Malaysia / China: Carving of the god Li Jing, depicting his role in the 16th...

Li Jing, also known by his title of 'Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li', is a Chinese mythical figure and god, father of the famed deity Nezha. Li Jing is noted for carrying a tower with which he could capture any spirit, demon or god within its walls. Li Jing appears in classic Ming Dynasty novels 'Journey to the West' and 'Fengshen Yanyi', the latter giving his origin as being a renowned officer during the Shang Dynasty, commanding Old Pond Pass. He was married to Lady Yin, and had three sons, Jinzha, Muzha and Nezha. He had an especially rocky relationship with Nezha, whose short-temper and disobedience would cause much chaos and trouble in the future, especially after he upset the Dragon King Ao Guang. The two would later fight after Li Jing burned down Nezha's sacrificial temple in anger, causing the latter to try and kill his father after he reincarnated. Li Jing, with his mortal body, could not stand up to Nezha's immortal strength, and he fled. Even his other sons could not stand against Nezha, and he was eventually saved by the interventions of Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun, a 'superiorman' and teacher to Li Jing's first son, and Randeng Daoren, also a 'superiorman'. Nezha was forced to submit to Li Jing after Randeng Daoren taught Li Jing how to use the golden tower that would become synonymous with him. Editor: Anandajoti