this book can be divided into 3 sections.

The first is about Sun Wu Kong's origin.

The second section is about xuanzang's origins.

His father was killed and impersonated and his mother was taken away forcibly by thieves. He himself was abandoned to float down a river by his mother to prevent him from being killed by the thieves. Luckily, he was found by the head monk of a monastery. Eventually, he manages to save his mother and avenge his father. Happily, his father is resurrected by a dragon king. This section also describes the Emperor of Tang, who failed to save the dragon king, resulting in his death. He manages to return to life and held a religious ceremony, 'Shui Lu Da Hui', for the dead. The all grown-up San Zang was chosen to conduct this ceremony. The Goddess Guanyin and her disciples disguise themselves as monks and told him to go to the Western Heaven to fetch the holy scriptures. After that, they revealed their true forms and left. Thus Tang San Zang started on his pilgrimage to the Western Heavens.

The third section is the main section of the book.

Xuanzang rescueed Sun Wukong from the mountain. They met Zhu Ba Jie and Sha Wu Jing later who became San Zang's disciples. Throughout the journey, Tan San Zang was regularly attacked and kidnapped by demons as they want to gain immortality by eating his flesh.

This section describes the difficulties they meet, the demons they fight, and all the adventures they have on the way.

Sun Wu Kong is the strongest of the group and the main fighting power but he faced conflicts with his master a few times because of his tendency to kill. Zhu Ba Jie was significantly weaker and he was also lazy, greedy and lustful, although he was of great help when fighting demons in rivers or seas. He and Wu Kong are constantly quarrelling .Wu Kong often likes to play tricks on him. Sha Wu Jing is the weakest one but he was hardworking and patient. He also does his best to help his elder brothers.

The fourth and last section is the shortest. They finally reach the Western Heavens and brought back the scriptures to China. At the end of the book, Tang San Zang and his disciples attained the Buddhahood.