The Rescue of the Tang Monk and the Defeat of the Lizard Demon

The Disappearance and the Initial Confrontation

The narrative begins with Wukong and Wu Jing standing by the river, lamenting the Master's abduction. Wukong reflects on his failed warning, noting, "I should have stopped Master from getting in that canoe." Wu Jing, taking action, dives into the river and discovers a palace marked as the "Home of the Black River God." Upon confronting the inhabitant—a lizard demon—Wu Jing learns of the villain's sinister agenda: "I plan to eat the Tang monk and live forever." A fierce underwater duel ensues, where the lizard proves to be "very powerful," forcing Wu Jing to retreat and seek Wukong's help.

Unmasking the Deception

Upon surfacing, the duo encounters the original man from the canoe, who clarifies the situation. The man reveals his true identity as the "Black River God" and explains that the lizard demon had merely "pretended he was me." The situation takes a turn when the River God reveals the lizard’s lineage: "his uncle is the mighty Dragon King of the Eastern Sea." Wukong, unfazed by the threat, confidently remarks that the Dragon King is "a friend of mine" and "also a bit scared of me," setting the stage for a divine intervention.

Divine Intervention and Resolution

Wukong travels to the Dragon King's palace, where the dragon expresses shock upon hearing of his nephew's actions: "I had no idea." The two return to the river, where the Dragon King confronts his nephew, ordering him to appear so he can be taken to the "Jade Emperor" to be "punished." The lizard demon, realizing his scheme has collapsed, submits to his uncle's authority.

With the threat neutralized, the true Black River God emerges from the water, accompanied by the rescued Tang monk and Ba Jie. In a final display of supernatural power, the River God "held up his hand," causing the river to stop flowing and forming "walls" of water. This allowed the travelers to walk across the "muddy riverbed," enabling them to continue their journey westward. The episode concludes as a testament to Wukong’s ability to navigate both earthly dangers and celestial politics to ensure the safety of his Master.