One day, Xiaoqian leaned on the windowsill, looking dejected as if she had lost her soul. She suddenly asked, "Where is the leather bag?" Ning Sheng replied, "I moved it to another room because you were afraid of it." Xiaoqian said, "I have been exposed to the breath of living people for a long time now, and I am no longer afraid. It should be hung at the head of the bed!" Ning Sheng asked her what was wrong. Xiao Qian said, "For the past three days, I have felt a deep sense of fear and unease. I suspect that the demon from Jinhua resents me for hiding so far away and may find us sooner or later." Ning Sheng then brought the leather bag, and Xiaoqian examined it closely, saying, "This is used by sword immortals to store heads. It is so worn out; who knows how many it has killed! Even now, seeing it gives me goosebumps." With that, she hung the sword bag at the head of the bed. The next day, Xiaoqian asked to move it to the door. At night, she sat by the candlelight, telling Ning Sheng not to sleep. Suddenly, something like a bird fell down. Xiaoqian, frightened, hid behind the curtains. Ning Sheng saw that the creature resembled a yaksha, with lightning-like eyes and a blood-red tongue, its claws scratching and reaching forward. It paused at the door, hesitating for a long time, then gradually approached the bag, trying to tear it open with its claws. Suddenly, there was a loud snap from inside the bag, which expanded to the size of two bamboo baskets. Vaguely, a ghostly figure emerged halfway and grabbed the yaksha, pulling it inside. Then, everything went silent, and the bag returned to its original size. Ning Sheng was both terrified and astonished. Xiao Qian emerged, very pleased, and said, "It's over!" They looked inside the bag together and found only a few pints of clear water.

A few years later, Ning Sheng indeed passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi. Xiaoqian bore him a son. Ning Sheng took a concubine, who also bore him a son, and each of the three children later became officials with excellent reputations.

“A righteous man resists the temptations and warnings of a charming ghostly woman who reveals her tragic past and seeks his help to find peace.”

Other Fables

• Kuafu Chases the Sun
• The Story of Sai Weng Losing His Horse: A Blessing in Disguise
• Yanzhi's Ordeal: A Story of Love and Redemption
• The Ballad of Mulan
• Jiang Ziya Fishing with a Straight Hook
• Nie Xiaoqian (I)
• Nie Xiaoqian (II)
• Nie Xiaoqian (III)
• Nie Xiaoqian (IV)
• Nie Xiaoqian (V)