Yin Tian Guan from Li Cheng County grew up in poverty, but he was known for his courage and insight. In the county, there was an old estate that once belonged to a prominent family. The estate spanned dozens of acres, filled with interconnected pavilions and towers. However, it had been abandoned due to frequent occurrences of supernatural events, leaving it overrun with weeds and wild grass. Even during the day, no one dared to enter.
One day, while drinking with a group of local scholars, someone joked, “Whoever dares to spend a night there will be treated to a grand feast at our expense.” Yin immediately stood up and declared, “That’s no challenge!” That very evening, he took a mat and headed to the estate. The group escorted him to the gate, teasing, “We’ll wait here for a while. If you see any ghosts or fox spirits, just call for help!” Yin laughed and replied, “If I encounter any ghosts or fox spirits, I’ll catch them as proof.” He then entered the estate.
Inside, the courtyard was overgrown with tall grasses and dense wild plants. It was the beginning of the month, and the crescent moon provided only faint illumination. In the dim, hazy moonlight, the outlines of doors and windows could barely be discerned. Feeling his way through several courtyards, Yin reached a pavilion at the back. Ascending the terrace, he found the area clean and pleasant, so he decided to stay there. Gazing westward, he could see the moonlight faintly lingering on the mountain ridge.
After sitting for a long time without encountering anything unusual, Yin laughed to himself, dismissing the rumors. He lay down, using a stone as a pillow, and gazed at the stars, particularly Altair and Vega.
Around midnight, as the first watch was ending, Yin was half-asleep when he suddenly heard chaotic footsteps from downstairs. Someone was ascending the pavilion. Pretending to be asleep, he squinted and saw a man in green robes holding a lotus-shaped lamp. The man seemed startled upon noticing Yin, taking a few steps back and saying to those behind him, “There’s a stranger here.” Someone from below asked, “Who is it?” The man in green replied, “I don’t recognize him.”
Shortly after, an old man came up to examine Yin closely. “This is Yin Shang Shu,” he said, referring to Yin’s title, “and he’s already fast asleep. Let’s carry on with our business; he’s a free-spirited person and likely won’t mind us.”
The others began entering the pavilion, leaving its doors wide open. Before long, more people arrived, and the pavilion was bustling with activity. Lamps were lit, making the place as bright as day.
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