Yellowbrow

Yellowbrow was originally an attendant serving under Maitreya Buddha. Once, when Maitreya went out, he left Yellowbrow to guard the palace. Taking advantage of the situation, Yellowbrow stole Maitreya’s Seedsack, the mallet for striking the gong, and the Gold Cymbals. He fled to New West and established New Thunderclap Temple, pretending to be a Buddha.

As Tang Sanzang and his disciples journeyed westward, they arrived at New Thunderclap Temple. Mistaking it for the real Thunderclap Temple due to its striking resemblance, Tang Sanzang believed they had reached their destination. Overjoyed, he prepared to meet the Buddha by bathing and dressing in clean robes. However, Sun Wukong, using his Fiery Golden Eyes, saw through the illusion but couldn’t convince Tang Sanzang. Insisting they should still pay respects at any temple they passed, Tang Sanzang led the group inside.

The First Magic Weapon – Gold Cymbals
Inside the temple, they saw what appeared to be the Buddha. Tang Sanzang, along with Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) and Sha Wujing (Sandy), bowed as they approached the altar, while Sun Wukong stood aside, refusing to bow. Yellowbrow, disguised as the Buddha, sat on a lotus throne with his minions transformed into Arhats below him. Seeing Sun Wukong refuse to bow, Yellowbrow angrily scolded him. Provoked, Wukong raised his Golden-Hooped Staff to strike, but Yellowbrow trapped him in mid-air inside the Gold Cymbals. Soon, the other disciples were captured by the minions, and Yellowbrow revealed his true form, leaving the group regretting their failure to heed Sun Wukong’s warning.

Despite his efforts, Wukong could not escape the Gold Cymbals. Fortunately, the Five Directions Revealing Saints reported the situation to the Jade Emperor, who sent the Twenty-Eight Mansions to subdue the Yaoguai. With the help of Kang-Jin Loong, Wukong eventually escaped the Gold Cymbals and smashed them. Alarmed, Yellowbrow and his minions rushed to block their escape, and during the confrontation, Yellowbrow proposed a challenge: if Wukong could defeat him, he would allow Tang Sanzang and the others to continue westward; if not, he would kill them and pursue the scriptures himself. The battle began.

The Second Magic Weapon – Seedsack
As they fought, the Twenty-Eight Mansions joined after fifty rounds, surrounding Yellowbrow. While fighting, Yellowbrow pulled out the Seedsack and trapped Sun Wukong along with the Twenty-Eight Mansions inside. The Seedsack had the unique ability to drain energy, leaving its captives exhausted. The minions then took the sack and bound their captives at the temple’s rear.

That night, while Yellowbrow and his minions rested, Wukong heard Tang Sanzang’s distant cries. Taking advantage of the inattentive guards, he freed himself, rescued his companions, and restored their strength using his magic. However, the noise woke Yellowbrow, who resumed the fight with his minions. After several more rounds, Yellowbrow again used the Seedsack to capture everyone except Sun Wukong, who managed to dodge away.

Sun Wukong sought help from various immortals, including the Turtle and Snake Generals, the Five Dragon Kings, Little Prince Zhang, and the Four Great Generals, but all were defeated and captured in the Seedsack.

Maitreya’s Strategy
After investigating, Wukong learned that the treasures belonged to Maitreya. Seeking his advice, Wukong returned to challenge Yellowbrow again. Boasting that without the Seedsack, Yellowbrow couldn’t even defeat one of his hands, Wukong provoked Yellowbrow into a fight without the sack. Yellowbrow, armed with a wolf-tooth club, charged at Wukong, who pretended to flee, leading him to West Hill. When Yellowbrow lost track of Wukong, he encountered a farmer by the roadside and asked who planted the watermelons nearby. The farmer offered him a melon, which Yellowbrow ate to quench his thirst.

Soon after eating, Yellowbrow was struck with intense stomach pain and collapsed in agony. The farmer then revealed himself as Maitreya, and the watermelon turned out to be Sun Wukong wreaking havoc inside Yellowbrow’s stomach. Realizing his defeat, Yellowbrow knelt and begged for mercy. Maitreya retrieved the Seedsack and wolf-tooth club, released Wukong, and captured Yellowbrow inside the Seedsack. With the Gold Cymbals restored at New Thunderclap Temple, Maitreya took Yellowbrow back with him.