A Chinese Ghost Story IV

Ning Choi-San travels to a rural town to collect taxes but finds himself short of funds. With nowhere else to turn, he seeks shelter in a deserted temple in the forest at the town's edge. The temple becomes the unlikely stage for the film's haunting events.

That night, in the candle-lit temple, he meets Nip Siu-sin, a beautiful and alluring young woman. He instantly falls in love with her, drawn by her charm and mystery.

In the morning, Ning recalls the night with growing fear after a Taoist priest warns that the figures he saw in the temple might be ghosts. The warning unsettles him and casts doubt on what really happened.

That night, he returns to the temple and confirms Nip is indeed a ghost. The revelation sets him on a desperate quest to save her.

Nip explains she is trapped by a sinister Tree Demoness, and as long as her remains lie at the foot of the tree, her spirit is enslaved. Ning learns that freeing Nip requires breaking this dangerous bond.

Desperate to help, Ning seeks the aid of Yin Chik-ha, a figure versed in occult matters. He travels to find Yin and pleads for assistance in freeing Nip's soul.

Yin Chik-ha confronts the Tree Demoness and fights to release Nip's tethered soul. Despite his efforts, the demoness overpowers him and Nip remains trapped.

As punishment for betraying her master, Nip's soul is banished to the Underworld. The loss strengthens Ning's resolve to find a way to reach her.

Ning refuses to give up and insists that Yin help him. Yin reluctantly opens a temporary portal into the Underworld and brings Ning along to search for Nip.

The Underworld is crowded with spirits, making the search difficult, but they finally glimpse Nip briefly near dawn as they manage to return to the world above.

Back in the world above, sunlight falls on the urn containing Nip's cremated remains, and Ning shields it with a curtain to prevent Nip's soul from being destroyed by the light.

Before leaving for good, Nip tells him that the only way to save her soul is to rebury her remains at a more auspicious burial site. Ning vows to find a proper site and do what it takes.

Ning follows Yin's advice and buries Nip's remains near the crest of a hill, lights a joss stick, and prays for Nip's soul as Yin watches solemnly. The act marks a turning point in her redemption.

The story closes with Ning and Yin riding off toward new adventures. A rainbow arches across the sky, symbolizing hope for Nip and their future.