The next day, Ning Sheng, worried that Yan Sheng might go out, invited him over early. After the morning hours, he prepared food and wine, carefully observing Yan Sheng's behavior, and insisted they sleep in the same room. Yan Sheng declined, saying he preferred solitude and quietness. Ning Sheng was persistent and moved Yan Sheng's belongings over. With no choice, Yan Sheng moved his bed and advised, "I admire you greatly as a man of honor. I have some secrets that are difficult to explain. Please do not look into my boxes and bags, as it would be harmful to both of us." Ning Sheng respectfully agreed. After they lay down, Yan Sheng placed his box on the windowsill and soon fell into a deep sleep, snoring loudly. Ning Sheng couldn't sleep and, around the first watch of the night, noticed a shadow outside the window. Soon, the shadow approached and peered inside, its eyes glinting. Ning Sheng was scared and was about to call Yan Sheng when suddenly something burst from the box and flew out, like a dazzling white silk, breaking the stone lattice on the window, then swiftly returned to the box, extinguishing like lightning. Yan Sheng woke up alertly, while Ning Sheng pretended to sleep and watched secretly. Yan Sheng moved the box, checked its contents, and took out an object, examining it under the moonlight. Ning Sheng saw that it emitted a white, crystalline glow, about two inches long and as wide as a leek leaf. After inspecting it, Yan Sheng wrapped it securely in several layers and put it back in the box, muttering to himself, "What audacious old demon dared to damage the box!" He then lay back down. Ning Sheng, greatly intrigued, got up to ask Yan Sheng and recounted what he had seen. Yan Sheng said, "Since we are now close friends, I won't hide it from you. I am a swordsman. If not for the stone lattice on the window, that demon would have died just now. Although it didn't die, it was injured." Ning Sheng asked, "What is the object you keep?" Yan Sheng replied, "It's a sword. I smelled it earlier and detected the presence of a demon." Ning Sheng wanted to see it, and Yan Sheng generously showed him, revealing a small, gleaming sword. Ning Sheng respected Yan Sheng even more.

“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 (IV)
• Nie Xiaoqian (V)
• Nie Xiaoqian (VI)