Chapter 14: Nezha Manifests as a Lotus Incarnation

诗曰： 仙家法力妙难量，起死回生有异方。一粒丹砂归命宝；几根荷叶续魂汤。 超凡不用肮脏骨，入圣须寻返魄香。从此开疆归圣主，岐周事业借匡襄。

The poem says: The dharma power of the immortal is wondrous and immeasurable; there are extraordinary methods to revive the dead and restore life. A single grain of cinnabar is the treasure that returns one's life. A few lotus leaves brew a decoction to continue the soul. To transcend the ordinary, one does not need dirty bones; to attain sainthood, one must seek the fragrance that returns the soul. From now on, expanding territory belongs to the sage ruler; the cause of Qi Zhou relies on assistance and support.

且说金霞童儿进洞来，启太乙真人曰：“师兄杳杳冥冥，飘飘荡荡，随风定止，不知何故。”真人听说，早解其意，忙出洞来。真人吩咐哪吒：“此处非汝安身之所。你回到陈塘关，托一梦与你母亲，离关四十里，有一翠屏山，山上有一空地，令你母亲造一座哪吒行宫，你受香烟三载，又可立于人间，辅佐真主。可速去，不得迟误！”哪吒听说，离了乾元山往陈塘关来。正值三更时分，哪吒来到香房，叫：“母亲，孩儿乃哪吒也。如今我魂魄无栖，望母亲念为儿死得好苦，离此四十里，有一翠屏山上，与孩儿建立行宫，使我受些香烟，好去托生天界。孩儿感母亲之慈德甚于天渊。”夫人醒来，却是一梦。夫人大哭。李靖问曰：“夫人为何啼哭？”夫人把梦中事说了一遍。李靖大怒曰：“你还哭他！他害我们不浅。常言‘梦随心生，’只因你思想他，便有许多梦魂颠倒，不必疑惑。”夫人不言。且说次日又来托梦；三日又来。夫人合上眼，殿下就站立面前。不觉五七日之后，哪吒他生前性格勇猛，死后魂魄也是骁雄，遂对母亲曰：“我求你数日，你全不念孩儿苦死，不肯造行宫与我，我便吵你个六宅不安！”夫人醒来，不敢对李靖说。夫人暗著心腹人，与些银两，往翠屏山兴工破土，起建行宫，造哪吒神像一座，旬月功完。哪吒在此翠屏山显圣，感动万民，千请千灵，万请万应，因此庙宇轩昂，十分齐整。但见： 行宫八字粉墙开，朱户铜环左右排。碧瓦雕檐三尺水，数株桧柏两重台。神厨宝座金妆就，龙凤幡幢瑞色裁。帐幔悬钩吞半月，狰狞鬼判立尘埃。沉檀袅袅烟结凤，逐日纷纷祭祀来。

Now let us speak of Jinxia Tonger entering the cave, addressing Taiyi Zhenren and saying: "My elder brother has vanished into obscurity, drifting aimlessly with the wind to an unknown destination; I do not know why this is." Upon hearing these words, Zhenren understood its meaning immediately and hurriedly came out of the cave. Zhenren instructed Nezha: "This place is not where you should reside." "You should return to Chentang Guan and send a dream to your mother, informing her that forty li away from the pass lies Cuiping Mountain. On top of the mountain there is an open area where you are to instruct your mother to build a palace for Nezha. After receiving incense offerings for three years, you will once again stand among people and assist the true ruler." "You must go quickly; do not delay!" Upon hearing this, Nezha left Qianyuan Mountain and headed toward Chentang Guan. It was precisely the third watch of the night when Nezha arrived at the incense chamber and called out, "Mother, I am your son Nezha." Now my soul and spirit have nowhere to rest. I hope Mother will remember how painfully your son died; forty li from here, on Cuiping Mountain, please build a palace for me so that I may receive some incense offerings, which will help me be reborn in the heavenly realm." "My son is deeply grateful to Mother's kind virtue, more so than heaven and abyss." Madam awoke—it had been but a dream. The lady wept bitterly. Li Jing asked, "Madam, why are you crying?" The lady recounted the events of her dream. Li Jing became greatly angry and said, "How can you still weep for him!" "He has caused us much trouble." "People often say, 'Dreams arise from the mind.' It is because you think of him that such dreams and disturbances occur; there is no need to be puzzled." The lady said nothing. Now let us speak of the next day, when another dream was sent; on the third day he came again. The lady closed her eyes, and at once the prince stood before her. After several days, without realizing it, Nezha—who had been brave and fierce in life—remained so even after death. He then said to his mother: "I have asked you for many days, yet you do not remember how painfully I died as your son and refuse to build me a palace. If you don't, I will cause unrest throughout the six quarters of your household!" The lady awoke and dared not tell Li Jing about it. The lady secretly entrusted a trusted person with some silver and sent them to Cuiping Mountain to begin construction, breaking ground on the palace and building an image of Nezha. Within ten days or so, the work was completed. Nezha manifested his divinity on this Cuiping Mountain, moved the hearts of countless people. No matter how many times they prayed, he responded; no matter how often they sought help, it was granted. Therefore, the temple buildings were grand and well-arranged, in excellent condition. One could see: The palace's entrance had an eight-character archway with white walls open wide, red doors and bronze rings arranged on both sides. Green-tiled eaves adorned with carvings dripped three chi of water; several cypress trees and Chinese thuja flanked two tiers of platforms. The deity's altar and sacred seat were gilded with golden embellishments; dragon and phoenix banners and standards were cut in auspicious colors. Curtains hung from hooks that seemed to swallow half the moon, while fierce-looking ghost judges stood amidst the dust and dirt. Incense of sandalwood curled like smoke forming phoenixes; day by day, countless sacrificial offerings arrived in procession.

哪吒在翠屏山显圣，四方远近居民，俱来进香，纷纷如蚁，日盛一日，往往不断。祈福禳灾，无不感应。不觉鸟飞兔走，似箭光阴，半载有馀。

Nezha manifested his divine presence on Cuiping Mountain; residents from near and far came to burn incense, swarming like ants. The crowds grew day by day, never ceasing. Prayers for blessings or exorcism of disasters were always answered without fail. Unaware that time had passed like an arrow, with birds flying and hares running—more than half a year had gone by.

且说李靖因东伯姜文焕为父报仇，调四十万人马，游魂关大战窦荣，荣不能取胜。李靖在野马岭操演三军，紧守关隘。一日回兵往翠屏山过，李靖在马上看见往往来来，扶老携幼，进香男女，纷纷似蚁，人烟凑积。李靖在马上问曰：“这山乃翠屏山，为何男女纷纷，络绎不绝？”军政官对曰：“半年前，有一神道在此感应显圣，千请千灵，万请万应，祈福福至，禳患患除；故此惊动四方男女进香。”李靖听罢，想起了，问中军官：“此神何姓何名？”中军回曰：“是哪吒行宫。”李靖大怒，传令：“安营！待我上山进香。”人马站立，李靖纵马往山上来进香，男女闪开。李靖纵马迳至庙前，只见庙门高悬一扁，书“哪吒行宫”四字。进得庙来，见哪吒形相如生，左右站立鬼判。李靖指而骂曰：“畜生！你生前扰害父母，死后愚弄百姓！”骂罢，提六陈鞭，一鞭把哪吒金身打的粉碎。李靖怒发，复一脚蹬倒鬼判。传令：“放火，烧了庙宇。”吩咐进香万民曰：“此非神也，不许进香。”吓得众人忙忙下山。李靖上马，怒气不息。有诗为证，诗曰： 雄兵才至翠屏疆，忽见黎民日进香。鞭打金身为粉碎，脚蹬鬼判也遭殃。 火焚庙宇腾腾焰，烟透长空烈烈光。只因一气冲牛斗，父子参商有战场。

Now let us speak of Li Jing, who, because Dongbo Jiang Wenhuan avenged his father, mobilized forty thousand troops. At Youhun Guan, they engaged in a great battle with Dou Rong, whom Rong could not defeat. Li Jing was training the three armies at Yama Ling and strictly guarding the pass. One day, while returning with his troops past Cuiping Mountain, Li Jing saw from horseback people coming and going in great numbers—elders supported by their children, young ones led along, men and women burning incense. They swarmed like ants, gathering thickly around the area. Li Jing asked from his horse: "This mountain is Cuiping Mountain—why are so many men and women coming in an unbroken stream?" The military official replied: "Half a year ago, there was a deity who manifested divine power here. No matter how many times people prayed, they were answered; no matter how often one sought help, it came through. Blessings arrived with prayers for blessings, and calamities vanished when dispelled." Hence, this has drawn men and women from all directions to come burning incense here." After hearing this, Li Jing recalled something and asked the central military officer: "What is the name of this deity?" The central officer replied: "It is Nezha's palace." Li Jing became furious and gave orders: "Set up camp!" "I shall go up the mountain to burn incense." The troops stood ready, and Li Jing rode his horse toward the mountain for worship. Men and women stepped aside. Li Jing rode directly to the front of the temple, where he saw a plaque hanging high above the gate inscribed with four characters: "Nezha's Palace." Upon entering the temple, Li Jing saw Nezha's statue as lifelike as if he were alive, with ghost judges standing on either side. Li Jing pointed and scolded, saying: "You beast!" "You disturbed your parents in life and now deceive the people after death!" After scolding, Li Jing took up his Liu Chen whip and with one stroke shattered Nezha's golden statue into pieces. In a rage, Li Jing kicked over the ghost judges. He gave orders: "Set fire to it and burn down the temple." He instructed the thousands of people who had come to worship, saying: "This is not a deity; you are no longer allowed to burn incense here." Frightened, the crowd hurriedly descended the mountain. Li Jing mounted his horse and remained furious. There is a poem to attest to this, the poem says: Mighty troops had just arrived at Cuiping's border; suddenly they saw common folk coming daily to burn incense. With a whip, the golden statue was shattered into pieces; with a kick, even the ghost judges suffered misfortune. Fire consumed the temple in roaring flames; smoke pierced the sky with blazing light. It was all because of a single surge of anger reaching up to the stars Niu and Dou—father and son became enemies, destined for battlefields.

话说李靖兵进陈塘关帅府下马，传令：“将人马散了。”李靖进后厅，殷夫人接见。李靖骂曰：“你生的好儿子，还遗害我不少，今又替他造行宫，煽惑良民。你要把我这条玉带送了才罢！如今权臣当道，况我不与费仲、尤浑二人交接，倘有人传至朝歌，奸臣参我假降邪神，白白的断送我数载之功。这样事俱是你妇人所为！今日我已烧毁庙宇。你若再与他起造，那时我也不与你好休！”

Now let us speak of Li Jing's troops advancing to the general's residence in Chentang Guan, where he dismounted and gave orders: "Disband the soldiers." Li Jing entered the back hall, where Yin Madam received him. Li Jing scolded: "You bore a fine son who has caused me no little trouble. Now you have built him another palace, misleading the good people." "You must give up this jade belt of mine before I'll stop!" Now, with powerful ministers in power, and since I have no dealings with Fei Zhong or You Hun, if someone were to report this to Chaoguo, the treacherous ministers might accuse me of falsely surrendering to an evil deity, ruining all my years of hard work for nothing. All these things are your doing as a woman! Today I have already burned down the temple. If you dare to rebuild it for him again, then at that time I will not be lenient with you!"

且不言李靖；再表哪吒那一日出神，不在行宫；及至回来，只见庙宇无存，山红土赤，烟焰未灭，两个鬼判，含泪来接。哪吒问曰：“怎的来？”鬼判答曰：“是陈塘关李总兵突然上山，打碎金身，烧毁行宫，不知何故。”哪吒曰：“我与你无干了，骨肉还于父母，你如何打我金身，烧我行官，令我无处栖身？”心上甚是不快。沉思良久：“不若还往乾元山走一遭。”哪吒受了半年香烟，已觉有些形声，一时到了高山，至于洞府。金霞童儿引哪吒见太乙真人。真人曰：“你不在行宫接受香火，你又来这里做甚么？”哪吒跪诉前情：“被父亲将泥身打碎，烧毁行宫。弟子无所依倚，只得来见师父，望祈怜救。”真人曰：“这就是李靖的不是。他既还了父母骨肉，他在翠屏山上，与你无干；今使他不受香火，如何成得身体。况姜子牙下山已快。也罢，既为你，就与你做件好事。”叫金霞童儿：“把五莲池中莲花摘二枝，荷叶摘三个来。”童子忙忙取了荷叶、莲花，放于地下。真人将花勒下瓣儿，铺成三才，又将荷叶梗儿折成三百骨节，三个荷叶，按上、中、下，按天、地、人。真人将一粒金丹放于居中，法用先天，气运九转，分离龙、坎虎，绰住哪吒魂魄，望荷、莲里一推，喝声：“哪吒不成人形，更待何时！”只听得韾一声，跳起一个人来，面如傅粉，唇似涂朱，眼运精光，身长一丈六尺，此乃哪吒莲花化身，见师父拜倒在地。真人曰：“李靖毁打泥身之事，其实伤心。”哪吒曰：“师父在上，此仇决难干休！”真人曰：“你随我桃园里来。”真人传哪吒火尖枪，不一时已自精熟。哪吒就要下山报仇。真人曰：“枪法好了，赐你脚踏风火二轮，另授灵符秘诀。”真人又付豹皮囊，囊中放乾坤圈、混天绫、金砖一块：“你往陈塘关去走一遭。”哪吒叩首，拜谢师父，上了风火轮，两脚踏定，手提火尖枪，迳往关上来。诗曰： 两朵莲花现化身，灵珠二世出凡尘。手提紫焰蛇矛宝；脚踏金霞风火轮。 豹皮囊内安天下；红锦绫中福世民。历代圣人为第一，史官遗笔万年新。

Now let us set aside Li Jing; let us now speak of Nezha, who on that day had left the palace in a trance; When he returned, he saw the temple gone, the mountain red with scorched earth and smoke still rising. The two ghost judges came to meet him weeping tears. Nezha asked: "What happened?" The ghost judges replied: "It was General Li of Chentang Guan who suddenly came up the mountain, shattered your golden statue and burned down the palace. We do not know why." Nezha said: "I have nothing to do with you anymore. I returned my bones and flesh to my parents. How could you strike my golden statue, burn down my palace, and leave me no place to dwell?" He was deeply upset in his heart. After pondering for a long time, he thought: "I might as well return to Qianyuan Mountain once more." Nezha had received incense offerings for half a year and now felt some form and presence. In no time, he arrived at the high mountain and reached the cave dwelling. Jinxia Tonger led Nezha to meet Taiyi Zhenren. Zhenren said: "You are not at your palace receiving incense and offerings—what brings you here?" Nezha knelt and recounted the previous events: "My father shattered my clay body and burned down my palace. Disciple has nowhere to rely, so I have come to see Master, hoping for your compassion and rescue." Zhenren said: "This is entirely Li Jing's fault. He has already returned his parents' bones and flesh, so on Cuiping Mountain he has nothing to do with you; now that he is not receiving incense offerings, how can he form a body? Moreover, Jiang Ziya has already been descending the mountain quickly. "Very well, since it is for you, I shall do a good deed for you." He called to Jinxia Tonger: "Pick two branches of lotus flowers from the Wulian Pool and bring three lotus leaves." The child hurriedly picked up the lotus leaves and flowers and placed them on the ground. Zhenren plucked the petals from the flowers, arranging them into the Three Talents. He then bent the stems of the lotus leaves into three hundred joints and placed the three leaves—top, middle, bottom—according to Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. Zhenren placed a single golden pill at the center, employing primordial methods and circulating its energy through nine transformations. He separated the dragon from Long and the tiger from Kan, grasped Nezha's soul and spirit, and pushed them into the lotus and leaves. With a shout: "Nezha, if you do not take human form now, when else will it be?" At once, a loud sound was heard and a man leaped up. His face was as smooth as powdered white, his lips like vermilion paint; his eyes radiated brilliance, and he stood six chi and sixteen cun tall. This was Nezha's lotus-reincarnated form, who fell to the ground before his master in reverence. Zhenren said: "The matter of Li Jing destroying your clay body is truly heartbreaking." Nezha said: "Master above, this grudge will surely not be easily forgotten!" Zhenren said: "Come with me to the peach garden." Zhenren taught Nezha the Huojian Qiang, and in no time at all, he had mastered it thoroughly. Nezha was about to descend the mountain for revenge. Zhenren said: "Your spear technique is complete; I now bestow upon you the Wind and Fire Wheels to ride, along with secret talismans and formulas." Zhenren also gave him a leopard-skin pouch, inside which he placed the Qiankun Ring, Huntuan Ling, and one golden brick: "Go to Chentang Guan for a visit." Nezha kowtowed and bowed in gratitude to his master, then mounted the Wind and Fire Wheels. With both feet firmly planted and holding the Huojian Qiang in hand, he went directly toward the pass. The poem says: Two lotus flowers manifest a transformed body; the pearl of spirit, in its second life, emerges from the mundane world. He holds aloft a precious spear with purple flame, like a serpent's weapon; His feet ride the golden-hued Wind and Fire Wheels. Within the leopard-skin pouch lies peace for all under heaven; The red brocade silk brings blessings to generations of people. Sages through the ages rank him first; the historian's brushwork remains ever fresh for ten thousand years.

话说哪吒来到陈塘关，迳进关来至帅府，大呼曰：“李靖早来见我！”有军政官报入府内：“外面有三公子，脚踏风火二轮，手提火尖枪，口称老爷姓讳，不知何故，请老爷定夺。”李靖喝曰：“胡说！人死岂有再生之理！”言未了，只见又一起家人来报：“老爷如出去迟了，便杀进府来！”李靖大怒：“有这样事！”忙提画戟，上了青骢，出得府来。见哪吒脚踏风火二轮，手提火尖枪，比前大不相同。李靖大惊，问曰：“你这畜生！你生前作怪，死后还魂，又来这里缠扰！”哪吒曰：“李靖！我骨肉已交还与你，我与你无干碍，你为何往翠屏山鞭打我的金身，火烧我的行宫？今日拿你，报一鞭之恨！”把枪愰一愰，劈脑刺来。李靖将画戟相迎。轮马盘旋，戟枪并举。哪吒力大无穷，三五合把李靖杀的马仰人翻，力尽筋输，汗流脊背。李靖只得望东南逃走。哪吒大叫曰：“李靖休想今番饶你！不杀你决不空回！”往前赶来。不多时，看看赶上。──哪吒的风火轮快，李靖马慢。李靖心下著慌，只得下马，借土遁去了。哪吒笑曰：“五行之术，道家平常，难道你土遁去了，我就饶你！”把脚一登，驾起风火二轮，只见风火之声，如飞云掣电，望前追赶。李靖自思：“今番赶上，被他一枪刺死，如之奈何？”李靖见哪吒看看至近，正在两难之际，忽然听得有人作歌而来，歌曰： “清水池边明月，绿柳堤畔桃花。别是一般清味，淩空几片飞霞。”

Now, Nezha arrived at Chentang Guan and went directly into the pass to the general's residence. He shouted loudly: "Li Jing, come out and face me!" A military official reported inside the residence: "Outside, there is a third young master riding the Wind and Fire Wheels, holding the Huojian Qiang. He claims to know your name and surname. I do not know why he has come; please decide what to do." Li Jing shouted: "Nonsense!" "When a person is dead, how could there be the logic of rebirth?" Before he had finished speaking, another servant came to report: "If you do not go out soon, Master, they will storm the residence!" Li Jing was furious and exclaimed: "Such a thing could happen?" He quickly took up his painted halberd, mounted his green steed, and rode out of the residence. Seeing Nezha riding on the Wind and Fire Wheels and holding the Huojian Spear, he looked vastly different from before. Li Jing was greatly startled and asked: "You wretched beast!" "You caused trouble when you were alive, and now after death your spirit has returned to haunt me here again!" Nezha said: "Li Jing!" "My bones and flesh have already been returned to you; I have no further connection with you. Why did you go to Cuiping Mountain, whip my golden body, and set fire to my palace?" "Today, I come for you to avenge the pain of that single whipping!" Nezha waved his spear and charged forward, aiming straight at Li Jing's head. Li Jing raised his painted halberd to meet the attack. They circled each other on horseback, both weapons—halberd and spear—held high in battle. Nezha's strength was boundless, and after three or five exchanges he had Li Jing thrown from his horse, exhausted and drenched in sweat. Li Jing had no choice but to flee toward the southeast. Nezha shouted: "Li Jing, do not think I will spare you this time!" "If I do not kill you, I shall return empty-handed!" He rushed forward in pursuit. In no time at all, Nezha was almost upon him. ——Nezha's Wind and Fire Wheels were fast, while Li Jing's horse was slow. Li Jing grew anxious and had no choice but to dismount and escape underground using earth 遁 (earth-cloaking). Nezha laughed and said: "Earth-cloaking is a common technique in Daoism; just because you escaped underground, do you think I will spare you?" He stepped up with one foot and rode the Wind and Fire Wheels; the sound of wind and fire roared like flying clouds and flashing lightning as he sped forward in pursuit. Li Jing thought to himself: "If I am caught now, his spear will kill me—what can I do?" As Li Jing saw Nezha drawing closer, and was caught in a desperate situation, he suddenly heard someone singing from afar. The song went: "Clear water by the pool reflects bright moonlight; green willows along the embankment bloom with peach blossoms." "A different kind of clarity and charm, a few drifting clouds of rosy light in midair."

李靖看时，见一道童，顶著䯼巾，道袍大袖，麻履丝绦，来者乃九宫山白鹤洞普贤真人徒弟木吒是也。木吒曰：“父亲，孩儿在此。”李靖看时，乃是次子木吒，心下方安。哪吒架轮正赶，见李靖同一道童讲话。哪吒落下轮来。木吒上前，大喝一声：“慢来！你这孽障好大胆！子杀父，忤逆乱伦。早早回去，饶你不死！”哪吒曰：“你是何人，口出大言？”木吒曰：“你连我也认不得！吾乃木吒是也。”哪吒方知是二哥，忙叫曰：“二哥，你不知其详。”哪吒把翠屏山的事细细说了一遍：“……这个是李靖的是，是我的是？”木吒大喝曰：“胡说！天下无有不是的父母！”哪吒又把“剖腹、刳肠，已将骨肉还他了，我与他无干，还有甚么父母之情！”木吒大怒曰：“这等逆子！”将手中剑望哪吒一剑砍来。哪吒枪架住曰：“木吒，我与你无仇，你站开了，待吾拿李靖报仇。”木吒大喝：“好孽障！焉敢大逆！”提剑来取。哪吒道：“这是大数造定，将生替死。”手中枪劈面交还。轮步交加，弟兄大战。哪吒见李靖站立一旁，又恐走了他，哪吒性急，将枪挑开剑，用手取金砖望空打来。木吒不堤防，一砖正中后心，打了一交，跌在地下。哪吒登轮来取李靖。李靖抽身就跑。哪吒叫曰：“就赶到海岛，也取你首级来，方泄吾恨！”李靖望前飞走，真似失林飞鸟，漏网游鱼，莫知东南西北。往前又赶多时，李靖见事不好，自叹曰：“罢！罢！罢！想我李靖前生不知作甚孽障，致使仙道未成，又生出这等冤愆。也是合该如此，不若自己将刀戟刺死，免受此子之辱。”正待动手，只见一人叫曰：“李将军切不要动手，贫道来！”信口作歌，歌曰： “野外清风拂柳，池中水面飘花。借问安居何地？白云深处为家。”

When Li Jing looked, he saw a young Daoist wearing a folded cap on his head, with wide sleeves of Daoist robes and hemp shoes with silk sashes. The one coming was none other than Mucha, the disciple of Zhenren Puxian from Bahe Dong on Jiugong Mountain. Mucha said: "Father, your son is here." When Li Jing saw that it was his second son Mucha, he felt a sense of relief. Nezha rode the Wheels in pursuit and saw Li Jing speaking with a young Daoist. Nezha dismounted from his Wheels. Mucha stepped forward and shouted: "Hold on!" "How dare you, wretched demon!" "To kill one's father is to commit filial impiety and disrupt the natural order." "Return at once, or I will not spare your life!" Nezha asked: "Who are you to speak so boldly?" Mucha said: "You don't even recognize me!" "I am Mucha." Nezha realized it was his second brother and hurriedly called out: "Second Brother, you do not know the details." Nezha recounted in detail what had happened at Cuiping Mountain: "…Which of these is Li Jing, and which am I?" Mucha shouted angrily: "Nonsense!" "There are no parents in the world who are without reason!" Nezha added: "I have already opened my abdomen and cut out my entrails, returning my flesh and bones to him. I have no connection with him anymore—what filial bond remains?" Mucha was furious and said: "Such a rebellious son!" He raised the sword in his hand and struck Nezha with one fierce blow. Nezha blocked the sword with his spear and said: "Mucha, I have no grudge against you. Stand aside so that I may take Li Jing for revenge." Mucha shouted fiercely: "Wretched demon!" "How dare you commit such filial impiety!" He raised his sword to strike. Nezha said: "This is decreed by Heaven's great plan; one must die to replace another." He swung his spear and struck Mucha directly in the face. They clashed fiercely, their Wheels spinning and steps entwined as brothers fought each other. Nezha saw Li Jing standing by and feared he might escape. Impatient, Nezha parried Mucha's sword with his spear, then took the golden brick in hand and hurled it into the air toward him. Mucha did not expect this, and the brick struck his back precisely, knocking him over so he fell to the ground. Nezha mounted his Wheels once more to attack Li Jing. Li Jing turned and ran for his life. Nezha shouted: "Even if you run to the sea island, I will cut off your head and only then will my hatred be satisfied!" Li Jing fled forward as if a bird escaping the forest or a fish slipping through a net, completely lost and unaware of directions. After chasing for some time longer, Li Jing realized the situation was dire and sighed: "Enough!" "Enough!" "Enough!" I, Li Jing, must have committed some grievous sin in my past life that prevented me from attaining the Dao. Now I am burdened with such a karmic debt. This must be my fate; it is better to kill myself with sword and halberd now than endure the shame of this son." Just as he was about to act, a voice called out: "General Li, do not proceed! I am coming!" He sang spontaneously, the song went: "Clear winds in the wild brush against willows; petals drift on the surface of the pond." One might ask where peace and stability can be found? The home lies deep within the white clouds."

作歌者乃五龙山云霄洞文殊广法天尊，手执拂尘而来。李靖看见，口称：“老师救末将之命！”天尊曰：“你进洞去，我这里等他。”少刻，哪吒雄赳赳、气昂昂，脚踏风火轮，持枪赶至。看见一道者，怎生模样： 双抓髻，云分霭霭；水合袍，紧束丝绦。仙风道骨在逍遥，腹隐许多玄妙。 玉虚宫元始门下，群仙首会赴蟠桃。全凭五气炼成豪，天皇氏修仙养道。

The one singing was none other than Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun from Yunxiao Dong on Wulong Mountain, who came holding a whisk. Li Jing saw him and cried out: "Master, please save your humble servant's life!" The Tianzun said: "Go into the cave. I shall wait for him here." In a short while, Nezha came striding forward with bold confidence and high spirits, riding the Wind and Fire Wheels while holding his spear. He saw a Daoist figure, who looked like this: A double braid hairstyle, with clouds parting around the temples; a water-colored robe tightly fastened by a silk sash. With the aura of an immortal, his Daoist bones exuded carefree grace; within him lay many profound mysteries. A disciple from Yu Xu Gong under the lineage of Yuanshi, he was among the foremost immortals attending the Peach Banquet. łoż He had become bold and mighty through refining the Five Qi; he cultivated Dao and pursued immortality as a descendant of the Tianhuang Clan.

话说哪吒看见一道人站立山坡上，又不见李靖。哪吒问曰：“那道者可曾看见一将过去？”天尊曰：“方才李将军进我云霄洞里去了。你问他怎的？”哪吒曰：“道者，他是我的对头。你好好放他出洞来，与你干休；若走了李靖，就是你替他戳三枪。”天尊曰：“你是何人？这等狠，连我也要戳三枪。”哪吒不知那道人是何等人，便叫曰：“吾乃乾元山金光洞太乙真人徒弟哪吒是也。你不可小觑了我。”天尊说：“我不曾听见有甚么太乙真人徒弟叫做哪吒！你在别处撒野便罢了，我这所在撒不的野。若撒一撒野，便拿去桃园内，吊三年，打二百扁拐。”哪吒那里晓得好歹，将枪一展，就刺天尊。天尊抽身就往本洞跑。哪吒踏轮来赶。天尊回头，看见哪吒来的近了，袖中取一物，名曰：“遁龙桩”，又名“七宝金莲”，望空丢起。只见风生四野，云雾迷空，播土扬尘，落来有声，把哪吒昏沉沉不知南北，黑惨惨怎认东西，颈项套一个金圈，两只腿两个金圈，靠著黄邓邓金柱子站著。哪吒及睁眼看时，把身子动不得了。天尊曰：“好孽障！撒的好野！”唤金吒：“把扁取来！”金吒忙取扁拐，至天尊面前禀曰：“扁拐在此。”天尊曰：“替我打！”金吒领师命，持扁拐把哪吒一顿扁拐，打的三昧真火七窍齐喷。天尊曰：“且住了。”同金吒进洞去了。哪吒暗想：“赶李靖到不曾赶上，倒被他打了一顿扁拐，又走不得。”哪吒切齿深恨，没奈何，只得站立此间，气冲牛斗。──看官：这个太乙真人明明送哪吒到此磨他杀性。真人已知此情。哪吒正烦恼时，只见那边厢大袖宽袍，丝绦麻履，乃太乙真人来也。哪吒看见，叫曰：“师父！望乞救弟子一救！”连叫数声，真人不理，走进洞去了。有白云童儿报曰：“太乙真人在此。”天尊迎出洞来，对真人携手笑曰：“你的徒弟，叫我训教。”他二仙坐下。太乙真人曰：“贫道因他杀戒重了，故送他来磨其真性；孰知果获罪于天尊。”天尊命金吒：“放了哪吒来。”金吒走到哪吒面前道：“你师父叫你。”哪吒曰：“你明明的奈何我，你弄甚么障眼法儿，教我动展不得？你还来消遣我！”金吒笑曰：“你闭了目。”哪吒只得闭著眼。金吒将灵符画毕，收了遁龙桩；哪吒急待看时，其圈、桩俱不见了。哪吒点头道：“好，好，好，今日吃了无限大亏，且进洞去，见了师父，再做处置。”二人进洞来。哪吒看见打他的道人在左边，师父在右边。太乙真人曰：“过来，与你师伯叩头！”哪吒不敢违拗师命，只得下拜。哪吒道：“谢打了。”转身又拜师父。太乙真人叫：“李靖过来。”李靖倒身下拜。

Now, Nezha saw a Daoist standing on the hillside but could not see Li Jing anywhere. Nezha asked: "Daoist, have you seen a general pass by?" The Tianzun replied: "Just now General Li entered my Yunxiao Dong cave." "Why do you ask about him?" Nezha said: "Daoist, he is my enemy." You had better let him out of the cave safely; I will have nothing more to do with you. If Li Jing escapes, it is as if you yourself took three spear thrusts for him." The Tianzun asked: "Who are you?" So fierce, that even I would be pierced by three spear thrusts." Nezha did not know who the Daoist was, so he called out: "I am Nezha, disciple of Taiyi Zhenren of Jin Guang Dong on Qianyuan Mountain." "You must not look down upon me." The Tianzun said: "I have never heard of any disciple named Nezha from Taiyi Zhenren!" If you want to cause trouble elsewhere, that is fine; but not in my territory. If you dare to cause any trouble here, I will take you to Peach Garden and hang you there for three years, beating you with two hundred flat sticks." Nezha did not understand the situation at all; he brandished his spear and immediately attacked the Tianzun. The Tianzun turned around and ran straight back to his cave. Nezha rode the Wind and Fire Wheel in pursuit. The Tianzun looked back and saw that Nezha was getting close. He took an object from his sleeve, called "Dunlong Zhuang," also known as the "Seven Treasures Golden Lotus," and threw it into the air. Suddenly, winds arose across the four fields, clouds and mists obscured the sky, dust flew into the air, and with a loud noise it fell down. Nezha became dazed and disoriented, unable to tell north from south or east from west in the darkness. A golden ring was fastened around his neck, another on each leg, and he stood leaning against a bright yellow golden pillar. When Nezha finally opened his eyes, he found that he could not move at all. The Tianzun said: "You wretched demon!" "You caused quite a ruckus!" He called out to Jinzha: "Bring the flat stick over here!" Jinzha hurriedly fetched a flat stick and presented it before the Tianzun, saying: "The flat stick is here." The Tianzun said: "Beat him for me!" Jinzha obeyed his master's command, took the flat stick, and gave Nezha a thorough beating with it. The Trisandhi True Fire erupted from all seven orifices of Nezha's body. The Tianzun said: "Stop for now." Together with Jinzha, he went into the cave. Nezha thought to himself: "I didn't even catch up with Li Jing, and instead I was beaten with a flat stick by him. And now I can't even move." Nezha clenched his teeth in deep resentment, helpless and forced to stand there, his anger surging toward the heavens. ──Dear readers: This Taiyi Zhenren clearly sent Nezha here to temper and subdue his violent nature. Zhenren was already aware of this situation. Just as Nezha was feeling frustrated, he saw from the other side a figure with wide sleeves and robe, wearing a silk sash and hemp shoes—it was Taiyi Zhenren. Nezha saw him and called out: "Master!" I beg you, save your disciple this time!" He called several times, but Zhenren paid no attention and walked into the cave. A white-robed child attendant reported: "Taiyi Zhenren is here." The Tianzun came out of the cave to greet him, clasped hands with Zhenren and smiled: "Your disciple has been taught a lesson by me." The two immortals sat down. Taiyi Zhenren said: "Because his killing karma is too heavy, I sent him here to temper his true nature; who knew that he would indeed incur the Tianzun's punishment." The Tianzun ordered Jinzha: "Release Nezha now." Jinzha walked up to Nezha and said: "Your master is calling you." Nezha said: "You clearly restrained me. What kind of illusion are you using to keep me from moving?" Are you still coming here just to mock me!" Jinzha smiled and said: "Close your eyes." Nezha had no choice but to close his eyes. Jinzha finished drawing the spirit talisman and removed the Dunlong Zhuang; When Nezha hurriedly opened his eyes to look, he found that all the rings and pillars were gone. Nezha nodded and said: "Fine, fine, fine. I have suffered a great loss today; let me go into the cave first and see my master before deciding what to do next." The two of them entered the cave. Nezha saw that the Daoist who had beaten him was on his left, and his master was on his right. Taiyi Zhenren said: "Come over here and kowtow to your senior master!" Nezha dared not disobey his master's command, so he knelt down and bowed. Nezha said: "Thank you for the beating." He turned around and bowed to his master again. Taiyi Zhenren called: "Li Jing, come over here." Li Jing knelt and bowed deeply.

真人曰：“翠屏山之事，你也不该心量窄小，故此父子参商。”哪吒在旁只气得面如火发，恨不的吞了李靖才好。二仙早解其意。真人曰：“从今父子再不许犯颜。”吩咐李靖：“你先去罢。”李靖谢了真人，迳出来了。就把哪吒急的敢怒而不敢言，只在旁边抓耳揉腮，长吁短叹。真人暗笑，曰：“哪吒，你也回去罢。好生看守洞府。我与你师伯下棋，一时就来。”哪吒听见此言，心花儿也开了。哪吒曰：“弟子晓得。”忙忙出洞，踏起风火二轮，追赶李靖。往前赶有多时，哪吒看是李靖前边驾著土遁，大叫：“李靖休走，我来了！”李靖看见，叫苦曰：“这道者可为失言！既先著我来，就不该放他下山，方是为我。今没多时，便放他来赶我，这正是为人不终，怎生奈何？”只得往前避走。

Zhenren said: "Regarding the matter at Cuiping Mountain, you were also wrong to be so narrow-minded, which is why father and son are now estranged." Nezha standing by was furious with rage, his face as red as fire; he could only wish to swallow Li Jing whole. The two immortals quickly understood his meaning. Zhenren said: "From now on, father and son must never quarrel again." He instructed Li Jing: "You may go first." Li Jing thanked Zhenren and left directly. Nezha was so frustrated he could only suppress his anger, unable to speak; he stood by scratching his ears and rubbing his cheeks, sighing deeply. Zhenren smiled secretly and said: "Nezha, you may also go back now. Take good care of the cave dwelling." I am going to play chess with your senior master; I will be back shortly." Nezha heard these words and felt as if his heart bloomed. Nezha said: "I understand, master." He hurriedly left the cave and rode the Wind and Fire Wheels to chase after Li Jing. After chasing for a long time, Nezha saw that Li Jing was ahead, using earth 遁 to travel. He shouted: "Li Jing, don't run! I'm coming!" Li Jing saw this and lamented: "This Daoist has indeed spoken falsely!" If he had already let me come first, he should not have released him from the mountain; that would truly be for my sake. Now, after such a short time, he has already let him come to chase me down—this is precisely what it means to be an unreliable person. What can I do about it?" He had no choice but to run forward and evade.

却说李靖被哪吒赶的上天无路，入地无门。正在危急之际，只见山岗上有一道人，倚松靠石而言曰：“山脚下可是李靖？”李靖抬头一看，见一道人，李靖曰：“师父，末将便是李靖。”道人曰：“为何慌忙？”靖曰：“哪吒追之甚急，望师父垂救！”道人曰：“快上岗来，站在我后面，待我救你。”李靖上岗，躲在道人之后，喘息未定，只见哪吒风火轮响，看看赶至岗下。哪吒看见两人站立，便冷笑一番：“难道这一遭又吃亏罢！”踏著轮往岗上来。道者问曰：“来者可是哪吒？”哪吒答曰：“我便是。你这道人为何叫李靖站立在你后面？”道人曰：“你为何事赶他？”哪吒又把翠屏山的事说了一遍。道人曰：“你既在五龙山讲明了，又赶他，是你失信也。”哪吒曰：“你莫管我们。今日定要拿他，以泄我恨！”道人曰：“你既不肯──”便对李靖曰：“你就与他杀一回与我看。”李靖曰：“老师，这畜生力大无穷，末将杀他不过。”道人站起来，把李靖一口啐，把脊背上打一巴掌：“你杀与我看。有我在此，不妨事。”李靖只得持戟刺来。哪吒持火尖枪来迎。父子二人战在山岗，有五六十回合。哪吒这一回被李靖杀的汗流满面，遍体生津。哪吒遮架画戟不住，暗自沉思：“李靖原杀我不过，方才这道人啐他一口，扑他一掌，其中必定有些原故。我有道理：待我卖个破绽，一枪先戳死道人，然后再拿李靖。”哪吒将身一跃，跳出圈子来，一枪竟刺道人。道人把口一张，一朵白莲花接住了火尖枪。道人曰：“李靖，且住了。”李靖听说，急架住火尖枪。道人问哪吒曰：“你这孽障！你父子厮杀，我与你无仇，你怎的刺我一枪！倒是我白莲架住。不然我反被你暗算。这是何说？”哪吒曰：“先前李靖杀我不过，你叫他与我战，你为何啐他一口，掌他一下。这分明是你弄鬼，使我战不过他。我故此刺你一枪，以泄其忿。”道人曰：“你这孽障，敢来刺我！”哪吒大怒，把枪展一展，又劈脑刺来。道人跳开一旁，袖儿望上一举，只见祥云缭绕，紫雾盘旋，一物往下落来，把哪吒罩在玲珑塔里。道人双手在塔上一拍，塔里火发，把哪吒烧的大叫：“饶命！”道人在塔外问曰：“哪吒，你可认父亲？”哪吒只得连声答应：“老爷，我认是父亲了。”道人曰：“既认父亲，我便饶你。”道人忙收宝塔。哪吒睁眼一看，浑身上下，莫莫有烧坏些儿。哪吒暗思：“有这等的异事！此道人真是弄鬼！”道人曰：“哪吒，你既认李靖为父，你与他叩头。”哪吒意欲不肯，道人又要祭塔；哪吒不得已，只得忍气吞声，低头下拜，倘有不忿之色。道人曰：“还要你口称‘父亲’。”哪吒不肯答应。道人曰：“哪吒，你既不称‘父亲’，还是不服。再取金塔烧你！”哪吒著慌，连忙高叫：“父亲，孩儿知罪了。”哪吒口内虽叫，心上实是不服，只是暗暗切齿，自思道：“李靖，你长远带著道人走！”道人唤李靖曰：“你且跪下，我秘受你这一座金塔。如哪吒不服，你便将此塔祭起烧他。”哪吒在旁，只是暗暗叫苦。道人曰：“哪吒，你父子从此和睦，久后俱系一殿之臣，辅佐明君，成其正果，再不必言其前事。哪吒，你回去罢。”哪吒见是如此，只得回乾元山去了。李靖跪而言曰：“老爷广施道德，解弟子之危厄，请问老爷，高姓大名？那座名山？何处洞府？”道人曰：“贫道乃灵鹫山元觉洞燃灯道人是也。你修炼未成，合享人间富贵。今商纣失德，天下大乱，你且不必做官，隐于山谷之中，暂忘名利。待周武兴兵，你再出来立功立业。”李靖叩首在地，回关隐迹去了。──道人原是太乙真人请到此间磨哪吒之性，以认父子之情。后来父子四人，肉身成圣，托塔天王乃李靖也。后人有诗曰： 黄金造就玲珑塔，万道毫光透九重。不是燃灯施法力，难教父子复相从。

Meanwhile, Li Jing was chased by Nezha until he had nowhere to go—no path to the heavens above or a way into the earth below. Just as he was in dire straits, he saw a Daoist on the hillside leaning against a pine tree and stone, who said: "Is that Li Jing at the foot of the mountain?" Li Jing looked up and saw a Daoist. Li Jing said: "Master, I am General Li Jing." The Daoist asked: "Why are you in such a rush?" Jing replied: "Nezha is chasing me urgently. I beg my master to save me!" The Daoist said: "Come quickly up the hill, stand behind me, and let me save you." Li Jing climbed the hill and hid behind the Daoist, still catching his breath. Just then, he heard the roaring of Nezha's Wind and Fire Wheels approaching rapidly from below the hillside. Nezha saw the two men standing there and sneered: "Could I possibly suffer another loss this time?" He rode his Wheels up toward the hill. The Daoist asked: "Is the one coming here Nezha?" Nezha replied: "I am." "Why did you tell Li Jing to stand behind you?" The Daoist asked: "Why are you chasing him?" Nezha recounted the events at Cuiping Mountain once again. The Daoist said: "Since you had already clarified matters on Wulong Mountain, yet still chased after him, it is you who have broken your word." Nezha said: "Don't interfere in our affairs. I must capture him today to vent my anger!" The Daoist said: "Since you refuse──" and then turned to Li Jing, saying, "Then fight him once for me to see." Li Jing said: "Master Teacher, this beast has boundless strength; I am afraid I cannot defeat him." The Daoist stood up, spat at Li Jing, and slapped him on the back: "Then fight me for a look. With me here, there is no need to worry." Li Jing had no choice but to take up his halberd and charge forward. Nezha brandished the Fire-Tip Spear to meet him. Father and son fought on the hillside for more than fifty or sixty rounds. This time, Nezha was drenched in sweat from head to toe as he fought against Li Jing. Nezha could barely block Li Jing's halberd and secretly pondered: "Originally, General Li was unable to defeat me. Earlier, that Daoist spat at him and slapped his back; there must be some hidden reason behind this." I have a plan: I will pretend to leave an opening, first stab the Daoist with my spear and kill him, then capture Li Jing." Nezha leaped into the air, jumped out of the circle, and suddenly aimed his spear at the Daoist. The Daoist opened his mouth, and a white lotus flower caught the Fire-Tip Spear. The Daoist said: "Li Jing, stop for now." Upon hearing this, Li Jing quickly blocked the Fire-Tip Spear. The Daoist asked Nezha: "You wretched demon! Your father and son are fighting each other. I have no grudge against you, so why did you aim your spear at me?" It was my white lotus that blocked it for you." Otherwise, I would have been ambushed by you. "What do you mean?" Nezha said: "Earlier, Li Jing was unable to defeat me; you told him to fight with me. Why did you spit at him and slap his back?" "This clearly means that you are up to something, making it impossible for me to defeat him." "Therefore, I aimed my spear at you to vent my anger." The Daoist said: "You wretched demon, how dare you aim your spear at me!" Nezha became furious and extended his spear, striking again toward the Daoist's head. The Daoist jumped aside, raised his sleeve upward, and at once auspicious clouds swirled around while purple mist spiraled. Something descended from above and enclosed Nezha within the Linglong Pagoda. The Daoist clapped his hands on the pagoda, and fire erupted inside it, burning Nezha so badly that he cried out in agony: "Have mercy! Spare my life!" From outside the pagoda, the Daoist asked: "Nezha, do you recognize your father?" Nezha had no choice but to respond repeatedly: "Master, I now recognize you as my father." The Daoist said: "Since you have recognized your father, I will spare you." The Daoist quickly retracted the pagoda. Nezha opened his eyes and looked around; he found that parts of his body had been burned. Nezha secretly pondered: "What an extraordinary occurrence! This Daoist is truly up to no good!" The Daoist said: "Nezha, since you have acknowledged Li Jing as your father, bow before him." Nezha was reluctant to do so, but the Daoist prepared once again to summon the pagoda; Nezha had no alternative but to swallow his anger and bow his head in submission, though he still showed a look of resentment. The Daoist said: "You must also call him 'Father' with your words." Nezha refused to comply. The Daoist said: "Nezha, if you refuse to call him 'Father,' it means you are still not convinced." I will summon the golden pagoda once more and burn you!" Nezha panicked and hurriedly cried out: "Father, I know my fault now." Though Nezha called out with his mouth, in his heart he was still resentful. He silently gritted his teeth and thought to himself: "Li Jing, you must always travel with that Daoist!" The Daoist called out to Li Jing and said: "Kneel down for a moment; I will secretly bestow this golden pagoda upon you. If Nezha refuses to obey, summon this pagoda and burn him with it." Nezha on the side could only silently groan in despair. The Daoist said: "Nezha, from now on your father and son should live in harmony. In the future, you will both become ministers of one palace, assisting a wise ruler to achieve righteous results; there is no need to mention past grievances again. "Nezha, go back now." Seeing that there was no other choice, Nezha had to return to Qianyuan Mountain. Li Jing knelt and said: "Master, you have generously extended your virtue and morality to rescue me from danger. May I ask for your esteemed surname and name?" And which famous mountain do you come from? What is the name of your cave dwelling?" The Daoist said: "I am the poor Daoist Rendeng, a hermit from Yuanjue Cave on Lingjiu Mountain. Your cultivation is not yet complete; you are destined to enjoy wealth and honor in the mortal world. Now that King Zhou of Shang has lost virtue, chaos reigns across the land; you need not take office for now. Hide in the mountains and valleys, and temporarily forget fame and profit. Wait until King Wu of Zhou raises his army, then come forth to establish merit and achieve great deeds." Li Jing kowtowed on the ground and left for Guan, vanishing from sight. ──The Daoist had originally been invited by Taiyi Zhenren to this place to temper Nezha's nature and help him recognize the bond between father and son. Later, father and son became four individuals who attained sainthood in their physical forms; Tuo Ta Tianwang was none other than Li Jing. Later generations composed a poem which says: The golden pagoda is crafted with exquisite artistry, its myriad rays of light piercing through nine heavens. Were it not for Rendeng's dharma power, the father and son would have found it hard to reunite once more.

此是哪吒二次出世于陈塘关。后子牙下山，正应文王羑里七载之事。不知后节如何，且听下回分解。

This marks Nezha's second reincarnation in Chen Tangguan. Later, when Ziyi descended the mountain, it coincided with King Wenwang's seven-year imprisonment at Youli. What will happen in the following chapters remains to be seen; stay tuned for the next episode.