Snake Buddha Baisheng: Guardian Deity of Baimang Mountain

Baimang Mountain stretches for hundreds of miles, with swirling clouds and mist shrouding the mountain, lush greenery abundant. It is said that a large snake coils within, preventing people from approaching.

The scholar Zhong Liang, however, did not believe in such superstitions.

The Zhong family has been practicing medicine for generations, revered by the community for their countless lives saved.

In his early years, Zhong Liang accompanied his father to Baimang Mountain to gather herbs, honing not only his medical skills but also his courage. Tired from herb picking one day, Zhong Liang sat on a large rock, admiring the picturesque scenery of Baimang Mountain.

On another day, as Zhong Liang went up the mountain to collect herbs, he encountered a group of men catching snakes. These men were swift and agile, each carrying bamboo baskets holding several wild snakes. It turned out that there was an epidemic in the neighboring county, and these snakes were a potent antidote.

Zhong Liang sighed, "The world is troubled; man and beast alike find no peace!"

Continuing on, he spotted a man lying in pain in the grass by a stream.

The man, a middle-aged scholar, was dressed in white, soaked in crimson blood from a wound. Thankfully, Zhong Liang carried a kit for injuries like this. He used silver needles and animal sinew to sew up the man's wounds and applied medicine. In no time, the bleeding stopped.

The wounded man struggled to his feet, thanking Zhong Liang for his help and promising to repay the kindness in the future.

Zhong Liang wiped his sweat and replied, "It's just what I should do; it's also fate. No need to worry, my friend."

When he looked up, Baisheng had vanished, leaving only the mist-covered mountains. Zhong Liang sighed.

Days later, as Zhong Liang finished seeing patients and rested in the back hall, a servant informed him of a visitor. It turned out to be Baisheng from Baimang Mountain.

Baisheng stood smiling before Zhong Liang.

Baisheng bowed deeply, expressing gratitude for Zhong Liang's help and visiting him that day.

Zhong Liang returned the courtesy and led Baisheng into the inner hall.

Baisheng suddenly asked, "I wonder if the illness of your daughter has been cured, Elder Brother?"

Zhong Liang's heart skipped a beat.

It turned out that Zhong Liang had a daughter named Zihan, twenty-eight years old, still unmarried. Since birth, she had a large birthmark on her right cheek. Despite her grace and beauty, any suitor who saw it would not return. Zhong Liang, a renowned doctor, tried countless remedies to no avail, lamenting, "Medicine can't solve everything!" Seeing his daughter aging, Zhong Liang was deeply troubled.

Baisheng said, "No worries." He had a bowl of warm water brought, added a piece of silver wire, stirred it gently, and handed it over, saying, "Have the young lady drink three sips, then use the rest to wash her face!"

In a blink, a maid reported that the birthmark on the lady’s face had almost completely vanished, like a fairy descending to earth.

Joy and celebration filled the Zhong household. Zhong Liang was astonished.

That night, Zhong Liang and Baisheng slept side by side, talking like old friends reunited. In a few days, they had become close confidants.

Baisheng took his leave, warning of a looming disaster in the southeast, fearing troubles ahead for Jiazhou.

When Zhong Liang wanted to ask for details, Baisheng had already turned into a white light and disappeared.

After some thought, Zhong Liang bowed in the direction of Baimang Mountain.

Days later, the epidemic from the neighboring county spread to Jiazhou.

Hundreds fell swiftly, with dozens succumbing to the illness. The entire city was gripped by fear and anxiety.

Zhong Liang was appointed by the court to lead medical relief efforts in the affected areas.

Inspecting the patients, Zhong Liang observed swelling, sores, fever, and delirium before they collapsed within days.

He had a large cauldron set up, decocting herbs day and night for the people to consume, yet the results were minimal. Despite his lifelong experience in medicine, Zhong Liang had never encountered such a strange disease. Faced with the increasing number of patients, Zhong Liang sorrowfully exclaimed, "Only a divine intervention could help us in this calamity!"

In their desperation, the people turned to prayer, offering incense and prayers before the mountain shrine, beseeching divine intervention.

Suddenly, something stirred within Zhong Liang.

He bowed deeply in the direction of Baimang Mountain, and Baisheng appeared from the mountains.

Baisheng shook his head, saying, "The epidemic is severe; it will be difficult to eliminate it at once!"

Zhong Liang bowed again.

Baisheng sighed.

Baisheng said, "There is a way to drive away this epidemic, but it requires a thousand-year 'Dragon Robe'..." He sighed once more.

Days later, hundreds gathered before the mountain shrine, offering incense and prayers as if revering a deity.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed in fear, "Snake... a big snake!"

People looked up and saw a large white python, several feet thick, coiled on an ancient pine tree, forming a giant "Buddha" character.

The snake made a dull hissing sound, seemingly in great pain, as its body slowly stretched back. In moments, a complete white python skin separated from its flesh.

The snake's body was already covered in blood, sliding down softly from the ancient pine tree, falling into the vast abyss.

The onlookers stood in shock.

Zhong Liang staggered towards the edge of the cliff, looking towards where Baisheng had been, beating his chest and lamenting, "Brother Bai…!" His cries echoed through the valley for miles.

Using the thousand-year "Dragon Robe" as a medicine, Zhong Liang brewed a concoction for the people to drink. Within two weeks, the epidemic began to recede. Two months later, the epidemic in Jiazhou disappeared.

The mountain shrine was renovated, with a new tablet installed: "Snake Buddha Baisheng."