Chapter 58: Zi Ya Meets Lü Yue at Xi Qi

诗曰： 疫痢瘟几遍灾，子牙端是有奇才。匡扶社稷开基域，保护黔黎脱祸胎。 劫运方来神鬼哭，兵戈时至士民哀。何年得遂清平日，祥霭氤氲万岁台。

The poem says: Plague and dysentery have ravaged many times; Zi Ya was indeed a man of extraordinary talent. He supported the state and founded the foundation, protecting the people from calamity. When disaster was about to come, gods and ghosts wept; when war arrived, scholars and commoners mourned. In what year will the days of peace and tranquility finally come? Auspicious mists envelop the terrace for ten thousand years.

话说周信提剑来城下请战。报入相府：“有一道人请战。”子牙闻知连日未曾会战，“今日竟有道人，此来必竟又是异人。”便问：“谁去走一遭？”有金吒欠身而言曰：“弟子愿往。”子牙许之。金吒出城，偶见一个道者，生的十分凶恶。怎见得，有诗为证： 发似朱砂脸带绿，獠牙上下金精目。道袍青色势狰狞，足下麻鞋云雾簇。手提宝剑电光生，胸藏妙诀神鬼哭。行瘟使者降西岐，正是东方甲乙木。

The story goes that Zhou Xin came to the city with a sword, requesting battle. A report was sent to the prime minister's residence: "A Daoist priest is here to request battle." Zi Ya, having heard of this and not having engaged in battle for several days, said, "Today there is a Daoist priest; surely he must be another extraordinary person." He then asked, "Who will go to meet him?" Jin Zha stood forward and said, "Disciple is willing to go." Zi Ya agreed. Jin Zha left the city and happened to see a Daoist priest, who looked extremely fierce and ugly. How did he appear? A poem testifies: His hair was like cinnabar, his face greenish; fangs protruded above and below, with golden eyes. His Daoist robe was blue-green in color, fierce and terrifying; his straw shoes were clustered with clouds and mist. He held a treasure sword that emitted flashes of lightning; the divine secrets in his chest made gods and ghosts weep. The plague-bringing envoy descended upon Xi Qi, none other than the Eastern Directions' Jia Yi Mu.

话说金吒问曰：“道者何人？”周信答曰：“吾乃九龙岛炼气士周信是也；闻尔等仗昆仑之术，灭吾截教，情殊可恨！今日下山，定然与你等见一高下，以定雌雄。”绰步执剑来取。金吒用剑急架相还。未及数合，周信抽身便走。金吒随即赶来。周信揭开袍服，取出一磬，转身对金吒连敲三四下。金吒把头摇了两摇，即时面如金纸，走回相府声唤，只叫：“头疼杀我！”子牙问其详细，金吒把赶周信事说了一遍，子牙不语。金吒在相府，昼夜叫苦。且说次日，又报进相府：“又有一道人请战。”子牙问左右：“谁去见阵走一遭？”傍有木吒曰：“弟子愿往。”木吒出城，见一道人，挽双抓髻，穿淡黄服，面如满月，三柳长髯。怎见得，有诗为证，诗曰： 面如满月眼如珠，淡黄袍服绣花禽。丝绦上下飘瑞彩，腹内玄机海样深。五行道术般般会，洒豆成兵件件精。兑地行瘟号使者，正属西方庚辛金。

Now the story continues with Jin Zha asking, "Who are you, Daoist priest?" Zhou Xin replied, "I am Zhou Xin, a cultivator of breath from Jiulong Island; hearing that you rely on Kunlun's arts to destroy our Jie Sect, I find it most grievous!" Today, descending the mountain, I shall surely meet you all and determine who is superior, to settle our differences." With a swift step, he brandished his sword and advanced. Jin Zha quickly raised his sword to block and counterattack. Before several exchanges had taken place, Zhou Xin turned and fled. Jin Zha immediately pursued him. Zhou Xin opened his robe, took out a stone chime, turned around to strike Jin Zha with it three or four times. Jin Zha shook his head twice, and immediately his face turned as yellow as gold paper. He ran back to the prime minister's residence shouting, crying out only, "This headache is killing me!" Zi Ya asked for details. Jin Zha recounted the incident of pursuing Zhou Xin. Zi Ya said nothing. Jin Zha in the prime minister's residence cried out in pain day and night. Now, on the following day, a report was again sent to the prime minister's residence: "Another Daoist priest requests battle." Zi Ya asked those around him, "Who will go out and meet this challenge?" Beside him stood Mu Zha, who said, "Disciple is willing to go." Mu Zha left the city and saw a Daoist priest with braided pigtails, wearing a pale yellow robe, his face round like a full moon, with long, three-rowed beard. How did he appear? A poem serves as evidence, the poem says: His face was round like a full moon and his eyes were like pearls; his pale yellow robe embroidered with birds and flowers. Silken sashes fluttered above and below in auspicious colors; the mysteries within his abdomen were as deep as the sea. He was proficient in all five elements of Daoist arts, and each technique—such as summoning soldiers from beans—was exquisite. The envoy spreading plague from the direction of Dui belonged to the Western Directions' Geng Xin Jin.

话说木吒大喝曰：“你是何人，敢将左道邪术困吾兄长，使他头疼？想就是你了！”李奇曰：“非也。那是吾道兄周信。吾乃吕祖门人李奇是也。”木吒大怒：“都是一班左道邪党！”轻移大步，执剑当空来取李奇。李奇手中剑劈面交还。二人步战之间，剑分上下，要赌雌雄：一个是肉身成圣的木吒，施威仗勇；一个是瘟部内有名的恶煞，展开凶光。往来未及五七回合，李奇便走。木吒随后赶来。二人步行，赶不上一箭之地，李奇取出一旛，拿在手中，对木吒连摇数摇。木吒打了一个寒噤，不去追赶。李奇也全然不理，迳进大营去了。且说木吒一会儿面如白纸，浑身上如火燎，心中似油煎，解开袍服，赤身来见子牙，只叫：“不好了！”子牙大惊，急问：“怎的这等回来？”木吒跌倒在地，口喷白沫，身似炭火。子牙命扶往后房。子牙问掠阵官：“木吒如何这样回来？”掠阵官把木吒追赶，摇旛之事说了一遍。子牙不知其故，“此又是左道之术！”心中甚是纳闷。

The story continues with Mu Zha shouting, "Who are you? How dare you use left-hand arts and sorcery to afflict my elder brother and cause him a headache?" It must be you!" Li Qi said, "No." "He is my Daoist elder brother Zhou Xin. I am Li Qi, a disciple of Master Lü Zu." Mu Zha became furious: "You are all a group of left-hand heretics!" With light, swift steps and sword raised high in the air, he advanced toward Li Qi. Li Qi parried with his sword, striking back directly at Mu Zha's face. As the two fought on foot, their swords clashed above and below as they vied to determine superiority: one was Mu Zha, who had achieved sainthood in his physical body, displaying might and courage; the other was a notorious evil spirit from the plague department, unleashing fierce malevolence. After only five or seven exchanges of blows, Li Qi turned and fled. Mu Zha pursued him immediately. The two ran on foot, but could not close the distance of even an arrow's flight. Li Qi took out a banner, held it in his hand, and waved it toward Mu Zha several times. Mu Zha shivered with cold and did not pursue further. Li Qi paid no heed at all, and went straight into the main camp. Now, Mu Zha soon turned as pale as paper; his entire body felt like it was on fire and his heart burned like oil being boiled. He unfastened his robe, came in bare-chested to see Zi Ya, and only cried out, "It's terrible!" Zi Ya was greatly alarmed and quickly asked, "What happened for you to return in such a state?" Mu Zha collapsed on the ground, foaming at the mouth, his body burning like charcoal. Zi Ya ordered him to be carried to the back room. Zi Ya asked the officer in charge of battlefield reconnaissance, "How did Mu Zha return in such a condition?" The battlefield scout recounted how Mu Zha had pursued and was struck down by the waving of the banner. Zi Ya did not know the reason, "This is yet another left-hand art!" He was deeply puzzled in his heart.

且说李奇进营，回见吕岳。道人问曰：“今日会何人？”李奇曰：“今日会木吒，弟子用法旛一展，无不响应，因此得胜，回见尊师。”吕岳大悦，心中乐甚，乃作一歌，歌曰： “不负玄门诀，工夫修炼来。炉中分好歹，火内辨三才。阴阳定左右，符印最奇哉。仙人逢此术，难免杀身灾。”

Meanwhile, Li Qi entered the camp and returned to see Lü Yue. The Daoist priest asked, "Whom did you meet today?" Li Qi said, "Today I met Mu Zha. Disciple used the dharma banner; with one wave, all responded accordingly. Thus I won and have returned to see my revered teacher." Lü Yue was greatly pleased, and his heart rejoiced. He composed a song, which said: "Not in vain are the secrets of the Daoist gate; all is achieved through cultivation and effort. In the furnace, good and bad are separated; within fire, the Three Talents are discerned. Yin Yang determines left and right; talismans and seals are most wondrous indeed. "Even immortals who encounter this art cannot escape calamity that brings death."

吕岳作罢歌，郑伦在傍，口称：“老师，二日成功，未见擒人捉将；方才闻老师作歌最奇，甚是欢乐，其中必有妙用，请示其详。”吕岳曰：“你不知吾门人所用之物俱有玄功，只略展动了，他自然绝命，何劳持用刀剑杀他。”郑伦听说，赞叹不已。次日，吕岳令朱天麟：“今日你去走一遭，也是你下山一场。”朱天麟领法旨，提剑至城下，大呼曰：“著西岐能者会吾！”有探事的报入相府。子牙双眉不展，问左右曰：“谁去走一遭？”傍有雷震子曰：“弟子愿往。”子牙许之。雷震子出城，见一道人生的凶恶。怎见得，有诗为证，诗曰： 巾上斜飘百合缨，面加紫枣眼如铃。身穿红服如喷火，足下麻鞋似水晶。丝绦结就阴阳扣，宝剑挥开神鬼惊。行瘟部内居离位，正按南方火丙丁火。

After Lü Yue finished composing the song, Zheng Lun stood by and said, "Master Teacher, in two days we have achieved success but have yet to capture anyone or seize a general; just now I heard Master Teacher compose such an extraordinary song, and was very joyful. There must be some wondrous application within it; please explain the details." Lü Yue said, "You do not know that all the objects used by my disciples possess mystical power. With just a slight movement, they naturally lose their lives; it is unnecessary to trouble oneself with swords and blades to kill them." Zheng Lun, upon hearing this, could not stop praising. The next day, Lü Yue ordered Zhu Tianlin: "Today you shall go out and take part in this; it will be your first time descending the mountain." Zhu Tianlin accepted the decree, took up his sword and went to the city below, shouting loudly: "Let any capable person from Xi Qi come forth to meet me!" A scout reported this into the prime minister's residence. Zi Ya frowned, and asked those around him: "Who will go out to meet this challenge?" Beside him stood Leizhenzi, who said, "Disciple is willing to go." Zi Ya gave his approval. Leizhenzi left the city and saw a fierce-looking Daoist priest. How did he appear? A poem attests to this, the poem says: A hundred-pearl tassel slanted on his headscarf; a purple jujube-like face with eyes like bells. He wore red robes as if spewing fire, and straw shoes that looked like crystal. Silken sashes tied with yin-yang clasps; a treasure sword swung to startle gods and ghosts. From the plague department, he belonged to the position of Li Wei (Fire), exactly corresponding to the Southern Directions' fire elements Bing Ding Huo.

话说雷震子大呼曰：“来的妖人，仗何邪术，敢困吾二位道兄也！”朱天麟笑曰：“你自恃狰狞古怪，发此大言，谁来怕你。谅你也不知我是谁，吾乃九龙岛朱天麟的便是。你通名来，也是我会你一番。”雷震子笑曰：“谅尔不过一草芥之夫，焉能有甚道术。”雷震子把风雷翅分开，飞起空中，使起黄金棍，劈头就打。朱天麟手中剑急架相还。二人相交，未及数合，──大抵雷震子在空中使开黄金棍，往下打将来，朱天麟如何招架得住，只得就走。雷震子方才要赶，朱天麟将剑往雷震子一指，雷震子在空中驾不住风雷二翅，响一声落将下来，便往西岐城内跳将进来，走至相府。子牙一见走来之势不好，子牙出席，急问雷震子曰：“你为何如此？”雷震子不言，只是把头摇，一交跌倒在地。子牙仔细定睛，看不出他蹊跷原故，心中十分不乐，命抬进后厅调息。子牙纳闷。且说朱天麟回见吕岳，言如法治雷震子，无不应声而倒。吕道人大悦。次日，又著杨文辉来城下请战。左右报入相府：“今日又是一位道人搦战。”子牙闻报，心下踌蹰：“一日换一个道者，莫非又是十绝阵之故事？”子牙心中疑惑。只见龙须虎要去见阵。子牙许之。须虎出城，见一道人面如紫草，发似钢针，头戴鱼尾金冠，身穿皂服，飞步而来。怎见得，有诗为证，诗曰： 顶上金冠排鱼尾，面如紫草眼光炜。丝绦彩结扣连环，宝剑砍开天地髓。草履斜登寒雾生，胸藏秘诀多文斐。封神台上有他名，正按坎宫壬癸水。

The story continues with Leizhenzi shouting, "You evil spirit! By what sorcery do you dare to afflict my two elder Daoist brothers!" Zhu Tianlin laughed and said, "You rely on your fierce and strange appearance to make such grand boasts—who would fear you? I suppose you do not even know who I am. I am Zhu Tianlin of Jiulong Island." "State your name, and I shall meet you in battle as well." Leizhenzi laughed and said, "I suppose you are but a mere speck of dust; how could you possibly possess any Daoist arts." Leizhenzi spread his Fenglei Wings, flew into the air, and brandished his golden staff to strike down at him. Zhu Tianlin quickly raised his sword in defense and counterattacked. As the two engaged, before several exchanges had taken place—Leizhenzi in the air wielded his golden staff and struck down. How could Zhu Tianlin possibly block or parry such blows? He had no choice but to flee. Just as Leizhenzi was about to pursue, Zhu Tianlin pointed his sword at him. Leizhenzi could no longer control his Fenglei Wings in the air and with a loud noise fell down, leaping into Xi Qi city and running straight to the prime minister's residence. Zi Ya saw that Leizhenzi was coming in a most alarming manner and immediately rose to meet him, urgently asking, "Why are you like this?" Leizhenzi said nothing, only shaking his head, then collapsed on the ground. Zi Ya carefully looked closely but could not discern any signs of what had happened, and he was deeply troubled. He ordered him to be carried into the back hall for rest and recovery. Zi Ya remained puzzled. Meanwhile, Zhu Tianlin returned to see Lü Yue and reported that by using the method, he had felled Leizhenzi with a single strike. Lü Daoren was greatly pleased. The next day, he sent Yang Wenhui to the city below to request battle. Those on guard reported into the prime minister's residence: "Today another Daoist priest has come to challenge us." Zi Ya, upon hearing the report, felt anxious: "A different Daoist priest each day—could this be another version of the Ten Absolute Arrays?" Zi Ya's heart was filled with doubts. Just then, Longxu Hu volunteered to go meet the challenge. Zi Ya agreed. Xuhu went out of the city and saw a Daoist priest with a face as purple as nightshade, hair like steel needles, wearing a golden fish-tail crown on his head and dressed in black robes, approaching with flying steps. How was this described? A poem serves as evidence; the poem says: The golden crown on his head has fish-tail patterns, and his face is purple like nightshade with glowing eyes. Silken sashes in colorful knots form interlocking rings; the treasure sword cuts through the marrow of heaven and earth. Grass sandals slanting, cold mist rises; his chest holds secret techniques full of literary brilliance. łoż On the Immortal Bestowal Altar, there is a name for him; he precisely corresponds to the Water element in the Kan Palace, Ren Gui.

话说龙须虎见道人，大呼曰：“来者何人？”杨文辉一见大惊，看龙须虎形相古怪稀奇，问曰：“通个名来。”龙鬃虎曰：“吾乃姜子牙门人龙须虎是也。”杨文辉大怒，仗剑来取。龙须虎发手有石，只管打将下来。杨文辉不敢久战，掩一剑便走。龙须虎随后赶来。杨文辉取出一条鞭，对著龙须虎一顿转。龙须虎忽的跳将回去，发著石头，尽行力气打进西岐，直打到相府，又打上银安殿来。姜子牙忙著两边军将：“快与吾拿下去！”众将官用钩连枪钩倒在地，困将起来。龙须虎口中喷出白沬，朝著天，睁著眼，只不作声。子牙无计可施，不知就理。──这个是瘟部中四个行瘟使者，头一位周信按东方使者，用的磬名曰“头疼磬”；笫二位李奇按西方使者，用的旛名曰“发躁旛”；第三位朱天麟按南方使者，用的剑名曰“昏迷剑”；第四位杨文辉按北方使者，用的鞭名曰“散鞭”；故此瘟部之内先著四个行瘟使者，先会门人，此乃子牙一灾又至。姜子牙那里知道？──子牙正在府中，谓杨戬曰：“吾师言三十六路伐西岐，算将来有三十路矣。今又逢此道者，把吾四个门人困住，声叫痛苦，使我心下不忍，如何是好？将奈之何？”正议间，忽门旗官报曰：“有一三只眼道人请丞相答话。”哪吒、杨戬在傍曰：“今连战五日，一日换一个，不知他营中有多少截教门人？师叔会他，便知端的。”子牙传令：“摆队伍出城。”炮声响亮，两扇门开，左右列兴周灭纣英雄，前后立玉虚门下。且说吕岳见子牙出城，兵势严整，果然比别人不同。正是： 果然纪律分严整，不亚当年风后强。

As it happened, Longxu Hu saw the Daoist priest and shouted loudly: "Who are you?" Yang Wenhui was greatly startled at the sight, seeing that Longxu Hu had an odd and strange appearance. He asked: "What is your name?" Longzonghu said, "I am Longxu Hu, a disciple of Jiang Ziya." Yang Wenhui became furious and brandished his sword to attack. Longxu Hu raised his hand as if holding a stone, continuously throwing them down. Yang Wenhui dared not fight for long and, after parrying with his sword once, turned to flee. Longxu Hu hurriedly pursued him from behind. Yang Wenhui took out a whip and lashed at Longxu Hu with it repeatedly. Longxu Hu suddenly jumped back, grabbed stones, and with all his strength threw them into Xiqi, straight to the prime minister's residence, then onto Yinan Hall. Jiang Ziya hurriedly ordered the soldiers on both sides: "Quickly seize him for me!" The officers used hooked spears to pull Longxu Hu down and bound him up. Longxu Hu spat out white foam from his mouth, looked upward to the sky with wide open eyes, and remained silent. Zi Ya had no plan left to employ and did not know what was happening. ——This is one of the four plague messengers from the Plague Department. The first, Zhou Xin, serves as the Eastern Envoy and uses a stone chime called the "Headache Chime"; the second, Li Qi, serves as the Western Envoy and uses a banner named the "Restless Banner"; the third, Zhu Tianlin, serves as the Southern Envoy and wields a sword called the "Daze Sword"; and the fourth, Yang Wenhui, serves as the Northern Envoy and uses a whip named the "Disperse Whip"; Therefore, within the Plague Department, these four plague messengers first confronted the disciples; this was yet another calamity for Zi Ya. How could Jiang Ziya possibly know? ——Zi Ya was just in his residence, saying to Yang Jian: "My master said that thirty-six routes would attack Xiqi. Counting them up, there are already thirty." Now I have encountered this Daoist priest who has trapped my four disciples, and they are calling out in pain. It pains me deeply; what should I do? What can be done about it?" While they were discussing, a sudden report came from the gate officer: "A Daoist priest with three eyes is requesting an audience with the prime minister." Nezha and Yang Jian, standing nearby, said: "Now we have fought for five consecutive days, with a different one each day. We don't know how many disciples of the Qie Jiao Sect are in their camp." "If Uncle Teacher meets him, he will know for sure." Zi Ya gave orders: "Form the ranks and march out of the city." Cannon fire roared, both gates opened wide, with heroes from the ranks of Xing Zhou and the destruction of Zhou standing on either side, and disciples of Yuxu Hall positioned in front and behind. Meanwhile, Lü Yue saw Zi Ya leave the city with a disciplined army formation; indeed, it was different from others. Indeed: Truly disciplined and orderly, no less formidable than Feng Hou of old.

话说子牙见黄旛脚下有一道人，穿大红袍服，面如蓝靛，发似朱砂，三目圆睁，骑金眼驼，手提宝剑，大呼曰：“来者可是姜子牙么？”子牙答曰：“然也。”子牙曰：“道兄是那座名山？何处仙府？今往西岐屡败吾门下，道兄何所见而为？今纣主无道，周室兴仁，天下共见；从来人心归顺真主，道兄何必强为！常言‘顺天者存，逆天者亡’。今我周凤鸣岐山，英雄间出，似不卜可知。道兄又何得逆天而行其己意哉。况道兄在道门久炼，岂不知‘封神榜’乃三教圣人所主，非吾一己之私。今我奉玉虚符命，扶助真主，不过完天地之劫数，成气运之迁移。今道兄既屡得胜，不过一时侥幸成功，若是劫数来临，自有破你之术者。道兄不得恃强，无贻伊戚。”吕岳曰：“吾乃九龙岛炼气之士，名为吕岳。只因你等恃阐教门人，侮我截教，吾故令四个门人略略使你知道。今日特来会你一会，共决雌雄。只是你死日甚近，幸无追悔！你听我道来： 截教门中我最先，玄中妙诀许多言。五行道术寻常事，驾雾腾云只等闲。腹内离龙并坎虎，捉来一处自熬煎。炼就纯阳乾健体，九转还丹把寿延。八极神游真自在，逍遥任意大罗天。今日降临西岐地，早早投戈免罪愆。”

As it happened, Zi Ya saw a Daoist priest beneath the yellow banner. He wore a bright red robe, had a face as blue as indigo, hair like cinnabar, three round eyes wide open, riding a golden-eyed camel and holding a treasure sword in his hand. He shouted loudly: "Are you Jiang Ziya?" Zi Ya replied, "Indeed I am." Zi Ya asked: "Dao Xiong, which famous mountain do you belong to?" What immortal residence is yours?" "You have repeatedly defeated my disciples in Xiqi—what reason do you have for this, Dao Xiong?" "Now King Zhou is tyrannical and without virtue, while the Zhou dynasty promotes benevolence; this is evident to all under heaven; "Ever since ancient times, people's hearts have turned toward the true ruler. Why must Dao Xiong insist on acting against this?" "As the saying goes: 'Those who follow Heaven will survive, and those who defy Heaven will perish.'" "Now our Zhou dynasty prospers on Qishan Mountain, with heroes emerging in abundance; this is clearly evident without divination. "Why must Dao Xiong go against Heaven and insist upon his own will?" "Moreover, Dao Xiong has long trained in the Daoist path; how could he not know that the 'Immortal Bestowal List' is presided over by the Three Teachings Sages and does not belong to me alone?" "Now I follow the decree of Yuxu, aiding the true ruler; it is merely to complete Heaven and Earth's calamity cycle and fulfill the transformation of destiny." "Now, Dao Xiong, although you have won repeatedly, it is merely a matter of temporary luck. When the calamity arrives, there will certainly be those who can defeat you." "Do not rely on your strength, or else you will bring upon yourself regret." Lü Yue said: "I am Lü Yue, a cultivator of Qi from Jiulong Island. "It is because you rely on the disciples of Chan Jiao and have insulted my Qie Jiao that I sent four of my disciples to give you a slight taste." "Today, I have come especially to meet with you and decide who is superior between us." "Just know that your death is very near; may you not regret it!" "Listen to me speak: Among the Qie Jiao disciples, I am first; in the mysteries of Dao, there are many profound teachings. "Controlling the Five Elements and practicing Daoist arts is but an ordinary matter; riding mist and soaring through clouds is as easy as breathing. łoż Inside my belly, Fire Dragon merges with Water Tiger; seize them together, and they will suffer torment on their own. I have cultivated a pure Yang body of Qian strength; the Nine-Transmutation Elixir prolongs my life. My divine spirit roams freely to the Eight Extremes, carefree and at will in the Great Luo Heaven. "Today I have descended upon Xiqi; surrender your weapons early to avoid guilt and punishment."

吕岳道罢，子牙笑曰：“据道兄所谈，不过如峨嵋山赵公明，三仙岛云霄、琼霄、碧霄之道，一旦俱成画饼，料道兄此来，不过自取杀身之祸耳。”吕岳大怒，骂曰：“姜尚，你有何能，敢发如此恶言？”纵开金眼驼，执手中剑，飞来直取。子牙剑急架忙迎。杨戬在傍，纵马摇刀飞来，大呼曰：“师叔，弟子来也！”杨戬不分好歹，照顶上剁来。吕岳手中剑架刀隔剑。哪吒登开风火轮，使开火尖枪，冲杀过来。黄天化在旗门脚下，忍不住心头火起：“虽然是苏侯放归吾父子，难道我不如他们？只要成功，顾不得了！”催开玉麒麟，杀将过来，把吕岳围在当中。且言旗门下郑伦看见黄天化杀将过来，“呀”的一声，几乎坠于兽下，长吁叹曰：“谁知我为纣王擒将立功，元来主将有意归周，反将黄家父子放回去了。”郑伦自思：“这番捉住，即时打死，绝其他念。”急催开金睛兽，大呼“黄天化”曰：“吾来也！”天化见了雠人，拨转麒麟，双锤并起，力战郑伦。哪吒见黄天化敌住了郑伦，恐怕有失，忙登回风火轮，把枪劈心就刺郑伦，大叫曰：“黄公子，你去拿吕岳，吾来杀此匹夫！”郑伦曾被哪吒乾坤圈打过一次，大抵心下十分怯他，纵战俱是不济，先是留心著意，防哪吒动手。且说子牙见杨戬使刀敌住吕岳，又见黄天化助力，土行孙也提宾铁棍滚将进来。邓婵玉在辕门下看战。吕岳见周将有增，随将身手摇动，三百六十骨节，霎时现出三头六臂，一只手执形天印，一只手擎住瘟疫钟，一只手持定形瘟旛，一只手执住止瘟剑，双手使剑，现出青脸獠牙。子牙见了吕岳现如此形相，心下十分惧怕。杨戬见子牙怯战，即将马走出圈子外，命金毛童子拿金丸在手，拽满扣儿，一金丸正打中吕岳肩臂。黄天化见杨戬成功，把玉麒麟跳远了，回手一火龙镖，把吕岳腿上打了一标。子牙见吕岳著伤，祭起打神鞭，这一鞭正中吕岳，响一声，坠下金眼驼来，借土遁去了。郑伦见吕岳失机，不能取胜，心下一慌，被哪吒一枪正中肩背，几乎闪下兽来，败进辕门。子牙不赶，鸣金回兵。

After Lü Yue finished speaking, Zi Ya smiled and said: "According to what Dao Xiong just said, it is no different from Mount Emei's Zhao Gongming or the Dao of Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao from the Three Immortals Island. In the end, they all became empty promises. I can tell that your coming here will only bring about your own death." Lü Yue was furious and scolded, "Jiang Shang, what ability do you have to dare speak such cruel words?" He mounted his golden-eyed camel, held the sword in hand, and flew straight toward Zi Ya. Zi Ya quickly raised his sword to meet it. Yang Jian, standing nearby, spurred his horse and brandished a saber as he flew toward them, shouting: "Uncle Teacher, your disciple is here!" Yang Jian did not discern friend from foe and swung his saber down at the top of Lü Yue's head. Lü Yue used his sword to block Yang Jian's saber. Nezha mounted the Fenghuo Lun, brandished the Huojian Qiang, and charged forward fiercely. Huang Tianhua, standing beneath the banner gate, could no longer restrain his anger: "Although it was Su Hou who released my father and me, does that mean I am not as good as them?" "If success is to be achieved, I cannot afford to care!" He spurred his Yu Qilin forward and charged in, surrounding Lü Yue in the center. Meanwhile, Zheng Lun under the banner gate saw Huang Tianhua charging in and gasped so loudly that he nearly fell from his mount. He sighed deeply and said: "Who would have known that I captured a general for King Zhou to earn merit, yet it turns out the commander had secretly intended to return to the Zhou side, instead releasing the Huang family father and son." Zheng Lun thought to himself: "If I capture him this time, I should kill him immediately and cut off their hopes." He hurriedly spurred his golden-eyed beast forward and shouted "Huang Tianhua," saying, "I am coming!" Tianhua saw his enemy, turned his Qilin around, raised both hammers together, and fiercely fought Zheng Lun. Nezha saw that Huang Tianhua had engaged Zheng Lun and feared a mishap. He quickly returned on the Fenghuo Lun and drove his spear straight at Zheng Lun's chest, shouting: "Prince Huang, go capture Lü Yue! I will kill this ruffian!" Zheng Lun had once been struck by Nezha's Qiankun Circle, and thus felt deeply afraid of him. In battle, he was no match for Nezha; his mind was constantly on guard, wary of any move from Nezha. Meanwhile, Zi Ya saw Yang Jian holding his saber against Lü Yue and also observed Huang Tianhua coming to assist. Tuxing Sun was not far behind, rolling in with a tin iron staff in hand. Deng Chanyu watched the battle from beneath the 辕门 (yuanmen). Lü Yue, seeing the Zhou generals increasing in number, suddenly moved his body and limbs. In an instant, he displayed three heads and six arms: one hand held Xingtian Yin, another raised the Plague Bell, a third held the Shape-Plague Banner, a fourth gripped the Stop-Plague Sword, while two hands wielded swords, revealing a green face with fangs. Zi Ya saw Lü Yue transform into such an appearance and felt deeply afraid in his heart. Yang Jian saw Zi Ya showing fear in battle and immediately rode his horse out of the circle. He ordered Jinmao Tongzi to hold a golden pellet, drew back the bowstring fully, and shot a golden pellet that struck Lü Yue directly on the shoulder. Huang Tianhua saw Yang Jian succeed, leaped far on his Yu Qilin, turned around and shot a Fire Dragon Shuriken at Lü Yue's leg, hitting him. Zi Ya saw that Lü Yue had been wounded and summoned the God-Beating Whip. This whip strike hit Lü Yue directly, a loud sound rang out, his golden-eyed camel fell to the ground, and he fled underground using earth 遁 (tun). Zheng Lun saw that Lü Yue had lost the opportunity to win and could not gain an advantage. His heart grew anxious, and he was struck in the shoulder by Nezha's spear, nearly falling from his mount before retreating into the 辕门 (yuan men). Zi Ya did not pursue and sounded the gong to withdraw his troops.

且说苏侯父子在辕门见吕岳失机著了重伤，郑伦也著了伤，心中大悦：“这匹夫该当如此！”吕岳回营进中军帐坐定，被打神鞭打得三昧火从窍中而出。四门人来问老师曰：“今日不意老师反被他取了胜。”吕岳曰：“不妨，吾自有道理。”随将葫芦中取药自啖，仍复笑曰：“姜尚，你虽然取胜一时，你怎逃灭一城生灵之祸！”郑伦著伤，吕岳又将药救之。吕岳至一更时，分命四门人，每一人拿一葫芦瘟丹，借五形遁进西岐城。吕岳乘了金眼驼，也在当中，把瘟丹用手抓著，往城中按东、西、南、北，洒至三更方回。不表。且说西岐城中那知此丹俱入井泉河道之中，人家起来，必用水火为急济之物，大家小户，天子文武，士庶人等，凡吃水者，满城尽遭此厄。不一二日，一城中烟火全无，街道上并无人走。皇城内人声寂静，止闻有声唤之音；相府内众门人也逢此难。──内有二人不遭此殃，哪吒乃莲花化身，杨戬有元功变化。故此二人见满城如此，二人心下十分著慌。哪吒进内廷看武王；杨戬在相府照顾，又不时要上城看守。二人计议：“城中止有二人，若是吕岳加兵攻打，如之奈何？”杨戬曰：“不妨。武王乃圣明之君，其福不小；师叔该有这场苦楚，定有高明之士来佐。”不言二人在城上商议，且说吕岳散了瘟丹，次日在帐前对苏侯等言曰：“我今一日与汝等成功，不用张弓只箭，六七日之内，西岐一郡生灵尽皆死绝。尔等速速奏凯回兵，不负我下山一遭。”郑伦曰：“连日西岐不见城上有人。”吕岳曰：“一郡众生尽逢大劫，不久身亡。”郑伦曰：“既西岐城人民俱遭困厄，何不调一枝人马杀进城中，剪草除根？”吕岳曰：“也使得。”郑伦欣然领了苏侯令，调出人马来，方出汤营。且说杨戬在城上看见郑伦调兵出营。哪吒著慌，问杨戬曰：“人马杀来，你我二人焉能挡抵大众人马？”杨戬曰：“不要忙，吾自有退兵之策。”杨戬连忙把土与草拿了两把，望空中一洒，喝声：“疾！”西岐城上尽是彪躯大汉，往来耀武。郑伦抬头看时，见城上人马反比前不相同，故此不敢攻城。有诗为证，诗曰： 杨戬神机妙术奇，吕岳空自费心机。武王洪福包天地，应合姜公遇难时。

Meanwhile, Su Hou and his son at the 辕门 (yuan men) saw that Lü Yue had missed an opportunity and suffered a serious injury, while Zheng Lun was also wounded. They were greatly pleased in their hearts: "This ruffian deserved this!" Lü Yue returned to his camp, entered the central command tent and sat down. The God-Beating Whip had struck him so severely that Three-Purity Fire erupted from every orifice in his body. His four disciples came to ask their master: "Today, unexpectedly, Teacher was defeated by them." Lü Yue said: "Do not worry; I have my own plan." He then took medicine from the gourd and ate it himself, still smiling as he said: "Jiang Shang, although you have won for now, how can you escape the calamity of destroying an entire city's population!" Zheng Lun was wounded, and Lü Yue gave him medicine to treat his injuries. At the first geng hour, Lü Yue separately ordered his four disciples. Each was to take a gourd of plague pills and use the Five Elements 遁 (tun) method to enter Xi Qi City. Lü Yue rode the golden-eyed camel and was in the center, holding plague pills in his hand. He sprinkled them toward the east, west, south, and north of the city until the third geng hour before returning. No further details are given. Meanwhile, in Xi Qi City, no one knew that these plague pills had all entered the wells and waterways. When people got up, they urgently needed to use water for their daily needs. Whether common households or noble families, whether the emperor, civil and military officials, scholars, or commoners, anyone who drank the water suffered from this calamity throughout the entire city. Within one or two days, there was no more smoke rising in the whole city, and no people were seen walking on the streets. լ Inside the imperial palace, all human voices had fallen silent; only sounds of crying could be heard. In the prime minister's mansion, his disciples also encountered this calamity. ——Among them, two people were not affected by this disaster: Nezha was a lotus-blossom reincarnation, and Yang Jian possessed the transformation power of his original essence. Therefore, when these two people saw the entire city in such a state, both were extremely anxious inside. Nezha went into the inner court to see King Wu; Yang Jian stayed at the prime minister's residence to care for things there, and also frequently climbed up onto the city walls to keep watch. The two of them discussed: "There are only two people left in the city; if Lü Yue sends more troops to attack, what can we do?" Yang Jian said: "Do not worry. King Wu is a wise and virtuous ruler, and his fortune is great; Uncle Master should endure this hardship, but surely there will be an outstanding person coming to assist." Without mentioning the two men's discussion on the city wall, let us now speak of Lü Yue. After scattering the plague pills, the next day he stood before Su Hou and others in his tent and said: "Today I have succeeded for you all; without drawing a bow or using an arrow, within six to seven days, every living soul in Xi Qi will be dead. You should quickly report victory and withdraw your troops; this way you will not have wasted my journey down the mountain." Zheng Lun said: "For several days, there has been no one seen on the city walls of Xi Qi." Lü Yue said: "All the people in this region have encountered a great calamity and will soon die." Zheng Lun said: "Since the people of Xi Qi City are all suffering misfortune, why not send a contingent of troops to march into the city and eradicate them completely?" Lü Yue said: "That is acceptable." Zheng Lun happily accepted Su Hou's order, mobilized his troops, and was just leaving the Tang army camp. Meanwhile, Yang Jian on the city wall saw Zheng Lun mobilizing troops to leave the camp. Nezha was anxious and asked Yang Jian: "If enemy troops attack, how can the two of us possibly resist such a large force?" Yang Jian said: "Do not worry; I already have a plan to repel the troops." Yang Jian quickly took two handfuls of soil and grass, sprinkled them into the air, and shouted: "Quick!" Suddenly, on the walls of Xi Qi City appeared many strong men with imposing figures, marching back and forth to display their might. Zheng Lun looked up and saw that the troops on the city walls were now completely different from before, so he dared not attack. There is a poem to attest to this; the poem says: Yang Jian's divine strategy and wondrous techniques are extraordinary, Lü Yue in vain exhausts his schemes. King Wu's great fortune encompasses heaven and earth; it is fitting that Jiang Gong should encounter hardship at this time.

话说郑伦见西岐城上人马轩昂骁勇，不敢进兵，徐徐退进营来；见吕岳言曰：“城上有人……”之事。不表。

It was said that Zheng Lun, seeing the imposing and valiant troops on Xi Qi's city walls, dared not advance. He slowly withdrew back into his camp; and saw Lü Yue speaking of "there are people on the city walls..." and so forth. No further details are given.

且说杨戬虽用此术，只过一时三刻，只救眼下之急，不能常久。哪吒正忧烦，听的空中鹤唳之声，元来是黄龙真人跨鹤而来，落在城上。哪吒、杨戬下拜，口称：“老师。”真人曰：“你师父可曾来？”杨戬答曰：“家师不曾来。”黄龙真人至相府来看子牙，又入内庭看过武王，复出皇城，上了城，玉鼎真人方驾纵地金光法而至。黄龙真人曰：“道兄为何来迟？”玉鼎真人曰：“我借金光纵地，故此来迟。今吕岳将此异术治此一郡，众生遭逢大厄。今著杨戬速往火云洞，见三圣大师，速取丹药，可救此愆。”杨戬领师命，迳往火云洞来。正是： 足踏五行生雾彩，周游天下只须臾。

Meanwhile, although Yang Jian used this technique, it lasted only for a little over three ke (a time unit), merely easing the immediate crisis and not a lasting solution. Nezha was deeply worried when he suddenly heard the sound of a crane's cry from above. It turned out to be Huanglong Zhenren riding on a crane, who landed on the city wall. Nezha and Yang Jian knelt down in reverence, addressing him respectfully as: "Master Teacher." The Zhenren said: "Has your master come?" Yang Jian replied: "My master has not yet arrived." Huanglong Zhenren went to the prime minister's residence to see Zi Ya, then entered the inner court to visit King Wu. After leaving the imperial palace and ascending the city wall, Yuding Zhenren arrived by riding a golden light technique of earth traversal. Huanglong Zhenren asked: "Why did you arrive so late, Dao Xiong?" Yuding Zhenren replied: "I used the golden light earth traversal technique, hence my delay. Now Lü Yue has used this strange technique to afflict this region, and all the people are suffering a great calamity." Now you must order Yang Jian to go quickly to Huoyun Dong, see the Three Sage Masters, and swiftly obtain medicinal pills that can save them from this disaster." Yang Jian accepted his master's command and went directly to Huoyun Dong. It was indeed: With feet treading the Five Elements, misty hues arise; a journey across the world takes but a moment.

话说杨戬借土遁来至火云洞。──此处云生八处，雾起四方，挺生秀柏，屈曲苍松，真好所在！怎见得： 巨镇东南，中天胜岳。芙蓉峰龙耸，紫盖岭巍峨。百草含香味，炉烟鹤唳踪。上有玉虚之宝籙，朱陆之灵台。舜巡、禹祷，玉简金书。楼阁飞青鸾，亭台隐紫雾。地设名山雄宇宙，天开仙境透三清。几树桃梅花正放，满山瑶草色皆舒。龙潜涧底，虎伏崖前。幽乌如诉语，驯鹿近人行。白鹤伴云栖老桧，青鸾丹凤向阳鸣。火云福地真仙境，金阙仁慈治世公。

The story continues with Yang Jian using earth 遁 (tun) to arrive at Huoyun Dong. ——Here, clouds arise in eight directions and mist rises from all sides; graceful cypress trees stand tall, while gnarled old pines twist and curl. What a beautiful place! How can this be described: A mighty mountain dominating the southeast, surpassing all others in the heavens. The Furong Peak rises like a dragon; Ziguai Ridge is majestic and imposing. A hundred herbs carry fragrant scents, incense smoke drifts with the cries of cranes. Above are the treasures of Yu Xu and the sacred altars of Zhu Lu. Shun toured here, Yu prayed here; jade tablets inscribed with golden script remain. Towers and pavilions soar like emerald phoenixes; terraces and pavilions are veiled in purple mist. This famous mountain, set by the earth, is mighty throughout heaven and earth; this celestial paradise, opened by heaven, reaches through the Three Pure Ones. Several trees of peach and plum blossoms are in full bloom; throughout the mountain, the jade grass is vibrant with color. Dragons lie hidden at the bottom of the ravine; tigers crouch before the cliffs. Mourning crows cry as if lamenting, while tame deer walk close to people. White cranes dwell among clouds and old cypresses; green phoenixes and red pheasants sing toward the sun. Huoyun, a land of blessings, is truly a fairyland; Jin Que, kind and compassionate, governs as a righteous ruler.

话说杨戬不敢擅入；伺候多时，只见一童儿出洞府，杨戬上前稽首曰：“师兄，弟子乃玉泉山金霞洞玉鼎真人门徒杨戬；今奉师命，特到此处，参谒三圣老爷。借师兄转达一声。”童儿曰：“你可知道三圣人是谁？如何以老爷相称？”杨戬欠身曰：“弟子不知。”童子曰：“你不知，不怪你。此三圣乃天、地、人三皇帝主。”杨戬曰：“多感师兄指教，其实弟子不知。”童儿进洞府，少时出来，曰：“三位皇爷命你相见。”杨戬进洞府，见三位圣人：当中一位，顶生二角；左边一位，披叶盖肩，腰围虎豹之皮；右边一位，身穿帝服。杨戬不敢践越阶次，只得倒身下拜，言曰：“弟子杨戬奉玉鼎真人之命，今为西岐武王因吕岳助苏护征伐其地，不知用何道术，将一郡生民尽是卧床不起，呻吟不绝，昼夜无宁，武王命在旦夕，姜尚死在须臾。弟子奉师命，特恳金容，大发慈悲，救援无辜生灵，实乃再造洪恩，德如渊海！”杨戬诉罢。当中一位圣人乃伏羲皇帝，谓左边神农曰：“想吾辈为君，和八卦，定礼乐，并无祸乱。方今商运当衰，干戈四起，想武王德业日盛，纣恶贯盈，以周伐纣，此是天数。但申公豹扭转天心，助恶为虐，邀请左道，大是可恨。御弟不可辞劳，转济周功，不负有德之业。”神农答曰：“皇兄此言有理。”忙起身入后，取了丹药，付与杨戬，曰：“此丹三粒：一粒救武王宫眷，一粒救子牙诸多门人，一粒用水化开，用杨枝细洒西城。凡有此疾者，名为传染之疫。”杨戬叩首在地，拜谢出洞。神农复叫杨戬，分付曰：“你且站住。”神农出的洞府，往紫芝崖来，寻了一遍，忽然拔起一草，递与杨戬：“你将此宝带回人间，可治传染之疾，若凡世间众生遭此苦厄，先取此草服之，其疾自愈。”杨戬接草，跪而启曰：“此草何名？留传人间急济寒疫。恳乞明示。”神农道：“你听我有偈为证，偈曰： 此草生来盖世无，紫芝崖下用功夫。常桑曾说玄中妙，寒门发表是柴胡。”

The story continues with Yang Jian hesitating to enter without permission; after waiting for a long time, he saw a young boy emerge from the cave. Yang Jian stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying: "Elder Brother, I am Yang Jian, disciple of Yuding Zhenren of Jin Xia Dong on Yuquan Mountain; I have come here especially at my master's command to pay respects to the Three Sage Lords." Please convey this message for me through you, Elder Brother." The boy said: "Do you know who the Three Sages are?" "Why do you address them as 'Lord'?" Yang Jian bowed slightly and said: "I, the disciple, do not know." The boy said: "You don't know; I won't blame you. These Three Sages are the Sovereigns of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity." Yang Jian said: "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Brother. Indeed, I was unaware." The boy went into the cave dwelling and returned after a short while, saying: "The Three Sovereigns have ordered you to meet with them." Yang Jian entered the cave dwelling and saw the three Sages: in the center stood one whose head bore two horns; on his left was another, wearing leaves covering his shoulders, with a tiger and leopard pelt wrapped around the waist; and on his right stood one dressed in imperial robes. Yang Jian dared not step beyond the proper rank and could only bow deeply, saying: "Disciple Yang Jian has come at the command of Yuding Zhenren. Now, King Wu of Xi Qi is in dire straits because Lü Yue, aiding Su Hu to attack his territory, used an unknown Dao technique that caused all the people in the region to lie bedridden, groaning without cease, with no peace day or night. King Wu's life hangs by a thread, and Jiang Shang will die at any moment." I have come especially on my master's orders, humbly requesting your golden grace to show great compassion and rescue these innocent lives. This would be a life-saving favor of immense magnitude, with virtue as deep as the ocean!" After Yang Jian finished his plea, the Sage in the center, Emperor Fuxi, said to Shen Nong on his left: "We, as rulers, harmonized the Eight Trigrams and established rites and music, yet still there is no peace from calamity or chaos. Now, the Shang dynasty's fortune is waning; war and conflict arise everywhere. King Wu's virtue and achievements are growing daily, while King Zhou's evil has reached its peak. For Zhou to attack Zhou, this is the will of Heaven. Yet Shen Gongbao has twisted Heaven's will, aiding evil and tyranny, inviting left-hand path practitioners to do great harm. This is most regrettable. My younger brother cannot avoid this burden; you must assist the Zhou cause and not betray their virtuous endeavors." Shen Nong replied: "Your Majesty, your words are well said." He quickly rose and went to the back, retrieved some medicinal pills, gave them to Yang Jian, and said: "These are three pills: one will save King Wu's family, one will save Zi Ya's many disciples, and one should be dissolved in water and sprinkled carefully over the western part of the city with a willow branch. Anyone who suffers from this illness is infected by an epidemic." Yang Jian knelt on the ground, bowed in gratitude, and left the cave. Shen Nong called Yang Jian back and said: "Wait a moment." Shen Nong left the cave dwelling, went to Zizhi Cliff, searched for a while, and suddenly pulled up a plant. He handed it to Yang Jian and said: "Take this treasure back to the mortal world; it can cure infectious diseases. If any living beings in the human realm suffer from such suffering, first take this herb—it will heal them on its own." Yang Jian took the plant and knelt to ask: "What is the name of this herb? It was left behind for urgent relief from cold epidemics in the mortal world. I humbly beg you to kindly inform me." Shen Nong said: "Listen, I will recite a verse as proof. The verse says: This herb was born to be unparalleled in the world; it is cultivated with effort beneath Zizhi Cliff. Chang Sang once spoke of wondrous mysteries within the Dao; this herb, used to treat fevers in the Hanmen method, is Bupleurum (chaihu)."

话说杨戬得此柴胡草并丹药离了火云洞，迳往西岐而来；早至城上，见师父回话。玉鼎真人问：“取丹药一事如何？”杨戬把神农分付的言语，细细说了一遍。玉鼎真人依法而行，将三粒丹如法制度。果然好丹药！正是： 圣主洪福无边远，吕岳何须枉用心！

Now, Yang Jian obtained this bupleurum herb and the medicinal pills, left Huoyun Cave, and went directly to Xi Qi. He arrived at the city early and reported back to his master. Yuding Zhenren asked: "How did you do with retrieving the medicinal pills?" Yang Jian recounted in detail what Shen Nong had instructed him. Yuding Zhenren followed the method as prescribed, and prepared the three pills accordingly. Indeed, these are excellent medicinal pills! That is to say: The holy ruler's great fortune knows no bounds; why should Lü Yue waste his efforts in vain!

话说吕岳在营过了七八日，对众门人言：“西岐人民想已尽绝。”苏侯在中军听得吕岳道人之言，心下十分不乐。又过了数日，苏侯暗出大营，来看西岐城上，只见旛幢依旧，往来不断人行；看哪吒精神抖搜，杨戬气概轩昂，心下大悦：“吕岳之言不过愚惑吾等耳。可将言语灭他一番。”遂进中军对吕岳曰：“老师言西岐人民尽绝，如今反有人马来往，战将威武，此事不实了。老师将何法处之？不可以前言为戏。”吕岳闻言，立身曰：“岂有此理！”苏侯曰：“此不才适才经目看将来的，岂敢造次乱言。”吕岳就出营一看，果然如此；搯指一算，不觉失声大叫曰：“原来玉鼎真人往火云洞借了丹药，以救此一城生灵之厄！”忙命四门人郑伦：“你可每门调三千人马，乘他身弱无力支持，杀进城中，尽行屠戮。”郑伦领命，来问苏侯调人马破西岐。苏候情知吕岳不能破子牙，遂将一万二千人马调出。周信领三千往东门杀来；李奇领三千往西门杀来；朱天麟领三千往南门杀来；杨文辉领三千同吕岳往北门杀来。郑伦在城外打点进城。且说哪吒在城上看见成汤营里发出人马，杀奔城前，忙见黄龙真人曰：“城内空虚，止有四人，焉能护持得来？”黄龙真人曰：“不妨。”命杨戬：“你去东门迎敌，开门让他进来，吾自有道理。哪吒，你在西门，也是如此。玉鼎真人，你在南门。我贫道在北门。把他诓进城来，我自有处治。”且说吕岳把四个门人点出来取西岐城，不知胜负加何，且听下回分解。

Now, after several days at the camp, Lü Yue said to his disciples: "The people of Xi Qi must have been completely wiped out by now." Su Hou, hearing the words of Daoist Lü Yue in the central camp, felt deeply unhappy. After several more days, Su Hou secretly left the main camp to look at Xi Qi city. He saw that the banners and standards were still in place, with people constantly moving back and forth. Seeing Nezha full of spirit and Yang Jian displaying a proud bearing, Su Hou was greatly pleased: "Lü Yue's words were nothing but foolish attempts to deceive us. We should refute him with our words." He then went to the central camp and said to Lü Yue: "Master, you claimed that all the people of Xi Qi had perished. Now we see troops moving back and forth with valiant warriors; your claim is clearly false. What method do you intend to use against this?" "It cannot be treated as a joke." Lü Yue, upon hearing this, stood up and said: "How can such a thing be possible!" Su Hou replied: "This humble one just observed it with my own eyes; how could I dare to speak recklessly." Lü Yue then left the camp to take a look, and indeed found it to be true; He calculated with his fingers and could not help but cry out in alarm: "It was Yuding Zhenren who went to Huoyun Cave to borrow the medicinal pills, thus saving this city's people from disaster!" He quickly ordered Zheng Lun, his disciple: "You may deploy three thousand troops at each of the four gates. Take advantage of their weakened state and lack of strength to support themselves, charge into the city, and carry out a complete massacre." Zheng Lun accepted the order and came to Su Hou for instructions on how to deploy troops to attack Xi Qi. Su Hou knew well that Lü Yue could not defeat Zi Ya, so he deployed twelve thousand troops to be dispatched. Zhou Xin led three thousand men and attacked the eastern gate; Li Qi led three thousand men to attack the western gate; Zhu Tianlin led three thousand men and charged toward the southern gate; Yang Wenhui led three thousand troops along with Lü Yue to attack the northern gate. Zheng Lun was outside the city, making preparations to enter it. Meanwhile, Nezha on the city wall saw troops from Chengtang's camp charging toward the city. He hurried to see Huanglong Zhenren and said: "The city is weakly defended with only four people inside; how can we possibly defend it?" Huanglong Zhenren replied: "Do not worry." He ordered Yang Jian: "You go to the eastern gate to meet the enemy. Open the gate and let them in; I have my own plan." Nezha, you at the western gate shall do likewise. Yuding Zhenren, you will be at the southern gate. I, this poor Daoist, shall be at the northern gate." We will lure them into the city; I have my own way to deal with them." Meanwhile, Lü Yue had dispatched his four disciples to capture Xi Qi city. Whether they would succeed or fail remains to be seen in the next chapter.