In Wendeng there was a scholar named Zhou, who had studied together with a scholar named Cheng since childhood, and they had sworn to be friends regardless of rank or wealth. Cheng was poor, so he relied on Zhou all year round. Since Zhou was older, Cheng called Zhou's wife "Sister-in-law." On holidays he would come to the house, and they were as close as one family. Zhou's wife bore a son, but died suddenly after childbirth. Zhou then took a second wife, a Miss Wang. Because she was young, Cheng had never asked to meet her.

　　One day, Wang's younger brother came to visit his sister, and Zhou hosted a feast in the inner chamber. Cheng happened to arrive. The servant announced him, and Zhou, still seated, sent word to invite him in. Cheng would not enter and left. Zhou moved the feast to the outer hall, chased after him, and brought him back. They had barely sat down when someone came to report that a servant at Zhou's country estate had been severely flogged by the county magistrate.

　　Earlier, a herdsman of the Huang family, a former official in the Ministry of Personnel, had let his oxen trample Zhou's fields, leading to a quarrel. The herdsman ran and told his master, who had Zhou's servant seized and sent to the authorities, where he was flogged. Zhou learned the whole story and flew into a rage: "That Huang family swineherd – how dare he! His ancestors served my grandfather. Now that they've risen in the world, have they forgotten all decency?" Fury choked his throat. He jumped up, intending to go and confront Huang. Cheng held him back and stopped him, saying, "In this brutal world, there is no black and white. And are not most of today's officials simply robbers who have traded their bows for official seals?" Zhou would not listen. Cheng pleaded with him again and again, even weeping, and only then did Zhou give up. But his anger did not subside; he tossed and turned all night.

　　In the morning he said to his household, "The Huang family has wronged me. They are my enemies, but I'll set that aside for now. The magistrate is an imperial official, not a tool of powerful families. Even if there is a dispute, he ought to hear both sides. Why should he act like a dog that bites at its master's whistle? I will also lodge a complaint against Huang's herdsman and see how he handles it." His household all encouraged him, and so he made up his mind. He prepared a petition and went to the magistrate, who tore it up and threw it away. Zhou grew angry and used harsh words against the magistrate. Ashamed and enraged, the magistrate had him arrested and thrown into prison.

　　After the hour of Chen (7–9 a.m.), Cheng went to visit Zhou and learned that Zhou had gone to the city to press his case. He rushed to stop him, but Zhou was already in jail. He stamped his feet in despair. Around that time, three sea bandits had been captured. The magistrate, together with the Huang family, bribed them to falsely implicate Zhou as their accomplice. Based on that confession, Zhou's scholar's status was stripped, and he was subjected to brutal torture. Cheng visited him in prison. They looked at each other in grief and discussed petitioning the throne directly. Zhou said, "I am locked in this deep jail like a bird in a cage. I have a young brother, but he can only bring me food." Cheng took the burden upon himself and said, "This is my duty. If I do not help in times of crisis, what use is a friend?" He set out at once. When Zhou's brother came to give him traveling money, Cheng had already been gone a long time.

　　Arriving in the capital, Cheng could find no way to present his petition. It was said that the emperor was about to go hunting. Cheng hid in the woods in advance. When the imperial procession passed, he prostrated himself, wailing, and his petition was accepted. It was sent back by courier, with orders for the provincial court to try the case and report back. By then more than ten months had passed, and Zhou had already been tortured into confessing to a capital crime. The provincial governor, receiving the imperial order, was horrified and retried the case in person. Huang was also terrified and plotted to kill Zhou. He bribed the jailers to cut off Zhou's food and drink. Zhou's brother came to bring him food, but was sternly refused. Cheng again went to the provincial court to plead for justice, and finally Zhou was brought up for interrogation – but he had already been starved almost to death. The governor was enraged and had the jailers beaten to death. Huang, in great fear, paid several thousand taels of silver to get himself acquitted, and so the case was vaguely dropped. The magistrate was sentenced to exile for perverting the law. Zhou was released and went home, and his devotion to Cheng deepened.

　　After going through this lawsuit, Cheng became utterly disillusioned with the world. He invited Zhou to retire with him into seclusion. Zhou, infatuated with his young wife, simply laughed at him. Cheng said nothing, but his resolve was firm. After parting, several days passed without Cheng coming. Zhou sent someone to his home, but his family had been wondering if he was at Zhou's. Neither place had him, so they became suspicious. Zhou knew it was strange and sent men to search for him – in monasteries, temples, ravines, and valleys, they searched everywhere. Meanwhile, Zhou often sent money and cloth to Cheng's son.

　　Another eight or nine years passed, and Cheng suddenly came back on his own. He wore a yellow headdress and a wide-sleeved robe, with the serene air of a Daoist. Zhou, delighted, took his arm and said, "Where have you been? I have searched everywhere for you!" Cheng laughed and said, "A solitary cloud and a wild crane have no fixed abode. Fortunately, since we parted, I have remained hale." Zhou ordered wine and they exchanged news. Zhou wanted Cheng to change out of his Daoist robes, but Cheng just smiled without answering. Zhou said, "How foolish! How can you abandon your wife and children like a worn-out shoe?" Cheng laughed and replied, "Not so. The world is about to abandon me – how could I abandon anyone?" When asked where he lived, Cheng said he was at the Shangqing Palace on Mount Lao.

　　That night they slept with their feet touching. Zhou dreamed that Cheng lay naked on his chest, suffocating him. In alarm he asked what he was doing, but Cheng gave no answer. Suddenly Zhou woke with a start. He called Cheng but got no reply. He sat up and felt around – Cheng was gone. After a while he realized he was lying on Cheng's bed. In shock he said, "I was not drunk last night – how did I become so disoriented?" He called for his servants. They brought a lamp – and there sat Cheng, unmistakably. Zhou had always had a thick beard; now he stroked his chin and found only a few sparse hairs. He took a mirror and looked – then cried in astonishment, "If Cheng is here, where am I?" Soon he understood that Cheng had used illusion to summon him to retirement.

　　He wanted to go back inside, but his brother, seeing his changed appearance, would not let him pass. Zhou could not explain himself, so he ordered a horse and servant to go find Cheng.

　　After several days they entered Mount Lao. The horse ran fast and the servant could not keep up. Zhou rested under a tree and saw many Daoist priests passing by. One of them stared at Zhou. Zhou asked him about Cheng. The priest smiled and said, "I have heard his name; he seems to be at Shangqing." Then he left. Zhou watched him go. Just beyond a bow-shot, the priest spoke briefly with another man and departed. That man approached – he was a fellow scholar from Zhou's hometown. Seeing Zhou, he exclaimed in surprise, "It's been years! People say you've gone to the mountains to study the Way – are you still wandering the mortal world?" Zhou told him the strange story. The scholar said, "I just met him, and I thought he was you. He left only a short while ago – he can't be far." Zhou was amazed: "How strange! I met my own face and did not recognize it!" His servant arrived, and he rode off in pursuit, but there was no trace. The vast expanse left him at a loss. He thought, "I have no home to return to," and resolved to pursue to the end. But the path was too steep for a horse, so he gave the horse to the servant and told him to go back, proceeding alone on foot.

　　In the distance he saw a young acolyte sitting alone. He approached and asked the way, explaining his purpose. The acolyte said he was Cheng's disciple, and offered to carry Zhou's clothes and provisions, leading him onward. They traveled by starlight, slept in the open, and walked a long way. After three days they arrived – but it was not the Shangqing Palace known in the world. It was the tenth month, yet the mountain paths were full of flowers, nothing like early winter. The acolyte announced a guest, and Cheng came out at once. Only then did Zhou recognize his own form. They clasped hands and entered, where wine was laid out and they talked. Strange, colorful birds, tame and unafraid, sang like reed organs and often came to perch near the table. Zhou found this extraordinary. But his worldly attachments were strong, and he had no desire to stay.

　　On the floor lay two straw mats. Cheng pulled Zhou to sit with him. After the second watch, all thoughts subsided. Suddenly Zhou seemed to doze off, and he felt his body had swapped places with Cheng's. Doubtful, he stroked his chin – and his bushy beard was back.

　　At dawn, Zhou was eager to return. Cheng tried to keep him. After three days, Cheng said, "Please rest a while, and I will see you off early." No sooner had Zhou closed his eyes than he heard Cheng call, "Your luggage is ready." He rose and followed, but the road was not the one he had come by. Soon his village came into sight. Cheng sat by the roadside and told Zhou to go home alone. Zhou could not persuade him otherwise, so he walked alone to his gate. He knocked but got no answer. He thought to climb over the wall, and found himself as light as a leaf – one leap and he was over. He crossed several walls and reached his bedroom. A lamp flickered inside; his wife was not yet asleep, mumbling to someone. He licked the window paper and peeped in – there was his wife drinking with a male servant, behaving lewdly.

　　Rage burned like fire. He planned to catch them red-handed, but feared he could not overpower them alone. He slipped out, unlatched the door, and ran to tell Cheng, begging for help. Cheng readily followed him back to the inner chamber. Zhou pounded the door with a stone. Panic broke out inside. The harder he pounded, the tighter they barred it. Cheng thrust his sword at the door – it split open with a single slash. Zhou rushed in; the servant bolted out the door. Cheng, standing outside, struck him with his sword, severing his shoulder and arm. Zhou seized his wife and interrogated her – she confessed she had taken the servant as a lover while Zhou was imprisoned. Zhou borrowed Cheng's sword, cut off her head, and hung her entrails on the courtyard tree. Then he left with Cheng, seeking the way back. Suddenly he woke with a start – he was lying on his bed. In terror he cried, "What a bizarre dream – it frightens me!" Cheng laughed and said, "Brother, you take the dream as real, and the real as a dream." Zhou asked in astonishment. Cheng drew his sword and showed it – the bloodstains were still fresh. Zhou was so shocked he nearly fainted, secretly suspecting that Cheng was playing tricks. Cheng understood his thoughts and hurriedly packed to see him home.

　　They walked until they reached the village gate. Cheng said, "Wasn't it right here that I stood sword in hand that night? I loathe seeing filth and wickedness. Let me wait for you here. If you don't come back by the hour of Shen (3–5 p.m.), I will leave."

　　Zhou entered his home. The gate and courtyard were desolate, as if no one lived there. He went to his brother's house. His brother, seeing him, burst into tears: "After you left, robbers came one night and killed my sister-in-law, cutting out her bowels – a brutal, pitiful death. The authorities have not caught them yet." Zhou felt as if waking from a dream. He told his brother the truth and warned him not to pursue it. His brother was stunned for a long time. Zhou asked about his son, and his brother had the old nurse bring him. Zhou said, "This babe in swaddling clothes is our family's continuation. Take good care of him, brother. I am leaving the world." He rose and went straight out. His brother, weeping, tried to hold him back, but Zhou walked on with a smile, never looking back. In the open field he met Cheng, and they went together. Turning back from afar, he called out, "Patience is the greatest joy!" His brother wanted to speak, but Cheng raised his wide sleeve, and they vanished from sight. His brother stood there lost for a long while, then returned home weeping.

　　Zhou's brother was simple and clumsy, not good at managing the household. After a few years, the family grew poorer. Zhou's son gradually grew up, and since they could not afford a tutor, the brother taught him himself. One morning, he came to the study and saw a sealed letter on the desk, tightly wrapped, with the inscription "For my younger brother" in Zhou's handwriting. He opened it – there was nothing inside but a single fingernail about two inches long. Surprised, he placed it on the inkstone. He went out to ask the household where it had come from, but no one knew. When he returned, the inkstone had turned into sparkling gold. Astounded, he tested it with copper and iron – they too turned to gold. From then on, the family became enormously wealthy. He gave a thousand taels of gold to Cheng's son, and so it was rumored that both families possessed the art of turning base metals into gold.


原文如下：

成仙

周生与成生因官绅勾结含冤入狱，成生舍命上京鸣冤救友，后以道术幻形点化周生看破红尘，共赴修仙之路。

原文和翻译 对比【原文】

文登周生，与成生少共笔砚，遂订为杵臼交。而成贫，故终岁常依周。以齿则周为长，呼周妻以嫂。节序登堂，如一家焉。周妻生子，产后暴卒。继聘王氏，成以少故，未尝请见之也。一日，王氏弟来省姊，宴于内寝。成适至。家人通白，周坐命邀之。成不入，辞去。周移席外舍，追之而还。甫坐，即有人白别业之仆为邑宰重笞者。

先是，黄吏部家牧佣，牛蹊周田，以是相诟。牧佣奔告主，捉仆送官，遂被笞责。周诘得其故，大怒曰：“黄家牧猪奴，何敢尔！其先世为大父服役，促得志，乃无人耶！”气填吭臆，忿而起，欲往寻黄。成捺而止之曰：“强梁世界，原无皂白。况今日官宰半强寇不操矛弧者耶？”周不听。成谏止再三，至泣下，周乃止。怒终不释，转侧达旦。谓家人曰：“黄家欺我，我仇也，姑置之。邑令为朝廷官，非势家官，纵有互争，亦须两造，何至如狗之随嗾者？我亦呈治其佣，视彼将何处分。”家人悉怂恿之，计遂决。具状赴宰，宰裂而掷之。周怒，语侵宰。宰惭恚，因逮系之。

辰后，成往访周，始知入城讼理。急奔劝止，则已在囹圄矣。顿足无所为计。时获海寇三名，宰与黄赂嘱之，使捏周同党。据词申黜顶衣，搒掠酷惨。成入狱，相顾凄酸，谋叩阙。周曰：“身系重犴，如鸟在笼，虽有弱弟，止足供囚饭耳。”成锐身自任，曰：“是予责也。难而不急，乌用友也！”乃行。周弟赆之，则去已久矣。至都，无门入控。相传驾将出猎，成预隐木市中，俄驾过，伏舞哀号，遂得准，驿送而下，着部院审奏。时阅十月馀，周已诬服论辟。院接御批，大骇，复提躬谳。黄亦骇，谋杀周。因赂监者，绝其食饮，弟来馈问，苦禁拒之。成又为赴院声屈，始蒙提问，业已饥饿不起。院台怒，杖毙监者。黄大怖，纳数千金，嘱为营脱，以是得朦胧题免。宰以枉法拟流。周放归，益肝胆成。

成自经讼系，世情尽灰，招周偕隐。周溺少妇，辄迂笑之。成虽不言，而意甚决。别后，数日不至。周使探诸其家，家人方疑其在周所。两无所见，始疑。周心知其异，遣人踪迹之，寺观壑谷，物色殆遍。时以金帛恤其子。

又八九年，成忽自至，黄巾氅服，岸然道貌。周喜，把臂曰：“君何往，使我寻欲遍？”笑曰：“孤云野鹤，栖无定所。别后幸复顽健。”周命置酒，略道间阔。欲为变易道装，成笑不语。周曰：“愚哉！何弃妻孥犹敝屣也？”成笑曰：“不然。人将弃予，其何人之能弃。”问所栖止，答在劳山之上清宫。既而抵足寝，梦成裸伏胸上，气不得息。讶问何为，殊不答。忽惊而寤，呼成不应，坐而索之，杳然不知所往。定移时，始觉在成榻。骇曰：“昨不醉，何颠倒至此耶！”乃呼家人。家人火之，俨然成也。周故多髭，以手自捋，则疏无几茎。取镜自照，讶曰：“成生在此，我何往？”已而大悟，知成以幻术招隐。意欲归内，弟以其貌异，禁不听前。周亦无以自明，即命仆马往寻成。

数日，入劳山。马行疾，仆不能及。休止树下，见羽客往来甚众。内一道人目周，周因以成问。道士笑曰：“耳其名矣，似在上清。”言已径去。周目送之，见一矢之外，又与一人语，亦不数言而去。与言者渐至，乃同社生。见周，愕曰：“数年不晤，人以君学道名山，今尚游戏人间耶？”周述其异。生惊曰：“我适遇之，而以为君也。去无几时，或当不远。”周大异，曰：“怪哉！何自己面目觌面而不之识！”仆寻至，急驰之，竟无踪兆。一望寥阔，进退难以自主。自念无家可归，遂决意穷追。而怪险不复可骑，遂以马付仆归，迤逦自往。

遥见一僮独坐，趋近问程，且告以故。僮自言为成弟子，代荷衣粮，导与俱行。星饭露宿，逴行殊远。三日始至，又非世之所谓上清。时十月中，山花满路，不类初冬。僮入报客，成即遽出，始认己形。执手入，置酒宴语。见异彩之禽，驯人不惊，声如笙簧，时来鸣于座上。心甚异之。然尘俗念切，无意留连。地下有蒲团二，曳与并坐。至二更后，万虑俱寂，忽似瞥然一盹，身觉与成易位。疑之，自捋颔下，则于思者如故矣。

既曙，浩然思返。成固留之。越三日，乃曰：“乞少寐息，早送君行。”甫交睫，闻成呼曰：“行装已具矣。”遂起从之，所行殊非旧途。觉无几时，里居已在望中。成坐候路侧，俾自归。周强之不得，因踽踽至家门。叩不能应，思欲越墙，觉身飘似叶，一跃已过。凡逾数重垣，始抵卧室。灯烛荧然，内人未寝，哝哝与人语。舐窗以窥，则妻与一厮仆同杯饮，状甚狎亵。于是怒火如焚，计将掩执，又恐孤力难胜。遂潜身脱扃而出，奔告成，且乞为助。成慨然从之，直抵内寝。周举石挝门，内张皇甚。擂愈急，内闭益坚。成拨以剑，划然顿辟。周奔入，仆冲户而走。成在门外，以剑击之，断其肩臂。周执妻拷讯，乃知被收时即与仆私。周借剑决其首，罥肠庭树间，乃从成出，寻途而返。蓦然忽醒，则身在卧榻。惊而言曰：“怪梦参差，使人骇惧！”成笑曰：“梦者兄以为真，真者乃以为梦。”周愕而问之。成出剑示之，溅血犹存。周惊怛欲绝，窃疑成诪张为幻。成知其意，乃促装送之归。

荏苒至里门，乃曰：“畴昔之夜，倚剑而相待者，非此处耶？吾厌见恶浊，请还待君于此。如过晡不来，予自去。”

周至家，门户萧索，似无居人。还入弟家。弟见兄，双泪遽堕，曰：“兄去后，盗夜杀嫂，刳肠去，酷惨可悼。于今官捕未获。”周如梦醒，因以情告，戒勿究。弟错愕良久。周问其子，乃命老媪抱至。周曰：“此襁褓物，宗绪所关，弟好视之。兄欲辞人世矣。”遂起，径出。弟涕泗追挽，笑行不顾。至野外，见成，与俱行。遥回顾曰：“忍事最乐。”弟欲有言，成阔袖一举，即不可见。怅立移时，痛哭而返。

周弟朴拙，不善治家人生产，居数年，家益贫。周子渐长，不能延师，因自教读。一日，早至斋，见案头有函书，缄封甚固，签题“仲氏启”，审之为兄迹。开视，则虚无所有，只见爪甲一枚，长二指许。心怪之。以甲置研上。出问家人所自来，并无知者。回视，则研石粲粲，化为黄金。大惊。以试铜铁，皆然，由此大富。以千金赐成氏子，因相传两家有点金术云。

【翻译】

文登县有个姓周的书生，与另一个姓成的书生从小就在一起读书，于是结为不计身份高低贵贱的好朋友。成生家里很贫穷，一年到头依靠周生接济。论年龄，周生的岁数大，成生就称呼周生的妻子为嫂嫂。四时八节，成生就到周家拜见问候，亲密得如同一家人。后来，周生的妻子生孩子，产后得了暴病死去了，周生又续娶了一个妻子王氏，成生因为王氏年少，一直没有拜见过她。有一天，王氏的弟弟来看望姐姐，周生便在内室设了酒宴招待他。这时成生正好来了，家人进来通报，周生让家人邀他进来一同饮酒。成生没有进来，告辞走了。周生把酒席移到客厅里，把成生追了回来。两人刚刚坐定，就有人来报告说乡下田庄的仆人被知县下令重重鞭打了一顿。

事情的原委是，在吏部做官的黄家有一个放牧的仆人，赶着牛践踏了周生家的农田，因此和周生家的仆人争吵辱骂起来。黄家的仆人跑回去告诉主人后，黄家就捉住周生家的仆人送到了官衙，于是周生家的仆人遭到了鞭打的处罚。周生问明了事情的起因后，勃然大怒说：“黄家奴才，怎么敢这样！黄家上一辈子的人还在我祖父手下当差，突然间得了志，就目中无人了吗！”他满腔怒气，愤怒地跳起来要去找黄家论理。成生连忙按住他劝阻说：“现在这个强横世界，本来就不分青红皂白。又何况现在做官为宦的多半都是些不拿刀枪的强盗呢？”周生不听，成生又再三劝阻，以致流下眼泪哀求，周生才止步不去了。但他心中的怒气到底没有消去，夜间在床上翻来覆去地睡不着。天亮后，他对家人说：“黄家欺负我，是我的仇人，这暂且不说。那知县是朝廷任命的官员，又不是有权势人家任命的官员，即使互相有争执，也应该两面兼听，何至于像狗那样，主人一嗾使就去咬人呢？我现在也上个呈状要求惩治黄家的仆人，看他怎么处理。”家人在一旁也都怂恿他去，于是周生打定了主意。他写了一份状子去见知县，知县见了状纸，一把撕破扔在了地上。周生十分气愤，言语侵犯了知县。知县恼羞成怒，就下令把他逮捕起来投进了监狱。

这天辰时过后，成生前往周生家拜访，才知道周生进城告状辩理去了。他急忙追到城里去劝阻，但周生已经被投入大牢。成生急得捶胸顿足，然而一时也想不出办法来。这时，县里捕获了三名海盗，知县与黄家于是用钱买通他们，让他们诬陷周生是同党。知县又根据他们的供词报请上级官府革去周生的生员功名，对他进行残酷拷打。成生入狱探望，两人凄酸相对，商量把冤情直接向朝廷申诉。周生说：“我关在大牢里，好像鸟困在笼中，虽然有一个年少的弟弟，也只能够给我送送囚饭而已。”成生毅然自荐，说：“这是我的责任呀。有了危难而不相救，还要朋友有什么用！”说完就起程了。等到周生的弟弟来给他送盘缠时，他已经走了很久了。成生到了京城，一直找不到门路去上诉。一天，听说皇帝将要出门行猎，他便预先躲藏在树林当中。不久，皇帝的车驾经过这里，成生连忙出来伏地叩头，痛哭喊冤，于是皇帝准接了他的状纸，派邮驿把状纸送下，命令交付山东巡抚审理后再回奏。这时距离周生被关押起来已经过了十个多月，周生在县里已经被屈打成招，判处了死罪。巡抚接到皇帝的御批后，大吃一惊，重新提调案犯亲自审定。黄家听到消息后，也十分恐慌，谋划杀了周生灭口。于是黄家贿赂了监狱里的看守，不给周生吃喝，周生的弟弟前来送饭探监，也被拒绝在门外。成生又为此事往巡抚衙门喊冤，才争取到长官开始提审周生的案子，但周生已经饿得不能动弹了。巡抚大人大怒，下令用乱棍打死监狱的那个看守。黄家极为恐惧，急忙拿出几千两银子，托人向上说情解脱，终于使自己蒙混脱了罪，免于被题奏参劾。而知县则应为贪赃枉法罪被判处流放。周生被放回家后，对成生更加推心置腹。

成生自从经过这场官司后，已经看破世情，心如死灰，便去邀周生一同到深山隐居。周生因为溺爱年轻的妻子，就笑话成生迂腐。成生虽然没再说什么，但去意已决。这次分别后，成生有好几天没有再来周家。周生派人到他家去探望打听，成家人正在猜疑成生住在周生家里。两处都不见了成生，大家这才惊疑起来。周生心里明白这事的情由，就派人去寻访他的踪迹，但佛寺道观、深山峡谷，几乎都找遍了，却仍然杳无音讯。周生只好时常送银钱衣服去抚恤成生的儿子。

又过了八九年，成生忽然自己回来了，只见他头戴道冠，身穿道袍，一副地道的道士模样。周生十分高兴，拉着他的胳臂问：“你到哪里去了，让我到处都找了个遍？”成生笑着回答说：“我孤云野鹤，四处飘游，没有一定的栖身住处。所幸的是分别后身体还算健壮。”周生立即命令家人摆上酒席，两人说了一会儿久别之后的闲话。周生想让成生换下道士服装，成生只是笑了笑不说话。周生说：“你太傻了！怎么能这样像扔破鞋子似的抛弃妻子儿女呢？”成生又笑了笑回答说：“不是这样的呀。人世间要抛弃我，我哪里能抛弃什么人呢！”周生再问他住的地方，成生回答说在崂山的上清宫。这一夜，两人就脚对脚地睡在一起，周生梦见成生赤裸着身子伏压在自己胸口上，压得他喘不过气来。他惊讶地问成生为什么要这样，成生一句也没有回答。周生一惊，忽然睁眼醒了过来，呼叫成生却没有应声，坐起身一摸，床上空空的，成生已经不知到哪里去了。周生再定神坐了一段时间，才发现自己睡在成生床上。他不由得惊奇地自语：“昨天晚上没有喝醉，怎么神魂颠倒到这种地步？”于是他呼叫起了家人。家人拿着灯火一看，坐在这里的明明白白是成生。周生原来的胡须很浓密，现在自己用手一捋，只觉得稀稀拉拉地没有几根。他又取来镜子自己对着照，立即惊叫起来：“成生在这里，那么我到哪里去了呢？”过了一会儿，他终于恍然大悟，知道这是成生在用幻术劝自己去隐居。周生想回到自己的内室去，弟弟因为他的相貌与原来的周生大不相同，拦住他不让进。周生自己也没有什么办法来说明一切，就命令仆人备马一同去寻找成生。

走了几天，他们进入了崂山。马跑得快，仆人追不上。周生勒马停在树下休息，只见许多道士来来往往。其中有一个道士不住地注视着他，周生就上前去打听成生的下落。那个道士笑着说：“听说过这个名字，他好像在上清宫。”说完就径直走了。周生目送着他离去，见他刚走了一箭远的路，又与另外一个人谈话，也是说了没几句话就离去了。和道士说话的那人渐渐地走近了，一看，竟然是同乡的一个生员。那人见了周生，惊愕地问道：“数年不见，别人都说你在名山里学道，难道现在你还在人间游戏吗？”周生知道他把自己当成了成生，于是又述说了一遍这件怪事。那个生员吃惊地说：“我刚才正好遇见他，还以为是周生你呢。他刚离去没多久，也许还没走远。”周生也大为惊异，说：“真怪呀！怎么自己的面孔我对面碰见都不认识了呢！”这时，仆人已经找到了这里，周生急忙策马奔驰，前去追赶那个道士，但竟然毫无踪影。追了一阵儿，周生四下一望，只见山势茫茫，辽阔无边，顿时感到不知所从，进退两难。他心中思忖，自己已经无家可归了，决定索性穷追到底。但是山势越来越险峻，不能再骑马前行，他就把马交付给仆人让他回去，自己慢慢走着独身前往。

周生走了一会儿，远远地看见一个道童独自坐在那里，就上前去问路，并且告诉了他自己正在寻找成生的事。道童自称是成师父的弟子，又代替周生背起干粮衣物，引导他一同前往。两人一路上披星戴月，风餐露宿，走了很远。他们走到第三天才到，却不是人世间所说的那处上清宫。这时已经是十月中旬，这里仍然是山花开满路边，一点儿也不像是初冬季节。道童进门报告说有客人来了，成生立即出门前来迎接，周生这才认出了自己的模样。他们两人手拉着手进了屋里，一边饮酒一边交谈起来。但见一只只身披奇光异彩羽毛的禽鸟，十分驯服，见人也不惊怕，叫声像笙簧一样悦耳动听，常常飞到座位前来鸣唱。周生心里十分惊异。然而他还是念念不忘尘世，无意在这里久留。地上放着两个蒲团，成生拉着周生盘腿并坐在了上面。待到夜里二更以后，周生心中什么也不再想了，进入了一片沉寂，忽然好像突然打了个盹，周生觉得自己的身子又与成生的换了回来。他还有些怀疑，就自己摸了摸下巴，浓密的胡须已经和以前一样了。

天亮以后，周生又执意提出要回家去。成生坚决挽留他。过了三天，成生才说：“请稍微睡上一会儿休息休息，然后早早地送你回去。”周生的眼睫毛刚刚合上，就听见成生在叫他：“行装已经准备好了。”于是他就起身随成生上了路，所走的路途与来时的旧路截然不同。觉得没过多久，自己住处的房屋已经遥遥可见了。成生坐在路边等候，让周生自己回去。周生强拉他一同回家，但成生不去，周生只好独自慢慢地走到家门口。他敲了几下门没有人答应，刚想要爬墙进去，就觉得身子轻飘飘地像一片树叶，轻轻一跃就已经过了院墙。这样跃过了好几道墙，周生才到达了自己的卧室。只见里面的灯火还亮着，妻子王氏还没有睡，听见她唧唧哝哝地在与人说话。周生用舌尖舔破窗纸偷偷一看，只见妻子正在与一个仆人同杯共饮，一副淫荡的模样。于是他不由得胸中怒火熊熊，想要把这两个人堵在屋里抓住，又怕自己孤掌难鸣。于是他悄悄地转回身子开启大门跑了出来，一直奔跑到成生那里，告诉了成生并请他帮忙。成生痛快地随他前去，一直进到了里面的卧室。周生举起一块石头砸门，里面顿时乱作一团，但外面擂门擂得越急，里面就把门顶得越牢。于是成生用剑一拨，屋门就像被划破一样地敞开了。周生冲了进去，仆人跳出窗户要逃，却被成生在门外挡住，用剑一砍，砍断了仆人的一只臂膀。周生抓住妻子拷打审讯，才知道自己那年被关在监狱里时，她就已经和这个仆人私通了。周生借来成生的剑砍下了她的头，又把她的肠子挂在庭院里的树上，这才随着成生出来，按原路上山。这时，周生蓦地醒了过来，一看自己还躺在床上。他惊愕地说：“做了一个稀奇古怪的梦，真叫人又惊又怕！”成生笑着说：“梦中的事，兄长以为是真事，真事，兄长却以为是做梦。”周生惊疑地问他这是什么意思。成生就拿出剑来给他看，只见那剑上的血还在。周生害怕难过得要死，心里却怀疑这是成生用幻术制造出来的假象。成生知道他的心思，于是收拾行装送他回去。

两个人慢慢地走到了周生的村子口，成生说：“先前的那个夜里，我拿着宝剑等待你，不就是在这里吗？我讨厌看见人间的恶浊，请你让我还在这里等你。如果过了下午你还不来，我就自己走了。”

周生到了家，看见门户萧条冷落，似乎没有人居住在里面。他又进到弟弟的宅院。弟弟一见到他，就失声痛哭，说：“哥哥走了以后，突然有一天夜里强盗闯进来杀死了嫂嫂，挖出了她的肠子才走，实在太残忍了。到现在官府四处捕捉也没有拿获到凶手。”周生这才如梦初醒，于是把实情详细地告诉了弟弟，又告诫他不要再追究这件事了。弟弟听后惊愕了很长时间。周生又问起了自己的儿子。弟弟于是让老妈子把孩子抱来。周生对弟弟说：“这个在襁褓里的孩子，周家要靠他传宗接代，弟弟要好好照看他。为兄的要告别人世了。”说完，周生就起身径自出门去了。弟弟流着眼泪追上前挽留他，周生却笑着不回头。到了野外，周生见到在那里等候的成生，就与他一起前行。周生远远地又回头喊道：“做事能忍让，就是最大的快乐！”弟弟还想说些什么，但见成生的宽袖一甩，他们两人就立即不见了。弟弟在那里失意地站了半天，只得痛哭着回去了。

周生的弟弟为人朴实反应慢，不善于管理家人和家业，过了几年后，家里越来越穷。周生的儿子渐渐长大了，也没有钱为他请老师，因而周生的弟弟只好自己教他读书。一天，周生的弟弟早晨来到书斋里，看见桌子上放着一封信，封得很严实，信封上写着“贤弟亲启”，仔细一看，辨出是哥哥的笔迹。打开信封，里面竟然空空的什么都没有，只见到一片指甲，有两指多长。弟弟心中十分奇怪。他把指甲放在砚台上，出房去问家人信函是从哪里来的，却没有人知道。等他回到书斋再一看，砚台已经黄灿灿地化成了黄金。弟弟大吃一惊，再用那指甲试验铜和铁，都一样可以变成黄金，周家由此变得非常富有。周生的弟弟又拿出一千两金子送给成生的儿子，所以乡里都传说这两家会点金术。