The Sorcerer and the White Snake 2013

As Abbot Fahai and his loyal aide, Neng Ren, made their way to the summit of the mountain, their peaceful journey was suddenly interrupted by an astonishing encounter with a whimsical ice harpy. With a cheeky grin, this mischievous being turned Neng Ren into a stunning ice statue, compelling Fahai to seek the help of a demon trapper to undo the spell. After being freed from his crystalline prison, Neng Ren was assigned the daunting task of capturing the harpy and confining her within a magical circle at Lei Feng Pagoda, where she would join other wayward demons.

On the mountain’s opposite side, two spirited snake demons, Qingqing and Susu, were playing in the lush underbrush. Their carefree frolic was briefly interrupted when they caught sight of physician Xu Xian foraging for herbs below. The playful Qingqing couldn’t resist the opportunity to prank Xu Xian and teased him, resulting in a tumble that sent him rolling down the slope and splashing into the lake. Feeling sympathetic for the unfortunate human, Susu transformed into her human form and graced him with a gentle kiss, miraculously rejuvenating his essence. When Xu Xian regained his senses, he recounted the peculiar encounter to his friends, who found the story amusing.

Later, Fahai and Neng Ren ventured from the temple to confront a nefarious bat demon, whose last victim they had found earlier. Coincidentally, they crossed paths with Xu Xian, who offered them a boat ride to the city, blissfully unaware of the unfolding complexities in his life. As Susu pondered her fateful meeting with Xu Xian, she sought him out in the lively city environment. Meanwhile, Qingqing roamed the crowded streets, eventually discovering Neng Ren and choosing to help him by disclosing the whereabouts of the bat demon king. Despite Neng Ren’s triumph over the bat demon’s minions, he was not able to defeat their leader, which led to his brutal bite. Fortunately, Fahai intervened just in time, saving Neng Ren from becoming a bat demon himself, but he found himself succumbing to monstrous urgings the next day and fled in desperation.

As the nightlife in the city thrived, Xu Xian finally recognized the enchanting Susu, who had hidden her true serpentine identity. The pair shared an unforgettable evening together, blissfully unaware of the supernatural forces that had conspired to bring them closer. When Qingqing encountered Neng Ren once more, a surprising connection formed, highlighting that despite his transformation into a bat demon, he retained a fondness for human pleasures and many of his previous traits. In another twist, Xu Xian and Susu found joy as they wed, yet little did they know their bond was on the verge of being tested.

Fahai, ever alert to the influence of dark forces, presented Xu Xian with a mystical dagger designed to destroy even the most powerful demons. His motives were twofold; convinced that Susu might actually be a demon due to her unique capacity to heal poisons, Fahai felt compelled to protect Xu Xian from any catastrophe their union may entail. Susu’s previous efforts to save people, however, had earned her Fahai’s hesitant respect, and he advised her to part ways from Xu Xian to avoid disaster, threatening dire consequences should she refuse.

When Susu disregarded Fahai’s caution, he and his followers launched a sudden attack on Xu Xian’s home. During the chaos, Susu morphed back into her serpent form to fight back but caught Xu Xian off guard, and he struck her down, believing she was a threat. Though seriously injured, Susu managed to escape, leaving behind a trail of chaos and sorrow.

In the aftermath of their devastating confrontation, Xu Xian was engulfed with guilt and sadness, realizing the severity of his premature actions. Heartsick, he embarked on a treacherous journey to locate the mythical spirit root, hoping it would suffice to heal Susu’s injuries and mend their fractured relationship. As Xu Xian’s desperate pursuit for this sacred root came to fruition, his fleeting success was overshadowed by a demonic force that ensnared him. The monks, led by Fahai, stepped in to perform an exorcism to reclaim Xu Xian from the clutches of darkness. At the same moment, Susu awakened to find her sister Qingqing by her side. Together they ventured to save Xu Xian, but were halted by Fahai, who warned them against interrupting the critical exorcism rituals. Unfazed, Susu accused Fahai of seeking to separate her from Xu Xian, igniting a fierce conflict between the two sisters and the staunch monk.

As the battle escalated, Fahai skillfully deflected their sword strikes and unleashed a counterstrike that shattered Jinshan, averting further catastrophic harm. However, this moment of peace was fleeting, as Susu’s true form emerged, liberating Xu Xian from the demonic grasp, only for her to realize he had no memory of her. Angered by this revelation, Susu placed blame on Fahai, leading to an intense confrontation. Despite his valiant attempts to defend against Susu’s serpentine fury and keeping Qingqing at bay, Fahai ultimately found himself bested, left wondering if his unwavering resolve in the name of demon-hunting and protecting Buddhism had ultimately caused more harm than good.

As Susu continued her onslaught, Fahai summoned his faith in Buddha, manifesting numerous divine arms that deftly parried her attacks. Taking advantage of the moment, he confined Susu within Lei Feng Pagoda. Guilt-ridden, Susu pleaded to see Xu Xian one last time, and Fahai, bolstered by divine compassion, complied, lifting the pagoda to fulfill her wish. Their emotional reunion allowed Susu to share a heartbreaking farewell kiss, restoring Xu Xian’s memories just as she was drawn back into the temple’s confines. As Fahai relinquished his grip on the pagoda, this sealed Susu’s fate, leaving Xu Xian in despair. Observing this tragic ending from a distance, Qingqing confided in Neng Ren her reluctance to ever feel the depth of love her sister had for Xu Xian, leaving with a solemn warning: he will never truly be a bat demon anyway.

As the tale draws to a close, Xu Xian’s peaceful thoughts contrast sharply with the hushed silence of Susu, now trapped forever in the temple’s ancient stones in her serpentine form. Meanwhile, Fahai roams the serene mountain landscape, his footsteps breaking the stillness when suddenly, Neng Ren appears beside him, reborn as a grotesque bat demon. With a knowing smile, Fahai offers Neng Ren an apple, indicating his acceptance of their new, unsettling transformation. Together, they embark on a new journey, seamlessly weaving through a realm where the lines between human and demon are beautifully distorted, much like the fog-laden peaks surrounding them.