Pathway to Japanese Literature

And one would be especially captivated by the majestic figure of the reddish-brown tower that stood towering on the hill along the southern lakeshore, bathed in the light of the setting sun. The grand tower on the southern shore was Leifeng Pagoda, counted among the Ten Scenes of West Lake, while the one on the northern shore was Baoshu Pagoda. Among these, Leifeng Pagoda was built by Queen Huang of Wuyue, but in *West Lake Stories*—a collection of legends about West Lake—it is said to have arisen from strange karmic circumstances.

It was during the time when Emperor Gaozong of Song, pursued by Jin soldiers, crossed the Yangtze River and made an imperial visit to Hangzhou. In Heizhu Lane by Guojun Bridge within Hangzhou’s city walls, there lived a young man named Xu Xuan. Having lost both parents in childhood, he had been taken in by an official named Li Ren, whose household he joined through his older sister’s marriage. This Li Ren served as an administrative clerk at the Southern Corridor Pavilion Treasury. Xu Xuan resided at Clerk Li’s home while working days at the medicinal shop on Official Lane operated by Li Jiangshi—Clerk Li’s younger brother—where he managed the establishment.

Xu Xuan was twenty-two at the time. He was a man with a delicate, handsome face and an air of nobility about him.

It was the day of the Qingming Festival. Xu Xuan, intending to visit Baoshu Pagoda Temple to burn incense, had consulted his elder sister the previous evening; rising early in the morning, he purchased and prepared paper horses, incense powder, red candles, sutra banners, and paper coins shaped like horseshoe ingots. After eating a meal, he donned newly tailored robes and fine shoes, then went to Official Lane’s shop to meet Li Jiangshi. “Today, I would like to visit Baoshu Pagoda. I humbly request just one day’s leave.”

Since it was local custom on Qingming Festival to visit ancestral graves and pray for their repose in the afterlife, and since Xu Xuan—having no parents—naturally went to the temple instead, Li Jiangshi granted his request with good cheer.

“Certainly—go ahead and go, off you go.”

Xu Xuan left the shop and headed toward Qiantang Gate. It was a day of intense, early summer-like sunlight, and the streets overflowed with men and women heading to Buddhist temples and grave visits. Among them were some riding in palanquins, others in sedan chairs, still others on horses or donkeys, and there were those traveling by boat.

Xu Xuan exited Qiantang Gate, crossed Shihan Bridge, and ascended a path up Baoshi Mountain where Baoshu Pagoda towered to reach the temple—but the temple was already bustling with people burning incense. Xu Xuan burned incense before the main hall, lit red candles, burned paper horses and paper money, and prayed for his parents’ repose in the afterlife. Then he went to the main hall of the temple, ascended to the guest hall where he partook of a vegetarian meal, and having completed the alms offering to the temple, descended the mountain.

At the mountain’s base stood a hall called Shisheng Guan. When Xu Xuan descended as far as Shisheng Guan, suddenly the sunlight faded and the surroundings dimmed. Xu Xuan widened his eyes in surprise. In the northwestern sky over West Lake, ashen-gray clouds appeared, blocking the sunlight. Mist hung over the southeastern lakeshore where Leifeng Pagoda stood, the pagoda seeming to float within its haze. The mist drifted eastward, blurring Su Causeway. Below, Solitary Hill lay etched in tarnished silver-gray lines. No sooner had he thought *It looks like rain* than small white raindrops began pattering down. Xu Xuan stood beneath Shisheng Guan’s eaves, but the rain only grew heavier, showing no sign of ceasing. The sky stretched endlessly under pale ink-wash clouds. With no alternative, Xu Xuan removed his shoes and socks, tied them together at his waist, and—now barefoot—dashed away from the temple’s eaves as he ran downhill.

Xu Xuan had intended to hire a boat from the lakeshore to return all the way to Yongjin Gate. Figures of people, startled by the sudden rain and running while drenched, appeared here and there as black dots. In the lake too, small boats scurried left and right. These were all vessels locally called Hangzhou boats - small craft with rush-mat roofs. Among them was one with its bow turned eastward where an old man rowed a scull, now passing directly before his eyes. Xu Xuan moved to hail the nearest boat but paused mid-call - something about this boatman seemed familiar. He peered at the face beneath its bamboo hat. This was Zhang Hegong, an old acquaintance. Xu Xuan felt overwhelming relief.

“Mr. Zhang! Mr. Zhang! Hey, Mr. Zhang!” It seemed Xu Xuan’s voice had been heard, for the boatman lifted his face and looked toward shore. “It’s me, it’s me! Mr. Zhang—can you take me to Yongjin Gate?” The boatman noticed Xu Xuan. “Ah, Manager…” The boatman exclaimed in surprise, forcefully pulled back on the oar, turned the bow toward shore, and gave a strong push. At once, the boat grated against the sandy shore where the willows’ pale green leaves blurred like smoke. Xu Xuan ran down to the water’s edge.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but take me to Yongjin Gate. I went to burn incense at Baoshu Pagoda and got caught in this rain.” “That must have been rough for you. Please get in quickly—I’m heading to Yongjin Gate myself.” “Ah, that’s perfect—I’ll have you take me aboard then.”

Xu Xuan hurriedly washed his feet and boarded the boat. The boatman pushed off with a punt pole to set the boat in motion, turned the bow eastward, and raised the scull.

“Excuse me, sir! Pardon me, but could you take us aboard?” Hearing a woman’s voice with a rich timbre, Xu Xuan peered through a gap in the rush-mat roof toward shore. A tall, slender beautiful woman stood drenched in the rain, having a maidservant in a blue upper garment hold a small package. “Mr. Zhang, why don’t you give them a ride? They’re clearly in trouble.” “Yes, well—since I’m headed that way anyway, I’ll give you a ride then.”

The boatman steered the boat back toward shore again. The light rain, like silk threads, could be seen falling on the bow of the boat. "I'm terribly sorry—the rain came so suddenly…" A seductive voice rang out, and the women boarded the boat. And already, the beautiful woman’s face was clearly visible beneath the rush-mat roof. “I’m terribly sorry for intruding.”

The woman greeted them with a composed demeanor. Xu Xuan was embarrassed. He hurriedly responded to the woman’s greeting while leaning his body backward. “Here, please.” The woman entered just as she was and sat down as if pressing against his knees. A faint scent of perfume applied to the woman’s body lingered. Xu Xuan averted his eyes because the glare was too intense, but driven by curiosity to see the woman’s face clearly, he slowly raised his gaze. His gaze met the woman’s dark, glistening eyes staring intently at him. Xu Xuan flusteredly averted his eyes again.

“Where do you reside?” The woman spoke with words that carried a clinging persistence. Xu Xuan’s awkward embarrassment began to fade somewhat.

“Heizhu Lane at Guojun Bridge.” “My family name is Xu, and my given name is Xuan. And you?” “I am called Bai. My family is of the Bai Sanban lineage. I am the younger sister of Bai Zhidian and was married into the Zhang household. However, my husband has passed away, so today I visited his grave. Then this rain came, and just as I was in distress, thanks to your kindness, I have been saved.” “Is that so? My parents also passed away early, so today I went to Baoshu Pagoda Temple. Because of this rain, I thought to hire a boat—but when I came and looked, there was an acquaintance’s boat, so I boarded it. It turned out just right.”

The boat moved along the prefectural city walls southward and ever southward. A silk-thread-like rain continued ceaselessly beyond the rush-mat roof. "When I left home, the weather was fine—I hadn't given a single thought to rain—so I ended up in such a plight. Truly, thank you so much." There was a faint rustling as the maidservant shifted restlessly beside her mistress. "I'm also staying at my sister's house and working at a relative's medicinal shop during the day, so when I took leave to come here without thinking about the rain either, I ended up in a terrible predicament—everyone must have had quite the ordeal today."

Xu Xuan was able to converse with the woman without letting his spirits become dejected.

The boat was already outside Yongjin Gate. A pale drizzle continued to fall.

The woman, as if she had remembered something, looked around herself intently before pressing her mouth to the maidservant’s ear and whispering in a low voice with a troubled expression. Then the maidservant’s eyes crinkled in a smile as she whispered back to the woman. Still, the woman wore a troubled look.

“Well, you see...”

The maidservant’s face turned toward him. Xu Xuan wondered what was going on. “This morning, when I left home in such haste, I forgot to bring any money. I sincerely apologize for the imposition, but might I humbly borrow the boat fare from you? Once I return home, I will repay you without delay.” “There’s no need to worry about that. I’ll pay.” The boat had already reached the water’s edge. The woman fidgeted embarrassedly.

“Now then, the boat has arrived—let’s disembark.”

Xu Xuan took some coins from the purse at his waist and placed them on the boat. “Thank you ever so much.”

The woman said this, put on her shoes, and disembarked with her maidservant. Xu Xuan also disembarked afterward, but he was still barefoot.

Had the sun already set? The surroundings had taken on a gray hue. The woman waited in the shade of a willow tree for Xu Xuan to arrive. "Um, well, since it's raining so heavily and the day is already drawing to a close, why don't we come to my house? I would also like to repay the borrowed coins." Xu Xuan wanted to go to the woman's house as well, but he felt it would be improper toward his sister's household and thus could not go. "As it is already quite late, I shall call on you another time."

“I see… Then I shall look forward to meeting you again. Thank you ever so much.” The woman parted with a reluctant expression and went away. The maidservant walked behind, carrying a bundle. Xu Xuan, feeling a lingering reluctance, remained standing where he was and cast his gaze after them, but already, the two figures were nowhere to be seen. Xu Xuan, composing himself, bid the boatman a few words of farewell, then dashed out from the shade of the willow tree, passed through Yongjin Gate, and walked beneath the tightly packed eaves of one row of houses. He was thus heading to a nearby relative’s house to borrow an umbrella. Before his eyes, the woman’s figure lingered like a blossoming flower.

Xu Xuan went to his relatives in Sanqiao Lane. The relatives tried to detain him, saying it was dinnertime, but Xu Xuan—feeling as though happiness awaited him outside the house and disliking being kept indoors—insisted on borrowing only an umbrella and went out. The light, refreshing sound of rain entwined with the umbrella he had snapped open. When he reached Yangchangtou, a familiar gentle woman’s voice reached his ears. “Oh, you!” Xu Xuan turned to the left. Under the eaves of that teahouse stood Lady Bai (White Snake Spirit) alone, sheltering from the rain.

“Oh, it was you! I must apologize for my earlier discourtesy.”

“Thank you for earlier. As the rain is truly dreadful, I had my maidservant go fetch an umbrella, and we are waiting here.”

“I see… Well then, please take this umbrella. I’m just over there, so I don’t need one.”

Xu Xuan tried to hand the umbrella he held to the woman, but she did not reach out for it. “Thank you, but that would be too much. My maidservant will come shortly.” “Not at all—it’s perfectly fine! Since I’m already close by—there’s no need for an umbrella over such a short distance! Here—you keep yours! I shall come retrieve mine tomorrow.” “But that’s too much.” “Not at all—it’s perfectly fine!”

Xu Xuan insistently brought the handle before the woman. "Well then, if you’ll pardon the imposition—may I humbly borrow yours? My residence is at Shuangchafang in Jianqiao."

The woman entwined her slender fingers around the handle. "I see. Then I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again." Xu Xuan, not wanting to make the woman uncomfortable, handed her the umbrella and immediately began walking briskly along under the eaves. Simultaneously, the woman too stepped away from the eaves and moved onto the stone-paved path.

Xu Xuan lay thinking of Lady Bai long after retiring to bed that night. The vivid figure of a woman with exquisite features gazed his way with purposeful intent. He found himself recalling each of her seductive phrases one by one. A presence stirred—someone parted the curtain of his bedchamber and entered. Xu Xuan started up and turned toward the disturbance. There hovered Lady Bai's face, as radiantly alluring as it had appeared in daylight. Torn between delight and discomposure, he felt compelled to speak yet found himself utterly wordless.

The woman had somehow climbed onto the bed without him noticing. Xu Xuan was immersed in happiness so intense it stole his breath, but when he suddenly came to his senses, it had all been a dream.

The next morning, Xu Xuan went to the shop early as usual, but with his mind entirely occupied by Lady Bai, he found himself unable to focus on his work. After lunch, he fabricated an excuse to leave the shop and made his way to Shuangchafang in Jianqiao. Xu Xuan thus went about searching for Lady Bai’s house, but no such residence could be found. Even when he asked people, none knew of such a place. Xu Xuan wondered if there had been some error in his inquiries about the location, but since it was unquestionably Shuangchafang, he persisted in searching every corner of the district. Yet despite this, there remained no trace of such a house. With no other choice, he resigned himself and began dragging his weary legs back the way he had come. From the eastern end of the east-west street appeared a young maidservant clad in a blue upper garment.

“Oh, you’ve come!” “I thought I’d come to get back the umbrella—I’ve only just arrived—but where is it?”

Xu Xuan could not bring himself to admit he had been searching for so long, feeling as though his innermost thoughts had been laid bare. He thus walked, accompanied by the young maidservant.

There stood a large building with high walls encircling it on all sides. The young maidservant went up to it, paused briefly, and looked at Xu Xuan’s face.

“Here it is.” Xu Xuan wondered suspiciously why he hadn’t realized that someone living in such a large house had gone unnoticed. He followed the maidservant and passed through the gate there.

The two entered the house and stood at the entrance to the central hall. “Madam, the gentleman you assisted yesterday has arrived.” The young maidservant spoke, turning inward. Then, from inside, Lady Bai’s voice was heard. “Ah, yes. Then, this way—now, you, please do come in.”

At Lady Bai’s prompting, the young maidservant spoke. “Now then, please do come in.” Xu Xuan hesitated out of awkwardness. The maidservant urged him as if hurrying him along.

“Since Madam is urging you so insistently, please do come in.”

Xu Xuan steeled himself and entered. The room’s sides were partitioned by four-paneled screens, while a blue cloth curtain draped over a narrow entrance on one side. Likely to inform Bai Niangzi, the maidservant lifted the curtain with one hand and disappeared into the adjoining chamber. Xu Xuan remained standing to survey the room’s arrangement. A pot of tiger-whisker calamus centered on the table first suggested a feminine quarters. Four painted scrolls hung from both pillars, flanking an object depicting a deity’s image in the intervening space. Beneath this divine portrait stood an incense table bearing an antique bronze burner and vase.

Lady Bai emerged with an alluring countenance. Xu Xuan somehow felt he was no longer a mere passerby, yet on the other hand, he felt intensely awkward. “Welcome. Thank you again for all the trouble you went through yesterday.” “No need for thanks—I merely happened to come this way today and thought to ask around about where your residence might be. Just as I was about to inquire with several people, the maidservant appeared, so I thought I’d pay a visit.”

Just as the two took their seats facing each other at the table, the young maidservant brought tea. Xu Xuan, while drinking the tea, became entranced and listened to the woman’s words. “Well then...”

Xu Xuan did not want to move, but he could not remain seated at tea forever. Just as he rose to leave, the young maidservant brought wine and dishes of fruits. "There’s nothing much to offer, but please have one." "No, I couldn’t possibly impose on you like this. I really must take my leave now." "There’s nothing to offer, but do have one. Please don’t say such things."

Xu Xuan felt pity, yet he also wished to remain by the woman’s side. He sat down again and drank several cups of wine. “I must take my leave now—it seems to have grown rather late.” Xu Xuan noticed how late it had become and resolved to depart. “Perhaps we shouldn’t detain you further, as we’ve little to offer—but if you would kindly wait just a moment more.” “Regarding yesterday’s borrowed umbrella—someone here unknowingly lent it onward. I shall fetch it straightaway and not keep you waiting.”

Xu Xuan thought that rather than taking back the umbrella immediately today, leaving it behind would serve as a good pretext for him to return here again. “Oh, there’s no need to hurry about the umbrella. I’ll come by tomorrow or another day to retrieve it—it needn’t be today.” “Then I shall deliver it to your residence myself tomorrow.” “No, I’ll come over—the shop happens to have some free time anyway.” “Then please do visit us—for I find myself quite troubled with no companionship each day.”

“In that case, I’ll come by tomorrow—thank you very much for the hospitality.” Xu Xuan bid farewell to Lady Bai and, seen off by the young maidservant to the gate, returned home—but his heart remained as if still by Lady Bai’s side, leaving him unable to be aware of himself. And then, even after going to the shop the next day, he found himself unable to focus on work—so he devised another excuse to go out and headed straight for Lady Bai’s house in Sōchafang.

As if she had known the exact time of Xu Xuan’s arrival and could wait no longer, the young maidservant emerged.

“Welcome! Please do come in. Madam and I were just speaking of you.” “Today I’ll just take the umbrella and go home. “Please give me the umbrella. I’ll take my leave here.” Xu Xuan said this, yet he had no desire to leave quickly. He was hoping Lady Bai would come out.

“Oh now, don’t say such things—do come inside for just a moment.”

The young maidservant, having said that, went inside. Xu Xuan was delighted, for he knew the young maidservant had gone to summon Lady Bai. He strained his ears, wondering if he might catch Lady Bai’s voice.

There was a sense of someone’s presence, and the young maidservant returned. Behind the young maidservant, Lady Bai’s face came into view.

“Please, do come in. I’ve been waiting since morning, not knowing whether you might visit today.” “I must take my leave here today—I cannot keep troubling you every day like this.”

“As for me, I spend my days in leisure, so when a guest such as yourself graces us with your presence, it truly brings me joy. If you’re not in haste, do come inside.” “I don’t have any particular business either, but I’m sorry to trouble you every day like this.” “If you have no pressing matters, please do come in. Come now, I insist.” Xu Xuan was able to follow Lady Bai to yesterday’s room without feeling awkward. Having entered the room and sat facing Lady Bai, the young maidservant already brought wine and dishes.

“Please—I couldn’t possibly trouble you like this every day over a single tattered umbrella. Today I’ll head home right away, so if it’s been brought back, I’ll take it.”

Xu Xuan thought that by no stretch could he accept hospitality for two full days over a mere umbrella.

“Oh please—there’s nothing much to offer, but do partake, as there’s something I’d like to discuss.”

With these words, Lady Bai’s face flushed faintly. That was the alluring face of Lady Bai he had seen in his dreams. Xu Xuan lowered his eyes to the table. “Now please go ahead and partake—I’ll join you.”

Following Lady Bai’s voice, Xu Xuan brought the cup to his lips but couldn’t discern what he drank. Xu Xuan felt his own face flush as he did so.

“Please, do go ahead.”

Xu Xuan had been holding the cup as Lady Bai instructed, but when he suddenly became aware of himself, he realized he had stayed far too long. "There was something you wished to discuss... but I've lingered overlong." "There is something I wish to discuss. Now please drink another cup—for otherwise I could hardly bring myself to speak of it." Having said this, Lady Bai brought her eyes level with Xu Xuan's. They were eyes that glistened with a pale, viscous sheen. Xu Xuan, overcome with awkwardness, raised his cup to mask his disquiet. At that same moment, a form fragrant as distilled perfume drew near and pressed against his frame.

“What I speak of now is before the gods—it is no jest at all—so please listen earnestly. Since losing my husband, I’ve lived alone like this, finding hardship in all things, and just as I thought I must do something about it… I became acquainted with you. I wish to ask you—to beg you—to become the master of this household.”

Before the poor orphan, dream-like happiness descended as if welling up from the earth. Xu Xuan's body seemed to tremble with joy, but when he considered his own impoverished circumstances, the notion of marrying such a wealthy lady had never crossed his mind. He was thinking about that.

“Do you find it displeasing?”

Xu Xuan could no longer remain silent. He began to speak haltingly. "That isn’t so, but—I have no home, no possessions. I’m being cared for at my sister’s house, and so I spend my days working at a relative’s shop." "If you have no other obligations—though if you do, that’s another matter—but if that’s all, then I shall take care of everything on my end."

Having said that, Lady Bai raised her face and called for the maidservant. The young maidservant was already there. Lady Bai whispered an instruction in a low voice. The young maidservant left the room as she was and soon returned with a small package, which she handed to Lady Bai. Lady Bai placed it just as it was before Xu Xuan. “Please use this for your expenses. Should it prove insufficient, you need only say so—there is more.” It was fifty taels of silver coins. Xu Xuan did not reach for it.

“If I were to accept that...” “Why not? It’s for expenses, you see.” Lady Bai placed it into Xu Xuan’s hand. Xu Xuan received it and tucked it into his sleeve.

“Well then, as it seems late today, please return home and do come again.” The young maidservant came out holding an umbrella. Xu Xuan stood up unsteadily, took the umbrella, and went out. When night fell, Xu Xuan returned to his sister’s home intending to discuss marriage, but not wishing to broach such a momentous life event as casually as idle gossip, he said nothing that evening and went to sleep. The next morning, upon waking, he took the meager savings he had accumulated and went to the market, where he bought chicken meat, goose meat, fish, fruits, and even a jar of fine wine. After laying these out in his room, he went to summon Li Ren and his wife.

“This morning, please have your meal at my place.”

Li Ren and his wife came to Xu Xuan’s room wonderingly, but when they saw the feast laid out on the table, they were astonished again. “What in the world is going on today? Isn’t this strange?” Li Ren said, still standing.

“There’s something I’d like to ask of you—please do take a seat.” Xu Xuan said with feigned composure.

“What’s this about? Come now—out with it.” “First, please drink a few cups—then we’ll speak at leisure.” Xu Xuan pressed wine upon Li Ren and his wife. The wine circulated through two or three rounds. Xu Xuan looked at Li Ren’s face then. “Having grown to this age through your care, I must now impose further—I wish to hold a wedding.” “A wedding? As weddings are weighty matters, I’ll consider it—you hear?”

Li Ren looked at his wife’s face but said nothing more on the matter of the wedding. Xu Xuan, who had wanted to discuss the matter in more concrete terms, felt frustrated but could do nothing about it.

When the wine was finished, Li Ren left the room as if fleeing. Xu Xuan had no choice but to wait for Li Ren’s reply. He waited and waited, but even after two days passed, then three, there was no response at all. Thereupon, Xu Xuan went to his sister’s place.

“Sis, have you discussed that matter with Brother-in-law yet?”

“I haven’t yet.” “Why haven’t you done it?” “Because Brother-in-law was busy.” “Rather than being busy, Brother-in-law probably thinks that if I get married, it will cost money—that’s why he’s avoiding it. As for the money, it’s fine—I have it.”

Xu Xuan said this and took out fifty taels of silver from his sleeve and handed them to his sister.

“I won’t cause Brother-in-law any trouble at all—not even a penny’s worth. All I need is for him to stand as my family sponsor and conduct the ceremony. That’s all I ask.” Sis’s face brightened into a smile when she saw the silver.

“How odd. You’re not planning to wed some old crone, are you? Well, never mind. I’ll hold onto this, and when Brother-in-law returns, we’ll discuss it.” Xu Xuan then came out of his sister’s room. That night, his sister waited for Li Ren to return home and showed him the silver Xu Xuan had left.

“That one has made arrangements with someone already, you see. All you need do is stand as his parent and conduct the ceremony itself. Shouldn’t we move forward with the wedding?”

“So this silver was received from a woman, then.”

Li Ren took the silver into his hand. Then he lowered his gaze to the surface of the silver.

“T-This is terrible!”

Li Ren’s eyes widened in shock. “What has you so startled?” His wife couldn’t make sense of it. “This silver is from Shao Dawei’s treasury—stolen silver! Fifty ingots stored inside vanished while the seal remained intact. Lin’an Prefecture has posted a fifty-tael reward to hunt down the thief. It’s a pity for Xuan, but we’ve no choice—we must report this ourselves. If others discover it first, our whole family will lose their heads! This has become a calamity!”

Li Ren could hardly wait for morning to come. Taking the silver Xu Xuan had left behind, he went to Lin’an Prefecture. At the prefectural office, Han Dayin heard Li Ren’s accusation and inspected the silver. Upon confirming it was indeed the stolen ingots, he immediately dispatched constables to apprehend Xu Xuan and had him brought before the court for interrogation. “By Li Ren’s accusation, you have been identified as the thief who stole silver from Shao Dawei’s treasury. Where have you hidden the remaining forty-nine ingots? You would do well to confess without concealment.”

From the moment the constables burst in, Xu Xuan—already disoriented beyond all capacity to discern reality—was declared a thief of Shao Dawei’s treasury and finally realized the grave suspicion now bearing down upon him. “I am absolutely not someone who would steal another’s belongings—this is a case of mistaken identity.” Xu Xuan pleaded desperately.

“Do not lie! That you stole silver from Shao Dawei’s treasury is evidenced by the fifty taels you entrusted to your sister. Where did that silver come from?”

“That silver was given to me by a woman named Bai who lives across from Xiuwang Wall in Shuangchafang, Jianqiao.” Xu Xuan then explained in detail how his closeness to Lady Bai there had led to their marriage promise. Since Xu Xuan’s testimony showed no signs of deception, Han Dayin sent constables to arrest Lady Bai. Still keeping Xu Xuan bound, the constables had him guide them to Shuangchafang. Upon reaching Xiuwang Wall, they approached a black building encircled by high walls—a decrepit structure that seemed uninhabited. Xu Xuan stared in bewilderment at its desolation. One constable rushed to a neighboring house for information. They learned this had been Inspector Mao Xunjian’s residence until his entire household died in a plague five or six years prior. Though occasional sightings of a child buying provisions suggested squatters, no one surnamed Bai was known to live in the area.

The constables stood before the house, coordinated their approach, opened the gate, and entered. The doors were gone, the eaves sagged, weeds grew thick between the bricks, and the garden lay in utter ruin—not a trace remained of the house’s vibrant hues seen just days before. Xu Xuan could only stare in astonishment.

The constables split up and entered the rooms. In the room that appeared dilapidated and gloomy, there was nothing but the sight of mice fleeing at the sound of human footsteps—nowhere was there a trace of human presence. The constables, who had split up earlier, had somehow regrouped and proceeded to the final secluded detached house. The space formed a raised chamber where a pale-skinned woman sat alone. The vibrant red and blue hues of the robe came into view. The woman appeared to be sitting on the bed. The constables advanced warily.

“We’ve come from the prefectural office. Who might you be? If you’re Lady Bai, we hold Magistrate Han’s warrant. There’s matter of the silver you gave Xu Xuan that requires questioning—you’ll be accompanying us.”

The woman steadily raised her face but said nothing and showed no sign of surprise. “That composure marks her as a schemer! Capture her!” The constables all rushed forward at once. Just as they did so, there was a thunderous roar akin to thunder. The constables froze in shock where they stood. Then, focusing their attention, they looked toward the woman. The woman’s figure was nowhere to be seen. The constables, thinking they must not let her escape, steeled themselves and rushed into the room. The woman’s figure remained nowhere to be seen, but beside the bed, bundles of silver had been piled up. It was the forty-nine silver ingots that had gone missing.

The constables carried the silver ingots and brought them to the hall of Lin’an Prefecture. There, Xu Xuan was cleared of suspicion of theft, but due to the charge that he had received money from a person of unknown origin, he was sentenced to exile in Suzhou. Meanwhile, on Shao Dawei’s side, he duly provided the promised reward of fifty taels and gave it to Li Ren. However, since Li Ren had obtained this silver by causing his sworn younger brother suffering, he was tormented by guilt. He visited Xu Xuan in prison to give him the silver for travel expenses and, after consulting with Li Jiangshi, decided to send him off with two letters. One of the letters was addressed to a Suzhou clerk named Fan Yuanwai, while the other was for a man called Wang who ran an inn beneath Jili Bridge.

When the day arrived, Xu Xuan was led out of the prison by two escorts. At the entrance to the prefectural office, Li Ren and his wife, along with Li Jiangshi and others, had come and were waiting. With tears streaming down his face, Xu Xuan exchanged farewells with the group and set off.

After about three days, they arrived at Suzhou Prefecture. After seeing Li Jiangshi’s letter, Fan Yuanwai and Wang Zhuren used money to exert their efforts, and thus Xu Xuan was placed under Wang Zhuren’s care.

About half a year had passed since Xu Xuan had been taken care of under Wang Zhuren’s roof. There, he was tormented by boredom every day.

And then, one day, Wang Zhuren entered the room. “A woman in a sedan chair has come looking for you, accompanied by a single maidservant.”

Xu Xuan had no inkling who it might be but went out to investigate at the entrance out of curiosity. There stood Lady Bai and a maidservant wearing a green upper garment. Xu Xuan’s astonishment and fury erupted together. “You thief! After making me suffer through all this—what brings you back here again?”

“I am no such wicked creature. I came here to make you understand that.” Lady Bai tilted her delicately beautiful neck in a manner that feigned distress. “However much you scheme to deceive me—do you imagine I’ll swallow your tricks again, you fiend?”

Wang Zhuren, who had come out after Xu Xuan, went over to his side and spoke, for having Xu Xuan make a disturbance at the entrance would reflect poorly on the neighbors. “She seems to have come from afar. Why not let her in and talk things over?” Having said that, Wang Zhuren looked toward Bai Niangzi.

“Please, do come in.” Lady Bai made to move. Xu Xuan stood blocking her path.

“Don’t let this one into the house! This one is the monster who tormented me!”

Lady Bai glanced toward the maidservant and smiled. Wang Zhuren saw the woman’s beautiful, gentle face and harbored no doubts. “There’s no such thing as a monster here. Well, never mind—we’ll sort it out once we’ve talked later. Come inside now.” Xu Xuan, unable to obstruct Wang Zhuren’s insistence on his own, stepped forward and entered first. Lady Bai entered inside, accompanied by her maidservant and following Wang Zhuren. Inside the house, Wang Zhuren’s mother fixed her eyes on Bai Niangzi’s graceful demeanor as she entered. After offering a composed greeting to the mother, Lady Bai turned her gaze to Xu Xuan, who stood nearby with an angry expression.

“Have I not entrusted myself to you? Why would I ever wish you harm? That silver—when I reflect on it now—belonged to my late husband. I knew nothing of it, yet giving it to you caused such misfortune. I came here solely to tell you this.” There remained one thing that perplexed Xu Xuan. “When the constables from Lin’an Prefecture came, you were on the bed—then vanished with a great noise! How do you explain that? Isn’t this strange?”

Lady Bai let out a laugh. “I ordered my maidservant to knock on the wooden wall. The noise made the constables falter and prevented them from approaching—that’s when I slipped away and hid at my aunt’s house before Huazang Temple. You’ve never once considered my perspective, yet you turn around and treat me like a monster! But if only your doubts could be dispelled… I’ll bid you farewell now.”

Lady Bai hurriedly trotted toward the exit. Wang Zhuren’s mother hurriedly ran over and stopped her. “Oh, you’ve come all this way—do rest for a couple of days. Why not stay and talk things through properly?”

Lady Bai showed no sign of turning back. The maidservant spoke from beside her. “Madam, since she is so kindly urging you like that, how about giving it a bit more thought?”

Lady Bai looked toward the maidservant. "But he... he doesn't spare a single thought for me anymore."

Wang’s mother would not let Bai Niangzi go.

“Now that everything’s been properly understood, even Mr. Xu Xuan won’t go on making unfounded claims forever.”

Xu Xuan’s suspicions toward Bai Niangzi had already been dispelled. Wang’s mother led Bai Niangzi to Xu Xuan’s room. Xu Xuan and Bai Niangzi became husband and wife from that night onward.

About half a year had passed since Lady Bai came to Xu Xuan.

One day—it was mid-February— Xu Xuan strolled with two or three friends and went to Wofu Temple. It was a warm, breezy day, so there were many worshippers. Xu Xuan’s group mingled with the worshippers and proceeded to the front of the Reclining Buddha, then turned around and exited through the temple gate. There, fortune-tellers and vendors had set up their stalls. Amidst the crowd mingled a single Taoist priest selling medicine and administering charm water. The Taoist priest exclaimed in alarm and cried out when he caught sight of Xu Xuan’s face.

“A strand of evil aura stands above your head.” “Your body is wrapped in something sinister. If you don’t take care, your life will be in peril.”

Xu Xuan was extremely physically weakened and in poor spirits. Moreover, he had also been harboring doubts toward Bai Niangzi. When he heard this, he became terrified. He pressed his head to the ground as he spoke. “Please help me.”

The Taoist priest nodded and took out two charms.

“I’ll give you these. Without telling anyone, place one in your hair and burn the other at the third watch tonight.” Xu Xuan received them, bid farewell to his friends, and returned home. He tucked one charm into his hair and resolved to burn the other at the third watch, waiting for the hour to arrive without informing Lady Bai. “You’re doubting me again and trying to burn a charm, aren’t you? After all this time we’ve spent together—what about me seems suspicious? Isn’t this too cruel?”

Lady Bai, who was nearby, suddenly became angry. Xu Xuan was flustered. "No! That’s not true! How could there be such a thing?" Her hand reached out and caught the charm hidden inside Xu Xuan’s sleeve. She took it to the flame of a nearby lamp and burned it. The charm blazed up fiercely. "Well? Do you still find me suspicious now?"

Lady Bai laughed. Xu Xuan had no choice but to explain. “Since that Taoist priest in front of Wofu Temple said such things, he was just mocking me!” “If that Taoist priest truly said such things, why don’t we both go see him tomorrow? Whether I’m suspicious or not will become clear at once.”

The next day, Xu Xuan and Lady Bai went together to the front of Wofu Temple. The precincts of Wofu Temple bustled with worshippers that day as well. A cluster of people also stood at the Taoist priest’s stall. When Lady Bai was informed that this was indeed the same Taoist priest, she immediately ran toward him. “You evil Taoist—I won’t let you deceive people and get away with it!”

The Taoist priest, who had been about to administer charm water to one of the worshippers, looked up in surprise. And he stared fixedly at Lady Bai’s face.

“You monster—I know the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart True Method! If you dare drink this charm water of mine, your true form will be revealed at once!” Lady Bai laughed mockingly. “Perfect timing—with everyone here as witnesses! If I’m truly some suspicious creature and your charm water actually works to reveal my true form, then I’ll drink it! Go on—give it here! I’ll drink it right now!” “Alright, drink it! Go on, try drinking!”

The Taoist priest presented the cup of water before Bai Niangzi. Lady Bai drank it in one gulp, returned the cup, and laughed.

“Well now—my true form should be revealing itself any moment, shouldn’t it?” Xu Xuan and those nearby stared at Lady Bai’s face without even blinking, yet it remained utterly unchanged. “Well then, Taoist Priest—where’s your so-called evidence? What exactly makes me suspicious?”

The Taoist priest stared wide-eyed, dumbfounded. "You're spouting nonsense and trying to come between husband and wife—how outrageous! I'll punish you properly now!"

Having said this, Lady Bai murmured incantations under her breath. Then it appeared as though someone had bound the Taoist priest with ropes, and soon his feet left the ground as he rose into the air.

“There! That’s done!” With those words, Lady Bai exhaled a breath of energy, and the Taoist priest’s body crashed to earth. The priest scrambled upright and vanished without trace.

The eighth day of the fourth month—Buddha’s birthday—arrived. As Xu Xuan had grown curious, he resolved to visit Chengtian Temple to see the Buddha’s Birthday celebration and discussed this with Lady Bai. Lady Bai produced new upper and lower garments and dressed him in them, then brought a golden fan. Attached to the golden fan was a coral pendant. “Hurry along now, and make sure to return soon.”

So Xu Xuan went to Chengtian Temple. The temple grounds bustled with activities like theatrical performances. Xu Xuan drifted through the jostling crowd of worshippers when fragmented rumors began reaching him—thieves had broken into Zhou Jiangshi’s storeroom and stolen gold, silver, jewels, and garments. But since this concerned him not at all, he paid it no particular heed.

“Excuse me, excuse me—could you let me see that fan for a moment?”

The man who had been about to pass by Xu Xuan abruptly stopped and grabbed the hand holding his fan. Startled, Xu Xuan looked up at the man's face. The man stared intently at the fan and the coral pendant dangling from it before shouting.

“Thief! Thief! I’ve caught the thief—everyone, come here!”

Xu Xuan, startled, tried to explain himself, but there was no chance. The ropes were already tightening around his body relentlessly. He was dragged from the scene to the prefectural office. “Your clothes and fan have already been identified—where have you hidden the rest of the stolen goods? Speak now! If you refuse, we’ll subject you to torture!” Xu Xuan had been accused of robbing Zhou Jiangshi’s storeroom. “The clothes I wear and the fan I carry—they were all given by my wife! I swear I never stole them!”

The magistrate angrily scolded. “Stop lying! No matter how much you lie, those clothes and fan are solid evidence! If you still claim your wife gave them to you, then bring your wife here! Where is she?” “My wife is at Master Wang’s house on Jili Bridge.”

“Very well, then.”

The magistrate had the constables lead Xu Xuan under restraint to Master Wang’s house. Master Wang, who had been at home, was startled to see Xu Xuan being led in by the constables. “What’s the meaning of this?” “That woman caused me terrible trouble—is she here now?” Xu Xuan’s voice trembled as he raged.

“Madam said you were late returning, so she went with her maidservant—the two of them—to search for you toward Chengtian Temple.”

Instead of Bai Niangzi, the constables bound Master Wang and escorted him together with Xu Xuan to the prefectural office. In the hall above, the Magistrate waited for the constables’ return. The Magistrate decided to pass judgment after arresting Bai Niangzi. Beside the Magistrate, Zhou Jiangshi had come to observe the proceedings. Just then, a servant from Zhou Jiangshi’s household arrived. It was news that the gold, silver, jewels, garments, and other items they had believed stolen had been found inside an empty chest in the storeroom. Zhou Jiangshi hurriedly returned home, but everything they had believed stolen was indeed present, just as the household members had said. However, the fan and pendant were missing, but since such items were plentiful, that alone couldn’t establish Xu Xuan as the thief. Zhou Jiangshi went again to the prefectural office and reported this matter, so Xu Xuan was to be pardoned; however, as the location designated for Xu Xuan’s residence was deemed unfavorable, his exile was redirected to Zhenjiang.

Just as Xu Xuan was to be sent to Zhenjiang, Li Mushi—under orders from Shao Dawei in Hangzhou—opportunely arrived in Suzhou. Li Mushi went to Master Wang’s house and, upon hearing that Xu Xuan’s exile had been redirected, wrote a letter to his relatives in Zhenjiang and handed it to Xu Xuan. The relative in Zhenjiang was a man named Li Keyong, who operated a medicinal shop beneath Qinzhi Bridge.

Xu Xuan went to Zhenjiang with his escort and stopped by Li Keyong’s house. Li Keyong read the letter from his relatives, had the escorts eat a meal, then went together with them to the prefectural office where they used money to complete the procedures, after which he brought Xu Xuan home.

Xu Xuan was able to settle into Li Keyong’s household. As his mind began to settle, he recalled his misfortune of being plagued by that terrifying enchantress, and felt both sadness and anger. Li Keyong learned that Xu Xuan had served as a manager at a medicinal shop in Hangzhou, so when he tried assigning him work, he found that Xu Xuan handled tasks reliably, with nothing precarious to note. He therefore decided to employ him as manager, but fearing this might provoke jealousy among the other shop clerks, he gave Xu Xuan money to invite the staff to a riverside tavern.

After everyone drank wine, ate their fill, and departed, Xu Xuan settled the bill afterward and left the tavern alone, but with a pleasant level of intoxication that left him in excellent spirits. He walked beneath the eaves of his house, the cool evening breeze cooling his wine-flushed cheeks.

There was a multi-storied house, and just as its window opened at that moment, something fell from above and struck Xu Xuan on the head. Xu Xuan, irritated, snapped in irritation. “You idiot! Watch out!” There was a woman’s face in the window of the multi-storied building. The woman lowered her eyes and fixedly gazed at Xu Xuan’s face, then said something and retreated inside. As Xu Xuan stood puzzling over this, the woman came rushing out from the entrance. That was Lady Bai.

“You sorceress! Have you come again to torment me? This time I won’t stand for it! Know that I’ll capture you and hand you over!” Lady Bai’s eyes smiled. “Oh, please don’t speak so harshly—do listen to me. I’m truly sorry for implicating you twice now, but those clothes and fan belonged to my late husband—they’re not suspicious in the least! That’s why your doubts were cleared, wasn’t it?”

“Then why weren’t you there when I returned to Master Wang’s place?”

“Well, since your return was delayed, I went with my maidservant to search for you—that must have been when the commotion occurred. I became frightened, so I came by boat to this house where the maidservant’s mother’s brother resides.”

Xu Xuan's anger toward Lady Bai dissipated. Xu Xuan followed Lady Bai to her house and stayed there overnight, after which they resumed their former relationship as husband and wife.

Before long, Li Keyong’s birthday arrived. Xu Xuan and his wife also went to the Li household to offer congratulations, bringing gifts. Li Keyong had arranged a banquet and invited close friends and acquaintances.

This Li Keyong was a lecherous man. He revealed his true nature the moment he caught a single glance of Bai Niangzi. When he realized that Lady Bai had gone to the restroom, he quietly slipped away from his seat and followed after her. And imagining the flower-like woman inside, he quietly entered. Inside coiled a massive white snake—thick as a barrel. The snake’s eyes shone like oil lamps, radiating golden light. Li Keyong fled in shock, but in his haste to escape, he tripped and fell.

The foster daughter being cared for in Li Keyong’s household found him collapsed and unconscious. The house erupted into an uproar as the whole household gathered. As they administered medicine and nursed him, he finally came to his senses. When the household members asked what had happened, he said his body had been overstrained from days of exhaustion.

As Li Keyong’s condition improved, the banquet resumed its former liveliness, but before long the gathering concluded and the guests departed.

Lady Bai had returned home unnoticed; then, perhaps because she had something to discuss with Xu Xuan, she quietly came to the shop.

“I came because I’ve been feeling strangely unwell tonight.” “But didn’t you enjoy tonight’s feast? You should be in good spirits.” “I’m not in good spirits at all! You called the master here an honest man, but he’s nothing of the sort! When I went to the privy, he followed and tried to force himself on me. What a vile creature!” “But it’s not as if he actually violated you, yes? Let’s drop this and go home to rest.”

“But I’m terrified of that master—who knows what he might do next! Instead, since I’ve twenty or thirty taels saved up, let’s leave this place and open a small pharmacy near the docks, shall we?” Xu Xuan, too, rather than remaining bound as another’s shop manager, wanted the freedom of owning his own establishment. He found himself moved by Bai Niangzi’s proposal.

“Well, if we can have a small shop, that would certainly be better.” “Then let’s get one, shall we?”

“Yeah, having one would be good. Then, whether he’ll grant me leave or not, I’ll ask Master tomorrow.”

Xu Xuan consulted with Li Keyong the next day. Li Keyong, having both his own weaknesses and having encountered a strange incident, did not oppose what Xu Xuan said.

Thereupon, Xu Xuan and Lady Bai rented a suitable house near the docks and started a pharmacy together. Xu Xuan was able to settle down for the first time as the master of his own household. The seventh day of the seventh month arrived. That day was the birthday of Yinglie Longwang.

Xu Xuan wanted to go to Jinshan Temple to burn incense and repeatedly urged Lady Bai to accompany him, but she did not go.

“Go ahead and go by yourself. However, you must not go to the abbot’s quarters. They have monks lecturing on sutras there—they’ll surely press you for an alms offering. Understand? You absolutely must not go to the abbot’s quarters.”

Xu Xuan decided to go alone. He hired a boat and went to the island mountain of Jinshan Temple, located about one *ri* upstream. The red-muddied flow of the Yangtze River surged up and down as boats of worshippers coming and going to Jinshan Temple floated like a flock of waterbirds. Between Jingkou and Guazhou lay a single stretch of water; on the Guazhou shore ahead, the willow trees appeared a lush green. Xu Xuan ascended to Jinshan Temple, went to the Dragon King Hall, completed the incense burning there, and while walking about, came to where many worshippers were listening to a monk’s sutra lecture. Xu Xuan thought this must be the abbot’s quarters Lady Bai had warned him against entering. He hurriedly exited the abbot’s quarters and left. The monk who had been lecturing caught a fleeting glimpse of Xu Xuan’s face as he turned to retreat.

“There’s demonic air in those eyes—summon that one!” One of the attendants went to call him, but Xu Xuan—already halfway down the mountain—did not hear. Then the monk suddenly seized his monk’s staff, stood up, and gave chase to Xu Xuan.

A fierce wind had whipped up waves at the mountain’s base, leaving worshippers stranded and unable to board their boats. Xu Xuan, having descended the mountain, also mingled with the crowd and stood on the shore, waiting for the wind to calm.

And then, a small boat cut through the fierce wind unfazed and made its way toward the shore. Xu Xuan thought it a miraculous vessel, but when he peered inside, it revealed Lady Bai and her maidservant. Their eyes met.

“You—please get on quickly! The wind has risen—I came to fetch you.” The boat reached shore at that very moment. Xu Xuan joyfully stepped down to the water’s edge. Behind Xu Xuan stood the monk who had pursued him. “You vile creature! What brings you skulking here?”

The monk looked into the boat while shouting and raised his monk’s staff. With that，Lady Bai and the maidservant plunged headfirst into the water with a somersault. Xu Xuan，startled，opened his eyes wide. And then，Xu Xuan came to his senses as if awakening from a dream.

“What kind of monk is that?!”

Xu Xuan focused his attention and asked the person beside him.

“That is Venerable Monk Fahai—the Living Buddha.”

The monk’s attendant came to summon Xu Xuan. Xu Xuan was escorted before the monk. “Where did you meet those women?”

Xu Xuan there recounted everything from the beginning. Monk Fahai heard this and said. “This is karmic fate—yet it stems from your own deep desires. But your calamities seem to have passed. Return now to Hangzhou and become a man who cultivates virtue and fulfills his destiny. Should such troubles arise again, come seek me at Jingci Temple in Hunan. I will leave you with a verse—remember it well: *A serpent demon took woman’s form,* *Peddling flesh on West Lake’s shore.* *Your heavy desires led you to another’s scheme—* *When peril comes, find the old monk south of the stream.* Understood? Do not forget this verse.”

Xu Xuan parted from Monk Fahai and, trembling all over, returned to Li Keyong’s house at Qinzhi Bridge. Li Keyong heard from Xu Xuan about Lady Bai and, for the first time, spoke of the demon snake he had seen on the night of his birthday.

Thereupon, Xu Xuan closed down his house at the docks and moved back to Li Keyong’s residence, but before ten days had passed, an imperial decree of amnesty from the court was issued, pardoning all except those guilty of the Ten Abominations. Xu Xuan was also pardoned at the same time, but as there was Monk Fahai’s verse, he hurried back to Hangzhou.

Magistrate Li and his wife were waiting for Xu Xuan’s return. Magistrate Li waited for Xu Xuan to finish his greetings before speaking.

“You’ve really been through the wringer this time. I did everything I could when you went to Suzhou and when you left Suzhou for Zhenjiang, but it must’ve still been hard. And that’s because you’re wandering around all on your own. You’d best take a wife and settle down—then no shady characters will come near you.”

Xu Xuan wanted more than anything to steadily settle down.

“I’ve learned my lesson—I won’t be taking a wife.”

Xu Xuan had scarcely finished speaking when a human voice sounded, and someone entered the room. It was Xu Xuan’s sister who had arrived accompanied by Lady Bai and the maidservant.

“You have a wife already—how dare you spout such lies! Am I not your wife?” Xu Xuan began to tremble violently. And then, in a trembling, quavering voice, he said: “Sis, that thing is a spirit—you mustn’t listen to what it says!”

Lady Bai went to Xu Xuan’s side.

“You—though we are husband and wife—listen to others and despise me? How cruel! Yet since I am your wife, I will not go elsewhere.”

Lady Bai began to cry.

Xu Xuan hurriedly stood up, grabbed Magistrate Li by the sleeve, and went outside.

“That is the White Snake Spirit.” “What am I supposed to do?” Xu Xuan told them of the strange occurrences in Zhenjiang that he had not yet spoken of. “If it truly is a snake, there’s someone good—a Master Dai, the Snake-Catcher, in front of Baima Temple. Why don’t we enlist this man’s help?”

Magistrate Li took the lead and accompanied Xu Xuan to Baima Temple’s entrance. Master Dai was fortuitously standing before his house.

“Do you both have some business with me?” Magistrate Li said hurriedly.

“A big white snake has come to my house and is trying to bring disaster. Please capture it.” Magistrate Li said this, took out one tael of silver from his waist, and placed it in Master Dai’s palm. “I’ll give you this much now. If you capture it, I’ll provide a separate reward afterward.” Master Dai gladly accepted the silver.

“Then I’ll make preparations and come right after you.” “You two go on ahead.”

Magistrate Li and Xu Xuan immediately returned. Master Dai arrived shortly after, holding in his hands a bottle of realgar and a bottle of medicinal liquid.

“Where is the White Snake?” Magistrate Li indicated the room where Lady Bai was. Master Dai went to the room as instructed, but the door was closed. Master Dai was muttering something under his breath as he tried to open the door when it opened from within. Master Dai entered. Inside coiled a white serpent thick as a barrel’s girth—its lamp-like eyes blazing and flame-shaped tongue lashing—as it thrust its maw toward Master Dai to swallow him whole. Master Dai fled without noticing the bottle slipping from his hand.

Magistrate Li and Xu Xuan had come to see the result of Master Dai’s efforts. Master Dai nearly collided with the two men and caught sight of them. Magistrate Li said. “Master, was it captured?”

Master Dai was gasping for breath.

“If it were a snake, I could catch it, but that’s a demon! I nearly lost my life there. I’ll return that silver.”

With these words, Master Dai fled as if escaping. Magistrate Li and Xu Xuan exchanged glances, at a loss.

“You, please come here.”

Lady Bai’s voice came from inside the room. Xu Xuan’s body trembled violently. Yet thinking that staying away would leave him ignorant of what she might do, he fearfully entered. Inside sat Lady Bai with her maidservant, appearing exactly as she always did.

“You truly are a heartless man—bringing along that snake-catching fellow! If you insist on tormenting me so, I too have a plan. The lives of everyone in Hangzhou will hang in the balance!”

Xu Xuan was so terrified he couldn’t bear to stay and listen. He went outside just like that, but because stopping was terrifying, he walked wherever his feet took him. He was already outside Qingbo Gate. After arriving there, he came to his senses and began to ponder what he should do next. However, no thoughts of what to do next or what course of action to take came to him at all. Then, the lines of the verse that Monk Fahai of Jinshan Temple had spoken floated up. At the same time—if he were to be ensnared by the evil creature once more—the words that Monk Fahai had spoken—“Seek me out at Hunan’s Jingci Temple”—rose in his mind. He took heart from this and headed toward Jingci Temple.

At Jingci Temple there was a supervising monk. Xu Xuan asked the supervising monk about Monk Fahai. "I wish to have an audience with Monk Fahai." "Monk Fahai has never graced this temple with his presence."

Xu Xuan returned dejectedly. And then he came beneath Long Bridge. Xu Xuan didn't know what to do next. He fixed his eyes on the lake water. If I alone were to die, I thought, I wouldn't trouble anyone anymore. Before his eyes lay a dark and desolate world. He suddenly placed his foot on the railing and attempted to jump.

Just then, someone called out from behind.

“A man of your stature—why do you hold life so cheaply? If there are circumstances weighing on you, let me take part in discussing them.” Monk Fahai stood carrying a monk’s robe and alms bowl on his back while holding a monk’s staff in his hand. Xu Xuan dashed over to his side.

“Please, save my life!” “So, it appears that evil creature has come to haunt you again. Where is she?” “She has come to the home of my sister’s husband, Magistrate Li.” “Very well. I shall give you this alms bowl. Take it without her knowing and go. Suddenly place it over the woman’s head—press down with all your might. No matter what happens, do not loosen your grip. I shall follow shortly.” Xu Xuan received the alms bowl from the monk and returned to Magistrate Li’s house. In one room of Magistrate Li’s house, Lady Bai was ranting and cursing. Xu Xuan went to the room with a dejected expression. When Lady Bai saw Xu Xuan, she transformed into a demure woman and began to speak to him. Seizing the opportunity, Xu Xuan took out the alms bowl he had hidden in his sleeve and suddenly pressed it down onto the woman’s head with all his might. The woman screamed and tried to remove it but could not. The woman’s form gradually grew smaller. And as Xu Xuan continued to press down with all his might, the woman’s form finally vanished, leaving only the alms bowl.

“It’s painful—so painful! By the bond we’ve shared as husband and wife all this time, I beg you—ease up just a little! I’m going to die!”

From within the alms bowl came that voice. Just then, Magistrate Li came and said.

“The monk came saying he’s here to capture a suspicious person.” “That is Monk Fahai. Please show him in immediately.”

Li Ren hurried out and soon returned accompanied by Monk Fahai. “The evil serpent lies subdued beneath this.”

Monk Fahai chanted something under his breath there, and when that ended, he opened the alms bowl. A puppet-like figure about seven or eight inches long lay there limp. The monk said to the puppet: “Why dost thou cling to mortals?” “I am the serpent who came to West Lake during the storm. It was when I was with Qingyu that I saw Xu Xuan and my heart was moved, leading to all this. Even so, I have never harmed the lives of any living beings. I beg you, please show mercy!”

“Your sin of lust is the gravest offense; this cannot be overlooked. Yet if you cultivate discipline for a thousand years, your life may yet be spared. Now reveal your original form.”

Along with this, the puppet-like figure became a white snake, and beside it, the form of a green fish also came into view. Monk Fahai placed the snake and fish into the alms bowl, covered them with a monastic robe to seal it, carried it to the front of Leifeng Temple to bury it, erected a pagoda atop the site, and thus prevented the White Snake and Green Fish from ever emerging into the world again. Monk Fahai inscribed a four-line verse upon it. When Leifeng Pagoda crumbles, West Lake’s waters run dry, river tides cease to rise—only then shall the White Snake emerge into the world. Xu Xuan became Monk Fahai’s disciple and resided beneath Leifeng Pagoda, expanded the tower into a grand seven-story structure. However, after accumulating merit through his practice, he ultimately achieved parinirvana. The fellow monks purchased an urn, cremated the bones, and built a bone pagoda beneath Leifeng Pagoda.