In Taoist temples, the Blue Dragon and the White Tiger are responsible for discharging the responsibilities that are traditionally performed at the entrances of Buddhist temples by Hêng and Ha.
The former, known as the Spirit of the Blue Dragon Star, was really Têng Chiu-kung, who served as one of the most important generals under the last emperor of the Yin dynasty. He was blessed with a son who was given the name Têng Hsiu and a daughter who was given the name Ch’an-yü.
When Têng Chiu-kung got instructions to move his army to the combat that was going place at Hsi Ch’i at the time, they were stationed in the camp that they had established at San-shan Kuan. When he stood up to No-cha and Huang Fei-hu at that place, the former’s magic bracelet fractured his left arm. Fortunately for him, his subordinate T’u Hsing-sun, a famous magician, provided him with a treatment that swiftly repaired the fracture.
After that, his daughter showed up to get revenge on her father’s killer. She was armed with a magical weapon known as the Five-fire Stone, which she launched directly towards Yang Chien’s face. However, the Immortal did not suffer any injuries; rather, Ch’an-yü was forced to leave when the Immortal’s heavenly dog pounced on her and bit her in the neck. This caused her to be forced to run away. T’u Hsing-sun, on the other hand, was able to heal the wound.
After a meal, Têng Chiu-kung made a vow to T’u Hsing-sun that he would give his daughter in marriage to him if the latter could help him win the battle of Hsi Ch’i. Chiang Tza-ya then convinced T’u’s magic teacher, Chü Liu-sun, to bring his pupil over to his camp, where he questioned him about why he was fighting against the new kingdom. Chiang Tza-ya asked his disciple why he was fighting against the new dynasty. “Because,” he answered, “Chiu-kung has promised me his daughter in marriage as a prize for success.” Chiang Tz-ya then pledged to get the bride, and he despatched a troop to grab her. “Why?” he asked. “Because,” he responded. “Chiu-kung has offered me his daughter in marriage as a reward for success.” Chiu-kung was defeated as a consequence of the subsequent combat, and as a result, he fled the scene in a state of bewilderment, leaving Ch’an-yü in the control of the victorious parties. The celebration of the marriage continued for the next several days in the camp of the victors with a lot of pomp and circumstance. In accordance with the tradition, the bride went back to her father’s home for a few days after the wedding, and while she was there, she actively urged Chiu-kung to give in. After taking her advise, he went to the party that Chiang Tza-ya was hosting.
During the subsequent fights, he fought bravely on the side of his old adversary and killed many legendary warriors; nevertheless, he was finally assaulted by the Blower, from whose mouth a column of yellow gas hit him, causing him to be thrown off his horse. He was taken prisoner, and then General Ch’iu Yin gave the order to have him put to death. Chiang Tz’ya bestowed upon him the title of monarch of the Blue Dragon Star kingdom.
Yin Chêng-hsiu is the name of the Spirit that resides inside the White Tiger Star. His father, Yin P’o-pai, was a senior courtier of the dictator Chou Wang and was dispatched to negotiate peace with Chiang Tz’ya. However, Marquis Chiang Wên-huan kidnapped him and put him to death. When his son attempted to exact revenge for the death of his own father, he was fatally wounded with a spear; his head was severed, and it was taken in triumph to Chiang Tza-ya.
As recompense for his actions, he was eventually recognised as the Spirit of the White Tiger Star, although rather belatedly.
