Taibai Jinxing and Sun Wukong

After Sun Wukong had broken into the Eastern Sea and struck out the register of life and death, the memorials of the dragon king and the underworld reached the Numinous Empyrean Hall together. The Jade Emperor was about to send troops when Taibai Jinxing asked to offer an amnesty first, and came down to Mount Huaguo with the decree in his hand.

The monkeys met him outside the Water Curtain Cave with weapons raised; Taibai walked into the cave, called Sun Wukong an immortal of high rank, and led him up through the southern gate of heaven for the first time. Given the post of Bimawen, Wukong found it too small, broke back down, and raised the banner of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven at Mount Huaguo. When the first siege failed, Taibai asked again before the throne and suggested a title of Great Sage with a name but no stipend.

He came a second time to the Water Curtain Cave and went up to heaven with Sun Wukong again, and did not return to report until the plaque of the Great Sage’s residence had been hung. After the peach banquet Wukong broke out once more, and Taibai carried no further decree to Mount Huaguo; heaven closed the mountain with a net of heaven and earth instead.