The Fox Spirit and the Monk

The day Fan Xiu shaved his head and entered the monastery was the day of his wedding to Ning Qingqing.

On his wedding day, he was both nervous and eager.

Instead of Ning Qingqing, the Demon King arrived, along with the master who had left the Buddhist order when Fan Xiu did.

Master: "Disciple, the sea of suffering has no shore. Turn back, and you'll find salvation."

Fan Xiu shook his head, his gaze resolute. "Master, I love her."

The Demon King: "Ning Qingqing is a fox spirit."

Fan Xiu nodded, his gaze resolute. "I know. I love her."

The Demon King smiled and told him something.

At last, Ning Qingqing appeared. Her magnificent red wedding dress made her beauty all the more striking, and even the beauty mark at the corner of her eye seemed to shimmer with allure.

"Did you deliberately lead me down the path of evil?" Fan Xiu's voice was bitter, his bride reflected in his eyes.

If she just said no, he would believe her!

Ning Qingqing was silent for a long time before answering, "Yes."

What did you take me for? A cat or dog you could toy with, or just an amusing little plaything?

Fan Xiu's eyes reddened. He wanted to demand an answer, but was afraid she'd say yes again.

Fan Xiu took the tonsure that very day. The abbot gave him the Buddhist name Yunkong, hoping he would realize that all things arise from emptiness and ultimately attain Buddhahood.

But in the end, he fell into Ning Qingqing's trap, sowed the seed of demonic thoughts, and turned to the path of evil.

In the eyes of the world, Master Yunkong was handsome and noble, with compassion in his eyes, and no one dared look directly at him.

Yet beneath that Buddha-like, immortal appearance was a murderous heart steeped in sin.

The day the Buddha's chosen one was born, the entire Ten Thousand Demon Cave shook for three days and three nights. Rivers of blood flowed, and not a single living creature survived.

He would eradicate every demon in the world, especially Ning Qingqing.

When he met her again, Yunkong rebuked her sharply: "Demon! I'll cut off your nine tails one by one, so the whole world can witness your fate!"

*

Later

On the seventh day after Ning Qingqing's death, the dignified Master Yunkong inexplicably shed tears.

No matter how many times he recited the Buddhist scriptures, they could not ease even a fraction of the pain that pierced his heart and bones.

*

Later still

The Demon Realm changed hands, and evil spirits invaded the human world.

Ning Qingqing sat high on the Demon Emperor's throne, draining her cup as a beautiful favored attendant held it to her lips.

She descended from the throne, and her fragrant, wine-scented breath brushed past Yunkong's ear.

"Fan, beg me. Just beg me, and I'll restore peace to the human world."

#You let go of your faith in Buddhism, but could never let go of me#

#All your passions and desires are bound to me alone#

Theme: Love isn't everything.