CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

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shattered to pieces the jade ring-, worn by Mo Li-ts'ing J| jj|| ^ ;
in fine, their misfortunes accumulated, and the 4 powerful genii
deprived of their magic weapons began to despair
of success. To
crown all these disasters, Hwang T'ien-hwa jlf ^ ^, who fell
beneath the blows dealt by Mo Li-ts'ing j|f jj|| ^f, was restored to
life by a Taoist genius, Tao-teh chen-kiin ^ ^ m. ^ (1), and
returned to the battlefield, armed with a novel kind of weapon.
This consisted in a magic dagger, seven and a half inches long, and
wherewith the bearer could transperse
the hearts of his adversaries.
It also Hashed about rays of light so intense that they dazzled the
eyes of the enemy. Such was the extraordinary weapon, which led
to the defeat of the 4 powerful genii.
Hwang T'ien-hwa jir
H WL W>
^ ^g, closely pursued by Mo Li-ts'ing
drew forth his magic dagger, and plunged it into the
heart of the enemy. The giant uttered a savage howl, and fell
lifeless to the ground (2).
Mo Li-hung J|f fjj| $1 hastened to avenge
the death of his
eldest brother, but he had scarcely time to seize his sword, when
the magic dagger, wielded by the powerful arm of Hwang T'ien-hwa
jif 3£ ;££, transpersed his heart, and felled him in an instant to
the ground.
Hereupon, Mo Li-hai J| jjjj| ${£, infuriated at the death of his
two brothers, exclaimed in anger: "you brute! what is that weapon
with which you killed my two brothers?". But before he had time
to engage his terrible adversary, the magic dagger was plunged into
his heart, and his corpse lay prostrate on the ground. The fatal
hour had arrived for the four genii, and the struggle was now
nearing the end (3).
(1) Chen i|£, true, real, ethereal, spiritual; used by Taoists to signify an
immortal, a divine being. Kiln ^", exalted, superior, a term of respect.
Williams. Dictionary of the Chinese Language.
(2) See another fantastic battle of the genii described. Chinese Super-
stitions. Vol. VI. p. 187-190.
(3)
The fate of the Shang i^ dynasty was intimately connected with the
defeat of their heavenly protectors, the 4 genii Mo JM-