The Monster Was Set Free by an Able Taoist, Zhang Zhen Ren

Zhang Boduan (A.D. 983-1082) was the founder of the Nanzong sect of Taoism. He was born during the Northern Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1127), and was a Taoist adept. He died at the age of 99, and is respected as an Immortal. He wrote many articles on the human body and well-being. Many legends have arisen about him, and have been passed down from generation to generation. He is also given the honorific Zhen Ren, which indicates a divine in Taoist culture.

This is a folktale about Zhang Zhen Ren's magical powers against evil spirits. The Queen of the Zhuzi Kingdom is a beautiful woman. An evil spirit sees her beauty and casts a spell to keep her imprisoned in his cave. The Queen is a loyal Taoist and, in order to protect her, Zhang Zhen Ren comes to the cave and gives the evil spirit five-coloured clothes as a wedding gift. The evil spirit is thrilled, and gives the clothes to his captive bride. The clothes have magical powers, producing poison-filled needles which pop out all over the Queen's body. The evil spirit thus cannot get close to the Queen, so he sends the Queen back. Zhang Zhen Ren admonishes the evil spirit to behave himself, then sets the evil spirit free.

Once the Queen is back at the palace, the King faces the same problem as the evil spirit. Zhang Zhen Ren returns and removes the magic clothes so that the Queen and the King can resume their normal life.