General Peng Hong of the Ming Dynasty, leading his troops to quell rebels, pursued them deep into Sichuan.

He burst into the dense mountain wilderness and spied a grand Zen monastery. Local tales claimed the temple had lain desolate for a hundred years, entirely devoid of monks.

Others whispered, "There are demons within the temple; anyone who enters will surely perish."

Peng Hong paid little heed to talk of specters, but he was deeply concerned that the bandits might be hiding inside the temple, preparing an ambush.

Thus, he commanded his men to hack away the overgrown weeds and thorny thickets, forcing an entry into the compound.

Reaching the front hall, they saw a large black eagle suddenly burst forth and flee through the main doors; the central hall showed no unusual signs; pressing further on, they came upon a Buddhist sanctuary. Peng Hong looked around, but saw nothing remarkable.

However, the instant the soldiers' boots touched the floorboards of the sanctuary, every man was struck by a throbbing headache that became unbearable.

Peng Hong entered himself, and experienced the exact same affliction.

A moment later, a monstrous scorpion, as large as a pipa lute, clumsily dropped down from the wooden planks, sending the assembled soldiers scattering in terror.

Peng Hong paused, deep in thought, then ordered the temple set ablaze. Flames roared upward, and in mere moments, the giant scorpion was reduced entirely to ash.

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