have removed the headband, I no longer fear. I'll go to the place established by Di Jun to cultivate, and when I return, I won't fear Guanyin!"

Wukong nodded and said, "That place is within the Heavenly Pillar City on the peak of Heaven Pillar Mountain in Southern Ridge Demon Mountain. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you can ascend the steps."

Hong Hai'er nodded and said, "Thank you, Taoist Master. I have yet to ask for your esteemed name."

Wukong replied, "I am the Heaven-Defying Taoist who overturned Guanyin's Daoist Temple!"

Hong Hai'er was shocked and said, "So it's the renowned Heaven-Defying Taoist Master. I have long admired you for overturning that temple. It was truly delightful!"

Princess Iron Fan said, "Child, go quickly, lest Guanyin notices and it becomes troublesome."

Hong Hai'er nodded and said, "Then I will leave now!"

Princess Iron Fan said, "Go on, your mother will come to visit you."

The three walked out of the cave abode, only to see a lotus platform floating down from the sky. Who else could it be but Guanyin?

Having been tormented by the "Tightening-Crown Spell" for so long, Hong Hai'er had developed a sense of servility and couldn't help but cry out in alarm upon seeing Guanyin, "Bodhisattva, why have you come?"

Guanyin merely sneered and said, "It seems you must be that Heaven-Defying Taoist!"

She ignored Hong Hai'er, fixing her gaze on Wukong as she gently swayed the willow branch from her clear crystal bottle.

On a whim, Bodhisattva Guanyin had followed them, feeling that something was about to happen. Halfway through her journey, she sensed that someone had removed the headband she had placed on Hong Hai'er's head. Overjoyed, she thought it must be the heaven-defying demon. Her temple had been upset, and the "Tightening Ring Spell" taken, probably by this demon.

Guanyin hadn't told anyone, but she was determined to capture the Heaven-Defying Taoist by herself and recover her lost face.

Wukong greeted her with a bow and said, "I have long heard of the Bodhisattva's great reputation. Seeing you today is indeed extraordinary. The humble Taoist before you is the Heaven-Defying one."

Only then did Hong Hai'er remember that his headband was removed by Wukong. His wild nature surged, and he cursed, "Guanyin, today I, the Great Saint Infant King, must battle with you to the death!"

With that, he took the initiative to lift his eight-foot-long spear and, with a breath, spewed out the Samadhi True Fire towards Guanyin!

Wukong scolded, "Rash fool!"

In her panic, Princess Iron Fan also deployed her Palm-Leaf Fan.