犬天兵 Hound Soldier
明盔配亮甲，金戈覆雕花。
造化玄功妙，涤荡入烟霞。
Bright helm with shining armor paired,
Golden spear with carvings flared.
With the universe's mystic power grand,
All is cleansed in the sacred land.
却说，在阴曹脱难的亡魂，初登天界，心怀激荡。
他随天将穿巷过廊步入武库。
天将道:“此为楮白甲，皆为极品，凡间难有。”
遂取一套，替他捧定，又转到三曹处，却不入正殿，只往偏殿的一处小吏前，取张契据，令其签字画押。
小吏在旁，漠然叮嘱:“签此契书，日后只可在天庭效力，永不入轮回矣。”
那亡魂四下里观望，一个个玉簪朱履，一殿殿金碧辉煌，立时画了押。
天将带着亡魂又往兜率宫去。
亦不入正殿，转过回廊，来到后方极大的塔楼前。
那楼顶上冒出滚滚乌烟，正有许多兵将，手捧盔甲，正候入殿。
待亡魂入内，只觉热浪灼烧。
无数炉灶齐燃猛火，有一巨釜悬吊其上，正融着些铜汁铁水。
一个执扇的道童迎上来，笑道:“天兵天兵，我说你听。肉身既殒，魂附钢金。恶战沙场，临危履冰。道消功散，三思慎行。”
语毕，那童子便把亡魂推入模子中，摆好盔甲部件。
那亡魂犹自懵懂就见头上巨釜一斜，滚沸的浆水浇落，塔楼中回荡起他嘹亮的哀嚎。
The story continues with the soul that escaped the underworld, now ascending to the upper realm, filled with excitement. He followed the celestial captain through alleys and corridors, eventually arriving at the armory. The captain said, "These are the Chu-Bai armors, unmatched in the mortal world." He then selected a set and handed it to the soul. They proceeded to the side hall, but instead of entering the main hall, they went to a side chamber where a minor official handed them a contract, instructing the soul to sign and seal it.
The minor official indifferently warned, "By signing this contract, you agree to serve in the Celestial Court forever, with no chance of reincarnation." The soul, glancing around at the grandeur of the palace and the elegance of the celestial beings, signed and sealed the contract immediately.
The celestial captain then led the soul to the Tushita Palace. Again, they did not enter the main hall but turned through a corridor to a massive tower at the back. Thick black smoke billowed from the top, and many soldiers were waiting outside, holding armor, ready to enter.
As the soul stepped inside, he felt the scorching heat. Numerous furnaces blazed with fierce flames, and a giant cauldron hung above, melting copper and iron. A Daoist boy with a fan approached, smiling, "Celestial soldier, heed my plea. Your flesh is gone, your soul must be. Bound to armor, fierce and bold. In battles fought, be brave, yet hold. For if you falter, heed this call, your very soul shall perish, fall."
With that, the boy pushed the soul into a mold, arranging the armor pieces. Still bewildered, the soul saw the giant cauldron tilt above him, pouring boiling molten metal. His piercing screams echoed through the tower.
