The Chinese myth of the immortal white snake - Shunan Teng | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Xu Xian's wife, Bai Su Zhen, saves a city from a plague using rotten herbs, but a monk accuses her of being a demon, leading to a tragic turn of events.

Key Insights

• 🥰 Love transcends boundaries, even in the face of tragic misunderstandings.
• 👋 Magical abilities can be used for both good and selfish purposes.
• 🥰 Sacrifice and determination are essential elements of true love.
• 🖐️ The power of forgiveness and redemption plays a significant role in the story.
• ❓ The narrative highlights the complexities of identity and the consequences of hidden truths.
• ❓ Myths and legends often contain moral lessons about loyalty and devotion.
• 🥰 The tale explores themes of mortality and immortality, showcasing the lengths one will go to for eternal love.

Transcript

The talented young herbalist named Xu Xian was in trouble. It should have been a victorious moment– he had just opened his very own medicine shop. But he bought his supplies from his former employer, and the resentful man sold him rotten herbs. As Xu Xian wondered what to do with this useless inventory, patients flooded into his shop. A plague ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Bai Su Zhen save the city from the plague with rotten herbs?

Bai Su Zhen uses her magical powers to turn the rotten herbs into a potent remedy that cures the city's sick residents.

Q: Why does the monk accuse Bai Su Zhen of being a demon?

The monk, Fa Hai, believes Bai Su Zhen is a demon in disguise and warns Xu Xian to serve her realgar wine on a specific day to reveal her true form.

Q: What prompts Bai Su Zhen to steal the immortal herb from the Old Man of the South Pole?

Bai Su Zhen steals the herb to save Xu Xian's life and prove her love for him, despite the risks and challenges she faces in obtaining it.

Q: How does the story of Xu Xian and Bai Su Zhen demonstrate the power of eternal love?

The couple's karmic connection and Bai Su Zhen's willingness to risk everything for Xu Xian showcase the enduring and profound nature of their love.

Summary

In this video, a young herbalist named Xu Xian faces trouble when his former employer sells him rotten herbs for his newly opened medicine shop. However, his resourceful wife, Bai Su Zhen, uses her skills as an herbalist to cure the plague that has afflicted the city. Soon after, a monk named Fa Hai warns Xu Xian that his wife is a demon. Xu Xian initially dismisses the monk's claims but eventually decides to test Bai Su Zhen by serving her realgar wine. To his shock, Bai Su Zhen transforms into a giant white serpent and Xu Xian dies of fright. Bai Su Zhen, who is actually an immortal snake, realizes what has happened and sets out on a quest to obtain an herb that can bring Xu Xian back to life. She successfully retrieves the herb and revives Xu Xian, and although he knows she is a demon, he is still happy to be reunited with his wife.

Questions & Answers

Q: What kind of trouble does Xu Xian face with his medicine shop?

Xu Xian faces trouble when his former employer sells him rotten herbs for his medicine shop, leaving him with a useless inventory that he has no idea how to use.

Q: How does Bai Su Zhen help in the situation with the rotten herbs?

Bai Su Zhen, being a talented herbalist herself, comes up with a recipe to utilize the rotten herbs as medicine. Her remedy turns out to be incredibly effective in curing all the plague-afflicted citizens who come to Xu Xian's shop.

Q: Who warns Xu Xian about a demon in his house?

A monk named Fa Hai approaches Xu Xian and warns him that there is a demon in his house, identifying his wife, Bai Su Zhen, as the demon.

Q: How does Xu Xian initially react to the monk's warning?

Xu Xian initially laughs off the monk's warning and dismisses the idea that his kindhearted and resourceful wife could be a demon.

Q: What does the monk suggest Xu Xian do to test Bai Su Zhen's true nature?

The monk advises Xu Xian to serve his wife realgar wine on the 5th day of the 5th month, as demons' powers are supposedly weakest on that day. If Bai Su Zhen is not a demon, the wine wouldn't harm her.

Q: Does Xu Xian initially plan to follow the monk's suggestion?

No, Xu Xian initially has no intention of serving Bai Su Zhen the realgar wine and politely dismisses the monk's suggestion.

Q: What ultimately convinces Xu Xian to test Bai Su Zhen?

As the day of the 5th day of the 5th month approaches, Xu Xian becomes curious and decides to test Bai Su Zhen by serving her the realgar wine, despite his initial reservations.

Q: What happens when Bai Su Zhen drinks the realgar wine?

As soon as Bai Su Zhen drinks the realgar wine, she immediately runs to the bedroom, claiming she is not feeling well.

Q: Who does Xu Xian find in the bedroom instead of his wife?

When Xu Xian goes to check on his wife, he is surprised to find a giant white serpent with a bloody forked tongue in the bed instead of Bai Su Zhen.

Q: How does Bai Su Zhen revive Xu Xian after his death?

Bai Su Zhen, who is revealed to be an immortal snake with formidable magical powers, sets out on a quest to obtain an herb that can grant longevity and bring the dead back to life. She retrieves the herb from the Old Man of the South Pole in the forbidden peaks of the Kun Lun Mountains and uses it to revive Xu Xian.

Takeaways

This video tells a story of love, sacrifice, and the power of redemption. Bai Su Zhen, a demon who had taken on a human form to be with her husband, shows how her unconditional love for Xu Xian drives her to risk her own life in order to bring him back from the dead. It is a tale that teaches the value of forgiveness, the willingness to defy fate, and the strength of a love that transcends time and form.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Xu Xian faces trouble with rotten herbs but Bai Su Zhen's clever remedy saves a city plagued with illness.

• Bai Su Zhen is accused of being a demon by a monk, leading to a heartbreaking revelation about her true form.

• To save Xu Xian, Bai Su Zhen embarks on a daring quest to obtain an immortal herb, displaying her deep love for him.