Xiang Gao, courtesy name Chudan, hailed from Taiyuan. His older brother, Xiang Sheng, shared an unbreakable bond with him. Xiang Sheng became utterly infatuated with the courtesan Bosi, swearing an eternal vow to her, planning to marry her and bring her home. However, the madam's exorbitant demands ultimately thwarted their union. Before long, the madam decided to retire from her profession and planned to dismiss Bosi.

A certain Young Master Zhuang, who had long admired Bosi's beauty, negotiated with the madam, determined to take Bosi as a concubine. Bosi told the madam, "Mother wishing to leave the brothel is a fine thing. But if you marry me off to Young Master Zhuang, this daughter will surely refuse, even unto death. If Mother still wishes to earn money, you should marry me to Young Master Xiang; he will certainly treat me well." The madam nodded in agreement and discussed the matter with Xiang Sheng. As Xiang Sheng was widowed and living alone, he was overjoyed to hear this. He emptied his entire household, pooling several dozen taels of silver to redeem Bosi from her bondage.

When Young Master Zhuang heard the news, he was enraged that Xiang Sheng had stolen his love interest. He shouted curses at Xiang Sheng. Xiang Sheng retorted, unwilling to be cowed. In a fit of temper, Young Master Zhuang ordered his household servants to beat Xiang Sheng mercilessly with clubs, beating him to death on the spot. When the terrible news reached him, Xiang Gao was overcome with grief and fury. He immediately drafted a formal complaint and hurried to the county yamen to seek justice. The magistrate, having accepted a bribe from Young Master Zhuang, connived to protect the criminal, leaving Xiang Gao with no legitimate recourse. To avenge his brother, he concealed a sharp weapon, lying in wait daily beside the official road, preparing to assassinate the man named Zhuang.

As time wore on, the plot was leaked. Young Master Zhuang became extremely cautious and even summoned the renowned warrior Jiao Tong from Fenzhou to provide tight personal protection. Jiao Tong was a master of martial arts and an exceptional archer; with him guarding closely, Xiang Gao found it impossible to get near. Despite this, Xiang Gao did not give up hope and continued his vigil by the roadside.

One day, Xiang Gao was lying in ambush within the tall grass when a sudden, fierce downpour erupted, soaking him to the bone, making the cold unbearable. This was immediately followed by violent gales and hailstones the size of beans, pelting down. Xiang Gao’s lips trembled, his body lost all sensation, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

In a hazy state, his soul left his body and drifted into a mountain god shrine. Inside, a Daoist priest was warming himself by a fire on the ground. This priest had once been a wandering beggar and had received kindness from Xiang Gao, so he recognized him. Seeing Xiang Gao utterly drenched, he immediately took off his own Daoist robe and said, "Put this on first."

As Xiang Gao donned the robe, his skin suddenly grew unbearably itchy, and thick hair sprouted all over. Looking down, he realized he had transformed into a tiger. Looking again for the priest, he found the man had vanished without a trace. Xiang Gao felt a surge of hatred, but then a thought struck him: since he was now a tiger, Young Master Zhuang surely would not recognize him. This was the perfect chance to lie in wait by the road and take his revenge.

With this thought, he excitedly descended the mountain. He saw his own corpse lying abandoned in the grass and finally understood that he was dead. Fearing that beasts might defile the body, he stayed close by, guarding it devotedly. The next day, Young Master Zhuang passed by on the road. Xiang Gao sprang up, his front claws extended, sweeping Young Master Zhuang to the ground. He immediately opened his jaws, severed Young Master Zhuang's head, and swallowed it whole.

Jiao Tong, witnessing this, was utterly horrified. He bent his bow, nocked an arrow, and shot the tiger square in the belly. Xiang Gao let out a mournful cry and fell to the ground, dead. After Xiang Gao died, his soul flew out, fusing once more with his body. He came back to life, groggy and dazed, and returned home. His family, concerned that he had not returned all night, came forward to inquire about the matter. Xiang Gao had not yet recovered and could not speak. Not long after, someone arrived with news: Young Master Zhuang had been eaten by a tiger.

The family members rejoiced at the news, but Xiang Gao remained unmoved, saying calmly, "The tiger was me." He briefly recounted the sequence of events. This story spread far and wide. Young Master Zhuang’s son, feeling his father’s death was too gruesome, consequently sued Xiang Gao in the official court. The magistrate, finding the case too bizarre and lacking evidence, refused to accept jurisdiction.