廣弘明集 2.31

2.31

During the reign of Emperor Shizu, there was a Daoist named Kou Qianzhi, courtesy name Fuzhen, the younger brother of Kou Zan, the inspector of Southern Yong Prefecture. From an early age he loved the Dao of immortality and practiced the arts of Zhang Lu. He consumed dietary drugs for many years without effect. There was an immortal named Chenggong Xing who worked as a hired laborer in Qianzhi's household. Later, when Qianzhi was calculating the movements of the seven luminaries, he was bewildered and could not figure them out. Xing said, "Why do you not solve it?" Qianzhi said, "I have studied calculation for many years, but my extended calculations do not match the cycles." Xing instructed him to arrange the figures according to his words, and in an instant it was resolved. Qianzhi admired him with sighing respect and wished to serve him as a master. Xing firmly declined and instead sought to become Qianzhi's disciple. Before long, Xing entered Mount Hua and lived in a stone chamber. Xing gathered herbs and gave them to Qianzhi to ingest, so that he was no longer hungry. Together they also entered a stone chamber on Mount Songgao, where Xing said, "Someone will surely bring medicine; when you receive it, simply eat it without doubt." Soon someone arrived bringing medicine, but it was all poisonous insects and foul-smelling things. Qianzhi fled in fear. When Xing returned and inquired in detail, he sighed and said, "Sir, you are not destined to become an immortal; you can only be a preceptor to emperors and kings." Xing served Qianzhi for seven years, and then said, "I cannot remain long; I must depart tomorrow at noon." When the time arrived, he indeed passed away. Two boys were seen—one holding monastic robes and the other holding a staff and bowl—coming to the place of Xing's corpse. Xing sprang up suddenly, put on the robes, took the bowl, held the staff, and departed.