17 BY HIS DIVINE POWERS, HAN XIANGZI MANIFESTS TRANSFORMATIONS

The divine powers of transformation cannot be resisted.

Entanglements in love are the most difficult to guard against.

The mind monkey and the will horse must be firmly tied up;

Once released, they dash about wildly like the east wind.

Tuizhi was angry. He yelled at Xiangzi, “These goats and cranes and maidens of yours are all illusions and nothing to marvel at. Earlier you said you knew how to produce wine and flowers on the spot. If you can produce these now for me to see, I’ll believe that you are an immortal.”

“To make such wine and flowers one needs to open the bellows of Heaven and Earth’s yin and yang forces, and appropriate the scales of the creative forces of the spirits. It is a rare feat. However, if you, my lord, will agree to leave the family with me, I will produce them and show them to the assembled lords,” Xiangzi said.

“Don’t talk so much. Just do it, so that we may witness your powers,” retorted Tuizhi.

Xiangzi requested an empty jar from Zhang Qian and recited under his breath:

“Let’s try to make from scratch a goblet of good liquor,

Wine never served by the ancient emperor Fuxi.

A color of flowing amber and a fragrant flavor.

Do not decline getting drunk by drinking three cups.”

“Quickly!” he shouted, and lo and behold, the empty jar filled up with wine. Xiangzi called, “My lords, behold the wine!”

The officials were all greatly surprised. Xiangzi took the wine jar and, starting at the seat of honor, poured out wine until he got to Tuizhi’s host seat. Altogether he poured 356 cups from a single jar. Who would have thought that the jar could hold so much wine? When the officials had emptied their cups, they all said that it was excellent.

Only Tuizhi refused to drink it and said, “This wine has just been taken from my own stores. What’s special about it?”

Scholar Lin said, “You shouldn’t misjudge this wine. It is sweet dew from Heaven, nectar from the Purple Palace, quite unlike the wine from your cellar.”

Tuizhi ordered Xiangzi, “Produce the flowers for everyone to see. That will show your true abilities.”

“The Empress Wu Zetian, earlier in this dynasty, was just a usurper of the throne, but when she chanted poems in the imperial gardens, she could make a hundred flowers open brilliantly,” Xiangzi said. “How much easier is it for us immortals, who hold the lever of the universe in our hands and have the secrets of Heaven before our eyes? However, when you look at the flower, you must not get annoyed, that’s all I ask.”

“If I see the flower with my own eyes, why should I get annoyed?” Tuizhi said.

Xiangzi pointed to a stone slab at the foot of the stairs and recited under his breath,

“A fresh flower shall open immediately;

No need to plant it laboriously in earth.

Divine immortals have their subtle mysteries,

And sow their flowers on the Penglai Isles.”

He had just finished reciting when, lo and behold, out of the slab grew several green leaves with a stem rising from them. On top of the stem a lotus flower opened, golden and fresh. The officials all applauded and said, “It really is an instantaneous flower.” When everyone drew nearer to look at it, they saw that on the petals two lines were inscribed:

Clouds straddle the mountains of Qin—where is my home?

Snows crowd the pass at Blue Pass—my horse will not move.

When Tuizhi saw the lines, he asked, “What is the meaning of this couplet? Why is it written on the flower petals?”

“It hints at your future, but you must not ask about it,” Xiangzi replied. “But I would encourage you to follow me and leave the family so as to avoid future regrets.”

“Rascally Daoist! You don’t know anything at all!” Tuizhi said, greatly enraged. “Your so-called instantaneous wine and flower are nothing but tricks to deceive the eye and cheat people out of their money. Zhang Qian, hurry and pour some unclean pig and dog blood on him, then grab him and give him a sound beating. And make sure he doesn’t use a substituting spell again.”

“Sir, please do not be angry,” the officials admonished him. “The Daoist is young and doesn’t understand the rules of proper conduct. Let us take his written deposition for now; there will still be time to take him to court later.”

“Zhang Qian, Li Wan!” Tuizhi shouted. “Seize the rascally Daoist and take his deposition. Make sure to include that he intruded into an official’s home, disturbed a banquet, performed tricks, and cheated people. Once I have dealt with him according to the law, he shall be deported back to his home district.”

“If you want a deposition, I’ll give it,” Xiangzi said. “Give me paper and brush. Why bother seizing me?”

“Make sure your deposition is complete—there is no escape to Heaven for you!” Tuizhi said.

“But my home is within the Gate of Southern Heaven,” Xiangzi objected.

“Lord Han, if you want to deport him to his home district you’ll have to find a prisoner’s escort who can ascend to Heaven,” said Scholar Lin.

“There are places called Gate of Southern Heaven on Mount Hua in Shaanxi, in Shenzhou of Tai’an, on Mount Wudang in Xiangyang, and at the Qiyun Cliff of Taizhou,” Tuizhi said. “I think this Daoist must hail from the Gate of Southern Heaven at Qiyun Cliff. Surely it isn’t the celestial Gate of Southern Heaven?”

“This Gate of Southern Heaven where you live—is it east or west, north or south of here?” Scholar Lin asked Xiangzi.

“It is just beside the Great Ultimate Palace of the Dragon Empyrean,” he replied.

“Only the Jade Emperor’s residence is called the Great Ultimate Palace of the Dragon Empyrean,” the scholar said. “Daoist, do you have cold and heat there?”

“It is always pleasantly warm there, never cold. Five-colored auspicious lights are constantly present as deities assemble. Immortal cranes circle in the air, and blue simurghs fly and dance. Monkeys present fruit, and deer hold flowers in their mouths. It is completely different from the ordinary world, where smoke and dust swirl in dangerous confusion and turbid pneumata rise in thick, hot vapors.”

“Uncouth Daoist, this idle talk won’t help you,” Tuizhi interrupted. “Quick, write down your deposition.”

Xiangzi took paper and brush and wrote the following deposition:

The deponent declares his rank among the immortals. His date of birth is not recorded. I have resided all my life between Heaven and Earth, with my constant residence in the Penglai Isles. I rely on the sun, moon, and stars to aid my life, and on the Five Pneumata to complete my body. I have received the Dao methods transmitted by the Lord Lao and have become enlightened to the Mysterious Perfection. By day I travel on simurghs and cranes to the Penglai Isles, at night I fly on clouds to stay at the immortals’ pavilions. I honor the lords of the South Pole and the Eastern Florescence as my landlords, and the Northern Dipper and the Western Mother as my neighbors. I have refined the cinnabar sand, saved others from suffering, and brought relief to humans. Today I have come to the world of mortals to attend to those who are deaf to the truth. I am the Immortal Minister of Great Veil Heaven Who Widely Brings Relief, Greatly Propounds Transformation by the Teachings, and Opens the Primordium to Apply the Techniques of the Dao. Do not mistake me for an ordinary, mortal monk of the Complete Perfection School, who begs in remote places, eats vegetables, serves demons, and wanders from monastery to monastery. This deposition accords with the facts.

When Xiangzi had finished writing, Zhang Qian handed the paper to Tuizhi. Tuizhi looked at it and said, “I just wanted you to clearly state your name, ancestral home, the names of your parents, whether or not you have brothers and uncles, what your original profession was, and how many years ago you left the family. That’s what giving a deposition means. Instead you keep prevaricating and writing this rubbish. If you continue like this there will be no leniency for you!”

Xiangzi beat his fisher drum and sang,

“My home is halfway up the mountain slope.

The rivers are my neighbors,

The mountains my companions.

All around no people pass,

No one to levy taxes,

Not even fishermen and woodcutters to keep me company.

In my patched clothes I seem a madman,

As I throw in my lot with tigers, leopards, and wolves.”

Tuizhi said, “In your deposition you claimed to be one of the celestial deities, a companion of the high sages. Now you say you congregate with wild ghosts and mountain spirits. By now I am already all too familiar with this kind of nonsense. Zhang Qian, Li Wan!” he shouted. “If he doesn’t give a clear statement, put iron shackles around his neck, hands, and feet and start punching him with the club. Then he will surely relent.”

When Xiangzi heard these words, his eyes filled with tears. Tuizhi shouted, “If you cry out for fear of being beaten, why don’t you just tell the truth? If you prevaricate right and left, nobody will have pity on you even if blood flows from your eyes.”

“I am not crying out of fear of being punched and beaten,” Xiangzi said. “Because you wanted me to make a truthful deposition, I suddenly remembered my parents. This thought brought on tears and pain.”

“You made no effort to study and get on in the world, causing your parents to lose face. Your tears come too late.”

“My home is in Changli County, Luanzhou City, in the prefecture Yongping,” Xiangzi said.

“Where do you live within the city?” Tuizhi asked.

“At the crossroads by the eastern gate, in a north-facing house. The drum tower is on its western side.”

“What is your family background?”

“My family has collected merit for many generations. My uncle is a Minister of Rites.”

“What is your uncle’s name? Under which dynasty did he serve as Minister of Rites? What other people are there in your family today?”

“My uncle is Han Yu, styled Tuizhi. My aunt is Mme. Dou, who has been appointed a wife of the second rank.”

“According to the Daoist’s testimony, he is your nephew,” Scholar Lin said.

The officials were overjoyed. They saluted Tuizhi and said, “Congratulations, Lord Han, the young gentleman has returned today.”

Shame filling his face, Tuizhi said, “My nephew had a clear brow and fine eyes. How could he be so haggard and ugly, quite unlike a human being? This Daoist has merely heard that I yearn for my nephew and is using his name to get himself some wine and food. How could he be my nephew?

“If your surname is Han, what is your personal name?” he asked Xiangzi.

“My study name is Han Xiang, my style Qingfu. At three years of age I lost my father, at seven my mother. From then on I was raised by my uncle and aunt. At nine I studied books, at twelve I studied the Dao. At fifteen I married Luying, the precious daughter of the scholar Lin. This is my truthful deposition.”

“You really are my son-in-law Han Xiangzi!” Scholar Lin cried.

“Not so hasty,” said Tuizhi. “If you mistake another person for your son-in-law, people will laugh at you behind your back. As I see it, this Daoist probably met my nephew on his journeys. My nephew told him things about my family, which he memorized for the specific purpose of coming here to swindle us.”

In tears, Scholar Lin said, “If he weren’t your nephew, his words would have given him away in some manner. How can it be that every detail is correct?”

“What you said appears to have been told you by my nephew,” Tuizhi said to Xiangzi.

“Han Xiangzi and I came down from the mountains together,” he replied. “On the road he told me these things and asked me to go and congratulate you on your birthday. In a few days he will come back in person.”

“As you said, it is more than ten thousand miles from here to the Zhongnan Mountains,” Tuizhi said.” Do you know whether my nephew is coming by boat, by chariot, or by horse?”

“Alas, alas! For us ascetics, alms are our grain stores and our two feet are our post-horses. Where would we find the silver to hire a boat, chariot, or horse? The two of us walked here hand in hand.”

Tuizhi cried and said, “My nephew grew up in a wealthy family where he had light chariots and fat horses at his disposal. It pains me to hear of him traveling in such hardship.”

“If your nephew is returning, send out someone with this Daoist to look for him and bring him in,” suggested Scholar Lin. “What is the need for further worry?”

“Where is my nephew now?” Tuizhi asked. “Why didn’t he come with you to see me?”

“Right now he’s outside the eastern gate. Because his clothes are in tatters, he didn’t want to face you,” Xiangzi said.

“Bring a suit of new clothes and go with the Daoist to invite the young gentleman home,” Tuizhi ordered the servants.

“My uncle doesn’t recognize my immortal nature,” Xiangzi said to himself. “I’ll leave for the time being, and meet him tomorrow in my original appearance.” He turned to Tuizhi and said, “My lord, you don’t need to send anyone to invite him in. It is enough if I go to call him.” Then he strode out the door with his head held high.

Tuizhi hurriedly told Zhang Qian to follow the Daoist secretly wherever he went, but after turning a corner, he had vanished without a trace. Zhang Qian ran back and reported this to Tuizhi.

Scholar Lin said, “Clearly he was an immortal descended from Heaven, yet you just kept taking him for an ordinary mortal. Truly this is like standing before Mount Tai and not recognizing it. As I see it, it might well be that your nephew has already become an immortal and changed his form just to come and test us.”

“That may be so or it may not,” said Tuizhi. “Let’s wait until he comes again. Then we will see for ourselves.” It is as described in this poem:

He departed the home district several years ago.

Suddenly there is news of him, and for now the worried frown is lifted.

In a muddy pond one cannot distinguish bream and carp;

Only in clear water does one see that they are two kinds of fish.

After the guests left, Tuizhi became more and more depressed and listless, and spent the night worrying. At dawn the next day, Mme. Dou ordered Zhang Qian, “The young gentleman has been gone for many years. When that person yesterday said he would bring the young gentleman back, he added to the master’s vexation and troubles. Go quickly and stand outside the gate. When the young gentleman comes, pull him inside. If you only see that Daoist, detain him so we can get the truth out of him. Make no mistake!”

Zhang Qian acknowledged the command and took up his position.

As Tuizhi would not recognize him, Xiangzi shook himself and assumed his original appearance. When he walked to the gate of his home, Zhang Qian was there on the lookout for him. When he saw Xiangzi approaching, he pulled him inside, shouting, “Master! Mistress! The young gentleman has returned!” Here is a poem to describe the scene:

His eighteen-year-old face was unchanged,

The lips red, the teeth white, the hair at the temples newly cut.

Although he let uncle and aunt see him again,

Their furrowed brows were not to open up yet.

When Tuizhi and Mme. Dou heard that Xiangzi had returned, they were overjoyed and came running outside helter-skelter. Seizing his garments, they said to him, as their tears flowed freely, “Where have you been all this time? When you abandoned us, we could not face people for shame. How distressful it was! Why are you dressed in such tatters? It makes our hearts ache to look at you.”

“Dressed in rags have I passed the years.”

“What did you eat?” Tuizhi asked.

Xiangzi said,

“When I cut firewood in the mountains I saved the leaves.

I boiled sealwort and wild vegetables with their roots,

And ate my fill of them without sauces or salt.”

“What joy is there in such food?” Tuizhi said.

Xiangzi said,

“Without playing the reed pipes,

I was at ease in cold and warm weather.

In a stone gong there always bubbled a clear spring,

In an earthen bowl often floated mysterious wine.

These flavors

I savored without bothering over right and wrong.”

Mme. Dou called Luying and said, “Daughter-in-law, your husband has returned. Quick, seize him and don’t let him leave again.”

Luying obeyed and tried to grab Xiangzi. Xiangzi evaded by dashing aside. When Luying pursued him, he darted to the other side so that she could not get ahold of him. “Mother-in-law, I cannot catch him. What shall I do?” she said.

“Leave it to me to retain him,” replied Mme. Dou.

“Let me ask you where you were all that time,” Tuizhi said to Xiangzi.

Xiangzi sang:

“I lived in that excellent place, the Zhongnan Mountains,

Where the scenery is most pleasant.

Whenever there was a disturbance,

I leisurely guided my immortal crane elsewhere.

When I found a convenient place,

I read the Yellow Court Scripture from beginning to end.

I understood the Mystery and discussed the Dao,

Becoming completely awakened to the Unborn.

In eternal spring I rested in myself, my mind completely pure.”

“With whom did you have contact there?” Tuizhi asked.

Xiangzi said,

“Han Zhongli opened his shrine and expounded the teachings,

Lü Dongbin transmitted the methods and taught the Dao.

I penetrated the mysterious secrets and subtle marvels.

I ascended as a companion of the immortals,

Shed the dusty vessel of my body,

My mind carefree,

My thoughts roaming.”

Tuizhi said, “Looking at you, you don’t seem like a divine immortal. But even if you looked the part, I still wouldn’t believe it.”

Xiangzi continued,

“Even below the rank of divine immortal,

You will still manage to hide from troubles.

When difficulties come,

You can just snore and sleep.

Clothed in cotton robes,

Tied with a hempen sash.

In a thatched hut,

You drink some cups of Wengtouqing wine,

Going by the maxim, ‘Get drunk while you can!’”

“How could you have been happier in the mountains than I in my official career?” Tuizhi said.

Xiangzi said,

“Do not say that it is good to be an official,

When studying the Dao is clearly superior—

No worries, no humiliation, no vexations.

People know little of the mountain scenery,

Where flowers bloom constantly throughout the four seasons.

You just let sun and moon jump incessantly across the sky,

While your longevity will be like that of Heaven,

And you will joyfully attain eternal life without aging.”

Mme. Dou said, “All the time that you were gone, did you think at all of our kindness in raising you and of your wife’s deep-felt love for you?”

Xiangzi said,

“Aunt, your kindness is not small,

And often I was vexed with myself.

To be adopted as a son truly is a debt hard to repay.

But as for conjugal love, there never has been much.

“Aunt, please tell Uncle!

“Leave your office so you may cultivate yourself soon.

Thus avoiding being snowed in on the road at Blue Pass.”

“What’s this about a Blue Pass or White Pass?” Tuizhi said. “Wu Zixu once traversed a Zhao Pass.”¹

“The Zhao Pass was very easy to cross, but I am afraid the Blue Pass will be somewhat more difficult. Uncle, listen to what I say:

“Take for example Zhang Liang, who retired from his office,

And Fan Li, who returned to the lakes.

They both escaped from the realm of tigers and wolves,

And never rejoined the ranks at court.

Instead they loved to view

The pines on lofty mountains many fathoms high,

And the waters swirling green in the mighty Yangtze.

As the Seven States struggled for hegemony,

The famous strategists Sun Bin and Pang Juan matched their wisdom against each other.

When the tripods of Shang were moved to the Central Plains,

Boyi and Shuqi starved themselves to death.

Fear those who pass off a deer as a horse,

Or a phoenix as a chicken.

If wealth is extensive it harms its owner;

A high official injures himself.

Therefore I raise my gourd and do not dispute right and wrong;

Completely drunk,

I spare myself the worry of asking after the affairs of the world of red dust.

If I had gold, piled as high as the Northern Dipper,

I still could not buy any extra time to live.

When rebirth is imminent,

Chickens fly,

Hares rush about—

Until their eyes are fixed in the stare of death.

Those with white hair have always been rare—

At the end regrets are futile.”

When Tuizhi heard him speak, great wrath rose in his heart and he scolded, “You parentless, neglected, unfilial wretch! Coming back after having been away for so long, you still don’t utter one good word, but speak nonsense to my face. What kind of behavior is that? As an official I have to govern the people under Heaven. If I can’t even put a single nephew in order, how can I govern the nation or pacify the empire? If it weren’t for your parents’ face, I’d beat you to death like an animal. I’d rather cut off the family line than be laughed at and shamed by others.”

Xiangzi laughed and said to himself, “As I have already become an immortal, how could you beat me to death?”

Mme. Dou called to Han Qing, “Quickly go and order Zhang Qian to prepare a banquet. Once your older brother has changed clothes, he will come out to drink wine with us.”

“Uncle, I haven’t yet congratulated you on your birthday,” Xiangzi said. “I have a little present I would like to give you on this occasion.”

“356 officials came to congratulate me on my birthday, but because you weren’t here, my heart was not completely happy. Now that you are back, I am filled with joy—why would I want a present from you?” Tuizhi replied.

“I have already sent someone to fetch it,” Xiangzi told him.

“Where is the present? Who has gone to get it?”

“It’s in the Azure Grotto-Heaven.”

“All the court officials and relatives brought presents on my birthday,” Tuizhi said. “There is hardly a thing that I don’t have. I won’t accept your gift. Why would I hope for things from you? Who do you think you’re deceiving with these absurd words?”

“How would I dare lie to you?” Xiangzi said. “I’ve already dispatched the immortal youths Cool Breeze and Bright Moon to the immortality peach banquet in the Azure Grotto-Heaven to borrow forty dishes with which to congratulate you on your birthday. They’ll return before a stick of incense has burned down. Quickly invite the court officials to a banquet.”

“I don’t believe you,” Tuizhi stated.

“If the immortal youths haven’t come within the stipulated time, I will take the blame,” Xiangzi replied.

Thereupon Tuizhi ordered Zhang Qian to fetch and light an incense stick, at the same time inviting the scholar Lin and many other officials.

Soon the officials had all arrived. Tuizhi stepped forward to greet them and explained the matter of Xiangzi’s invitation. They all smiled secretly and seated themselves in order of rank. Tuizhi rose several times to look at the lighted incense. When he saw that it was about to go out, he said, “Nephew, the incense is almost burned down, but I haven’t seen the immortal youths arrive. Could it be that you invited our guests in vain?”

“Please make ready to receive the immortal youths,” Xiangzi said, looking up toward Heaven.

Tuizhi and the officials got up to see two youths, who possessed the ineffable appearance of immortals, descend from the sky into their midst. “Young Daoists, what do you have in that flower basket?” Tuizhi asked.

“Dishes to congratulate you on your birthday, my lord.”

“Such a small basket doesn’t hold enough for me alone to eat, yet you had me invite all these lords?” said Tuizhi.

“In our flower basket there are precious delicacies from Heaven and jade nectar from the Jasper Pool,” they replied. “These are not flavors that are to be had in the ordinary world. If the lords will just try them, it will be a limitless blessing to them. May they eat their fill.”

Then Cool Breeze took the things out of the flower basket one by one, and Bright Moon arranged them one by one on the tables. Although there were no dragon lips or dried meats, bear paws or camel hooves, the dishes were all extraordinary things rarely seen or heard of. Tuizhi said, “Such things are fit for use in the mountains. Why lay them out in my hall? They appear rather bland and tasteless.”

“Uncle, if you want a mountain, nothing is easier,” Xiangzi said. “What if I paint a mountain on that partition wall there and we go for a walk with the lords?”

“The partition wall already has a unicorn painted on it,” Tuizhi told him. “If you paint a landscape scene on it as well, I’m afraid you’ll ruin the wall.”

“I’ll call down the unicorn first, before I paint the landscape.”

“A unicorn painted with ink has shape, but no life force. How could you call it down?”

“I won’t talk about it, but just do it,” Xiangzi retorted. “Lords, please watch closely.

“Beast, what are you waiting for that you still haven’t come down?” he shouted loudly.

With a sound as if Heaven fell down and Earth collapsed, the unicorn jumped down from the wall, ran out the door, and stood guard in front of it without moving. Xiangzi then took a straw broom and randomly swept it over the partition wall. And, lo and behold, there appeared blue mountains and green water, blue cypresses and dark-green pines. Deer were moving about; phoenixes and simurghs danced in flight. Waterfalls plummeted from high cliffs, the water draped like a white sheet across the rock face. There were boulders of many hues, and the air was warm as dew. It had clearly been a partition wall, but now it was transformed into real mountains and real waters.

When the officials saw the scene, they were overjoyed. What were the miraculous features of this mountain scene? Here is a lyric to the tune “Blossoming Branch” to illustrate it:

In the mountain forests birds flew;

On the mountain tops pheasants cried;

The mountain was covered with banana plants.

A shady green the high pines and ancient cypresses,

A gleaming red the mountain fruits and peaches.

In shimmering brightness green simurghs, blue cranes, dark swallows, black vultures came floating down.

I saw

Pheasants coming and going,

And mountain macaques leaning against green kai trees.

As divine dragons passed,

Thunder and lightning flashed in the east.

A tiger left its den,

Swishing its tail and stretching its back.

I heard

The incessant sounds of bells in mountain monasteries,

The hurried beating of drums in mountain cloisters.

The mountain monks discussed sutras and the Buddhist dharma,

While the mountain Daoists coveted purity and elevation.

I also saw

A woodcutter

Holding an axe in his hand and laughing loudly,

Laughing at the height of the peaks and the beauty of the summits.

Suddenly looking up,

He beheld the banner of a tavern fluttering,

In the inn a beautiful village maid.

She called to him,

“Quickly buy a calabash of wine,

And let us eat together.”

“My lords, what do you think of this mountain?” Xiangzi said.

“Indeed it is excellent,” said Scholar Lin. “You could display your powers as an immortal by leading us up onto the mountain, there to enjoy ourselves for a while.”

“Nothing easier!” Xiangzi said. He waved to the officials and called to Tuizhi, “I’ll go ahead. Uncle, why don’t you and the other lords climb the mountain and walk around for a while.” Very excited, the officials all followed him up the mountain.

After a while they had to cross a river by way of a single log. Below, the water fell into an abyss with a sound like roaring thunder, the foam white as snowy silk. It was very frightening to tread on this log. “Lord Han, you need to step carefully,” Scholar Lin cautioned.

When Tuizhi heard this, he did not dare go on.

“Uncle, just ahead of you are the Penglai Isles,” Xiangzi said. “Wouldn’t it be a pity if you refused to go on?”

“You performed this trick to deceive us, on what is clearly just a partition wall. You enticed us inside the picture, and now if we make a single wrong step we shall fall down and be injured grievously, if not die. Why should I throw my life away in this place?” Tuizhi said.

When Xiangzi heard this, he pushed once with his hand, and Tuizhi and the officials were suddenly back in the hall. On the partition wall there was as before a unicorn, and the immortal youths and Xiangzi were gone. Truly,

Clearly the divine immortals’ road was at hand,

But alas, ordinary mortals would not walk it.

If you don’t know whether or not Xiangzi returned, please listen to the explanations of the next chapter.