📖 Legendary Collection - Volume I

Nie Yinniang was the daughter of Nie Feng, a mighty general of Weibo during the Zhenyuan era. When she was but ten, a nun came begging at General Nie's household. Upon seeing Yinniang, the nun was delighted and said, "May I ask the adjutant to entrust me with this girl for training?" Enraged, Nie Feng drove the nun away. The nun merely replied, "Even if you lock her in an iron chest, I will still take her." That very night, Yinniang vanished without a trace. Nie Feng was struck with terror and dispatched men to search high and low, but not a hint of her whereabouts could be found. Her parents, longing for her day and night, could do nothing but sit facing each other in tears. Five years later, the nun returned with Yinniang and said to Nie Feng, "Her training is complete. I return her now." And just like that, the nun vanished once more. The family was overwhelmed by sorrow and joy alike. When asked what she had learned, Yinniang replied, "At first I only chanted scriptures and recited incantations nothing more." Nie Feng doubted her words and pressed her for the truth. Yinniang responded, "If I speak the truth, you might still not believe me. What then?" Nie Feng urged her, "Speak plainly, whatever it may be." She said, "When the nun first took me, I had no idea how far we traveled. At dawn, we arrived at a cavern nestled in a great cliff, eerily quiet and devoid of dwellings. The place was thick with apes and wrapped in layers of pine and hanging moss. Two other girls were already there, each around ten years old clever, graceful, and neither of them ate food. They could race up sheer cliffs like nimble monkeys leaping through trees, never faltering. The nun gave me a single pill and a fine sword about two feet in length, so sharp it could sever a hair in mid-air. She ordered me to wield the sword constantly and chase the two girls as they climbed and darted about. Gradually, I began to feel my body grow light as the wind."

Lady Li Wa of Qian Kingdom, a courtesan from Chang'an, was renowned for her extraordinary virtue and conduct. Thus, Inspector Bai Xingjian narrated her story. During the Tianbao era, there was a Prefect of Changzhou from Xingyang, whose name is omitted here, held in high esteem and with a prosperous family. In his later years, he had a son who had just come of age, possessing remarkable eloquence and a distinct Lone Wanderer character, highly admired by his peers. His father cherished and valued him, saying: "This is the thousand-mile colt of our family. "He was to participate in the provincial examination for scholars, and before his departure, his father adorned him with fine attire and carriages, calculating the expenses for his stay in the capital. He said to him: "I observe your talent, you are destined to conquer in one battle. Now, I have prepared provisions for two years and enriched your supplies to fulfill your ambitions. "The Sheng role was confident, viewing top ranks as easily attainable. Departing from Piling, he arrived in Chang'an after a month, residing in Buzheng Lane. Once, returning from East Market, he entered through the East Gate of Pingkang, intending to visit a friend in the southwest. Upon reaching Mingke Qu, he saw a residence with a modest entrance but deep and solemn chambers, with one door closed. A maid stood leaning against the door, with a Veil of Temptation unmatched in the world. The Sheng role suddenly saw her and could not help but stop his horse for a long time, lingering unable to leave. He pretended to drop his whip on the ground, waiting for her attendant to retrieve it, repeatedly glancing at the maid. She returned his gaze with deep affection, yet he dared not speak and left.

During the Zhenyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, there was a man named Zhang Sheng, who was gentle and graceful in nature, with a dignified appearance and a resolute character. He would not engage in anything improper. When friends gathered for banquets, others were often anxious and eager, as if fearing to miss out; Zhang Sheng, however, remained composed and never lost his poise. At the age of twenty-three, he had never been close to a woman. When questioned by those who knew him, he explained: "Dengtu Zi is not a lustful person; he has misdeeds. I am truly a lustful person, yet I have not encountered the right one. Why do I say this? Generally, those who are exceptional things never fail to linger in one's heart, thus proving they are not indifferent." The questioner understood him. Not long after, Zhang Sheng traveled to Pu. East of Pu, about ten miles away, there was a monastery called Pujiu Temple, where Zhang Sheng stayed. Coincidentally, there was a widow from the Cui family, returning to Chang'an, passing through Pu, and also staying at this temple. The widow, a woman from Zheng; Zhang was from Zheng, tracing his lineage, she was his distant maternal aunt. That year, Hun Jian passed away in Pu, and there was a eunuch named Ding Wenya, who was not skilled in military affairs. The soldiers took advantage of the mourning to cause chaos, plundering the people of Pu. The Cui family, being wealthy with many servants, was terrified and did not know where to turn.

In the seventh year of the Kaiyuan era, there was a Daoist named Lyu Weng who mastered the art of immortality. While traveling through Handan, he rested at an inn, removed his hat and loosened his belt, and sat with his belongings hidden. Soon, he encountered a young traveler, Lu Sheng, who wore a short coat and rode a green horse, heading to the fields, and also stopped at the inn, sitting and conversing joyfully with Lyu Weng. ... Lu Sheng stirred with a yawn and awoke, only to find himself still lying in the inn's quarters, with Master Lyu seated by his side. The host's millet had yet to finish steaming everything around him remained just as before. Startled, Lu rose to his feet and exclaimed, "Was it all but a dream?" The old man said to him, "Such is the way of life itself." Lu stood in quiet reflection for a long while, then bowed in gratitude and said, "The nature of honor and disgrace, the course of fortune and hardship, the gains and losses of the world, and the truths of life and death I now understand them all. This is how you have curbed my desires, Master. How could I not accept your teaching?" He bowed deeply twice and took his leave.

As the groom was brushing the horse, a man suddenly appeared of medium build, with a beard as red as fire, riding a lame donkey. Without a word, he flung a leather pouch before the furnace, fetched a pillow, reclined sideways, and began watching Zhang comb her hair. The groom grew furious, yet refrained from acting rashly and continued to brush the horse himself. Zhang scrutinized the man's face, then with one hand grasped her hair and with the other gestured subtly at the groom to calm him. She quickly finished combing, arranged her robe, and stepped forward to ask his surname. The reclining guest replied, "Zhang." She answered, "So am I then I must be your younger sister." With that, she bowed. He asked, "What rank are you among the siblings?" "The eldest," she replied. He beamed. "What fortune, to meet a younger sister at last!" Zhang called out, "Li Lang, come greet your third brother!" The groom swiftly offered a respectful bow, and they all sat in a circle. "What meat is being cooked?" the guest asked. "Lamb," came the reply, "and I reckon it's ready." "I'm hungry," said the guest. The groom rushed to the market for some flatbread, while the guest drew a dagger from his belt, sliced the meat, and shared it among them.