In Taoist temples, there are numerous guardian deities, often placed at the entrance gates, and their diverse appearances can be quite confusing to many. Generally, in Taoist guardian deities, many belong to the Thunder Department, and the Thunder Department's Thunder City resides in the Fanzhengqi of Yuching True King's Mansion, approximately 2,300 miles away. This city stands at a height of eighty-one zhang and is administered by King Yuching. The Thunder Commanders handle their specific duties, governing the birth of all things, controlling the seas and mountains, advancing the seasons, and manipulating the rise and fall of yin and yang, overseeing virtues and penalties.
Among them, the Five Thunder Commanders give orders according to the times to assist in King Yuching's transformations. The Thunder Commanders are specifically responsible for Thunder City and govern the Five Thunders and the Guanshensifu. Whenever there are untimely winds and rains, excessive sun, unfounded wars, or famines and scarcities, all these problems are resolved by petitioning the Heavenly Emperor. All actions are decided by the Jade Pivot, with a comprehensive leadership of the Three Departments of officials and officers, adjudicating the merits and demerits of the Three Realms' spirits and deities, ensuring the peace of the people.
Within the Thunder City, there are Five Thunder Lords who issue orders in accordance with the times, assisting in King Yuching's transformations. The Thunder Commanders are responsible for Thunder City, overseeing the Five Thunders and Guanshensifu. In cases of unexpected droughts, excessive warfare, famines, and more, it is by adhering to the right path and divine justice that these issues are resolved. The Celestial Lord, Taoist Tianjun, is esteemed as the "Chief Commander of the Nine Heavens Palm, Forensic Medicine Master," also known as "Lord Thunder of Medicine and Thunder Doctor," as mentioned in the "Primeval Lord's Speech on the Northern Direction, Northern Emperor Subdues Evil Magic and Seeks Repentance," is referred to as "Thunderous Exorcist and Healing Taoist Tianjun." The image of Taoist Tianjun is depicted with a heavenly crown, a beak, flesh wings, and bare feet, holding a sword in the right hand and a medicine bottle in the left.
As a divine commander who delivers medicine and cures ailments, Taoist Tianjun is the overseer of the Five Thunder Retribution Generals, harmonizing yin and yang, issuing commands, eliminating evil spirits, exorcising demons, ending droughts, and having compassion for the common people. He administers and preserves medicinal substances. He is known as the Commander of Heavenly Medicine and the Commander-in-Chief. He heads the Three Heavens and Nine Heavens Law Enforcement Department, the Thunderbolt Medicine Hospital, and is the Commander-in-Chief of Heavenly Medicine.
With dedication and ritual, with a heart full of piety, in the primordial chaos, the true dragon is divided. The Three Heavens and Nine Heavens Law Enforcement Department, the Thunderbolt Medicine Hospital. Attacking qi and repelling diseases, overseeing the Five Thunder Retribution Generals. Balancing yin and yang, giving commands. Abolishing evil and placating spirits, ending droughts, and eliminating evils. Having compassion for the people of this world and upholding medicinal substances. Operating under the title of Commander-in-Chief of Heavenly Medicine, he imparts salvation as the Great Compassion True Lord. The Thunder of Supreme Unity resonated with the Celestial Lord.