Level 5
Level 5
Journey to the West 106
The Question The Question
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All rights reserved.
* * *
G uanyin looked at the messenger in surprise.
“What is the problem?” she asked. “We’re moving so fast!” said the Tang
“It’s about the Tang Monk,” said the Monk, smiling.
messenger. “To become a buddha, he needs The travelers were flying back east. The
to face one hundred challenges. I was just guard from the Thunderclap Monastery was
looking at the list of challenges he’s faced. using a spell to carry them.
There are only 99 challenges on the list. He “I wish the whole journey had been this
must face one more challenge to become a easy,” said Bajie.
buddha!” Wukong laughed. “Master was still mortal
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before we reached the Western Paradise. He Instantly the spell broke, and the travelers
couldn’t be carried then.” fell from the sky. Bam! They slammed into
Wujing looked ahead. “We’ll reach the the ground next to a wide river.
Tang Empire soon.” Wukong stood up and saw the guard and
Just then a messenger caught up with messenger flying back west. The monkey
them. The messenger whispered something shook his head.
in the guard’s ear. The guard glanced quickly “What happened?” The Tang Monk stood
at the travelers. Then he looked back at the up and brushed dirt from his robe. “Why did
messenger and nodded. the guard drop us?”
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“I’ll tell you why,” said Bajie. “He’s a all of them.”
villain! He thinks it’s funny to drop people!” “Oh no.” The monk trembled. “So other
The pig waved his fist at the guard, who was bad things must happen now?”
now far away. “Villain!” Wukong nodded. “I hope there won’t be
Wukong turned slowly to the Tang Monk. too many more problems.”
“I think I know why he dropped us, Master. “The first problem is crossing this river,”
You must face one hundred challenges in said Wujing.
order to become a buddha. “You probably got “It looks familiar,” said the monk. “We
to the Western Paradise before you’d faced must have crossed it during the journey west.”
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Suddenly a large form rose from the river. The travelers climbed on, and the turtle
It was an enormous turtle. started across the river. Wujing and Bajie
“Greetings,” said the turtle. “Do you soon fell asleep while Wukong meditated.
remember me?” The Tang Monk stayed awake too, sitting
The travelers all smiled. near the turtle’s head.
“Yes, we do,” said the Tang Monk. “You “Did you reach the Western Paradise?”
carried us over this river many years ago.” asked the turtle.
“Yes,” said the turtle. “And I will gladly “Yes,” said the Tang Monk. “It is a
carry you across again. Hop onto my back.” wonderful place. We are now returning to the
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east so I can deliver the True Scriptures.” Wukong’s eyes flew open as he hit the
“Good,” said the turtle. “Did you ask cold water. He leaped into the air. Bajie,
Buddha when I would be reborn as a human?” Wujing, and the horse quickly flew across
The monk bit his lip. He had forgotten to the river. But the Tang Monk was thrashing
ask the turtle’s question! furiously in the rushing water.
“You’re not answering,” said the turtle. “Help!” yelled the monk.
“I’m sorry,” said the monk. “I, uh—” Wukong cast a spell and lifted the monk
Splash! The turtle suddenly dived under and the bags from the river. When everyone
the water, dumping everyone off his back. was on dry land, the monkey turned the bags
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upside down. Water poured out, followed by
the scrolls. They were soaked.
“The True Scriptures!” cried the Tang
Monk. “They’re ruined!”
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