詩曰：
金光洞裏有奇珍，降落塵寰輔至仁。周室已生佳氣色；商家應自滅精神。從來泰運多梁棟，自古昌期有劫燐。戊午時中逢甲子，漫嗟朝野盡沉淪。
诗曰：
金光洞里有奇珍，降落尘寰辅至仁。周室已生佳气色；商家应自灭精神。从来泰运多梁栋，自古昌期有劫燐。戊午时中逢甲子，漫嗟朝野尽沉沦。
A poem says:
In the Golden Light Cave there was a rare jewel;it came down to the world of dust to serve the most humane.The house of Zhou already glows with an auspicious air;the house of Shang must lose its spirit of itself.Prosperous times have always had their pillars and beams,and ages of glory, from of old, their ghost-fires of calamity.In the wuwu year, when the jiazi day comes round,idle to sigh that court and country all sink in ruin.
話說陳塘關有一總兵官，姓李，名靖，自幼訪道修真，拜西崑崙度厄真人為師，學成五行遁術。因仙道難成，故遣下山輔佐紂王，官居總兵，享受人間之富貴。元配殷氏，生有二子：長曰金吒，次曰木吒。殷夫人後又懷孕在身，已及三年零六個月，倘不生產。李靖時常心下憂疑，一日，指夫人之腹，言曰：「孕懷三載有餘，尚不降生，非妖即怪。」夫人亦煩惱曰：「此孕定非吉兆，教我日夜憂心。」李靖聽說，心下甚是不樂。當晚夜至三更，夫人睡得正濃，夢見一道人，頭挽雙髻，身著道服，逕進香房。夫人叱曰：「這道人甚不知理。此乃內室，如何逕進，著實可惡！」道人曰：「夫人快接麟兒！」夫人未及答，只見道人將一物往夫人懷中一送，夫人猛然驚醒，駭出一身冷汗。忙喚醒李總兵曰：「適纔夢中……如此如此……」說了一遍。言未畢時，殷夫人已覺腹中疼痛。靖急起來，至前廳坐下。暗想：「懷身三年零六個月，今夜如此，莫非降生，凶吉尚未可知。」正思慮間，只見兩個侍兒，慌忙前來：「啟老爺：夫人生下一個妖精來了！」李靖聽說，急忙來至香房，手執寶劍，只見房裏一團紅氣，滿屋異香。有一肉毬，滴溜溜圓轉如輪。李靖大驚，望肉毬上一劍砍去，劃然有聲。分開肉毬，跳出一個小孩兒來，滿地紅光，面如傅粉，右手套一金鐲，肚腹上圍著一塊紅綾，金光射目。──這位神聖下世，出在陳塘關，乃姜子牙先行官是也；靈珠子化身。金鐲是「乾坤圈」，紅綾名曰「混天綾。」此物乃是乾元山鎮金光洞之寶。表過不題。──只見李靖砍開肉毬，見一孩兒滿地上跑。李靖駭異，上前一把抱將起來，分明是個好孩子，又不忍作為妖怪壞他性命。乃遞與夫人看。彼此恩愛不捨，各各憂喜。卻說次日，有許多屬官，俱來賀喜。李靖剛發放完畢，中軍官來稟：「啟老爺：外面有一道人求見。」李靖原是道門，怎敢忘本。忙道：「請來。」軍政官急請道人。道人逕上大廳，朝上對李靖曰：「將軍，貧道稽首了。」李靖忙答禮畢，尊道人上坐。道人不謙，便就坐下。李靖曰：「老師何處名山？甚麼洞府？今到此關，有何見諭？」道人曰：「貧道乃乾元山金光洞太乙真人是也。聞得將軍生了公子，特來賀喜。借令公子一看，不知尊意如何？」李靖聞道人之言，隨喚侍兒抱將出來。侍兒將公子抱將出來。道人接在手，看了一看，問曰：「此子落在那個時辰？」李靖答曰：「生在丑時。」道人曰：「不好。」李靖答曰：「此子莫非養不得麼？」道人曰：「非也。此子生於丑時，正犯了一千七百殺戒。」又問：「此子可曾起名否？」
话说陈塘关有一总兵官，姓李，名靖，自幼访道修真，拜西昆仑度厄真人为师，学成五行遁术。因仙道难成，故遣下山辅佐纣王，官居总兵，享受人间之富贵。元配殷氏，生有二子：长曰金吒，次曰木吒。殷夫人后又怀孕在身，已及三年零六个月，倘不生产。李靖时常心下忧疑，一日，指夫人之腹，言曰：「孕怀三载有余，尚不降生，非妖即怪。」夫人亦烦恼曰：「此孕定非吉兆，教我日夜忧心。」李靖听说，心下甚是不乐。当晚夜至三更，夫人睡得正浓，梦见一道人，头挽双髻，身着道服，径进香房。夫人叱曰：「这道人甚不知理。此乃内室，如何径进，着实可恶！」道人曰：「夫人快接麟儿！」夫人未及答，只见道人将一物往夫人怀中一送，夫人猛然惊醒，骇出一身冷汗。忙唤醒李总兵曰：「适才梦中……如此如此……」说了一遍。言未毕时，殷夫人已觉腹中疼痛。靖急起来，至前厅坐下。暗想：「怀身三年零六个月，今夜如此，莫非降生，凶吉尚未可知。」正思虑间，只见两个侍儿，慌忙前来：「启老爷：夫人生下一个妖精来了！」李靖听说，急忙来至香房，手执宝剑，只见房里一团红气，满屋异香。有一肉毬，滴溜溜圆转如轮。李靖大惊，望肉毬上一剑砍去，划然有声。分开肉毬，跳出一个小孩儿来，满地红光，面如傅粉，右手套一金镯，肚腹上围着一块红绫，金光射目。──这位神圣下世，出在陈塘关，乃姜子牙先行官是也；灵珠子化身。金镯是「乾坤圈」，红绫名曰「混天绫。」此物乃是乾元山镇金光洞之宝。表过不题。──只见李靖砍开肉毬，见一孩儿满地上跑。李靖骇异，上前一把抱将起来，分明是个好孩子，又不忍作为妖怪坏他性命。乃递与夫人看。彼此恩爱不舍，各各忧喜。却说次日，有许多属官，俱来贺喜。李靖刚发放完毕，中军官来禀：「启老爷：外面有一道人求见。」李靖原是道门，怎敢忘本。忙道：「请来。」军政官急请道人。道人径上大厅，朝上对李靖曰：「将军，贫道稽首了。」李靖忙答礼毕，尊道人上坐。道人不谦，便就坐下。李靖曰：「老师何处名山？甚么洞府？今到此关，有何见谕？」道人曰：「贫道乃乾元山金光洞太乙真人是也。闻得将军生了公子，特来贺喜。借令公子一看，不知尊意如何？」李靖闻道人之言，随唤侍儿抱将出来。侍儿将公子抱将出来。道人接在手，看了一看，问曰：「此子落在那个时辰？」李靖答曰：「生在丑时。」道人曰：「不好。」李靖答曰：「此子莫非养不得么？」道人曰：「非也。此子生于丑时，正犯了一千七百杀戒。」又问：「此子可曾起名否？」
Now, at Chentang Pass there was a commander surnamed Li, whose given name was Jing. From his youth he had sought out the Way and cultivated the true path. He had taken the Immortal Du’e of West Kunlun as his master and mastered the arts of escape by the Five Phases. But because the way of the immortals is hard to attain, he had been sent down the mountain to serve King Zhou; he held the post of commander and enjoyed the wealth and honours of the human world. His first wife, Madam Yin, had borne him two sons: the elder was called Jinzha, the younger Muzha. Afterwards Madam Yin had conceived again, but though it had now been three years and six months, still she had not given birth. Li Jing was often worried and uneasy, and one day he pointed at his wife’s belly and said, “More than three years with child, and still it isn’t born. If it’s not a demon, it’s a monster.” His wife, troubled too, said, “This pregnancy can be no good omen. It has me worried day and night.” Li Jing was most unhappy to hear it. That night, at the third watch, when his wife was sound asleep, she dreamed that a Daoist, his hair done up in two topknots and dressed in a Daoist robe, walked straight into her bedchamber. She rebuked him: “This Daoist has no manners at all! These are a lady’s private rooms. How dare you walk straight in? It’s truly outrageous!” The Daoist said, “Madam, quick — receive your qilin child!” Before she could answer, the Daoist thrust something into her bosom, and she woke with a start, bathed in a cold sweat of fright. She hurriedly woke Commander Li: “Just now, in a dream… thus and thus…” and she told him the whole story. Before she had finished speaking, Madam Yin felt pains in her belly. Li Jing got up in haste, went to the front hall and sat down, thinking to himself, “Three years and six months with child, and tonight this — can it be the birth at last? Whether it bodes good or ill, there’s no knowing yet.” As he was turning it over in his mind, two maids came running in a panic: “My lord! Her ladyship has given birth to a demon!” At this Li Jing hurried to the bedchamber, sword in hand. The room was filled with a mass of red vapour and a strange fragrance, and there was a ball of flesh spinning round and round like a wheel. Li Jing was horrified. He slashed at the ball of flesh with his sword, and it split with a ripping sound. The ball of flesh fell open, and out jumped a little child. Red light filled the floor. His face was as white as if powdered; on his right wrist he wore a gold bracelet, and round his belly was wrapped a piece of red silk, from which golden light flashed into the eyes. (This divine being, come down into the world at Chentang Pass, was to be Jiang Ziya’s vanguard officer: he was the incarnation of Lingzhuzi. The gold bracelet was the Heaven-and-Earth Ring, and the red silk was called the Sky-Stirring Sash. These were treasures that guarded the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qianyuan. But no more of that.) So when Li Jing had cut open the ball of flesh, there was a little boy running all over the floor. Astounded, Li Jing stepped forward and swept the child up in his arms. Plainly this was a fine child, and he could not bear to treat him as a demon and take his life, so he handed him to his wife to see. Both of them loved him and could not bear to part with him, and each was anxious and glad at once. Now, the next day a great many of his officers came to offer their congratulations. Li Jing had only just finished receiving them and seeing them off when his aide came to report, “My lord, there is a Daoist outside asking to see you.” Li Jing had come from the gate of the Way himself — how could he forget his roots? “Ask him in,” he said at once, and the adjutant hurried to bring the Daoist in. The Daoist came straight up into the main hall, turned toward Li Jing at the head of it and said, “General, this poor Daoist salutes you.” Li Jing hastily returned his greeting and respectfully invited him to take the seat of honour. The Daoist made no polite refusals but sat straight down. Li Jing said, “Master, from what famous mountain do you come, and from what grotto? What instruction do you bring us, now that you have come to this pass?” The Daoist said, “This poor Daoist is the Immortal Taiyi of the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qianyuan. I heard that a son had been born to you, General, and I have come specially to congratulate you. Might I have a look at your son? What do you say?” At the Daoist’s words Li Jing at once told a maid to bring the child out, and the maid carried the young lord out. The Daoist took him in his hands, looked him over and asked, “At what hour did this child come into the world?” “In the hour of Chou,” Li Jing answered. “That’s bad,” said the Daoist. Li Jing replied, “Do you mean he won’t live to grow up?” “Not that,” said the Daoist. “Born in the hour of Chou, this child is fated to shed blood seventeen hundred times.” And he asked again, “Has the child been given a name yet?”
李靖答曰：「不曾。」道人曰：「待貧道與他起個名，就與貧道做個徒弟，何如？」李靖答曰：「願拜道者為師。」道人曰：「將軍有幾位公子？」李靖答曰：「不才有三子；長曰金吒，拜五龍山雲霄洞文殊廣法天尊為師；次曰木吒，拜九宮山白鶴洞普賢真人為師。老師既要此子為門下，但憑起一名諱，便拜道長為師。」道人曰：「此子第三，取名叫做『哪吒』。」李靖謝曰：「多承厚德命名，感謝不盡。」喚左右：「看齋。」道人乃辭曰：「這個不必，貧道有事，即便回山。」著實固辭。李靖只得送道人出府。那道人別過，逕自去了。
李靖答曰：「不曾。」道人曰：「待贫道与他起个名，就与贫道做个徒弟，何如？」李靖答曰：「愿拜道者为师。」道人曰：「将军有几位公子？」李靖答曰：「不才有三子；长曰金吒，拜五龙山云霄洞文殊广法天尊为师；次曰木吒，拜九宫山白鹤洞普贤真人为师。老师既要此子为门下，但凭起一名讳，便拜道长为师。」道人曰：「此子第三，取名叫做『哪吒』。」李靖谢曰：「多承厚德命名，感谢不尽。」唤左右：「看斋。」道人乃辞曰：「这个不必，贫道有事，即便回山。」着实固辞。李靖只得送道人出府。那道人别过，径自去了。
“Not yet,” Li Jing answered. The Daoist said, “Let this poor Daoist give him a name, and he can be my disciple too. What do you say?” Li Jing answered, “He will gladly take you as his master, Daoist.” “How many sons have you, General?” asked the Daoist. Li Jing answered, “This unworthy one has three sons. The eldest, Jinzha, has taken the Heavenly Venerable Wenshu Guangfa of the Cloud Heights Cave on Mount Wulong as his master; the second, Muzha, has taken the Immortal Puxian of the White Crane Cave on Mount Jiugong. Since you wish to have this one as your disciple, Master, give him whatever name you please, and he shall take you, reverend sir, as his master.” The Daoist said, “This child is the third. His name shall be Nezha.” Li Jing thanked him: “We are much obliged for your great kindness in naming him. I cannot thank you enough.” He called to his attendants, “Prepare a vegetarian meal!” But the Daoist declined: “There’s no need. This poor Daoist has business to see to and must go back to the mountain at once.” He was quite firm in refusing, and Li Jing had no choice but to see him out of the residence. The Daoist took his leave and went straight off.
話說李靖在關上無事，忽聞報天下反了四百諸侯。忙傳令出，把守關隘，操演三軍，訓練士卒，謹提防野馬嶺要地。鳥飛兔走，瞬息光陰，暑往寒來，不覺七載。哪吒年方七歲，身長六尺。時逢五月，天氣炎熱，李靖因東伯侯姜文煥反了，在游魂關大戰竇榮，因此每日操練三軍，教練士卒。不表。
话说李靖在关上无事，忽闻报天下反了四百诸侯。忙传令出，把守关隘，操演三军，训练士卒，谨提防野马岭要地。鸟飞兔走，瞬息光阴，暑往寒来，不觉七载。哪吒年方七岁，身长六尺。时逢五月，天气炎热，李靖因东伯侯姜文焕反了，在游魂关大战窦荣，因此每日操练三军，教练士卒。不表。
Now, Li Jing was at the pass with nothing to do when word suddenly came that four hundred of the lords of the realm had rebelled. At once he sent out orders to guard the passes, drill the army and train the troops, and to keep a careful watch over the vital ground of Yema Ridge. The sun’s crow flew and the moon’s hare ran; time passed in the blink of an eye; summers went and winters came, and before anyone knew it seven years had gone by. Nezha was just seven years old and six feet tall. It was the fifth month and the weather was blazing hot. Because Jiang Wenhuan, Lord of the East, had rebelled and was fighting a great battle with Dou Rong at Youhun Pass, Li Jing drilled his army and trained his troops every day. But no more of that.
且說三公子哪吒見天氣暑熱，心下煩躁，來見母親，參見畢，站立一傍，對母親曰：「孩兒要出關外閑翫一會。稟過母親，方敢前去。」殷夫人愛子之心重，便叫：「我兒，你既要去關外閑玩，可帶一名家將領你去，不可貪玩，快去快來。恐怕你爺爺操練回來。」哪吒應道：「孩兒曉得。」哪吒同家將出得關來，正是五月天氣，也就著實炎熱。但見：
且说三公子哪吒见天气暑热，心下烦躁，来见母亲，参见毕，站立一傍，对母亲曰：「孩儿要出关外闲玩一会。禀过母亲，方敢前去。」殷夫人爱子之心重，便叫：「我儿，你既要去关外闲玩，可带一名家将领你去，不可贪玩，快去快来。恐怕你爷爷操练回来。」哪吒应道：「孩儿晓得。」哪吒同家将出得关来，正是五月天气，也就着实炎热。但见：
Our story turns to the third young lord, Nezha. Finding the weather so hot, he grew restless and went to see his mother. When he had paid his respects, he stood to one side and said to her, “Your child would like to go out beyond the pass and play for a while. I wouldn’t dare go without asking you first, Mother.” Madam Yin loved her son dearly. “My child,” she said, “if you want to go and play outside the pass, take one of the household guards with you. Don’t play too long — go quickly and come back quickly, in case your father gets back from drilling the troops.” “I know, Mother,” Nezha answered. Nezha went out of the pass with the household guard. It was the weather of the fifth month, and truly blazing hot. This is what he saw:
太陽真火煉塵埃，綠柳嬌禾欲化灰。行旅畏威慵舉步；佳人怕熱懶登臺。涼亭有暑如煙燎；水閣無風似火埋。漫道荷香來曲院，輕雷細雨始開懷。
太阳真火炼尘埃，绿柳娇禾欲化灰。行旅畏威慵举步；佳人怕热懒登台。凉亭有暑如烟燎；水阁无风似火埋。漫道荷香来曲院，轻雷细雨始开怀。
The true fire of the sun smelts the very dust;green willows and tender grain are near to turning to ash.Travellers fear its might and are loath to lift a foot;fair ladies dread the heat and are too languid to climb the terrace.The cool pavilion holds such heat it seems scorched by smoke;the water pavilion, without a breath of wind, seems buried in fire.Never mind the scent of lotus drifting from the winding court:only light thunder and a fine rain will bring the heart relief.
話說哪吒同家將出關，約行一里之餘，天熱難行。哪吒走得汗流滿面，乃叫家將：「看前面樹陰之下，可好納涼？」家將來到綠柳陰中，只見薰風蕩蕩，煩襟盡解，急忙走回來，對哪吒稟曰：「稟公子，前面柳蔭之內，甚是清涼，可以避暑。」哪吒聽說，不覺大喜；便走進林內；解開衣帶，舒放襟懷，甚是快樂。猛忽的見那壁廂清波滾滾，綠水滔滔，真是兩岸垂楊風習習，崖傍亂石水潺潺。哪吒立起身來，走到河邊，叫家將：「我方纔走出關來，熱極了，一身是汗。如今且在石上洗一個澡。」家將曰：「公子仔細，只怕老爺回來，可早些回去。」哪吒曰：「不妨。」脫了衣裳，坐在石上，把七尺混天綾放在水裏，蘸水洗澡，不知這河是九灣河，是東海口上。哪吒將此寶放在水中，把水俱映紅了。擺一擺，江河晃動，搖一搖，乾坤動撼。那哪吒洗澡，不覺那水晶宮已愰的亂響。
话说哪吒同家将出关，约行一里之余，天热难行。哪吒走得汗流满面，乃叫家将：「看前面树阴之下，可好纳凉？」家将来到绿柳阴中，只见薰风荡荡，烦襟尽解，急忙走回来，对哪吒禀曰：「禀公子，前面柳荫之内，甚是清凉，可以避暑。」哪吒听说，不觉大喜；便走进林内；解开衣带，舒放襟怀，甚是快乐。猛忽的见那壁厢清波滚滚，绿水滔滔，真是两岸垂杨风习习，崖傍乱石水潺潺。哪吒立起身来，走到河边，叫家将：「我方才走出关来，热极了，一身是汗。如今且在石上洗一个澡。」家将曰：「公子仔细，只怕老爷回来，可早些回去。」哪吒曰：「不妨。」脱了衣裳，坐在石上，把七尺混天绫放在水里，蘸水洗澡，不知这河是九湾河，是东海口上。哪吒将此宝放在水中，把水俱映红了。摆一摆，江河晃动，摇一摇，乾坤动撼。那哪吒洗澡，不觉那水晶宫已愰的乱响。
Now, Nezha and the household guard went out of the pass, and when they had gone a little more than a li, the heat made it hard to go on. Nezha’s face was streaming with sweat from the walk, and he called to the household guard, “Go and see whether the shade under those trees ahead is a good place to cool off.” The household guard went into the shade of the green willows. A warm southern breeze was blowing there, and all the stifling heat in his breast melted away. He hurried back and reported to Nezha, “Young lord, it’s very cool in the shade of the willows ahead. We can get out of the heat there.” Nezha was delighted to hear it. He walked into the trees, undid his belt, opened his robe to the cool air and was very happy indeed. Suddenly he caught sight, over on the other side, of clear waves rolling and green waters surging: truly, the drooping willows on both banks swayed in a gentle breeze, and the water murmured among the jumbled rocks beside the cliffs. Nezha got to his feet, went to the riverside and called to the household guard, “Walking out of the pass just now, I got terribly hot — I’m covered in sweat. I’m going to sit on this rock and have a bath.” The household guard said, “Careful, young lord. His lordship may be coming back — we’d better go home early.” “It doesn’t matter,” said Nezha. He took off his clothes, sat down on a rock and put the seven-foot Sky-Stirring Sash in the water, dipping it to wash himself. He did not know that this river was the Jiuwan River, where it met the mouth of the East Sea. When Nezha put this treasure in the water, it dyed all the water red. One sway of it, and the river heaved; one shake, and heaven and earth trembled. Nezha went on with his bath, never noticing that the Crystal Palace was already shaking and rattling.
不說那哪吒洗澡，且說東海敖光在水晶宮坐，只聽得宮闕震響，敖光忙喚左右，問曰：「地不該震，為何宮殿愰搖？」傳與巡海夜叉李艮，看海口是何物作怪。」夜叉來到九灣河一望，見水俱是紅的，光華燦爛，只見一小兒將紅羅帕蘸水洗澡。夜叉分水，大叫曰：「那孩子將甚麼作怪東西，把河水映紅，宮殿搖動？」哪吒回頭一看，見水底一物，面如藍靛，髮似硃砂，巨口獠牙，手持大斧。哪吒曰：「你那畜生，是個甚麼東西，也說話？」夜叉大怒：「吾奉主公點差巡海夜叉，怎罵我是畜生？」分水一躍，跳上岸來，望哪吒頂上一斧劈來。哪吒正赤身站立，見夜叉來得勇猛，將身躲過，把右手套的乾坤圈望空中一舉。此寶原係崑崙山玉虛宮所賜太乙真人鎮金光洞之物，夜叉那裏經得起，那寶打將下來，正落在夜叉頭上，只打的腦漿迸流，即死於岸上。哪吒笑曰：「把我的乾坤圈都污了。」復到石上坐下，洗那圈子。水晶宮如何經得起此二寶震撼，險些兒把宮殿俱愰倒了。敖光曰：「夜叉去探事未回，怎的這等凶惡！」正說話間，只見龍兵來報：「夜叉李艮被一孩童打死在陸地，特啟龍君知道。」敖光大驚：「李艮乃靈霄殿御筆點差的，誰敢打死？」敖光傳令：「點龍兵，待吾親去，看是何人！」話未了，只見龍王三太子敖丙出來，口稱：「父王，為何大怒？」敖光將李艮打死的事說了一遍。三太子曰：「父王請安。孩兒出去拿來便是。」忙調龍兵，上了逼水獸，提畫杆戟，逕出水晶宮來。分開水勢，浪如山倒，波濤橫生，平地水長數尺。哪吒起身看著水，言曰：「好大水！好大水！」只見波浪中現一水獸，獸上坐著一人，全裝服色，持戟驍雄，大叫曰：「是甚人打死我巡海夜叉李艮？」哪吒曰：「是我。」敖丙一見，問曰：「你是誰人？」哪吒答曰：「我乃陳塘關李靖第三子哪吒是也。俺父親鎮守此間，乃一鎮之主。我在此避暑洗澡，與他無干；他來罵我，我打死了他，也無妨。」三太子敖丙大驚曰：「好潑賊！夜叉李艮乃天王殿差，你敢大膽將他打死，尚敢撒潑亂言！」太子將畫戟便刺，來取哪吒。哪吒手無寸鐵，把手一低，攢將過去：「少待動手，你是何人？通個姓名，我有道理。」敖丙曰：「孤乃東海龍君三太子敖丙是也。」哪吒笑曰：「你原來是敖光之子。你妄自尊大。若惱了我，連你那老泥鰍都拿出來，把皮也剝了他的。」三太子大叫一聲：「氣殺我！好潑賊！這等無禮！」又一戟刺來。哪吒急了，把七尺混天綾望空一展，似火塊千團，往下一裹，將三太子裹下逼水獸來。哪吒搶一步趕上去，一腳踏住敖丙的頸項，提起乾坤圈，照頂門一下，把三太子的元身打出，是一條龍，在地上挺直。哪吒曰：「打出這小龍的本像來了。也罷，把他的筋抽去，做一條龍筋絛與俺父親束甲。」哪吒把三太子的筋抽了，逕帶進關來。把家將嚇得渾身骨軟筋酥，腿慢難行，挨到帥府門前。哪吒來見母夫人。夫人曰：「我兒，你往那裏耍子，便去這半日？」哪吒曰：「關外閑行，不覺來遲。」哪吒說罷，往後園去了。
不说那哪吒洗澡，且说东海敖光在水晶宫坐，只听得宫阙震响，敖光忙唤左右，问曰：「地不该震，为何宫殿愰摇？」传与巡海夜叉李艮，看海口是何物作怪。」夜叉来到九湾河一望，见水俱是红的，光华灿烂，只见一小儿将红罗帕蘸水洗澡。夜叉分水，大叫曰：「那孩子将甚么作怪东西，把河水映红，宫殿摇动？」哪吒回头一看，见水底一物，面如蓝靛，发似朱砂，巨口獠牙，手持大斧。哪吒曰：「你那畜生，是个甚么东西，也说话？」夜叉大怒：「吾奉主公点差巡海夜叉，怎骂我是畜生？」分水一跃，跳上岸来，望哪吒顶上一斧劈来。哪吒正赤身站立，见夜叉来得勇猛，将身躲过，把右手套的乾坤圈望空中一举。此宝原系昆仑山玉虚宫所赐太乙真人镇金光洞之物，夜叉那里经得起，那宝打将下来，正落在夜叉头上，只打的脑浆迸流，即死于岸上。哪吒笑曰：「把我的乾坤圈都污了。」复到石上坐下，洗那圈子。水晶宫如何经得起此二宝震撼，险些儿把宫殿俱愰倒了。敖光曰：「夜叉去探事未回，怎的这等凶恶！」正说话间，只见龙兵来报：「夜叉李艮被一孩童打死在陆地，特启龙君知道。」敖光大惊：「李艮乃灵霄殿御笔点差的，谁敢打死？」敖光传令：「点龙兵，待吾亲去，看是何人！」话未了，只见龙王三太子敖丙出来，口称：「父王，为何大怒？」敖光将李艮打死的事说了一遍。三太子曰：「父王请安。孩儿出去拿来便是。」忙调龙兵，上了逼水兽，提画杆戟，径出水晶宫来。分开水势，浪如山倒，波涛横生，平地水长数尺。哪吒起身看着水，言曰：「好大水！好大水！」只见波浪中现一水兽，兽上坐着一人，全装服色，持戟骁雄，大叫曰：「是甚人打死我巡海夜叉李艮？」哪吒曰：「是我。」敖丙一见，问曰：「你是谁人？」哪吒答曰：「我乃陈塘关李靖第三子哪吒是也。俺父亲镇守此间，乃一镇之主。我在此避暑洗澡，与他无干；他来骂我，我打死了他，也无妨。」三太子敖丙大惊曰：「好泼贼！夜叉李艮乃天王殿差，你敢大胆将他打死，尚敢撒泼乱言！」太子将画戟便刺，来取哪吒。哪吒手无寸铁，把手一低，攒将过去：「少待动手，你是何人？通个姓名，我有道理。」敖丙曰：「孤乃东海龙君三太子敖丙是也。」哪吒笑曰：「你原来是敖光之子。你妄自尊大。若恼了我，连你那老泥鳅都拿出来，把皮也剥了他的。」三太子大叫一声：「气杀我！好泼贼！这等无礼！」又一戟刺来。哪吒急了，把七尺混天绫望空一展，似火块千团，往下一裹，将三太子裹下逼水兽来。哪吒抢一步赶上去，一脚踏住敖丙的颈项，提起乾坤圈，照顶门一下，把三太子的元身打出，是一条龙，在地上挺直。哪吒曰：「打出这小龙的本像来了。也罢，把他的筋抽去，做一条龙筋绦与俺父亲束甲。」哪吒把三太子的筋抽了，径带进关来。把家将吓得浑身骨软筋酥，腿慢难行，挨到帅府门前。哪吒来见母夫人。夫人曰：「我儿，你往那里耍子，便去这半日？」哪吒曰：「关外闲行，不觉来迟。」哪吒说罢，往后园去了。
We will say no more of Nezha’s bath. Our story turns to Ao Guang of the East Sea, who was sitting in the Crystal Palace when he heard the palace towers shake and rumble. Ao Guang hurriedly called his attendants and asked, “There’s no earthquake due. Why is the palace shaking? Pass the word to Li Gen, the yaksha who patrols the sea: he is to see what thing is making mischief at the mouth of the sea.” The yaksha came to the Jiuwan River and looked. The water was all red and shining brilliantly, and there was a little boy washing himself with a red silk kerchief dipped in the water. The yaksha parted the water and shouted, “You there, boy! What uncanny thing have you got there, dyeing the river red and shaking the palace?” Nezha turned his head and saw a creature under the water, its face as blue as indigo and its hair like cinnabar, with a huge mouth and tusk-like fangs and a great axe in its hands. Nezha said, “You beast, what kind of thing are you, that you can talk?” The yaksha flew into a rage. “I am the sea-patrolling yaksha, appointed by my lord’s own command! How dare you call me a beast?” With a leap he parted the water and sprang onto the bank, and he brought his axe chopping down at the top of Nezha’s head. Nezha, standing there stark naked, saw how fiercely the yaksha came at him. He dodged aside and flung the Heaven-and-Earth Ring from his right wrist up into the air. This treasure had been given to the Immortal Taiyi by the Palace of Jade Emptiness on Mount Kunlun to guard the Golden Light Cave — how could a yaksha withstand it? Down came the treasure, landing square on the yaksha’s head and dashing out his brains, and he died on the spot, there on the bank. Nezha laughed. “He’s got my Heaven-and-Earth Ring all dirty.” He went back, sat down on the rock and washed the ring. How could the Crystal Palace withstand the shaking of these two treasures? It all but toppled the palace halls. Ao Guang said, “The yaksha went to find out what was going on and hasn’t come back — and why is the shaking so violent?” As he was speaking, the dragon soldiers came to report: “The yaksha Li Gen has been killed on dry land by a boy! We have come specially to inform Your Majesty.” Ao Guang was horrified. “Li Gen was appointed by the royal brush in the Hall of Divine Mists! Who would dare kill him?” He sent out orders: “Muster the dragon soldiers! I will go myself and see who it is!” Before he had finished speaking, out came the Dragon King’s third prince, Ao Bing, saying, “Father, why are you so angry?” Ao Guang told him how Li Gen had been killed. The third prince said, “Rest easy, Father. Your son will go out and seize him, and that will be that.” At once he called out the dragon soldiers, mounted his water-parting beast, took up his halberd with the painted shaft and rode straight out of the Crystal Palace. He split the waters apart: the waves crashed down like falling mountains, billows reared up on every side, and on the level ground the water rose several feet. Nezha stood up, looked at the water and said, “What a flood! What a flood!” Out of the waves appeared a water beast, and on the beast sat a man in full armour, halberd in hand, bold and fierce, who shouted, “Who killed my sea-patrolling yaksha, Li Gen?” “I did,” said Nezha. When Ao Bing saw him, he asked, “Who are you?” Nezha answered, “I am Nezha, third son of Li Jing of Chentang Pass. My father guards this place — he is master of the whole garrison. I was here bathing to get out of the heat; it was none of that fellow’s business. He came and cursed me, so I killed him. What of it?” The third prince, Ao Bing, was aghast. “You brazen villain! The yaksha Li Gen was appointed by the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and you have the gall to kill him — and still you dare spout such insolence!” The prince thrust his painted halberd straight at Nezha. Nezha had not so much as an inch of iron in his hand. He ducked low and darted in under the thrust: “Hold off a moment! Who are you? Tell me your name, and then I’ll know what to do with you.” Ao Bing said, “I am Ao Bing, third prince of the Dragon King of the East Sea.” Nezha laughed. “So you’re Ao Guang’s son! Full of your own importance, aren’t you? Make me angry, and I’ll drag out that old mud loach of a father of yours as well and strip off his skin.” The third prince let out a great cry: “You’ll kill me with rage! You brazen villain! Such insolence!” And he thrust at him again with his halberd. Now Nezha was riled. He flung the seven-foot Sky-Stirring Sash out into the air: it was like a thousand balls of fire, and it came wrapping down and swept the third prince off his water-parting beast. Nezha sprang forward a step, pinned Ao Bing’s neck under one foot, raised the Heaven-and-Earth Ring and struck him once on the crown of the head. The blow knocked the third prince back into his true form — a dragon, lying stiff and straight on the ground. Nezha said, “So I’ve knocked this little dragon back into his own shape! Well, then — I’ll pull out his sinew and make a dragon-sinew cord for my father to tie his armour with.” He pulled out the third prince’s sinew and took it straight back into the pass with him. The household guard was so frightened that his bones went soft and his sinews limp; his legs dragged so that he could hardly walk, and he barely managed to struggle as far as the gate of the commander’s headquarters. Nezha went in to see his lady mother. “My child,” she said, “where did you go to play, that you’ve been gone half the day?” “I was strolling outside the pass,” said Nezha, “and didn’t notice how late it was getting.” And with that he went off to the back garden.
且說李靖操演回來，發放左右，自卸衣甲，坐於後堂。憂思紂王失政，逼反天下四百諸侯，日見生民塗炭，正在那裏煩惱。
且说李靖操演回来，发放左右，自卸衣甲，坐于后堂。忧思纣王失政，逼反天下四百诸侯，日见生民涂炭，正在那里烦恼。
Meanwhile Li Jing came back from drilling the troops, dismissed his attendants, took off his armour himself and sat down in the rear hall. He was brooding over King Zhou’s misrule, which had driven four hundred of the lords of the realm to rebel, so that day after day he saw the common folk ground into the mud and ashes; and there he sat, sick at heart.
且說敖光在水晶宮，只聽得龍兵來報說：「陳塘關李靖之子哪吒把三太子打死，連筋都抽去了。」敖光聽報，大驚曰：「吾兒乃興雲布雨滋生萬物正神，怎說打死了！李靖，你在西崑崙學道，吾與你也有一拜之交；你敢縱子為非，將我兒子打死，這也是百世之冤，怎敢又將我兒子筋都抽了！言之痛心切骨！」敖光大怒，恨不能即與其子報仇，隨化一秀士，逕往陳塘關來。至於帥府，對門官曰：「你與我傳報，有故人敖光拜訪。」軍政官進內廳稟曰：「啟老爺：外有故人敖光拜訪。」李靖曰：「吾兄一別多年，今日相逢，真是天幸。」忙整衣來迎。敖光至大廳，施禮坐下。李靖見敖光一臉怒色，方欲動問，只見敖光曰：「李賢弟，你生的好兒子！」李靖笑答曰：「長兄，多年未會，今日奇逢，真是天幸，何故突發此言？若論小弟，止有三子：長曰金吒，次曰木吒，三曰哪吒，俱拜名山道德之士為師，雖未見好，亦不是無賴之輩。長兄莫要錯見。」敖光曰：「賢弟，你錯見了，我豈錯見！你的兒子在九灣河洗澡，不知用何法術，將我水晶宮幾乎震倒。我差夜叉來看，便將我夜叉打死。我第三子來看，又將我第三太子打死，還把他筋都抽了來。……」敖光說至此，不覺心酸，勃然大怒曰：「你還說不曉事護短的話！」李靖忙陪笑答曰：「不是我家，兄錯怪了我。我長子在五龍山學藝；二子在九宮山學藝；三子七歲，大門不出，從何處做出這等大事來？」敖光曰：「便是你第三子哪吒打的！」李靖曰：「真是異事非常。長兄不必性急，待我教他出來你看。」李靖往後堂來。殷夫人問曰：「何人在廳上？」李靖曰：「故友敖光。不知何人打死他三太子，說是哪吒打的。如今叫他出去與他認。哪吒今在那裏？」殷夫人自思：「只今日出門，如何做出這等事來？」不敢回言，只說：「在後園裏面。」李靖逕進後園來叫：「哪吒在那裏？」叫了半個時辰不應。李靖逕走到海棠軒來，見門又關住。李靖在門口大叫，哪吒在裏面聽見，忙開門來見父親。李靖便問：「我兒，你在此作何事？」哪吒對曰：「孩兒今日無事出關，至九灣河頑耍，偶因炎熱，下水洗個澡。叵耐有個夜叉李艮，孩兒又不惹他，他百般罵我，還拿斧來劈我。是孩兒一圈打死了。不知又有個甚麼三太子叫做敖丙，持畫戟刺我。被我把混天綾裹他上岸，一腳踏住頸項，也是一圈，不意打出一條龍來。孩兒想龍筋最貴氣，因此上抽了他的筋來，在此打一條龍筋絛，與父親束甲。」就把李靖只嚇得張口如痴，結舌不語；半晌，大叫曰：「好冤家！你惹下無涯之禍。你快出去見你伯父，自回他話。」哪吒曰：「父親放心，不知者不坐罪，筋又不曾動他的，他要，元物在此，待孩兒見他去。」
且说敖光在水晶宫，只听得龙兵来报说：「陈塘关李靖之子哪吒把三太子打死，连筋都抽去了。」敖光听报，大惊曰：「吾儿乃兴云布雨滋生万物正神，怎说打死了！李靖，你在西昆仑学道，吾与你也有一拜之交；你敢纵子为非，将我儿子打死，这也是百世之冤，怎敢又将我儿子筋都抽了！言之痛心切骨！」敖光大怒，恨不能即与其子报仇，随化一秀士，径往陈塘关来。至于帅府，对门官曰：「你与我传报，有故人敖光拜访。」军政官进内厅禀曰：「启老爷：外有故人敖光拜访。」李靖曰：「吾兄一别多年，今日相逢，真是天幸。」忙整衣来迎。敖光至大厅，施礼坐下。李靖见敖光一脸怒色，方欲动问，只见敖光曰：「李贤弟，你生的好儿子！」李靖笑答曰：「长兄，多年未会，今日奇逢，真是天幸，何故突发此言？若论小弟，止有三子：长曰金吒，次曰木吒，三曰哪吒，俱拜名山道德之士为师，虽未见好，亦不是无赖之辈。长兄莫要错见。」敖光曰：「贤弟，你错见了，我岂错见！你的儿子在九湾河洗澡，不知用何法术，将我水晶宫几乎震倒。我差夜叉来看，便将我夜叉打死。我第三子来看，又将我第三太子打死，还把他筋都抽了来。……」敖光说至此，不觉心酸，勃然大怒曰：「你还说不晓事护短的话！」李靖忙陪笑答曰：「不是我家，兄错怪了我。我长子在五龙山学艺；二子在九宫山学艺；三子七岁，大门不出，从何处做出这等大事来？」敖光曰：「便是你第三子哪吒打的！」李靖曰：「真是异事非常。长兄不必性急，待我教他出来你看。」李靖往后堂来。殷夫人问曰：「何人在厅上？」李靖曰：「故友敖光。不知何人打死他三太子，说是哪吒打的。如今叫他出去与他认。哪吒今在那里？」殷夫人自思：「只今日出门，如何做出这等事来？」不敢回言，只说：「在后园里面。」李靖径进后园来叫：「哪吒在那里？」叫了半个时辰不应。李靖径走到海棠轩来，见门又关住。李靖在门口大叫，哪吒在里面听见，忙开门来见父亲。李靖便问：「我儿，你在此作何事？」哪吒对曰：「孩儿今日无事出关，至九湾河顽耍，偶因炎热，下水洗个澡。叵耐有个夜叉李艮，孩儿又不惹他，他百般骂我，还拿斧来劈我。是孩儿一圈打死了。不知又有个甚么三太子叫做敖丙，持画戟刺我。被我把混天绫裹他上岸，一脚踏住颈项，也是一圈，不意打出一条龙来。孩儿想龙筋最贵气，因此上抽了他的筋来，在此打一条龙筋绦，与父亲束甲。」就把李靖只吓得张口如痴，结舌不语；半晌，大叫曰：「好冤家！你惹下无涯之祸。你快出去见你伯父，自回他话。」哪吒曰：「父亲放心，不知者不坐罪，筋又不曾动他的，他要，元物在此，待孩儿见他去。」
Our story turns to Ao Guang in the Crystal Palace, where the dragon soldiers came to report: “Nezha, the son of Li Jing of Chentang Pass, has killed the third prince — and pulled out his sinew too!” When Ao Guang heard it, he was horrified. “My son was a true god who raised the clouds and spread the rain to nourish all living things! How can you say he’s been killed? Li Jing, when you were studying the Way on West Kunlun, you and I became sworn brothers. And you dare let your son run wild and kill my son! That alone is a wrong to last a hundred generations — and how dare he pull out my son’s sinew as well! It pierces my heart and cuts me to the bone even to speak of it!” In his fury Ao Guang longed to avenge his son that very moment. At once he changed himself into a scholar and went straight to Chentang Pass. Arriving at the commander’s headquarters, he said to the gate officer, “Announce me: an old friend, Ao Guang, has come to call.” The adjutant went into the inner hall and reported, “My lord, an old friend of yours, Ao Guang, is outside and has come to call.” Li Jing said, “It’s been many years since I parted from my elder brother. To meet him again today is truly a blessing from Heaven!” He hurriedly straightened his clothes and went out to welcome him. Ao Guang came into the main hall, exchanged courtesies and sat down. Li Jing saw that Ao Guang’s face was full of anger, and he was just about to ask what was wrong when Ao Guang said, “Li, my worthy brother — a fine son you’ve fathered!” Li Jing answered with a smile, “Elder brother, we haven’t met in many years, and meeting again today, so unexpectedly, is truly a blessing from Heaven. What makes you say such a thing, so suddenly? As for your younger brother, I have only three sons: the eldest is Jinzha, the second Muzha, the third Nezha. All of them have taken masters of the Way and its Virtue on famous mountains. They may be nothing special, but they’re no ne’er-do-wells either. You must be mistaken, elder brother.” Ao Guang said, “Worthy brother, it’s you who are mistaken — how could I be? Your son was bathing in the Jiuwan River, and by some magic or other he all but shook my Crystal Palace to the ground. I sent a yaksha to look, and he killed my yaksha. My third son came to look, and he killed my third prince as well, and even pulled out his sinew and took it away…” When Ao Guang got this far, grief welled up in him, and he flared into a rage: “And still you talk like a fool and cover up for your own!” Li Jing hastily answered with an apologetic smile, “It wasn’t my family. You’re blaming me wrongly, brother. My eldest son is studying his arts on Mount Wulong, and my second on Mount Jiugong. My third son is seven years old and never goes out of the front gate. Where could he have done anything so serious?” Ao Guang said, “It was your third son, Nezha, who did it!” Li Jing said, “This is a strange business indeed. Don’t be hasty, elder brother. Let me have him come out so you can see him.” Li Jing went to the rear hall. Madam Yin asked him, “Who is in the hall?” Li Jing said, “An old friend, Ao Guang. Someone or other has killed his third prince, and he says it was Nezha. I’m going to send the boy out so he can see for himself. Where is Nezha now?” Madam Yin thought to herself, “He only went out today. How could he have done such a thing?” She dared not say so, and answered only, “He’s in the back garden.” Li Jing went straight into the back garden and called, “Nezha, where are you?” He called for an hour with no answer. Then he went straight to the Crabapple Pavilion and found the door shut. Li Jing shouted at the door, and Nezha, hearing him from inside, hurried to open it and greet his father. “My son,” Li Jing asked, “what are you doing in here?” Nezha replied, “Your child had nothing to do today, so I went out of the pass and played by the Jiuwan River, and as it was so hot I went into the water for a bath. Then — the nerve of it — there was this yaksha, Li Gen. I hadn’t done anything to him, but he cursed me every way he could, and even came chopping at me with an axe. So I killed him with one blow of my ring. Then there was some third prince or other, called Ao Bing, who came stabbing at me with a painted halberd. I wrapped him up in my Sky-Stirring Sash and pulled him onto the bank, pinned his neck under one foot and gave him one blow of the ring as well — and out of him, would you believe it, came a dragon. I thought dragon sinew must be the finest thing there is, so I pulled out his sinew, and here I am, braiding a dragon-sinew cord for you to tie your armour with, Father.” Li Jing was so frightened that he stood gaping like a simpleton, tongue-tied and speechless. After a long while he cried out, “You bane of my life! You’ve brought down a disaster without end. Go out at once and see your uncle, and answer to him yourself.” Nezha said, “Don’t worry, Father. Those who don’t know can’t be held guilty. Besides, I haven’t done anything to the sinew yet. If he wants it, here it is just as it was. Let me go and see him.”
哪吒急走來至大廳，上前施禮，口稱：「伯父，小侄不知，一時失錯，望伯父恕罪。元筋交付明白，分毫未動。」敖光見物傷情，對李靖曰：「你生出這等惡子，你適纔還說我錯了。今他自己供認，只你意上可過的去！況吾子者，正神也；夜叉李艮亦係御筆點差；豈得你父子無故擅行打死！我明日奏上玉帝，問你的師父要你！」敖光逕揚長去了。李靖頓足放聲大哭：「這禍不小！」夫人聽見前庭悲哭，忙問左右侍兒，侍兒回報曰：「今日三公子因遊玩，打死龍王三太子。適纔龍王與老爺析辨，明日要奏准天庭。不知老爺為何啼哭。」夫人著忙，急至前庭，來看李靖。李靖見夫人來，忙止淚，恨曰：「我李靖求仙未成，誰知你生下這樣好兒子，惹此滅門之禍！龍王乃施雨正神，他妄行殺害；明日玉帝准奏施行，我和你多則三日，少則兩朝，俱為刀下之鬼！」說罷又哭，情甚慘切。夫人亦淚如雨下，指哪吒而言曰：「我懷你三年零六個月，方纔生你，不知受了多少苦辛。誰知你是滅門絕戶之禍根也！」哪吒見父母哭泣，立身不安，雙膝跪下，言曰：「爹爹，母親，孩兒今日說了罷。我不是凡夫俗子，我是乾元山金光洞太乙真人弟子。此寶皆係師父所賜，料敖光怎的不得我。我如今往乾元山上，問我師尊，必有主意。常言道：『一人做事一人當。』豈敢連累父母？」哪吒出了府門，抓一把土，望空一灑，寂然無影。此是生來根本，借土遁往乾元山來。有詩為證，詩曰：
哪吒急走来至大厅，上前施礼，口称：「伯父，小侄不知，一时失错，望伯父恕罪。元筋交付明白，分毫未动。」敖光见物伤情，对李靖曰：「你生出这等恶子，你适才还说我错了。今他自己供认，只你意上可过的去！况吾子者，正神也；夜叉李艮亦系御笔点差；岂得你父子无故擅行打死！我明日奏上玉帝，问你的师父要你！」敖光径扬长去了。李靖顿足放声大哭：「这祸不小！」夫人听见前庭悲哭，忙问左右侍儿，侍儿回报曰：「今日三公子因游玩，打死龙王三太子。适才龙王与老爷析辨，明日要奏准天庭。不知老爷为何啼哭。」夫人着忙，急至前庭，来看李靖。李靖见夫人来，忙止泪，恨曰：「我李靖求仙未成，谁知你生下这样好儿子，惹此灭门之祸！龙王乃施雨正神，他妄行杀害；明日玉帝准奏施行，我和你多则三日，少则两朝，俱为刀下之鬼！」说罢又哭，情甚惨切。夫人亦泪如雨下，指哪吒而言曰：「我怀你三年零六个月，方才生你，不知受了多少苦辛。谁知你是灭门绝户之祸根也！」哪吒见父母哭泣，立身不安，双膝跪下，言曰：「爹爹，母亲，孩儿今日说了罢。我不是凡夫俗子，我是乾元山金光洞太乙真人弟子。此宝皆系师父所赐，料敖光怎的不得我。我如今往乾元山上，问我师尊，必有主意。常言道：『一人做事一人当。』岂敢连累父母？」哪吒出了府门，抓一把土，望空一洒，寂然无影。此是生来根本，借土遁往乾元山来。有诗为证，诗曰：
Nezha hurried to the main hall, stepped forward, made his bow and said, “Uncle, your nephew didn’t know, and made a mistake in the heat of the moment. I hope you will forgive me, Uncle. Here is the sinew, handed back in full; I haven’t touched a hair of it.” At the sight of it Ao Guang was overcome with grief. He said to Li Jing, “You fathered this wicked son, and just now you were still telling me I was wrong! Now he has confessed it himself — can your conscience rest easy? What is more, my son was a true god, and the yaksha Li Gen, too, was appointed by the royal brush. How could you, father and son, take it upon yourselves to kill them for no reason? Tomorrow I shall memorialize the Jade Emperor and demand that your master give you up!” And with that Ao Guang swept out. Li Jing stamped his feet and wailed aloud: “This is no small disaster!” His wife, hearing the weeping in the front hall, hurriedly asked her maids, and the maids came back and reported, “Today, while he was out playing, the third young lord killed the Dragon King’s third prince. Just now the Dragon King was arguing it out with his lordship, and tomorrow he means to petition the Court of Heaven. Why his lordship is weeping, we don’t know.” Madam Yin was alarmed and hurried to the front hall to see Li Jing. When Li Jing saw his wife coming, he hastily stopped his tears and said bitterly, “I, Li Jing, sought immortality and failed — and who would have thought you would bear such a fine son, to bring down on us a disaster that will wipe out our whole house! The Dragon King is a true god who sends the rain, and the boy has recklessly killed his son. Tomorrow, when the Jade Emperor grants the memorial and it is carried out, then in three days at most, or two mornings at least, you and I will both be ghosts beneath the blade!” With that he wept again, in the most piteous distress. His wife’s tears fell like rain too. Pointing at Nezha, she said, “I carried you three years and six months before I bore you — who knows how much I suffered! And who would have thought you were the root of a disaster that will wipe out our house and end our line!” When Nezha saw his father and mother weeping, he could not stand there at ease. He went down on both knees and said, “Father, Mother, your child will tell you now. I am no ordinary mortal. I am a disciple of the Immortal Taiyi of the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qianyuan. These treasures were all given to me by my master, and I reckon there’s nothing Ao Guang can do to me. I’ll go to Mount Qianyuan now and ask my master; he is sure to know what to do. As the saying goes, ‘He who does the deed bears the blame.’ How could I drag my parents into it?” Nezha went out of the gate of the residence, grabbed a handful of earth and scattered it into the air — and he was gone, silent and without a trace. This was a power he had been born with: by the earth escape he made his way to Mount Qianyuan. There is a poem to prove it. It says:
乾元山上叩吾生，訴說敖光東海情。寶德門前施法力，方知仙術不虛名。
乾元山上叩吾生，诉说敖光东海情。宝德门前施法力，方知仙术不虚名。
On Mount Qianyuan he knocks his head before his masterand tells of Ao Guang and the business of the East Sea.Before the Gate of Precious Virtue he puts forth his magic power:now we know the arts of the immortals are no empty name.
話說哪吒借土遁來至乾元山金光洞，候師法旨。金霞童兒忙啟師父：「師兄候法旨。」太乙真人曰：「著他進來。」金霞童子至洞門對哪吒曰：「師父命你進去。」哪吒至碧游床倒身下拜。真人問曰：「你不在陳塘關，到此有何話說？」哪吒曰：「啟老師：蒙恩降生陳塘，今已七載。昨日偶到九灣河洗澡，不意敖光子敖丙將惡語傷人，弟子一時怒發，將他傷了性命。今敖光欲奏天庭，父母驚慌，弟子心甚不安，無門可救，只得上山，懇求老師，赦弟子無知之罪，望祈垂救。」真人自思曰：「雖然哪吒無知，誤傷敖丙，這是天數。今敖光雖是龍中之王，只是布雨興雲，然上天垂象，豈得推為不知！以此一小事干瀆天庭，真是不諳事體！」忙叫：「哪吒過來，你把衣裳解開。」真人以手指在哪吒前胸畫了一道符錄，吩咐哪吒：「你到寶德門……如此如此。事完後，你回到陳塘關與你父母說，若有事，還有師父，決不干礙父母。你去罷。」
话说哪吒借土遁来至乾元山金光洞，候师法旨。金霞童儿忙启师父：「师兄候法旨。」太乙真人曰：「着他进来。」金霞童子至洞门对哪吒曰：「师父命你进去。」哪吒至碧游床倒身下拜。真人问曰：「你不在陈塘关，到此有何话说？」哪吒曰：「启老师：蒙恩降生陈塘，今已七载。昨日偶到九湾河洗澡，不意敖光子敖丙将恶语伤人，弟子一时怒发，将他伤了性命。今敖光欲奏天庭，父母惊慌，弟子心甚不安，无门可救，只得上山，恳求老师，赦弟子无知之罪，望祈垂救。」真人自思曰：「虽然哪吒无知，误伤敖丙，这是天数。今敖光虽是龙中之王，只是布雨兴云，然上天垂象，岂得推为不知！以此一小事干渎天庭，真是不谙事体！」忙叫：「哪吒过来，你把衣裳解开。」真人以手指在哪吒前胸画了一道符录，吩咐哪吒：「你到宝德门……如此如此。事完后，你回到陈塘关与你父母说，若有事，还有师父，决不干碍父母。你去罢。」
Now, Nezha came by the earth escape to the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qianyuan and waited for his master’s sacred command. The page boy Jinxia hurried to tell his master, “Senior Brother is waiting for your command.” “Have him come in,” said the Immortal Taiyi. The page boy Jinxia went to the mouth of the cave and said to Nezha, “The Master says you’re to go in.” Nezha came before the jade couch and threw himself down in a bow. The Immortal asked, “Why aren’t you at Chentang Pass? What brings you here?” Nezha said, “Master, by your grace I was born at Chentang, and it has been seven years now. Yesterday I happened to go bathing in the Jiuwan River, and quite unexpectedly Ao Guang’s son Ao Bing hurled insults at me. In a moment of rage your disciple took his life. Now Ao Guang means to memorialize the Court of Heaven, and my parents are terrified. I am very uneasy at heart and have nowhere else to turn for help, so I have had to come up the mountain to beg you, Master, to pardon me the crime of my ignorance and to have pity and save us.” The Immortal thought to himself, “Nezha may have been ignorant when he killed Ao Bing by mistake, but this is Heaven’s reckoning. Ao Guang may be king among the dragons, but all he does is spread the rain and raise the clouds. Still, Heaven hangs out its signs — how can he plead ignorance? To trouble the Court of Heaven over such a small matter — he truly has no sense of how things stand!” He called at once, “Come here, Nezha. Open your clothes.” With his finger the Immortal drew a talisman on Nezha’s chest and instructed him, “Go to the Gate of Precious Virtue… thus and thus. When it’s done, go back to Chentang Pass and tell your parents that if anything comes of it, there is still your master, and it will never touch them. Off you go.”
哪吒離了乾元山，逕往寶德門來。正是
天宮異景非凡像，紫霧紅雲罩碧空。
但見上天，大不相同：
哪吒离了乾元山，径往宝德门来。正是
天宫异景非凡像，紫雾红云罩碧空。
但见上天，大不相同：
Nezha left Mount Qianyuan and went straight to the Gate of Precious Virtue. Truly:
the wondrous sights of the heavenly palace are no common scene;purple mists and red clouds veil the azure sky.
This is what he saw — and Heaven above was altogether different:
初登上界，乍見天堂，金光萬道吐紅霓，瑞氣千條噴紫霧。只見那南天門：碧沉沉瑠璃造就，明晃晃寶鼎粧成。兩旁有四根大柱，柱上盤繞的是興雲布霧赤鬚龍；正中有二座玉橋，橋上站立的是彩羽凌空丹頂鳳。明霞燦爛映天光，碧霧朦朧遮斗日。天上有三十三座仙宮：遺雲宮、昆波宮、紫霄宮、太陽宮、太陰宮、化樂宮，一宮宮脊吞金獬豸；又有七十二重寶殿：乃朝會殿、凌虛殿、寶光殿、聚仙殿、傳奏殿，一殿殿柱列玉麒麟，壽星臺、祿星台、福星台，台下有千千年不卸奇花；煉丹爐、八卦爐、水火爐，爐中有萬萬載常青繡草。朝聖殿中絳紗衣，金霞燦爛；彤廷堦下芙蓉冠，金碧輝煌。靈霄寶殿，金釘攢玉戶；積聖樓前，彩鳳舞朱門。復道迴廊，處處玲瓏剔透；三簷四簇；層層龍鳳翱翔。上面有紫巍巍，明愰愰、圓丟丟、光灼灼、亮錚錚的葫蘆頂；左右是緊簇簇、密層層、響叮叮、滴溜溜、明朗朗的玉佩聲。正是：天宮異物般般有，世上如他件件稀。金闕銀鸞並紫府，奇花異草暨瑤天。朝王玉兔壇邊過；參聖金烏著底飛。若人有福來天境，不墮人間免污泥。
初登上界，乍见天堂，金光万道吐红霓，瑞气千条喷紫雾。只见那南天门：碧沉沉瑠璃造就，明晃晃宝鼎粧成。两旁有四根大柱，柱上盘绕的是兴云布雾赤须龙；正中有二座玉桥，桥上站立的是彩羽凌空丹顶凤。明霞灿烂映天光，碧雾朦胧遮斗日。天上有三十三座仙宫：遗云宫、昆波宫、紫霄宫、太阳宫、太阴宫、化乐宫，一宫宫脊吞金獬豸；又有七十二重宝殿：乃朝会殿、凌虚殿、宝光殿、聚仙殿、传奏殿，一殿殿柱列玉麒麟，寿星台、禄星台、福星台，台下有千千年不卸奇花；炼丹炉、八卦炉、水火炉，炉中有万万载常青绣草。朝圣殿中绛纱衣，金霞灿烂；彤廷堦下芙蓉冠，金碧辉煌。灵霄宝殿，金钉攒玉户；积圣楼前，彩凤舞朱门。复道回廊，处处玲珑剔透；三檐四簇；层层龙凤翱翔。上面有紫巍巍，明愰愰、圆丢丢、光灼灼、亮铮铮的葫芦顶；左右是紧簇簇、密层层、响叮叮、滴溜溜、明朗朗的玉佩声。正是：天宫异物般般有，世上如他件件稀。金阙银鸾并紫府，奇花异草暨瑶天。朝王玉兔坛边过；参圣金乌着底飞。若人有福来天境，不堕人间免污泥。
He had just climbed to the realm above, and caught his first sight of the halls of Heaven: ten thousand rays of golden light spat out red rainbows, a thousand streamers of auspicious vapour spouted purple mist.There stood the Southern Gate of Heaven,deep green, built of glazed tile,bright and gleaming, adorned with precious cauldrons.Flanking it stood four great pillars,and coiled around the pillars were red-whiskered dragons that raise the clouds and spread the mists;in the very middle were two bridges of jade,and standing on the bridges were red-crested phoenixes, their bright plumes soaring into the sky.Bright rosy clouds shone in the light of heaven;dim blue mists veiled the Dipper and the sun.In Heaven there were thirty-three palaces of the immortals —the Cloud-Dispatching Palace, the Kunbo Palace, the Palace of the Purple Heavens, the Palace of the Sun, the Palace of the Moon, the Palace of Transforming Joy —and on every palace a golden xiezhi gripped the roof ridge in its jaws;there were seventy-two precious halls besides —the Audience Hall, the Hall of High Void, the Hall of Precious Light, the Hall of Gathered Immortals, the Hall of Memorials — and in every hall jade qilin stood in rows along the pillars. The Longevity Star Terrace, the Prosperity Star Terrace, the Blessings Star Terrace: beneath the terraces grew rare flowers that had not shed a petal in thousands upon thousands of years;the Elixir Furnace, the Eight Trigrams Furnace, the Furnace of Water and Fire:in the furnaces grew embroidered grasses, evergreen for myriads of years.In the Hall of Sacred Audience, robes of crimson gauzeglowed like golden clouds;beneath the steps of the vermilion court, lotus crownsdazzled in gold and green.In the Hall of Divine Mistsgolden studs crowded the jade doors;before the Tower of Gathered Sagesbright phoenixes danced at the vermilion gates.Raised walkways and winding gallerieswere carved everywhere in delicate openwork;eaves rose in three tiers, roofs clustered on four sides,and dragons and phoenixes soared tier upon tier.Above, purple and towering,gleaming and glinting, round as a ball, blazing and burning, shining and sparkling, rose the gourd-shaped finial;on either side, crowded close and layered thick, jingling and tinkling, swaying and swinging, ringing bright and clear, came the sound of jade pendants.Truly:the palaces of Heaven have wonders of every kind,and each of them is rare in the world below.Golden gates and silver phoenixes, and the Purple Palace too;rare flowers and strange herbs, and the jasper sky.The jade hare passes the altar on its way to pay court to the King;the golden crow flies low beneath to pay homage to the Sage.If a man has the good fortune to come to the realm of Heaven,he will not fall back among men, and is spared the mud and the mire.
哪吒到了寶德門，來的尚早，不見敖光；又見天宮各門未開，哪吒站立在聚仙門下。不多時，只見敖光朝服叮噹，逕至南天門。只見南天門未開。敖光曰：「來早了，黃巾力士還不曾至，不免在此間等候。」哪吒看見敖光；敖光看不見哪吒。──哪吒是太乙真人在他前心畫了符籙，名曰：「隱身符」，故此敖光看不見哪吒。哪吒看見敖光在此等候，心中大怒，撒開大步，提起手中乾坤圈，把敖光後心一圈，打了個餓虎撲食，跌倒在地。哪吒趕上去，一腳踏住後心。不知敖光性命如何，且聽下回分解。
哪吒到了宝德门，来的尚早，不见敖光；又见天宫各门未开，哪吒站立在聚仙门下。不多时，只见敖光朝服叮当，径至南天门。只见南天门未开。敖光曰：「来早了，黄巾力士还不曾至，不免在此间等候。」哪吒看见敖光；敖光看不见哪吒。──哪吒是太乙真人在他前心画了符箓，名曰：「隐身符」，故此敖光看不见哪吒。哪吒看见敖光在此等候，心中大怒，撒开大步，提起手中乾坤圈，把敖光后心一圈，打了个饿虎扑食，跌倒在地。哪吒赶上去，一脚踏住后心。不知敖光性命如何，且听下回分解。
Nezha reached the Gate of Precious Virtue. He had come early, and there was no sign of Ao Guang; and seeing that the gates of the heavenly palace were not yet open, he stood waiting under the Gate of Gathered Immortals. Before long, along came Ao Guang in his court robes, their pendants jingling, and went straight to the Southern Gate of Heaven. But the Southern Gate of Heaven was not yet open. Ao Guang said, “I’ve come too early. The Yellow-Turbaned Strongman hasn’t arrived yet. I’ll just have to wait here.” Nezha could see Ao Guang, but Ao Guang could not see Nezha — the Immortal Taiyi had drawn a talisman on Nezha’s chest, called the Talisman of Invisibility, and that was why Ao Guang could not see him. Seeing Ao Guang waiting there, Nezha flew into a rage. He strode forward, raised the Heaven-and-Earth Ring in his hand and struck Ao Guang one blow square in the back, and down Ao Guang went, sprawling face first like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey. Nezha ran up and planted a foot on his back. Would Ao Guang live or die? To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.