話說楊猛過去掄拳就打，打了老道幾拳，把道冠打壞，金簪落地。濟公趕過去拉開。這時陳孝趕去說：「楊賢弟，你還不走！幫著師父瘋鬧，打出人命官司來。」拉著楊猛竟自去了。
话说杨猛过去抡拳就打，打了老道几拳，把道冠打坏，金簪落地。济公赶过去拉开。这时陈孝赶去说：「杨贤弟，你还不走！帮着师父疯闹，打出人命官司来。」拉着杨猛竟自去了。
Now, Yang Meng went at the Daoist swinging his fists. He landed several blows, smashed the Daoist’s cap and sent his gold hairpin flying to the ground. Ji Gong rushed over and pulled him off. Just then Chen Xiao hurried up. “Younger Brother Yang, come away, now! Helping the Master with his mad pranks — you’ll end up with a murder case on your hands.” And he took hold of Yang Meng and simply walked off with him.
老道氣得兩眼發直，口中直嚷：「反了，反了，無冤無故，揪我就打。我上錢塘縣去告你去。」濟公說：「得了，道爺瞧著我罷，這麼話說，把道爺的磐、蠟扦也打掉了地下，把五供圍桌、幔帳也當了，我給你撣撣罷。」老道一聽這話就一愣，心說：「我頂當他怎麼知道？」拿眼上下一瞧，和尚長得其貌不揚，身高五尺來往，頭上頭髮有二寸餘長，滋著一臉的泥，破僧衣，短袖缺領，腰繫絲絛，疙裏疙瘩，光著兩隻腳，拖一雙破草鞋。老道問道：「和尚，寶剎在哪裏？」濟公說：「我在取馬菜衚衕黃連寺，名字叫苦核。」老道說：「你上哪裏去？」和尚說：「我上臨安城內，有一家財主在太平街，姓周叫周望廉，是臨安城內第一家財主，人稱叫周半城，請我前去捉妖淨宅，退鬼治病」劉泰真一聽，心中大大不悅，心說道：「周員外就不對，既請我就不該請和尚，既請和尚就不該請我。我到那裏瞧，要恭敬我，我就捉妖﹔要恭敬和尚，我急速退步。」想罷，說：「和尚，你我一同走罷。」和尚扛起韋馱像一同走，說：「劉道爺貴姓？」老道說：「你叫我劉道爺，又問我貴姓。你是個瘋和尚。」濟公哈哈大笑，信口說道：
「說我瘋，我就瘋，瘋顛之症大不同。有人學我瘋顛症，須謝貧僧酒一瓶。」
老道气得两眼发直，口中直嚷：「反了，反了，无冤无故，揪我就打。我上钱塘县去告你去。」济公说：「得了，道爷瞧着我罢，这么话说，把道爷的磐、蜡扦也打掉了地下，把五供围桌、幔帐也当了，我给你掸掸罢。」老道一听这话就一愣，心说：「我顶当他怎么知道？」拿眼上下一瞧，和尚长得其貌不扬，身高五尺来往，头上头发有二寸余长，滋着一脸的泥，破僧衣，短袖缺领，腰系丝绦，疙里疙瘩，光着两只脚，拖一双破草鞋。老道问道：「和尚，宝刹在哪里？」济公说：「我在取马菜胡同黄连寺，名字叫苦核。」老道说：「你上哪里去？」和尚说：「我上临安城内，有一家财主在太平街，姓周叫周望廉，是临安城内第一家财主，人称叫周半城，请我前去捉妖净宅，退鬼治病」刘泰真一听，心中大大不悦，心说道：「周员外就不对，既请我就不该请和尚，既请和尚就不该请我。我到那里瞧，要恭敬我，我就捉妖﹔要恭敬和尚，我急速退步。」想罢，说：「和尚，你我一同走罢。」和尚扛起韦驮像一同走，说：「刘道爷贵姓？」老道说：「你叫我刘道爷，又问我贵姓。你是个疯和尚。」济公哈哈大笑，信口说道：
「说我疯，我就疯，疯颠之症大不同。有人学我疯颠症，须谢贫僧酒一瓶。」
The Daoist was so angry his eyes went fixed and staring, and he kept shouting, “This is an outrage, an outrage! No quarrel, no grudge, and he grabs me and beats me. I’m going to Qiantang County to lodge a complaint against you!” “There, there,” said Ji Gong. “Let it go for my sake, Daoist Master. What a business! Your chime and your candle spikes knocked down in the dirt, and the frontal off your altar table and your curtains gone to the pawnshop as well. Here, let me dust you off.” At this the Daoist was taken aback. “How does he know about my pawning?” he thought. He looked the monk up and down. The monk was nothing much to look at: about five feet tall, the hair on his head more than two inches long, his face smeared with dirt, in a tattered monk’s robe with short sleeves and no collar, a silk cord tied round his waist all knots and lumps, his two feet bare and shuffling in a pair of broken straw sandals. “Monk,” the Daoist asked, “which is your honourable temple?” “I’m at Huanglian Temple in Qumacai Lane,” said Ji Gong, “and my name is Kuhe.” “And where are you going?” said the Daoist. “I’m going into Lin’an,” said the monk. “There’s a rich man on Taiping Street, surname Zhou, called Zhou Wanglian, the richest man in Lin’an. People call him Half-the-City Zhou. He’s asked me over to catch a demon and cleanse the house, drive off ghosts and cure the sick.” When Liu Taizhen heard this he was greatly displeased. “Squire Zhou isn’t playing straight,” he thought. “If he invited me, he shouldn’t have invited a monk, and if he invited a monk, he shouldn’t have invited me. I’ll go and see. If they show me respect, I’ll catch the demon. If they show the monk respect, I’ll make myself scarce.” Having thought it over, he said, “Monk, let’s go together.” The monk shouldered the statue of Weituo and went along with him. “Daoist Master Liu,” he said, “what’s your honourable surname?” “You call me Daoist Master Liu, and then you ask my surname,” said the Daoist. “You’re a mad monk.” Ji Gong roared with laughter and rattled off:
“Call me mad, then mad I’ll be — but my madness is not the common kind, you see.Whoever would copy this madness of memust thank this poor monk with a bottle of wine for his fee.”
說著話，二人進了錢塘門，來到太平街路北大門，見門口四棵龍爪槐樹，門裏有幾塊匾，上寫：
「急公好義。樂善好施。義重鄉里。見義勇為。」
來到門口叫門，管家出來一瞧，說：「道爺來了。」老道說：「辛苦，勞駕往裏回稟一聲，就提我山人來了。」見和尚扛著韋馱一言不發，管家瞧了瞧僧道，轉身進去，來至書齋。員外正在書房等候老道。家人進來回稟員外：「清波門外三清觀劉泰真來了，還同著一位和尚。」周員外一聽一愣，問：「和尚是誰請的？」周福說：「必是老道請的。你老人家出去，倒要恭敬和尚，給老道做臉。」其實都鬧錯了。員外疑惑和尚是老道請的，老道祇道是本家請的，其實全不對，原來是和尚開味來的。員外由裏面出來，濟公睜眼一看，見這員外身高八尺，細腰扎背，頭戴寶藍緞大葉逍遙員外巾，三藍繡花，迎面嵌美玉，鑲明珠，衣帶雙飄，身穿寶藍緞逍遙氅，腰繫絲絛，白襪雲鞋，面如三秋古月，慈眉善目，三山得配，五岳停勻，海下一部花白鬍鬚，根根見肉。員外出來迎和尚，抱拳拱手說：「和尚請了，道爺裏面坐。」老道心中有些不悅，心說：「這是恭敬和尚。見和尚抱拳拱手，見我就嚷道爺。走罷。」有心不進去罷，又想自己好容易拿五供蠟扦贖出衣裳來的，指望著來得幾十兩銀子好贖當，無奈，祇得同員外進去。
说着话，二人进了钱塘门，来到太平街路北大门，见门口四棵龙爪槐树，门里有几块匾，上写：
「急公好义。乐善好施。义重乡里。见义勇为。」
来到门口叫门，管家出来一瞧，说：「道爷来了。」老道说：「辛苦，劳驾往里回禀一声，就提我山人来了。」见和尚扛着韦驮一言不发，管家瞧了瞧僧道，转身进去，来至书斋。员外正在书房等候老道。家人进来回禀员外：「清波门外三清观刘泰真来了，还同着一位和尚。」周员外一听一愣，问：「和尚是谁请的？」周福说：「必是老道请的。你老人家出去，倒要恭敬和尚，给老道做脸。」其实都闹错了。员外疑惑和尚是老道请的，老道祇道是本家请的，其实全不对，原来是和尚开味来的。员外由里面出来，济公睁眼一看，见这员外身高八尺，细腰扎背，头戴宝蓝缎大叶逍遥员外巾，三蓝绣花，迎面嵌美玉，镶明珠，衣带双飘，身穿宝蓝缎逍遥氅，腰系丝绦，白袜云鞋，面如三秋古月，慈眉善目，三山得配，五岳停匀，海下一部花白胡须，根根见肉。员外出来迎和尚，抱拳拱手说：「和尚请了，道爷里面坐。」老道心中有些不悦，心说：「这是恭敬和尚。见和尚抱拳拱手，见我就嚷道爷。走罢。」有心不进去罢，又想自己好容易拿五供蜡扦赎出衣裳来的，指望着来得几十两银子好赎当，无奈，祇得同员外进去。
Talking as they went, the two of them came in through the Qiantang Gate and reached a large gateway on the north side of Taiping Street. In front of the gate grew four dragon-claw pagoda trees, and inside the gate hung several plaques, which read:
“Zealous for the Public Good. Delighting in Charity.Honoured Through the District for Righteousness. Bold Where Duty Calls.”
They went up to the gate and called, and a steward came out, took a look and said, “Ah, the Daoist Master is here.” “Thank you for your trouble,” said the Daoist. “Would you kindly go in and announce me? Just say this man of the mountains has come.” The monk, with Weituo on his shoulder, said not a word. The steward looked the monk and the Daoist over, turned and went in to the study, where the squire sat waiting for the Daoist. The servant came in and reported to the squire, “Liu Taizhen of Sanqing Temple, outside the Qingbo Gate, is here, and there’s a monk with him.” Squire Zhou was taken aback. “Who invited the monk?” he asked. “The Daoist must have,” said Zhou Fu. “When you go out, sir, you’d better make a point of showing the monk respect, to give the Daoist face.” In fact they had it all wrong. The squire supposed the Daoist had invited the monk, and the Daoist took it that the family had invited him; neither was right. The monk had come along for his own amusement. The squire came out from inside. Ji Gong opened his eyes and looked. The squire was eight feet tall, slim of waist and broad of back. On his head he wore a sapphire-blue satin squire’s cap of the leisurely style with broad flaps, embroidered in three shades of blue, set with fine jade at the front and studded with bright pearls, its two ribbons fluttering behind; he wore a sapphire-blue satin leisure cloak, a silk sash at his waist, white socks and cloud-patterned shoes. His face was like the ancient moon of autumn, with kindly brows and gentle eyes; the Three Mountains were well matched and the Five Sacred Peaks evenly placed, and below his chin hung a full grizzled beard, every hair distinct to the skin. The squire came out to meet the monk, cupped his fist in his other hand in salute and said, “My respects, monk. Daoist Master, please come in and sit down.” The Daoist was put out. “That’s respect for the monk,” he thought. “He sees the monk and salutes him; he sees me and just calls out ‘Daoist Master’. I’m leaving.” He had half a mind not to go in at all. But then he thought how much trouble he had gone to, pawning his altar candle spikes to get his clothes back, and how he was counting on a few dozen taels of silver from this to redeem his pledges. He had no choice but to go in with the squire.
來至書房，是西配房三間，當中條案八仙桌，兩旁兩把椅子，牆上名人字畫，甚為清雅：和尚，老道落坐，家人剛獻上茶來。和尚說：「擺酒罷。」老道一瞧，和尚比我熟識，必是常來。很夠著自己，不分彼此。老員外立刻吩咐擺酒。少時家人擦抹桌案，盃盤碗著，將酒席擺上。和尚並不謙讓，就在正當中坐下。老道心中雖不願意，也不好說出來。吃了三四盃酒，見周員外很恭敬和尚，老道實忍不住了，問員外道：「這位和尚你老人家怎請的？」周員外一聽，此言差矣。連連搖首說：「不是我請的。我不認識，是跟道爺來的。」老道說：：「我不認識他。他說是員外請的。」和尚說：「不用提這個，再喝一盅罷。」周員外說：「好，和尚！你敢是蒙吃蒙喝的？來人，快把他轟出去！」家人過來，見和尚還端著酒盃要喝。周福說：「好和尚，你蒙到我這裏來了，快出去！」拉拉扯扯，把和尚推出大門，關上門進來一瞧，和尚把韋馱像落下。過來回稟員外，已把和尚趕去，沒拿韋馱像。員外說：「回頭來拿給他，不准難為他。」
来至书房，是西配房三间，当中条案八仙桌，两旁两把椅子，墙上名人字画，甚为清雅：和尚，老道落坐，家人刚献上茶来。和尚说：「摆酒罢。」老道一瞧，和尚比我熟识，必是常来。很够着自己，不分彼此。老员外立刻吩咐摆酒。少时家人擦抹桌案，杯盘碗着，将酒席摆上。和尚并不谦让，就在正当中坐下。老道心中虽不愿意，也不好说出来。吃了三四杯酒，见周员外很恭敬和尚，老道实忍不住了，问员外道：「这位和尚你老人家怎请的？」周员外一听，此言差矣。连连摇首说：「不是我请的。我不认识，是跟道爷来的。」老道说：：「我不认识他。他说是员外请的。」和尚说：「不用提这个，再喝一盅罢。」周员外说：「好，和尚！你敢是蒙吃蒙喝的？来人，快把他轰出去！」家人过来，见和尚还端着酒杯要喝。周福说：「好和尚，你蒙到我这里来了，快出去！」拉拉扯扯，把和尚推出大门，关上门进来一瞧，和尚把韦驮像落下。过来回禀员外，已把和尚赶去，没拿韦驮像。员外说：「回头来拿给他，不准难为他。」
The study was the west side room, three bays wide. In the middle stood a long narrow side table with an Eight Immortals table before it and a chair on either side, and on the walls hung calligraphy and paintings by famous hands: very refined and elegant. The monk and the Daoist sat down, and a servant had only just brought in tea when the monk said, “Set out the wine.” The Daoist looked at him. “He knows the place better than I do,” he thought. “He must come here often. He makes himself right at home, as if there were no telling host from guest.” The Old Squire at once ordered wine. Before long the servants had wiped down the table and laid out cups, plates, bowls and chopsticks, and the feast was served. The monk did not stand on ceremony; he sat down right in the place of honour. The Daoist did not like it, but he could hardly say so. When they had drunk three or four cups and the Daoist saw how respectfully Squire Zhou treated the monk, he really could not hold back any longer. “Sir,” he asked the squire, “how did you come to invite this monk?” When Squire Zhou heard this he thought, That’s not right at all. He shook his head again and again. “I didn’t invite him. I don’t know him. He came with you, Daoist Master.” “I don’t know him,” said the Daoist. “He said you invited him, sir.” “Never mind all that,” said the monk. “Have another cup.” “So, monk!” said Squire Zhou. “You’re a sponger, are you, cadging food and drink? Someone come here! Throw him out, quick!” The servants came over and found the monk still holding up his wine cup, about to drink. “Fine monk you are,” said Zhou Fu, “sponging your way in here! Get out, quick!” Pulling and tugging, they pushed the monk out through the main gate. They shut the gate and came back in, and saw that the monk had left the statue of Weituo behind. They came and reported to the squire that they had driven the monk off, but he had not taken the statue of Weituo. “When he comes back for it, give it to him,” said the squire. “Nobody is to give him any trouble.”
老道喝著酒，問：「員外，現在貴宅有甚麼妖精把公子爺迷住？我回頭給燒古香瞧瞧，畫道符。」本來老道長瞧香畫符，也沒有多大能為，無非倚靠三清觀的神仙找碗飯吃。周員外說：「現在妖精變了一個女子，是我們隔壁鄰居王月娥的姑娘模樣，天天晚間同我兒在花園吃酒。」老道一聽就是一愣。老道一想：「我也無非瞧香畫符，妖精善能變化人身，我別捉妖不成，反叫妖精捉我去了。」自己躊躇了半天，這纔說：「員外，我捉妖須用七個人，連我是八卦連環式，纔可以捉妖，以保萬全之策。」員外說：「可以。」叫：「周福，你跟道爺去捉妖。」周福說：「不行，我鬧肚子，不能當差，員外派別人罷。」員外吩咐：「周祿，你去。」周祿說：「不行，我害眼呢。」周員外是位善人，一聽都不願去，自己明白：重賞之下，必有勇夫，人不為利，誰肯早起。員外說：「誰要去跟道爺捉妖？不白去，一夜一個人，我給十兩銀子。可就要七個人，誰願去誰去。」旁邊周福說：「員外，我去。」員外說：「你不是鬧肚子嗎？」周福說：「我方纔得了個仙方，買一棵芍藥要粗的。」員外說：「要那個做甚麼？」周福說：「熬水喝了，就好。」員外說：「你這是聽見了銀子了，混帳東西！」周祿說：「我去。」員外說：「你不是害眼嗎？」周祿說：「不是。員外沒聽明白，我在家礙眼。」少時七個家人都有了。員外問：「道爺用甚麼東西？」老道叫拿筆，開了一個單子：用高桌子一張，太師椅子一把，五供堂蠟扦、香爐一份，素蠟一對，長壽香一封，錢糧一份，新筆一枝，朱砂一錢，硯臺一方，黃毛邊一張，香菜，無根水，五穀糧食，白芨一塊。員外吩咐照樣預備，問：「道爺，這東西擱在哪裏？」老道吩咐：「擱在後花園公子書房的院內，我隨即就去。」
老道喝着酒，问：「员外，现在贵宅有甚么妖精把公子爷迷住？我回头给烧古香瞧瞧，画道符。」本来老道长瞧香画符，也没有多大能为，无非倚靠三清观的神仙找碗饭吃。周员外说：「现在妖精变了一个女子，是我们隔壁邻居王月娥的姑娘模样，天天晚间同我儿在花园吃酒。」老道一听就是一愣。老道一想：「我也无非瞧香画符，妖精善能变化人身，我别捉妖不成，反叫妖精捉我去了。」自己踌躇了半天，这才说：「员外，我捉妖须用七个人，连我是八卦连环式，才可以捉妖，以保万全之策。」员外说：「可以。」叫：「周福，你跟道爷去捉妖。」周福说：「不行，我闹肚子，不能当差，员外派别人罢。」员外吩咐：「周禄，你去。」周禄说：「不行，我害眼呢。」周员外是位善人，一听都不愿去，自己明白：重赏之下，必有勇夫，人不为利，谁肯早起。员外说：「谁要去跟道爷捉妖？不白去，一夜一个人，我给十两银子。可就要七个人，谁愿去谁去。」旁边周福说：「员外，我去。」员外说：「你不是闹肚子吗？」周福说：「我方才得了个仙方，买一棵芍药要粗的。」员外说：「要那个做甚么？」周福说：「熬水喝了，就好。」员外说：「你这是听见了银子了，混帐东西！」周禄说：「我去。」员外说：「你不是害眼吗？」周禄说：「不是。员外没听明白，我在家碍眼。」少时七个家人都有了。员外问：「道爷用甚么东西？」老道叫拿笔，开了一个单子：用高桌子一张，太师椅子一把，五供堂蜡扦、香炉一份，素蜡一对，长寿香一封，钱粮一份，新笔一枝，朱砂一钱，砚台一方，黄毛边一张，香菜，无根水，五谷粮食，白芨一块。员外吩咐照样预备，问：「道爷，这东西搁在哪里？」老道吩咐：「搁在后花园公子书房的院内，我随即就去。」
Over his wine the Daoist asked, “Sir, what sort of demon is it in your honoured house that has bewitched the young master? In a while I’ll burn a stick of incense and read it, and draw a talisman.” In truth the Daoist was forever reading incense and drawing talismans, but he had no great powers; he simply leaned on the gods of Sanqing Temple to earn his bowl of rice. “The demon has turned itself into a girl,” said Squire Zhou. “She looks just like Wang Yue’e, the daughter of our neighbour next door, and every night she drinks with my son in the garden.” At this the Daoist was taken aback. “All I really do is read incense and draw talismans,” he thought, “and demons are good at changing into human form. I’d better not fail to catch the demon and end up caught by it instead.” He hesitated a long while, and only then said, “Sir, to catch a demon I need seven men. With me that makes the Eight Trigrams linked-ring formation, and only then can the demon be caught with complete safety.” “Very well,” said the squire, and called, “Zhou Fu, you go with the Daoist Master to catch the demon.” “I can’t,” said Zhou Fu. “I’ve got stomach trouble, I’m not fit for duty. Send someone else, sir.” The squire gave the order: “Zhou Lu, you go.” “I can’t,” said Zhou Lu. “I’ve got sore eyes.” Squire Zhou was a kindly man. Hearing that none of them wanted to go, he understood well enough: offer a big reward and a brave man will turn up; if there’s no profit in it, who will get up early? “Who’ll go with the Daoist Master to catch the demon?” said the squire. “You won’t go for nothing. Ten taels of silver a night for each man. But I want just seven. Whoever wants to go, go.” Zhou Fu, standing by, said, “Sir, I’ll go.” “Haven’t you got stomach trouble?” said the squire. “I’ve just been given a magic remedy,” said Zhou Fu. “Buy one peony root — a thick one.” “What do you want that for?” said the squire. “Boil it, drink the water, and I’m cured,” said Zhou Fu. “It’s hearing about the silver that’s cured you, you scoundrel!” said the squire. “I’ll go,” said Zhou Lu. “Haven’t you got sore eyes?” said the squire. “No, sir. You didn’t hear me right. I said I’m an eyesore around the house.” Before long all seven servants had been found. “What things will you need, Daoist Master?” the squire asked. The Daoist called for a brush and wrote out a list: one high table; one grand preceptor’s chair; a set of altar candle spikes and an incense burner; a pair of plain candles; a packet of longevity incense; one set of paper spirit money; one new brush; one qian of cinnabar; one inkstone; one sheet of yellow rough-edged paper; coriander; rootless water; the five grains; one piece of bletilla. The squire ordered everything prepared as listed and asked, “Daoist Master, where shall these things be put?” “Put them in the courtyard of the young master’s study in the back garden,” the Daoist said. “I’ll be along directly.”
少時天已掌燈，老道同員外帶著七個從人，各拿順手的兵刃。來至花園，老道睜眼一看，這花園甚是齊整，花卉群芳，樹木森森，樓臺殿閣，水榭涼亭，曲院雕欄，真有四時不謝之花，八節長春之草。老道往前走，見對面白灰牆花瓦堆的窟窿錢，當中棋盤心。老道進去一看，這院子三合房，北房三間，東西配房各三間，見院中所要用的東西，預備齊了。眾人來至院中，屋內公子聽見有動作，說：「外面甚麼東西？快滾出去！」家人說：「公子爺別嚷，請來道爺給捉妖淨宅，退鬼治病，你給妖精捉住了。」公子說：「混帳胡說！」老道也不答言。員外回前廳去，靜聽老道的喜信。
少时天已掌灯，老道同员外带着七个从人，各拿顺手的兵刃。来至花园，老道睁眼一看，这花园甚是齐整，花卉群芳，树木森森，楼台殿阁，水榭凉亭，曲院雕栏，真有四时不谢之花，八节长春之草。老道往前走，见对面白灰墙花瓦堆的窟窿钱，当中棋盘心。老道进去一看，这院子三合房，北房三间，东西配房各三间，见院中所要用的东西，预备齐了。众人来至院中，屋内公子听见有动作，说：「外面甚么东西？快滚出去！」家人说：「公子爷别嚷，请来道爷给捉妖净宅，退鬼治病，你给妖精捉住了。」公子说：「混帐胡说！」老道也不答言。员外回前厅去，静听老道的喜信。
Before long it was time to light the lamps. The Daoist and the squire set off with the seven servants, each carrying whatever weapon came handiest, and came to the garden. The Daoist opened his eyes and looked. The garden was very fine and well kept: flowers of every kind in bloom, trees thick and shady, towers and terraces, halls and pavilions, waterside pavilions and cool summerhouses, winding courtyards and carved balustrades. Truly there were flowers that never faded in any of the four seasons and grasses that stayed green through all eight festivals of the year. The Daoist went on ahead and saw facing him a whitewashed wall with openwork of patterned tiles in a coin design and a chessboard pattern in the middle. He went through and looked. This courtyard had buildings on three sides: a north building of three bays, and east and west side rooms of three bays each. In the courtyard he saw that everything he needed had been made ready. When they all came into the courtyard, the young master heard the commotion from inside the room. “What are you lot out there? Clear off!” “Don’t shout, young master,” said the servants. “We’ve brought in a Daoist Master to catch the demon and cleanse the house, drive off ghosts and cure the sick. You’ve been caught by a demon.” “Rubbish! Damned nonsense!” said the young master. The Daoist made no reply. The squire went back to the front hall to wait quietly for the Daoist’s good news.
老道叫眾家人在上房外間屋中給他助威。老道在院中椅子上一坐，候至天交二鼓，把蠟燭點上，恭恭敬敬燒上一股香，心中禱告：「三清教主神佛在上，信士弟子劉泰真，我乃三清觀老道，現在周宅請我捉妖淨宅，退妖治病，望神佛保佑，將妖怪退去，我得幾十兩銀子，回廟掛袍上供還願。」禱告完了，將道冠摘下，包頭解開，披散了頭髮，抽出寶劍，用香菜沾無根水，往寶劍上一撣，把五穀糧食擱在寶劍上，拿白芨研濃了朱砂，畫了三道靈符。老道說：「周福，你看我這頭道符一燒，狂風大作﹔二道符把妖精拘來﹔三道符用寶劍斬了妖怪，叫他立現原形！要是人死變為鬼，鬼死化為灰，當時結果了他的性命。」周福等大眾，看著老道作法，把頭符貼在寶劍尖上，見老道口中咕噥咕噥唸唸有詞，不知唸的甚麼。就聽唸完。老道說：「太上老君急急如律令敕！」點著頭道符，拿寶劍一晃，真有冰盤大的火光，把符一甩，眾人看著一點風也沒有。周福說：「你們瞧老道是造謠言。」周祿說：「別忙，且看他第二道符。」老道口中又唸咒，把二道符用劍挑著，點著扔出去，又不見動靜。老道一瞧真急了，把三道符貼在劍上，口中唸唸有詞，剛扔出去，祇見一陣狂風大作。這陣風一過去，老道睜眼一看，嚇得魂不附體！來了一個妖精要吃老道。
老道叫众家人在上房外间屋中给他助威。老道在院中椅子上一坐，候至天交二鼓，把蜡烛点上，恭恭敬敬烧上一股香，心中祷告：「三清教主神佛在上，信士弟子刘泰真，我乃三清观老道，现在周宅请我捉妖净宅，退妖治病，望神佛保佑，将妖怪退去，我得几十两银子，回庙挂袍上供还愿。」祷告完了，将道冠摘下，包头解开，披散了头发，抽出宝剑，用香菜沾无根水，往宝剑上一掸，把五谷粮食搁在宝剑上，拿白芨研浓了朱砂，画了三道灵符。老道说：「周福，你看我这头道符一烧，狂风大作﹔二道符把妖精拘来﹔三道符用宝剑斩了妖怪，叫他立现原形！要是人死变为鬼，鬼死化为灰，当时结果了他的性命。」周福等大众，看着老道作法，把头符贴在宝剑尖上，见老道口中咕哝咕哝念念有词，不知念的甚么。就听念完。老道说：「太上老君急急如律令敕！」点着头道符，拿宝剑一晃，真有冰盘大的火光，把符一甩，众人看着一点风也没有。周福说：「你们瞧老道是造谣言。」周禄说：「别忙，且看他第二道符。」老道口中又念咒，把二道符用剑挑着，点着扔出去，又不见动静。老道一瞧真急了，把三道符贴在剑上，口中念念有词，刚扔出去，祇见一阵狂风大作。这阵风一过去，老道睁眼一看，吓得魂不附体！来了一个妖精要吃老道。
The Daoist told the servants to stay in the outer room of the main building and lend him support. He sat down on the chair in the courtyard and waited until the drum sounded the second watch. Then he lit the candles, reverently burned a stick of incense and prayed in his heart: “Master of the Three Pure Ones, gods and buddhas on high: your faithful disciple Liu Taizhen, Daoist of Sanqing Temple, has been invited by the Zhou residence to catch a demon and cleanse the house, drive off the demon and cure the sick. I pray the gods and buddhas protect me and drive the demon away, so that I earn a few dozen taels of silver. Then I’ll go back to the temple, hang up a robe, make offerings and fulfil my vow.” When he had finished praying, he took off his Daoist cap, undid his head cloth and let his hair down loose. He drew his sword, dipped the coriander in the rootless water and flicked it over the blade, laid the five grains on the blade, ground the cinnabar thick with the bletilla and drew three spirit talismans. “Zhou Fu,” said the Daoist, “watch. When I burn this first talisman, a fierce wind will rise. The second will summon the demon here. With the third I’ll cut the demon down with my sword and make it show its true form on the spot! Men die and become ghosts, ghosts die and turn to ash: I’ll finish it off then and there.” Zhou Fu and the others watched the Daoist work his magic. He stuck the first talisman on the tip of his sword, and they saw him mumbling and muttering an incantation, though they could not tell what he was chanting. Then they heard him finish. “By the Supreme Lord Lao, swiftly, swiftly, as the law commands!” cried the Daoist. He lit the first talisman and swung his sword, and there really was a blaze of fire as big as a serving platter. He flung the talisman away, and everyone watched: not a breath of wind. “See?” said Zhou Fu. “The Daoist is just making it up.” “Not so fast,” said Zhou Lu. “Let’s see his second talisman.” The Daoist chanted another spell, picked up the second talisman on his sword, lit it and threw it, and again nothing stirred. Now the Daoist was really worried. He stuck the third talisman on his sword, muttered an incantation, and the moment he threw it a fierce gust of wind sprang up. When the wind had passed, the Daoist opened his eyes and looked, and was frightened out of his wits! A demon had come to eat the Daoist.
知性命如何，且看下回分解。
知性命如何，且看下回分解。
To learn whether he lived or died, read the next chapter.