The Tuolong of the Black Water River in Journey to the West: Identity and Story of the West Sea Dragon King's Nephew

Brief Introduction

In Chapter 47 of the Ming Dynasty mythological novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en, the Tang Monk and his disciples arrive at the Black Water River, where they encounter a monster claiming to be a "Water God." The true identity of this monster is Tuolong (Alligator Dragon). He is not an ordinary mountain spirit but the nephew of Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea. Having stolen treasures from the Dragon Palace to descend to the mortal world and become a spirit, he occupied the Black Water River, ate countless people, and even captured the Tang Monk. Eventually, after Sun Wukong investigated the truth and Zhu Bajie captured the enemy underwater, the Dragon King of the West Sea appeared personally to subdue him and took him back to the Dragon Palace. This plot not only showcases the dangers on the journey to fetch scriptures but also reveals the complex network of relationships in the monster world of Journey to the West. It is a typical case for understanding the setting of "monsters with connections" in the book.

Core Knowledge Points

Identity and Background: Tuolong is the nephew of Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea, belonging to the category of "monsters with connections." In the system of Journey to the West*, such monsters are usually not killed by Sun Wukong but are taken back by their masters. This reflects the protective relationships within the divine and Buddhist system and the complexity of heavenly rules.
* Species Prototype: In reality, "Tuo" refers to the Yangtze Alligator, anciently known as "Zhu Po Long" (Pig Mother Dragon). Although named "Tuolong," it is not a true dragon but a spirit cultivated from an alligator. Ancient legends state that the sound of a Tuo's cry is like a drum, hence it is also called "Tuo Drum." The book classifies it as a branch of the dragon clan, reflecting the generalization and inclusivity of the concept of dragons in ancient mythology.
* Outcome and Fate: Unlike other monsters who are killed, Tuolong was not executed. After the Dragon King of the West Sea acknowledged his identity, he stated he would take him back to the Dragon Palace for "discipline" and subsequently took him away. This outcome implies that his cultivation foundation still existed and someone was backing him, reflecting the unwritten rule on the journey to fetch scriptures to "only beat monsters without connections."

Connection to the Book's Content

In the original narrative, the appearance of Tuolong is a key link in the "81 Tribulations" of the Tang Monk and his disciples. The specific connections are as follows:
1. Impersonating the Water God: Tuolong used the terrain of the Black Water River to impersonate the local Water God, deceiving people into offering incense and worship, causing commoners to dare not cross the river and blocking the path to fetch scriptures. Sun Wukong discovered the truth by investigating the Earth God, learning that there was no true god there, thus exposing the scam.
2. Pigsy Shows His Power: Since Sun Wukong was not skilled in underwater combat and could not capture the monster directly, he recommended Zhu Bajie to go underwater. Bajie relied on his underwater skills as the former Marshal Tianpeng, fought fiercely with Tuolong for a long time, and finally subdued him, highlighting the importance of division of labor and cooperation within the scripture-fetching team.
3. The Dragon King Retrieves His Relative: When Sun Wukong questioned the Dragon King, the Dragon King acknowledged the nephew's identity and apologized, stating that his nephew had stolen treasures to descend to the mortal world due to his lack of strict discipline, and subsequently took Tuolong away. This plot directly connects to the power of the Four Seas Dragon Clan, enriching the mythological worldview of Journey to the West, and also explains why the monster could easily escape a fatal blow.

In summary, the character of Tuolong is not only an obstacle on the journey to fetch scriptures but also an important case for understanding the theme of "all demons have origins" in Journey to the West, showcasing the social metaphors behind the mythological story.