In the mid-years of the Great Jing dynasty, Princess Lingxi of Yanhuai falls in love at first sight with Xuancheng, a monk at Jingyun Temple. Six years together deepen their bond, but the Buddhist precepts are strict, and Xuancheng rigidly keeps to his vows, refusing to let her close. Under pressure from the imperial court, the Third Prince forces Lingxi to marry him. Unable to bear the humiliation, she dons a red wedding dress and takes her own life beneath a bodhi tree. Xuancheng witnesses the tragedy, and his faith collapses. He kills the prince, breaks his vows, and becomes a demon monk who keeps watch over her lonely soul, leaving only the anguished cry, "The Buddha saves millions. Why would he not save her?"
