Friends Through Life and Death

Inspired by a classic tale from Liaozhai Zhiyi (Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio), the story follows the profound bond between a scholar, Xu Shu, and a water ghost, Liulang. When Liulang gives up his only chance at reincarnation by refusing to drown an innocent mother, his soul faces the doom of becoming a mindless evil spirit. Unwilling to watch his friend suffer, Xu Shu makes a desperate choice. It is revealed that Liulang was actually Xu’s beloved former bookboy; out of guilt and brotherhood, Xu had already abandoned his promising official career to guard the lake for ten years. To save Liulang’s soul, Xu Shu sacrifices his own life. Their ultimate selflessness and unwavering devotion move the heavens. In the end, the two kindred spirits are granted a miracle—they are reincarnated together as twin brothers in the womb of a pregnant noblewoman, continuing their eternal bond in a new life.