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Jiu Se Lu
A Deer of Nine Colors ／ The Nine Colored Deer ／ The Nine-Colored Deer ／ 九色鹿
Description
During ancient times a Persian merchant becomes lost in a violent windstorm. A nine‑colored spiritual deer suddenly appears and guides him to safety. Later the deer rescues a man drowning in a river, and the man vows never to reveal the deer’s whereabouts. The merchant eventually reaches an imperial palace, where the king demands the deer be hunted so its fur may be used for garments. Succumbing to greed, the merchant leads an army of warriors to the deer’s habitat. In a daring attempt to summon the creature again, he plunges into the river, hoping for rescue. This time the warriors’ arrows turn to dust, and the merchant drowns.
