《南游记》Vol. 2

Qiongniang said, “Father has gone out and has not yet returned to the manor.” The two men drew close to her ear and conferred for a while. Then they deceived her, saying, “If you are the daughter of Elder Xiao Yongfu from the neighboring village, then you are our granddaughter. I will not hide the truth from you: I am your maternal grandfather, and that man is my younger brother. You should call him Granduncle. There is no need to cry now. A while ago, that monk brought your mother here, and we brothers happened to come upon them. We drove the monk away and rescued your mother, bringing her home. Since you are our granddaughter, I will take you to see your mother at once.”

Qiongniang did not realize the two men were lying. Believing them, she went along. They took her home and locked her in an empty room. Delighted, they discussed their plans: “Now we have a young girl. We still need to find a young boy, so we can use them for the sacrifice on the community festival day.”

For now, let us leave the two men to their plotting. The two community leaders had deceived Qiongniang and locked her in their house. Longing for her mother but unable to see her, and unable to return home, she spent the whole day weeping aloud.

Huaguang was asking about news from the Celestial Court high above in the sky and was riding his cloud back when he suddenly heard someone crying. He stopped his cloud and listened closely. The voice sounded like his younger sister, Qiongniang’s, so he hurried down to look. Sure enough, there she was. Huaguang went up to her and asked, “How did you end up here?”

Qiongniang said, “Brother, I’ve been waiting for you to come back. Some days ago, a monk came to our house asking for alms and led Mother away. I was so focused on looking for her that, in my panic, I took a wrong turn. Two men here tricked me and locked me up. I don’t know what they’re planning. Can you take me home, then go look for Mother?”

Huaguang replied, “I’ll take you home first. Then I’ll change into your likeness and find out what those two men intend to do when they return. After that, I’ll look for Mother.” He summoned an auspicious cloud and took Qiongniang home. Then he transformed himself into her likeness.

When the two shezhang—the men responsible for the sacrifices—returned, they said anxiously, “We have the young girl for the sacrifice, but no boy. Tomorrow is the she ri, the day of the community sacrifice. What are we going to do?” Li Jin said, “Where can we find a boy? You have no son, and neither do I. There’s no choice. Tomorrow we’ll have to take this girl to the temple and offer her to the Great King Wulong. We can tell him, ‘If we had sons, each of us would have brought one to offer in sacrifice. But neither of us has a son; we have only this girl. We beg the Great King to take pity on us and consider accepting her. If he refuses, we’ll think of another way.’”

Zhang Yilang said, “That’s right. Tomorrow, prepare incense, paper offerings, lamps, and candles, and take the girl to the Wulong Temple for the sacrifice.”

Hearing them, Huaguang thought, “I couldn’t understand why they had imprisoned my sister. Now I see they plan to take her for a sacrifice. I’ll go with them to the temple and see what the Great King Wulong does to me. If he means to harm me, I’ll destroy this demon, then go look for Mother.”

“These two village heads, who oversee the rites, will indeed have me taken to the temple tomorrow. Since matters have come this far, I’ll go with them and see what the Great King Black Dragon, the legendary Dragon God, will do to me. If he harbors treacherous intentions, I’ll destroy the monster and then go find my mother.”

The next day, the two village heads did indeed drag Huaguang out, bind him, and take him to the temple. After completing the rites of worship, they left the temple and went their separate ways. Suddenly, a strange wind arose, and a man appeared. His head was like a large barrel, his mouth like a basin of blood, and his teeth like the tines of a rake. He reached out to eat Huaguang. Huaguang revealed his original appearance as a divine general, seized his demon-subduing spear, and thrust at him. Seeing the spear’s fierce force, the Great King Black Dragon knew he could not escape. He could only fall to the ground, where Huaguang captured him.

The Great King Black Dragon cried, “Heavenly King, spare my life!” Huaguang said, “If you want me to spare you, reform your ways. Will you eat one of my pills?” The Great King Black Dragon replied, “I’m willing to eat your pill, Heavenly King, and from now on I’ll submit to you.” Huaguang took out a Fire Elixir, changed it into a pill, and made him swallow it. Then he warned him, “The pill you just swallowed is my Fire Elixir. If you ever turn against me again, it will ignite inside your belly.” The Great King Black Dragon said, “I won’t dare rebel again.”

Huaguang instructed him, “Since you’ve submitted to me, dream of the villagers tonight and tell them that from now on they must stop sacrificing boys and girls. They should offer only the Three Sacrificial Animals—such as pigs, cattle, and sheep—and wine. Have them set up an image of me. You will receive their offerings here and tend the incense. I’m leaving this place to find my mother.” After giving these instructions to the Great King Black Dragon, Huaguang departed. The Great King Black Dragon then appeared to the villagers in a dream.

Huaguang returned from Mount Lilou and asked the Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind-Accompanying Ear, “Who took my mother? Can you see where she is?” The two replied, “The venerable old lady was taken by King Longrui. We don’t know what supernatural power he used; we can neither see nor hear where she was taken.” Huaguang said, “One of you cannot see and the other cannot hear. What are we to do?” They answered, “Since King Longrui took her, he must have brought her somewhere else—probably to the netherworld. If the Heavenly King wants to learn where the venerable old lady is, he could disguise himself as the Celestial Worthy of Salvation from Suffering, a revered Daoist deity who delivers departed souls, establish a ritual altar, preach the scriptures and expound the Dharma, and summon lonely souls and ghosts from every quarter to come listen. Then he can question them and surely discover the truth. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to find out where she is.”

After hearing this, Huaguang recited a mantra at Huaguang Temple the next day, transformed himself into the likeness of the Celestial Worthy, established a ritual altar, and preached the scriptures and expounded the Dharma. Lonely souls and wandering ghosts from the Three Realms all came to listen. Huaguang had originally been a Buddhist disciple and knew some scriptures as well. When he had finished preaching, he asked the ghosts, “Have any of you seen the venerable old Lady Xiao of the Xiao family village?” They all said they had not. Huaguang thought that if King Longrui had taken her, he probably would not have brought her here. So he had the ghosts share a vegetarian meal, then dismissed the gathering. What happened after the ghosts dispersed will be told another time.

Volume Three: The Ministers Submit a Memorial, Urging the Capture of Huaguang.

The Jade Emperor ascended the throne hall to discuss affairs. When the assembled officials heard that Huaguang was preaching in the Middle Realm under the false identity of the Celestial Worthy Taiyi Jiuku, a revered Daoist deity, they suspected he still harbored rebellious intentions. They reported, “In the past, Huaguang caused havoc in the Celestial Palace, then fled to the Middle Realm to be reborn. His nature has not changed, and now he is using the name of the Celestial Worthy Taiyi Jiuku to preach. He may raise troops and cause rebellion. We ask Your Majesty to send celestial troops down to the mortal realm as soon as possible to seize him and escort him to the Celestial Bureau, so that he cannot stir up disorder in the Middle Realm and rob the people of their peace.”

The Jade Emperor was furious when he heard this. He ordered Marshal Song Wuji to lead thirty thousand celestial troops to the Middle Realm and seize Huaguang without delay. Song Wuji accepted the command, passed through the South Heaven’s Baode Gate, assembled his troops, and set out for the Middle Realm. He thought to himself, “Huaguang’s powers are vast, and he will be hard to capture. I should disguise myself as a merchant and turn the fire cart into a wind cart, then have my men push it toward the cave on Mount Lilou and see whether Huaguang notices. If he does not, I can enter the cave, reveal my true form, and seize him there. That way, I will not even need to draw a bow or shoot an arrow. Wouldn’t that be better?” With that, he transformed himself into a merchant, sat in the cart, and had his men push it toward Mount Lilou.

Huaguang was resting in Mount Lilu. He opened his Celestial Eye and, startled by what he saw, asked Clairvoyant and Clairaudient, “Have you heard anything?”

The two reported, “Your Majesty, we heard that the Jade Emperor has sent Song Wuji here with troops. He is disguised as a merchant and is pushing a fire cart toward our cave, hoping to catch us off guard. Your Majesty should think of a plan quickly.”

Huaguang said, “Since he is disguised as a merchant and pushing a cart, I’ll transform into a young woman and stop him on the road. When he asks me who I am, I’ll say I’m going to visit my family, but my feet hurt so much that I can’t walk any farther, and then I’ll start to cry. If he lends me the cart to ride in, I can travel in it. Wouldn’t that suit me perfectly? That’s how you turn someone’s scheme against them.”

Clairvoyant and Clairaudient both said, “A fine plan! A fine plan!”

As soon as Huaguang finished speaking, he transformed into a woman and began to weep by the roadside. Song Wuji, disguised as a merchant, was pushing his cart along when he unexpectedly came upon Huaguang in his woman’s form. Song Wuji kept walking, but the woman caught hold of the cart and cried, “Sir, please help me!”

Song Wuji asked, “Whose daughter are you? Why are you crying here and holding on to my cart?”

The woman replied, “Sir, I’m from the village ahead. I was going to my grandmother’s house, and now I’m trying to return home, but my feet hurt so much I can’t walk. That’s why I’m crying. Please take pity on me and lend me your cart for a while. When I reach the village, my parents will surely reward you generously.”

Song Wuji thought, “How could there be a woman in a place like this? Could she be Huaguang? If that demon is behind this, I’ll turn his scheme against him. I’ll lend her the cart. She doesn’t know it’s a fire cart. Once she gets on, I’ll recite the spell and set the flames alight. That will burn her to death without any effort. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Having made up his mind, he said to the woman, “You can ride in the cart. When you get home, get down quickly. I still have a long way to go.”

The woman said, “If you can get me home, I’ll certainly reward you.”

When Song Wuji saw the woman board the train, he recited an incantation, and at once it blazed with fire. From inside the train, Huaguang saw this with his Celestial Eye. He immediately revealed his true form and laughed. “I am a spirit of fire. How could your fire possibly burn me?” Using his supernatural powers, he carried the train with him into the cave. Song Wuji hurried after him in alarm, but found the cave entrance already shut. He cursed Huaguang from outside.

Huaguang hid the train, then left the cave to fight Song Wuji. Song Wuji said, “You have caused trouble in the Middle Realm—the human world—pretending to be a Heavenly Worthy and expounding the Dharma. The Jade Emperor is furious and ordered me to capture you. And now you even dare take the form of a woman and ride my train? Surrender quietly and I may let you be. If you keep resisting, you won’t have long to live.” Huaguang replied, “I rebelled against the Celestial Court because Deng Hua forced me to. I pretended to be a Heavenly Worthy to search for my mother. Please, Marshal, withdraw your troops and relay my words to the Celestial Court. If they still refuse to accept me, then I will have no choice.”

Song Wuji said, “Deng Hua forced you to rebel against the Celestial Court, and you pretended to be a Heavenly Worthy to search for your mother. But who told you to seize the Qionghua and injure the Crown Prince?” Huaguang replied, “I did strike the Crown Prince. What does that have to do with you?” Song Wuji roared with anger. “I carry out the will of Heaven. You bandit, how dare you defy the Celestial Court?” As he spoke, he thrust his spear at Huaguang, who raised his own spear to meet the attack.

Song Wuji summoned celestial troops to aid him. Seeing them charge, Huaguang hurled his triangular golden brick. It left the troops with bleeding, broken heads, and they fled in defeat back to the Celestial Bureau, the Celestial Court’s offices. After driving them off, Huaguang spent the whole day considering what to do, worried that the Celestial Court would send troops again.

Song Wuji returned to the Celestial Court with his defeated troops and reported to the Jade Emperor: “Your servant was ordered to lead the Celestial Army down to the mortal realm to capture Huaguang. I never expected him to transform into a woman and pretend to weep along the road, then seize my fire cart at the first opportunity. I fought Huaguang, and just as I was about to lose, he hurled a triangular gold brick and drove back the Celestial Army. I had no choice but to flee in defeat. Huaguang clearly intends to rebel, and his powers are immense. Your Majesty should decide what to do soon, lest he become a lasting threat.”

The Jade Emperor was furious when he heard this. He asked his ministers, “Now that Huaguang is causing disorder, who can lead an army in my place and capture him?” Deng Hua, the Mao-Ri Officer of the Fire Department, stepped forward and said, “I recommend someone: the Fire Department’s Mother Baijia. She commands five hundred Fire Crows, which can be formed into ranks and made to follow orders. Her powers are immense, and she is more than capable of the task.”

The Jade Emperor approved the recommendation and summoned Mother Baijia to the throne hall. He gave her three cups of imperial wine and two golden flowers, saying, “Beloved minister, lead your troops out at once.” Mother Baijia thanked him for his favor and withdrew from court. She set out with her five hundred Fire Crow soldiers. Her son, called Young Master Hu■, also joined her in commanding the fire troops as they charged toward the mortal realm. Their banners gleamed, their swords and spears shone like sunlight, and their battle cries shook the sky. They marched to Mount Lilou and surrounded the cave. The three armies trembled with fear, and their arrival startled King Huaguang, who was inside.

As Huaguang sat in meditation, a young soldier suddenly came to report: the Jade Emperor of the Celestial Court had sent the Holy Mother Baijia, leading five hundred Fire Crow soldiers, to attack the Middle Realm after Wuji had been defeated and forced to retreat. Along the way, she had spoken insolently, repeatedly boasting that she would capture the king and take him back to the Celestial Court. Huaguang was furious when he heard this. He immediately mounted his horse with his men and rode out of Lilu Mountain to fight. There he encountered Young Master Huo■. After exchanging names, the two began to battle. Young Master Huo■ summoned the Fire Crows to swoop down from the sky and attack first. Huaguang was soundly defeated and had no choice but to retreat into the cave. Young Master Huo■ then withdrew his troops.

After returning to the cave in defeat, Huaguang sat gloomily, pondering how to subdue the five hundred Fire Crows and drive back the heavenly troops. He thought for a long time but could find no answer. At last, he came up with a plan, convinced it was the only way to subdue the Fire Crows and repel the heavenly troops. He summoned General Huopiao and instructed him: “Tomorrow I will fight Young Master Huo■ again. He will surely summon the Fire Crows to attack once more. I will send an avatar—a magically transformed double—to fight him and draw him into pursuit. My true body will hide in the sky. When he sends the Fire Crows after me, I will take out the Fire Elixir, a pill used for casting spells, recite an incantation, and turn the elixir into beans that I will scatter on the ground. The Fire Crows will surely compete to peck them up. Once they have eaten the beans and take flight, they will transform into a great suopo tree, where the Fire Crows are sure to come and roost. Then you can use your Huopiao magical treasure to capture every one of them and bring them to me.”

After receiving these instructions, General Huopiao agreed and carried out the plan.

The next day, Huaguang opened the cave gate and fought the Fire ■ Young Master once again. The Fire ■ Young Master attacked with his blade. The same fire crows as before flew in from the sky, swarming to dive at and peck Huaguang.

Seeing this, Huaguang sent out a transformed double to draw the fire crows away, while his true body flew into the sky, recited an incantation, and brought out a fire elixir. The elixir transformed into beans, which he scattered across the ground. When the fire crows saw the beans, they stopped pursuing the false Huaguang and rushed to compete for them. After eating, they spotted a great tree ahead and flew together to perch in its branches, flapping their wings and crying out.

The Fire-Drifting General took out the fire compact, opened its lid, recited an incantation, and drew all the fire crows inside. He then returned to his original form, went back to Huaguang, and reported how he had captured them.

Huaguang was delighted. He ordered Qianliyan and Shunfeng’er to spread nets all around, then had the Fire-Drifting General open the fire compact and release the fire crows. They tried to fly away, but found nets on every side and could not escape. They had no choice but to cry mournfully to one another.

Huaguang said to them, “The beans you just ate were actually my fire elixir, and the tree where you perched was transformed by my subordinate, the Fire-Drifting General. Now that he has captured you, are you willing to submit to me? If you refuse, I will make the fire elixir in your bellies ignite and burn you to death. If you agree, nod three times and cry mournfully three times.”

When Huaguang had finished speaking, the fire crows cried out together and nodded three times. Huaguang was very pleased. “Since you truly submit to me, return to the encampment of the Fire ■ Young Master and his mother. If you see the two of them, peck them to death together. If you accomplish this, it will count as a service to me. When you return, I will reward you handsomely.”

The fire crows accepted his command and flew back together to their own camp.

The Holy Mother Baijia and her son were delighted when they saw the Fire Crows return. But as soon as the crows spotted them, they swarmed forward and pecked at mother and son until they had nowhere to flee. They had no choice but to mount a cloud of auspicious vapor and retreat in defeat to the Celestial Court, the government offices of Heaven. After driving them away, the Fire Crows flew back to see Huaguang. He rewarded them lavishly. This time, he had brought another five hundred Fire Crows under his command, and he was overjoyed. He led his victorious troops back to their cave and rewarded the three armies; that is a story for another time.

Meanwhile, after Huaguang had brought the Fire Crows under his command, the Holy Mother Baijia and her son had instead been chased and pecked by them. They had no choice but to return to the Celestial Court and report to the Jade Emperor that Huaguang’s powers were immense. The Jade Emperor was furious. He said to his ministers, “This bandit Huaguang has such formidable abilities that he will be hard to capture. When will the Middle Realm ever be at peace? We might as well mobilize every soldier in the Celestial Court, seize him, and vent My anger.”

The ministers replied, “Your Majesty, you must not act rashly. Huaguang was originally the flower of a lamp burning before the Tathagata Buddha in the Temple of Vulture Peak, a Buddhist holy site. After it had accumulated for a long time, the Tathagata recited a true incantation and transformed it into Huaguang. He is a disciple of the Buddhist school, which is why his powers are so great. To bring him under control, we would have to invite the Tathagata to the Middle Realm. Only then might it be possible; no one else is a match for Huaguang.”

After hearing their report, the Jade Emperor ordered Prince Golden Spear to go to Vulture Peak and invite the Tathagata to the Celestial Court.

After the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor had exchanged greetings, the Jade Emperor said, “Since ascending the imperial throne, I have governed the vast Three Realms. Now this bandit Huaguang has struck My prince and dares to rebel…”

After the Tathāgata paid a visit to the Jade Emperor, the Emperor said, “Ever since I ascended the throne, I have governed the Three Realms. Now this rebel Huaguang has wounded my Crown Prince, rebelled against Maori Palace, and fled to the human world, where he even pretends to be a Celestial Worthy and expounds the Dharma. I sent troops twice, hoping to eliminate this menace, but I never expected his supernatural powers to be so great. Riding a fire chariot, he defeated Deng Hua and Song Wuji of Maori Palace. Now he has taken the Fire Crows and defeated Holy Mother Baijia as well. Holy Mother Baijia and her son have fled back to Heaven. I plan to gather all the heavenly troops from the upper realms and lead the campaign myself. My ministers say he is your disciple, so I have asked you here to discuss a plan and prevent future trouble.”

The Tathāgata said, “Huaguang is indeed my disciple. Long ago, he burned the Single-Fire Demon to death, and I intended to banish him to Yin Mountain as punishment. Later, Guanyin pleaded on his behalf, so I granted him a pair of celestial eyes and five supernatural powers, then sent him to be reborn on Ma’er Mountain. He once stole the Golden Spear of the Three Palaces’ Great Emperor and released two demons. The Great Emperor subdued him with the Nine-Bend Pearl, scattering his three hun and six po souls through the air and leaving him nowhere to dwell. Later, the Celestial Worthy Miaole gathered Huaguang’s scattered souls and sent him to be reborn with the Flame-Profound Heavenly King. When Huaguang grew up, he became a disciple of the Celestial Worthy Miaole, received the Worthy’s Golden Sword, and refined it into a triangular golden brick. Later, at Your Majesty’s command, he descended to the lower world. For capturing the two Wind-and-Fire Judges, he was rewarded by Your Majesty with the title Marshal of the Fire Department. I never imagined that the matter of Qionghua would bring him into conflict with Your Majesty and get him demoted to Maori Palace to serve his sentence. Deng Hua of Maori Palace had an old grudge against him and was always making trouble for him. Huaguang saw no way forward and had no choice but to rebel and flee to the human world. Even after he fled there, he had no intention of rebelling. It was only because Your Majesty listened to what others said that you sent the Crown Prince to recruit troops and capture him.”

Huaguang went up to Heaven to visit his mother, and happened to encounter the Celestial Realm. Later, he descended to the Middle Realm, the human world, and heard the Buddha King of Fiery Radiance say that the Heavenly Emperor was once again sending troops to capture him. Huaguang therefore sought the Buddha King of Fiery Radiance’s advice. The Buddha told him, “Huaguang, you would do better to be reborn. That is the only way to escape this calamity.” Huaguang obeyed. He took with him all five supernatural powers that the poor monk had once bestowed on him, and prepared to be reborn.

Huaguang arrived in Wuyuan County, Huizhou Prefecture, Nanjing. A local elder, Xiao Yonggong, had a wife named Madam Fan. The elder was already forty years old but still had no children, so Madam Fan burned incense each night in the back garden and prayed to the gods for a child. The demon Mother Jizhituo saw her from among the clouds. She transformed herself into a fire moth, snuffed out the lamp, devoured Madam Fan, then took on her appearance and deceived the elder Xiao. She became pregnant, but even after twenty months had not given birth. The family began to gossip, and their voices carried up to the clouds.

Huaguang was on his way to be reborn and passed by. Hearing what had happened, he did not know that the pregnant woman before him was actually Mother Jizhituo. Thinking she was Madam Fan, he entered her womb. In time, she gave birth to five brothers, including Huaguang. Mother Jizhituo could not change her demonic nature and spent all day eating people in the Xiao family village.

One day, King Longrui saw this from among the clouds. He transformed himself into a monk and captured Mother Jizhituo. Unable to find his mother, Huaguang had no choice but to falsely claim to speak in the name of the Heavenly Worthy and expound the teachings, hoping to gather the ghosts and ask them where his mother had gone. He had no intention of rebelling. Your Majesty may therefore rest assured: Huaguang has absolutely no thought of revolt. Moreover, though he lives in the human world, he has also rendered service to Your Majesty.

The Jade Emperor said: …

The Jade Emperor asked, “What merit has Huaguang earned?” The Tathagata replied, “After descending to the human world, he saw that the two ghosts Li Lou, the Fire-Drifting General, and the Great King Wulong were all man-eating demons, so he subdued them all. That counts as a merit. I ask Your Majesty to send an envoy to the human world with an imperial decree, pardoning Huaguang’s past offenses and appointing him to an official post, so that he may be free of further calamities.”

The Jade Emperor was delighted. “Had the Tathagata not explained this, I would still have suspected Huaguang of plotting rebellion. Now I understand. I shall send someone to the human world with an imperial decree at once.” The Tathagata took his leave of the Jade Emperor and rode the clouds back to the Western Heaven. The Jade Emperor then summoned Li Mao, the Star Lord of Wood Virtue in the East, to the hall and ordered him to carry the imperial decree to the human world. After the court session ended, Li Mao accepted the decree, left the palace, and set out for the human world.

The story now turns to another thread. What happens next will be told in the next installment.

Huaguang Seizes Qingliang Mountain

Although Huaguang had driven back the Celestial troops, he had not found his mother, and his spirits were low. He was preparing to seek out King Longrui, settle accounts with him, and bring his mother back, when someone suddenly reported that the Celestial Court had sent an envoy bearing an imperial decree.

Huaguang went out of the cave to greet the envoy and invited him inside to read the decree. The Celestial Emperor’s message said: “I have heard that you went to the human world. My ministers reported that you intended to rebel, so I grew suspicious and sent generals to capture you. Now, having heard the Tathagata’s explanation, I understand that you went to the human world of your own accord. You once subdued the Five Ghosts and rid the people of a scourge, which counts as a service to me. My doubts are now dispelled. I pardon your earlier offenses and restore you to your former position. For now, remain in the human world and accept the people’s offerings of incense. Await my summons, and then return to the Celestial Court to render service. Bow your head and give thanks.”

After thanking the Emperor, Huaguang hosted a banquet for the envoy. Once the envoy had departed, Huaguang was delighted, but he said to his generals, “Though the Celestial Emperor has now reinstated me, my mother’s whereabouts remain unknown. What are we to do?” The Thousand-Mile Eye said, “To find the old lady, you must remember that it was King Longrui who took her away. Only by going to negotiate with him might you find her.” Hearing this, Huaguang ordered his men to guard the cave. Then he mounted an auspicious cloud and went to the Left Hall on Wen Mountain, entering the altar chamber without delay.

King Longrui was meditating in the altar chamber when he suddenly saw Huaguang arrive. Knowing that Huaguang had come to demand news of his mother, he was about to rise and answer. But Huaguang stepped forward and cursed him: “You bald-headed thief! What grievance did my mother have against you? You carried her off. Where is she now?”

Huaguang said, “You’d better obediently return my mother. If you dare say even one word of refusal, I’ll leave you without a place to be buried.” King Longrui replied, “Huaguang, you’re completely confused! Who captured your mother? I captured the Holy Mother Jizhitou, a demon. Why do you insist on calling her your mother?” Huaguang said, “She is my mother.” King Longrui asked, “How could you take a demon for your mother?” Enraged, Huaguang said, “You refuse to return my mother, and now you insult me as well. You say little, but your words pierce me like knives.” As he spoke, he raised a triangular gold brick—a ritual implement shaped like a brick—and hurled it at King Longrui.

When King Longrui saw the gold brick flying toward him, he mounted an auspicious cloud and fled to Mount Qingliang. Huaguang looked with his Celestial Eye, a mythic power that lets its possessor see things far away, and saw that King Longrui had entered Mount Qingliang. He pursued him there.

When King Longrui arrived at Mount Qingliang, Manjushri and Samantabhadra were seated there. After the three had met, Manjushri and Samantabhadra asked, “Master, what brings you here? Is there something you wish to tell us?” King Longrui recounted how Huaguang had pursued him in search of his mother and how he had been driven off and attacked. Manjushri and Samantabhadra said, “In that case, you can borrow my blue-maned lion mount and ride it. Go through the back gate to Shakyamuni Tathagata; only then can you avoid this disaster.”

King Longrui thanked them, mounted the blue-maned lion, and left through the back gate. Manjushri and Samantabhadra discussed what to do: “King Longrui has already gone to Tathagata for help. When Huaguang arrives, how can we persuade him to turn back?”

Manjushri (the Bodhisattva Manjushri) said, “If Huaguang comes, one of us will pretend to be deaf and the other to be mute. We’ll deliberately keep him occupied, so that Longrui King can go see the Tathagata (the Buddha).” Samantabhadra (the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra) replied, “That makes sense.”

After they had agreed on this, Huaguang arrived. Having exchanged greetings with them, he asked, “May I ask whether either of you has seen Longrui King?” Manjushri and Samantabhadra pretended to be deaf and mute, and deliberately said, “Please sit down and have some tea.” Huaguang drank the tea, then asked again whether they had seen Longrui King. They said, “We haven’t.” Huaguang said, “You just said you had seen him, and now you say you haven’t. Why?” Samantabhadra replied, “My hearing is a little poor. I didn’t catch what you said just now, so I gave Your Majesty the wrong answer.”

Huaguang was furious. He opened his celestial eye and saw Longrui King riding a blue-maned lion, heading west through the back gate toward the Tathagata. Huaguang said, “One of you pretended to be deaf and the other played mute. You kept changing the subject and even gave me tea, all to hold me up so he could get away. That kept me from catching him. How despicable! I’m going after Longrui King now and will bring him back. I won’t let you off either.” With that, Huaguang set off in pursuit of Longrui King. Manjushri and Samantabhadra had no answer to his accusations. Let us leave this matter aside for now.

With the help of the Bodhisattvas Mañjuśrī and Samantabhadra, King Longrui escaped. Riding a blue-maned lion, he went to Vulture Peak to pay his respects to the World-Honored One. The Tathāgata asked why he had come. King Longrui recounted how he had abducted the Holy Mother Jizhituo and been pursued by Huaguang. The Tathāgata told him to hide behind his lotus throne, and King Longrui slipped out of sight.

Before long, Huaguang reached Vulture Peak and paid his respects to the Tathāgata. He explained that he had come to reclaim his mother from King Longrui, then asked whether the Tathāgata had seen him. The Tathāgata replied that no one had come. Hearing this, Huaguang opened his heavenly eye—a supernatural power that lets its possessor see things hidden from ordinary people. He saw King Longrui behind the lotus throne and accused the Tathāgata of favoring his disciple and deliberately concealing him.

The Tathāgata recited a spell imbued with magical power and pointed with his hand. At once, many illusory images of King Longrui appeared in the temple. For a moment, Huaguang could not tell which was real, so he opened his heavenly eye again to look. He discovered that the real King Longrui was still hiding behind the lotus throne. Huaguang scolded the Tathāgata, saying that King Longrui was hiding right there and demanding that he come out at once and return his mother. The Tathāgata asked why Huaguang was insulting him, and pointed out that Huaguang’s heavenly eye was a gift from him. How dare Huaguang show off his supernatural powers in his presence?

Huaguang recited an incantation and raised his hand to summon back his Celestial Eye, a supernatural ability that lets one see what ordinary people cannot. He asked his opponent, “Let’s see if you can still see now.” The Tathagata Huabi had taken Huaguang’s Celestial Eye. Unable to recognize the True Dragon Auspicious King, Huaguang was furious and demanded that the Tathagata return it.

The Tathagata said, “You dare to offend your master with a treasure I bestowed on you. I will not return your Celestial Eye now. You will get it back only after you take refuge in the Buddhist path.” Huaguang was enraged and demanded it again. The Tathagata repeated, “You dare to offend your master with a treasure I bestowed on you. I will not return your Celestial Eye now. You will get it back only after you take refuge in the Buddhist path.”

Even angrier, Huaguang produced a triangular gold brick, a magical treasure, tossed it into the air, and sent it crashing toward the Tathagata’s head. The Tathagata raised his hand and summoned it away, then pressed it against his chest. The brick transformed into a swastika and vanished inside the Tathagata’s body. Enraged, the Tathagata immediately ordered his attendants to seize Huaguang and recited an incantation that left Huaguang unable to move his limbs.

Huaguang cried out repeatedly, “Master, save me! I am suffering like this today only because of my mother. You are a disgrace to the monastic order!” The Tathagata laughed and said, “You beast, you’re skilled at twisting words. First you used your Celestial Eye, then you struck at me with your gold brick. Now that I’ve caught you, you blame me instead. I’m not as ignorant as you are. You say you acted for your mother’s sake, so you count as a filial son. The Dragon Auspicious King seized your mother to rid the people of a scourge. You should not have opposed him. I’ll let you go rescue your mother. Once you have rescued her, you must take refuge in the Buddhist path.”

Huaguang said, “Master, you took my Celestial Eye and my triangular gold brick. I have no magical treasures now. How can I rescue my mother?” The Tathagata replied, “I’ll return the gold brick to you. You will get your Celestial Eye back only after you take refuge in the Buddhist path.” Huaguang said, “If I can rescue my mother, I will come and serve you.”

The Tathagata said, “If you find your mother, what if you do not return?” Huaguang immediately swore, “If I find my mother and then fail to return to take refuge in the Buddhist Way and serve my master, may my six faculties never be complete.” The six faculties are the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—the six forms of perception and thought in Buddhism.

The Tathagata instructed him, “Go and search for your mother. Do not let anything else distract you; simply find her.” Huaguang agreed repeatedly. The Tathagata gently shifted his chest, removed a gold brick shaped like the “wan” symbol, and, reciting a mantra, transformed it into a gold brick to give to Huaguang. It is said that the “wan” symbol on the Tathagata’s chest originated in this way.

Huaguang took the gold brick, but lost his celestial eye. Deeply resentful, he withdrew. The Tathagata summoned the Dragon Auspicious King and instructed him, “Huaguang has now lost his celestial eye and cannot see you. For the time being, do not return to the left altar. Stay here and listen to the scriptures and the Dharma.” The Dragon Auspicious King bowed in thanks.

After the Tathagata took away Huaguang’s celestial eye, Huaguang seethed with resentment and brooded to himself.

Huaguang’s celestial eye had been taken away by the Tathagata, the World-Honored One of Buddhism, and he was filled with resentment. He thought, “It was all because of those two, Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. One pretended to be deaf, the other to be mute, and they kept me there drinking tea, so I couldn’t catch up with King Longrui. As a result, King Longrui reached Vulture Peak and angered my master, who then took away my celestial eye. How could I let this go unavenged? I may as well transform myself into the Buddha Mother Guanyin, destroy Manjushri’s monastery on Mount Qingliang, and settle this old score.”

With that, he recited a spell and transformed himself into the Buddha Mother Guanyin, then went to Mount Qingliang. Manjushri and Samantabhadra were seated together when someone suddenly came to report that the Buddha Mother Guanyin had arrived. They welcomed her inside and paid their respects. The false Guanyin said, “Because you saved King Longrui some time ago, Huaguang is now coming to attack your Manjushri Monastery.” Manjushri and Samantabhadra asked, “What should we do if that villain really comes?” Before they had finished speaking, another Buddha Mother Guanyin suddenly arrived. The two were astonished. “The Buddha Mother is already seated here. How can another one have just arrived outside?”

The false Guanyin said, “The one outside is Huaguang. He has taken on my appearance and intends to seize your Manjushri Monastery. You must be on your guard.” Unable to tell which one was genuine, Manjushri and Samantabhadra had no choice but to go out and greet the newcomer. When the two “Buddha Mothers Guanyin” met, the false Guanyin accused her, “Are you trying to seize my disciple’s Manjushri Monastery?” The true Guanyin said, “Huaguang, you beast, how dare you! I knew long ago that you planned to seize my disciple’s Manjushri Monastery, so I hurried here as soon as I heard. And now you dare to impersonate me. If you are willing to repent, leave at once. If you refuse to change, I will make you lose your voice this very moment.”

The false Guanyin repeated the true Guanyin’s words. Since each claimed to be the real one, it was truly difficult to tell them apart. The true Guanyin said, “Since you claim to be the genuine one, do you dare test your magical treasures against mine?” The false Guanyin replied, “Why wouldn’t I dare?”

As soon as she had spoken, the true Guanyin manifested a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. Huaguang recited a spell, and his five hundred Fire Elixirs also transformed into a thousand hands and a thousand eyes, arrayed beside her. Next, the Buddha Mother Guanyin summoned a white parrot, which perched at her side. Huaguang chanted a spell and summoned a fire crow, transforming it into a white parrot and setting it down beside him as well. The Buddha Mother Guanyin then manifested a grape-covered cliff. Huaguang took out a gold brick and transformed it into a grape-covered cliff.

Guanyin Buddha-Mother smiled and said, “What would be so difficult about catching you? You turned into a thousand eyes and a thousand hands—that was the Fire Elixir; you turned into a parrot—that was the Fire Crow; you turned into a grape-shaped rock—that was a gold brick. And you dared to use these illusions to deceive me?” Huaguang repeated her words back to her. The Buddha-Mother said, “You beast, how dare you! In my great compassion, I was willing to let this go. But now, since things have come to this, do you dare go with me to the Southern Heaven’s Baode Pass?” Huaguang agreed to go with her.

The two mounted auspicious clouds and rose into the air. The false Huaguang feared that a demon-revealing mirror at the Southern Heaven’s Baode Pass would expose his true form, so he fled. Guanyin Buddha-Mother returned to Mount Qingliang and met Manjushri and Samantabhadra. She said, “I had meant to lure him to the Southern Heaven’s Baode Pass, then toss my alms bowl—a monk’s begging bowl—over him and have the heavenly soldiers seize him. I did not expect the thief to be afraid to go. He revealed his true form and fled. Now that I have returned, guard this mountain well, and do not let that thief drive you away.” After giving them these instructions, she rode her cloud back to the South Sea.

Meanwhile, Huaguang revealed his true form and fled back to Mount Qingliang.

Huaguang revealed his true form and came to Mount Qingliang, where he shouted insults at Manjushri and Samantabhadra. “Leave quietly and give Mount Qingliang to me, and that will be the end of it. If you refuse, I’ll set fire to your temples!” He kept shouting abuse without pause.

Manjushri and Samantabhadra discussed what to do. “If we fight him, his supernatural powers are formidable, and we can’t defeat him. If we shut the gates and hold our ground, we risk him actually burning down the temples. We should leave by the back gate, ride the clouds to the Celestial Court, and report to the Jade Emperor that he has seized Mount Qingliang from us again. Wouldn’t it be better to wait for the Jade Emperor to send troops to capture him?”

Once they had agreed, the two left through the back gate on clouds. Huaguang cursed for a long while, but no one came out. Furious, he raised his main spear and charged straight into Manjushri’s temple compound, only to find it empty. He had no idea where the two had gone. Huaguang thought, “They must have gone to complain to the Jade Emperor. I’d better prepare for the heavenly troops to arrive.” To find out what happens next, listen to the next installment.

The next installment is titled “Nezha Leads the Troops to Capture Huaguang.”

The Jade Emperor ascended the throne. After the officials had finished paying their respects, the memorial presenter reported, “The Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra of the Middle Realm have submitted a memorial.” The Jade Emperor ordered them to enter the hall.

Manjushri and Samantabhadra reported, “Huaguang has not changed his nature in the Middle Realm. He stormed our mountain, seized Manjushri’s monastery, and now wants to rebel. We beg Your Majesty to take action soon, lest trouble arise later.”

The Jade Emperor read the memorial and was enraged. He consulted the assembled officials: “Manjushri and Samantabhadra report that Huaguang is causing disorder in the Middle Realm and has seized Mount Qingliang. I intend to send troops to capture him. Which of my ministers is willing to lead them?”

Wenqu Star Yu Ke stepped forward and said, “I recommend someone: Nezha, son of Li Jing, King of Kunsha Palace. He is endowed with great powers and formidable magic. He has an embroidered ball that contains sixteen captains, and he also commands five thousand plague-array ghost soldiers who fight at his side. He has never been defeated in battle.”

The Jade Emperor was delighted. He immediately summoned Nezha to the hall and appointed him Grand Marshal for the Campaign to Secure the Borders and Suppress the Rebels. He awarded him two golden flowers and three cups of imperial wine, then dressed him in colorful armor and sent him from court.

Nezha at once assembled his troops and charged out through the Southern Heaven’s Zhuande Gate, heading for Mount Lilou. After setting up camp, he sent someone into the cave with a challenge. Nezha then asked…

Nezha assembled all his troops, captured the South Heaven Guardian De Pass, and advanced toward Mount Lilou, where he set up camp. He sent someone with a challenge letter, entered the cave to issue a challenge, and asked who dared to fight. His vanguard, the One-Horned Inverted-Scale Dragon, volunteered, so Nezha sent it out.

A single horn grew from the top of the dragon’s head. Its eyes were like golden bells, its bared teeth seemed ready to devour prey like a fierce tiger, and its outstretched claws looked ready to tear out a person’s heart like a wolf. When it shook its scales, sand flew across the ground; when it stood upright, its body towered into the clouds. Riding a horse with its spear held crosswise, it swaggered and shouted insults outside the cave.

Seeing the challenge letter, Huaguang, a divine general, flew into a rage. He came out of the cave and fought the Inverted-Scale Dragon. They battled for more than fifty bouts, with neither able to prevail. Huaguang pretended to retreat, and the dragon pursued him. Huaguang took out a triangular golden brick, a magical weapon with three sharp edges, and hurled it into the air. Caught off guard, the dragon was struck on its horn and began to bleed profusely. It fled in defeat to its camp and told Nezha of Huaguang’s supernatural powers.

Nezha immediately took the field himself and fought Huaguang. He wore a red flower and purple-gold circlet on his head, embroidered armor decorated with the Eight Treasures, and black leather boots with pointed soles stitched in green thread. A brightly embroidered ball hung at his left side, a nine-jointed bronze whip at his right. He carried a long spear and rode a warhorse with a red mane. Raising his voice, he shouted, “Huaguang, come out and be captured!”

Huaguang emerged from the cave and said, “Marshal, do you really not understand my situation? Why have you brought troops to the Middle Realm—the domain of the human world—to hound me?” Nezha replied, “You were once a disciple of the Buddhist path. The World-Honored One, a title for the Buddha, even pleaded for you before the Supreme Emperor and forgave your past offenses. The Jade Emperor therefore pardoned your former crimes. Why, then, have you failed to change your ways and caused chaos in the Middle Realm again? I have brought troops here today, and still you dare to fight! Dismount and submit to capture at once, and that will be the end of it. If you say another word, you will soon lose your life!”

Huaguang said, “I had no intention of rebellion. The Jade Emperor drove me to it, and I truly had no other choice.” With that, he fought Nezha. They battled from the hour of Chen until the hour of You, approximately from seven in the morning until seven in the evening, yet neither could gain the upper hand. Both sides then withdrew, and the next day they fought for the whole day, still without a victor. Huaguang said, “There is nothing remarkable about fighting like this. Tomorrow, let us test our magic arts.” Nezha replied, “Tomorrow, we shall test our magic arts.” Only then did they each depart.

At the fifth watch the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Huaguang and Nezha went out to fight again. Huaguang hurled a golden brick, while Nezha scattered embroidered balls. Huaguang then unleashed his Wind-Fire Wheels, and Nezha brought out his Red Flower Purple-Gold Ring. Huaguang sent forth fire crows, while Nezha dispatched five hundred ghost soldiers to meet them. The two fought for another full day without either gaining the upper hand, then each withdrew his magic weapons.

Nezha was sitting in the camp when an Eight-Horned Touda (a divine warrior in the form of a monk with horns on his head) said, “Let me go out to fight. I can certainly defeat Huaguang.” Nezha sent him into battle. The Touda fought Huaguang, but Huaguang hurled a golden brick that knocked the horns from his head. Blood streamed down, and the Touda had no choice but to retreat in defeat and hide inside an embroidered ball to recover.

Next, the Nine Heavens Eighteen-Horned One and the Pāluó Dragon General asked to go into battle. Nezha said, “The Eight-Horned Touda has only just returned in defeat. What can you possibly do?” The Pāluó Dragon General replied, “I’ll fight him and use my magic powers to lure him into the water and drown him.” Nezha was pleased to hear this. The Pāluó Dragon General went out and, as promised, grappled with Huaguang and dragged him into the water. But Huaguang also had powers in the water, and continued fighting there. The Pāluó Dragon General was no match for him and fled in defeat.

Furious, Nezha was about to go out and fight himself when the Two Hehe Gods (two divine warriors who always acted together) said, “There’s no need for you to go in person, sir. We brothers are willing to go.” Nezha asked what powers they had. They replied, “One of us has a Ruyi. If he recites a spell, he can summon Huaguang. The other will trap him in a treasure box of jewels and fruit and bring him to you.” Nezha again urged them to be careful.

The Two Hehe Gods went out to fight Huaguang. Huaguang hurled his golden brick, but the Ruyi drew it into the fruit box. He then released his Fire Elixir, which was also taken into the box. Next, his Wind-Fire Wheels and fire crows were summoned away and trapped inside. Even the Golden Spear with which Huaguang thrust and jabbed was taken into the box. Delighted, the Two Hehe Gods were about to take Huaguang to Nezha when a foot soldier came forward and asked, “Have you trapped that bandit Huaguang?” They answered, “We trapped him.” Before they could say more, Huaguang, who had been groggy inside the box, heard the soldier call him by name and began to stir. He muttered to himself, “I thought I was asleep in bed. It turns out those two bandits trapped me in a box. If the soldier hadn’t called my name, they might have carried me away without my knowing.”

Huaguang then used his magic powers inside the box, trying to break out, but he could not escape. So he took out his Fire Elixir and burned a hole through the box. He peered outside through the opening, then gave a great shout and burst out. The Two Hehe Gods were soundly defeated and had no choice but to return to Nezha.

Nezha was furious and wanted to fight in person, but he was trapped and could not break free. He took out a Fire Pill, a magical treasure with the power of fire, and burned a hole through the barrier. Looking out through it, he shouted and charged into battle. The Two Gods of Harmony and Union were thoroughly defeated by him and retreated to report to Nezha.

While Nezha was still seething with anger, a man called the Great Immortal Thunderbolt Ghost volunteered to fight. “This junior will go into battle. If I cannot capture Huaguang, I will not return with the troops.” Nezha asked what abilities he had. The Great Immortal Thunderbolt Ghost replied, “This junior can command the Savage Thunder of the Five Directions, lightning drawn from all five directions, and strike people with it. If Huaguang comes to fight, I will strike him dead.” Nezha urged him to fight with all his skill.

The Great Immortal Thunderbolt Ghost went to battle Huaguang. Halfway through the fight, he pretended to retreat, drawing Huaguang after him. Then he chanted a spell and sent the Savage Thunder of the Five Directions against Huaguang. Huaguang was soundly defeated and withdrew into his cave. He reflected, “That enemy general has some supernatural powers. What can I do to overcome him?” Just then, General Fire Drifter, one of Huaguang’s subordinates, stepped forward with a plan. “Tomorrow, when the Heavenly King fights him, send a manifestation—a form created through magical power—to meet the enemy, while the Heavenly King’s true body hides in midair. When the thunder strikes, the Heavenly King can hurl down a golden brick, a magical treasure, to scatter the Savage Thunder, then seize the opportunity to attack. Wouldn’t that be a good plan?” Huaguang was delighted.

The next day, Nezha again ordered the Great Immortal Thunderbolt Ghost into battle. The immortal once more summoned the Savage Thunder. Huaguang sent a manifestation to meet it and hid his true body in the sky. When the thunder came, he hurled down the golden brick and scattered it. The Great Immortal Thunderbolt Ghost was defeated and fled back to report to Nezha.

Nezha then summoned the World-Swallowing Ghost and said, “You can swallow the whole world. Why not go fight and swallow Huaguang?” The World-Swallowing Ghost replied, “Even without your saying so, my lord, that was already my intention. This junior will go now and bring that bandit back to you in my belly.” Nezha urged him to be careful.

The World-Swallowing Ghost took his orders and went to the front lines to fight Huaguang. He pretended to retreat, then opened his mouth and swallowed Huaguang whole. As he was about to return and report to Nezha, he reached the camp and suddenly heard a foot soldier ask, “Have you swallowed Huaguang?” Swallowed and dazed, Huaguang heard the question and came to his senses as if waking from drunkenness. He tried to turn himself around and get out, but could not escape.

Huaguang lit the Fire Pill inside the World-Swallowing Ghost’s belly, burning him until he fell to the ground, crying out in pain. Huaguang said, “Open your mouth and let me out, and I’ll spare you. If you keep it shut, I’ll burn you to death.” The World-Swallowing Ghost had no choice but to open his mouth. Huaguang turned and emerged, then fought fiercely, driving the World-Swallowing Ghost away in a panic. Afterward, Huaguang led his victorious troops back.

Tun Shijie Gui returned with his defeated troops to see Nezha and recounted how the battle had gone. Seeing that Huaguang’s magic was powerful and that he could not defeat him, Nezha worried about what to do. He thought that he should at least win one battle before withdrawing his troops.

At that moment, the Plague-Quelling Envoy offered Nezha a plan. “Huaguang’s most powerful magic treasure is the golden brick. It was originally the golden saber of the Celestial Worthy of the Eight Sceneries Palace, but Huaguang later took it and refined it into a brick. I can disguise myself as the Eight Sceneries Palace’s saber attendant and claim that my master sent me to borrow the brick for the Treasure-Displaying Assembly. When Huaguang hears that his master wants to use it, he surely won’t refuse. Once he hands it over to me, I’ll bring it back to you.”

Nezha was delighted and ordered the Plague-Quelling Envoy to carry out the plan. The envoy went to Mount Lilou and met Huaguang. “My master is going to the Treasure-Displaying Assembly and sent me to borrow the golden brick,” he said. “I’ll return it to you after the assembly.” Huaguang replied, “I’m fighting Nezha right now and need it. But since my master wants to borrow it, how could I refuse? Please return it as soon as the assembly is over, and tell my master that this magic treasure is urgently needed at the moment. He must not delay.”

With that, Huaguang handed the golden brick to the Plague-Quelling Envoy, who was disguised as the saber attendant. The two parted ways. At the time, Clairvoyant and Clairaudient were out on patrol. They saw the envoy trick Huaguang and take the brick, and hurried back to report what had happened. But the brick had already been carried far away. Huaguang regretted giving it up, but it was too late; he could only sit in gloom.

After the messenger had tricked him out of the golden brick, he revealed his true identity and went to see Nezha. Nezha was delighted. He beat the victory drum and led his troops back to the Heavenly Court. When the Jade Emperor took his seat in the hall, Nezha reported, “Huaguang is a disciple of the Buddhist tradition and possesses great supernatural powers. I fought him for a month, yet neither of us could defeat the other. Now I have taken one of his magical treasures, called the ‘Three-Cornered Golden Brick.’” With that, he presented the brick on the imperial desk.

The Jade Emperor said, “You were ordered to lead troops into the human world. Although you did not capture Huaguang, winning this treasure is still a merit.” He ordered the brick placed in the imperial treasury, then rewarded Nezha with two golden flowers and adorned him with colorful ornaments before sending him from the hall.

The Jade Emperor then asked his ministers, “Huaguang is so difficult to bring under control. What should we do next?” The ministers replied, “We have heard that he acts this way for his mother’s sake, which suggests that he is a filial son. But he is quick-tempered and cannot tolerate others; he takes revenge even for the slightest slight. That is why he has offended Your Majesty. We ask Your Majesty to issue another pardon, absolving him of his earlier offenses. Once he has rescued his mother, if he still refuses to reform, it will not be too late to send troops to punish him.”

The Jade Emperor approved their advice and ordered General Cui Tong, who stood before the throne, to carry an edict to Mount Lilou. When Huaguang heard that the edict had arrived, he went out to welcome the messenger into the mountain. The messenger read the edict aloud: “I have considered that if you truly possess a loyal and filial heart, how could you persist in rebellion for so long? I have sent troops against you many times, and each time you said it was for your mother. I now understand that you act for your mother’s sake, but you still should not take revenge over the slightest slight…”

Heaven has sent troops against you many times because you said you wanted to rescue your mother. Only now do I understand: though you acted for your mother’s sake, you should not have let a small private grievance grow into a major conflict. If you focus single-mindedly on rescuing her, you may instead bring calamity upon yourself. When will this war ever come to an end? Once my decree arrives, you must cause no more trouble. You are to search earnestly for your mother and atone for your offenses by rendering meritorious service. Huaguang kowtowed and thanked the emperor for his grace.

After thanking the emperor, Huaguang hospitably entertained the envoy, then took his leave. He said to himself, “Now that I have received Heaven’s decree, the celestial troops will not come again for a while, and I feel relieved. But a few days ago, I was tricked out of my golden bricks. Without any magic treasures, how can I find my mother?” As he spoke, tears suddenly fell from his eyes.

The two, Qianliyan and Shunfeng’er, said, “Heavenly King, there is no need to worry. If others can trick us, we can trick them in turn. Ahead lies Phoenix Mountain, guarded by the Holy Mother Yuhuan. There is a golden pagoda there that, when cast out, can transform in countless ways. We hear that whenever Heaven holds a contest of treasures, the Holy Mother often brings it along. Heavenly King, you can disguise yourself as a heavenly messenger and visit the Holy Mother. If you can trick her out of the golden pagoda and refine it into golden bricks, you will be able to use your magic treasures as before. Why should you worry?”

Huaguang was delighted when he heard this. With a shake of his body, he transformed into a false heavenly messenger and hurried off. What happened next? Listen to the next installment.

Huaguang Marries Princess Iron Fan

At Phoenix Mountain, the Jade-Ring Holy Mother had two children: a daughter called Princess Iron Fan, who was sixteen years old, and a son called Shancheng. One day, the three of them were on the mountain when a young attendant suddenly arrived with a message: Heaven had sent an envoy.

The Holy Mother went out to greet him and invited him into the hall. Princess Iron Fan withdrew for the time being. After they had tea, the envoy said, “Heaven is holding a contest of treasures today. I have been sent to your mountain to borrow a golden pagoda. It will be returned as soon as the contest is over.”

The Holy Mother replied, “You may take the pagoda with you. But you must return it once the contest is over. Demons often appear here, and without this pagoda it is difficult to subdue them. We need it to guard the mountain.”

The envoy promised to return it after the contest. The Holy Mother then told Shancheng to bring out the golden pagoda and hand it to him. After the envoy left, Princess Iron Fan, who had been listening from behind the hall, sensed something was wrong. She said to her mother, “The envoy seemed very nervous when he spoke. I’m worried he wasn’t really an envoy from Heaven. Could he have been a demon in disguise? We should have Shancheng follow him and find out, just to be sure.”

The Holy Mother agreed that her daughter had a point and ordered Shancheng to pursue him at once. Shancheng caught up outside South Heaven’s Baode Pass and asked the gate commander, “I heard that Heaven is holding a contest of treasures. Has it begun?” The commander replied, “Heaven is not holding any contest of treasures.” Shancheng then asked, “Has an envoy carrying a golden pagoda passed through the gate?” The commander replied, “No envoy sent by Heaven has passed through.”

After learning the truth, Shancheng wept as he returned to his mother and sister and told them everything that had happened. They realized someone had tricked them into giving away the golden pagoda. The three of them cried, “What will we do if Heaven comes to claim the pagoda later?”

Shancheng said, “There’s no use worrying. I’ll go to the South Sea and ask the Bodhisattva Guanyin to explain what happened.” The Holy Mother replied, “In that case, go at once.”

After taking leave of the Holy Mother, Shancheng rode a cloud to the South Sea. The Buddhist Mother Guanyin (the Bodhisattva Guanshiyin) was meditating on Grape Rock when she suddenly saw a cloud descend. Looking with her wisdom eye, she recognized Shancheng of Phoenix Mountain. Shancheng stepped forward and paid his respects.

The Buddhist Mother Guanyin asked, “What brings you here?” Shancheng replied, “My mother has a golden pagoda, but some demon has now stolen it by disguising himself as an angel. I don’t know where to look for it. I beg you, Holy Mother, to show me the way.”

After hearing him, Guanyin looked into the matter and said, “The one who stole your mother’s golden pagoda was none other than Huaguang of Lilu Mountain. He refined it into a triangular gold brick.”

Shancheng asked, “If he already had a gold brick, why did he steal the pagoda to make another one?”

Guanyin replied, “His gold brick was stolen by the Plague-Dispelling Envoy under Nezha, so his subordinate Clairvoyant told him to steal your pagoda.” After hearing this, Shancheng took leave of Guanyin and returned to Phoenix Mountain.

The Holy Mother was distressed over the theft of the Golden Pagoda. When Shancheng returned to see her, he told her that Huaguang had tricked him out of it and smelted it into gold bricks. “If that fellow Huaguang was the one who tricked him out of it,” said the Holy Mother, “it will probably be very hard to get it back. What can we do?” Princess Iron Fan replied, “Though my skills may not be outstanding, I’m not afraid of Huaguang. I have an iron fan. If I fight him, I’ll use it to blow that thief up into the highest heavens and send him crashing to his death, settling the grudge between us and our son.”

The Holy Mother was delighted to hear this and immediately ordered the troops of their mountain stronghold to be mustered. Princess Iron Fan donned her armor and set out with Shancheng, leading the attack on Mount Lilou. She wore a helmet adorned with golden flowers and phoenix ornaments, a coat of mail made from silver scales, and carried a long spear. An iron fan hung at her left side, and a sharp knife was tucked at her right. On her feet were a pair of pointed little boots, and she rode a docile white horse. Her face was as pale as if powdered, her lips rosy, her eyes bright, and her brows slender. When she reached Mount Lilou and called out for battle, she was like Chang’e descending from the heavenly palace or Xishi appearing in the human world: her beauty was unmatched under heaven, rare in all the world. Again and again, she shouted for the Golden Pagoda to be returned.

Huaguang was seated upright when a soldier under his command came to report: “A princess from Phoenix Mountain is leading troops here to seize the Golden Pagoda.” Huaguang heard this and prepared to go into battle. Clairvoyant Eye and Wind-Listening Ear reported, “There is something the Heavenly King does not yet know.” Huaguang asked, “What is it?” They said, “The Holy Mother’s daughter has an iron fan. One sweep can send a person tumbling away, or even kill them. The Heavenly King must not go into battle.” Huaguang said, “No matter how powerful that fan is, I will still fight her.”

The two said, “Since the Heavenly King does not believe us, our abilities are limited, but we are willing to fight in your place first. Please watch from behind; then you will see for yourself.” Huaguang agreed and ordered them to go. Clairvoyant Eye and Wind-Listening Ear had exchanged only a few blows with the princess when she swept her fan and sent them soaring beyond the Ninth Heaven. Blown three thousand li away, the two hurriedly used their arts in midair, rode the clouds down to the ground, and then returned to Mount Lilou. Let us set this matter aside for now.

Seeing the two swept away, Huaguang grew both frightened and furious. He gripped his golden spear and thrust at the princess. She raised her spear to meet him. After only a few exchanges, she pretended to retreat, drew out her fan, and swept Huaguang into the air. She fanned him three times in succession, then called back her troops and made camp. The princess thought: Huaguang can ride the clouds, so the fall will not kill him. I had better wait here a few days and learn what happens next.

Huaguang was swept into the air by the iron fan. In a panic, he hurriedly cast a spell and rode down on a cloud. Talking to himself, he said, “This princess is formidable, and so is her magic treasure. She fanned me all the way here. I don’t even know where I am.”

As he was worrying about what to do, he suddenly heard the sound of a bell ahead. He summoned the local Earth God and asked about it. When the Earth God appeared, Huaguang asked, “What place is this? Where is that bell coming from?” The Earth God replied, “This is the north. The bell is coming from Wind-Toxin Cave. An old immortal lives there and practices cultivation, which is why the bell rings so loudly.”

Huaguang thought, “I might as well go to Wind-Toxin Cave and ask for something to eat. Once I’m full, I’ll head back.” He went to the cave and found the old immortal sitting in meditation. Seeing Huaguang arrive, the old immortal rose to greet him. After they exchanged bows, the old immortal asked, “What brings you here, guest?”

Huaguang said, “I am Huaguang from the upper realm. I tricked the Holy Mother of Phoenix Mountain into giving me her golden pagoda. Her daughter is formidable and came to demand it back. I refused, so we fought. She has a magic treasure called the iron fan, and it fanned me all the way here. I hurriedly cast a spell and landed on the ground, or I would have been killed by the fall. Now that I’ve found you cultivating here, I’ve come to ask for a meal before I go back.”

When the old immortal heard that he was Marshal Huaguang from the upper realm, he ordered someone to bring him seven grains of cooked rice. Huaguang thought, “What a despicable Daoist! I’m starving, and he gives me only seven grains of rice?” He refused to eat them. The old immortal said, “Marshal, you won’t be able to finish them.” Huaguang smiled faintly and thought, “I’ll eat them first and see what happens.” He then prepared to eat the seven grains of cooked rice.

Huaguang ate three or four more pellets. When he felt full, he returned three to the old immortal and said he had eaten too many. The old immortal laughed and asked, “A moment ago, didn’t you complain there were too few?” Huaguang replied, “I didn’t yet know how marvelous these treasures were.” The old immortal laughed. “Congratulations, Marshal. A happy event is about to come your way.” Huaguang asked, “I’m trapped in a desperate situation. What happy event could there be?” The old immortal said, “Princess Iron Fan is bound to you by a bond from a former life.” Huaguang said, “You must be mistaken, old immortal. I’m fighting her now. We’re enemies. How could we marry?” The old immortal laughed. “That will be easy to arrange. I’ll give you a pill called the Wind-Quelling Elixir. Once you take it, fight her again another day. Even if she fans you with her fan, she won’t be able to move a single hair on your head. When you see that her fan cannot budge you, seize her. Surely then the marriage can be arranged?” Delighted, Huaguang took the Wind-Quelling Elixir and swallowed it. He bade farewell to the old immortal, rode a rainbow cloud back to Mount Lilou, and rejoined his generals.

At dawn the next day, Huaguang donned his armor and went out to fight. Princess Iron Fan said, “I thought that fellow had fallen to his death after I fanned him away. How has he come back today? This time I’ll make sure you die right before my eyes!”

At dawn the next day, Huaguang put on his armor and went out to fight. The princess said, “I clearly blew you away with my fan yesterday, and you fell to your death. How have you come back today? This time I’ll make sure you lose your life.” Huaguang replied, “That day I rode the clouds to find someone. How can you say you blew me away?”

“You rascal,” said the princess. “Yesterday you were plainly blown away by me, and today you still dare to boast. In a moment I’ll blow you away again, and you’ll say you were riding the clouds to find someone!” Huaguang said, “I told you I went to find my men, but you say I was blown away. Today let’s make a wager on three blows. If you can make even one of my hairs move with three blows, I’ll let you do as you wish and return the Golden Pagoda to you. But if you can’t move even one hair, I’ll take you back as my wife, and I won’t return the pagoda.”

“You scoundrel,” said the princess. “Don’t you dare go back on your word.” Huaguang answered, “Once a word has been spoken, even four horses pulling a carriage cannot catch up with it.” In other words, once you have said something, you cannot take it back.

The princess thought, “The fool deserves to die. He actually wants to wager with me. I won’t need three blows. One will send him beyond the highest heavens, and he’ll surely be dead.” With that, she raised her iron fan and blew at Huaguang. Sure enough, she could not move even one of his hairs.

Huaguang told her to blow again. The princess thought, “How strange that I can’t move him. I may as well try once more.” She put all her strength into another blow, but Huaguang remained completely still. The princess began to panic. Seeing that her first two blows had done nothing to him, Huaguang called out loudly, “Hurry up and blow! I’m already enjoying myself.” Pressed by his urging, the princess blew several more times, but still could not move him. Just as she was thinking of running away, Huaguang rushed forward, grabbed her, called her “wife,” and took her back to his cave.

When Shancheng saw his elder sister being taken away, he burst into tears and ran back to Phoenix Mountain to tell the Holy Mother. We will leave what happened next for another time.

After capturing the princess, King Huaguang took her to a cave on Mount Lilou, lit candles, and asked her to marry him. At first the princess refused, but Huaguang told her what the old immortal had said about their bond from a former life. She had no choice but to become his wife.

They drank together every day and sang together every night. One day, Huaguang suddenly thought of his mother and could not help shedding tears. Seeing her husband cry, the princess went over and asked him what was wrong. Huaguang said, “Although I have now married you, my mother was captured by King Longrui and has not been heard from since. I want to leave you and search for her, but our bond as husband and wife is still new, and I cannot bear to part from you. If I wait longer to go, I fear my mother will suffer for too long. I am troubled, and that is why I am crying.”

The princess said, “My husband is young and handsome, and I am in the prime of my youth. Finding your mother is urgent, and we will have many years together as husband and wife. You should go look for her; do not worry about me. If you do not go, people throughout the land may criticize you. Go now. I will return to my family on Phoenix Mountain and wait for you to come back, so we can be together again.”

Huaguang said, “Thank you, my good wife, for encouraging me. I have no choice but to set out. Take good care of yourself. I will search the whole world and will not return until I have found my mother.” After they had agreed on their plans, Huaguang summoned his followers and ordered them to guard the cave. Then he escorted his wife back to Phoenix Mountain. Afterward, he left the cave, disguised himself as an ordinary person, and went from place to place asking for news of his mother.

Suddenly, one day, Huaguang heard a woman weeping up ahead. He thought, “I’ll go and see whether it might be my mother.” As he drew near, he saw that the woman was not his mother, so he asked her, “Elder, why are you pacing back and forth and crying so bitterly?”

The woman replied, “I have a son who usually goes up the mountain to gather firewood. He sells it for money to support me and put food on the table. There is a Daoist temple on the mountain called Jingyan Temple. A Daoist named the Immortal Luoshi lives there. Whenever someone passes his temple, he demands that they donate money or goods to it. If they are willing to give, he lets them go. But if they refuse, before they can get halfway down the mountain, the sky turns dark, sand and stones fly, and they are ultimately killed.

“I have only this one son. This morning he went out to gather firewood. When he passed the temple, he went inside to drink some water, and the Immortal Luoshi saw him. The Daoist asked him to make an offering—that is, to give money or goods in the name of spiritual practice or supporting the temple. My son said our family was poor and had nothing to give. The Daoist flew into a rage and used some unknown magic to kill him. Now this wicked Daoist has taken my only son. How am I supposed to go on living? After thinking it over, I decided I might as well take my own life. That is why I am crying here.”

Huaguang said, “If you have suffered such an injustice, why not report it to the authorities?”

The woman replied, “If anyone could bring charges against him, someone would have done so long ago.”

Huaguang asked, “Why can’t they?”

“He is a sorcerer and a monster. Even the authorities can do nothing about him. Everyone is afraid of him. How could anyone bring charges?”

Huaguang sighed when he heard this. “I never imagined there could be such an injustice in this world!”

The woman said, “You should not go looking for him either. Everyone is afraid of him. How could you bring him to justice?”

Hearing this, Huaguang sighed. “Can a dragonfly spirit really commit such evil in this world?” The old woman urged him, “You shouldn’t go and throw your life away for nothing.” Huaguang gave her ten taels of silver and told her to take it home and live on it in her old age. He said he was going to the monastery to get rid of the demon Daoist. Grateful that he had saved her life, the old woman still urged him not to go, lest he come to harm. Huaguang told her to go home without worry, saying he had his own way of dealing with it. She bowed in thanks and left.

Huaguang then traveled alone and quietly to Dragonfly Monastery. He went straight into the ritual hall and saw the Immortal Luoshi sitting cross-legged on a meditation platform. Huaguang stepped forward and bowed; the Immortal Luoshi rose from the platform and returned the greeting. The two sat down and drank tea. The Immortal Luoshi asked where Huaguang had come from and what business had brought him there. Huaguang lied, claiming he was Xiao Yilang, eldest son of Xiao Yongfu of Xiaojiazhuang in Wuyuan County, Huizhou Prefecture. He had heard that this Quanzhen Daoist monastery had beautiful scenery and had come especially to visit. Hearing that he was a young master of the Xiao family, the Immortal Luoshi politely apologized for not having welcomed him sooner and ordered a young Daoist attendant to prepare a vegetarian meal at once.

They had not been talking long when the meal was ready. The Immortal Luoshi laid out a banquet and accompanied Huaguang in drinking wine. When they were both half drunk, Huaguang thought, “I may as well take out the gold brick and test his cultivation before deciding what to do.” So he pretended to be drunk, took a gold brick from his clothes, set it on the table, tapped it and examined it, then wrapped it up again. At the sight of the gold brick, the Immortal Luoshi was immediately seized by greed.

Huaguang pretended to be drunk. He took a gold brick from his clothes and set it on the table, tapped it, looked it over, and then wrapped it up. Seeing this, the Daoist was immediately seized by greed. He said to Huaguang, “Great Benefactor”—a respectful form of address for a patron—“you have come to our Daoist temple. We hope you will give us some money as an offering to support the temple’s incense.”

“You make a fair point,” Huaguang replied. “Bring me the donation register, and I’ll write down my gift.” The Daoist promptly took out the register and handed it to him. Huaguang accepted it and, showing off his calligraphy, wrote: “Xiao Yilang of Xiao Family Village, Wuyuan County, Huizhou Prefecture, gladly makes a donation: one.”

The Daoist took back the register and looked at it. “Why didn’t you say how much you’re donating, Great Benefactor? You’ve written only the word ‘one.’ You need to make the amount clear.”

“There’s no need to be so exact,” said Huaguang. “If you treat me well, that ‘one’ can become ten thousand. If you treat me badly, even one fen is still ‘one.’ One li, one hao, one si, or one hu—all are still ‘one.’”

The Daoist heard this and pretended to laugh. “All you need to do is give me the gold you just took out.”

“That gold is the thing I’ve treasured most in my life. How could I give it away?” Huaguang replied.

At this, the Daoist set aside the compassion expected of a monk and revealed his murderous intent. “You’ll hand over that gold whether you’re willing or not.”

“Giving is my own choice. Why would you say such a thing?” Huaguang asked.

“That’s no longer up to you,” said the Daoist.

Furious, Huaguang cursed him: “What kind of monk are you? You’re nothing but a bandit!” He overturned the wine and food, turned, and walked out. The Daoist was enraged too. He chanted a spell, and sand and stones rose in the air and came hurtling after Huaguang.

Huaguang left one of his incarnations behind to fight Daoist Luoshi. He returned to the monastery and unleashed the Samādhi True Fire, a Daoist sacred flame cultivated through Samādhi, setting the Dragonfly Monastery ablaze.

Just then, two women suddenly came out. Huaguang asked why they were in the monastery. They replied that the Daoist had abducted them both. One was Chen Xixi, from Jingzhou; the other was Huang Baijiao, from Chengdu in Sichuan. After hearing their story, Huaguang rode a cloud to take Chen Xixi home first, then went to escort Huang Baijiao. Worried that the Daoist might pursue her, Huang Baijiao asked Huaguang to accompany her all the way home and promised to remember his kindness. Huaguang took her home.

Meanwhile, when Daoist Luoshi learned that Huaguang had caused trouble at the Dragonfly Monastery and rescued the two women, he was furious. He wanted to harm Huaguang, but could find no chance to strike, so he had to restrain himself for the time being.

In Chengdu Prefecture, Huang Shanyue had been consumed with worry since his daughter went missing. He sat in silence in the main hall all day.

Huang Shanyue of Chengdu Prefecture had been sitting in the main hall, grief-stricken and troubled all day, ever since his daughter went missing. Suddenly, a young servant came to report, “I have news, sir: Miss has returned today.” Huang Shanyue hurried outside to see. Sure enough, his daughter was back, and father and daughter embraced and wept.

Huang Shanyue asked, “My daughter, why did the demon Daoist seize you, and where did you go?” Baijiao replied, “I was taken by the demon Daoists of Dragonfly Monastery. Today, the Heavenly King Huaguang of the Celestial Bureau (the government office in heaven) set fire to Dragonfly Monastery and rescued me. He is now bringing me home.”

The whole family was overjoyed. They asked a carver to make an image of the Heavenly King Huaguang, built a temple to enshrine it, and worshipped him morning and evening in gratitude for saving her life.

After Luoshi Daxian burned down Huaguang’s Qingting Temple, he had nowhere to stay. One day, he learned that Huang Baijiao’s family worshipped a statue of Huaguang and had built a temple for him. He decided to avenge his earlier defeat and deceive Baijiao as well. He planned to take Huaguang’s appearance and trick her, claiming that because he found her beautiful, he had escorted her home especially for her and now wanted to marry her. That way, he could have Baijiao and get back at Huaguang—a perfect solution, as he saw it. Having settled on his plan, he set off.

That night, Baijiao was sitting alone, lost in thought, when she suddenly heard someone call for her to open the door. She asked who was there and why they were knocking so late. The Daoist claimed to be Huaguang and urged her to open the door quickly, threatening to harm her entire family if she refused. Baijiao had no choice but to open the door and let the impostor in. She thanked him for saving her life before.

The false Huaguang said that ever since he had escorted her home, he had been thinking about her beauty. He had come especially to make her his wife. Baijiao replied that the Heavenly King was a true deity of the celestial realm and should not behave this way. The false Huaguang threatened to harm her family. With no way out, Baijiao could only submit. They had sex, and the impostor did not leave until the rooster crowed. Before going, he told her he would return to see her the following night.

The next morning, her father, Shanyue, asked the young servant whether she had heard the young mistress talking with someone throughout the night. The servant had been about to ask him the same thing. Shanyue flew into a rage and ordered Baijiao to come out. He demanded to know whom she had been speaking to and whether she had done anything shameful, threatening to beat her to death if she did not tell him the truth. Baijiao had no choice but to explain: the visitor had claimed to be Huaguang, saying he had saved her and brought her home because he was taken with her beauty. The previous night, he had come to her room and forced her to marry him. When she refused, he threatened to kill her entire family, so she had been compelled to submit.

Shanyue was furious and immediately wanted to go burn down Huaguang’s temple. Baijiao urged him not to act in haste. Although the visitor claimed to be Huaguang, he might have been a demon impersonating him. It would be better to go to the temple first, offer incense and pray, and find out whether the visitor was really Huaguang before deciding whether to destroy the temple. Shanyue thought her reasoning was sound.

Huang Shanyue came to the temple to burn incense and pray. Before he had finished speaking, Huaguang, a Daoist celestial general, appeared amid the clouds and asked why he had come to pray at the temple. Huang Shanyue knelt and said, “A few days ago, the Heavenly King rescued my daughter. My whole family is deeply grateful. The Heavenly King is a righteous deity of the celestial realm, but why did he come to my daughter’s room last night and harass her? I have come especially to ask you to investigate.”

Huaguang listened and said, “So you’ve misunderstood.” He turned to Baijiao and explained, “The one who came to deceive you last night wasn’t me. Don’t blame me for this.” Baijiao said, “He called himself the Heavenly King. I couldn’t tell the difference.” Huaguang asked her when the man had arrived and when he had left. She replied, “He came at the third watch and left at cockcrow. He’s sure to come again tonight.”

Huaguang told Baijiao to sleep somewhere else and stayed in her room to wait for the demon, so he could catch it on the spot and show the family the truth. Huang Shanyue was delighted. That night, Huaguang hid in Baijiao’s bedroom. As expected, the Great Immortal Luoshi came and knocked on the door, calling, “My dear wife, open up quickly!” Huaguang pretended to be Baijiao, answered him, and opened the door. The moment the Great Immortal Luoshi was about to get into bed, Huaguang seized him. Huaguang called the family in to light the room and take a look. Only then did everyone discover that the creature was a white snake. The whole family was horrified. They were about to beat the snake to death when it begged the Heavenly King to spare its life.

Huaguang rebuked it: “Why did you take my appearance and come here to harm people, ruining my reputation? If you’re willing to submit to me today, I’ll spare you.” The Great Immortal Luoshi agreed again and again. Huaguang ordered it to return to its original form and coil around his golden spear. Huang Shanyue and his family, young and old, bowed and thanked him.

Huaguang then returned to Mount Lilou and spoke with Princess Iron Fan: “Since I descended to the mortal realm, I’ve subdued another white snake demon. Now I must take my leave of you once more and search everywhere for my mother.” Princess Iron Fan said, “If your mother were still alive, you would have found her by now. Could she have died?” Huaguang replied, “If she has died, where should I look for her?” The princess answered, “Everyone who dies must go to the Eastern Peak Temple. You could go there and see whether your mother is there.”

Following her advice, Huaguang bid farewell to the princess and set off for the Eastern Peak Temple. What happens next will be told in the next installment.

Hua Guang arrived at the gates of the Eastern Peak Temple and encountered the Three Sages of the Wilds. They asked who he was. “I am Hua Guang,” he replied. The Three Sages said they had heard he was no decent sort: he went rushing about everywhere and would do anything. They asked what he had come to the Eastern Peak Temple for, and blocked his way in.

Hua Guang flew into a rage and cursed them for being utterly unreasonable. He immediately hurled a gold brick at them. The Three Sages hurriedly fled and reported the incident to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak. Surprised, the Great Emperor asked the Six Departments—the officials in the underworld responsible for different affairs—about Hua Guang. His name was well known, but the Great Emperor could not imagine what had brought him to the temple. The Six Departments said there must be a reason, and advised treating him courteously first.

Before they had finished speaking, Hua Guang had already arrived. The Great Emperor came out to welcome him. After they sat down and had tea, he asked what had brought Hua Guang there. Hua Guang said he had taken the liberty of coming only to look for his mother. The Great Emperor asked her name. Hua Guang replied that she was called the Holy Mother Jizhituo, also known as Granny Xiao.

The Great Emperor asked the Six Departments whether anyone named the Holy Mother Jizhituo or Granny Xiao had come there. After checking the registers—the records listing the names of the dead—they reported that Granny Xiao had come, but the Holy Mother Jizhituo had not. Hua Guang said that the Holy Mother Jizhituo was Granny Xiao, and Granny Xiao was the Holy Mother Jizhituo. The Great Emperor insisted they were two different people, while Hua Guang insisted they were one and the same, and the two began to argue.

The Six Departments reported that the Eastern Peak Temple kept only the registers of the dead; the underworld itself managed the cases. If Hua Guang wanted to find out the truth, he could inquire in the underworld. Hua Guang then took leave of the Great Emperor and set off for the underworld to look for his mother.

Huaguang carried his golden spear into the underworld. There he saw the Eighteen Layers of Hell, along with mountains of gold coins, silver coins, broken coins, and spent coins; he also saw the Golden Bridge, the Silver Bridge, the Bridge of Tangled Brushwood, and the Bridge of No Return. He thought to himself, “The Golden Bridge and Silver Bridge are not for me to cross, and the Bridge of Tangled Brushwood does not suit me either. I might as well go to the Ferry of No Return and see whether my mother has passed through here.”

Huaguang asked the ferryman, “Who are you?” The ferryman replied, “And who are you?” Huaguang answered, “I am the Heavenly King Huaguang from the upper realm. Tell me, has my mother passed through here?” The ferryman said, “People come and go here by the thousands every day. How would I know which one is your mother?”

Huaguang told him that his mother’s formal name was Old Lady Xiao and her childhood name was Holy Mother Jizhituo. The ferryman said, “Old Lady Xiao once crossed here in tears, but I have never seen Holy Mother Jizhituo come through.” Huaguang said, “Old Lady Xiao is Holy Mother Jizhituo.” But the ferryman insisted they were two different people. They began to quarrel, and Huaguang flew into a rage, raised a golden brick, and struck at him. The ferryman fled, shouting, “Huaguang has come to cause trouble in the underworld!”

The officer sent to retrieve the child ran to report to King Yama. King Yama took his seat in the hall, and the official who presented reports came forward to announce, “Heavenly King Huaguang has arrived at the underworld.” King Yama asked his ministers, “What could bring Huaguang here?” The Judge replied, “There must be some reason. When he arrives, we should receive him with courtesy.”

Before he had finished speaking, someone came to report that Huaguang had arrived. King Yama invited him in and asked him to sit. “I have long heard your name, renowned far and wide. What brings you here today? What would you have me do?”

“I have come for no other reason,” Huaguang said. “My mother, Old Madam Xiao, also known as the Holy Mother Jizhituo, was seized by King Longrui and has been missing ever since. I fear she may have died, so I have come to your hall to ask whether she has ever arrived here.”

King Yama turned to the Judge. The Judge checked the registers and said, “The records show that Old Madam Xiao has been here, but the Holy Mother Jizhituo has not.” King Yama told Huaguang, “Only Old Madam Xiao is here; the Holy Mother Jizhituo is not.” Huaguang replied, “They are actually the same person.” But King Yama said, “They are two different people.” Huaguang flew into a rage. “They are plainly one person. Why do you say they are two?”

The Judge said, “If he does not believe us, we can have a soul guide take him through the Gate of Ten Wounds. He can see for himself and settle the matter.” King Yama summoned the soul guide to the hall and said to Huaguang, “If you doubt us, Heavenly King, you may go and see for yourself.”

Huaguang followed the guide and came upon a woman. He asked, “Who are you?” She answered, “I am Old Madam Xiao.” Huaguang said angrily, “Old Madam Xiao is my mother. How could I fail to recognize her? How dare you impersonate her here!” The woman wept and said, “I truly am Old Madam Xiao. Elder Xiao was forty and still had no son, so every night I burned incense in the back garden and prayed for a child. One night, a moth flew at the lamp and put out the flame. It then revealed its true form: the Holy Mother Jizhituo. She devoured me and threw my bones into the remote mountains. Afterward, she took my shape and conceived in the Xiao household. That is how you were born, Heavenly King.”

“I died in the underworld and suffered an injustice, with no one to whom I could appeal.” With that, she burst into tears. Huaguang said, “So this, too, is my true nature. The Holy Mother Jizhituo ate me, then cast my bones into the deep mountains. She took on my appearance, was reborn into the Xiao family, and later gave birth to the Heavenly King.”

“I died in the underworld and suffered an injustice, with no one to whom I could appeal.” With that, she burst into tears. Huaguang said, “So she is my mother too. What are we to do?” His mother said, “For your father’s sake, please report my case to King Yama and ask him to allow me to be reborn, so that I can escape punishment at the Gate of Ten Torments, where the dead suffer.” Huaguang said, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll go report it to King Yama at once.” King Yama agreed. Huaguang bowed in thanks to his mother, took leave of her, and returned to the world of the living. In accordance with their agreement, King Yama sent Old Lady Xiao to be reborn into the household of Minister Deng. Let us leave the details aside for now and see what happens in the next installment.

Huaguang Sets Fire to the Eastern Peak Temple

Huaguang returned to the world of the living and thought to himself, “That accursed Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak! Why did he say that I had disrupted the Celestial Bureaucracy, the Middle Realm, and the underworld? Everyone says I have thrown the Three Realms into disorder. I might as well go set fire to…”

Huaguang returned to the mortal world and thought to himself, “That Dongyue Great Emperor, the deity who oversees Mount Dongyue and the affairs of the underworld, had the gall to say I disrupted Heaven, the human world, and the underworld. Everyone says I have caused trouble throughout the Three Realms. It seems I have no choice but to set fire to the Dongyue Temple.”

He went to the temple and tried to set it alight, but the fire would not catch. Looking up, he saw a two-headed snake on the corner of the roof, spitting yellow sand that smothered the flames. Furious, Huaguang hurled a triangular gold brick at it and drove it away.

Huaguang was about to try setting the fire again when he encountered the two weeping death officials, the Gods of Misfortune and Mourning. Seeing that he was about to burn the Dongyue Temple, they discussed what to do. “He is so hateful, yet no one can bring him to justice. Why not bring out the magic paper coffin and cry three times to kill him? Then we can put him in the coffin and take him to Heaven to see the Jade Emperor. That way, we can claim a reward and prevent him from causing trouble in the Middle Realm—the human world.”

After agreeing on their plan, they said to Huaguang, “You’re going too far. What grudge does the Dongyue Great Emperor hold against you that you would burn his temple?” Huaguang replied, “What business is that of yours?” They said, “I think you should leave. If you refuse, I’ll cry you to death.” Huaguang said, “You can kill someone just by crying? I don’t believe it.”

The two officials then cried three times, and Huaguang fell dead on the spot. They hurriedly put him into the coffin and were about to take him to see the Jade Emperor when they came upon the Fire-Flame King, the Radiant Buddha of the Hongyu Temple on Mount Chaizhen. As the two officials carried the coffin along, the Radiant Buddha asked, “Who is in that coffin you brothers are carrying, and where are you taking him?”

The God of the Funeral Gate said, “Huaguang was going to burn the Eastern Peak Temple, so the two of us put him in a coffin and carried him away.” King Guang Buddha asked, “Who are you carrying, and where are you taking him?” The God of the Funeral Gate replied, “Huaguang meant to burn the Eastern Peak Temple. We brothers cried him to death, and now we’re taking him to see the Jade Emperor and claim our reward.”

King Guang Buddha thought, “If this fellow hadn’t run into me, there would have been a terrible disaster. I must save him.” He pretended to say, “You don’t know Huaguang’s background.” The two brothers said, “That’s true—we don’t.” King Guang Buddha said, “Huaguang is the Jade Emperor’s nephew. If you take him before the Jade Emperor, he may grow angry and demand to know how you dared to cry his nephew to death. He might even order you executed.” Alarmed, the brothers said, “Reverend Master, you’re very kind, and what you say makes sense. What should we do now?”

King Guang Buddha thought, “Huaguang has spiritual power. He’ll wake as soon as he sees fire. I should trick them into setting the coffin alight so Huaguang can get out.” So he told the brothers, “You’d be better off setting a fire and burning him to death.” The brothers thanked him repeatedly. “We’re indebted to you for your guidance.” King Guang Buddha then took his leave.

The brothers said, “If we hadn’t met that master, we would have sent ourselves to our doom.” So they set the coffin on fire. The flames woke Huaguang. He grabbed a golden brick and struck them, beating them until they had nowhere to run. After straightening his clothes, Huaguang went to Mount Chaizhen to thank his master. The brothers, their heads battered and bleeding, cursed him: “You bald monk Yan Guang—you’ve ruined us!” Then they left in tears.

As Yan Guang was sitting in meditation, he suddenly saw Hua Guang arrive. Hua Guang came forward to pay his respects and, after completing the rites, Yan Guang said, “My disciple, you truly did not understand the situation. When you were looking for your mother, why did you not come and ask me? Why go instead to the Underworld authorities?”

Hua Guang replied, “At the time I was so panicked that it never occurred to me to ask you, Master. Today I am fortunate to meet you. May I ask where my mother is now?”

Yan Guang said, “Your mother was seized by King Longrui and taken into Fengdu City, the city of the Underworld. By day she must endure three thousand lashes with a copper whip; at night she is constantly beaten with iron rods.”

When Hua Guang heard that his mother was suffering in Fengdu, he burst into tears. He took leave of his master and returned to Mount Lilou. What happened next will be told in the next installment.

Hua Guang’s Third Descent into Fengdu

After the Heavenly King returned, he discussed with Princess Iron Fan how to go to Fengdu and rescue his mother. The princess asked, “How can we get there?”

Hua Guang said, “I will transform myself into a heavenly messenger and visit the King of Fengdu. I will falsely claim that I have come by order of the Jade Emperor to escort all the ghosts to the Celestial Court offices. That way, I can trick them into releasing my mother.”

Princess Iron Fan said, “That is an excellent plan.” Then the husband and wife went their separate ways. For now, their story will rest there.

Meanwhile, in Fengdu...