Chapter 75: Tu Xingsun Steals a Horse and Falls into a Trap

诗曰： 余化特强自丧身，师尊何苦费精神。因烧土行反招祸，为惹惧留致起嗔。北海初沉方脱难，困仙再缚岂能狗！从来数定应难解，已是封神榜内人。

The verse says: Yu Hua te qiang zi sang shen, Shi zun he ku fei jing shen. Because of burning soil and acting rebelliously, calamity was invited; because of provoking fear and leaving behind resentment, anger arose. When Beihai first sank, he only escaped the calamity; if Kuanshen was bound again, how could he be a dog! From the beginning, numbers were determined and should be hard to resolve; already, he is a person listed on the Immortals' Register.

话说余化得胜回营。至次日，又来周营搦战。探马报入中军。子牙问：“谁人出马？”有雷震子应曰：“愿往。”提棍出营，见余化黄面赤髯，甚是凶恶，问曰：“来者可是余化？”余化大骂：“反国逆贼！你不认得我么！”雷震子大怒，把二翅飞腾于空中，将黄金棍劈头打来。余化手中戟赴面交还。一个在空中用刀，一个在兽上施威。雷震子金棍刷来，如泰山一般。余化望上招架费力，略战数合，忙举起化血刀来，把雷震子风雷翅伤了一刀。幸而原是两枚仙杏化成风雷二翅，今中此刀，尚不致伤命，跌在尘埃，败进行营，来见子牙。子牙又见伤了雷震子，心中甚是不乐。次日，有报马报入中军：“有余化搦战。”子牙曰：“连伤二人，若痴呆一般，又不做声，只是寒颤，且悬‘免战牌’出去。”军政官将“免战牌”挂起。余化见周营挂“免战牌”，掌鼓回营。只见次日，有督粮宫杨戬至辕门，见挂“免战”二字，杨戬曰：“从三月十五日拜将之后，将近十月，如今还在这里，尚不曾取成汤寸土，连忙挂‘免战牌’，……”心下甚是疑惑，“……且见了元帅，再做道理。”探马报入中军：“启元帅：有督粮官杨戬候令。”子牙曰：“令来。”杨戬上帐，参谒毕，禀曰：“弟子催粮，应付军需，不曾违限，请令定夺。”子牙曰：“兵粮足矣；其如战不足何！”榻戬曰：“师叔且将‘免战牌’收了，弟子明日出兵，看其端的，自有处治。”子牙在中军与众人正议此事，左右报：“有一道童求见。”子牙曰：“请来。”少时，至帐前，那童子倒身下拜曰：“弟子是乾元山金光洞太乙真人门下。师兄哪吒有厄，命弟子背上山去调理。”子牙即将哪吒交与金霞童子，背往乾元山去了。不表。且说杨戬见雷震子不做声，只是颤。看刀刃中血水如墨。杨戬观看良久，“此乃是毒物所伤。”杨戬启子牙：“去了‘免战牌’。”子牙传令：“去了‘免战牌’。”次日，汜水关哨马报入关中：“周营已去‘免战牌’。”余化听得，随上了金睛兽出关，来至营前搦战。哨马报入中军：“关内有将讨战。”正是： 常胜不知终有败，周营自有妙人来。

The story says that Yu Hua returned to camp after winning a victory. On the following day, he came again to the Zhou camp to challenge for battle. The scout horseman reported into the central command. Ziya asked, "Who will ride out?" Lei Zhenzi volunteered and said, "I am willing to go." He took up his staff and went out of the camp. Seeing Yu Hua with a yellow face and red beard, who looked very fierce, he asked, "Are you the one called Yu Hua?" Yu Hua shouted in anger: "Traitor to the rebel state! Do you not recognize me!" Lei Zhenzi became furious, flapped his two wings to soar into the air, and swung his golden staff down toward Yu Hua's head. Yu Hua met the attack with a spear in hand, parrying it directly at the face. One wielded a blade from the air, while the other displayed might atop his beast. Lei Zhenzi's golden staff swept down like Mount Tai itself. Yu Hua, struggling to parry from above, fought for a few exchanges before hurriedly raising his Blood-Transforming Blade and striking Lei Zhenzi's Wind-and-Thunder Wings with a wound. Fortunately, the Wind-and-Thunder Wings were originally formed from two divine apricot fruits; though struck by this blade, they did not cause a fatal injury. Lei Zhenzi fell to the ground and retreated into his camp to report to Ziya. Ziya saw that Lei Zhenzi had been injured, and was very unhappy in his heart. The next day, a scout horseman reported to the central command: "Yu Hua has come to challenge for battle." Ziya said, "Having already injured two men, he acts as if dazed and confused, saying nothing but shivering with cold. Hang out a 'No Battle' sign for now." The military administrator hung up the "No Battle" sign. Yu Hua saw that the Zhou camp had raised a "No Battle" sign and beat his drum to return to his own camp. On the following day, only to see that the grain supervisor Yang Jian arrived at the 辕门 (Yuanmen), and saw the two characters "免战" ("No Battle") displayed. Yang Jian said, "Since the general was appointed on the fifteenth day of the third month, nearly ten months have passed. Now we are still here without having captured even an inch of Chengtang territory, yet they hastily hang up a 'No Battle' sign..." He felt very suspicious and thought to himself, "...I should first meet with the commander-in-chief and then decide what to do." A scout horseman reported into the central camp: "Your Excellency, the grain supervisor Yang Jian is waiting for your orders." Ziya said, "Bring him in." Yang Jian entered the tent, paid his respects, and reported: "Disciple Yang Jian has been supplying grain to meet military needs without failing any deadlines. I respectfully request your Excellency's judgment." Ziya said, "The army's provisions are sufficient; what can we do about the lack of victories in battle!" Yang Jian said, "Uncle Master, please take down the 'No Battle' sign. Disciple Yang will lead troops out tomorrow to see what is happening and deal with it accordingly." While Ziya was in the central command discussing this matter with others, attendants reported: "A young Daoist disciple is requesting an audience." Ziya said, "Bring him in." After a short while, the boy arrived before the tent. The child disciple fell to his knees and bowed deeply, saying: "Disciple is from the Qianyuan Mountain Jinguang Dong under Master Taiyi Zhenren's tutelage. My elder brother Nezha has encountered a calamity; I was sent by my master to take him up the mountain for treatment." Ziya immediately handed Nezha over to the young disciple Jinxia, who carried him away toward Qianyuan Mountain. This will not be detailed further. Meanwhile, Yang Jian saw that Lei Zhenzi was silent and merely shivering. He looked at the blood flowing from the wound on the blade, dark as ink. Yang Jian observed for a long time and said, "This is an injury caused by poison." Yang Jian reported to Ziya: "Remove the 'No Battle' sign." Ziya gave orders: "Take down the 'No Battle' sign." The next day, scout horsemen from Sishui Pass reported into the pass: "The Zhou camp has removed its 'No Battle' sign." Upon hearing this, Yu Hua immediately rode out on his Golden-Eyed Beast from the pass and arrived before the camp to issue a challenge for battle. Scout horsemen reported into the central command: "A general inside the pass is demanding battle." Indeed: Frequent victories do not mean there will never be a defeat; the Zhou camp has its own masterful people coming.

话说余化至营搦战，杨戬禀过子牙，忙提三尖刀出营。见余化光景，是左道邪说之人，杨戬大叫曰：“来者莫非余化么？”余化曰：“然也。尔通名来。”杨戬曰：“吾乃姜元帅师侄杨戬是也。”纵马摇三尖刀飞来直取，余化手中戟赴面交还。两马相交，一场大战。未及二十馀合，余化祭起化血神刀，如闪电飞来。杨戬运动八九元功，将元神遁出，以左肩迎来，伤了一刀，也大叫一声，败回行营，看是甚么毒物，来见子牙。子牙问曰：“你会余化如何？”杨戬曰：“弟子见他神刀利害，仗吾师道术，将元神遁出，以左臂迎他一刀，毕竟看不出他的果是何毒物。弟子且往玉泉山金霞洞去一遭。”子牙许之。杨戬借土遁往玉泉山来，到了金霞洞，进洞见师父，拜罢，玉鼎真人问曰：“杨戬，你此来有甚么话说？”杨戬对曰：“弟子同师叔进兵汜水关，与守关将余化对敌。彼有一刀，不知何毒，起先雷震子被他伤了一刀，只是寒颤，不能做声；弟子也被他伤了一刀，幸赖师父玄功，不曾重伤，然不知果是何毒物。”玉鼎真人忙令杨戬将刀痕来看，真人见此刀刃，便曰：“此乃是化血刀所伤。但此刀伤了，见血即死。幸雷震子伤的两枚仙杏，你又有玄功，故尔如此；不然，皆不可活。”杨戬听得，不觉大惊，忙问曰：“似此将何术解救？”真人曰：“此毒连我也不能解。此刀乃是蓬莱岛一气仙余元之物。当其修炼时，此刀在炉中，有三粒神丹同炼的。要解此毒，非此丹药，不能得济。”真人沉思良久，乃曰：“此事非你不可。”附耳：“……如此如此方可。”杨戬大喜，领了师父之言，离了玉泉山往蓬莱岛而来。正是： 真人道术非凡品，咫尺蓬莱见大功。

The story says that when Yu Hua arrived at the camp to challenge for battle, Yang Jian reported this to Ziya and hurriedly took up his Three-Tipped Dagger to go out of the camp. Seeing Yu Hua's appearance, which was that of a practitioner of left-hand path and heretical teachings, Yang Jian shouted loudly: "Are you not Yu Hua?" Yu Hua said, "Indeed I am. State your name." Yang Jian said, "I am Yang Jian, the nephew of Commander-in-Chief Jiang." He spurred his horse forward, brandishing his Three-Tipped Dagger and charging straight at Yu Hua, who met the attack with a spear to parry directly. The two horses clashed in fierce combat as they engaged in an intense battle. Before twenty exchanges had passed, Yu Hua summoned his Blood-Transforming Divine Blade, which came flying like a bolt of lightning. Yang Jian activated the Ba Jiu Yuan Gong, projected his original spirit outward, and used his left shoulder to meet the strike. He was wounded by a cut and let out a loud cry before retreating back to camp. He wanted to examine what kind of poison had been involved and went to report to Ziya. Ziya asked, "How did you fare against Yu Hua?" Yang Jian said, "Disciple saw how dangerous his divine blade was. Relying on my master's Daoist techniques, I projected my original spirit outward and used my left arm to meet the blow. However, in the end, I could not determine what kind of poison he actually used." Disciple shall go to Yuquan Mountain's Jinxia Cave for a visit." Ziya approved. Yang Jian used earth 遁 (tun) to travel to Yuquan Mountain. Upon arriving at Jinxia Cave, he entered the cave and paid respects to his master. Master Yuding Zhenren asked, "Yang Jian, what is it that you wish to say?" Yang Jian replied, "Disciple went with my uncle to march on Sishui Pass and faced off against Yu Hua, the general defending the pass. He has a blade of unknown poison; at first, Lei Zhenzi was wounded by it and only shivered with cold, unable to speak; Disciple was also wounded by a cut from it. Fortunately, I relied on Master's Daoist arts and did not suffer serious injury; yet still, I do not know what kind of poison it actually is." Master Yuding Zhenren quickly ordered Yang Jian to show him the wound. Upon seeing this blade, Master said, "This is an injury from a Blood-Transforming Blade. However, if one is wounded by this blade, the blood turns to poison and death follows immediately. Fortunately, Lei Zhenzi's wounds were from two divine apricots, and you also have Daoist arts; that is why it was not fatal; otherwise, none of you would have survived." Yang Jian heard this and was greatly startled. He hurriedly asked, "What method can be used to save someone from such a wound?" Master Zhenren said, "This poison is so potent that even I cannot resolve it. This blade belongs to Yu Yuan, the First Breath Immortal of Penglai Island. When he cultivated, this blade was in the furnace and refined together with three divine pills. To resolve this poison, one must use these pills; otherwise, it cannot be cured." Master Zhenren pondered for a long time and then said, "This matter can only be entrusted to you." He leaned in close: "…Only by doing this or that will it work." Yang Jian was overjoyed, accepted his master's instructions, and left Yuquan Mountain for Penglai Island. Indeed: The Daoist arts of the True Man are no ordinary feat; great achievements can be seen at Penglai within a short distance.

话说杨戬借土遁往蓬莱岛而来，前至东海。好个海岛，异景奇花，观之不尽。怎见得海水平波，山崖锦砌，正所谓蓬莱景致与天阙无差。怎见得好山，有赞为证： 势镇东南，源流四海。汪洋潮涌作波涛，滂渤山根成碧阙。蜃楼结彩，化为人世奇观；蛟孽兴风，又是沧溟幻化。丹山碧树非凡，玉宇琼宫天外。麟凤优游，自然仙境灵胎；鸾鹤翱翔，岂是人间俗骨。琪花四季吐精英，瑶草千年呈瑞气。且慢说青松翠柏常春；又道是仙桃仙果时有。修竹沸云留夜月，藤萝映日舞清风。一溪瀑布时风雪，四面丹崖若列星。正是：百川浍注擎天柱，万劫无移大地根。

The story says that Yang Jian used earth 遁 to travel toward Penglai Island and arrived at the eastern edge of the East Sea. What a wondrous island this was, with strange scenery and rare flowers that could not be fully appreciated in one glance. How can this sea surface with its calm waves and mountain cliffs adorned like brocade be described? It was precisely what one would expect of Penglai's scenery, no different from the celestial realm. How can this fine mountain be described? A verse testifies: Its might dominates the southeast, its source flows from all four seas. Rolling tides surge as waves and billows; the mountain's base rises to form a jade-colored palace. Mirage towers adorned with color transform into an extraordinary sight of the mortal world; Dragon pests stir up winds, and again it is a transformation of the boundless sea. Red mountains and emerald trees are extraordinary; jade halls and crystal palaces lie beyond the heavens. Ginseng deer and phoenixes wander leisurely, naturally forming a spiritual cradle of an immortal realm; Phoenixes and cranes soar aloft—how could they be creatures of ordinary human flesh? Jade-like flowers bloom with refined essence all year round, while 瑶 grass presents auspicious qi after a thousand years. Do not yet speak of the evergreen blue pines and cypresses; nor mention that immortal peaches and fruits appear from time to time. Cultivated bamboo billows with clouds, holding back the night's moon; vines and tendrils reflect sunlight as they dance in the gentle breeze. A stream of cascading water falls like wind and snow at times, while red cliffs on all sides appear like rows of stars. Indeed: A hundred rivers converge to support the pillar reaching heaven; through ten thousand calamities, it remains unmoved at the root of the earth.

话说杨戬来至蓬莱山，看罢蓬莱景致，仗八九元功，将身变成七首将军余化，迳进蓬莱岛来。见了一气仙余元，倒身下拜。余元见余化到此，乃问曰：“你来做甚么？”余化曰：“弟子奉师父之命，去汜水关协同韩总兵把守关隘，不意姜尚兵来，弟子见头一阵，刀伤了哪吒，第二阵伤了雷震子，第三阵恰来了姜子牙师侄杨戬，弟子用刀去伤他，被他一指，反把刀指回来，将弟子伤了肩臂，望老师慈悲救援。”一气仙余元曰：“有这等事？他有何能，取指回我的宝刀？但当时炼此宝，在炉中分龙虎，定阴阳，同炼了三粒丹药，我如今将此丹留在此间也无用，你不若将此丹药取了去，以备不虞。”余元随将丹递与余化。余化叩头，“谢老师天恩。”忙出洞来，回周营。不表。有诗单赞杨戬玄功变化之妙： 悟到功成道始精，玄中玄妙有无生。蓬莱枉秘通灵药，汜水徒劳化血兵。计就腾挪称幻圣，装成奇巧盗英明。多因福助周文武，一任奇谋若浪萍。

The story says that Yang Jian arrived at Penglai Mountain, admired the scenery of Penglai, and relying on his Ba Jiu Yuan Gong Daoist arts, transformed himself into Qi Shou Jiangjun Yu Hua (the Seven-Headed General Yu Hua) and directly entered Penglai Island. He met the First Breath Immortal Yu Yuan and fell to his knees in deep reverence. Yu Yuan saw Yu Hua arrive and asked, "What have you come for?" Yu Hua said, "Disciple was ordered by my master to go to Sishui Pass to assist General Han in guarding the pass. Unexpectedly, Jiang Shang's troops arrived. In our first encounter, I wounded Nezha with a blade; in the second, I injured Lei Zhenzi. In the third battle, Jiang Ziya's nephew Yang Jian came. Disciple used my blade to wound him, but he countered with a finger strike and redirected the blade back at me, wounding my shoulder and arm. I beg you, Master Teacher, for your mercy and rescue." The First Breath Immortal Yu Yuan said, "Such a thing?" What ability does he have to use his finger to return my treasure blade? When I refined this treasure, it was done in the furnace by dividing dragon and tiger energies to fix yin and yang, together with three pills. Now keeping these pills here is of no use; you might as well take them away for future contingencies." Yu Yuan then handed the pills to Yu Hua. Yu Hua kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your Master Teacher's heavenly grace." He hurriedly left the cave and returned to the Zhou camp. No further details are given. There is a verse specially praising the wondrous transformations of Yang Jian's Daoist arts: Wu dao gong cheng dao shi jing, Xuan zhong xuan miao you wu sheng. Penglai's secret elixirs in vain, Tongling's medicine useless; Sishui's transformed blood soldiers all in vain. A plan to shift and dodge, claiming the title of Illusion Sage; Dressed as a clever trickster, stealing fame and glory. Much due to fortune aiding Zhou's generals and ministers, all strange strategies drift like water caltrops on the waves.

话说杨戬得了丹药，迳回周营。且说一气仙余元，把药一时俱与了余化，静坐思忖：“杨戬有多大本领，能指回我的化血刀？若余化被刀伤了，他如何还到得这里？其中定有缘故。”余元搯指一算，大叫曰：“好杨戬匹夫！敢以变化玄功盗吾丹药，欺吾太甚！”余元大怒，上了金眼驼，来赶杨戬。杨戬正往前行，只听得后面有风声赶至，杨戬已知余元来赶，忙把丹药放在囊中，暗祭哮天犬存在空中。余元只顾赶杨戬，不知暗算难防，余元被哮天犬夹颈子一口。此犬正是： 牙如钢剑伤皮肉，红袍拉下半边来。

The story says that after Yang Jian obtained the pills, he directly returned to the Zhou camp. Meanwhile, the First Breath Immortal Yu Yuan had given all the pills to Yu Hua at once and sat in quiet contemplation: "How great is Yang Jian's ability that he could redirect my Blood-Transforming Blade back on me? If Yu Hua had been wounded by the blade, how could he have returned here? There must be a reason behind it." Yu Yuan calculated with his fingers and suddenly shouted, "What an excellent fellow, Yang Jian!" Daring to steal my pills using transformation Daoist arts—this is a great insult to me!" Yu Yuan was furious, mounted his golden-eyed camel, and went after Yang Jian. Yang Jian was walking forward when he suddenly heard the sound of wind approaching from behind. Yang Jian immediately realized that Yu Yuan was chasing him, so he quickly placed the pills in his pouch and secretly summoned Xiaotian Quan to hover in the air. Yu Yuan was so intent on chasing Yang Jian that he failed to guard against hidden attacks. Yu Yuan was suddenly bitten at the neck by Xiaotian Quan. This dog is: Its teeth like steel swords wound flesh, its red robe torn halfway down.

余元不曾堤防暗算，被犬一口，把大红白鹤衣扯了半边。余元又吃了大亏，不能前进，“吾且回去，再整顿前来，以复此仇。”话说子牙正在营中纳闷，只见左右来报：“有杨戬等令。”子牙传令：“令来。”杨戬至帐前，见子牙，备言前事，“盗丹而回。”子牙大喜，忙取丹药救雷震子；又遣木吒往乾元山，送此药与哪吒调理。次日，杨戬往关下搦战。探事官报入帅府：“周营中有将讨战。”韩荣忙令余化出战。余化上了金睛兽，提戟出关。杨戬大呼曰：“余化，前日你用化血刀伤我，幸吾炼有丹药，若无丹药，几中汝之奸计也。”余化暗思：“此丹乃一炉所出，焉能周营中也有此丹？若此处有这丹，此刀无用。”催开金睛兽，大战杨戬。二马相交，刀戟并举。二将酣战三十馀合。正杀之间，雷震子得了此丹，即时全好了，心中大怒，竟飞出周营，大喝曰：“好余化！将恶刀伤吾。若非丹药，几至不保。不要走，吃我一棍，以泄此恨！”拎提起黄金棍，劈头刷来。余化将手中戟架棍。杨戬三尖刀来得又勇，余化被雷震子一棍打来，将身一闪，那棍正中金睛兽，把余化掀翻下地，被杨戬复一刀，结果了性命。正是： 一腔左术全无用，枉做成汤梁栋材。

Yu Yuan had not been on guard against a hidden attack and was bitten by the dog, which tore half of his crimson crane-feather robe. Yu Yuan suffered a great loss and could not advance further, "I will return for now, regroup, and come back to exact revenge." The story says that Jiang Ziya was just brooding in his camp when suddenly someone on the left and right came to report, "There is an order from Yang Jian." Jiang Ziya gave orders: "Bring him in." Yang Jian arrived before the tent, saw Jiang Ziya, and recounted all that had happened earlier, saying, "I stole the pills and returned." Jiang Ziya was greatly pleased and quickly took the pills to save Lei Zhenzi; He also sent Muzha to Qianyuan Mountain to deliver these pills to Nezha for treatment. The next day, Yang Jian went down to the pass to challenge the enemy. A scout officer reported into the command headquarters: "There is a general from the Zhou camp demanding battle." Han Rong quickly ordered Yu Hua to go out and fight. Yu Hua mounted his golden-eyed beast, raised his halberd, and left the pass. Yang Jian shouted loudly, "Yu Hua! The day before yesterday you wounded me with your Blood-Transforming Blade. Fortunately, I had prepared pills; otherwise, I would have fallen into your treacherous scheme." Yu Hua thought to himself: "These pills were produced in one furnace—how could the Zhou camp also have such pills?" "If there are these pills here, then this blade is useless." He urged his golden-eyed beast forward and engaged Yang Jian in fierce battle. The two horses clashed, blades and halberds raised together. The two generals fiercely fought for more than thirty rounds. While they were fighting, Lei Zhenzi had taken the pills and was immediately fully healed. Filled with rage, he flew out of the Zhou camp and shouted, "You good-for-nothing Yu Hua!" You wounded me with your evil blade! Had it not been for the pills, I nearly would have perished. Don't run! Take my staff and let me vent this hatred!" He raised his golden staff high and swung it down fiercely. Yu Hua raised the halberd in his hand to block the staff. Yang Jian's three-pointed blade came with great force. Yu Hua, struck by Lei Zhenzi's staff, dodged aside just in time; the staff hit the golden-eyed beast directly and knocked Yu Hua off his mount to the ground, where Yang Jian immediately followed up with a single strike that ended his life. Indeed: A heart full of false arts is entirely useless, in vain becoming the beams and pillars of the Tang dynasty.

杨戬斩了余化，掌鼓回营，见子牙报功。不表。

Yang Jian beheaded Yu Hua, beat the drum to return to camp, and reported his achievement to Jiang Ziya. No further details are given.

且说韩荣闻余化阵亡，大惊：“此事怎好！前日遣官往朝歌去，命又不下；今无人协同守此关隘，如何是好！”正议间，余元乘了金睛五云驼，至关内下骑，至帅府前，令门官通报。众军官见余元好凶恶，忙报韩荣。韩荣传令：“请来。”道人进帅府，韩荣迎接余元。只见他生得面如蓝靛，赤发獠牙，身高一丈七八，凛凛威风，二目凶光冒出。韩荣降阶而迎，口称：“老师。”请上银安殿。”韩荣下拜，问曰：“老师是那座名山？何处洞府？”一气仙余元曰：“杨戬欺吾太甚，盗丹杀我弟子余化。贫道是蓬莱岛一气仙余元是也；今特下山，以报此仇。”韩荣闻说大喜，治酒管待。次日，余元上了五云驼，出关至周营，坐名要子牙答话。报马报入中军：“汜水关有一道人请元帅答话。”子牙传令：“摆队伍出营。”左右分五岳门人，一骑当先。只见一位道人，生的十分凶恶。怎见得： 鱼尾冠，金嵌成；大红服，云暗生。面如蓝靛獠牙冒，赤发红须古怪形。丝绦飘火焰，麻鞋若水晶。蓬莱岛内修仙体，自在逍遥得至清。位在监斋成神道，一气仙名旧有声。

Meanwhile, Han Rong heard of Yu Hua's death on the battlefield and was greatly shocked: "What can I do now!" The day before, I sent an official to Chaogu but still received no orders; now there is no one left to help me defend this pass—what should I do!" While they were still discussing, Yu Yuan arrived on a golden-eyed five-cloud camel, dismounted within the pass, and went to the command headquarters, ordering the gate officer to announce his arrival. The soldiers saw Yu Yuan's fierce appearance and quickly reported it to Han Rong. Han Rong gave orders: "Please bring him in." The Daoist entered the command headquarters, and Han Rong welcomed Yu Yuan. He was seen to have a face as blue as indigo, red hair and fangs, standing seven or eight chi tall, exuding an imposing presence, with fierce glares from his eyes. Han Rong descended the steps to greet him, addressing him respectfully as "Master Teacher." "Please ascend to the Yin'an Hall." Han Rong kowtowed and asked, "Master Teacher, which famous mountain are you from? What is the name of your cave dwelling?" The First Breath Immortal Yu Yuan replied, "Yang Jian has insulted me greatly by stealing my pills and killing my disciple Yu Hua. I am the First Breath Immortal Yu Yuan of Penglai Island; today I have specially descended from the mountain to exact this revenge." Han Rong, upon hearing this, was greatly pleased and prepared a banquet to entertain him. The next day, Yu Yuan mounted his five-cloud camel and went out of the pass to the Zhou camp, demanding a meeting with Jiang Ziya by name. A scout horseman reported into the central command: "There is a Daoist from Sishui Pass requesting the general's audience." Jiang Ziya gave orders, "Form ranks and march out of camp." The left and right wings arranged the Five Sacred Mountains disciples in formation, with one rider leading at the front. They saw a Daoist who appeared extremely fierce. How so: A fish-tail crown, inlaid with gold; a crimson robe, with clouds darkly swirling. His face was blue as indigo and fanged, his red hair and red beard forming a strange appearance. Silken sashes fluttered like flames; hemp shoes gleamed like crystal. He cultivated his immortal body on Penglai Island, enjoying freedom and tranquility in ultimate clarity. Holding a position as the Guardian of Meals, he became a Daoist sage; the name First Breath Immortal had long been renowned.

话说子牙至军前问曰：“道者请了。”余元道：“姜子牙，你叫出杨戬来见我。”子牙曰：“杨戬催粮去了，不在行营。道者，你既在蓬莱岛，难道不知天意。今成汤传位六百馀年，至纣王无道，暴弃天命，肆行凶恶，罪恶贯盈，天怒人怨，天下叛之。我周应天顺人，克修天道，天下归周。今奉天之罚，以观政于商，尔何得阻逆天吏，自取灭亡哉！道者，你不观余化诸人皆是此例，他纵有道术，岂能扭转天命耶！”余化大怒曰：“总是你这一番妖言惑众！若不杀你，不足以绝祸根！”催开五云驼，仗宝剑直取子牙。子牙手中剑赴面交还。左有李靖，右有韦护，各举兵器，前来助战。四人只为无名火起，眼前要定雌雄。余元的宝剑光华灼灼；子牙剑彩色辉辉；李靖刀寒光灿灿；韦护杵杀气腾腾。余元坐在五云驼上，把一尺三寸金光锉祭在空中，来打子牙。子牙忙展杏黄旗，现出有千朵金莲，拥护其身。余元忙收了金光锉，复祭起来打李靖。不防子牙祭起打神鞭来，一鞭正中余元后背，只打的三昧真火喷出丈馀远近。李靖又把余元腿上一枪。余元著伤，把五云驼顶上一拍，只见那金眼驼四足起金光而去。子牙见余元著伤而走，收兵回营。不表。且说土行孙催粮来至，见子牙会兵，他暗暗的瞧见余元的五云驼四足起金光而去，土行孙大喜：“我若得此战骑，催粮真是便益。”当时子牙回营升帐，忽报：“土行孙等令。”子牙传令：“令来。”土行孙至帐前，交纳粮数，不误限期。子牙曰：“催粮有功，暂且下帐少憩。”土行孙下帐，来见邓婵玉，夫妻共语，说：“余化把刀伤了哪吒，哪吒往乾元山养伤痕去了。土行孙至晚，对邓婵玉曰：“我方才见余元坐骑，四足旋起金光，如云霓缥缈而去，妙甚，妙甚！我今夜走去，盗了他的来，骑著催粮，有何不可？”邓婵玉曰：“虽然如此；你若要去，须禀知元帅，方可行事，不得造次。”土行孙曰：“与他说没用，总是走去便来，何必又多一番唇舌？”当时夫妇计较停当。将至二更，土行孙把身子一扭，迳进汜水关，来到帅府里。土行孙见余元默运元神，土行孙在地下，往上看他，道人目似垂廉，不敢上去，只得等候。却言余元默运元神，忽然心血潮来，余元暗暗搯指一算，已知土行孙来盗他的坐骑。余元把阳神出窍，少刻，鼻息之声如雷。土行孙在地下听见鼻息之声，大喜曰：“今夜定然成功。”将身子钻了上来，拖著铁棍，又见廊下拴著五云驼。土行孙解了缰绳，牵到丹墀下，埃著马台扒上去，试验试验，然后又扒将下来。将这宾铁棍执在手里，来打余元，照余元耳门上一下，只打得七窍

The story says that Jiang Ziya arrived before his troops and asked, "Respectfully greet you, Daoist." Yu Yuan said, "Jiang Ziya, bring Yang Jian out to see me." Jiang Ziya replied, "Yang Jian has gone to supervise the grain supply and is not in camp. Daoist, since you are on Penglai Island, could it be that you do not know Heaven's will? Now the Shang dynasty has passed its throne for over six hundred years, but when King Zhou became tyrannical and abandoned Heaven's mandate, acting with cruelty and evil, his crimes filled the heavens. Heaven was angry and people resented him; all under heaven rebelled against him. Our Zhou dynasty follows Heaven's will and the people's wishes, diligently cultivating the Dao of Heaven, so that all under heaven submit to Zhou. Now we carry out Heaven's punishment to observe the governance of Shang; how can you dare resist Heaven's officials and invite your own destruction! Daoist, have you not seen that Yu Hua and others all followed this pattern? Even if he has Daoist arts, how can he possibly reverse Heaven's will!" Yu Yuan became furious and said, "It is always your evil words that mislead the people! If I do not kill you, it will be impossible to eradicate this source of disaster!" He urged his five-cloud camel forward and brandished his treasure sword directly at Jiang Ziya. Jiang Ziya met the attack with his own sword, clashing face to face. To the left was Li Jing and to the right Wei Hu; each raised their weapons and came forward to assist in battle. The four men, driven by nameless rage, fought fiercely to determine who was superior. Yu Yuan's treasure sword gleamed with brilliant light; Jiang Ziya's sword shimmered in radiant colors; Li Jing's blade gleamed cold and dazzling; Wei Hu's staff radiated a fierce, killing aura. Yu Yuan sat on his five-cloud camel and summoned a one-foot-three-inch golden light file into the air to strike Jiang Ziya. Jiang Ziya quickly unfurled his apricot-yellow banner, revealing thousands of golden lotus blossoms that surrounded and protected him. Yu Yuan hastily retracted the golden light file and raised it again to strike Li Jing. Unaware, Jiang Ziya summoned his god-beating whip and with a single lash struck Yu Yuan squarely on the back, causing the Threefold True Fire to erupt from him for more than a zhang in all directions. Li Jing then pierced Yu Yuan's leg with another spear thrust. Wounded, Yu Yuan struck the top of his five-cloud camel; at once, the golden-eyed camel rose on four feet and vanished in a burst of golden light. Seeing Yu Yuan wounded and fleeing, Jiang Ziya ordered his troops to withdraw back to camp. No further details are given. Meanwhile, Tu Xingsun arrived with provisions and saw Jiang Ziya mustering his troops. He secretly observed Yu Yuan's five-cloud camel rising in golden light from its four hooves and departing. Tu Xingsun was overjoyed: "If I could obtain this war mount, transporting supplies would be most convenient." At that time, Jiang Ziya returned to his camp and entered the command tent when suddenly a report came: "Tu Xingsun is waiting for an audience." Jiang Ziya gave orders: "Bring him in." Tu Xingsun arrived at the tent, delivered the provisions on time without missing the deadline. Jiang Ziya said: "You have done well in transporting supplies; for now, go below and rest a while." Tu Xingsun went below the tent and visited Deng Chanyu. The couple conversed, with Tu Xingsun saying: "Yu Hua wounded Nezha with a blade; Nezha has gone to Qianyuanshan to recover from his injuries." That evening, Tu Xingsun said to Deng Chanyu: "Earlier today I saw Yu Yuan's steed; its four hooves rose in golden light and vanished like a wisp of cloud. Marvelous! Truly marvelous!" "I shall go tonight, steal it from him, ride it to transport supplies—what is there not to approve?" Deng Chanyu said: "Although this may be so; if you wish to go, you must first report to the general and obtain permission before taking action. You cannot act recklessly." Tu Xingsun said: "Telling him is useless; I will just go and return, so why bother with more words?" At that time, the couple made their plans. By the second watch of the night, Tu Xingsun twisted his body and went straight into Sishui Pass, entering the general's residence. Tu Xingsun saw Yu Yuan silently channeling his spiritual essence. Tu Xingsun, hidden underground, looked up at him; the Daoist's eyes seemed like hanging curtains, and he dared not approach directly, so he had to wait. Meanwhile, Yu Yuan was silently channeling his spiritual power when suddenly a surge of intuition struck him. Yu Yuan secretly calculated with his fingers and immediately realized that Tu Xingsun had come to steal his steed. Yu Yuan sent out his yang spirit from its vessel, and in a short while, the sound of his breathing was like thunder. Tu Xingsun underground heard the sound of snoring and rejoiced: "Tonight, I am certain to succeed." He pushed his body upward from underground, dragging an iron rod, and saw the five-cloud camel tethered beneath the corridor. Tu Xingsun untied the reins, led it to the danchi courtyard, climbed onto the horse platform and up onto the camel's back to test it out, then dismounted again. He took the iron rod in his hand and struck Yu Yuan, hitting him right on the ear. The blow caused blood to pour from all seven orifices of Yu Yuan's face.

中三昧火冒出来，只是不动；复打一棍，打得余元只不作声。土行孙曰：“这泼道，真是顽皮！吾且回去，明日再做道理。”土行孙上了五云驼，把他顶上拍了一下，那兽四足就起金云，飞在空中。土行孙心下十分欢喜。正是： 欢喜未来灾又至，只因盗物惹非殃。

Threefold True Fire erupted from his body, yet he remained unmoved; Tu Xingsun struck again with the rod, and this time Yu Yuan did not utter a sound. Tu Xingsun said: "This wretched Daoist is truly stubborn! I'll go back for now and deal with him properly tomorrow." Tu Xingsun mounted the five-cloud camel, gave its head a pat, and at once the beast rose on golden clouds into the air. Tu Xingsun was extremely delighted in his heart. Indeed: Huanxi weilai zai you zhi, zhi yin dao wu re fei yang.

且说土行孙骑著五云驼，只在关里串，不得出关去。土行孙曰：“宝贝，你还出关去！”话犹未了，那五云驼便落将下地来。土行孙方欲下驼，早被余元一把抓住头发，拎著他，不令他挨地，大叫曰：“拿住偷驼的贼子！”惊动一府大小将官，掌起火把灯球。韩荣升了宝殿，只见余元高高的把土行孙拎著。韩荣灯光下见一矮子，“老师拎著他做甚么？放下他来罢了。”余元曰：“你不知他会地行之术，但沿了地，他就去了。”韩荣曰：“将他如何处治？”余元曰：“你把俺蒲团下一个袋儿取来，装著这业障，用火烧死他，方绝祸患。”韩荣取了袋儿装起来。余元叫：“搬柴来。”少时间，架起柴来，把如意乾坤袋烧著。土行孙在火里大叫曰：“烧死我也！”好火！怎见得，有诗为证： 细细金蛇遍地明，黑烟滚滚即时生，燧人出世居离位，炎帝腾光号火精。山石逢时皆赤土，江湖偶遇尽枯平。谁知天意归周主，自有真仙渡此惊。

Meanwhile, Tu Xingsun rode the five-cloud camel and roamed within the pass but could not leave it. Tu Xingsun said: "Treasure, you must take me out of this pass!" Before he had finished speaking, the five-cloud camel suddenly descended to the ground. Just as Tu Xingsun was about to dismount, Yu Yuan suddenly grabbed his hair and lifted him up so that he could not touch the ground. He shouted loudly: "I've caught the thief who stole my camel!" The commotion alerted all the officers and soldiers in the residence, who immediately lit torches and lanterns. Han Rong ascended to the treasure hall and saw Yu Yuan holding Tu Xingsun high in the air. Under the lamplight, Han Rong saw a short man and asked: "Master Teacher, what are you holding him for?" "Just let him go." Yu Yuan said: "You don't know—he can travel underground. If he slips away into the earth, he will be gone." Han Rong asked: "How should we deal with him?" Yu Yuan said: "You fetch a sack from beneath my meditation cushion, put this wretch inside it, and burn him with fire—only then will the disaster be completely eradicated." Han Rong fetched the sack and prepared to stuff Tu Xingsun into it. Yu Yuan shouted: "Bring firewood!" In a short while, they piled up the wood and set the Ruyi Qiankun sack on fire. Tu Xingsun screamed inside the flames: "You're burning me to death!" What fierce fire! How fierce it was! Here is a verse to attest: Xi xi jin she bian di ming, hei yan gun gun ji shi sheng. Sui ren chu shi ju li wei, Yan Di teng guang hao huo jing. Mountains and stones turned to red soil at the time; rivers and lakes dried up completely upon encountering it. Who could have known that Heaven's will favored King Zhou? Naturally, a true immortal would come to rescue them from this peril.

话说余元烧土行孙，命在须臾。也是天数，不该如此，──只见惧留孙正坐蒲团默养元神，见白鹤童子来至曰：“奉师尊玉旨，命师兄去救土行孙。”惧留孙闻命，与白鹤童子分别，借著纵地金光法来至汜水关里。见余元正烧乾坤袋，惧留孙使一阵旋窝风，往下一坐，伸下手来，连如意乾坤袋提将去了。余元看见一阵风来，又见火势有景，余元搯指一算：“好惧留孙！你救你的门人，把我如意乾坤袋也拿了去！我明日自有处治。”且说惧留孙将土行孙救出火焰之中，土行孙在内自觉得不热，不知何故。惧留孙来至周营。那夜是南宫适巡外营。时至三更尽，南宫适问曰：“是甚么人？”惧留孙曰：“是我。快通报子牙，我来也。”南宫适向前看，知是惧留孙，忙传云板。子牙三鼓时分起来，外边传入帐中：“有惧留孙在辕门。”子牙忙出迎接，见惧留孙拎著一个袋子，至军前打稽首坐下。子牙曰：“道兄夤夜至此，有何见谕？”惧留孙曰：“土行孙有火难，特来救之。”子牙大惊：“土行孙昨日催粮方回，其灾如何得至？”惧留孙把如意袋儿打开，放出土行孙来，问其详细。土行孙把盗五云驼的事说了一遍。子牙大怒曰：“你要做此事，也该报我知道，如何背违主帅，暗行辱国之事？今若不正军法，诸将效尤，将来营规必乱。传刀斧手，将土行孙斩首号令！”惧留孙曰：“土行孙不遵军令，暗行进关，有辱国体，理宜斩首；只是用人之际，暂且待罪立功。”子牙曰：“若不是道兄求免，定当斩首。”令左右：“且与我放了。”土行孙谢了师父，又谢过子牙。一夜周营中未曾安静。次日，只见一气仙余元，出关来至周营，坐名只要惧留孙。惧留孙曰：“他来只为如意乾坤袋。我不去会他。你只须如此，自可擒此泼道也。”惧留孙与子牙计较停当。子牙点炮出营。余元一见子牙，大呼曰：“只叫惧留孙来会我！”子牙曰：“道友，你好不知天命！据道友要烧死土行孙，自无逃躲，岂知有他师父来救他，正所谓有福之人，纵千方百计而不能加害；无福之人遇沟壑而丧其躯。此岂人力所能哉！”余元大怒曰：“巧言匹夫尚敢为他支吾！”催开五云驼，使宝剑来取。子牙坐下四不相，手中剑赴面相迎。二兽相交，双剑并举，两家一场大战，怎见得，有词为证： 凛凛征云万丈高，军兵擂鼓把旗摇。一个是封神都领袖；一个是监斋名姓标。这个正道奉天灭纣王；那个是无福成仙自逞高。这个是六韬之内称始祖；那个是恶性凶心怎肯饶。自来有福催无福，天意循环怎脱逃。

Now the story returns to Yu Yuan burning Tu Xingsun; his life hung by a thread. It was also the will of Heaven that it should not be so—just then, Jurong Sun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion in quiet spiritual cultivation when the White Crane Boy arrived and said: "By my master's decree, I am ordered to go rescue Tu Xingsun." Jurong Sun received the order, bid farewell to the White Crane Boy, and used the Zongdi Jinguang method to arrive at Sishui Pass. He saw Yu Yuan just about to burn the Qiankun sack. Jurong Sun summoned a whirlwind, sat down from above, reached out his hand, and pulled both the Ruyi Qiankung bag and its contents away with ease. Yu Yuan saw a gust of wind arrive, then noticed the fire's condition changing. Yu Yuan quickly calculated with his fingers: "It's good old Jurong Sun!" You have come to save your disciple and even taken my Ruyi Qiankong bag away! I shall deal with you properly tomorrow." Meanwhile, Jurong Sun rescued Tu Xingsun from the flames. Inside the sack, Tu Xingsun felt no heat at all and did not know why. Jurong Sun arrived at King Zhou's camp. That night, Nan Gong Shi was on duty patrolling the outer camp. By the end of the third watch, Nan Gong Shi asked: "Who is there?" Jurong Sun said: "It's me." Hasten to inform Jiang Ziya—I have arrived!" Nan Gong Shi stepped forward and recognized Jurong Sun. He hurriedly struck the signal gong. At the third drum, Jiang Ziya got up and was informed from outside: "Jurong Sun is at the 辕门 (yuanmen)." Jiang Ziya hurried out to greet him and saw Jurong Sun holding a sack. He bowed deeply before taking his seat at the front of the army. Jiang Ziya asked: "Master Daoist, you have come all this way in the dead of night—what is your message?" Jurong Sun said: "Tu Xingsun was caught in a fire; I have come especially to rescue him." Jiang Ziya was greatly surprised: "Tu Xingsun returned only yesterday after delivering supplies—how could he have encountered such a disaster?" Jurong Sun opened the Ruyi sack, released Tu Xingsun, and asked for details. Tu Xingsun recounted the entire incident of stealing the five-cloud camel. Jiang Ziya became furious and said: "If you were going to do such a thing, you should have informed me first. How could you defy your commander and secretly commit an act that disgraces the state?" If I do not now enforce military law, other generals will follow suit, and our camp's discipline will surely fall into chaos. "Summon the executioners! Decapitate Tu Xingsun as a warning!" Jurong Sun said: "Tu Xingsun violated military orders and secretly entered the pass, bringing disgrace to our state. He should indeed be executed; yet at this time of need for manpower, let him remain under punishment until he can redeem himself through meritorious service." Jiang Ziya said: "If it were not for my Daoist elder pleading on his behalf, he would certainly have been beheaded." He ordered those around him: "Release him for now." Tu Xingsun thanked his master and then also bowed to Jiang Ziya in gratitude. That night, the Zhou camp was never at peace. The next day, Qi Yi Xian Yu Yuan came out of the pass and arrived at Zhou's camp, demanding Jurong Sun by name. Jurong Sun said: "He has come only for the Ruyi Qiankunk bag." I will not go to meet him. You just need to do this, and you can capture this wretched Daoist." Jurong Sun and Jiang Ziya made their plans. Jiang Ziya lit the signal cannon and marched out of camp. Yu Yuan, upon seeing Jiang Ziya, shouted loudly: "Only call Jurong Sun to meet me!" Jiang Ziya said: "Dao friend, how little do you know the will of Heaven! According to you, Dao friend, you wanted to burn to death Tu Xingsun. He did not escape or hide, yet how could you know that his master would come to save him? As the saying goes, a person of good fortune cannot be harmed no matter what schemes are devised against them; a person without fortune will lose his body even when encountering a ditch or ravine. How could this be something within human power to control!" Yu Yuan was greatly enraged and said, "You eloquent commoner still dares to speak in his defense!" He urged on the Wuyun camel and brandished his treasure sword to attack. Jiang Ziya rode Situ Xiang, and with a sword in hand, he rushed forward to meet the challenge head-on. The two beasts clashed, and both swords were raised high. The great battle between the two sides was intense; how vividly it can be described is evidenced by this verse: "Lofty war clouds stretch ten thousand zhang high, soldiers beat drums and wave their banners." One was the leader of all those destined for deification; the other a renowned name on the roster of food supervisors. This righteous Daoist followed Heaven's will to destroy King Zhou; the other was a man without fortune, pretending to be lofty in his failed quest for immortality. This one is the progenitor within the Six 韬; the other, with evil nature and cruel heart, would never show mercy. From ancient times, fortune has driven away misfortune; how can one escape the cycle of Heaven's will?

话说子牙大战余元，未及十数合，被惧留孙祭困仙绳在空中，命黄巾力士半空将余元拿去，止有五云驼跳进入关中。子牙与惧留孙将余元拿至中军。余元曰：“姜尚，你虽然擒我，看你将何法治我！”子牙令李靖：“斩讫报来！”李靖领令，推出辕门，将宝剑斩之，一声响，把宝剑砍缺有二指。李靖回报子牙，备言杀不得之事，说了一遍。子牙亲自至辕门，命韦护祭起降魔杵打，只打得腾腾烟出，烈烈火飞。余元作歌曰： “君不见天皇得道将身炼，修仙养道碧游宫。坎虎离龙方出现，五行随我任心游。四海三江都走遍，顶金顶玉秘修成。曾在炉中仙火煆。你今斩我要分明，自古一剑还一剑，漫道余言说不灵。”

As it happened, Jiang Ziya was locked in fierce battle with Yu Yuan. Before ten or so exchanges had passed, Jurong Sun summoned the Kunshean Rope from the air and bound him. He then ordered the Huangjin Lishi to seize Yu Yuan midair; only the Wuyun Camel leaped back into Guanzhong. Jiang Ziya and Jurong Sun took Yu Yuan to the central command tent. Yu Yuan said, "Zhang Shang, although you have captured me, see what method of punishment you will use on me!" Jiang Ziya ordered Li Jing: "Execute him and report back when done!" Li Jing accepted the order, dragged Yu Yuan out of the 辕门, and beheaded him with his treasure sword. With a single strike, the blade was chipped by two fingers' width. Li Jing returned to report to Jiang Ziya and explained in detail about how Yu Yuan could not be killed. Jiang Ziya personally went to the 辕门 and ordered Wei Hu to summon the Jiangmo Chǔ. He struck it down, causing thick smoke to rise and fierce flames to fly. Yu Yuan sang a song: "Have you not seen Tianhuang, who attained the Dao by refining his body, cultivating immortality and the Dao in Biyou Palace. The Water Tiger and Fire Dragon only appear when the Five Elements follow my will as I roam at heart's desire." I have traveled across all four seas and three rivers, secretly cultivating to perfection with golden and jade adornments. I was once smelted in the fire of a Daoist furnace. If you wish to kill me now, be clear: since ancient times one sword has repaid another; do not say my words are ineffective," said Yu Yuan.

余元作歌罢，子牙心下十分不乐，与惧留孙共议：“如今放不得余元，且将他囚于后营，等取了关，再做区处。”惧留孙曰：“子牙，你可命匠人造一铁柜，将余元沉于北海，以除后患。”子牙命铁匠急造，铁柜造成，将余元放在柜内。惧留孙命黄巾力士抬定了，往北海中一丢，沉于海底。黄巾力士回复惧留孙法旨。不表。

After Yu Yuan finished singing, Jiang Ziya felt deeply unhappy. He discussed with Jurong Sun: "We cannot release Yu Yuan now; let us imprison him in the rear camp for now and decide what to do after we have captured the pass." Jurong Sun said, "Jiang Ziya, you may order the craftsmen to make an iron cabinet and sink Yu Yuan into the North Sea to eliminate future troubles." Jiang Ziya ordered the blacksmiths to hurry up, and they quickly made an iron cabinet. Yu Yuan was placed inside it. Jurong Sun ordered the Huangjin Lishi men to carry it firmly and then threw it into the Bohai Sea, where it sank to the bottom. The Huangjin Lishi returned to report that they had carried out Jurong Sun's decree. No further details are given.

且说余元入于北海之中，铁柜亦是五金之物，况又丢在水中，此乃金水相生，反助了他一臂之力。余元借水遁走了，迳往碧游宫紫芝崖下来。余元被困仙绳捆住，不得见截教门人传与掌教师尊。忽听得一个道童，唱道情而来，词曰： “水遥山遥，隔断红尘道。粗袍敞袍，袖里乾坤倒。日月肩挑，乾坤怀抱。常自把烟霞啸傲，天地逍遥。龙降虎伏道自高，紫雾护新巢，白云做故交。长生不老，只在壶中一觉。”

Meanwhile, Yu Yuan fell into the Bohai Sea. The iron cabinet was also made of the five metals; furthermore, it had been thrown into water. This is a case of metal and water generating each other, which in turn gave him an unexpected boost. Yu Yuan used the power of water to escape and directly went down to Zhi Zhi Ya at Biyou Palace. Yu Yuan, bound by the Kunshean rope, could not meet with his sect's disciples or pass on the teachings to the senior masters of the Zhenyi Sect. Suddenly, a Daoist apprentice was heard singing as he came forward; the verse went: "Water stretches far and mountains stretch farther still, cutting off the path of worldly dust. A rough robe hangs loose, with sleeves that turn Heaven and Earth upside down." The sun and moon are carried on the shoulders; Heaven and Earth are embraced in the arms. I often laugh at clouds and mist, exuding arrogance, and roam freely through heaven and earth. Dragons bow and tigers submit—my Dao is naturally lofty; purple mist forms a new nest, while white clouds become old friends. "Immortality and eternal youth lie in just one dream within the gourd."

话说余元大呼曰：“那一位师兄，来救我之残喘！”水火童儿见紫芝崖下一道者，青面红发，巨口獠牙，困在那里，童儿问曰：“你是何人，今受此厄？”余元曰：“我乃是金灵圣母门下，蓬莱岛一气仙余元是也；今被姜子牙，将我沉于北海，幸天不绝我，得借水遁，方能到得此间。望师兄与我通报一声。”水火童儿迳来见金灵圣母备言余元一事。金灵圣母闻言大怒，急至崖前。不见还可，越见越怒。金灵圣母迳进宫内，见通天教主行体毕，言曰：“弟子一事启老师：人言昆仑门下欺灭吾教，俱是耳听；今将一气仙余元，他得何罪，竟用铁柜沉于北海；幸不绝生，借水遁逃至于紫芝崖。望老师大发慈悲，救弟子等体面。”通天教主曰：“如今在那里？”金灵圣母曰：“在紫芝崖。”通天教主分付：“抬将来。”少时，将余元抬至宫前。碧游宫多少截教门人，看见余元，无不动气。只见金钟声响，玉磐齐鸣，掌教师尊来至，到了宫前，一见诸大弟子，齐言：“阐教门人欺吾教太甚！”教主看见余元，这等光景，教主也觉得难堪，先将一道符印对余元身上，教主用手一弹，只见困仙绳吊下来。古语云：“圣人怒发不上脸。”随命余元：“跟吾进宫。”教主取一物与余元，曰：“你去把惧留孙拿来见我，不许伤他。”余元曰：“弟子知道。”正是： 圣人赐与穿心锁，只恐皇天不肯从。

As it happened, Yu Yuan cried out loudly: "Which elder brother will come to save my dying breath!" Shuihu Tonger saw a Daoist at Zhi Zhi Ya, with green face and red hair, large mouth and fangs, bound there. Tonger asked: "Who are you? Why do you suffer this misfortune now?" Yu Yuan said, "I am a disciple of Jinling Shengmu; I am Yu Yuan, the Qi Yi Xian from Penglai Island. I was sunk into the Bohai Sea by Jiang Ziya. Fortunately, Heaven has not abandoned me; I used water to escape and have finally arrived here." I beg you, elder brother, please pass along a message for me." Shuihu Tonger went directly to see Jinling Shengmu and reported the matter of Yu Yuan in detail. Jinling Shengmu, upon hearing this, was greatly enraged and hurried to the cliffside. Not seeing him would have been tolerable; but the more she saw of Yu Yuan's plight, the angrier she became. Jinling Shengmu went directly into the palace and, after performing her respects to Tongtian Jiaozhu, said: "Disciple respectfully reports a matter to my revered teacher: people say that disciples of Kunlun have oppressed our sect; this is merely hearsay. Now, the Qi Yi Xian Yu Yuan—what crime has he committed that you would put him in an iron cabinet and sink it into the Bohai Sea; fortunately, his life was not extinguished, and by using water to escape he reached Zhi Zhi Ya. I beg my revered teacher to show great compassion and save the dignity of your disciples." Tongtian Jiaozhu asked, "Where is he now?" Jinling Shengmu said: "At Zhi Zhi Ya." Tongtian Jiaozu ordered, "Bring him here." In a short while, Yu Yuan was carried to the front of the palace. Many disciples of the Zhenyi Sect in Biyou Palace saw Yu Yuan and were all filled with anger. Just then, the bronze bell rang and jade chimes sounded together. The senior master arrived at the palace gate. Upon seeing all his great disciples, he said in unison: "The disciples of the Chan Sect have treated our sect far too harshly!" The sect leader saw Yu Yuan in such a pitiful state and felt embarrassed. He first pressed a talisman onto Yu Yuan's body. With one flick of his hand, the Kunshean rope fell away from him. An old saying goes: "A sage does not let anger show on his face." He then ordered Yu Yuan, "Follow me into the palace." The sect leader took an object and gave it to Yu Yuan, saying: "Go and bring Jurong Sun before me; do not harm him." Yu Yuan said: "Disciple understands." It was precisely as follows: "The sage grants a heart-piercing lock, yet Heaven may still refuse to comply."

话说余元得了此宝，离了碧游宫，借土遁而来。行得好快，不须臾，已至汜水关。有报事马报入关中：“有余道长到了。”韩荣降阶迎接到殿。欠身言曰：“闻老师失利，被姜尚所擒，使末将身心不安。今得睹天颜，韩荣不胜幸甚！”余元曰：“姜尚用铁柜把我沉于北海，幸吾借小术到吾师尊那所在，借得一件东西，可以成功。可将吾五云驼收拾，打点出关，以报此恨。”余元随上骑，至周营辕门，坐名只要惧留孙。报马报入中军：“启元帅：余元搦战，只要惧留孙。”幸而惧留孙不曾回山。子牙大惊，忙请惧留孙商议。惧留孙曰：“余元沉海，毕竟借水遁潜逃至碧游宫，想通天教主必定借有奇宝，方敢下山。子牙，你还与他答话，待吾再擒他进来，且救一时燃眉之急。若是他先祭其宝，则吾不能支耳。”子牙曰：“道兄言之有理。”子牙传令：“点炮。”帅旗展动，子牙至军前。余元大呼曰：“姜子牙，我与你今日定见雌雄！”催开五云驼，恶狠狠飞来直取。姜子牙手中剑赴面交还。只一合，惧留孙祭起困仙绳，命黄巾力士：“将余元拿下！”只听得一声响，又将余元平空拿去了。正是： 秋风未动蝉先觉，暗送无常死不知。

As it happened, after Yu Yuan obtained this treasure, he left Biyou Palace and returned by earth 遁. He traveled very quickly; in no time at all, he had arrived at Sishui Pass. A messenger horse galloped into the pass and reported: "Daozhang Yu has arrived." Han Rong descended the steps to welcome him onto the hall. He bowed slightly and said: "I heard that my master suffered a defeat and was captured by Jiang Shang, which has left this lowly general deeply unsettled. Now I have the honor of beholding your divine countenance; General Han Rong is truly overjoyed!" Yu Yuan said: "Jiang Shang used an iron cabinet to sink me into the Bohai Sea. Fortunately, I used a minor technique to reach my master's location and borrowed an object that can ensure success. You should prepare my Wuyun camel, get everything ready, and leave the pass to avenge this grudge." Yu Yuan immediately mounted his steed and arrived at the 辕门 of Zhou's camp, demanding only Jurong Sun by name. A messenger horse reported into the central command: "Reporting to General-in-Chief: Yu Yuan challenges you, demanding only Jurong Sun." Fortunately, Jurong Sun had not yet returned to his mountain retreat. Jiang Ziya was greatly alarmed and quickly summoned Jurong Sun for consultation. Jurong Sun said: "Yu Yuan was sunk in the sea, yet he must have used water 遁 to escape and reach Biyou Palace. I imagine that Tongtian Jiaozhu has certainly lent him some wondrous treasure; otherwise, he would not dare descend from the mountain. Jiang Ziya, do not engage him in conversation; wait while I capture him again and bring him back to relieve this urgent crisis for now." If he first invokes the treasure's power, then I will be unable to withstand it." Jiang Ziya said: "My Daoist elder speaks with reason." Jiang Ziya gave the order: "Light the signal cannon!" The general's banner was raised, and Jiang Ziya arrived at the front of his troops. Yu Yuan shouted loudly: "Jiang Ziya! Today we shall see who is superior!" He urged on his Wuyun camel and flew forward fiercely, determined to attack directly. Jiang Ziya brandished his sword and met the challenge head-on. After only one exchange, Jurong Sun summoned up the Kunshean Rope and ordered the Huangjin Lishi: "Seize Yu Yuan!" At once a loud noise was heard, and Yu Yuan was again seized from midair. Indeed: Autumn winds have not yet stirred, but the cicada senses it first; Death is silently delivered without one's knowledge.

余元不堤防暗中下手。子牙见拿了余元，其心方安；进营，将余元放在帐前。子牙与惧留孙共议：“若杀余元，不过五行之术，想他俱是会中人，如何杀得他？倘若再走了，如之奈何！”正所谓：“生死有定，大数离逃。”余元正应“封神榜”上有名之人，如何逃得。子牙在中军正无法可施，无筹可展，忽然报：“陆压道人来至。”子牙同惧留孙出营相接。至中军，余元一见陆压，只諕得仙魂缥缈，面似淡金，余元悔之不及。余元曰：“陆道兄，你既来，还求你慈悲我。可怜我千年道行，苦尽功夫。从今知过必改，再不敢干犯西兵。”陆压曰：“你逆天行事，天理难容；况你是‘封神榜’上之人，我不过代天行罚。”正是： 不依正理归邪理，仗你胸中道术高。谁知天意扶真主，吾今到此命难逃。”

Yu Yuan had no time to guard against an ambush from behind. Jiang Ziya saw that Yu Yuan had been captured, and his heart finally felt at ease; He entered the camp and placed Yu Yuan in front of the tent. Jiang Ziya and Jurong Sun discussed together: "If we kill Yu Yuan, it would be no more than a technique of the Five Elements. I imagine he is one of our own; how could we possibly kill him? What if he escapes again?" As the saying goes: "Life and death are predestined; great fate cannot be escaped." Yu Yuan is precisely a name on the "Fengshen Bang," so how could he possibly escape? Jiang Ziya was in the central command, with no strategy left to employ and no plan to unfold, when suddenly a report came: "Lu Ya Dao Ren has arrived." Jiang Ziya and Jurong Son went out of the camp to greet him. When they arrived at the central command, Yu Yuan saw Lu Ya and was so frightened that his immortal soul seemed to vanish into thin air, his face turning as pale as faded gold. Yu Yuan regretted it too late. Yu Yuan said: "Master Lu Dao Xiong, since you have come, I beg for your mercy." "Pitifully, my thousand years of cultivation and hard-earned effort are all in vain." "From now on I will surely correct my mistakes and dare not again provoke the Western forces." Lu Ya said: "You have acted against Heaven's will, which is unforgivable by heavenly law; Moreover, you are a name on the 'Fengshen Bang,' so I am merely carrying out Heaven's punishment in your stead." Indeed: Not following the righteous path leads to the wrong one; you rely on your high Daoist skills in your chest. Who knew Heaven's will supports the true ruler? Today, I have come here and cannot escape my fate."

陆压曰：“取香案。”陆压焚香炉中，望昆仑山下拜，花篮中取出一个葫芦，放在案上，揭开葫芦盖；里边一道白光如线，起在空中，现出七寸五分横在白光顶上，有眼有翅。陆压口里道：“宝贝请转身！”那东西在白光之上连转三匹转，可怜余元斗大一颗首级落将下来。有诗单道斩将封神飞刀，有诗为证： 先炼真元后运功，此中玄妙配雌雄。惟存一点先天诀，斩怪诛妖自不同。

Lu Ya said: "Bring the incense table." łoży Lu Ya burned incense in the censer, bowed toward the foot of Kunlun Mountain, took a gourd from the flower basket, placed it on the table, and opened its lid; Inside, a thread-like beam of white light rose into the air. On top of it appeared a seven-inch-five-fen long object with eyes and wings. Lu Ya said aloud: "Treasure, please turn around!" That creature turned three times on the beam of white light. Poor Yu Yuan's large head fell down from above. There is a verse specifically about the beheading and Fengshen flying knife, with evidence in this verse: First cultivate the true essence, then perform the technique; within lies the mystery that matches yin and yang. Only by preserving a single point of innate secret can one slay monsters and demons in an entirely different way.

话说陆压用飞刀斩了余元，他一灵已进封神台去了。子牙欲要号令，陆压曰：“不可。余元原有仙体，若是暴露，则非体矣。用土掩埋。”陆压与惧留孙辞别归山。 且说韩荣打听余元已死，在银安殿与众将共议曰：“如今余道长已亡，再无可敌周将者。况兵临城下，左右关隘俱失与周家；子牙麾下俱是道德术能之士，终不得取胜。欲要归降，不忍负成汤之爵位；如不归降，料此关难守，终被周人所掳。为今之计，奈何，奈何！”旁有偏将徐忠曰：“主将既不忍有负成汤，决无献关之理。吾等不如将印绶挂在殿庭，文册留与府库，望朝歌拜谢皇恩，弃官而去，不失尽人臣之道。”韩荣听说，俱从其言，随传令众军士：“将府内资重之物，打点上车。”欲隐迹山林，埋名丘壑。此时众将官各自去打点起行。韩荣又命家将搬运金珠宝玩，扛抬细软衣帛。纷绁喧晔，忽然惊动韩荣二子，──在后园中设造奇兵，欲拒子牙。弟兄二人听得家中纷纷然哄乱，走出庭来，只见家将扛抬箱笼，问其缘故，家将把弃关的话说了一遍。二人听罢：“你们且住了，我自有道理。”二人齐来见父亲。不知凶吉如何，且听下回分解。

Now the story continues: Lu Ya used a flying knife to behead Yu Yuan, and his soul had already entered the Fengshen Pavilion. Jiang Ziya wanted to issue an order, but Lu Ya said: "No, you must not." Yu Yuan originally had an immortal body; if it is exposed now, it would be inappropriate. "Bury him in the earth." Lu Ya and Jurong Sun bid farewell and returned to their mountains. Meanwhile, Han Rong had learned that Yu Yuan was dead. In the Yin'an Hall, he discussed with his generals: "Now that Master Yu is gone, there will be no one left to oppose General Zhou. Moreover, the enemy has already arrived at our gates, and both sides of the pass have been lost to the Zhou forces; Jiang Ziya's subordinates are all virtuous men skilled in Daoist arts, and we cannot possibly defeat them. I wish to surrender, but I cannot bear to betray the title granted by King Chengtang; If we do not surrender, this pass will be hard to defend and eventually fall into the hands of the Zhou people. What should we do now? What can we do?" A side general, Xu Zhong, said: "Since the commander cannot bear to betray King Chengtang, there is certainly no way he would surrender the pass. We might as well hang up our seals in the hall, leave the official records in the treasury, bow toward Chaoguo to thank His Majesty for his grace, and resign from office. This way we will not lose our loyalty as subjects." Han Rong, upon hearing this, followed their advice and immediately gave orders to the soldiers: "Prepare all valuable items in the mansion for loading onto carts." They wished to hide their traces in the mountains and forests, burying their names among hills and valleys. At this time, all the generals began making preparations for departure on their own. Han Rong also ordered his household attendants to carry away gold, jewels, treasures, and delicate fabrics. The commotion was in full swing when suddenly it caught the attention of Han Rong's two sons, who had secretly been preparing an ambush force in the back garden to resist Jiang Ziya. The two brothers, hearing the commotion in their home, stepped out into the courtyard and saw household attendants carrying boxes and trunks. They asked for an explanation, and the attendants recounted the entire story of abandoning the pass. After hearing this, the two brothers said: "Stop what you're doing; we have our own plan." The two of them went together to see their father. Whether this will bring fortune or misfortune remains to be seen in the next chapter.