The Gathering Company: Part Three of The Marshes of Mount Liang by Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong by Nai'an Shi

Author:Nai'an Shi [Shi, Nai'an]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press
Published: 2019-07-15T18:30:00+00:00

When the three had been eating for a while, the Magic Messenger said with many a sigh: “If you won’t come with us, Song Jiang will be captured by Gao Lian and from now on the loyal company of the mountain stronghold is no more!”

Taoist Gongsun said: “Let me go and ask my master. If he gives his consent I will go with you.”

“Then go and ask him right away.”

“Just be patient for this one night. I will go first thing tomorrow morning.”

“But for our leader every day that passes is like a year, please let’s go now.”

So Taoist Gongsun stood up and together with the other two set off on the path to Two Immortals Peak. It was that season when autumn is turning into winter, when the days are short and the nights long and it is easy for the traveller to be benighted. When they were halfway up the mountain a red sun was already sinking in the west. Through the shadow of the pine trees a little path led directly to the hermitage of the Blessed Sage. Before it was a red sign with three gold characters saying “Temple of the Purple Void.” The scene that met their eyes when they arrived there was indeed impressive:

The dark green pines stand thickly, the paler green cypresses are luxuriant. A bunch of greybeards listen to the scriptures, while a group of black-robed priests mix medicines. The green wutong trees, the green bamboos, are like a jade screen at the mouth of the cave shutting out the cold; white snow and yellow shoots seem to seal in the heat of the furnace in the pill manufactory. Wild deer wander down the paths, trampling the flowers; mountain apes leap across the gorges picking fruit. The sound of Taoists reciting the scriptures is wafted to the ears, hermits can be seen discussing the law. From the altar to the Heavenly Void the sound of priests chanting the litanies carries on the breeze, from the phoenixes atop the Hall of the Dipper comes the tinkling of jade. Veritably one thinks oneself in heaven, for where else could one go to seek paradise?

In the vestibule the three of them arranged their dress and then entered from the corridor passing the main hall to the Pines and Cranes Pavilion at the back. Two acolytes, seeing that Taoist Gongsun was bringing two strangers, went and reported it to the master. They returned with an invitation to enter.

When the three men entered, the master had just been praying and was seated on the monk’s throne. Taoist Gongsun stepped forward and greeted him reverently, then waited with bowed head. The holy man whom the Magic Messenger and Iron Ox now observed had a truly other-worldly air:

His monk’s circlet is bedecked with jade leaves, his crane robe is embroidered with gold thread. He has long whiskers and broad cheekbones, and is a steadfast practitioner of the rule to suppress passion; he has green eyes with large pupils, and is replete with longevity pills.

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