The Legend of Zhong Kui: Chapter Seven - Wine Under the Moon - The Five Ghosts' Trap

After weeks of relentless demon hunting, Zhong Kui and his companions finally found a moment of respite. They stopped at a scenic overlook where the full moon hung like a silver lantern over a tranquil lake.

Zhong Kui and his companions enjoying a moment of peace under the moonlight

"Even demon-quellers need rest," Han Yuan observed, producing a flask of spiritual wine he'd been saving. "This was distilled from poems and moonlight—a scholar's drink that can be enjoyed even by ghosts."

Fu Qu laughed, a rare sound from the usually stern warrior. "Poetry wine? Next you'll tell me it's flavored with philosophy."

"Mock if you will," Han Yuan replied with dignity, "but in life, I could rarely afford real wine. At least in death, I can imagine the finest vintages."

Zhong Kui smiled beneath his fierce beard. It was the first genuinely peaceful moment they'd shared since beginning their mission. The moonlight transformed even his frightening features into something almost gentle.

As they shared the wine and admired the moon's reflection on the water, the bat guide suddenly stiffened. "My lords... we have company. Five presences approaching, but they're masking their true nature."

Through the moonlit mist came five figures, dressed as traveling merchants. They carried wine jars and wore friendly smiles, but Zhong Kui's supernatural sight pierced their disguise immediately. These were five minor demons, each representing a different form of deception.

Five demons disguised as traveling merchants approaching the peaceful gathering

"Greetings, noble travelers!" the lead figure called out jovially. "We couldn't help but notice your moon-viewing party. Would you honor us by sharing our humble wine? It's a special vintage—'Five Ghosts' Transport,' we call it."

Han Yuan and Fu Qu exchanged glances. The demons didn't realize they'd been recognized.

"How generous," Zhong Kui replied, playing along. "Please, join us. The moon is best appreciated in company."

The five demons sat in a circle with them, each producing a different wine:

The first offered the Wine of Forgetfulness: "This helps you forget all troubles and sorrows!"

The second presented the Wine of False Joy: "One sip brings happiness that lasts forever!"

The third poured the Wine of Illusion: "See the world as you wish it to be!"

The fourth shared the Wine of Indulgence: "All desires fulfilled, all restraints removed!"

The fifth unveiled the Wine of Transformation: "Become whoever you wish to be!"

The five demons offering their enchanted wines of temptation

"Such remarkable wines," Zhong Kui said, accepting a cup from each but not drinking. "Tell me, how did simple merchants acquire such magical vintages?"

The demons exchanged nervous glances. Their leader laughed awkwardly. "Oh, we... inherited them. From a mysterious uncle. Who was a Daoist. And also an alchemist."

Fu Qu had to suppress a snort. Even for demons, they were terrible liars.

"You know," Zhong Kui said conversationally, swirling the wine in his cup, "there's an old story about five ghosts who tried to corrupt a righteous judge with enchanted wine. Do you know how it ends?"

The demons grew visibly uncomfortable. "N-no, we've never heard that tale."

"The judge pretended to drink," Zhong Kui continued, his voice growing darker, "but instead poured the wine on the ground. Where it landed, the earth itself cried out against the deception. Then the judge revealed his true identity..."

Zhong Kui stood, his full supernatural presence blazing forth. "I am that judge, and you are those ghosts!"

Zhong Kui revealing his true identity, his supernatural presence blazing forth

The five demons tried to flee, but Han Yuan had already drawn a containment circle with his scholarly brush. Fu Qu's arrows blocked every escape route.

Trapped, the five ghosts fell to their knees. Unlike the major demons they'd faced, these were more mischievous than truly evil—spirits who'd turned to minor corruption out of boredom rather than malice.

"Lord Zhong Kui, we meant no real harm!" the leader pleaded. "We only wanted to play a trick. The wine would have worn off by dawn!"

"A trick?" Fu Qu demanded. "You call corrupting souls a trick?"

But Han Yuan noticed something. "Lord Zhong Kui, look at their essence. They're not fully corrupted. They're more like... wayward children than true demons."

Indeed, beneath their demon forms, Zhong Kui could see their original nature—scholars and artists who'd died young and turned to mischief in the afterlife, lacking proper guidance to the underworld.

"You have two choices," Zhong Kui declared. "Destruction, or redemption through service. Your wines of corruption could become tools of revelation. Help us expose false friends and hidden enemies among the living."

The five ghosts eagerly agreed to serve. Their leader, who revealed his name was Qin the Playful, explained: "We know all the minor demons in this region—the gossips, the rumormongers, the petty deceivers. We could be your scouts!"

The five ghosts kneeling in submission, seeking redemption through service

"And our wines," another added, "when properly used, can reveal truth rather than hide it. The Wine of Forgetfulness can make liars forget their false stories. The Wine of Illusion can show people the reality behind deceptions."

Zhong Kui considered, then nodded. "Very well. You'll serve probation as demon-hunters. But one betrayal, one innocent soul corrupted, and you'll face immediate obliteration."

The Five Ghosts' knowledge proved immediately valuable. They revealed that a major gathering of demons was planned—a "council of corruption" where the demon lords would coordinate their response to Zhong Kui's campaign.

"It's to be held at the Monastery of False Virtue," Qin explained, "where the Black-Eyed Ghost has corrupted the monks into secret demon worship while maintaining a facade of holiness."

"The Black-Eyed Ghost..." Zhong Kui mused. "I've heard of him. He specializes in corrupting religious institutions from within."

Han Yuan added grimly, "The worst kind of demon—one who turns faith itself into a weapon of evil."

The Monastery of False Virtue, where the demon council will gather

As dawn approached, they had a new mission and unexpected allies. The Five Ghosts, reformed from tricksters to scouts, would prove that even minor demons could choose redemption when given the chance.

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Continue the epic journey in Chapter Five: Betraying Father's Memory for Power and discover the beginning of the legend in Chapter One: The Ugly Scholar's Curse.