Art of Resurrection

In the age when Jade Emperor ruled the heavens, a great war raged between the Celestial Court and the Demon Tribes. The gods were led by the wise Taishang Laojun, master of the Dao De Jing, while the demons relied on Xuanyuan Sage, the only one who knew the Art of Resurrection.

Each time a demon fell in battle, Xuanyuan Sage would chant the forbidden mantra, and the dead would rise again—like bamboo shoots after rain. The gods, weary and outnumbered, turned to Ying Long, Laojun's star-born son.

"Infiltrate the Demon Court," they urged. "Learn the secret of resurrection, by honey or by steel."

The Sage's Pupil

Ying Long journeyed to Mount Fengdu, where Xuanyuan Sage dwelled in a black jade palace. Kneeling, he declared:

"Great Sage, I am Ying Long, son of Laojun. I seek wisdom under your guidance."

Bound by the Code of Sages, Xuanyuan could not refuse. "A worthy pupil honors his master twice—once by blood, once by diligence."

For years, Ying Long served flawlessly—gathering herbs, chanting scriptures, and most crucially, befriending the sage's daughter, Xuan Nü, whose laughter tinkled like wind chimes. He played the qin for her, composed poems comparing her eyes to Lake Tai's moonlight, and though he kept his monastic vows, her heart quietly became his.

Three Deaths and Three Resurrections

The demons grew suspicious. "This godling seeks our greatest secret!"

First Death: They ambushed Ying Long while he herded Xuanyuan's spirit deer, tearing him limb from limb. When Xuan Nü wept, Xuanyuan chanted—and Ying Long walked back, smiling.

Second Death: They ground his bones into salt, tossed them into the East Sea. Again, Xuan Nü's grief moved her father to resurrect him.

Third Death: Cunning now, they burned his body, mixed the ashes into rice wine, and served it to Xuanyuan himself.

That evening, the deer returned alone. Xuan Nü collapsed at her father's feet:

"Without Ying Long, I am a lotus without water. I shall starve unto death!"

Xuanyuan, furious at the demons sacrilege, invoked the resurrection—only to hear Ying Long's voice from within his own belly:

"Master, I am here... in the wine you drank."

The Sacrificial Teaching

Xuanyuan paled. "For you to live, you must rip through my stomach—killing me."

Xuan Nü wailed: "Then I lose both father and beloved!"

The sage sighed. "There is one way." He whispered the Art of Resurrection into the air—words that shimmered like golden carp, swimming into Ying Long's soul.

With a cry, Ying Long burst forth from Xuanyuan's abdomen like a dragon from storm clouds, leaving the sage dead. But at once, Ying Long chanted—and Xuanyuan gasped back to life.

Kneeling, Ying Long said:

"You who birthed me twice—once as teacher, once as womb—are both father and mother. This debt I cannot repay."

The Bitter Parting

Years passed. When Ying Long prepared to return to heaven, Xuan Nü clutched his sleeve:

"I who revived you thrice ask but one thing: Take me as your wife. Even the Queen Mother of the West approves mortal-immortal unions!"

Ying Long shook his head gently:

"Sister, you are Xuanyuan's blood. I, reborn from his flesh, am your brother in spirit. For me to wed you would defy Li (ritual propriety)."

Xuan Nü's tears fell like summer rain. "Then let the demons have their victory—for they've slain my heart!"

As Ying Long ascended on a crimson cloud, Xuanyuan sighed: "Child, even sages cannot mend fate's broken threads."