南嶽總勝集 3.13

3.13

Li Simu was a man from Chengji. He formed a friendship of mists and clouds with Master of Alchemy Dong and Master Bai of Eastern Chu. They traveled all around the famous mountains of the Three Xiang rivers, and later visited the Five Peaks of Nanyue; though their models of practice differed, each had his own aim. After Bai ascended [as an immortal] at Shigu, Simu went to the capital. Gao Lishi, ingratiating himself with Wu Yun, introduced him to Emperor Minghuang; his answers to the emperor's questions matched the imperial intention. Later, he requested to return to the mountains, and the Emperor richly bestowed him with money. He prepared and circulated an annotated edition of the *Qingjing jing* (Scripture of Purity and Tranquility) in the world. Later he underwent mystical transformation at Zigai Peak. Only Dong mingled incognito among the rear caves of Hengyang, frequently treating people's illnesses with incantations. If anyone wished to repay him, getting him drunk once with wine was ideal; thereupon, whenever he awoke, he would lie drunk upon the thoroughfares; or when encountering sudden rain in mountain streams and valleys, his clothes were not soaked; and when braving severe frost, he remained glowing bright. After several years, he went from door to door telling people, "Each of you, take good care of yourselves." Everyone was astonished by this; he also underwent release by corpse in the rear cave, like the molting of a cicada. Du Fu of the Tang has a line at the end of his poem *Yixi xing* (Recalling the Past): "Again I shall visit Master of Alchemy Dong of Hengyang; / Traveling south, let me quickly ply the rudder on the Xiao and Xiang."