Han Sheng, a young master from a prominent family in Zichuan County, held a Daoist priest named Shan in high esteem for his mastery of sorcery.

The young master treated the Daoist as an honored guest, fascinated by his supernatural abilities.

With a mere shift of thought while seated, Daoist Shan could vanish into thin air.

The young master desperately wished to learn the art of invisibility, but the Daoist refused.

Pleading persistently, Daoist Shan finally relented slightly, saying, "It is not that I begrudge sharing my techniques, but I fear they will tarnish my reputation.

Instructing a gentleman like yourself poses little risk, but if these arts were passed to the wrong hands, enabling theft through invisibility, would I not then be complicit in evil? Your esteemed family is wealthy, so theft is unlikely for you.

However, should you encounter a beautiful woman, overcome by desire, and use invisibility to slip into her private chambers to indulge your appetites—that is a danger I cannot guard against.

Therefore, I dare not agree." The young master, having failed to get his way, harbored resentment.

He secretly conferred with his servants: "The next time the Daoist visits, give him a thorough beating.

If he tries to use invisibility to escape, we shall spread a layer of lime powder on the ground beforehand; wherever his feet tread, he is sure to leave a mark." With the plot set, they only awaited the Daoist's return.

The following day, Daoist Shan arrived.

Upon a silent signal from the young master, the servants, armed with whips and staves, swarmed forward and administered a brutal beating.

The Daoist vanished, cloaked by invisibility.

Sure enough, footprints marred the lime powder.

The servants struck wildly, sending clouds of dust everywhere, yet the Daoist had already disappeared from sight.

Only after the young master had departed did Daoist Shan dare to reappear.

He addressed the servants: "I shall overlook the ambush you just enacted.

I cannot remain here long and must depart immediately.

In appreciation for your past diligence in serving me, allow me to offer you a farewell feast." Reaching into his sleeve, he produced a bottle of wine; withdrawing his hand, he pulled out a platter of hot food.

He repeated this gesture dozens of times until the table groaned under a mountain of delicacies, their aromas heady in the air.

The Daoist invited everyone to drink, and they soon descended into profound inebriation.

With an outstretched palm, the Daoist retrieved every cup, dish, and porcelain flask from the table, tucking them back into his sleeve.

When Han Gongzi heard of this, he was secretly astonished and begged Daoist Shan to perform the trick again.

The Daoist walked to a nearby wall, dipped his brush in ink, and painted a complete city upon the brick surface.

With a gentle push of his hands, the city gates on the wall swung open.

The Daoist tossed his outer garments and ceremonial hat inside, bowed farewell, and announced, "I depart now." With a graceful leap, he jumped through the wall.

The city gates slowly closed, and in the blink of an eye, the Daoist was gone.

Later, someone claimed to have seen the Daoist in the marketplace of Qingzhou City, where he taught children to draw circles on their palms.

When he approached a passerby, he would simply flick his hand, and the ink circle would fly out, landing perfectly on the person's cheek or clothing—a trick that never failed.

It was also rumored that Daoist Shan specialized in a peculiar technique, capable of making his lower regions absorb and retain burning liquor, allowing him to drink an entire pot in one sitting.

Han Gongzi himself had witnessed this feat firsthand.