The story goes that Ziya was about to strike Fajie with his whip, but Fajie unexpectedly intercepted it; Ziya was in a panic. Suddenly, Tuxingsun, the grain transport officer, arrived at the camp; seeing Fajie had taken the whip, Tuxingsun was furious and rushed forward, shouting, "I'm here!" Fajie saw a short man attacking with an iron rod, so he drew his sword to meet him. The three were fighting when Yang Jian, the grain transport officer, also arrived. Seeing Tuxingsun fighting Tuotou, he rode forward wielding his three-pointed sword to join the battle. Ziya was overjoyed to see Yang Jian arrive. The two grain transport officers were now fighting Fajie. But fate had other plans, as Zheng Lun, the grain transport officer, also arrived; seeing Tuxingsun and Yang Jian fighting the Taoist, Zheng Lun thought to himself, "Today, the four of us are still unable to defeat Tuotou; he is, after all, a heretic. I am also a grain transport officer; if he succeeds, I will succeed too!" He spurred his Golden-Eyed Beast and charged forward, much to Ziya's delight. Ziya circled back the Four-Unlikes and ordered his soldiers, "Beat the drums to aid the battle!" Fajie was trapped in the center of the enemy's encirclement by the three grain transport officials, unable to escape. Even with his magical treasures, how could he use them? Tu Xingsun struck him several times with his iron cudgel on his lower body; Fajie tried to flee. Seeing Tu Xingsun's success, Yu Lun, fearing Fajie's escape, quickly emitted two beams of white light from his nostrils. Fajie heard this, not knowing what it was, and looked up to see two beams of white light. Indeed: Seeing the white light emerge from his nostrils, his three souls and seven spirits vanished without a trace.
It is said that Fa Jie fell to the ground and was captured alive by the crow soldiers. Zi Ya used a talisman to suppress Fa Jie's Niwan acupoint and returned to camp with the victory drum. Fa Jie opened his eyes and saw that he was bound by ropes. He sighed, "Who would have thought that I would be so easily killed here!" He was filled with regret. Just then, Zi Ya ascended the tent and sat down. San Yun Guan came to see Zi Ya. Zi Ya said, "San Yun has done a great job!" He praised San Yun Guan, saying, "Yun, in charge of military supplies, cleverly captured Fa Jie. Your strategy was ingenious and your achievement is extraordinary!"
After the commendation was given, the three officials thanked Ziya. Ziya then gave the order: "Bring Fajie here." The soldiers dragged Fajie to the central camp. Fajie cried out, "Jiang Shang, you need not speak. Today, it is the will of Heaven. As the saying goes, 'The great sea's storms are boundless, yet a petty trick has captured me.' This is clearly the will of Heaven. Quickly carry out the order!" Ziya said, "Since you know the will of Heaven, why didn't you surrender earlier?" He ordered his men, "Take him out and execute him!" The soldiers escorted Fajie to the gate, and just as they were about to carry out the execution, a Taoist priest appeared, singing: "Good and evil are forgotten in an instant, glory and decline are of no concern. Darkness and light, appearance and disappearance, rise and fall, hunger and thirst are as they come. Sitting quietly in meditation, one is easily swayed by demons. Thus, evil thoughts hinder the wise ruler, why suffer the blade in the mortal world?"
After the song ended, he shouted, "Spare his life! Do not lay a hand on him! Tell the Marshal that the Daoist Zhunti has come to see you." Yang Jian hurriedly reported to Ziya, "The Daoist Zhunti from the West has arrived." Ziya and his disciples greeted him outside the gate and invited the Daoist Zhunti into the central army. Zhunti said, “No need to enter the camp. I have something to say: Although Fajie has defied Heaven and rebelled against the Marshal, he should be punished according to the law; however, he is not listed on the Investiture of the Gods, and has a connection with our Western Paradise. I have come here specifically for this reason, hoping for your mercy, Master Ziya.” Ziya said, “How could I dare disobey my master’s orders?” He then ordered, “Release him.” Zhunti stepped forward and helped Fajie up, saying, “Fellow Daoist, please take refuge in the magnificent scenery of the Western Paradise: The Western Paradise is a truly secluded and beautiful place, where the wind is clear, the moon is bright, and the sounds of nature are serene. White clouds pierce through, drawing auspicious light, and flowing water echoes like a valley. Monkeys howl, birds sing, and flowers and trees are wondrous, and orchids and magnolias surpass all others on the Bodhi path. Pine trees sway against the cliffs, scattering mist and haze, and bamboo and clouds beckon colorful phoenixes. The Seven Treasures Forest is even more carefree, and the Eight Virtues Pond is utterly tranquil. Distant peaks stand like screens, and winding streams echo like secluded chimes. Epiphyllum flowers bloom, filling the air with fragrance, and the relics are exquisitely crafted, surpassing all others. The dragon veins of Kunlun originate here, even more so than Kunlun itself, which has no command.”
After the Taoist Zhunti finished describing the scenery of the Western Paradise, Fajie had no choice but to take refuge in the Buddha. He then bid farewell to everyone and returned to the Western Paradise with Zhunti. Later, Fajie converted Prince Qita in the Kingdom of Shravasti, attained enlightenment, and became a Buddhist. During the reigns of Emperors Ming and Er, the Buddha's teachings flourished in China, and the Buddhist community was greatly promoted.
This is just a side note; Fajie will be of great use to this person in the future, but I will not go into details for now.
With the help of wise men, Jiang Ziya was naturally unafraid of the Yin Shang army's obstruction. However, Lü Yue's plague magic tarnished the reputation of the Jie Sect. Jiang Ziya, with the help of Yang Ren, managed to kill Lü Yue. Then, with the help of Yu Hualong and his son, who used the smallpox magic, the Chan Sect unleashed their divine power and broke through Tong Pass. Yu Hualong committed suicide for his country. Xiqi, having breached Tong Pass, stopped there. Why? Because beyond Tong Pass lay the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation.
After Yu Hualong committed suicide, Jiang Ziya led his troops into the pass, issued a proclamation to reassure the people, and inspected the treasury. Ziya, moved by the loyalty of Yu Hualong and his son, ordered his men to collect their bodies and give them a proper burial. All the soldiers who had not yet recovered were placed at Tongguan to recuperate. Just as Ziya had finished his preparations, Huanglong Zhenren and Yuding Zhenren discussed with him, saying, “The Ten Thousand Immortals Formation is just ahead. We can ask King Wu to rest here temporarily. We will lead our troops forward, and on the way, we should first have a thatched pavilion built to welcome the Three Masters. This is our only act to end this calamity and avert the bloodshed of this mortal world.”
Upon hearing this, Ya was overjoyed and immediately ordered Yang Jian and Li Jing to build reed sheds. The two men received the order and went to do so. Since suffering from smallpox, all the generals in Zhou's camp were weak and in a sorry state, and they were all resting at the pass. Several days later, Li Jing returned with the order: "The reed sheds are all ready."
Master Huanglong said, "Now that the reed hut is complete, only the disciples may proceed; the rest should all set up camp forty li away and wait until the formation is broken before setting off." The generals received the order and camped there. (The rest is omitted.)
Now, Ziya, along with the two True Immortals and their disciples, arrived at the reed-roofed pavilion. There, they saw colorful decorations and fragrant aromas, welcoming the guests from the Jade Void Sect. Today, the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation would be held to fulfill their worldly vows of killing before returning to their original nature.
Before long, all the Taoists from the Three Mountains and Five Peaks came over, clapping and laughing: Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, Manjushri Guangfa Tianzun, Puxian Zhenren, Cihang Daoren, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, Taiyi Zhenren, Lingbao Dafashi, Daoxing Tianzun, Julusun, Yunzhongzi, and Randeng Daoren. The Taoists bowed to Ziya and said, "Today's gathering completes the 1,500-year tribulation."
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