Sun Wukong’s Sworn Brother – Bull Demon King
The Bull Demon King, also called the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven, is a fierce and complex character in Journey to the West. As the husband of Princess Iron Fan and Princess Jade Face, and father to Red Boy, he is a powerful demon leader and one of the most challenging opponents that Sun Wukong and his companions face. Once sworn brothers with Sun Wukong from their days ruling as rival kings, the Bull Demon King’s relationship with the Monkey King becomes tense and ultimately hostile due to various betrayals and misunderstandings.
The Quest for the Banana Leaf Fan
When Tang Sanzang and his disciples reach the Flaming Mountains, the searing heat blocks their path. Sun Wukong learns that Princess Iron Fan’s magical Banana Leaf Fan can extinguish the flames, so he sets out to ask her for it. But she holds a grudge against Sun Wukong, as he previously separated her from her son, Red Boy. Furious, she uses the fan to blow Sun Wukong far away.
Not one to give up, Sun Wukong returns for another attempt. This time, he is prepared with a Wind-Stopping Pearl, gifted to him by Lingji Bodhisattva, which counters the fan’s powerful gusts. Princess Iron Fan flees into her cave, but Sun Wukong transforms into a tiny insect, hides in her tea, and enters her stomach. In great pain, she begs for mercy and agrees to lend him the fan, only for Sun Wukong to realize too late that she gave him a fake, which makes the fire burn even hotter.
Turning to the Bull Demon King
Frustrated and desperate, Sun Wukong seeks out the Bull Demon King, now living in the Cloud-Piercing Cave with his second wife, Princess Jade Face. His presence enrages her, and when the Bull Demon King hears of Sun Wukong’s demand, he’s already irritated by Sun Wukong’s prior actions against Red Boy. Although reluctant to fight his sworn brother, the Bull Demon King finally loses his temper, suspecting that Sun Wukong has wronged his wife, Princess Iron Fan, as well.
The two clash in a fierce battle. After dozens of rounds, the Bull Demon King leaves for a banquet hosted by the Dragon King of Clear Wave Pond, warning Sun Wukong to cease his troublemaking. Sun Wukong seizes this opportunity, transforming into the Bull Demon King and riding his mount to deceive Princess Iron Fan into giving him the real Banana Leaf Fan and the incantation to control it.
Realizing he has been tricked, the Bull Demon King returns, furious, and disguises himself as Zhu Bajie to retrieve the fan. Sun Wukong, proud of his victory, doesn’t realize the deception until too late. Furious, he renews his fight against the Bull Demon King.
The Climactic Showdown
The fight escalates, with Zhu Bajie joining to support Sun Wukong. The Bull Demon King, unable to withstand their combined strength, retreats to his cave, but they pursue him. Princess Jade Face joins the battle but is ultimately overpowered, and Zhu Bajie kills her. The Bull Demon King, shifting between various forms to escape, eventually resumes his true form to confront Sun Wukong directly.
Their battle rages for days, drawing the attention of the Heavenly Court. Exhausted, the Bull Demon King retreats once more. But Sun Wukong, not letting up, brings in reinforcements. Finally, with the help of the deities Nezha and Li Jing, the Bull Demon King is defeated and forced to hand over the real Banana Leaf Fan. This victory enables Tang Sanzang and his disciples to proceed on their westward journey, though it marks the end of the bond between Sun Wukong and the Bull Demon King, transforming former brothers-in-arms into bitter adversaries.