Yellowbrow was originally a child attendant serving under Maitreya Buddha. One time, when Maitreya went out, he left Yellowbrow to guard the palace. Yellowbrow stole Maitreya’s Seedsack, the mallet used for striking the gong, and the Gold Cymbals. He then went to New West and established New Thunderclap Temple, posing as a false Buddha.

As Tang Sanzang and his disciples journeyed westward, they arrived at New Thunderclap Temple. Seeing its striking resemblance to the described Thunderclap Temple, Tang Sanzang mistakenly believed they had reached their destination. Overjoyed, he bathed and dressed in clean robes to meet the Buddha. However, Sun Wukong, with his Fiery Golden Eyes, saw through the illusion but couldn't persuade Tang Sanzang. Tang Sanzang insisted that even if it wasn't Thunderclap Temple, they should still pay their respects at a temple they passed by. So, the group entered New Thunderclap Temple.

The First Magic Weapon - Gold Cymbals

Upon entering, they saw what appeared to be the Buddha. Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy) bowed with each step 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 arranged below him. Seeing Sun Wukong’s blatant refusal to bow, Yellowbrow scolded him loudly. Provoked, Wukong raised his Golden-Hooped Staff to attack, but Yellowbrow trapped him mid-air inside the Gold Cymbals. The other three were soon captured by the minions, and Yellowbrow revealed his true form, leaving the disciples to regret not heeding Sun Wukong’s warning.

Wukong tried everything to escape the Gold Cymbals but to no avail. Fortunately, the Five Directions Revealing Saints reported the situation to the Jade Emperor, who sent the Twenty-Eight Mansions to assist in subduing the Yaoguai. With the help of Kang-Jin loong, Wukong finally escaped the Gold Cymbals and immediately smashed them to pieces. Yellowbrow, alarmed, rushed over with his minions. Seeing Sun Wukong and the others around the shattered cymbals, he ordered the minions to secure the front gate to prevent their escape. During the standoff, Yellowbrow proposed a wager: if Sun Wukong could defeat him, he would let Tang Sanzang and his disciples continue westward; if not, he would kill them and seek the scriptures himself. With that, they began to fight.

The Second Magic Weapon - Seedsack

As they fought, the Twenty-Eight Mansions joined in after fifty rounds, surrounding Yellowbrow. Using his weapon with one hand, Yellowbrow pulled out the Seedsack with the other and trapped Sun Wukong and the Twenty-Eight Mansions inside. The Seedsack had the peculiar property of draining energy, leaving those inside exhausted for days. Back at New Thunderclap Temple, the minions untied the Seedsack and carried the bound captives to the rear.

Late at night, while Yellowbrow and his minions were resting, Wukong heard Tang Sanzang’s distant cries. Taking advantage of the inattentive guards, he freed himself and rescued Tang Sanzang, his fellow disciples, and the Twenty-Eight Mansions, restoring their strength with his magic. However, the noise woke Yellowbrow, who chased after them with his minions, and they resumed fighting. After a few rounds, Yellowbrow once again used the Seedsack, capturing everyone except Sun Wukong, who had dodged away.

Sun Wukong then sought help from various immortals, including Turtle and Snake Generals, Five Dragon Kings, the disciple of the Great Sage’s National Teacher, Little Prince Zhang, and Four Great Generals, but all were defeated and captured in the Seedsack.

Maitreya’s Strategy

After much investigation, Sun Wukong discovered that the treasures belonged to Maitreya. Seeking Maitreya’s advice, he returned to New Thunderclap Temple to challenge Yellowbrow again. Wukong boasted that without the Seedsack, Yellowbrow couldn’t defeat even one of his hands. Yellowbrow agreed to fight without the Seedsack and charged forward with a wolf-tooth club. Sun Wukong feigned defeat and fled, leading Yellowbrow to West Hill. Unaware of Sun Wukong's whereabouts, Yellowbrow saw a melon farmer by the roadside and asked who planted the watermelons. The farmer claimed he did and offered Yellowbrow a ripe melon to quench his thirst.

After eating the melon, Yellowbrow soon felt severe stomach pain, rolling on the ground in agony. The farmer then revealed himself as Maitreya, and the watermelon was actually Sun Wukong, causing the pain by wreaking havoc inside Yellowbrow’s stomach. Yellowbrow, seeing Maitreya, knelt and begged for mercy. Maitreya took back the Seedsack and wolf-tooth club, let Sun Wukong out, and captured Yellowbrow inside the Seedsack. After restoring the Gold Cymbals at New Thunderclap Temple, Maitreya took Yellowbrow back with him.