The Wiseman rises

Many centuries ago, in old Cathay, during the Han Dynasty legend tells of two men who came across the four Gods of the Shijin, the four elementals. One of these men was the great General Ba Rong, warlord of the Guang Dong province, richest and most powerful in all the 9 provinces, the other the humble, but wise Ji Wei, a servant from Ba Rong’s stables. It is rumoured that he who pleases the four gods will be granted eternal glory by The Yellow Dragon of the Centre, a beautiful being of light whose power exceeds all others, another rumour is that those who sully the name of one god out of arrogance will suffer eternal servitude to Yama, the Guardian of the Gate, unless they prove themselves worthy of forgiveness. These two men left the province and travelled to see the Emperor Gao Zu.

First they entered the southern home of Feng Huang, the Vermillion Phoenix. The two men passed the palace of the modest priestess, Mei Xin, Ba Rong with an arrogance typical of a high ranking officer, did not stop to pay respect to her or her god.  Ji Wei begged his master to stop and pay tribute to the God of compassion and elegance, “My lord, you must acknowledge the great Phoenix or there will be trouble.” but he refused “He is not our God, Ji Wei.” Suddenly, a beggar man staggered towards them. “Beware the wrath of the gods, you dishonour one and five will strike you down!” Ba Rong carried on with his head held high, while Ji Wei bowed and silently implored forgiveness from the great Feng Huang.

They carried on their journey to the western home of Bai Hu, the White Tiger. Ba Rong sauntered past the old temple of the kindly priestess, He Rong, who was long dead with her celestial guardians. Yet again Ba Rong’s condescension made him feel it was unnecessary for him to acknowledge the power of the god of honour and generosity. “I shall not pray to him for he is of no importance.” He exclaimed haughtily. This time Ji Wei said nothing to oppose his master’s choice of action. He instead prayed to the Victorious one in his head beseeching him to clear Ba Rong’s heart of all vanity and pride, but knew it was not possible even for the majestic Yellow Dragon to remove sin from a man’s heart. Out of the blue, a thief appeared beside Ba Rong’s horse and cackled ominously, “You have chosen to ignore and insult the Gods twice! You will be swallowed in fire and ice for your defiant ways!” and with that said, he ambled away, holding Ba Rong’s gold purse. The theft went unnoticed.

They continued to the Northern home of Xuan Wu, the Black Snake. They climbed the Wu Dang Mountain Range, crossing the shrine of the divine priestess, Cheng Shan, whose body had been claimed by the mountain-side, her warrior’s spirits scattered among the winds. But finally Ba Rong’s arrogant ways were overcome by his growing fear of the Almighty Ones, for Xuan Wu had reached out and touched his heart; therefore he decided to enter the shrine. As they entered the bleak prayer room, nothing could be heard but the howling of the north wind. Ba Rong saw this as a sign that his trepidation was unwarranted, but Ji Wei knew that it was a test of insight, set by the Xuan Wu herself to see if Ba Rong contained any redeeming qualities. Xuan Wu’s prize traits are responsibility, grace and wisdom. As Ba Rong looked around, the room emanated neglect and decline, as if it had been attacked and pillaged, which it had been. A pathetic sight greeted them as they looked around, a small child sat huddled in one corner with cuts and bruises all over his body. Xuan Wu expected Ba Rong to leave the child and carry on his journey, however, for all his arrogance he possessed great benevolence, which he showed to those he ruled over.  

Unexpectedly he picked up the child and carried him to his horse, and doing so he left the shrine. He had shown goodwill but he had not shown reverence to her as was required. Compassion was not enough. Once again Ji Wei bowed through Confucian piety and followed his master. As soon as they had both left the shrine disappeared in to the mountain side. Suddenly Xuan Wu’s grace turned to cold-hearted fury. She hissed and spat at the foolish disrespect of such a low being. She screeched “Detestable filth! How dare he insult me so! Brothers! Sister! Strike down the impudent creature!”
Meanwhile, Ba Rong and Ji Wei crossed over into Qu Dong, the eastern state, belonging to Qing Long, the Azure Dragon. They traversed through the thick forests only to find a hall for the followers of the Wu Dang Sect, who worshipped the Qing Long for his power and generosity. The courtyard held the graves of the seven celestial warriors, who died fighting those of Feng Huang, to take over their weak kingdom from the adolescent emperor Cai Pi, whose ghost now roams the palace watching his priestess, and his only love. Ba Rong decided to stop for water and Qing Long, having heard his sister’s rant, inscribed instructions in liquid gold on the mural in the hall ordering his acolytes to create a portal to the Middle Heaven, home of the Dragon of the Centre, his father and creator. “We must teach this mortal his place.” They busied themselves while one fetched Ba Rong water. When they had prepared the portal, they were ushered into the vestibule. The portal was a square drawn on the ground with one monk at each point holding the corresponding element and one in the middle. They were chanting in an ancient language. As they entered, invisible hands pushed them into the swirling abyss and they disappeared.

They re-materialised in the Cloudy Palace in front of the four gods and the Great Father. “You have shown disrespect to my almighty children, and pride in yourself, but you have shown kindness and pity towards someone weaker than you. Although you should be punished with eternal servitude to Yama we have decided to make you the eternal priest of Xuan Wu to pay your debt to her.” Huang Long turned to Ji Wei and continued. "You, however have been granted the honour of becoming an Immortal, your new name shall be Qian Ai.” He breathed on them both and light sparkled from his vast mouth and then the light passed through them and they were immortal.