話說濟公禪師把百骨神魔燒化，隨即帶領雷鳴、陳亮、趙好善出了趙家莊，來到七星觀。老道吳法通正在院中作法，不見百骨神魔回來，桌上的七盞燈花都滅了，老道就知有人破了他的法術，正在心中一愣，只聽外面一聲喊嚷：「好孽畜！你敢興妖，無故害人，我和尚焉能饒你？」老道抬頭一看，見來了一個窮和尚，短頭髮有二寸多長，一臉的油膩，破僧衣短袖缺領，腰系絨絛疙里疙瘩，足穿兩隻草鞋，踢踏踢踏，一溜歪斜，長得三分不像人，七分倒像鬼，帶著一個藍臉，一個白臉，一位老丈。老道看和尚是個凡夫俗子，羅漢爺早把三光閉住，吳法通一見，口中說：「什麼人？好大膽量！」和尚說：「就是我老人家。」老道打算要跑，和尚用手一指點，口中念六字真言：「唵嘛呢叭迷吽！唵，敕令赫！」用定神法將老道定住。和尚說：「雷鳴、陳亮，你兩人把那老道殺了罷。這東西害過無數的人了，留著他貽害於後人，我和尚誅惡人即是善念。」雷鳴、陳亮立刻拉出刀來，手起刀落，將老道結果性命。和尚說：「在大殿里有一口空棺材，就把老道擱在裡面，明天趙好善你叫人把他埋了，就完了，這座廟就給你做為家廟。」趙好善點頭答應。和尚帶領眾人，把夾壁牆打開，裡面有四個妓女，連孫氏也在裡面。和尚說：「你們這四個婦人，趕緊收拾自己的東西，天亮各奔他鄉。趙好善你把孫氏領回去，叫他母子團圓。」等候天光亮了，四個婦人各自去了，眾人把孫氏帶回趙家莊，和尚說：「雷鳴、陳亮，你二人要回家去罷！還是少管閒事為要緊。我和尚也要上戴家堡，捉拿邵華風。」趙好善謝過濟公，雷鳴、陳亮告辭分手，和尚帶領何蘭慶、陶萬春，由趙家莊出來，直奔戴家堡而來，大約有四五十里之遙。戴家堡也屬常州所管，和尚同二位班頭方來到戴家堡，只見由對面鼓樂喧天，八個人搭著一個彩亭子。裡面坐著一個十二三歲的小孩，有好幾十人護送。何蘭慶、陶萬春一看，這事透著新奇，心裡說：「這麼一個小孩。可有什麼好處呢？」
话说济公禅师把百骨神魔烧化，随即带领雷鸣、陈亮、赵好善出了赵家庄，来到七星观。老道吴法通正在院中作法，不见百骨神魔回来，桌上的七盏灯花都灭了，老道就知有人破了他的法术，正在心中一愣，只听外面一声喊嚷：「好孽畜！你敢兴妖，无故害人，我和尚焉能饶你？」老道抬头一看，见来了一个穷和尚，短头发有二寸多长，一脸的油腻，破僧衣短袖缺领，腰系绒绦疙里疙瘩，足穿两只草鞋，踢踏踢踏，一溜歪斜，长得三分不像人，七分倒像鬼，带着一个蓝脸，一个白脸，一位老丈。老道看和尚是个凡夫俗子，罗汉爷早把三光闭住，吴法通一见，口中说：「什么人？好大胆量！」和尚说：「就是我老人家。」老道打算要跑，和尚用手一指点，口中念六字真言：「唵嘛呢叭迷吽！唵，敕令赫！」用定神法将老道定住。和尚说：「雷鸣、陈亮，你两人把那老道杀了罢。这东西害过无数的人了，留着他贻害于后人，我和尚诛恶人即是善念。」雷鸣、陈亮立刻拉出刀来，手起刀落，将老道结果性命。和尚说：「在大殿里有一口空棺材，就把老道搁在里面，明天赵好善你叫人把他埋了，就完了，这座庙就给你做为家庙。」赵好善点头答应。和尚带领众人，把夹壁墙打开，里面有四个妓女，连孙氏也在里面。和尚说：「你们这四个妇人，赶紧收拾自己的东西，天亮各奔他乡。赵好善你把孙氏领回去，叫他母子团圆。」等候天光亮了，四个妇人各自去了，众人把孙氏带回赵家庄，和尚说：「雷鸣、陈亮，你二人要回家去罢！还是少管闲事为要紧。我和尚也要上戴家堡，捉拿邵华风。」赵好善谢过济公，雷鸣、陈亮告辞分手，和尚带领何兰庆、陶万春，由赵家庄出来，直奔戴家堡而来，大约有四五十里之遥。戴家堡也属常州所管，和尚同二位班头方来到戴家堡，只见由对面鼓乐喧天，八个人搭着一个彩亭子。里面坐着一个十二三岁的小孩，有好几十人护送。何兰庆、陶万春一看，这事透着新奇，心里说：「这么一个小孩。可有什么好处呢？」
Now, Chan Master Ji Gong burned the Hundred-Bone Demon to ashes, and at once led Lei Ming, Chen Liang and Zhao Haoshan out of Zhao Family Village to Qixing Temple. The old Daoist Wu Fatong was working his magic in the courtyard. The Hundred-Bone Demon had not come back, and the seven lamps on the table had all gone out, so the old Daoist knew someone had broken his spell. His heart had just given a jolt when a shout came from outside: “Vile creature! You dare work your sorcery and harm people for no reason? How could this monk let you off?” The old Daoist looked up and saw a poor monk coming in. His short hair was more than two inches long, and his face was smeared with grease. His tattered monk’s robe had short sleeves and a torn collar; round his waist was a velvet cord, all knots and lumps; on his feet were a pair of straw sandals, flip-flapping as he came lurching and staggering along. He looked three parts unlike a man and seven parts like a ghost, and he had with him a man with a blue face, a man with a white face and an old gentleman. To the old Daoist the monk looked like a common mortal, for the arhat had long since shut away his three lights. “Who’s this?” said Wu Fatong when he saw him. “What nerve!” “Only this old fellow,” said the monk. The old Daoist was about to run, but the monk pointed a finger at him and chanted the six-syllable mantra: “Om mani padme hum! Om! By command — he!” With the immobilizing spell he fixed the old Daoist to the spot. “Lei Ming, Chen Liang,” said the monk, “kill that old Daoist, the two of you. The creature has harmed no end of people already. Leave him alive and he’ll only go on harming those who come after. For this monk, putting the wicked to death is a kind thought in itself.” At once Lei Ming and Chen Liang drew their swords; up went the blades and down they came, and that was the end of the old Daoist. “In the main hall there’s an empty coffin,” said the monk. “Just put the old Daoist in it. Tomorrow, Zhao Haoshan, have someone bury him, and that’ll be that. This temple I give to you, to be your family temple.” Zhao Haoshan nodded and agreed. The monk led them all to open up the double wall. Inside were four prostitutes, and Madam Sun was in there with them. “You four women,” said the monk, “get your things together quickly, and at daybreak each of you go your own way. Zhao Haoshan, take Madam Sun home with you, so that mother and son can be together again.” They waited for daylight, and the four women went their separate ways. Everyone took Madam Sun back to Zhao Family Village. “Lei Ming, Chen Liang,” said the monk, “the two of you should go home now! The main thing is to keep out of other people’s business. This monk has to go to Dai Family Fort to catch Shao Huafeng.” Zhao Haoshan thanked Ji Gong, and Lei Ming and Chen Liang took their leave and parted from him. The monk took He Lanqing and Tao Wanchun, left Zhao Family Village and made straight for Dai Family Fort, some forty or fifty li away. Dai Family Fort also came under Changzhou. The monk and the two constables had just reached Dai Family Fort when they saw, coming toward them, drums and music raising a din to the heavens, and eight men carrying a festooned pavilion. Inside it sat a child of twelve or thirteen, with several dozen people escorting him. He Lanqing and Tao Wanchun thought this a strange business. “A little child like that,” they said to themselves. “What’s so special about him?”
何蘭慶見旁邊站定一位老者，在那裡唉聲嘆氣，何蘭慶過去深施一禮，說：「借問老丈，這小孩可有什麼好處呢？大眾圍隨著，用亭子搭著上哪去？」這老者嘆了一聲，說：「尊駕不是我們本處人罷？」何蘭慶說：「不是。」老者說：「尊駕有所不知，在我們這村北，有一座廟，只因前者八蜡神在我們這村莊裡鬧的甚利害，不是傷人，就是著火。眾村會首到八蜡廟一燒香上供，八蜡神吩咐人來說，叫我這村莊一天給他供一個小孩，他吃一百天就走。若要不給供，把我們合村的人都要了命。我們這村莊方圓有兩千多戶人家，眾會首一商議，誰家有孩子也捨不得去給八蜡神上供，花錢買誰也不賣。大眾說：‘這是咱們的村難。’眾人出了個主意，誰家有孩子，寫上名字，團上紙團，擱在斗里搖，搖出誰家的小孩，就把誰家的小孩去上供。沒偏沒向，碰命，每天送一個，今天二十九天了，八蜡神吃了二十八個小孩子。今天這個小孩姓劉，家開著雜貨鋪，人家三門守著這一個孩子。人家家裡是善人，真稱得起樂善好施，急公好義，都說不應當遭這樣報，偏巧就把他家孩子的名兒搖出來。不能不送去，大眾瞧著可慘。老哥們三個要亭子搭著這小孩，給八蜡神送去。」
何兰庆见旁边站定一位老者，在那里唉声叹气，何兰庆过去深施一礼，说：「借问老丈，这小孩可有什么好处呢？大众围随着，用亭子搭着上哪去？」这老者叹了一声，说：「尊驾不是我们本处人罢？」何兰庆说：「不是。」老者说：「尊驾有所不知，在我们这村北，有一座庙，只因前者八蜡神在我们这村庄里闹的甚利害，不是伤人，就是着火。众村会首到八蜡庙一烧香上供，八蜡神吩咐人来说，叫我这村庄一天给他供一个小孩，他吃一百天就走。若要不给供，把我们合村的人都要了命。我们这村庄方圆有两千多户人家，众会首一商议，谁家有孩子也舍不得去给八蜡神上供，花钱买谁也不卖。大众说：‘这是咱们的村难。’众人出了个主意，谁家有孩子，写上名字，团上纸团，搁在斗里摇，摇出谁家的小孩，就把谁家的小孩去上供。没偏没向，碰命，每天送一个，今天二十九天了，八蜡神吃了二十八个小孩子。今天这个小孩姓刘，家开着杂货铺，人家三门守着这一个孩子。人家家里是善人，真称得起乐善好施，急公好义，都说不应当遭这样报，偏巧就把他家孩子的名儿摇出来。不能不送去，大众瞧着可惨。老哥们三个要亭子搭着这小孩，给八蜡神送去。」
He Lanqing saw an old man standing to one side, sighing and groaning. He went over and bowed deeply. “May I ask, sir, what is so special about this child? Why is everyone walking along with him, carrying him in a pavilion? Where are they taking him?” The old man sighed. “You’re not from these parts, are you, sir?” “No, I’m not,” said He Lanqing. “Then you wouldn’t know, sir,” said the old man. “North of our village there is a temple. Not long ago the Bazha god began making terrible trouble in our village: if it wasn’t people getting hurt, it was fires breaking out. The village heads went to Bazha Shrine to burn incense and make offerings, and the Bazha god sent word through someone that our village was to offer him one child a day. He would eat for a hundred days and then leave. If we didn’t make the offering, he would take the lives of everyone in the village. Our village has more than two thousand households all round. The village heads talked it over, but nobody who had a child could bear to give it up to the Bazha god, and nobody would sell one for any money. Everyone said, ‘This is our village’s calamity.’ So they came up with a plan: every family with a child writes the name down and rolls it into a paper ball, and the balls are put in a peck measure and shaken. Whichever family’s child is shaken out, that child goes as the offering. No favour either way, just luck. One goes every day. Today is the twenty-ninth day, and the Bazha god has eaten twenty-eight children. Today’s child is a Liu. His family keeps a general store, and he is the only boy the three branches of the family have between them. They are good people, truly generous with their charity and always first to help in a public cause. Everyone says they don’t deserve such a fate, but as luck would have it, it was their child’s name that was shaken out. They can’t not send him, and everyone watching thinks it pitiful. The three brothers wanted a pavilion to carry the boy in, to take him to the Bazha god.”
何蘭慶一聽，說：「這還了得！」回頭說：「濟公，你老人家給管管這件事好不好？把妖精捉了，搭救這一方的黎民，也算你老人家一件大功德。」和尚說：「我不管。」蘭慶說：「聖僧能行為，何不管呢？」和尚說：「倒不是我不管，回頭有比咱們能為大的來管。等人家管，不用咱們再管，不信你瞧著。」正說著話，只聽對面一聲「無量佛」，何蘭慶抬頭一看，只見對面來了一個老道，頭戴青緞子九梁道巾，身穿藍緞色道袍，青護領相襯，腰系杏黃絲絛，白襪雲鞋，面似銀盆，眉分八彩，目如朗星，鼻如樑柱，唇似塗丹，一表非俗，手中拿著蠅刷，脅下佩著一口寶劍，綠沙魚皮鞘，黃絨穗頭，黃絨腕手，來者老道非是別人，正是神童子褚道緣。
何兰庆一听，说：「这还了得！」回头说：「济公，你老人家给管管这件事好不好？把妖精捉了，搭救这一方的黎民，也算你老人家一件大功德。」和尚说：「我不管。」兰庆说：「圣僧能行为，何不管呢？」和尚说：「倒不是我不管，回头有比咱们能为大的来管。等人家管，不用咱们再管，不信你瞧着。」正说着话，只听对面一声「无量佛」，何兰庆抬头一看，只见对面来了一个老道，头戴青缎子九梁道巾，身穿蓝缎色道袍，青护领相衬，腰系杏黄丝绦，白袜云鞋，面似银盆，眉分八彩，目如朗星，鼻如梁柱，唇似涂丹，一表非俗，手中拿着蝇刷，胁下佩着一口宝剑，绿沙鱼皮鞘，黄绒穗头，黄绒腕手，来者老道非是别人，正是神童子褚道缘。
“This is outrageous!” said He Lanqing when he heard it. He turned round. “Ji Gong, sir, won’t you take this matter on? Catch the demon and save the common folk of these parts, and that will be a great merit to your credit too.” “I’m not taking it on,” said the monk. “Holy monk, you have the powers,” said Lanqing. “Why won’t you?” “It’s not that I won’t,” said the monk. “In a little while someone with greater powers than ours will come along and take it on. When he does, we won’t need to. If you don’t believe me, just watch.” As they were talking, a cry of “Limitless Buddha” came from across the way. He Lanqing looked up and saw an old Daoist coming toward them. On his head was a nine-ribbed Daoist cap of black satin; he wore a Daoist robe of blue satin set off by a black collar, an apricot-yellow silk sash at his waist, white socks and cloud-patterned shoes. His face was like a silver basin, his brows shone with eight hues, his eyes were like bright stars, his nose was straight as a roof beam and his lips looked painted with cinnabar; he was no ordinary figure of a man. He held a fly whisk in his hand, and at his side hung a precious sword in a scabbard of green sharkskin, with a yellow silk tassel and a yellow silk wrist loop. The Daoist who had come was none other than the Divine Child, Chu Daoyuan.