Pathway to Japanese Literature

In Miwagasaki of Kii Province, there lived a man called Otake Chikusuke who kept many fishermen under his employ. They caught fish of all kinds—broad-finned and narrow—and lived in prosperity. He had three children: the eldest son managed the household in his father’s stead; the second was a daughter sent to marry into a family in Yamato; and the third, another son named Toyoo, who was born with an uncommonly gentle disposition. Since he always preferred capital-style elegance and lacked practical sense, his family intended to make him a scholar or priest and had sent him to study under Abe Yumaro, a shrine servant in Shingu.

It was the end of September. As Toyoo made his usual way to his teacher’s residence, clouds swelled in the southeastern sky and rain began to fall. He borrowed an umbrella there and started back, but when the roof of Asuka Shrine came into view, the rain intensified. Taking shelter at a fisherman’s house he often visited, he waited for the downpour to subside—then heard a voice enter saying, “Might we beg a moment’s refuge beneath your eaves?” They were a beautiful woman not yet twenty and a girl of fourteen or fifteen with her hair tied in a child’s topknot. The woman said she had been visiting Nachi. Struck by her beauty, Toyoo lent her the borrowed umbrella. Declaring herself Manago from near Shingu, she opened the umbrella and left.

Afterward, Toyoo borrowed the master’s straw raincoat and hat there and returned home, but being unable to forget the woman’s image, he thought of nothing else—and that night, in his dreams, he went to where she was. There, both the gate and house were grand—a residence with lowered lattice shutters and reed blinds drawn tight. Manago came out, served sake and sweets to entertain him, and so they shared a joyful gathering in pleasant drunkenness. When morning came, Toyoo yearned unbearably to see the woman. He skipped breakfast and set out for Shingu to ask where Manago’s house was—but no one knew of such a person. By the time noon had passed, the girl with the child’s topknot came from the east. The woman’s house was right there. It was a house with a grand gate and structure, its lattice shutters lowered and blinds drawn tight—no different at all from what he had seen in his dream. The blue-clad maiden entered and announced, “I have brought the umbrella’s owner who comes to pay his respects.” Thereupon, Manago emerged and ushered Toyoo into the south-facing chamber. It was a room with tatami mats laid over wooden flooring in a grand hall, its ornate partitions, altars, and wall paintings all ancient in style—no mortal’s dwelling. Manago treated Toyoo to a feast. Manago explained that she herself had been the wife of a certain man in Geshi County under the provincial governor of this province, but since her husband had passed away that spring, she now had no one to rely on for support. “Since your shelter from yesterday’s rain proved you a trustworthy man, I would humbly serve you with all my remaining years,” she said. “This is indeed what I desire,” said Toyoo, “but as one bound to serve parents and siblings, I possess nothing beyond my nails and hair. I’ve no means to support you properly.” “It would suffice if you came here now and then to stay with me,” said Manago. She then produced a longsword adorned with gold and silver and explained, “This was carried by my late husband.”

Toyoo was urged by Manago to stay the night no matter what, but since staying out without permission would earn him a scolding, he said he would return after making arrangements to stay the following night and went home. Come morning, his elder brother Taro, intending to prepare the beach seine, was about to go out when he passed by Toyoo’s bedchamber and saw the longsword placed at Toyoo’s bedside glittering in the dying embers of the lamp. When Taro asked in astonishment, Toyoo said he had received it from someone. The father too heard and came there, and when the mother arrived as well and they pressed for answers, finding it too shameful to speak directly, it fell to Taro’s wife to hear about it. When Toyoo spoke of Manago, his sister-in-law said, “How lamentable that a man should sleep alone all this time—this is most fortunate indeed!” That night, she told Taro that Toyoo had taken up with a woman. Taro frowned and said, “As village heads serving this province’s governor, our family would surely have heard if any district officer called *Nanigashi* of Geshi County had died.” He then scrutinized the longsword and gasped. It was an object offered to Kumano Gongen by the Minister of the Capital—one of the sacred treasures stolen around that time. The father, upon hearing this from Taro, declared, “Should others uncover this, our house will be ruined! For our ancestors’ sake and our descendants’, we cannot spare even one unfilial child. File the accusation at dawn!” He then had the matter reported to the Chief Priest. Sukenokimi Fumiyo Hiroshige, who had come to the Chief Priest’s residence to investigate the theft, dispatched some ten warriors to apprehend Toyoo.

Toyoo shed tears and attempted to establish proof of his innocence. Thereupon, Sukenokimi had Toyoo act as a guide and sent the warriors to Manago’s house.

It was a large house, but the gate pillars were decayed, the eaves tiles shattered—it did not seem a place where people lived. Toyoo was astonished.

The warriors called to those nearby and said, “Is it true that a woman of Geshi County’s Nanigashi resides here?” Thereupon, an old blacksmith emerged and replied, “Until about three years ago, a certain Nanigashi—the village head—lived prosperously in this house. But after he loaded trade goods onto a ship bound for Tsukushi and that vessel vanished, those remaining in the household scattered into ruin. Since then, no one has dwelled here at all. Yet this man”—he gestured—“entered yesterday and barely returned alive. This old lacquer craftsman found it most strange.” Determined to inspect the interior, they opened the gate and began searching. In a room where dust had settled at least an inch deep, behind an aged curtain stood a woman as beautiful as a flower. But when the warriors entered, a great thunderclap roared, and with it, her figure vanished. When they looked inside the room, there lay the stolen sacred treasures—Korean brocade, Chinese damask, Japanese patterned cloth, silk fabric, shields, spears, quivers, ritual hoes, and more.

There, Toyoo’s suspicion of grand theft was cleared; however, since the crime of possessing the sacred treasures could not be pardoned, he had been imprisoned—but through bribes used by Toyoo’s father and elder brother Taro, he was released after roughly a hundred days. Ashamed to be seen by people he knew, Toyoo went to his elder sister’s home in Yamato. His elder sister’s house was located in a place called Zakuroichi near Hasedera Temple, where they sold items such as sacred lamp wicks. One day when Toyoo was at the shop, a most elegant woman accompanied by a girl—appearing to be someone from the capital on a secret pilgrimage—came to buy incense. The girl, upon seeing Toyoo, said, “My lord is here?” That was Manago’s party. Toyoo exclaimed, “How terrifying!” and hid inside. The woman chased after Toyoo and said, “Ever since I heard my lord was summoned to the magistrate’s office, I took pity and persuaded an old neighbor to prepare a crude lodging in haste—the thunder that roared when they came to seize me was my own scheme.” Regarding the sacred treasures, she added, “Why would a woman steal them? It was my late husband’s wicked heart that caused it.” The sister and her husband, finding reason in Manago’s words, cleared their doubts and declared, “This is no world where such precedents exist! Given your heart’s sincerity that wandered far in search—even should Toyoo refuse—we shall detain him here.” They kept Toyoo by their side and eventually persuaded him into marriage.

When March arrived, the family members decided to go on an outing. Manago said, “Since childhood, whenever I walk long distances in crowded places, I suffer terribly from dizzy spells—I dread being unable to join the excursion.” Yet they forced her to accompany them. They went to So-and-so’s temple estate and were walking beside the waterfall when an old man with hair like twisted hemp appeared. “Strange! These evil spirits—how dare you bewitch people!” he exclaimed. At this, Manago and the maiden leaped into the waterfall. Simultaneously, clouds spilled forth like shavings from an inkstick, and rain began pouring down in sheets. The old man hurriedly guided the bewildered people and accompanied them to a place with houses. The old man was one of the divine servants called Taima no Sakujin. The old man admonished Toyoo, saying, “These evil spirits are ancient serpents. Their nature is lust incarnate—they mate with oxen to breed kirin and couple with horses to sire dragon steeds. That they ensnared you stems from your own comeliness, which they exploited.”

Toyoo, as though awakening from a dream, returned to Kii Province. The family members, claiming that Toyoo’s misfortunes stemmed from his solitary state, began seeking a bride for him. Then came word from Shiba Village’s steward—his only daughter, who had served as an attendant to the Imperial Court’s serving women, was now ready to take a husband. A matchmaker brought this proposal to Toyoo’s household. Toyoo’s household gladly agreed to the arrangement, so the steward’s household sent to fetch the young woman from the capital. The young woman’s name was Tomiko. When she returned from the capital, Toyoo was welcomed into her household. On the second night, having drunk himself into a merry state, Toyoo jested: “After years in the capital’s grandeur, a rustic like me must seem tiresome indeed. Over there, you’d have matched with Middle Captains or Chancellors—how vexing you must find me now.” Tomiko lifted her face and retorted, “To forget old vows and fawn over this common creature—’tis you who grows more detestable by far.” Yet her voice was Manago’s own. Toyoo trembled violently. “If you heed others’ words and stubbornly spurn me, my vengeance shall flow—though the peaks of Kiji rise high, with your blood I’ll drown valley from summit!” declared the eerie voice.

“How angry you are, my lord, when this is such a blessed bond!” declared that girl as she emerged from behind the screen.

The next day, Toyoo fled from the bedchamber and spoke to the steward. The steward decided to request the monk from Kurama Temple, who came annually for the Kumano pilgrimage, to capture the mysterious entity. The Kurama monk melted realgar into a small vial and entered Tomiko’s bedchamber, where a snow-white serpent with horns like gnarled branches gaped its maw over three shaku wide, its crimson tongue unfurling to fill the entire room. The monk was shocked and fainted but ultimately died.

When Toyoo went to look, she had transformed into the beautiful Tomiko. Toyoo said, “I cannot trouble others for my own sake, so I will go wherever the suspicious entity goes.” The steward stopped him and went to Dōjōji Temple in Komatsubara to request Fahai Heshang. Fahai Heshang said, “Though this old monk is now aged and can scarcely claim potent powers, I will not silently abandon your household’s calamity.” He then drew out a kesa imbued with the scent of mustard and declared, “Lure the creature with ease. Cover its head with this, press it down with all your strength. Should your hands falter, it will surely escape.” The steward returned happily and quietly handed the kesa to Toyoo. Toyoo went to Tomiko’s bedchamber, seized an opportunity to drape the kesa over her, and pressed down with all his might. At that moment, Fahai Heshang’s palanquin arrived. As the monk chanted incantations, pushed Toyoo aside, and removed the kesa, there lay Tomiko—limp—with a white serpent some three feet long coiled atop her. After seizing it and placing it into the iron alms bowl his disciple held, he resumed his incantations. Then from behind the screen emerged a small snake about a foot long. The monk seized that one as well and placed it into the iron alms bowl together, draped his kesa over it to seal it, and made to depart with it in hand. Toyoo and all his family members pressed their palms together in prayer, tears streaming down their faces as they saw him off. And upon returning to the temple, the monk had them dig deep before the main hall, buried his iron alms bowl there, and decreed they must never emerge into the mortal world for all eternity.

The tale of *The Lust of the Snake Nature* is regarded as the most outstanding among Ueda Akinari’s *Tales of Moonlight and Rain*, but this is not Akinari’s original creation—it is an adaptation of a Chinese legend. The original story is *The Strange Tale of Leifeng* found within *Stories of the West Lake*, which compiles legends from West Lake in Hangzhou, China. Leifeng refers to the name of a pagoda situated on the lakeshore of West Lake, constructed by Queen Huang of Wuyue. However, in *The Strange Tale of Leifeng*, it is portrayed as having emerged from bizarre karmic circumstances. The author, too, was among those astonished by the sight of the towering five-storied pagoda that stood along the southern shore of West Lake during his travels there. In that West Lake, opposite Leifeng Pagoda on the southern shore, there stands Baoshu Pagoda on the northern shore.

*The Strange Tale of Leifeng*

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 sturdy man named Xu Xuan—one who had lost both parents in childhood and was being cared for by an official called Li Ren, husband to his elder sister. This Li Ren was an administrative officer of the Nanglang Geziku office. Xu Xuan resided at the household of Li Mushi and, during the day, would go to the home of Li Mushi’s younger brother—a man named Li Jiangshi who ran a pharmacy in Guanxiang—where he served as manager there.

Xu Xuan was twenty-two at the time. He was a man with a slender face of delicate beauty, bearing something reminiscent of a nobleman. It was a day that fell upon the Qingming Festival. Xu Xuan decided to go to Baoshu Pagoda Temple to offer incense. He discussed it with elder sister that evening, rose early the next morning to purchase paper horses, powdered incense, red candles, sutra banners, paper coins shaped like horseshoe silver ingots, ate a meal, donned newly tailored clothes, put on fine shoes, and went to meet Li Jiangshi at the shop in Guanxiang.

“Today, I wish to visit Baoshu Pagoda. I humbly request a day’s leave, if I may.” On Qingming Festival days, it was local custom to visit ancestral graves and pray for the repose of their souls; since Xu Xuan, having no parents, visiting the temple was only natural, Li Jiangshi cheerfully agreed. “Certainly, go ahead and depart. Go on your way.”

Thereupon, Xu Xuan left the shop and headed in the direction of Qian Tang Men.

It was a day under a sun as radiant as early summer, and men and women visiting Buddhist temples and ancestral graves overflowed the streets. Among them were those riding in palanquins, others in sedan chairs; some mounted on horses or donkeys, while still others journeyed by boat. Xu Xuan passed through Qian Tang Gate, crossed Shihan Bridge, and climbed a road up Baoshi Mountain where Baoshu Pagoda stood towering—making his way to the temple that bustled with incense-burning devotees. Before the main hall, Xu Xuan burned incense, lit paper horses and spirit money, kindled red candles, and prayed for his parents' posthumous peace. He then entered the temple's main hall, partook of vegetarian offerings in the guest quarters, completed his temple donations, and descended the mountain.

At the mountain’s base stood a hall called Shiseikan. When Xu Xuan descended to Shiseikan, the sunlight abruptly grew faint and the surroundings darkened. Xu Xuan thought, *Huh?* and opened his eyes wide. In the northwestern sky over West Lake, ashen-gray clouds appeared, blocking the sunlight. In the southeastern lakeshore area where Leifeng Pagoda stood, mist hung thickly, and within that mist, the pagoda seemed to float. The mist flowed eastward, blurring Su Causeway. The solitary mountain below displayed tarnished silver-gray lines. Before he could even finish thinking *It really does look like rain*, small droplets began to fall here and there. Xu Xuan had gone to stand under the eaves of Shiseikan, but the rain gradually intensified and no break in the downpour seemed likely. The sky was blanketed entirely with faint ink-black clouds. Xu Xuan reluctantly removed his shoes, took off his socks as well, bound them together and fastened them at his waist, became barefoot, left the eaves of Shiseikan, and ran toward the lakeshore.

Xu Xuan intended to hire a boat from there to return to Yongjin Gate. The figures of people, startled by the sudden rain and fleeing while getting drenched, appeared here and there as black dots. Within the lake too, small boats were scurrying right and left. They were all small craft with rush-thatched roofs, commonly called Hangzhou boats. Among them was one with its bow turned eastward where an old man steered the stern—about to pass right before his eyes. Xu Xuan, thinking to hail whichever boat was nearest, had been about to call out when something familiar about the boatman made him scrutinize the face beneath the bamboo hat. That was Zhang Hegong—an old acquaintance. Xu Xuan could scarcely contain his joy.

“Zhang! Zhang! Hey, Zhang!” Apparently having heard Xu Xuan’s voice, the boatman raised his face and looked toward the shore. “It’s me, it’s me! Mr. Zhang, could you give me a ride to Yongjin Gate?” The boatman spotted Xu Xuan. “Ah, Mr. Manager…”

The boatman exclaimed in surprise, yanked back on the stern to turn the bow shoreward, and gave a firm push. With that, the boat scraped the sandy shore with a gritty crunch beneath pale green willow leaves blurring into haze at the water's edge. Xu Xuan ran down to meet them.

“My apologies, but take me to Yongjin Gate. I went to offer incense at Baoshu Pagoda and got caught in the rain.” “That must’ve been rough! Quick now, get in—I’m headed to Yongjin Gate myself.” “I see—that’s perfect timing. I’ll take you up on that.”

Xu Xuan hurriedly washed his feet and boarded the boat. The boatman set his oar, launched the boat, turned the bow eastward, and positioned the stern. “Excuse me—Boatman—I beg your pardon—could you let me board?” Hearing a rounded woman’s voice, Xu Xuan peered through a gap in the thatch toward the shore. A tall, slender, elegant woman had a blue-clad maid hold a small package and stood drenched in the rain. “Mr. Zhang, why don’t we give them a ride? They’re clearly in trouble.”

“Right then—since it’s on our way—let’s give them passage.”

The boatman steered the boat back to shore.

He could see the light rain falling on the bow like silk threads. “I’m terribly sorry—the rain came so suddenly…” A seductive voice sounded, and the women boarded the boat. And now, the elegant woman’s face came clearly into view beneath the thatched roof.

“I must apologize for intruding like this.” The woman greeted him with composed indirectness. Xu Xuan felt awkward. While hurriedly responding to the woman’s greeting, he leaned his body backward. “Please, go right ahead.” The woman entered as she was and sat clinging to his knees. The scent of perfume applied to the woman’s body wafted faintly. Xu Xuan had lowered his eyes against the glare, but driven by curiosity to see the woman’s face clearly, he gradually raised them. His gaze collided with the woman’s dark, glistening eyes staring fixedly at him. Xu Xuan flusteredly averted his eyes again.

“Where do you reside?” The woman spoke with diction that carried clinging undertones. Xu Xuan’s awkward feeling began to fade slightly. “It’s Heizhu Lane by Guojun Bridge.” “My surname is Xu, and my given name is Xuan. And you?” “I am called Bai. My family belongs to the Bai Sanban lineage—I was Bai Zhidian’s younger sister who married into the Zhang household. After my husband had passed away, I visited his grave today when this rain began. Your kindness rescued me from my predicament.”

“Is that so? I also lost my parents early, so today I went to Baoshu Pagoda Temple, but with this rain, I was in a bind and thought to hire a boat to Yongjin Gate. When I came to look, there happened to be an acquaintance’s boat, so I boarded it. It was most fortuitous timing.” The boat continued south along the castle walls, ever southward. Rain like silk threads fell ceaselessly outside the thatched roof. “When I left home, the weather was fine, so I didn’t think about the rain at all—that’s why I was in such a predicament. Thank you ever so much.”

There was a sense of the blue-clad maiden fidgeting beside her mistress. “I’ve been staying at my elder sister’s house, and on working days I’m employed at a relative’s pharmacy, so when I got time off and came out today, I didn’t think about the rain either—that’s why I ended up in this mess. We’ve all had quite the ordeal today, haven’t we?” Xu Xuan managed to converse with the woman without letting his spirits dampen. The boat had already reached beyond Yongjin Gate. The delicate white rain continued falling. The woman looked intently about herself as if recalling something, then pressed her mouth to the blue-clad maiden’s ear and whispered in a low voice, her face assuming a troubled expression. The blue-clad maiden’s eyes crinkled with amusement as she whispered back. Still, the woman wore a troubled expression.

“Um, well…”

The blue-clad maiden’s face turned to look this way. Xu Xuan wondered what was going on. “This morning, when leaving home in haste, I forgot to bring money. I must apologize profusely, but might I humbly request to borrow the boat fare? Once we return home, I shall repay you immediately.” “There’s no need for that. I’ll cover the payment.”

The boat had already reached the water’s edge. The woman fidgeted awkwardly. “Well, the boat has arrived. Let’s disembark.”

Xu Xuan took several coins from the pouch at his waist and placed them on the boat. “I must apologize.”

The woman said this, put on her shoes, and disembarked with the maiden. Xu Xuan also disembarked afterward, though he remained barefoot.

Perhaps the sun had already set, for the surroundings took on a grayish hue. The woman was waiting in the shade of a willow tree for Xu Xuan to arrive.

“Um, well... Since the rain pours so heavily and daylight already fades, why don’t we proceed to my house? I would also wish to repay the borrowed coins.” Xu Xuan had wanted to visit the woman’s residence, but he could not bring himself to go due to reservations about his elder sister’s household.

“Since it’s already quite late, I shall call upon you another time.” “I see… Then… I shall look forward to our next meeting. Thank you ever so much.” The woman parted with a face that seemed reluctant to leave. The maiden walked behind, carrying a bundle. Xu Xuan also felt lingering reluctance and remained standing there; when he looked again, the two figures had vanished. Having composed himself, Xu Xuan bid the boatman farewell with a few words, then ran from the willow’s shade through Yongjin Gate, walking beneath the tightly packed eaves of houses. He thus made his way to nearby relatives to borrow an umbrella. Before his eyes lingered the woman’s figure, blooming like a flower.

Xu Xuan went to his relatives in Sanqiao Lane. The relatives tried to detain him, saying it was time for dinner, but Xu Xuan, sensing that happiness awaited him outside the house and loath to remain inside, insisted on borrowing just an umbrella and went out. The sound of light, refreshing rain entangled in the suddenly opened umbrella. When he arrived at Yōjōgashira, a familiar gentle woman’s voice sounded. “Oh, you.” Xu Xuan turned to the left. Under the eaves of that tea house stood Manago from earlier, alone and sheltering from the rain.

“Ah, it was you! I must apologize for earlier.”

“Thank you for your earlier kindness. This rain being so dreadful—I’ve had my maid fetch an umbrella while I wait here.” “I see… Well then, please take this umbrella. Since I’m just nearby, I won’t need it.” Xu Xuan tried to pass the umbrella in his hand to the woman, but she did not reach out. “You’re too kind, but that would be improper—it’s quite alright. My maid should arrive any moment.”

“Not at all, it is fine. Since I am already right nearby, there is no need for me to use the umbrella. Here, take it. I shall come retrieve the umbrella tomorrow or whenever.” “But that would be too much.” “No, it is perfectly fine.” Xu Xuan insistently pushed the handle toward her.

“In that case, I must apologize for the imposition, but might I humbly borrow it? My house is at Sōchabō in Jianqiao.”

The woman entwined her slender, long fingers around the handle.

“I see. Then I shall look forward to our next meeting.”

Xu Xuan, not wanting to cause the woman any concern, started walking briskly along the eaves as soon as he handed over the umbrella. At the same time, the woman also left the eaves and stepped out onto the stone-paved road.

Xu Xuan kept thinking about Hakuniangzi even after entering his bed that night. The vivid figure of the woman with exquisite features appeared to gaze his way with thoughtful intent. He recalled each of her words steeped in temptation.

Then, sensing a presence, someone opened the bedroom curtain and entered. Xu Xuan started and looked toward the disturbance. There remained Hakuniangzi's alluring face, unchanged from daylight hours. Xu Xuan felt both elation and awkwardness, certain he ought to speak yet finding no suitable words. The woman had somehow ascended onto the bedding. Xu Xuan drowned in breathless rapture until sudden awareness revealed it had all been a dream.

The next morning, Xu Xuan went to the shop early as usual, but with his mind filled with thoughts of Manago that left him unable to focus on his work, he made up an excuse after lunch to leave the shop and went to Sōchabō in Jianqiao. Xu Xuan walked about searching for Manago's house in this way, but found nothing resembling such a residence. Even when he asked people, none knew of it. Xu Xuan wondered if he had misheard the location, but since it was unquestionably Sōchabō, he continued searching every corner of the town without relenting. Yet still no such house could be found. With no other choice, he resigned himself and began dragging his weary feet homeward. Then, from the eastern part of the town stretching east to west, the blue-clad maiden came approaching.

“Oh, you’ve come.” “I came to retrieve the umbrella, but where is it?” Xu Xuan could not bring himself to say he had been searching at length, feeling as though his innermost thoughts were laid bare. He was thus accompanied by the Blue-clad Maiden and went. There stood an imposing multi-storied building encircled by high walls on all sides. The Blue-clad Maiden walked before it, paused briefly, and looked at Xu Xuan’s face.

“Here we are.”

Xu Xuan wondered in puzzlement why he hadn’t noticed someone living in such a large house. He followed the Blue-clad Maiden just like that and passed through that gate.

The two entered the house and stood at the entrance to the central hall.

“Mistress, the person who received your kindness yesterday has arrived.” The Blue-clad Maiden said, facing inward. Then, from inside, Manago’s voice was heard.

“Yes, then—this way. Now, you—please do come in.”

The Blue-clad Maiden spoke following Manago’s words. “Now, please do come in.”

Xu Xuan hesitated at the entrance. Then the Blue-clad Maiden urged him once more. “Since the Mistress herself insists so earnestly, please.”

Xu Xuan steeled himself and entered. Both sides of the room consisted of four-panel partitions, with a blue cloth curtain hanging at one narrow entrance. Likely intending to notify Manago, the Blue-clad Maiden lifted the curtain with one hand and proceeded to the adjacent room. Xu Xuan remained standing to survey the chamber. A basin containing Tiger Whisker Calamus on the central table first suggested feminine quarters. Four scroll paintings adorned the pillars flanking either side, while between them hung a depiction of an unidentified deity. Below this divine image stood an incense stand bearing an antique bronze censer and floral vase.

Manago emerged with a voluptuous face. Xu Xuan somehow felt he was no longer a stranger, yet at the same time felt extremely awkward. “Welcome, and thank you again for all your help yesterday.”

“Oh, think nothing of it. Today I happened to come this way and was wondering where your residence might be. Just as I thought to ask some people, the maid came along, so I took the opportunity to pay my respects.”

When the two had seated themselves facing each other at the table, the Blue-clad Maiden brought tea. Xu Xuan became entranced while drinking the tea and listened to the woman’s words.

“Well then, with this…” Xu Xuan did not want to move, but he could not remain sitting at tea indefinitely. As he began to rise, the Blue-clad Maiden brought wine with assorted pickles and fruits.

“There’s nothing much, but please have some.” “Oh no—I couldn’t possibly impose on you like this. I must take my leave now.” “There’s nothing much, but do have some—please don’t say such things.” Xu Xuan felt pity, but he also wanted to stay by the woman’s side. He sat down again and drank several cups of wine. “I must take my leave now, as it seems to have grown quite late.” Xu Xuan noticed that it had grown late, so he resolved to take his leave.

“Won’t you permit us to end our humble hospitality? There’s truly nothing left to serve. If you would kindly wait a moment—yesterday’s borrowed umbrella was carelessly lent out again by someone in the household. I’ll retrieve it at once without troubling you further.” Xu Xuan considered that leaving the umbrella here today rather than taking it back immediately would furnish him a proper excuse to return again.

“Oh, there’s no need to hurry about the umbrella. Since I can come retrieve it tomorrow, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself specially today.” “Then tomorrow, I shall deliver it to your residence myself.” “Actually, I’ll come by—the shop should have some free time then.” “Then please do come visit for leisure—since I’m troubled each day without someone to keep me company.” “In that case, I’ll come by tomorrow. Thank you very much for the hospitality.”

Xu Xuan bid farewell to Manago and was seen off by the Blue-clad Maiden to the gate as he returned home, but his heart remained as if by Manago’s side, unable to be conscious of himself. And the next day, even when he went to the shop, he couldn’t muster the will to work, so he devised another excuse to go out and headed straight for Manago’s house in Sōchabō.

As if she had known the time Xu Xuan would come and had been waiting impatiently, the Blue-clad Maiden came out.

“Welcome—now please do come in. We were just speaking of you with the Mistress.” “Today I’ll simply take the umbrella and be on my way. Please give me the umbrella—I’ll take my leave here.” Xu Xuan had said as much, but he held no true desire to depart quickly. He thought how fine it would be if Manago herself might appear. “Oh now—do not say such things! Please come inside for just a moment.”

The Blue-clad Maiden said this and went inside. Xu Xuan felt delighted knowing she had gone to summon Manago. He strained his ears, wondering if he might catch Manago’s voice. A faint rustle signaled someone’s approach, and the Blue-clad Maiden reappeared. Behind her emerged Manago’s face. “Now please do come in. We thought you might visit today and have been waiting since morning.”

“Today I must take my leave here, as it would be improper to trouble you every day.”

“Since I have nothing to do all day, I’m so very happy when guests come to visit. If you’re not in a hurry, won’t you come in?”

“I don’t have any particular business either, but I’m sorry to trouble you every day.” “If you have no business, please do come in. Come now, please.” Xu Xuan, without feeling awkward, was able to follow Manago into yesterday’s room. When they entered the room and he sat facing Manago, the Blue-clad Maiden had already brought wine and appetizers. “Please, no more—I couldn’t possibly trouble you to do such things every day for the sake of a single tattered umbrella. I’ll be leaving right away today, so if the umbrella has been returned, I’ll take it.”

Xu Xuan thought there was simply no way he could accept their hospitality for two whole days over a single umbrella. "Oh please—though there's nothing worthy—do partake. There's something I wish to discuss."

Manago said that and slightly blushed. That was the alluring face of Manago seen in the dream. Xu Xuan lowered his eyes to the table.

“Now please have some—I’ll partake as well.”

At Manago’s voice, Xu Xuan brought the cup to his lips but could not discern its taste. He then felt the flush rising to his own face. “Now please,” came Manago’s urging. Xu Xuan held the cup as instructed, but when awareness suddenly pierced through, he realized he had lingered too long. “There was something to discuss—but I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

“I have something to discuss—so please have another cup first, for otherwise I shan’t find the courage to speak of it.”

Manago said this and brought her own eyes close to Xu Xuan's. They were pale eyes glistening with a viscous sheen. Xu Xuan, flustered, raised his wine cup to break the tension. Then her body—a living embodiment of fragrant musk—drew near and pressed flush against him.

“Since I’m speaking before the gods, this is no jest—please listen earnestly. Having lost my husband, I’ve lived alone like this, yet find myself wanting in many ways and thought I must do something about it—and then I became acquainted with you. I wish to ask you to become the master of this house.”

Dream-like happiness welled up before the poor orphan. Xu Xuan’s body trembled as if with joy, yet when he considered his own impoverished state, marrying such a wealthy woman had never crossed his mind. He dwelled on this thought. “Do I displease you?” Xu Xuan could no longer stay silent. He began to speak with a stammer.

“It’s not that at all, but I—I have no home, nothing at all—am being looked after at my elder sister’s house, and so during the day I go out to our relative’s shop.” “If you have no other circumstances—though if you do—in either case, I will manage everything from my side.” With that, Manago lifted her face and called for the Blue-clad Maiden. The Blue-clad Maiden was already there. Manago whispered something in a hushed voice and issued orders.

The Blue-clad Maiden left the room as she was but soon returned with a small package and handed it to Manago. Manago placed it just as it was before Xu Xuan.

“Please use this for expenses. Should it prove insufficient, more remains available—pray do say so.”

It was fifty ryo of silver coins. Xu Xuan did not reach out. “If I were to accept this...” “There’s nothing wrong with it—it’s for expenses.” Manago took it to Xu Xuan’s hand. Xu Xuan received it and put it into his sleeve. “Since it seems quite late now, please return home and come again another day.” The Blue-clad Maiden came out holding an umbrella. Xu Xuan stood up unsteadily and went out holding the umbrella.

Xu Xuan returned to his elder sister’s place at night intending to discuss marriage, but not wanting to treat such a momentous life event like idle gossip, he said nothing that evening and went to sleep. When he woke the next morning, he took the small amount of coins he had saved until then, went to the market, bought chicken meat, goose meat, fish, fruits, and even a cask of good wine, arranged them in his room, and went to summon Li Mushi and his wife.

“This morning, please have breakfast at my place.”

Li Mushi and his wife, finding it extremely strange, came to Xu Xuan’s room. Then, the couple saw the lavish spread on the table and were astonished. “What’s all this about today? Isn’t it strange?”

Li Mushi blurted out while standing up abruptly. “I have a small request to make, so please do take a seat.” Xu Xuan said with feigned composure. “What’s this about? Just say it already.”

“Now, please have a couple of drinks first. I’ll explain everything in due time.” Xu Xuan urged Li Mushi and his wife to drink. The wine went around two or three times. Xu Xuan looked at Li Mushi’s face then. “I have grown up under your care despite all the trouble I’ve caused, but now I must ask one more thing of you in light of that—I wish to be married.” “A wedding? Weddings are important—I should think it over, hmm, dear.”

Li Mushi looked at his wife’s face but said nothing further about the wedding. Xu Xuan, who had been thinking of discussing matters more concretely, felt frustrated but could do nothing about it.

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

“Elder sister, did you discuss the matter from the other day with Brother?”

“I haven’t done it yet.”

“Why haven’t you done it?” “Because Brother was busy.” “Rather than being busy, isn’t Brother avoiding this because he thinks my wedding will cost money? If it’s about funds, don’t worry—I have it.” Xu Xuan said this and took fifty ryo of silver from his sleeve, handing it to his elder sister. “I won’t trouble Brother even a single coin. I just need you to act as my parent and hold the ceremony.”

The elder sister saw the silver and broke into a smile. "That’s odd—you’re not marrying some old woman, are you? Well, fine then. I’ll hold onto this, and when Brother comes back, I’ll talk to him." Xu Xuan then came out of his elder sister’s room. The elder sister waited for Li Mushi to return that night and showed him the silver Xu Xuan had left. "He has made a promise with someone. If we act as his parents and hold the ceremony, that’s all that’s needed. Why don’t we hasten the wedding?"

“So he got this silver from a woman?”

Li Mushi said that and took up the silver in his hand. And then, he cast his eyes down upon the silver's surface.

“T-this is terrible!”

Li Mushi opened his eyes wide in astonishment. “Why are you so surprised?” The wife could not comprehend. “This silver is from Shao Dawei’s treasury—stolen silver! Fifty ingots kept inside the vault have vanished. The seal remains unbroken, yet the silver inside is gone. Lin’an Prefecture has posted a fifty-ryo reward to hunt down the thief! I pity Xu Xuan, but there’s no choice—we must report him from our household. If outsiders learn of this, our entire family will lose their heads! This is a disaster!”

Li Mushi could hardly wait for morning to come; taking the silver Xu Xuan had left, he went to Lin’an Prefecture. At the prefectural office, Han Dayin heard Li Mushi’s accusation and, upon inspecting the silver, confirmed it was indeed the stolen ingots; without delay, he dispatched constables to seize Xu Xuan and had him brought before the court for interrogation. “By Li Mushi’s accusation, you have been identified as the thief who stole the silver from Shao Dawei’s vault. Where have you hidden the remaining forty-nine ingots? It would be best to confess plainly.”

From the moment the constables stormed in, Xu Xuan had already been thrown into such mental disarray that he lost all sense of discernment. When declared a thief of Shao Dawei’s vault, he finally realized grave suspicion now hung over him. “I would never steal another’s belongings—this must be a case of mistaken identity!” Xu Xuan desperately tried to explain himself. “Do not lie! That you stole gold from Shao Dawei’s vault is proven by the fifty ryo you left with your sister. Where did you obtain that silver?”

“That silver was given to me by a woman named Bai who lives across from Xiuwang Wall in Jianqiao Shuangchafang Lane.” Xu Xuan then explained in detail how he had grown close to Bai Niangzi and come to make marriage promises with her. As there appeared no falsehood in Xu Xuan’s account, Han Dayin dispatched constables to apprehend Bai Niangzi. The constables, still keeping their ropes ready, used Xu Xuan as their guide and went to Shuangchafang. They arrived before Xiuwang Wall and came before a black building surrounded by high walls. It was an ancient, ancient house that showed no signs of human habitation. Xu Xuan stared wide-eyed in bewilderment. One constable ran to a neighboring house to inquire about its circumstances. This was the residence of a man named Mao Xunshui whose entire family had died of plague five or six years prior—no one should have been living there now. Yet people had occasionally seen children emerge to purchase goods, suggesting some occupants might remain. However, it was confirmed there were no Bai-family residents in this area.

The constables stood before the house, finalized their plan, opened the gate, and went inside. The doors had vanished, the eaves sagged, weeds choked the gaps between bricks, and the garden lay desolate—not a trace remained of the vibrant colors the house had displayed just days before. Xu Xuan could only stare in shock. The constables split up and entered the rooms. In the dilapidated, shadowy chambers were only mice scattering at the sound of footsteps—no human figures anywhere. The constables who had separated somehow regrouped and proceeded to the innermost detached building. There stood a raised chamber where a pale-skinned woman sat. The striking red and blue hues of her robes came into view. The woman seemed to be seated upon a bed. The constables advanced warily.

“We’ve come from the prefectural office. Who are you? If you’re Bai, we hold Magistrate Han’s warrant. You will accompany us—we must question you about the silver given to Xu Xuan.”

The woman raised her face steadily, yet even without uttering a word, there was no trace of surprise in her demeanor.

“That calm composure—she’s a fraud! Capture her!” The constables all rushed forward in unison. At the same instant, a thunderous roar resounded. Startled, the constables stood frozen in place. Regaining their senses, they looked toward the woman—but her figure had vanished. Resolving not to let her escape, they steeled themselves and charged into the room. Though the woman remained nowhere to be seen, beside the bed lay piled bundles of silver. These were the forty-nine missing ingots from his vault.

The constables shouldered the silver ingots and brought them to the hall of Lin’an Prefecture.

Xu Xuan was cleared of suspicion of theft there, but on the charge of having received silver from a person of unknown origin, he was sentenced to exile to Suzhou. Meanwhile, on Shao Dawei’s side, he provided the promised reward of fifty ryo to Li Mushi as agreed. However, Li Mushi was deeply troubled, for this was money obtained through causing his brother-in-law suffering. Li Mushi met with Xu Xuan in prison, gave him the money for travel expenses, consulted with Li Jiangshi, and decided to send him off with two letters. One of the letters had been given to a man called Director Fan, an official of Suzhou, and the other to a man named Wang who ran an inn beneath Jili Bridge.

On that day, Xu Xuan left the jail accompanied by two escorts.

At the entrance of the prefectural office, Li Mushi and his wife, along with Li Jiangshi and others, had come and were waiting. Xu Xuan shed tears, exchanged parting words with those people, and departed.

After about three days, they arrived at Suzhou Prefecture. After reading Li Jiangshi’s letter, Director Fan and Proprietor Wang used their funds to make arrangements, and Xu Xuan was placed under Proprietor Wang’s custody. About half a year had passed since Xu Xuan had come under Proprietor Wang’s care. He was plagued by tedium every day there.

Then, one day, Proprietor Wang entered the room.

“A woman has come in a sedan chair looking for you, accompanied by a maid.”

Xu Xuan had no inkling of who it could be but, driven by curiosity, went out to the entrance. At the entrance stood his Bai Niangzi and a young maid wearing a blue upper garment. Xu Xuan’s surprise and anger surged forth together. “You thief! You got me into this mess—what are you doing here again?” “I am by no means such a wicked creature; I came here to explain that to you.” Bai Niangzi tilted her elegant neck slightly, looking as though deeply troubled.

“No matter how much you try to deceive me, do you think I’ll fall for that trick again, you monster?”

Proprietor Wang, who had come after Xu Xuan, thought that Xu Xuan making a commotion at the entrance would be unseemly if overheard by others, so he went to his side.

“She seems to have come from afar. Why don’t you let her inside to talk?” Proprietor Wang, having said this, looked toward Bai Niangzi and spoke.

“Please come in.” Manago tried to move. Xu Xuan blocked her path. “You must not let this one into the house! This is the monster that tormented me!” Manago looked toward the young maid and smiled. Proprietor Wang saw the woman’s elegant, gentle face and harbored no doubts. “There’s no such thing as a monster here. Well, fine—we’ll sort it out once we talk later. Come on in.”

Xu Xuan couldn’t very well obstruct Proprietor Wang’s words on his own, so he went ahead and entered first. Manago, accompanied by the young maid, followed Proprietor Wang inside. Inside the house, Proprietor Wang’s mother gazed intently at Manago’s graceful demeanor as she entered. Manago greeted the elderly woman with composed courtesy, then looked at Xu Xuan standing beside them with an angry expression. “Haven’t I given myself to you? Why would I ever wish you harm? That silver—now that I think of it—belonged to my former husband. I knew nothing of it, so when I gave it to you, all that trouble arose. I came all this way to tell you this.”

There was still one thing that puzzled Xu Xuan. “When the constables of Lin’an Prefecture came, you were on the bed—then vanished with a loud noise! How do you explain that? Isn’t it strange?” Manago laughed. “I had my maid knock on the wooden wall. The noise confused the constables long enough for me to slip away and hide at Auntie Yi’s house by Huazang Temple. Yet instead of considering my plight, you twist things to call me a monster! But if this clears your doubts, I’ll take my leave.”

Manago started to hurry out with quick steps. Proprietor Wang’s mother hurriedly ran over and stopped her. “Well, since you’ve come all this way, wouldn’t it be better to rest here a day or two and speak further?” Manago showed no sign of turning back. The blue-clad maiden spoke from beside her.

“Mistress, since they’re being so kind as to say all that, how about giving it a bit more thought?”

Manago looked toward the young maid.

“But he no longer thinks of someone like me, you see.” Proprietor Wang’s mother did not try to release Hakuniangzi. “Since everything is now clear, even Mr. Xu Xuan won’t keep saying he doesn’t understand.” Xu Xuan’s doubts toward Hakuniangzi had already been resolved. Proprietor Wang’s mother accompanied Hakuniangzi to Xu Xuan’s room. Xu Xuan and Hakuniangzi became husband and wife from that night. About half a year had passed since Hakuniangzi came to Xu Xuan’s side. One day, it was mid-February. Xu Xuan went for a stroll with two or three friends to Wofu Temple. Because it was a warm, pleasant day with gentle winds, there were many worshippers. Xu Xuan’s group mingled with the worshippers and went before Wofu Temple, then turned back and exited outside the gate. There were fortune-tellers and vendors setting up their stalls there. Amidst the crowd, a solitary Taoist priest was selling medicines and administering charm-infused water. When the Taoist priest saw Xu Xuan’s face, he cried out in surprise.

“There is a strand of evil qi rising above your head. A sinister entity clings to your body. If you don’t take care, your life will be in peril.”

Xu Xuan’s body grew extremely weak, and his spirits were low. Additionally, he still harbored doubts toward Bai Niangzi. When he heard this, he grew afraid. He pressed his forehead to the ground and said. “Please save me.” The Taoist priest nodded and took out two paper charms. “I’ll give you these. Without letting anyone know, put one in your hair and burn the other at the third watch tonight.” Upon receiving them, Xu Xuan parted from his friends and returned home. He inserted one charm into his hair and resolved to burn the other at the third watch. Without informing Bai Niangzi, he waited for the appointed hour.

“You’re doubting me again and trying to burn a charm, aren’t you? After all this time we’ve spent together, what could possibly be suspicious about me? Isn’t this too much?”

Bai Niangzi, who had been beside him, suddenly flew into a rage. Xu Xuan was flustered. “No, that’s not true! How could there be such a thing?”

Manago’s hand stretched out and reached the charm placed in Xu Xuan’s sleeve. Manago took the charm to the nearby lamp’s flame and burned it. The charm blazed up fiercely. “Well? Even after this, am I still suspicious?”

Manago laughed. Xu Xuan had no choice but to explain. “Since the Taoist priest in front of Wofu Temple said that, that bastard must’ve been mocking me.”

“If that Taoist priest really said such things, why don’t the two of us go and see him tomorrow? Whether I’m suspicious or not will become clear right away.”

The next day, Xu Xuan and Bai Niangzi went together to the front of Wofu Temple. That day too, the temple’s interior and exterior bustled with worshippers. A cluster of people stood at the Taoist priest’s stall as well. When Bai Niangzi was informed that it was the Taoist priest, she immediately ran toward him.

“You sorcerer monk—I won’t tolerate you deceiving people!”

The Taoist priest, who had been about to give charm water to one of the worshippers, raised his face in surprise. And then he stared fixedly at Hakuniangzi’s face. “You monster! I know the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart True Method! Drink this charm water of mine—your true form will reveal itself at once!”

Manago laughed mockingly. “Just perfect—with everyone here watching, if I’m truly a 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!”

“Go on, drink it! Drink and see!”

The Taoist priest placed the cup of water before Hakuniazngi. Hakuniazngi drank it in one gulp，returned the cup，and laughed. “Well now，isn’t it about time the true form reveals itself?” Xu Xuan and those around him stared at Hakuniazngi’s beautiful face without even blinking，yet it remained completely unchanged. “Well then，sorcerer monk—where’s your evidence? How exactly am I suspicious?” The Taoist priest stared wide-eyed in astonishment. “Spouting nonsense and trying to come between husband and wife—how disgraceful! I’ll teach you a proper lesson now.”

Having said that, Bai Niangzi muttered something under her breath and began to chant. Then, it appeared as though some men had bound the Taoist priest with ropes, but soon his feet left the ground and he rose into the sky. “There we go, that’s settled.” Having said that, when Bai Niangzi exhaled a breath from her mouth, the Taoist priest’s body fell to the ground. The Taoist priest, upon getting up, fled without a trace.

The eighth day of the fourth month arrived—Buddha’s birthday. As his interest had been stirred, Xu Xuan told Bai Niangzi he would go to Chengtian Temple to see the Buddha’s Birthday celebration. Bai Niangzi produced new upper and lower garments for him to wear, then brought a gold fan. The gold fan bore a coral pendant. “Go quickly and return soon.”

Thereupon, Xu Xuan went to Chengtian Temple. The temple grounds bustled with plays and other performances. Xu Xuan was jostled about in the crowd of worshippers as he wandered here and there, when scattered rumors reached him—that a thief had broken into Zhou Jiangshi’s family vault and stolen gold, silver, jewels, garments, and such—but since this concerned him not at all, he paid it no mind.

“Excuse me, excuse me—let me see that fan for a moment.”

As the man who was about to pass by Xu Xuan abruptly stopped, he seized the hand that held Xu Xuan’s fan. Xu Xuan, startled, looked into the man’s face. The man scrutinized the fan and its coral pendant before shouting.

“A thief! I’ve caught a thief! Everyone, come here!”

Xu Xuan was startled and tried to explain himself, but there was no opening. The ropes were already digging into his flesh. He was dragged from that spot to the prefectural office. “Your clothes and fan have already proven as much, but where have you hidden the rest of the stolen goods? Speak quickly! If you don’t talk, we’ll put you to torture!”

Xu Xuan had been accused as the thief of Zhou Jiangshi’s family vault. “The clothes I wear and the fan I hold—all were given by my wife. I never stole them!” The Prefectural Magistrate angrily rebuked him. “Cease your lies! However much you deceive, these clothes and fan stand as irrefutable proof! If you insist your wife gave them, bring her here—where is she?!” “My wife resides at Wang Zhuren’s house on Kichibashi Bridge.”

“Very well. Is that so?” The Prefectural Magistrate ordered the arresting officers to take Xu Xuan into custody and escort him to Wang Zhuren’s house. Wang Zhuren, who had been at home, started upon seeing Xu Xuan brought in by the arresting officers. “What has happened?” “That woman brought this misery upon me—is she here now?”

Xu Xuan’s voice trembled with anger. “The mistress said your return was late and went out with the maid to search for you around Chengtian Temple.”

The arresting officers bound Wang Zhuren instead of Manago and took him along with Xu Xuan to the prefectural office. In the hall above, the Prefectural Magistrate waited for the arresting officers' return. The Prefectural Magistrate decided to hold a trial after Manago had been captured and brought in. Beside the Prefectural Magistrate, Zhou Jiangshi had come and watched the proceedings. At that moment, a member of Zhou Jiangshi’s household arrived. It was news that the items thought stolen—gold, silver, jewels, garments—had been found within empty chests in the vault. Zhou Jiangshi hurriedly returned home where all supposedly stolen items were present as reported. Only the fan and pendant remained missing, but since such items commonly duplicated others, this alone could not conclusively prove Xu Xuan’s guilt. When Zhou Jiangshi reported this at the prefectural office again, Xu Xuan was pardoned—yet deemed unfit for his current location, they altered his banishment to Zhenjiang.

Just as Xu Xuan was to be sent to Zhenjiang, Li Mushi opportunely arrived in Suzhou on orders from Shao Dawei in Hangzhou. When Li Mushi went to Wang Zhuren’s house and heard that Xu Xuan’s banishment had been altered, he wrote a letter to relatives in Zhenjiang and handed it to Xu Xuan. The relatives in Zhenjiang were those of a man named Li Keyong, who had opened a medicine shop beneath Haziko Bridge.

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

Xu Xuan was able to settle into Li Keyong’s house. As his mind began to settle, he deeply lamented his own misfortune of being plagued by the dreadful sorceress. And he grew vexed.

Li Keyong had learned that Xu Xuan had served as manager of a medicine shop in Hangzhou, so when he tried assigning him work, he found his conduct reliable and saw nothing to cause concern. He therefore decided to appoint him as manager and put him to work, but thinking it wouldn’t do for him to be envied by the other clerks, he gave Xu Xuan money and had him invite the shop’s staff to a riverside tavern.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and departed, Xu Xuan settled the bill afterward and left the tavern alone. Though slightly intoxicated—not unpleasantly so—he found himself in an exceedingly good mood. He walked beneath the eaves of houses, the cool evening breeze blowing against his wine-flushed cheeks. There was a multi-story building where a window was opened at that moment, and with that motion, something came falling down and struck Xu Xuan’s head. Xu Xuan felt a surge of irritation and scolded them.

“You fool! Watch what you’re doing!” In the window of the multi-story building appeared a woman’s face. She lowered her gaze and stared fixedly at Xu Xuan’s face before murmuring something and withdrawing. Xu Xuan, puzzled, kept watching that window when suddenly the woman came hurrying out from the entrance. It was Manago.

“You sorceress! Have you come again to torment me? This time I won’t stand for it! I’ll catch you and turn you in—mark my words!” Manago smiled with her eyes. “Oh, please don’t speak so harshly—do listen to what I have to say. I’m truly sorry for dragging you into trouble twice now, but those clothes and fan belonged to my former husband. They’re not suspicious in the slightest—so you see, your doubts have been cleared, haven’t they?”

“Then, when I returned to Wang Zhuren’s place, why weren’t you there?” “Well, since your return was so delayed, the two of us—the maid and I—went out searching for you, which led to that commotion. I became frightened, so I came by boat to this house where the maid’s maternal cousin resides.” Xu Xuan’s anger toward Manago dissolved. Xu Xuan followed Manago to her house, stayed there for one night, and then they became husband and wife once more.

Before long, Li Keyong’s birthday arrived. Xu Xuan and wife also went to the Li house to celebrate, bearing gifts. Li Keyong had arranged a banquet and invited close friends and acquaintances.

Li Keyong was a lecherous man. The moment he laid eyes on Manago, his true nature surfaced. When he realized she had gone to the eastern privy, he quietly slipped from his seat and followed. Imagining the flower-like woman within, he entered. Inside coiled a massive white snake thick as a barrel. The serpent’s eyes shone like oil lamps, blazing with golden light. Li Keyong fled in terror but stumbled and collapsed in his panic.

The daughter being fostered in Li Keyong’s household found him collapsed and unconscious. Inside the house, an uproar broke out and everyone gathered. After they administered medicine and such treatments, he finally came to. When the household members asked what had happened, he said it was due to having strained his body through days of exhaustion.

As Li Keyong’s condition improved, the banquet resumed its former state, but before long the gathering ended and the guests departed. Manago had already returned home unnoticed, but she came quietly to the shop, perhaps with something to discuss with Xu Xuan. “Tonight I came because I felt strangely unwell.” “After enjoying such a feast tonight, shouldn’t you be in good spirits?” “I’m not in good spirits at all. You said the master here was an honest man, but he’s nothing of the sort! When I went to the eastern privy, he followed me and tried to have his way with me. He’s truly a detestable man.”

"But it’s not as if you were actually violated. Let’s just leave it at that—go home and rest early." "But I’m terrified of that master—who knows what he might do next? Instead of staying here, why don’t we use the two or three hundred taels I have and open a small medicine shop near the harbor?"

Xu Xuan, too, would rather have his own shop and be free than remain bound as a manager in someone else’s household. He was moved by Manago’s words. “Hmm, if we can have a small shop, that would be better.” “Then shall we take one?” “Yes, it would be good to take one. Then, whether he’ll grant me leave or not, I’ll ask the master tomorrow.”

Xu Xuan consulted Li Keyong the following day. Since Li Keyong had his own weaknesses and had encountered something strange, he did not oppose what Xu Xuan proposed. Thereupon, Xu Xuan and Manago rented a suitable house near the wharf and started a medicine shop together. Xu Xuan, having become the master of his own household for the first time, was finally able to settle down.

The seventh day of the seventh month arrived. That day was Eiretsu Ryuou’s birthday. Xu Xuan wanted to visit Jinshan Temple to offer incense and repeatedly urged Manago to accompany him, but Manago did not go. “Please go by yourself, but you must not go to the abbot’s quarters. There’s a monk preaching sutras there, so they’ll surely press you for alms. Understand? You absolutely must not go to the abbot’s quarters.”

Xu Xuan decided to go alone, hired a boat, and went to the island hill of Jinshan Temple located approximately one *ri* upstream. The boats of worshippers coming and going to Jinshan Temple, rising and falling along the Yangtze’s red-muddied currents, floated like a flock of waterfowl. Between Jingkou and Guazhou lay a single stretch of water; on the front shore of Guazhou, the willow trees stood lush green.

Xu Xuan ascended to Jinshan Temple, went to the Dragon King Hall, completed his incense offering, and while walking about, came upon a place where many worshippers were listening to a monk’s sermon. Xu Xuan thought that this was the abbot’s quarters Manago had told him not to enter. He hurriedly exited the abbot’s quarters and left. The monk who had been preaching sutras caught a glimpse of Xu Xuan’s face as he tried to turn back. “There’s a demonic aura in those eyes. Call that one here.” One of the attendants went to call him, but Xu Xuan was already descending the mountain and did not hear. Then, the monk suddenly grabbed his Zen staff, stood up, and immediately chased after Xu Xuan.

At the foot of the mountain, a strong wind had arisen and waves were churning, so the worshippers were stranded, unable to board the boats. Xu Xuan, who had descended the mountain, also joined the crowd and stood on the shore, waiting for the wind to subside. And then, a small boat cut through that wind with ease and began to approach the shore. Xu Xuan thought it was a boat of divine craftsmanship. When he glanced inside, he saw Manago and the maiden showing their faces within. The eyes of Manago and Xu Xuan met. “You, get on quickly. The wind has started blowing—I came to pick you up.”

The boat reached the shore simultaneously. Xu Xuan happily descended to the water’s edge. Behind Xu Xuan was the monk who had chased after him.

“What do you think you’re doing coming here, you evil creatures?”

The monk peered into the boat, roared angrily, and brandished his Zen staff. At this, Manago and the maiden flipped headlong into the water with a splash. Xu Xuan gasped and widened his eyes. Then Xu Xuan seemed to awaken from a trance.

“Who is that Reverend Monk?”

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

“That is Reverend Master 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 then recounted everything from the beginning. The monk, upon hearing that, said: “It is karmic destiny—yet it arose from your own deep desires. But your calamities seem to have passed. From now on, return to Hangzhou and become a man who cultivates virtue and fulfills his destiny. Should such troubles recur, come seek this old monk at Hunan’s Jingci Temple. Now, I shall recite a verse for you to remember: *She was born a demon serpent woman; on West Lake’s shores she peddled her form. Your heavy lust drew others’ schemes; when peril comes, seek Hunan’s aged monk.* Do you understand? Do not forget this verse.”

Xu Xuan parted from Reverend Master Fahai and, trembling all over, returned to Li Keyong’s house in Harikobashi. Li Keyong heard from Xu Xuan about Manago and for the first time spoke of the demon snake he had seen on the night of his birthday. Thereupon, Xu Xuan closed up the house at the wharf and moved back to Li Keyong’s house. However, before ten days had passed, an imperial pardon decree was issued from the court, and all others except those guilty of the Ten Abominations were pardoned. Xu Xuan was also pardoned at the same time, but due to Reverend Master Fahai’s admonition, he hurried back to Hangzhou.

Li Mushi and his wife were waiting for Xu Xuan to return. Li Mushi waited for Xu Xuan to finish his greeting and said.

“You’ve really been through quite an ordeal this time.” “I did everything I could for you when you went to Suzhou and when you went from Suzhou to Zhenjiang, but it must still have been hard—all because you keep drifting around aimlessly like this. Take a wife and secure your position properly. Then even suspicious characters won’t come near you.” Xu Xuan wanted nothing more than to truly settle down.

“I’ve had my fill of that, so I won’t be taking a wife.”

Xu Xuan’s words had barely ended when voices sounded, and someone entered. It was Xu Xuan’s elder sister who had come accompanied by Manago and the maiden. “You have a wife yet tell such lies—am I not your wife?”

Xu Xuan began to tremble violently. And then, he said in a trembling, trembling voice.

“Elder sister, that creature is a spirit! You mustn’t listen to what it says!” Manago went to Xu Xuan’s side. “You call yourself my husband yet heed others’ words to despise me—how cruel! But since I am your wife, I will not go elsewhere.”

Manago began to cry. Xu Xuan hurriedly stood up, pulled Li Mushi’s sleeve, and went outside. “That is the White Snake Spirit. What should I do?” Xu Xuan told them of the supernatural events in Zhenjiang that he had not yet spoken of.

“If it’s truly a snake, there’s someone who can help—a Mr. Dai known as the Snake-Catcher in front of White Horse Temple. Let’s consult this person.” Li Mushi took the lead and accompanied Xu Xuan to the front of White Horse Temple. Mr. Dai was fortuitously standing before his house.

“Do you both have some business with me?”

Li Mushi said hurriedly. “A large white snake has come to my house and is trying to bring disaster upon us. Please capture it.”

Li Mushi said this, took out one ryō of silver from his waist, and placed it in Mr. Dai’s palm. “I’ll give you this much for now. If you kindly capture it, I’ll provide a separate reward afterward.” Mr. Dai gladly received the silver. “In that case, I will make preparations shortly and follow after. The two of you, please go on ahead.”

Li Mushi and Xu Xuan immediately returned. Mr. Dai soon arrived afterward, holding in his hands bottles containing realgar and medicinal liquid. “Where is the White Snake?” Li Mushi indicated the room where Manago was. Mr. Dai went to the room as he had been instructed, but the door was closed. As Mr. Dai was muttering something and trying to open the door, it swung open from within. Mr. Dai went inside. Inside was a white python as thick as a barrel, its eyes glowing like burning lamps and its tongue like flames as it thrust its maw toward Mr. Dai, poised to swallow him whole. Mr. Dai fled without even realizing the bottles had fallen from his hands.

Li Mushi and Xu Xuan had come to see the result of Mr. Dai’s efforts. Mr. Dai nearly collided with the two men and came to his senses. Li Mushi said. “Mr. Dai, were you able to capture it?” Mr. Dai was panting heavily. “If it were a snake, I could catch it, but that’s a monster! I was nearly robbed of my life.” “I will return that silver.” With these words, Mr. Dai left as though fleeing. Li Mushi and Xu Xuan exchanged troubled glances.

“You, please come here.”

A voice came from inside the room—Manago’s. Xu Xuan’s body trembled violently. However, thinking that if he did not go, he would not know what might happen, he entered fearfully. Inside sat Manago with the blue-clad maiden, appearing just as she always did. “You truly are a heartless one, bringing along some snake-catching man like that. If you torment me so, I too have a plan—it will concern the lives of every person in this city of Hangzhou!”

Xu Xuan was so terrified he couldn’t stay still and listen. He went outside just like that, but afraid to stop moving, he let his feet carry him wherever they would. He had gone outside Qingbo Gate. After arriving there and regaining his composure, he thought about what he should do now. Yet no thought of what course to take next—no plan of action whatsoever—rose in his mind. Then the verse spoken by Fahai Heshang of Jinshan Temple surfaced in his memory. Simultaneously came the monk’s words: "Should that evil creature entangle you again, come seek me at Hunan’s Jingci Temple." Drawing strength from this recollection, he set out toward Jingci Temple.

At Jingci Temple, there was a supervising monk. Xu Xuan asked the supervising monk about Fahai Heshang. “I would like to have the honor of meeting Reverend Fahai Heshang.” “Reverend Fahai Heshang has never once come to this temple.”

Xu Xuan returned dejectedly. And then he came beneath Long Bridge. Xu Xuan did not know what to do next. He fixed his eyes on lake water. If I alone were to die—he began thinking—it would end without burdening anyone. Before his eyes lay a dark and desolate world. He suddenly placed his foot on railing and tried leap over. Just then someone called out from behind.

“A man of such stature, why would you scorn your life? If there are circumstances, let this old monk hear them.” There stood Reverend Fahai Heshang, bearing a monk’s robe and alms bowl upon his back while gripping a Zen staff. Xu Xuan rushed to his side. “I beg you to save my life.” “So that evil creature has ensnared you anew. Where does it lurk?” “At the house of my elder sister’s husband, Li Mushi.” “Very well. Take this alms bowl. Carry it concealed, then suddenly clap it upon the woman’s head. Press down with all your strength—loosen not your grip though hell itself arise. I shall follow ere long.”

Xu Xuan received the alms bowl from the Reverend and returned to Li Mushi’s house. In a room of Li Mushi’s house, Manago was cursing and ranting. Xu Xuan went to that room with a dejected expression. When Manago saw Xu Xuan, she transformed into a demure woman and attempted 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 strength. The woman screamed and tried to remove it, but she could not. The woman’s form gradually became smaller. And as Xu Xuan continued to press down with all his strength, the woman’s form finally vanished, leaving only the alms bowl.

“It’s painful, so painful—please, by the bond we’ve shared as husband and wife until now, loosen it a little—I’m going to die.”

From inside the alms bowl, such a voice could be heard.

Just then, Li Mushi came and said. “The Reverend Monk appeared saying he’s come to capture suspicious beings.” “That is Reverend Fahai Heshang. Let him through at once.”

Li Mushi hurried out and soon returned, bringing Reverend Fahai Heshang with him.

“The evil serpent lies subdued beneath this.” The Reverend Monk had been chanting under his breath there, and when that ended, he opened the alms bowl. A puppet-like object about seven or eight inches long lay limp. The Reverend Monk spoke to the puppet-like figure. “Why do you cling to humans?” “I am the python who came to West Lake during the storm. I was with the Blue Fish when I saw Xu Xuan and my heart stirred—thus things came to this. Still, I have never once harmed a living being, so I beg you to spare me.”

“The sin of lust is the gravest of all—that alone condemns you. Yet if you devote a millennium to spiritual discipline, your life may yet be spared. Now reveal your true form.” At that, the puppet transformed into a white snake, and the figure of a blue fish also became visible beside it. The Reverend Fahai Heshang placed the snake and fish into the alms bowl, covered them with a Buddhist robe and sealed it, carried it before Leifeng Temple to bury, erected a pagoda atop it, ensuring the White Snake and Blue Fish could never again enter the world. The Reverend Monk inscribed a four-line verse upon it.

If Leifeng Pagoda collapses, West Lake dries up, and river tides cease to rise—only then shall the White Snake emerge into the world. Xu Xuan became Reverend Fahai Heshang’s disciple and resided beneath Leifeng Pagoda, expanded it into a grand seven-storied pagoda, but later, having accumulated spiritual merit and being free from illness, he sat in meditation and passed away. The fellow monks purchased a funerary urn, cremated his remains, and erected a bone pagoda beneath Leifeng.