Beneath the blossoms how many times have I sat with my flute in hand,

　　Watching the Silver Stream and scarlet walls fade distant across the land.

　　These stars tonight are surely not the same as those of last night’s sky;

　　For whom do midnight’s wind and dew stand vigil, and for whom do they sigh?

　　All my lingering longings at last spent, drawn out like the husk of a cocoon,

　　My heart, twisted with sorrow, unwinds like a banana’s layer peeled too soon.

　　In the thirty-fifth spring of my life, on the third day of the fifth month under the moon’s light,

　　Alas, the cup of wine sits undrunk, pitifully full through the night.

　　After a hundred years had passed and the Celestial Realm lay at peace, Taishang Laojun (太上老君), the Supreme Venerable Lord, sent one of his incarnations to the mortal world for trial. This avatar was born in Qu Renli of Li County, Chen State, bearing the surname Li and the name Er (李耳), with the courtesy name Dan (聃) and the honorific Boyang (伯阳). He studied under the sage Chang Cong (常枞, also known as Shang Rong 商容) and served the Zhou court as custodian of the archives – a man learned beyond measure, said to have read through five cartloads of books.

　　In the era of Spring and Autumn, Li Er took leave after paying respects to the Duke Ziqiu, and rode his azure-green ox westward. As he approached Hangu Pass, the gatewarden Yin Xi (尹喜) watched the stars by night and divined that a great sage was coming; he therefore went out to welcome him. Yin Xi ushered Li Er through the pass and stayed with him for several days. When the time came to part, Yin Xi said earnestly, “Sir, your wisdom is profound. Now that you depart this pass for the west, we know not when you shall return. We common folk, if any doubts arise, have no one but you to answer them. How will we find understanding? Why not leave behind a written work, so that when we are troubled there will be a book to enlighten us?” Hearing these earnest words, Li Er agreed and remained at the pass for a few more days. When those days had passed, Li Er gave Yin Xi a book – a text future generations would call the Daodejing (道德经), or simply the Laozi (老子), sometimes known as The Five Thousand Words (五千言).

　　But setting that aside, Li Er left Hangu Pass and rode into the distant western lands. Along the way he came to a towering tree whose leaves were like silkworm-tufted mulberry, its height two thousand zhang, its circumference over two thousand. One might say:

　　Here stands a spirit-tree, its branches and leaves like silk from dreamers’ looms,

　　A breeze wastes no idle hour, wandering free ‘twixt dawn and dusking glooms.

　　Beneath its shade grows ancient moss, dyed green by autumn’s smoky light;

　　Towering the giant tree to heaven, straight up it climbs to the heights of night.

　　Li Er looked and saw a man sitting beneath that great tree. The man had a broad square forehead, wide jaw, eyebrows like silkworms, eyes tightly closed, lips straight and composed. Li Er counted on his fingers and at once understood the situation. Li Er said, “Young sir, you have already remained under this mulberry tree for three nights in succession – surely you are absorbed in a long, single devotion of spirit.” The man was astonished, thinking, “Who has come here but rarely, yet this elder knows of my vigil?” He opened his eyes and saw before him an old man with white hair and a long beard, benign eyes, yet a face radiant with the vigor of youth. A faint halo shone around each of the elder’s shoulders.

　　The man then looked down and saw Li Er riding on the green ox – yet this ox was unlike any ordinary beast: it had but one horn on its forehead. The man thought, “Could this perhaps be the ancient rhinoceros of legend?” Realizing this was no mortal, he quickly rose, knelt, and said, “Venerable one, how is it you know I have remained three nights beneath this mulberry, bound by a deep devotion?” Li Er smiled and replied, “If you were not lost in long devotion, how could you have stayed these three nights under the mulberry?” Hearing this, the man bowed again and said, “I am, your humble disciple Shakyamuni (释迦摩尼). I beg you, venerable sir, to impart a teaching, that I may soon escape the suffering of the mortal world.”

　　They conversed with great affinity, and Li Er expounded the Dao to Shakyamuni. After several days of discourse, Li Er inspired him to achieve true enlightenment.

　　After this event, Li Er continued on his immortal journey westward, while Shakyamuni went forth to the farthest ends of the earth.

　　In that boundless place at the world’s far edge, where the horizon blurs and cunning schemes find no reason but cling to feeling, one day the Nine-Tailed Fox (九尾灵狐) came upon Shakyamuni.

　　Shakyamuni had long heard of the Nine-Tailed Fox’s wicked deeds – the slaughter of nations and destruction of worlds – and he could not ignore it. He cried out, “Monster Fox, you have slaughtered the loyal and brought down Magadha! Now that I have met you here, how can I allow you to continue your havoc upon the world? Surrender to death at once!”

　　The Nine-Tailed Fox retorted, “Hairless donkey – I am a spirit fox of Qingqiu (青丘灵狐); how is it that in your mouth I become the ‘Demon Fox’? Is that such a crime?”

　　Shakyamuni answered, “To save the people of the world from fire and flood – that is the true Spirit Fox. To plunge all into fire and flood – that is the Demon Fox. Now that we have met, I must witness your end.”

　　The Nine-Tailed Fox laughed, “Hairless donkey, I never thought to see you so full of righteousness and justice! And yet you think yourself alone able to attain the Way – truly the joke of mankind!”

　　With those words they leapt into combat. They fought fiercely. After fifty or sixty exchanges, Shakyamuni summoned a great divine art – the very sky and earth spun in reversal. The Nine-Tailed Fox saw this and felt that the magic was oddly familiar, though she could not place its source. In an instant, as the power descended upon her, the Fox countered with the “Turning Back Heaven and Returning Sun” technique. The Fox sneered, “How is it that your power so resembles the Dao Ancestor’s art of moving the stars and shifting the Great Dipper?” Shakyamuni replied, “I was once foolish. Only because the Dao Ancestor (Laozi, 老子) taught me a bit the other day have I entered the Great Way. Indeed, our divine arts spring from one vein.”

　　Enraged, the Nine-Tailed Fox struck back again, and they fought for several more rounds. During the battle, Shakyamuni noticed the Fox’s eyes – the left turned a deep blue, the right a crimson red – and this puzzled him. After more exchanges he gradually sensed that the Fox bore some kind of heavenly calamity power. He asked, “Fox, your left eye is blue and your right eye crimson – do you bear the power of Heaven’s Calamity within you?” The Nine-Tailed Fox roared, “Enough with your demon-fox talk! What power have I to report to you?”

　　Shakyamuni realized he could not exterminate her completely, so he turned the spirit of Heaven and Earth into five great linked mountains – Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth – the Five-Element Mountains (五行山). These corresponded to the five great afflictions – Greed, Hate, Ignorance, Arrogance, Doubt. He pressed the Nine-Tailed Fox beneath these mountains, and on them inscribed the sacred six-syllable mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” (唵嘛呢叭咪吽), which corresponds to the six worldly desires. Thus he sealed the Fox at the farthest ends of the earth.

　　The Nine-Tailed Fox recognized that this immense power came from Taishang Laojun. She hated him deeply but was powerless, and could only look up and wail, “Dao Ancestor, you have presumptuously taken the Way. I served you with all my heart, my efforts and merits wasted – and now you pursue me to the death without mercy. I hate it! I hate all of this world!” Her cry of resentment tore through the ninth heaven, her hate deep in her bones, endless and unending. Truly it was:

　　Ten thousand hates – hatred soaring beyond the world’s far rim;

　　The horizon cannot hold it: ten thousand hates without end.

　　After a thousand years of oceans turned to mulberry fields and ages of stars shifting, the five elements realigned and the seal of the six-syllable mantra loosened. The Nine-Tailed Fox seized the chance, slipped free of the seal, and returned to Shen Zhou (the Central Land).

　　Along the way she beheld the splendid sights of this new era; yet as soon as she set foot on the mortal lands, she noted how Chinese women now dressed – some in high-waisted skirts, others in short jackets and skirts, or broad-sleeved robes – none in the style of her own attire, making her stand out starkly among them. Coupled with her peerless beauty, she inevitably drew the gaze of every passerby.

　　Arriving in Chang’an, the Nine-Tailed Fox entered a tavern. Immediately the streets emptied, and thousands flocked to see this woman in ancient costume. The innkeeper served her food and wine. Then the Fox asked, “What year is it tonight?” The keeper laughed, “Tonight is the seventh year of Zhenguan of the Great Tang (633 AD).” The Nine-Tailed Fox was stunned. She asked hurriedly, “Great Tang? Should it not be the Zhou Dynasty of the Ji family?” The keeper laughed again, “Young lady, I see your beauty is extraordinary, but why is your mind so muddled? The Ji-family Zhou perished a thousand years ago; it has long passed.” With that he turned to leave, shaking his head, muttering, “Such a beauty, and yet such folly... oh, what a pity!”

　　Hearing this, the Nine-Tailed Fox was bewildered and wandered aimlessly through the streets of Chang’an. But with her unparalleled beauty, wherever she went she became the center of attention. In the crowd a few scholars spoke: one said, “Her peerless beauty and old-fashioned dress – truly she looks like the nine-tailed demon fox that Jiang Taigong spoke of.” Another replied, “You speak truly, brother, she does resemble that – but the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox brings ruin to the realm. This young lady surely does not.” A third added, “Gentle sirs, your words are half true, half false. In this world many beautiful women become 'calamities of beauty' – whether by choice or fate, they often bring disaster in the end.”

　　From this talk the Nine-Tailed Fox slowly understood the thousand-year changes: her former “allies” had blamed the fall of the Shang entirely on her, so that she bore that sin’s shame for generations; the dynasties of old were gone, and in their place ruled the Li Tang dynasty, which even counted Taishang Laojun as its ancestor.

　　Fury burned anew in the Nine-Tailed Fox’s heart. She thought bitterly, “Laojun, you who would establish a peaceful age, I will see this world cast into chaos.” Then, alone, she sped toward the Imperial Palace. Rage in her heart, she thought, “Laojun, since you have no way to control me, I will slay your descendants and destroy your peace!” Demon strength and mortal arms were not on equal terms, and the palace guards could not withstand her. In an instant, the Nine-Tailed Fox had reached beneath the Cheng Tian Gate before the Taiji Palace.

　　At that very moment Emperor Taizong (太宗) was in the Daming Palace, observing an armillary sky instrument crafted by Li Chunfeng (李淳风). This sphere was like a chicken’s egg: the sky round as its yolk, the earth broad as its white. Taizong was amazed and said, “I find this device of yours most marvelous. But what purpose does it serve?” Li Chunfeng replied, “Your Majesty, this machine was made by Brother Yuan Tiangang (袁天罡) and me, harnessing the forces of Heaven and Earth. It can measure the heavens by the span of zhang.”

　　The Emperor laughed, “With this, our Great Tang can gauge the measure of the heavens – truly a feat the previous dynasty never achieved.” Yuan Tiangang said, “Your Majesty speaks well. Only wait until the Jinwu Guards report the matter; I pray you will not be alarmed or blame us.” Taizong said, “I have two national masters – what is there to fear?”

　　Meanwhile, Wei Zheng noticed something strange. He glanced at the Demon-Subduing Mirror hanging on the wall and saw it trembling. Just then the general of the Jinwu Guards hurried in, saying, “Your Majesty, a woman has stormed the palace. Her powers are profound; we cannot stop her. She has already reached beneath the Cheng Tian Gate. We beg Your Majesty to withdraw for safety.”

　　Taizong turned to Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng. Li said, “We beg Your Majesty to stay here. Leave the rest to us.” With that, the two invoked a spell of swift travel – light as drifting dust – and in an instant they were atop the Cheng Tian Gate.

　　There, Yuan Tiangang saw countless Jinwu Guards slain or wounded. He called out, “Nine-Tailed Fox, Heaven is kind: if you would now withdraw, we could all live in peace.” The Nine-Tailed Fox sneered, “Peace? I, a spirit of Qingqiu (青丘灵狐) sent to bring ruin to Shang, accomplished my mission. Yet after that deed, you came to kill me to silence me, chasing me from the west to here. Finding I still live, you bound me beneath the Five-Element Mountains for a thousand years. Who paid for the generations of shame on my family? And now this era of peace, in which I have no share — for whom do you claim it?”

　　Yuan Tiangang said, “Since you have come to our Great Tang, you will surely share in its prosperity; as for blame, the ancients are dead and the living cannot change it.” The Nine-Tailed Fox said, “Enough talk – let deeds speak.”

　　Thus Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng joined their powers to battle the Nine-Tailed Fox. For seventy or eighty fierce exchanges the Fox held the upper hand. Then Yuan signaled to Li with his eyes and continued fighting ferociously. Li Chunfeng understood and turned, chanting an incantation behind him. Instantly the Door Gods and the Underworld judges descended.

　　The six of them – Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, the two Door Gods and the two judges – combined their forces. Storms of change swirled and their divine energy converged; finally they overcame the Nine-Tailed Fox, inflicting grievous wounds.

　　After a moment, seeing them gather around, the Nine-Tailed Fox suddenly realized that her familiar seal had weakened – it was the Five-Element Mountain technique. Fearing that she might be sealed again, she used her swift escape art and fled the palace, concealing her identity and awaiting another opportunity.

　　Meanwhile, fate had taken another turn. Among the living who felt injustice in the world was none other than Yang Guang (杨广), Taizong’s uncle and the Sui Emperor Yang. Though the Li Tang had inherited Heaven’s Mandate from the Sui, it was not rightful. Yang Guang descended to the underworld and accused the father and son of the Li Tang – Li Yuan and Li Shimin – of tyranny and cruelty. The underworld officials, hearing this, could not judge it and so reported it to the Celestial Court. The gods, after deliberation, decided to send a Heavenly Demon – one of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions – the Xinyue Fox (心月狐) down to the mortal realm. Its charge was to sow discord in the Li Tang imperial family, letting it rise and fall of its own accord, so that karmic retribution might be delivered and this case settled.

　　Though this Xinyue Fox bears the name ‘fox,’ it is very different from the Nine-Tailed Fox. It is actually the fifth star of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the spirit in the lower belly of the Azure Dragon’s seven mansions. Because its form resembled a fiery fox, it was named the Xinyue Fox (心月狐) – literally “Heart-Moon Fox.”

　　But to avoid idle digression: the Xinyue Fox received its orders and bade farewell to its celestial friends one by one. On that day, the Fox came to the Moon Palace (广寒宫) to say farewell to the Great Yin, Chang'e (嫦娥). Chang'e said, “Star Lord, you are about to descend to the mortal realm to become an emperor. To enjoy jade feasts and countless delights will be easy for you. But if one day the situation forces you, I beg you, Star Lord, do not take many lives.” The Xinyue Fox laughed, “Sister of the moon, you jest. Once I go to the mortal world, my memory will surely be wiped clean, and then I will not recall your words.” Chang'e nodded, “What you say is true; I see I have nothing more to say.” The Xinyue Fox added, “We do not know when or if I shall return, so I came to bid this farewell.”

　　Having spoken, the Xinyue Fox departed. It went to the realm of rebirth, sealed away its divine powers, and wiped its memory clean. In an instant the Xinyue Fox passed through the Gate of Rebirth and was born into the mortal world – as an ordinary girl in a family surnamed Wu.

　　By the eleventh year of Zhenguan (637 AD), in the eleventh month, after Emperor Taizong had taken up residence in Luoyang’s Ziwei City, he heard that the Wu family had a daughter “very beautiful in mien and bearing.” He summoned her to the palace, made her a fifth-rank Talent, and gave her the name “Wu Mei.” From then on the people called her Wu Meiniang (武媚娘).

　　Shortly after entering the palace, Wu Meiniang won the affections of the Crown Prince Li Zhi (李治). Later, when Emperor Taizong died and Li Zhi ascended the throne as the new emperor, Wu Meiniang was made Consort Zhao.

　　In the years that followed, Consort Zhao Wu, in her ambition to become Empress, spared no means. Many members of the Li Tang imperial family met violent ends at her hands; the Tang kin secretly called her the Demon Empress. Xu Yan (薛顗), the governor of Jizhou, witnessing this, resolved to find a sage to remove the Demon Empress and save the dynasty. But all those versed in the Dao, knowing Heaven’s will, avoided him. At his wit’s end, Xu Yan devised a plan: he would seek out the whereabouts of the Nine-Tailed Fox, hoping to use it as a borrowed knife to carry out the deed.