List of Journey to the West characters


The following is a list of characters in the Chinese classical novel Journey to the West, including those mentioned by name only.

Main characters

Sun Wukong ("Monkey King")

Tang Sanzang ("Tripitaka")

Zhu Bajie ("Pigsy")

Sha Wujing ("Sandy")

White Dragon Horse

Buddhist pantheon

Demon King of Confusion

The Demon King of Confusion is a demon king who seizes control of the Water Curtain Cave when Sun Wukong left to learn magic from Subhuti. He chases away the primates and occupies the cave with his minions. Many years later, Sun Wukong returns, defeats the demon king and takes back the cave.

General Yin, Xiong Shanjun and Techu Shi

General Yin, Xiong Shanjun, and Techu Shi are the first three demons Tang Sanzang encounters on his journey. Their true forms are a tiger, a bear and a wild bull respectively. They ambush Tang Sanzang and his two escorts at Shuangcha Ridge and capture them. The escorts are killed and eaten by the demons. Taibai Jinxing, in disguise as an old man, comes to free Tang Sanzang and leads him to safety.

Black Wind Demon and associates

The Black Wind Demon is based in a cave on Black Wind Mountain. His true form is a black bear but he appears as a dark-complexioned man armed with a Black Tassel Spear. He steals Tang Sanzang's cassock during a fire. Sun Wukong goes to confront him later to take back the cassock but fails so he seeks help from Guanyin. The Black Wind Demon eventually surrenders to Guanyin and becomes the mountain's guardian deity.
The Scholar in a White Robe and Lingxuzi are the Black Wind Demon's friends. The three are having a conversation when Sun Wukong shows up. The scholar is killed by Sun Wukong and is revealed to be actually a white floral patterned snake, while the other two escape. Lingxuzi was preparing magical pills as gifts for Black Wind Demon when he encounters Sun Wukong again, who recognises him and kills him. Lingxuzi is actually a gray wolf in disguise as a Taoist.
Jinchi Elder is the abbot of the Guanyin Monastery and the Black Wind Demon's companion. He met Tang Sanzang and his disciple Sun Wukong who stayed at his temple for one night. At the monastery, Wukong bragged about his master's cassock to the monks, which surprised the abbot and wanted it. The abbot wanted Tang Sanzang's cassock forever so badly that he plotted to set fire to his temple trying to burn Tang Sanzang and his disciple. When Wukong knew about this, he guarded his master inside the building he's sleeping. Therefore, burning all of the buildings in the temple except the building his master's in. However, when the Black Wind Demon came to the burning temple, he saw Tang Sanzang's cassock and stole it. When the abbot tried to find Sanzang's cassock, it was gone. As a result, the abbot died soon.

Yellow Wind Demon

The Yellow Wind Demon is based in Yellow Wind Cave at Yellow Wind Ridge. He is capable of blowing samadhi wind. He captures Tang Sanzang and wants to eat him. Sun Wukong enlists the help of Lingji Bodhisattva to subdue the demon, who is revealed to be actually a yellow marten from Vulture Peak. The bodhisattva captures the demon and brings him back to Vulture Peak.
The Tiger Vanguard is a minion of the Yellow Wind Demon. He is killed by Zhu Bajie and is revealed to be a tiger.

Immortal Zhenyuan

Immortal Zhenyuan, also known as Zhenyuanzi, is the patriarch of all earth deities. He is based in Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain in Aparagodaniya. In his temple, there is a special Ginsengfruit tree that produces only 30 fruits every 9,000 years. The fruit is shaped like an infant less than three days old; a person who just smells the fruit can extend his lifespan by 360 years, while a person who eats the fruit can live for another 47,000 years. Zhenyuan was away when the protagonists arrive at his temple on their journey, but he had instructed his servants Qingfeng and Mingyue earlier to give two fruits to Tang Sanzang. Tang Sanzang is frightened when he sees that the fruit looks like a premature infant and refuses to eat it. Qingfeng and Mingyue then eat the fruits themselves and is seen by Zhu Bajie. Sun Wukong however, steals another three fruits for himself and his two juniors. When Qingfeng and Mingyue realize that some fruits are missing, they accuse Sun Wukong of theft and calls the pilgrims names. Sun Wukong destroys the Ginseng fruit tree in anger and escapes with his companions. When Zhenyuan returns to his temple, he is furious after learning the truth from Qingfeng and Mingyue. He pursues the protagonists and captures them twice after they attempt to flee again. The conflict is eventually resolved when Sun Wukong gets Guanyin to help them restore the Ginseng fruit tree back to life. Zhenyuan is so pleased that he gives up his desire for revenge and becomes sworn brothers with Sun Wukong. He treats all of them to a fruit feast before seeing them off on their journey.

White Bone Demon

Yellow Robe Demon

The Yellow Robe Demon is based in Moon Waves Cave on Bowl Mountain in the Kingdom of Baoxiang. He is later revealed to be a guise assumed by Kui Mulang, a star spirit, and one of the 28 Mansions. He fell in love with a Jade Maiden in Heaven and decided to elope with her. He became a demon lord while the Maiden was reincarnated into the human world as Baihuaxiu, the third princess of the Kingdom of Baoxiang. The demon kidnaps the princess, marries her for 13 years and has two children with her. He captures Tang Sanzang when the latter passes by the mountain. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing try to save their master but are no match for the demon. Zhu Bajie goes to bring back Sun Wukong – who was previously banished by Tang Sanzang after killing the White Bone Demon – to help them. Sun Wukong manages to defeat the demon, which mysteriously vanishes after his defeat. Wukong then seeks help from Heaven to track down the demon and learn his true identity. The Jade Emperor discovers that one of the 28 Mansions is missing, so he orders the remaining 27 to subdue the demon. The Wood Wolf is then subdued and brought back to Heaven. As punishment, he is ordered to become a furnace keeper under Taishang Laojun.

Golden and Silver Horned Kings and associates

The Golden Horned King and Silver Horned King are two demon kings based in Lotus Cave on Flat Peak Mountain. They capture Tang Sanzang and his companions by deception, and pin down Sun Wukong under three mountains. Sun Wukong escapes with the help of the mountain deities and uses trickery and disguise to rob the demons of their weapons and special items, which include the Purple Gold Red Gourd, Suet Jade Flask, Golden Cloth Rope, Seven Stars Sword and Palm Leaf Fan. Sun Wukong then traps the demons in the gourd and frees Tang Sanzang and the others. Just as they are preparing to continue on their journey, Taishang Laojun appears and tells them that the two demon kings are actually the two boys in charge of watching over his furnaces. They escaped when he was not around and went out to cause trouble. He claims back all the things Sun Wukong took from the demons and brings the boys back to Heaven.
Hu A'qi is the uncle of the two demon kings. He is killed by Zhu Bajie and is revealed to be actually a fox.
The Nine Tailed Vixen is based in Dragon Suppressing Cave on Dragon Suppressing Mountain. She is the mother of the two demon kings and is disguised as an old woman. Her sons send their minions to fetch her to Flat Peak Mountain. Sun Wukong ambushes her along the way and kills her.

[|Lion-Lynx Demon]

The Lion Lynx Demon is actually the Azure Lion, the steed of the bodhisattva Manjusri. He drowns the king of Wuji Kingdom in a well and impersonates him for three years. The ghost of the dead king appears to Tang Sanzang in a dream and begs him for help. Tang Sanzang sends Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie to retrieve the king’s body from the well and use a magical pill from Taishang Laojun to bring the king back to life. They expose the demon's true identity in the king's court. The demon disguises himself as Tang Sanzang to confuse Sun Wukong, but his cover is blown when he cannot recite the "Ring Tightening Mantra" that gives Sun Wukong a headache. Manjusri shows up, stops Sun Wukong from killing the demon, and explains that he is following the Buddha's instruction to allow his steed to serve as an obstacle for the protagonists so as to test their resolution to complete their quest. Apart from that, Manjusri once disguised himself as a monk and visited the king of Wuji, but the king had him tied up and thrown into the river for three days and three nights. The king got his retribution when he was stuck in the well for three years. Manjusri takes back the Azure Lion.

Red Boy

Tuolong

The Tuolong is located in Black River in Hengyang Valley. He is actually the ninth son of the Dragon King of the Jing River, and was placed there by Guanyin to serve as an obstacle for the protagonists. The Tuolong is armed with a Bamboo Linked Bronze Club. He disguises himself as a boatman, pretends to ferry the protagonists across the river, and captures Tang Sanzang when they are unaware. The Tuolong is eventually subdued and taken away by Crown Prince Mo'ang, the eldest son of the Dragon King of the West Sea.

Immortals of Tiger, Elk, and Antelope Power

The Immortal of Tiger Power, Immortal of Elk Power, and Immortal of Antelope Power are three demons who disguise themselves as Taoist magicians to deceive the ruler of the Kingdom of Chechi. They become the king’s royal advisers. As their names suggest, their true forms are a tiger, an elk and an antelope respectively. Sun Wukong competes with them in a contest of magic powers and lures them into meeting their respective ends: Tiger is beheaded; Elk is disemboweled; Antelope is fried in boiling oil.

[|King of Spiritual Touch]

The King of Spiritual Touch is a demon based in Heaven Reaching River. He is armed with a Nine Petals Bronze Hammer. He terrorises the people living near the river and demands that they sacrifice a boy and a girl to him every year or he will cause flooding. He is no match for Sun Wukong and retreats back to his underwater lair. Sun Wukong learns from Guanyin later that the demon is actually a goldfish from a lotus pond at Mount Putuo who obtained his powers after listening to Guanyin reciting the scriptures every day. Guanyin uses a fish basket to trap the demon and bring him back to the pond.

Single Horned Rhinoceros King

The Single Horned Rhinoceros King is a demon king based in Golden Pouch Cave on Golden Pouch Mountain. He is armed with a Bronze Spear. He is actually Taishang Laojun's Azure Bull. He stole his master's Golden Jade Ring and escaped from Heaven to cause trouble. He captures Tang Sanzang and his companions except for Sun Wukong. When fighting with Sun Wukong, the demon uses the Golden Jade Ring to suck away Sun Wukong's Ruyi Jingu Bang. Sun Wukong seeks help from various celestial forces, including Li Jing, Nezha, the fire deities and the Eighteen Arhats, but all of them also lose their weapons to the demon's Golden Jade Ring. The demon is eventually subdued and taken back by Taishang Laojun.

Immortal Ruyi

Immortal Ruyi is Bull Demon King's brother. He is based in Immortal Gathering Temple on Mount Jieyang in Women's Country. While in Women's Country, Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie unsuspectingly drink from the Spring of Pregnancy and become pregnant. The only cure is to drink from the Spring of Abortion, which is under Ruyi's control. When the women in Women's Country want to drink from the spring, they need to present gifts to Ruyi first. Ruyi holds a grudge against Sun Wukong because of the fate of his nephew, Red Boy, and he behaves in a hostile manner when Sun comes to ask for water from the spring. Ruyi is eventually outwitted and defeated by Sun Wukong.

Ruler of Women's Country

The Ruler of Women's Country is the ruler of a nation in Xiliang with an all-female population. When the protagonists arrive in her country, she hears that Tang Sanzang is the oath brother of Tang Dynasty's Emperor and decides to marry him. On Sun Wukong's suggestion, Tang Sanzang pretends to marry the ruler and lies that his three students will go to fetch the scriptures in place of him. The Ruler of Women's Country believes Sanzang and treat them with great ceremony. After the ceremony, she sends the three students off the city with Sanzang and is told by Sanzang that he's leaving with his students. The Rule of Women's Country is shocked when Scorpion Demoness suddenly appears and takes Sanzang away. She feels ashamed after all the students fly away to catch up with Demoness and goes back to her palace.

Scorpion Demoness

The Scorpion Demoness is a demoness based in Pipa Cave on Venom Mountain. Her true form is a giant scorpion as large as a pipa. She practises Taoist arts for several years and obtains magical powers. She once listened to the Buddha reciting scriptures in Leiyin Temple and stung him with the poisonous sting on her tail when he brushed her aside. The Buddha suffers from the pain of the sting and instructs his followers to bring the Scorpion to him but she has already fled. Shortly after escaping from Women's Country, Tang Sanzang is abducted by the Scorpion Demoness and taken back to her lair, where she tries to seduce Tang Sanzang to marry her. Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie fight with the Scorpion but are held back by her poisonous sting. The scorpion goes back to her cave and brings Sanzang into the bridal suite she prepares. She entices Sanzang for the whole night, but gets annoyed when Sanzang doesn't agree to marry her. Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie comes again the next day and are held back by her poisonous sting again. Guan Yin then comes to instruct the students to find the Sun Deity of Mao for help. The Scorpion is eventually killed by the Sun Deity of Mao, who transforms into a giant rooster with two combs.

Six Eared Macaque

The Six Eared Macaque is one of the four spiritual primates that do not belong to any of the ten categories that all beings in the universe are classified under. The other three are the Intelligent Stone Monkey, Red Bottomed Horse Monkey and Long Armed Ape Monkey. As he and Sun Wukong are both spiritual primates, their powers and abilities are on par. He first appears in Xiliang in disguise as Sun Wukong, knocks Tang Sanzang unconscious and steals the baggage. He fights with the real Sun Wukong and neither of them is able to overcome his opponent. No one is able to differentiate between the real and the fake Sun Wukong until the two appear before the Buddha, who tells them about the four spiritual primates. The Six Eared Macaque attempts to flee when he hears the Buddha speak about his true identity but the Buddha traps him under a giant golden alms bowl. The macaque is then killed by Sun Wukong.

Bull Demon King, Princess Iron Fan and associates

Bull Demon King is a demon king based in Sky Scraping Cave on Accumulated Thunder Mountain. In the early chapters of the novel, he becomes sworn brothers with Sun Wukong and five other demon kings. He is ranked the most senior of the seven, and styles himself "Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven". He marries Princess Iron Fan and has a son, Red Boy, with her. He appears again in a later chapter when the protagonists arrive at the Flaming Mountains along their journey. Sun Wukong disguises himself as Bull Demon King to deceive Princess Iron Fan and takes away her Banana Leaf Fan. The real Bull Demon King visits Princess Iron Fan, who then realises she has been tricked. Bull Demon King disguises himself as Zhu Bajie to trick Sun Wukong and retrieves the fan. In the ensuing fight against Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, Bull Demon King reveals his true form, a giant white bull, and attempts to charge towards his opponents. Nezha shows up, captures Bull Demon King, and brings him to Heaven to let the Jade Emperor decide his fate.
Princess Iron Fan is Bull Demon King's wife and Red Boy's mother.
Jade Faced Princess is Bull Demon King's concubine. Her true form is a vixen. She is killed by Zhu Bajie.
The Water Repelling Golden Crystal Beast is Bull Demon King's steed. It is taken away by Sun Wukong.

Wansheng Dragon King and associates

Wansheng Dragon King is based in Emerald Waves Lake, Rocky Mountain, Kingdom of Jisai. He marries his daughter, Wansheng Princess, to the Nine Headed Beast. He plots with his son-in-law to steal a Śarīra from the pagoda in Golden Ray Monastery in Jisai and release a rain of blood in the kingdom. Without the Śarīra, the pagoda loses its magical shine, and the king perceives the blood rain as an ill omen. He believes that the monks in the monastery are responsible for stealing the Śarīra and starts persecuting them. Sun Wukong uncovers the truth when he and his companions arrive in Jisai. The dragon king and his family are eventually killed by Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie. The Śarīra is returned to the pagoda.
The Nine Headed Beast, also known as the Nine Headed Prince Consort, is married to Wansheng Dragon King's daughter. He is armed with a Crescent Moon Spade. He collaborates with his father-in-law to steal the Śarīra from Golden Ray Monastery. Sun Wukong enlists the help of celestial forces to deal with the demons. The Nine Headed Beast has one of his heads bitten off by Erlang Shen's celestial hound but manages to escape.
Wansheng Princess is Wansheng Dragon King's daughter and the Nine Headed Beast's wife. She stole the Nine Leaves Lingzhi Herb from the Queen Mother of the West. She is slain by Zhu Bajie.
Benbo'erba and Babo'erben are two minions of the Nine Headed Beast. Their respective forms are a sheatfish and a blackfish respectively. They stay at the top of the pagoda in Golden Ray Monastery after the Śarīra is stolen. Sun Wukong discovers them while cleaning the pagoda and captures them. He learns about the theft of the Śarīra from them.

Tree spirits

A group of tree spirits are based in Wood Immortal Temple at Bramble Ridge. The four most senior spirits are Jinjie Shiba Gong, Guzhi Gong, Lingkongzi and Fuyun Sou, who appear in human form as four old men. Their true forms are a pine tree, a cedar tree, a juniper tree and a bamboo tree respectively. Tang Sanzang encounters them in the temple and discusses poetry with them. Other spirits include the Naked Demon and the Apricot Immortal, whose true forms are a maple tree and an apricot tree respectively, while their servants are flower spirits. Sun Wukong sees through their disguise and tells Zhu Bajie when the latter asks him if he detects any demons in the vicinity. Zhu Bajie then destroys all the trees. Tang Sanzang is shocked and he scolds Zhu Bajie for killing innocents because the spirits never harmed him, but Sun Wukong explains that it is best to eliminate the spirits now in case they become evil in the future.

Yellow Brows Great King

Yellow Brows Great King is actually a servant boy who helps Maitreya play the sounding stone. When his master was away, he stole the Human Sack and Golden Cymbals and escaped to strike-out on his-own and become a demon lord. He transforms his sounding stone into a Wolf's Teeth Club as his weapon. He creates a fake Leiyin Temple and impersonates the Buddha while his minions disguise themselves as the Buddha's followers. Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing fall for his ruse as they mistakenly believe that they have reached their destination, and are captured by him. Sun Wukong tries to save his companions but Yellow Brows traps him in the Golden Cymbals. Sun Wukong escapes later and brings various divine forces to help him counter the demon but Yellow Brows uses the Human Sack to trap all the reinforcements. At the critical moment, Maitreya shows up and suggests to Sun Wukong to transform into a watermelon. The unsuspecting Yellow Brows eats the watermelon and Sun Wukong causes agony to the demon inside his stomach. Yellow Brows surrenders and is eventually taken back by Maitreya.

Python Demon

The Python Demon is based in Tuoluo Manor on Qijue Mountain. She is armed with a pair of spears, which were actually tips of her forked tongue. Her true form is a giant python with red scales and glowing eyes. She has eaten many people and animals living in that area. She meets her end when Sun Wukong enters her body and breaks out of her stomach.

Sai Tai Sui

Sai Tai Sui is a demon king based on Qilin Mountain in the Kingdom of Zhuzi. He is actually the Golden Haired Hou, the steed of Guanyin. Armed with a Broad Axe, he also has with him a set of three magic bells, known as the Purple-Gold Bells, which can conjure fire, smoke and dust storms when rung. He kidnaps the Lady of Jinsheng Palace, one of the king’s favourite concubines, and tries to force her to marry him. Unknown to him, the Immortal Ziyang has secretly cast a protective shield on the lady, such that anyone who touches her will feel like being pricked by thorns. Sun Wukong uses tricks to steal the bells from Sai Tai Sui and then uses them against the demon. The demon is eventually subdued and taken back by Guanyin.

Spider Demons and Hundred Eyed Demon Lord

The Spider Demons are seven sisters based in Silk Cave at Silk Ridge. As their names suggest, their true forms are spiders. Tang Sanzang stumbles upon their thatched hut while begging for alms and tries to leave after suspecting that they are demons. However, it is too late as the demons emit spider silk from their navels and spin a web to trap Tang Sanzang. They are defeated by Sun Wukong later and have no choice but to release Tang Sanzang. The spiders are later squashed to death by Sun Wukong.
The Hundred Eyed Demon Lord, also known as the Multiple Eyed Creature, is a centipede demon based in Yellow Flower Temple. He has a thousand eyes that radiate brilliant golden light to confuse his enemies and victims. He is the seven spider demons' senior and disguises himself as a Taoist. The spiders approach him for help in taking revenge after their defeat at the hands of Sun Wukong. He offers the protagonists poisoned drinks when they stop for a rest at his temple but Sun Wukong sees through his ruse. He seizes Tang Sanzang and holds him hostage, while Sun Wukong captures the seven spiders. He refuses to exchange Tang Sanzang for his juniors and Sun Wukong kills the spiders in anger. He is eventually subdued and captured by Pilanpo Bodhisattva and sent to guard the Thousand Flowers Cave at Purple Clouds Mountain.

Demons at Lion Camel Ridge

Three demon kings are based in Lion Camel Cave at Lion Camel Ridge. Sun Wukong learns about the demons from Xiaozuanfeng, one of their minions captured by him. The three are:
The Azure Lion is actually the steed of Manjusri which previously appeared in an earlier chapter as the Lion-Lynx Demon. He is armed with a bronze saber. He is capable of transforming himself into several times bigger or smaller than his normal size. It is said that he once showed up uninvited at a peach feast hosted by the Queen Mother of the West and wanted to fight for the rulership of Heaven. The Jade Emperor sent 100,000 celestial troops to capture the demon, who turned into a giant monster and devoured the entire army in one gulp. The Azure Lion swallows Sun Wukong, who causes trouble inside his stomach. The Lion then pretends to agree to open his mouth and let Sun Wukong out, but intends to bite him to death when he comes out. However, Sun Wukong sticks out his weapon instead and the demon breaks his teeth after biting on the staff. Sun Wukong later creates a long rope, ties it around the demon's heart and plays with it after leaving the demon's stomach. The Azure Lion is eventually subdued and taken back by Manjusri.
The Yellow Toothed Elephant is actually the white elephant that the bodhisattva Samantabhadra rides on. He appears as a giant with an elephant-like face, and is armed with a spear. He has a long nose capable of trapping enemies and crushing them. While fighting with Zhu Bajie, he uses his nose to wrap around him and capture him. He is eventually subdued and taken back by Samantabhadra.
The Golden Winged Great Peng is armed with a ji and capable of flying over great distances. He possesses a Flask of Yin and Yang Essence which can suck in unsuspecting victims. After a while, the victim trapped inside the flask will be reduced to a bloody mash. He uses the flask to trap Sun Wukong but the latter breaks out and the flask is rendered useless because its essence has been spilt. The demon is later revealed to be actually a brother of the peacock Mahamayuri, as both of them were born to the Fenghuang. The Buddha shows up to subdue the demon and take him back to Vulture Peak.

White Deer Spirit and White Faced Vixen Spirit

The White Deer Spirit is actually the mount of the deity Old Man of the South Pole. He stole his master's staff and escaped into the human world. He accepts the White Faced Vixen Spirit as a daughter, disguises her as a beautiful maiden, and presents her to the ruler of the Kingdom of Biqiu. The king is entranced by the vixen's charming looks and marries her, while the white deer becomes the royal father-in-law. The king gradually falls sick under the demons' influence, and the white deer lies that the hearts of 1,111 children are required to make a cure. The king then issues an order to capture 1,111 children and imprison them in cages. When the protagonists arrive in Biqiu, the white deer tells the king that Tang Sanzang's heart is the best cure so the king orders Tang Sanzang to be arrested. Sun Wukong saves the children and exposes the demons' true forms. The vixen is slain by Zhu Bajie and the white deer is subdued and taken back by the Old Man of the South Pole.

Lady Earth Flow

Lady Earth Flow is actually a Golden Nosed Albino Rat Spirit who attained her powers after practising Taoist arts for 300 years. She once secretly consumed the Fragrant Blossoms Precious Candles at Vulture Peak, and called herself "Half-Guanyin". She was captured by Li Jing and Nezha, and was supposed to be killed, but the Buddha told them to spare her life, and she was so grateful that she acknowledged Li Jing as her godfather and Nezha as her godbrother. She later moved to the Bottomless Pit at Flaming Air Mountain and renamed herself "Lady Earth Flow". She is armed with a pair of swords. When the protagonists pass by Black Pines Forest, she disguises herself as a damsel in distress to attract Tang Sanzang's attention. Tang Sanzang takes pity on her and lets her accompany them to a nearby temple, but Sun Wukong sees through her cover. She ate six monks in the temple and captures Tang Sanzang when Sun Wukong and the others are distracted. Sun Wukong finds out her true identity later and brings Li Jing and Nezha to subdue her and take her back to Heaven.

Ruler of the Kingdom of Miefa

The ruler of the Kingdom of Miefa hates Buddhists and once made an oath to slaughter 10,000 Buddhist monks. He has already killed 9,996 monks when the protagonists arrive in Miefa. To evade trouble, the protagonists disguise themselves as horse traders and hide in a big cupboard in an inn. However, that night, the cupboard is stolen by thieves but is recovered by the authorities and brought to the court. Sun Wukong cast sleeping spells on the royal household and officials and shaved their heads. The next morning, the king wakes up and is shocked to see that he, his family members, and his subjects are bald, just like Buddhist monks. He realizes that he has done wrong in persecuting Buddhist monks so he repents and renames his domain "Kingdom of Qinfa".

King of the Southern Hill

The King of the Southern Hill is a demon king based in Linked Cave, Bent Peak, Hidden Misty Mountain. He is armed with an iron pestle and is capable of creating windstorms and mist. He is less powerful than other demon kings in the novel, but is considered one of the wittiest. He uses a plan called the "strategy of separating the plum blossom's petals" to lure Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing away from Tang Sanzang in three different instances and then captures Tang. Sun Wukong infiltrates his lair and casts a sleeping spell on the demon and his minions and saves Tang Sanzang. The demon is slain by Zhu Bajie just as he awakes, and his true form is revealed to be a leopard with mugwort-shaped patterns on its body.

Grand Saint of Nine Spirits and associates

The Grand Saint of Nine Spirits is actually the Nine Headed Lion that Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun rides on. The boy in charge of looking after the lion once secretly drank a special potion and fell asleep for three days in Heaven. The lion seizes the opportunity to escape. He builds his base at Jiuqu Panhuan Cave at Bamboo Links Mountain near the Kingdom of Yuhua. The lion demons living around that area revere him as their grand ancestor. The Nine Headed Lion is different from most other demons in the novel in a sense that it neither harms humans nor seeks to taste Tang Sanzang's flesh. He is angered when he learns that his god-grandson, the Tawny Lion Demon, has been killed by Sun Wukong, and wants to take revenge. He captures Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing and the royal family of Yuhua, and has them whipped. He is eventually subdued by Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun and taken back to Heaven.
The Tawny Lion Demon is based in Tiger's Jaws Cave, Leopard's Head Mountain in the Kingdom of Yuhua. He is armed with a Four Clears Spade. He is a god-grandson of the Nine Headed Lion. Once, overcome by greed, he steals Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing's weapons. Although he does not harm humans and shows no interest in tasting Tang Sanzang's flesh, his avarice ultimately leads to disaster for him. Sun Wukong and his companions attack his cave and slaughter him and his minions to take back their weapons. His death is the catalyst for the conflict between the protagonists and the Nine Headed Lion.
The Roushi, Xueshi, Suanni ), Baize, Fuli and Boxiang are six lion demons who used to inhabit the Jiuqu Panhuan Cave before the Nine Headed Lion came. They honour the Nine Headed Lion as their grand ancestor. They are captured by Sun Wukong and his companions and executed.

Kings of Cold, Heat and Dust Protection

The King of Cold Protection, King of Heat Protection and King of Dust Protection are three demons based in Xuanying Cave, Azure Dragon Mountain in Jinping Prefecture. They are armed with a battleaxe, a broadsword, and a rattan staff respectively. Their true forms are rhinoceroses. They disguise themselves as buddhas and steal aromatic oil from lamps on a bridge, tricking worshippers into believing that the "buddhas" have accepted the oil offered to them. When Tang Sanzang goes to pay respects to the "buddhas", the demons capture him and flee. Sun Wukong and company try to save their master but are outnumbered by the demons and their minions, so they seek help from celestial forces. The demons are eventually defeated and killed by the combined efforts of Sun Wukong and company, the four Wood beasts of the 28 Mansions, and marine forces led by the Dragon Crown Prince of the Western Sea.

Jade Rabbit Spirit

The Jade Rabbit Spirit is actually the moon rabbit that pounds a mortar and pestle in Guanghan Palace on the Moon. The fairy Su'e once hit her and she bore a grudge against her. Su'e was later reincarnated as a princess of India. The rabbit escapes into the human world to take revenge against Su'e. She lives in Maoying Mountain and wields a short staff as her weapon. She kidnaps the princess of India and impersonates her. She meets Tang Sanzang when he passes by India on his journey, and wants to marry him so that she can absorb his yang essence and increase her powers. Sun Wukong sees through her disguise and fights with her. Just as Sun Wukong is about to defeat the Jade Rabbit, the moon goddess, Chang'e, shows up, stops him, assumes custody of the wayward-rabbit, and takes her back to the Moon and to her work.

Great White Turtle

The Great White Turtle is a giant turtle based in Heaven Reaching River. He was forced out of his underwater residence by the King of Spiritual Touch. Sun Wukong brings Guanyin to subdue and take away the demon. He feels so grateful to the protagonists for helping him take back his home that he ferries them across the 800 li river on his back. Before moving on, Tang Sanzang promises to help the turtle ask the Buddha when he will be able to transform into a human. However, Tang Sanzang forgets his promise when he arrives at his destination, Vulture Peak, where the Buddha is based. The guardians transporting the protagonists back to Chang'an drop them off abruptly at Heaven Reaching River, where the protagonists meet the turtle again. While ferrying the protagonists across the river, the turtle asks Tang Sanzang about the promise he made and the latter apologises for breaking his word. The unhappy turtle throws them off his back into the water and they swim to the shore. This incident fulfils the last of the 81 tribulations that Tang Sanzang is destined to face on his journey to obtain the real scriptures.

Historical figures