Zhong Kui's Ghost Hunt

Zhong Kui Punishes Ghosts stars Zhong Kui, a popular Taoist deity, in a thrilling legend of ghost-slaying.

With a leopard's head, ringed eyes, a dark face, and a bristling beard, Zhong Kui wears a red robe and black boots and wields a sharp sword. His fearsome appearance makes him a master at exorcising evil spirits. Legend has it that he was once a scholar from Mount Zhongnan who died after striking his head against the palace steps in protest over an unfair imperial examination. Even after death, his resentment lingered, and his heroic spirit drifted through the world. Just then, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was bedridden with illness. In a dream, he saw a little demon sneak into the palace and steal a jade flute and the embroidered pouch of Yang Guifei. At the crucial moment, Zhong Kui appeared, seized the demon, gouged out its eyes, tore it apart, and ate it, then introduced himself. When the emperor awoke, his illness had vanished without medicine. He ordered Wu Daozi to paint Zhong Kui's likeness, and from then on, Zhong Kui's fame spread far and wide.

This time, evil spirits are running rampant in a remote town, leaving the people in constant turmoil. At night, eerie noises echo through the streets and alleys. Some people vanish mysteriously, while others fall ill for no apparent reason. When Zhong Kui hears of this, he rushes to the town with his treasured sword in hand. First, he sets up a magic array to keep the evil spirits from escaping. When night falls and the demons appear, Zhong Kui lets out a shout and charges into their midst. His sword flashes with cold light, each strike deadly. One demon skilled at bewitching people's minds takes the form of a beautiful woman and tries to approach him, but he sees through the disguise at a glance and kills it with a swift backhanded strike.

After a fierce battle, Zhong Kui slays many evil spirits and seals away their leader, the Ghost King. At last, peace returns to the town. Grateful, the people put portraits of Zhong Kui on their doors and pray for safety.