Ning Caichen, a native of Zhejiang, possessed a forthright and principled character, often declaring to others, "My commitment in this life is singular; I shall never be unfaithful."

One day, Ning Caichen journeyed to a temple on the northern outskirts of Jinhua. He observed that while the halls and pagodas were magnificent, the entrance and courtyard were choked with weeds, suggesting a long period of abandonment. The doors of the eastern and western monks' quarters stood ajar, yet only the southern room sported a seemingly new lock. In a corner of the great eastern hall, surrounded by emerald bamboo, lay a pool fed by stone steps, where lotuses bloomed in breathtaking beauty.

It was the season for the provincial examinations, and lodging prices in the city were exorbitant. Ning Caichen, finding the temple environment serene, resolved to stay a while, pacing the grounds as he waited for any monks to return.

As dusk settled, a man resembling a scholar returned to the temple. He reached out, pushed open the southern door, and Ning Caichen stepped forward to greet him, explaining his need for lodging. The scholar replied, "There is no master here; I am also just taking temporary residence. If the young master doesn't mind the temple's desolation, stay as long as you wish; I, too, might seize the opportunity to seek your wisdom—I would be delighted."

Ning Caichen was overjoyed. He made a bed of gathered grass and fashioned a table from felled wood, intending to settle in for an extended stay.

That night, the moon was pure and bright, its clear light flowing like water. The two men sat knee-to-knee in the temple corridor, sharing wine and pleasantries. They exchanged names; the scholar introduced himself as Yan, his given name Chixia. Ning Caichen secretly suspected he was another scholar preparing for the exams, yet his words and conduct suggested otherwise. He inquired, "Where might my respected brother hail from?"

Yan Chixia responded, "I am a man of Shaanxi." His speech was markedly sincere and honest.

After conversing for a time, they retired to their respective rooms to rest.

Ning Caichen, unaccustomed to the new surroundings, lay in bed but could not sleep. Suddenly, he heard faint murmuring from the northern quarters. Startled, he sat up and went to the north wall, pushing open the window to peer out. Beyond the low wall was a small courtyard where a woman in her early forties stood with an old woman dressed in red. The crone wore a silver hairpin, her back hunched and stooped with extreme age. Under the moonlight, the two women were speaking in low tones. The woman asked, "Why isn't Xiaoqian here yet?"

The old woman replied, "She should be arriving soon."

The first woman mused, "Could she possibly hold a grievance against Lao Lao (Grandmother)?"

The crone shook her head, "I haven't heard anything, but in recent days, her expression has indeed seemed a bit downcast."

The woman nodded. "This girl is not the easiest to get along with."

Before she finished speaking, a beautiful young woman, perhaps seventeen or eighteen, strolled in gracefully. The old woman chuckled, "We shouldn't speak ill of people behind their backs. Just as we were talking, the little sprite arrived without a sound. Fortunately, we weren't saying anything bad about you." She added, "Young mistress, you are as beautiful as a figure in a painting. If I were a man, my soul would surely have been spirited away by you long ago."

The young woman laughed, "Grandmother always says the sweetest things to please people; I won't fall for it." Following this, the three chattered away, and Ning Caichen could not discern what they were saying. Assuming they were family members of a neighboring household, he ceased eavesdropping and turned back. After a considerable wait, the outside finally fell silent.

Just as Ning Caichen was about to fall asleep, he sensed someone approaching his room. He quickly rose to investigate and found that an unexpected visitor was already inside—the very young woman from the courtyard. He immediately asked, "What brings the young lady here?"

The maiden replied, "The moonlit night is lonely and I cannot sleep. I wish to be a fleeting couple with the young master for one night."

Ning Caichen said sternly, "People's words are to be feared. The young lady ought to maintain her virtue, and I cannot take advantage of a vulnerable situation. Should we engage in improper conduct, it would surely lead to a moral collapse."

The maiden countered, "It is late at night, and no one knows."

Ning Caichen frowned. "That is enough. Please leave."

The girl lingered, mumbling to herself. Ning Caichen snapped, "Go quickly! If you do not leave, I shall call for help! My friend, Yan Chixia, is not someone to be trifled with."

Hearing this, the maiden showed fear and finally retreated. She stepped outside but then doubled back, placing an ingot of gold on the table. Ning Caichen snatched up the gold and hurled it out of the room, angrily declaring, "Unjust wealth—it soils my pockets!"

The girl was deeply ashamed, picked up the gold, and muttered to herself, "The young master truly has a heart of stone."

The following morning, a scholar from Lanxi arrived with his servant seeking lodging, occupying the east wing. That night, the scholar died suddenly of a violent illness. Both soles of his feet bore small puncture marks, as if pierced by an awl, with blood steadily oozing out; no one could ascertain the cause of death. After one night, the servant also died, in the exact same manner as his master.

Ning Caichen discussed the matter with Yan Chixia, "Two strong young men have died consecutively—what could this mean?"

Yan Chixia pondered, "It must be the mischief of ghosts. This temple is impure, and we are in a perilous location. Young master, you must take great care."

Ning Caichen, brimming with righteous spirit, held no fear of ghosts and paid little heed to the warning. That night, the maiden returned to call upon him, saying, "I have judged countless men, but one as steadfast as the young master is a first. Your integrity is as unbending as a sage's; I would never dare harass you again. My humble name is Nie, given name Xiaoqian. I died young at eighteen, and my body is buried near the temple. My spirit is coerced by demonic entities, forcing me to lure men and do many wicked things against my will. Now that the men in the temple have all been killed and there is no prey left, Lao Lao will soon turn her attention to you."

"Who is your Lao Lao?"

"Lao Lao is not human; she is a Yaksha demon."

"Then what should I do?"

"Yan Chixia's origins are extraordinary. If you can manage to sleep with him, you will surely turn calamity into fortune."

"Why don't you try to seduce Brother Yan?"

"Young Master Yan is an exceptional figure beyond the mundane; I dare not approach him."

"Then how did you harm people before?"

"I seduce men into intimacy, secretly piercing their soles with a sharp awl. Once they fall unconscious and lose all sensation, I seize their blood for Lao Lao to drink. If that maneuver fails, I use gold to tempt them. Gold is transformed from Rakshasa ghost bones, which excel at digging out hearts and livers. As soon as greed takes hold, death is certain. Both methods—sexual temptation or material temptation—cater to men's desires."

"When does Lao Lao plan to harm me?"

"Tomorrow night."

After this thorough warning, Nie Xiaoqian took her leave. As she departed, she implored him, "I am trapped in a sea of misery and cannot reach the shore. The young master is supremely heroic and surely capable of saving those in distress. If you would agree to collect my mortal remains and rebury them in a quiet grave, my debt of gratitude would be immeasurable; I would thank you eternally."

Ning Caichen readily agreed, "Leave it to me. But where is your grave, young lady?"

Nie Xiaoqian replied, "Beneath the poplar tree. There is a bird's nest in the branches; it is easy to recognize." With that, she stepped out and vanished.

The next morning, worried that Yan Chixia might be away, Ning Caichen invited him early into his room, prepared a feast, and plied him with wine until dusk. He then said, "Brother Yan, please do not leave tonight; sleep in the same room as your little brother."

Yan Chixia hesitated. "Well... I have a reclusive nature and don't particularly like sleeping with others."

Ning Caichen bristled. "What do you mean by that, Brother Yan? Do you look down on me? No matter what, you are not leaving tonight." Without further argument, Ning Caichen moved all of Yan Chixia's bedding and mats over. Faced with this, Yan Chixia could only laugh ruefully and agree to stay, but he cautioned, "I know Brother Ning is a great man, and I admire you greatly. However, there are certain secrets I cannot reveal openly. Just remember this: do not tamper with the bundle in my bamboo chest, or it will be detrimental to both of us."

Ning Caichen agreed. They lay down to sleep. Yan Chixia placed the chest on the windowsill, then immediately rested his head on his quilt and began snoring loudly not long after. Ning Caichen could not sleep. As the first watch approached, a shadowy figure faintly emerged outside the window. Soon after, the shadow crept closer to the window and peered into the room, its eyes glinting with palpable menace.

Ning Caichen felt fear and wanted to wake Yan Chixia for courage, when suddenly, with a whoosh, a streak of white light, like a bolt of silk, shot out from the bamboo chest. Moving with lightning speed, it pierced through the window lattice. An agonizing shriek echoed from outside. The white light forced the powerful enemy back, then returned triumphantly, re-entering the bamboo chest. Immediately, the light extinguished, the room fell silent, and darkness enveloped everything.

Ning Caichen, his spirit rattled, stared wide-eyed, unblinking. In the dimness, he seemed to see Yan Chixia leap up, light a candle, move the chest, and inspect it thoroughly. Then Yan Chixia picked up an object, holding it up to the candlelight and moonlight, occasionally bringing it close to his nose to smell and sniff it.

The object glowed with a crystalline white light, perhaps two inches long and as wide as a leek leaf—it was clearly some kind of treasure. After studying it for a while, Yan Chixia carefully wrapped the treasure in several layers and placed it back in the chest, muttering to himself, "What arrogant old demon, daring to damage my chest."

Confused, Ning Caichen coughed and asked, "Brother Yan, what was that flash of white light just now? What happened?"

Yan Chixia replied, "Brother Ning, our friendship is profound; I can hide nothing further. I am a swordsman. A demon assaulted us just now and was injured by my flying sword. If the window hadn't offered some obstruction, the old demon would have died instantly. Although she escaped with her life, she is severely wounded."

Ning Caichen asked, "What was that treasure you were hiding?"

Yan Chixia answered, "It is my flying sword. I smelled it; it still carries the demon's aura."

"May I see it?"

"Certainly." Saying this, he generously produced the flying sword and handed it to Ning Caichen to examine. The blade shimmered with an inner light; it was truly a rare and potent divine weapon.

At dawn, Ning Caichen went outside to investigate. The bloodstains on the window were still wet. Heading north out of the temple, he saw nothing but mounds of solitary graves. Among the tombs, there was indeed a poplar tree with a crow's nest in its branches—this was, naturally, the resting place of Xiaoqian's bones.

Ning Caichen exhumed Xiaoqian's remains, wrapped them in his clothing, bid farewell to Yan Chixia, and prepared to return home. Yan Chixia held a farewell gathering for him and presented him with a worn leather satchel, saying, "This is my sword pouch. Treasure it well; it can ward off evil spirits and ghosts."

Ning Caichen expressed a desire to learn swordsmanship from him, but Yan Chixia replied, "The young master's integrity is upright, making him suitable for the way of the sword, but your destiny is one of wealth and eminence; you and I are not of the same path."

Ning Caichen had only made the suggestion casually. After some cordial exchange, he departed by boat.

Returning home, he buried Nie Xiaoqian's remains near his study, offering a prayer: "Young lady's spirit wanders, lonely and without aid. I now inter you beside my study so that from this moment on, we are eternal neighbors, sharing sorrow and joy. May you no longer be tormented by wicked ghosts. Please accept this cup of light wine; though the brew is poor and lacks fragrance, it comes from the heart; please do not despise it."

As he finished his rites, he was about to return when he heard a voice behind him say, "Young master, wait! I will go with you."

Ning Caichen turned to see Nie Xiaoqian. Her expression was one of immense joy, and she thanked him profusely, "Young master, you kept your word; ten deaths would not repay my gratitude. Please take me home with you, to meet your honored mother. From now on, I wish to serve you as a maid, attending you for my whole life."

Ning Caichen studied her carefully. Seeing her skin like flowing dawn clouds and her delicate, slender feet, and her matchless beauty, his heart warmed with willingness. They arrived at the study. Ning Caichen asked Xiaoqian to wait briefly while he entered to inform his mother. His mother was greatly astonished upon hearing the news. At that time, Ning Caichen's wife was long ill in bed, so his mother cautioned him not to let the news leak, lest it frighten his wife. Scarcely had she spoken when Xiaoqian gracefully entered and knelt before her.

Ning Caichen introduced her, "This is Xiaoqian." His mother was too terrified to speak.

Xiaoqian said, "I am a lone spirit, far from my own parents and brothers. I have been deeply cared for by the young master, whose kindness is profound. If you do not disdain me, I wish to marry your son as a concubine to repay his grace."

Seeing her lovely and charming appearance, the mother's courage increased slightly. She said, "This young lady is willing to marry my son as a junior wife; this old woman is overjoyed. But I have only this one son, and the family line must be continued in the future; I truly dare not marry a ghost as a wife."

Xiaoqian responded, "I truly have no ulterior motives. I am a being of the Nine Springs. Since I cannot earn the mother's trust, allow me to recognize the young master as an elder brother and your esteemed self as a mother, serving you both day and night. What do you say?"

Seeing her sincerity, the mother nodded, essentially agreeing. Xiaoqian wished to pay respects to her sister-in-law, but the mother pleaded the wife's illness and did not consent. Xiaoqian did not press the matter; instead, she went to the kitchen to prepare meals, bustling through the corridors and rooms, managing the household chores with the practiced ease of a long-term resident.

When darkness fell, the mother, still afraid of Xiaoqian, told her to return to sleep, not preparing any bedding for her. Xiaoqian understood the intent and prepared to leave immediately. Passing Ning Caichen's study, she paused outside, hesitant to enter, lingering at the door. Ning Caichen called her in quickly, but Xiaoqian shook her head. "There is the qi of a sword inside the room; I dare not enter."

Ning Caichen understood, realizing it must be the leather pouch acting up. He swiftly took it down and hung it elsewhere. Only then did Xiaoqian dare to enter, sitting near the candlelight, silent for a long time. Finally, she asked, "Elder Brother, do you read late at night? I studied the Shurangama Sutra when I was young, but I have forgotten most of it now. Could you lend me a scroll? The nights are long, and it would be a good chance to seek your instruction on Buddhist philosophy."

Ning Caichen agreed. Xiaoqian then sat and slowly turned the pages of the sutra until the second watch, yet she made no move to leave. When Ning Caichen urged her to go, Xiaoqian sighed mournfully, "I am but a weak woman; sleeping exposed in the graveyard in the dead of night frightens me."

Ning Caichen understood her meaning and said, "I dearly wish to keep you, but the study has no bed, and since we are brother and sister, we must avoid suspicion; we cannot share a room."

Seeing his firm stance, Xiaoqian sighed and reluctantly departed. Ning Caichen secretly felt pity for her and considered preparing a separate room for her stay, yet he feared displeasing his mother.

In the days that followed, Xiaoqian came every morning to pay her respects to the mother. During the day, she managed the household chores, and in the evening, she would accompany Ning Caichen in his study while he read, sitting there until he extinguished the lamp for sleep, only then departing sadly.

Initially, because Ning Caichen's wife was ill, all the household work fell to the elderly mother, making her very weary. Since Xiaoqian arrived and took the initiative to busy herself with errands, the mother’s life became very comfortable. Naturally, she grew grateful to Xiaoqian, treating her with increasing affection day by day, gradually forgetting that she was a ghost. At night, she no longer drove her away but let her sleep with her.

When Xiaoqian first arrived, she neither ate nor drank. Only after half a year, having absorbed human qi, did she begin to sip thin gruel occasionally. Ning Caichen and his mother cherished her dearly, and when outsiders inquired about her background, they always concealed the truth, never mentioning she was a ghost.

Not long after, Ning's wife passed away. The mother privately considered marrying Xiaoqian to her son, but worried that cohabitation between human and ghost might be detrimental to her son's health. Xiaoqian, who had long admired Ning Caichen, seized the opportunity: "I have lived here for over a year, Mother. You must know my character. I have no other desire; Elder Brother is noble and upright, and I only wish to remain by his side forever. I beg Mother to grant my wish."

The mother knew Xiaoqian meant no harm, only doubting her ability to bear children. Xiaoqian countered, "Children are gifts bestowed by Heaven. Elder Brother is fated for great fortune; he will have three sons who will bring glory to the family, and there will be no lack of descendants just because I am a ghost wife."

The mother believed her words and discussed the matter with her son. Ning Caichen was also delighted. Thus, they held a banquet and invited many relatives and friends.

On the wedding day, some guests requested to see the bride. Xiaoqian appeared in full bridal regalia—phoenix coronet and embroidered robes—and met the guests calmly. The crowd was stunned. Not only did no one suspect Xiaoqian was a ghost, but they praised her as an immortal descended to earth, all offering wedding gifts and vying to socialize with the bride.

Xiaoqian excelled at painting orchids and plum blossoms, producing many scrolls that she gave to the guests. Many who received the paintings were overwhelmed with gratitude and treasured them as family heirlooms, passing them down through generations.

One day, Xiaoqian leaned against the window in a daze, looking lost. Suddenly, she asked, "Where is the leather pouch kept?"

Ning Caichen replied, "Because you were afraid, I kept it in another room."

"I have absorbed the breath of the living for so long; I am no longer afraid. It should be brought back and hung above my bed."

"What is happening?"

"For the last three days, my heart has been filled with dread. I suspect that demon in Jinhua resents my betrayal and will surely come seeking revenge sooner or later."

Ning Caichen, concerned for his wife's safety, quickly retrieved the pouch. Xiaoqian examined it repeatedly, saying, "This is what a Sword Immortal uses to store heads. It is so worn out—who knows how many lives it has ended. Even now, seeing it makes my blood run cold." Saying this, she hung the pouch above the bed.

The next day, Xiaoqian instructed her husband to hang the pouch over the door. That night, the couple sat facing the candle, when suddenly there was a strange sound, as if something shaped like a flying bird descended into the courtyard. Xiaoqian panicked and quickly hid behind the curtain. Ning Caichen forced himself to remain calm, gazing intently. Outside, a fierce Yaksha demon appeared—eyes like lightning, tongue like blood, its face monstrous. Its sharp claws flexed and retracted as it tried to force the door open, yet it seemed hesitant and fearful, lingering for a long time. Suddenly, it let out a great roar, grabbed the pouch, and violently ripped it apart from both sides. At that very moment, a click sounded from inside the pouch, which rapidly expanded until it was as large as a bamboo basket. A monstrous figure burst out, shoving its upper half from the pouch, its hands tightly gripping the Yaksha and stuffing it inside. Silence immediately descended. The pouch shrank back to its original size.

Xiaoqian emerged from behind the curtain and smiled, "We are safe now." She opened the pouch to examine it; the Yaksha was dead, its corpse dissolved into several pecks of clear water.

Several years later, Ning Caichen passed the imperial examinations and became a Jinshi. Xiaoqian bore him two sons. Later, he took a concubine who also bore him a son. All three children grew up to hold official positions and earned excellent reputations.