Chapter 55: Tuxingsun Submits to Western Qi

诗曰： 藏身匿影总无良，水到渠成为甚忙。背却天真贪爱欲，有违师训逐疆场。 百千伎俩终归正，八九元功自异常。两国始终成好合，认由月老定鸾凰。

The poem says: Hiding one's body and concealing one's shadow is always without virtue; when water reaches the channel, why be so busy? Turning away from innocence and greedily pursuing desires violates the teacher's instructions and leads to chasing after worldly affairs. A hundred or thousand tricks will ultimately return to righteousness; eight or nine fundamental achievements naturally stand out as extraordinary. The two countries eventually become harmonious, their union determined by Yue Lao in binding the phoenix and 鸾 (luán).

话说杨戬借土遁往夹龙山来，正驾遁光，风声雾色，不觉飘飘荡荡落将下来，乃是一座好山。但见： 山顶嵯峨摩斗柄，树梢彷佛接云霄。青烟堆里，时闻谷口猿啼；乱翠阴中，每听松间鹤唳。啸风山魅，立溪边戏弄樵夫；成器狐狸，坐崖畔惊张猎户。八面崔嵬，四围险峻。古怪乔松盘翠岭，槎砑老树挂藤萝。绿水清流，阵阵异香忻馥馥；巅峰彩色，飘飘隐现白云飞。时见大虫来往，每闻山鸟声鸣。麀鹿成群，穿荆棘往来跳跃；玄猿出入，盘溪涧摘果攀桃。伫立草坡一望，并无人走；行来深凹，俱是采药仙童。不是凡尘行乐地，赛过蓬莱第一峰。

The story goes that Yang Jian used the earth 遁 (dun) technique to head toward Jialong Mountain. As he rode his 遁光 (dungan), with wind and mist swirling around, he unconsciously drifted down gently, landing on a beautiful mountain. One could see: The mountain peak was jagged and towering toward the Dipper's handle, while tree branches seemed to touch the clouds above. Amidst the blue smoke, one could often hear monkeys crying from the valley entrance; Within the tangled green shade, one would often hear cranes calling among the pines. Wind-screaming mountain spirits stood by the stream, playing tricks on woodcutters; The fox capable of transformation sat at the cliffside, startling hunters with its sudden appearance. Towering on all sides and perilous in every direction. Strange and ancient cypresses twisted around emerald ridges, while gnarled old trees were draped with vines and tendrils. The green water flowed clearly, carrying waves of strange fragrance that filled the air pleasantly; On the peak, colorful hues shimmered, with white clouds drifting and occasionally appearing in the sky. At times one could see tigers coming and going; often one would hear birds singing in the mountain. Deer gathered in herds, darting through thorny thickets as they leaped about; Black apes came and went, winding along the stream to pluck fruits and climb peach trees. Standing on a grassy slope and looking out, there was no sign of people passing by; Walking into the deep hollows, one saw only immortal children gathering herbs. This was no ordinary place for worldly pleasures; it surpassed even the first peak of Penglai.

话说杨戬落下土遁来，见一座山，真实罕见。往前一望，两边俱是古木乔松，路径幽深，杳然难觅。行过数十步，只见一座桥梁。杨戬过了桥，又见碧瓦雕檐，金钉朱户，上悬一扁──“青鸾斗阙”。杨戬观羡不尽，甚是清幽，不觉立在松阴之下，看玩景致。只见朱红门开，鸾鸣鹤唳之声；又见数对仙童，各执旗旛羽扇；当中有一位道姑，身穿大红白鹤绛绡衣，徐徐而来；左右分八位女童，香风袅袅，彩瑞翩翩。怎见得，有赞为证： 鱼尾金冠霞彩飞，身穿白鹤绛绡衣。蕊宫玉阙曾长生，自幼瑶池养息机。只因劝酒蟠桃会，误犯天条谪翠微。“青鸾斗阙”权修摄，再上灵霄启故扉。

The story continues: Yang Jian descended from his earth 遁 (dun), and saw a mountain that was truly rare to behold. Looking ahead, on both sides were ancient trees and tall cypresses; the path was secluded and deep, difficult to trace. After walking dozens of steps, he saw a bridge ahead. Yang Jian crossed the bridge and then saw blue-tiled eaves carved with intricate designs, golden nails on vermilion doors. Above it hung a plaque inscribed "Qingluan Douque." Yang Jian admired the scenery endlessly, finding it especially serene and quiet. Unconsciously, he stood in the shade of a pine tree, gazing at the view. He saw the vermilion gate open, with sounds of phoenixes singing and cranes calling; He also saw several pairs of immortal children, each holding banners, feathered fans; In the center stood a female Daoist priestess, dressed in a crimson and white crane-patterned robe, approaching slowly; On either side were eight young girls, with fragrant winds swirling gently around them, their colorful and auspicious garments fluttering gracefully. How was she described? A verse testifies: Her fish-tail golden crown shimmered with rosy clouds; her body was clad in a white crane-patterned crimson robe. She had long lived in the palace of flowers and jade halls, born to immortality; since childhood she had been nurtured at 瑶池 (Yaochi) to cultivate her vital energy. It was because she advised wine at the peach banquet, mistakenly violating heavenly laws and thus exiled to 翠微 (Cuimi). She now holds authority over "Qingluan Douque," preparing once more to ascend to Lingxiao Heaven and open the ancient gates.

话说杨戬隐在松林之内，不好出来，只得待他过去，方好起身。只见道姑问左右女童：“是那里有闲人隐在林内，走去看来。”有一女童儿往林中来，杨戬迎上前去，口称：“道兄，方才误入此山，弟子乃玉泉山金霞洞玉鼎真人门下杨戬是也；今奉姜子牙命，往夹龙山去探机密事，不意驾土遁误落于此。望道兄转达娘娘，我弟子不好上前请罪。”女童出林见道姑，把杨戬的言语一一回覆了。道姑曰：“既是玉鼎真人门下，请来相见。”杨戬只得上前施礼，道姑曰：“杨戬，你往那里去，今到此处？”杨戬曰：“因土行孙同邓九公伐西岐，他有地行之术，前日险些被他伤了武王与姜子牙；如今访其根由，觅其实迹，设法擒他。不知误落此山，失于回避。”道姑曰：“土行孙乃惧留孙门人，你请他师父下山，大事可定。你回西岐，多拜上姜子牙。你速回去。”杨戬躬身问曰：“请娘娘尊姓，大名？回西岐好言娘娘圣德。”道姑道：“吾非别人，乃昊天上帝亲女，瑶池金母所生，只因那年蟠桃会，该我奉酒，有失规矩，误犯清戒，将我谪贬凤凰山青鸾斗阙。吾乃龙吉公主是也。”杨戬躬身，辞了公主，借土遁而行；未及盏茶时候，又落在低泽之旁。杨戬偏生要行此遁，为何又落，只见泽中微微风起： 扬尘播土，倒树催林。海浪如山耸，浑波万叠侵。乾坤昏惨惨，日月暗沉沉。一阵摇松如虎啸，忽然吼树似龙吟。万窍怒号天噎气，飞沙走石乱伤人。

The story continues: Yang Jian, hiding within the pine forest, dared not come out and had to wait until she passed before he could rise. The female Daoist priestess asked the young girls on either side, "Who is that idle person hiding in the woods? Go and take a look." One of the young girls went toward the forest, and Yang Jian stepped forward to greet her, saying, "Sister Daoist, I just mistakenly entered this mountain. I am Yang Jian, a disciple of Master Yuding, from Jinxia Cave on Yuquan Mountain; I am now following the orders of Jiang Ziya to go to Jialong Mountain and investigate a secret matter, but unintentionally fell here while using the earth 遁 (dungan) technique." I hope you sister Daoist will convey my greetings to the Lady, for your disciple dares not approach and offer apologies in person." The young girl came out of the forest and reported to the female Daoist priestess, repeating Yang Jian's words one by one. The female Daoist priestess said, "Since you are a disciple of Master Yuding the True Man, please come forward to meet me." Yang Jian had no choice but to step forward and bow. The female Daoist priestess said, "Yang Jian, where were you going? Why have you arrived here?" Yang Jian said, "Because Tu Xingsun and Deng Jiugong attacked Western Qi, he possesses the technique of earth traversal. The day before yesterday, he nearly injured King Wu and Jiang Ziya." Now I am investigating his origins, searching for his true whereabouts, and devising a plan to capture him. I did not realize I had mistakenly fallen into this mountain and failed to avoid it." The female Daoist priestess said: "Tu Xingsun is a disciple of Jiliusun. If you can invite his master to descend the mountain, great affairs may be settled. You return to Western Qi and convey my greetings to Jiang Ziya. Leave quickly." Yang Jian bowed and asked, "May I ask the Lady's honored surname and name? When returning to Western Qi, I will speak highly of the Lady's holy virtue." The female Daoist priestess replied, "I am no one else; I am the daughter of 昊天上帝 (Haotian Shangdi), born to the Queen Mother of 瑶池 (Yao Chi). It was because during that year's peach banquet, it was my duty to serve wine, but I violated the rules and mistakenly broke the sacred precepts. For this, I was exiled and demoted to Qingluan Douque on Fenghuang Mountain. I am Princess Longji." Yang Jian bowed, bid farewell to the princess, and departed using the earth 遁 (dunan) technique; Before a cup of tea could be finished, he had already landed by the side of a low-lying marsh. Yang Jian had just used this 遁 (dun) method, so why did he fall again? He saw a faint wind rising from the marsh: It raised dust and scattered soil, uprooting trees and toppling forests. The sea waves rose like mountains; surging tides in countless layers advanced. Heaven and earth grew dark and gloomy, the sun and moon dim and obscured. A gust shook the pines like a tiger's roar; suddenly, trees howled as if dragons were singing. Ten thousand crevices roared with fury, the sky choked with air; flying sand and rolling stones wildly injured people.

话说杨戬见狂风大作，雾暗天愁，泽中旋起二三丈水头。猛然开处，见一怪物，口似血盆，牙如钢剑，大叫一声：“那里生人气？”跳上岸来，两手捻叉来取。杨戬笑曰：“好孽障！怎敢如此！”手中枪急架相还。未及数合，杨戬发手，用五雷诀，一声响，霹雳交加，那精灵抽身就走。杨戬随后赶来。往前跳至一山脚下，有斗大一个石穴，那妖精往里面钻了去。杨戬笑曰：“是别人不进来；遇我，凭你有多大一个所在，我也走走！”喝声：“疾！”随跟进石穴中来。只见里边黑暗不明。杨戬借三昧火眼，现出光华，照耀如同白昼。原来里面也大，只是一个尽头路。观看左右，并无一物，只见闪闪灼灼，一口三尖两刃刀，又有一包袱扎在上面。杨戬连刀带出来，把包袱打开一看，是一件淡黄袍。怎见得，有赞为证： 淡鹅黄，铜钱厚；骨突云，霞光透。属戊己，按中央。黄邓邓，大花袍。浑身上下金光照。

The story continues: Yang Jian saw the fierce wind rise, the fog darkened and the sky seemed sorrowful; from the marsh, a wave of two or three zhang in height suddenly surged up. Suddenly, the waters parted to reveal a monstrous creature with a mouth like a blood-soaked basin and teeth like steel swords. It roared loudly, "Who is that strange human nearby?" It leaped onto the shore, raising its hands to seize him with a trident. Yang Jian laughed and said, "A fine demon you are! How dare you act so boldly!" He quickly raised his spear to counter. Before a few exchanges could take place, Yang Jian raised his hand and used the Five Thunder Technique. With one loud crack of thunder, lightning flashed; the spirit creature pulled back and fled immediately. Yang Jian hurried after it. He leaped forward to the foot of a mountain, where there was a stone cave as large as a 斗 (dou). The demon creature had darted into it. Yang Jian laughed and said: "It is not just anyone who would come in here; Now that I have met you, no matter how large your lair may be, I shall go inside and see for myself!" He shouted, "Quickly!" And followed closely into the stone cave. Inside, it was pitch dark and unclear. Yang Jian used the Threefold Fire Eye to emit light, illuminating the cave as if it were broad daylight. It turned out that inside was also quite large, but there was only one dead-end path. Looking around left and right, he saw nothing at all—only a flickering, glowing three-pointed double-edged sword, with a bundle of belongings tied on top. Yang Jian took out the sword and the bundle together; when he opened it, there was a light yellow robe inside. How is this described? A verse testifies: Light goose-yellow, as thick as a copper coin; Clouds protrude from the fabric, with rosy light shining through. Belonging to Wuji, it corresponds to the central direction. Yellow and mottled, a grand embroidered robe. Golden light radiated from every part of it.

杨戬将袍抖开，穿在身上，不长不短；把刀和枪扎在一处，收了黄袍，方欲起身，只听的后面大呼曰：“拿住盗袍的贼！”杨戬回头，见两个童儿赶来。杨戬立而问曰：“那童子，那个盗袍？”童子曰：“是你。”杨戬大喝一声：“吾盗你的袍？把你这孽障！吾修道多年，岂犯贼盗！”二童子曰：“你是谁？”杨戬曰：“吾乃玉泉山金霞洞玉鼎真人门下杨戬是也。”二人听罢，倒身下拜：“弟子不知老师到，有失迎迓。”杨戬曰：“二童子果是何人？”童子曰：“弟子乃五夷山金毛童子是也。”杨戬曰：“你既拜吾为师，你先往西岐去，见姜丞相，你说我往夹龙出去了。”金毛童子曰：“倘姜丞相不纳，如何？”杨戬曰：“你将此枪连刀袍都带去，自然无事。”二童辞了师父，借水遁往西岐来了。正是： 玄门自有神仙诀，脚踏风云咫尺来。

Yang Jian shook out the robe and put it on; it was neither too long nor too short; He tied the sword and spear together, tucked away the yellow robe, and was just about to rise when he heard a loud shout from behind: "Catch the thief who stole the robe!" Yang Jian turned around and saw two young boys running toward him. Yang Jian stood up and asked, "Which child is accusing whom of stealing the robe?" The boy said, "It's you." Yang Jian shouted angrily, "I stole your robe? You wretched demon! I have cultivated the Dao for many years; how could I commit theft!" The two boys said, "Who are you?" Yang Jian replied, "I am Yang Jian, a disciple of the True Man Yuding from Jinxia Cave on Yuquanshan." After hearing this, the two boys bowed respectfully and said, "Your disciples did not know our master had arrived; we failed to welcome you properly." Yang Jian asked, "What are your names, two young boys?" The boy replied, "We disciples are the Golden-haired Boys of Wuyi Mountain." Yang Jian said, "Since you have taken me as your master, go first to Western Qi and see Chancellor Jiang. Tell him I am heading to Jialong Mountain." The Golden-haired Boys asked, "If Chancellor Jiang does not accept this message, what then?" Yang Jian said: "Take this spear, the sword, and the robe with you; naturally, there will be no problem." The two boys bid farewell to their master and departed toward Western Qi using the water 遁 (dungan). Indeed: The Daoist path has its own divine techniques; with a step through wind and clouds, one arrives in an instant.

话说金毛童子至西岐，寻至相府前，对门官曰：“你报丞相，说有二人求见。”门官进来启丞相：“有二道童求见。”子牙命“来。”二童人见子牙，倒身下拜，“弟子乃杨戬门徒金毛童子是也。家师中途相遇，为得刀袍，故先著弟子来。师父往夹龙山去了。特来谒叩老爷。”子牙曰：“杨戬又得门人，深为可喜。”留在本府听用。不提。

The story continues: The Golden-haired Boys arrived at Western Qi, and upon reaching the chancellor's residence, they told a gate official, "Report to Chancellor Jiang that two people wish to see him." The gate official entered and reported to Chancellor Jiang: "Two Daoist boys request an audience." Zi Ya commanded, "Come in." The two boys entered and bowed respectfully before Zi Ya, saying, "We disciples are the Golden-haired Boys from Master Yang Jian's school." "Our master met you by chance on the road; to obtain the sword and robe, he has sent us ahead first." "Master is heading toward Jialong Mountain." We have specially come to pay our respects, Sir." Zi Ya said, "Yang Jian has gained another disciple; this is most pleasing." "You may remain in my residence and await orders." This matter will not be mentioned further.

且说杨戬驾土遁至夹龙山飞龙洞，迳进洞，见了惧留孙下拜，口称：“师伯。”惧留孙忙答礼曰：“你来做甚么？”杨戬道：“师伯可曾不见了困仙绳？”惧留孙慌忙站起曰：“你怎么知道？”杨戬曰：“有个土行孙同邓九公来征伐西岐，用的是困仙绳，将子牙师叔的门人拿入汤营，被弟子看破；特来奉请师伯。”惧留孙听得，怒曰；“好畜生！你敢私自下山，盗吾宝贝，害吾不浅！杨戬，你且先回西岐，我随后就来。”杨戬离了高山，回到西岐，至府前，入见子牙。子牙问曰：“可是困仙绳？”杨戬把收金毛童子事，误入青鸾斗阙，见惧留孙的事说了一遍。子牙曰：“可喜你又得了门下！”杨戬曰：“前缘有定，今得刀袍，无非赖师叔之大德，主上之洪福耳。”且言惧留孙分付童子：“看守洞门，候我去西岐走一遭。”──童子领命。不提。──道人驾纵地金光法来至西岐。左右报与子牙：“惧留孙仙师来至。”子牙迎出府来。二人携手至殿，行礼坐下。子牙曰：“高徒累胜吾军，我又不知；后被杨戬看破，只得请道兄一顾，以完道兄昔日助燃灯道兄之雅。末弟不胜幸甚！”惧留孙曰：“自从我来破十绝阵回去，自未曾检点此宝；岂知是这畜生盗在这里作怪！不妨，须得……如此如此，顷刻擒获。”子牙大喜。次日，子牙独自乘四不相往成汤辕门前后，观看邓九公的大营，若探视之状。只见巡营探子报入中军：“启元帅：姜丞相乘骑在辕门外私探，不知何故。”邓九公曰：“姜子牙善能攻守，晓畅兵机，不可不防。”傍有土行孙大喜曰：“元帅放心，待吾擒来，今日成功。”土行孙暗暗走出辕门，大呼曰：“姜尚！你私探吾营，是自送死期，不要走！”举手中棍照头打来。子牙仗手中剑急架来迎。未及三合，子牙拨转四不相就走。土行孙随后赶来，祭起困仙绳，又来拿子牙。──他不知惧留孙驾著金光法隐在空中，只管接他的。──土行孙意在拿了子牙，早奏功回朝，要与邓婵玉成亲。──此正是爱欲迷人，真性自昧。只顾拿人，不知省视前后一路；只是祭起困仙绳，不见落下来，也不思忖。只顾赶子牙，不上一里，把绳子都用完了；随手一摸，只至没有了，方才惊骇。土行孙见势头不好，站立不赶。子牙勒转四不相，大呼曰：“土行孙敢至此再战三合否？”土行孙大怒，拖棍赶来。才转过城垣，只见惧留孙曰：“土行孙那里去！”土行孙抬头，见是师父，就往地下一钻。惧留孙用手一指，“不要走！”只见那一块土比铁还硬，钻不下去。惧留孙赶上一把，抓住顶瓜皮，用困仙绳四马攒蹄困了，拎著他进西岐城来。众将知道擒了土行孙，齐至府前来看。道人把土行孙放在地下，杨戬曰：“师伯仔细，莫又走了他！”惧留孙曰：“有吾在此，不妨。”复问土行孙曰：“你这畜生！我自破十绝阵回去，此困仙绳我一向不曾检点，谁知被你盗出。你实说，是谁人唆使？”土行孙曰：“老师来破十绝阵，弟子闲耍高山，遇逢一道人跨虎而来，问弟子叫甚名字，弟子说名与他，弟子也随问他；他说是阐教门人申公豹。他看我不能了道成仙，只好受人间富贵。他教我往闻太师行营成功。弟子不肯。他荐我往三山关邓九公麾下建功。师父，弟子一时迷惑，但富贵人人所欲，贫贱人人所恶，弟子动了一个贪痴念头，故此盗了老师困仙绳，两葫芦丹药，走下尘寰。望老师道心无处不慈悲，饶了弟子罢！”子牙在傍曰：“道兄，似这等畜生，坏了吾教，速速斩讫报来！”惧留孙曰：“若论无知冒犯，理当斩首。但有一说，此人子牙公后有用他处，可助西岐一臂之力。”子牙曰：“道兄传他地行之术，他心毒恶，暗进城垣，行刺武王与我，赖皇天庇佑，风折旗旛，把吾警觉，算有吉凶，著实防备，方使我君臣无虞，若是毫厘差迟，道兄也有干系。此事还多亏杨戬设法擒获，又被他狡滑走了。这样东西，留他作甚！”子牙道罢，惧留孙大惊，忙下殿来大喝曰：“畜生！你进城行刺武王，行刺你师叔，那时幸而无虞；若是差迟，罪系于我。”土行孙曰：“我实告师尊：弟子随邓九公征伐西岐，一次仗师父困仙绳拿了哪吒，二次擒了黄天化，三次将师叔拿了。邓元帅与弟子贺功，见我屡拿有名之士，将女许我，欲赘为婿；被他催逼弟子，弟子不得已，仗地行之术，故有此举。怎敢在师父跟前有一句虚语！”惧留孙低头连想，默算一回，不觉嗟叹，子牙曰：“道兄为何嗟叹？”惧留孙曰：“子牙公，方才贫道卜算，该畜生与那女子该有系足之缘。前生分定，事非偶然。若得一人作伐，方可全美。若此女来至，其父不久也是周臣。”子牙曰：“吾与邓九公乃是敌国之雠，怎能得全此事？”惧留孙曰：“武王洪福，乃有道之君。天数已定，不怕不能完全。只是选一能言之士，前往汤营说合，不怕不成。”子牙低头沉思良久，曰：“须得散宜生去走一遭方可。”惧留孙曰：“既如此，事不宜迟。”子牙命左右：“去请上大夫散宜生来商议。”命：“放了土行孙。”不一时，上大夫散宜生来至，行礼毕。子牙曰：“今邓九公有女邓婵玉，原系邓九公亲许土行孙为妻。今烦大夫至汤营作伐，乞为委曲周旋，务在必成，……如此如此，方可。”散宜生领命出城。不表。且说邓九公在营，悬望土行孙回来，只见一去，毫无影响；令探马打听多时，回报：“闻得土先行被子牙拿进城去了。”邓九公大惊曰：“此人捉去，西岐如何能克？”心下十分不乐。只见散宜生来与土行孙议亲。不知吉凶如何，且听下回分解。

Meanwhile, Yang Jian rode the earth 遁 (dungan) to Jialong Mountain's Feilong Cave and directly entered. He saw Ju Liusun, bowed before him, and respectfully addressed him as "Uncle Master." Ju Liusun hurriedly returned the courtesy and asked, "What brings you here?" Yang Jian said, "Uncle Master, have you lost the Immortal Binding Rope?" Ju Liusun hastily stood up and asked, "How do you know this?" Yang Jian said, "A certain Tuxingsun came with Deng Jiugong to attack Western Qi; he used the Immortal Binding Rope and captured a disciple of Chancellor Zi Ya's uncle-mentor into the Shang camp. My disciple discovered this." "I have specially come here to respectfully invite Uncle Master." Upon hearing this, Ju Liusun angrily said: "Good for nothing!" You dared to descend the mountain on your own, steal my treasures, and have caused me great harm! "Yang Jian, you return to Western Qi first; I will come shortly." Yang Jian left the mountain and returned to Western Qi. Upon arriving at the residence, he entered to see Zi Ya. Zi Ya asked, "Is it the Immortal Binding Rope?" Yang Jian recounted how he had captured the Golden-haired Boys, mistakenly entered the Qingluan Douque, and met Ju Liusun. Zi Ya said, "It is most pleasing that you have gained another disciple!" Yang Jian replied, "This was all predestined. Today's acquisition of the sword and robe is entirely due to my uncle-mentor's great virtue and His Majesty's boundless fortune." Meanwhile, Ju Liusun instructed the boys: "Watch over the cave entrance and wait for me to make a trip to Western Qi." The boys accepted the order. This matter will not be mentioned here. The Daoist master rode the Zongdi Jinguang method and arrived at Western Qi. The attendants reported to Zi Ya: "Immortal Ju Liusun has arrived." Zi Ya stepped out of the residence to greet him. The two men walked hand in hand into the hall, bowed respectfully, and sat down. Zi Ya said: "My disciples have repeatedly defeated my troops, yet I was unaware; Later, Yang Jian discovered this and had no choice but to invite you, my Daoist elder brother, in order to fulfill the courtesy of your past assistance to Master Rendeng." I am most grateful!" Ju Liusun said, "Since I returned after breaking the Ten Absolute Arrays, I have never checked this treasure; how could I know that this wretch had stolen it and been causing trouble here!" "It is no problem. We must do this... and so on, and he will be captured in an instant," said Ju Liusun. Zi Ya was greatly pleased. The next day, Zi Ya rode the Sibuxiang alone to the front and rear of the Shang army's camp, observing General Deng Jiugong's forces as if inspecting them. A scout patrolling the camp reported to the central command: "Your Excellency, Chancellor Jiang is riding outside the 辕门 (yuanmen) and secretly inspecting the area. I do not know why." Deng Jiugong said, "Jiang Ziya is skilled in both attack and defense and well-versed in military strategy; we must not be careless." Beside him, Tuxingsun was delighted and said, "Commander, please rest assured. Let me capture him; today will be a success." Tuxingsun secretly exited the 辕门 (yuanmen), and shouted loudly, "Jiang Shang! You have come to spy on my camp; this is your own death sentence. Don't run!" He raised the staff in his hand and swung it toward Zi Ya's head. Zi Ya quickly raised the sword in his hand to block the attack. Before three exchanges could occur, Zi Ya turned his Sibuxiang and fled. Tuxingsun hurried after him, invoked the Immortal Binding Rope, and tried to capture Zi Ya once more. ——He did not know that Ju Liusun was hidden in the air, riding the Golden Light method, and continued to pursue him. ——Tuxingsun's intention was to capture Zi Ya quickly, return with the achievement to court, and marry Deng Chanyu. ——This is precisely how desire clouds one's mind and obscures one's true nature. He was so intent on capturing the person that he failed to look ahead or behind along his path; he simply continued invoking the Immortal Binding Rope without it ever landing, and did not think twice about it. He was so focused on chasing Zi Ya that within no more than a li, he had used up all the ropes; Only when he reached out to touch it did he realize there was nothing left, and only then did he become alarmed. Tuxingsun saw the situation turning against him and stopped running. Zi Ya reined in his Sibuxiang, shouted loudly: "Tuxingsun, dare you come here again and fight three rounds?" Tuxingsun became furious and rushed forward with his staff. Just as he turned past the city wall, Ju Liusun shouted: "Where do you think you're going, Tuxingsun!" Tuxingsun looked up and saw it was his master; he immediately burrowed into the ground. Ju Liusun pointed a finger at him and said, "Don't run!" He found that the earth was harder than iron and could not burrow through it. Ju Liusun rushed forward, grabbed him by the top of his head, bound him tightly with the Immortal Binding Rope in a four-horse knot, and carried him into Western Qi City. The generals learned that Tuxingsun had been captured and gathered at the residence to see for themselves. The Daoist master placed Tuxingsun on the ground, and Yang Jian said, "Uncle Master, be careful not to let him escape again!" Ju Liusun replied, "With me here, there is no problem." He then asked Tuxingsun: "You wretch! Ever since I returned after breaking the Ten Ultimate Arrays, I have not checked this Immortal Binding Rope. Little did I know it had been stolen by you. Tell me honestly—who was it that incited you to do this?" Tuxingsun said, "When my master came to break the Ten Ultimate Arrays, your disciple was idly playing on the mountain. I met a Daoist riding a tiger who asked me my name. I told him, and I also asked him in return; he said he was Shen Gongbao, a disciple of the Zhengjiao school." He saw that I could not attain Daoist enlightenment or immortality and would only be content with worldly wealth and honor. He taught me to go to the camp of Commander Wen Tai and achieve success there. But your disciple refused. He recommended me to go under General Deng Jiugong at San Shan Guan and establish merit there. Master, your disciple was momentarily deluded. Wealth and honor are what everyone desires, while poverty and low status are what all people despise. Your disciple gave in to a moment of greed and foolishness, so I stole my master's Immortal Binding Rope along with the two gourds of elixirs and descended into this mortal world. I beg you, Master, your Daoist mind is ever compassionate; please spare me!" Zi Ya added from the side, "Elder Brother Daoist, such a wretch has ruined our school. Kill him quickly and report back!" Ju Liusun said: "If we are to judge by his ignorance and offense, he should be beheaded. But there is one thing to consider: this person will later be of use to Chancellor Zi Ya and can lend a hand to Western Qi." Zi Ya said: "Elder Brother, you taught him the technique of earth traversal. His heart is cruel and evil; he secretly entered the city wall to assassinate King Wu and me. Fortunately, Heaven protected us—strong winds broke the banners, alerting me. There were signs of both good and ill fortune, so we remained vigilant, which ensured my lord and I had no mishap. Had there been even a slight miscalculation, Elder Brother would also have been implicated." This matter was largely due to Yang Jian's efforts in capturing him, but he managed to escape through his cunning. Such a creature—why keep him at all!" After Zi Ya finished speaking, Ju Liusun was greatly startled. He hurried down from the hall and shouted angrily: "Wretch! you entered the city to assassinate King Wu, and you also tried to kill your uncle-mentor. Fortunately at that time there was no harm done; had it been even slightly different, the blame would have fallen on me." Tuxingsun said: "I will truthfully confess to my master: your disciple, following General Deng Jiugong in his campaign against Western Qi, once captured Ne Zha using Master's Immortal Binding Rope; the second time I captured Huang Tianhua; and the third time I captured my uncle-mentor." Commander Deng and your disciple celebrated the achievement. Seeing that I had captured several renowned figures, he offered his daughter in marriage and wished to have me as a son-in-law; he pressured your disciple so much that I had no choice but to rely on the earth traversal technique, hence this action." How could I dare utter a single falsehood before my master!" Ju Liusun lowered his head, thinking intently and silently calculating for a while. He could not help but sigh. Zi Ya said: "Elder Brother, why do you sigh?" Ju Liusun said: "Master Zi Ya, just now I divined and found that this wretch and the girl are fated to be bound by a thread of connection. Their bond was determined in a past life; such matters are not accidental. If one person can act as matchmaker, then the matter may be fully resolved to perfection. "If this girl comes here, her father will not remain long a subject of the Zhou." Zi Ya said: "I and General Deng Jiugong are enemies from rival states. How can this matter be fully resolved?" Ju Liusun said: "King Wu is blessed with great fortune and is a virtuous ruler. The heavenly decree has already been set; there is no need to fear that it cannot be fully realized." It only requires selecting a eloquent person to go to the Shang camp and negotiate; there is no reason for failure." Zi Ya lowered his head and pondered deeply for a long time, then said: "It must be Sanyisheng who goes there once to handle this matter." Ju Liusun said: "If that is the case, we should not delay the matter any further." Zi Ya ordered those around him: "Go and summon Senior Minister Sanyisheng to discuss this." He gave orders: "Release Tuxingsun." In no time, Senior Minister Sanyisheng arrived and paid his respects. Zi Ya said: "Now General Deng Jiugong has a daughter, Deng Chanyu. Originally, she was personally promised by General Deng to Tuxingsun as his wife." Now I trouble you, Minister, to go to the Shang army and act as matchmaker. I beg you to be flexible and tactful in your dealings; it must surely succeed... like this, like that, only then will it work out." Sanyisheng accepted the order and left the city. Details are omitted here. Meanwhile, General Deng Jiugong remained in his camp, anxiously waiting for Tuxingsun to return. But after he left, there was no sign of him at all; he ordered scouts to investigate for a long time. They returned with the report: "We heard that Tuxingsun was captured by Zi Ya and taken into the city." General Deng Jiugong exclaimed in alarm: "If this man is captured, how can we conquer Western Qi?" He was deeply unhappy. Just then, Sanyisheng came to negotiate the marriage with Tuxingsun. Whether this will bring good or ill fortune remains to be seen in the next chapter.