Chapter 8: Stealing the Magic Herb
Desperate to save her husband, Bai Suzhen decided to travel to the sacred Kunlun Mountain. It was the home of the gods and the location of the legendary Ganoderma herb, which was said to have the power to bring the dead back to life.
"Sister, it is too dangerous!" Xiaoqing pleaded. "The mountain is guarded by powerful celestial beings. You might not return."
"I have no choice, Xiaoqing," Bai Suzhen replied, her eyes filled with determination. "I am the reason he died. I must bring him back, even if it costs me my life."
The journey to Kunlun was long and treacherous. Bai Suzhen faced freezing winds and steep cliffs, her strength fading with every step. When she finally reached the peak, she saw the glowing herb growing near a celestial palace. But as she reached for it, she was confronted by the Crane Boy and the Deer Boy, the guardians of the mountain.
"Stop, spirit!" they commanded, raising their weapons. "The sacred herbs are not for the likes of you. Return to your realm at once."
A fierce battle ensued. Bai Suzhen fought with all her remaining strength, her love for Xu Xian giving her the power to withstand their attacks. Just as she was about to be defeated, the Old Man of the South Pole, the god of longevity, appeared.
"Wait," he said, his voice calm and wise. "I see the purity of her intentions. She does not seek the herb for herself, but to save the one she loves. Let her take it."
The guardians stepped aside, and Bai Suzhen carefully picked the Ganoderma herb. She thanked the Old Man and hurried back to Hangzhou. When she returned, she prepared a medicine from the herb and fed it to Xu Xian. After a tense moment, his eyes fluttered open, and he took a breath. He was alive, but the memory of the white snake still haunted his mind.