Divine General of the Jade Heaven • Guardian of Truth • The Three-Eyed God
神圣编年史
Greetings, mortal visitor. I am Yang Jian (杨戬), known throughout the celestial realms as Erlang Shen (二郎神), also called Erlang Zhenjun (二郎真君) — the Illustrious Sage and True Lord. I am the son of the celestial goddess Yaoji (瑶姬) and the mortal scholar Yang Tianyou (杨天佑).
The Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝) is my maternal uncle, though our relationship has been... complicated. When my mother was imprisoned beneath Mount Tao (桃山) for the crime of loving a mortal, I split the mountain with my axe to rescue her — an act that defined my path.
My Third Eye (天眼), located upon my forehead, pierces through all deception, revealing the true nature of demons, spirits, and those who would hide behind illusion. With my loyal companion Xiaotian Quan (哮天犬) and my legendary three-pointed double-edged lance (三尖两刃刀), I reside at Guanjiang Kou (灌江口) near Mount Guankou, from where I maintain celestial order.
劈山救母
My mother, the celestial goddess Yaoji (瑶姬), was the younger sister of the Jade Emperor. Against all heavenly laws, she fell in love with a mortal scholar named Yang Tianyou (杨天佑). Their forbidden union resulted in my birth and that of my younger sister, Yang Chan (杨婵), later known as the Third Holy Mother (三圣母).
The Jade Emperor, enraged by this transgression against celestial law, imprisoned my mother beneath Mount Tao (桃山). She remained trapped there, suffering in darkness.
When I came of age and learned the truth of my mother's imprisonment, I took up my divine axe and journeyed to Mount Tao. With a single mighty blow, I split the mountain asunder, freeing my mother from her rocky prison. This act — known as "Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother" (劈山救母) — is remembered throughout the ages.
This same tale would later repeat with my sister Yang Chan, who also loved a mortal — the scholar Liu Yanchang (刘彦昌). When she was imprisoned beneath Mount Hua (华山), her son Chen Xiang (沉香) would split that mountain to save her, just as I once did.
神圣力量
Located on my forehead, the Third Eye (天眼) sees through all illusions, transformations, and deceptions. When Sun Wukong transformed into a temple during our battle, my Third Eye revealed his tail disguised as a flagpole. No demon can hide from its divine sight.
The Three-Pointed Double-Edged Lance (三尖两刃刀) is my signature weapon — a divine polearm with three bladed tips and double cutting edges. Unmatched in celestial combat, it has slain countless demons and even matched the Monkey King's Ruyi Jingu Bang in battle.
Xiaotian Quan (哮天犬), the Howling Celestial Dog, is my faithful white hound companion. He possesses divine senses that detect evil and can bite through demon flesh. During the battle with Sun Wukong, he bit the Monkey King's leg, aiding in his capture.
I have mastered the 72 Earthly Transformations (七十二变), the same art practiced by Sun Wukong. However, my transformations are said to be more refined — I can transform without leaving tell-tale signs like the tail that often betrays the Monkey King.
The Eight-Nine Mysterious Art (八九玄功) grants me near-invulnerability and immense strength. This supreme cultivation technique makes my body as hard as diamond and allows me to wield cosmic forces. It is one of the highest arts of transformation and combat.
In addition to Xiaotian Quan, I am accompanied by a Divine Hawk (神鹰) that serves as my aerial scout. This celestial raptor can fly across vast distances, spotting demons and evil-doers from the heavens above.
传奇战役
As recorded in "Journey to the West" (西游记), when the Monkey King (孙悟空) wreaked havoc in Heaven, the Jade Emperor summoned me to subdue him. Our battle was legendary — we fought for three hundred rounds, evenly matched in power. When Sun Wukong transformed into a sparrow, I became a hawk. When he became a fish, I became a cormorant. When he transformed into a temple, I spotted his tail disguised as a flagpole through my Third Eye. Finally, with the aid of Laozi's Golden Hoop and my loyal Xiaotian Quan biting his leg, we captured the rebellious immortal.
Journey to the West 孙悟空In ancient times, the region of Guanjiang Kou was plagued by flood dragons that caused devastating floods and devoured the people. I descended from Heaven and engaged the dragons in fierce combat. After slaying them and bringing the waters under control, the grateful people built temples in my honor. To this day, Guanjiang Kou remains my earthly residence, and I am worshipped as a god of water control and flood prevention.
Flood Control 灌江口According to "Investiture of the Gods" (封神演义), I fought alongside Jiang Ziya (姜子牙) during the fall of the Shang Dynasty and the rise of the Zhou. In this great celestial war, I battled demon immortals and corrupt deities, wielding my three-pointed lance against the forces that supported the tyrant King Zhou. My contributions in that cosmic conflict earned me eternal glory among the gods.
Fengshen Yanyi 封神演义天庭纪事
Though the Jade Emperor is my uncle, I maintain my independence from the Heavenly Court. My principle of "听调不听宣" (tīng diào bù tīng xuān) means I will answer calls to battle demons threatening the mortal realm, but I do not attend court ceremonies or bow to heavenly bureaucracy. I reside at Guanjiang Kou with my warriors, apart from the politics of Heaven. This independence was hard-won after the injustice done to my mother.
Philosophy IndependenceMy younger sister Yang Chan (杨婵), the Third Holy Mother (三圣母), followed the same path as our mother — she fell in love with the mortal scholar Liu Yanchang and bore a son, Chen Xiang (沉香). When she was imprisoned beneath Mount Hua for this transgression, I was placed in a difficult position. Ultimately, Chen Xiang grew strong enough to split Mount Hua and save his mother, just as I once saved ours. The cycle of love defying heavenly law continues through our bloodline.
Family 宝莲灯Sun Wukong and I both mastered the 72 Earthly Transformations, yet our styles differ. The Monkey King's transformations, though powerful, often leave traces — most famously his tail, which he cannot fully conceal. My mastery of the Eight-Nine Mysterious Art (八九玄功) grants me more complete transformations. When I become a hawk, I am truly a hawk in every detail. This subtle advantage proved crucial in our legendary battle.
Martial Arts 八九玄功The people of Sichuan province have honored me for centuries with temples at Guankou (灌口). I am worshipped as Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun (清源妙道真君), the "True Lord of the Wondrous Way of Clear Source." Devotees pray for protection against floods, for success in battle, and for justice against those who deceive. I hear their prayers and, when the cause is righteous, I answer.
Worship 清源妙道真君祈请神明
