神僧傳 4.15

4.15

As for Master Azhuan, his clan and lineage are not known. He wandered like a cloud in Dingzhou. Whenever he heard among the villages in the prefecture that people had gatherings, societies, vegetarian offerings, marriages, or funerals, or places where young men flew falcons, ran hounds, and gathered in carousing revelry, he was never absent. Amidst them, in brawls and clamor, he also crookedly took sides with factions. This went on for many years. Later, on the night of the fifteenth of the first month, he disturbed the seats of elders and youths, and cursed everyone in unison. The hosts wanted to beat him to death, but people from the market rescued and led him away. The next morning, the brothers of that house sought to seize him, and saw Master Azhuan sitting joyfully smiling atop a broken wall. He said to them, "Why do you despise and demean me here? I shall abandon you and depart." The pursuers raised their staves, wanting to hurl them; others again restrained them. Azhuan said again, "You surely despise and demean me; I am leaving." Striking the wall with his staff, he called out, "Chichi!" The section of wall upon which he rode suddenly rose several tens of ren into the air. Raising his hands, he bid farewell to the villagers, saying, "Fare well!" Among the commoners who saw it, none failed to bow and repent their fault. In an instant, he disappeared behind the clouds. After about a year, he was in Chang'an, behaving just as before. Thereafter, his whereabouts were unknown.