Xiqu

Reverberating Notes from South China
Highlights of the Eight Classic Pieces
Monk Biancai Releases the Demon

The story takes place during the Song Dynasty. Tao Fengguan, the only son of the Mayor of Qiantang, is handsome and debonair. One night, he is studying in his studio and falls asleep. The demon of the willow tree in his garden seizes the opportunity, morphs into human form, and seduces him. With his life force drained, Fengguan is on the brink of death. It so happens that Su Dongpo, a good friend of his father, has come by to visit. Su takes pity on the young man’s plight and goes to seek the help of the sage monk Biancai at Longjing Temple. The latter visits the Tao Residence and soon learns that it is the tree demon at the back garden that is making the mischief. The monk captures the demon, teaches it the Buddhist doctrines about the transience of all life and all sensual desires of the mortal world, and advises it to restrain from further wrong doings. The demon accepts his admonishing and dissipates in the wind.