• see also: Journey to the West
  Journey to the West
  Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley...
  
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Liu Boqin a character featured within the famed ancient Chinese novel Journey to the West

Journey to the West

Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley...

. Liu Boqin is renowned as being the first true supporter of the Tang priest - Sanzang - on his journey west. After Sanzang began his journey - in which he didn't even yet have a horse - Sanzang traveled through various mountain peaks until he had been suddenly attacked by a large tiger. Liu Boqin quickly jumps from the bushes to save Sanzang from this animal. When Sanzang had gazed at the man who rushed to save the priest of Tang, this is what could be seen:

• On his head

A leopard skin hat with artemisia patterns:

• On his body

A coat of woollen cloth.

• Round his waist was tied a lion belt,
• On his feet a pair of deerskin boots.

His eyes were as round as an evil spirit's;

• His curly beard was like the evil god of the moon's.
• From his waist hung a bow with poisoned arrows,

And in his hand was a steel−tipped trident.

• The thunder of his voice would make a wild beast tremble,

And his ferocity terrified the pheasants.

Following this Liu Boqin revealed to Sanzang his name and hit title - the warden of this mountain. Liu Boqin then reveals that he must travel day and night by hunting in order to attain more food for his pot -- it is the only way for him to survive. After Liu Boqin once again was amongst a conflict with another attacking tiger, this is what had been summarized:

• Bursting with anger,

Mad with rage.

• Bursting with anger,

The warden bristled, immensely strong.

• Mad with rage,

The striped tiger snorted out red dust as it showed its might.

• One bared its teeth and brandished its claws,

The other twisted and turned.

• The trident thrust against the heavens and blotted out the sun;

The patterned tail stirred up mist and clouds.

• One made wild stabs at the chest,

The other struck at the head.

• To avoid the blows was to win a new life;

A hit was an appointment with the King of Hell.

• All that could be heard was the tiger bellowing

And the high warden shouting.

• When the tiger bellowed,

Mountains and rivers split open, to the terror of birds and beasts.

• At the high warden's shouts,

The sky was parted and the stars revealed.

• The tiger's golden eyes were bulging with fury,

The hunter's valiant heart was full of wrath.

• How admirable was high warden Liu of the mountain,

How splendid the lord of the beasts of the land.

• As man and tiger fought for victory

Whoever weakened would lose his life.

Following these events, Sanzang would come to the warden's house and stay for a few nights to show his gratitude. This warden would leave back to his fellow mountain and will never be seen again after he assists Sanzang in the freeing of Sun Wukong - who is trapped under a mountain.