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Finally he was again running about barefoot and in rags as before, and did not know how to satisfy his hunger. Once more he stood in the market-place and sighed. But the ancient was already there, took him by the hand and said: "Are you back already to where you were? That is strange! However, I will aid you once more!" But Du Dsi Tschun was ashamed and did not want to accept his help.
The ancient man said: "How much money would you need in order to live in all comfort?" "If I had fifty thousand pieces of copper it would answer my purpose," replied Du Dsi Tschun. The ancient said: "That would not answer." "Well, then, a million!" "That is still too little!" "Well, then, three million!" The ancient man said: "That is well spoken!"
But in the last moment you failed me. Now it is too late. Now I can begin brewing my elixir of life once more from the beginning and you will remain a mere mortal man!" Du Dsi Tschun saw that the oven had burst, and that instead of the philosopher's stone it held only a lump of iron. The ancient man cast aside his garments and chopped it up with a magic knife.
He fetched a thousand pieces of copper out of his sleeve and said: "That is for this evening. Expect me to-morrow by noon, at the Persian Bazaar!" At the time set Du Dsi Tschun went there, and, sure enough, there was the ancient, who gave him three million pieces of copper. Then he disappeared, without giving his name.
This quality belongs to the Yin, the dark or feminine principle, and determines Du Dsi Tschun's reappearance on earth as a woman. "Purple flames rose wildly from the oven": Though Du Dsi Tschun had overcome his other emotions, so that fear and terror did not affect him, love, and love in its highest form, mother-love, still remained in him.
And so they killed him, and it seemed to him that his soul fled his body. The ox-headed demon dragged him down into the nether regions, where he tasted all the tortures in turn. But Du Dsi Tschun remembered the words of the ancient. And the tortures, too, seemed bearable. So he did not scream and said not a word. Now he was once more dragged before the prince of evil.
It thundered and lightninged incessantly, so that his ears rang and his eyes were blinded. It seemed as though the house would fall. The water rose to a flood in a few moments' time, and streamed up to the place where he was sitting. But Du Dsi Tschun remained motionless and paid no attention to it. And after a time the water receded. Then came a great demon with the head of an ox.
He was hungry, and the cold seemed well nigh unendurable. So he turned his eyes upward and began to lament aloud. Suddenly an ancient man stood before him, leaning on a staff, who said: "What do you lack since you complain so?" "I am dying of hunger," replied Du Dsi Tschun, "and not a soul will take pity on me!"
Young We followed the plow-boy, intending to greet his brother-in-law. But when he reached the inn there was no one in sight. And when he turned around the plow-boy had disappeared as well. And since that time no one ever heard from Old Dschang again. There are old women who make their living at this profession. Once upon a time there was a man named Du Dsi Tschun.
And when I have done this I will follow you, if needs be through fire and through water." The ancient replied: "That is right! When you have ordered these things ask for me in the temple of Laotsze beneath the two mulberry trees!" Du Dsi Tschun took the money and went to Yangdschou.
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