Centipede Yaoguai – Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master
Continuing Their Journey
After escaping the Webbed Hollow, Tang Sanzang and his disciples resumed their westward journey. They soon stumbled upon a Taoist temple named the Temple of Yellow Flowers. “Although Taoists and Buddhists have different beliefs, we share many similar practices. Let’s show some respect,” suggested Tang Sanzang. Sha Wujing agreed, adding, “And the scenery here is beautiful.
The Taoist Priest and His Secret Allies
The disciples entered the temple and found the main hall closed. They noticed a Taoist priest in the corridor, grinding herbs. Tang Sanzang called out, and the priest warmly welcomed them, inviting them into t
Meanwhile, the seven sisters—spider demons hiding in the temple and sewing in the backyard—overheard the young disciples mention “four monks” as the new guests. Realizing these were the very monks who had defeated them earlier
The Priest’s Poisonous Plot
The priest left the hall under the pretense of retrieving more tea, and met his spider-demon sisters in the back. Furious over the previous confrontation, the priest agreed to help them deal with Tang Sanzang and his disciples. Rather than fighting, he decided to use poison. He took out a potent herbal toxin from his medicine room and divided it into
Returning to the main hall, the priest resumed his friendly demeanor, feigning excitement when Tang Sanzang introduced them. When the poisoned tea was served, the priest unknowingly distributed it based o
Wukong’s Discovery and Confrontation
Sun Wukong quickly sensed something wrong about the tea. Just as he noticed his master and brothers showing symptoms of poisoning, he angrily smashed his own cup and confronted the priest. The priest, startled, shouted, “You insolent monkey!” to which Wukong resp
The priest revealed his alliance with the spider demons. Enraged, Wukong attacked, sparking a fierce battle. The seven sisters joined in, attempting to ensnare Wukong with their webs. Overwhelmed, Wukong pulled out one of his hairs, transforming it into seventy copies of himself. Together, they broke free and captured the sisters.
Defeated, the sisters pleaded for mercy, but Wukong demanded they cure his master and brothers first. When they turned to the priest for help, he coldly replied that Tang Sanzang’s flesh was worth more to him than their lives. Refusing to help, he watched as Wukong struck down the seven sisters in anger.
The Priest’s Hidden Power
As the battle resumed, Wukong fought the priest fiercely, but after sixty rounds, the priest began to tire. He then surprised Wukong by shedding his outer robe, revealing a thousand eyes along his ribs that emitted a blinding golden light, trapping Wukong in place.
Unable to advance or retreat, Wukong transformed into a pangolin and burrowed underground to escape. Once out of harm’s way, he reverted to his usual form. Overwhelmed by worry for his poisoned master and brothers, he began to despair—until he heard a woman’s voice nearby.
Help from a Divine Ally
Li Shan Lao Mu, a divine figure, had seen the disciples in trouble and arrived to help. Seeing Wukong’s distress, she advised him to seek Pilan Po, the Blue Lotus Mother, at Purple Cloud Mountain, the only one powerful enough to subdue the demon priest.
Following her advice, Wukong leapt on his somersault cloud and reached Purple Cloud Mountain. Upon meeting Pilan Po, she agreed to assist, delighted that Wukong had reformed and was escorting Tang Sanzang to retrieve sacred scriptures. She followed him back to the temple, where the priest’s golden light was still blazing. With a flick of her embroidery needle, Pilan Po shattered the priest’s spell.
Defeating the Demon
As the spell broke, Wukong and Pilan Po entered the hall and saw the priest frozen in place. Wukong prepared to strike him down, but Pilan Po intervened. She handed him three elixirs to cure Tang Sanzang and his brothers and advised restraint. After they revived the others, she revealed the priest’s true form—a centipede demon, long hidden in the guise of a Taoist.
When Zhu Bajie suggested finishing off the centipede demon, Pilan Po asked to take him back to guard her mountain, revealing that her son, the Rooster Star, had crafted the embroidery needle. “As a rooster, he’s a natural enemy to centipedes,” she explained with a smile. The disciples thanked Pilan Po as she departed, taking the demon away.
Curious, Zhu Bajie asked Wukong, “Why was that needle so powerful?” Wukong replied, “Roosters and centipedes have an ancient rivalry. That needle was crafted for moments like this.”