[ Myth ] Chinese Mythology | The Chinese version of Hercules | Hou Yi

In ancient Chinese mythology, long before the rise of civilization, there was a time known as the Era of Yao and Shun, a legendary golden age ruled by two wise and virtuous emperors. However, even in this idyllic period, challenges arose, particularly during the reign of Emperor Yao. At the eastern edge of the world stood a massive, towering mulberry tree. In its branches lived ten birds, but these were no ordinary birds. They were golden, three-legged creatures, the children of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven. Each day, one of these birds would take turns flying across the sky, and the people called this bird the Sun. For countless millennia, the birds faithfully followed this routine. But one day, out of boredom or perhaps mischief, all ten birds decided to soar into the sky together. The result was catastrophic. Ten suns blazed in the sky at once, unleashing unbearable heat upon the earth. The land was scorched, fields and grasslands burned fiercely, and even lakes and rivers began to boil. As chaos reigned, monstrous creatures appeared. A massive serpent capable of swallowing elephants whole, a ferocious bird with sharp teeth and weapons, a colossal man-eating boar, and a fearsome dragon with nine heads that spewed fire and venom. It was as if the world had turned into a living hell. In desperation, Emperor Yao offered a prayer to the heavens, pleading for salvation. The Jade Emperor responded by sending a hero to save humanity, a divine archer named Hu Yi, known for his unmatched skill in archery and incredible speed. The Jade Emperor ordered Hu Yi to subdue the golden birds and restore order to the earth. Hu Yi descended to the mortal world with his beautiful wife Chang'e, and began his mission. With precision, Hu Yi shot down one bird after another, each arrow hitting its mark perfectly. However, as the last bird prepared to take flight, Emperor Yao grew concerned. If Hu Yi killed the final bird, the world would be plunged into darkness and life would be impossible without the sun. To prevent this, Yao secretly removed one of Hu Yi's arrows, leaving him with just enough to spare the final bird. With the earth's temperature returning to normal, Hu Yi turned his attention to the monsters terrorizing the land. He defeated the giant serpent with a single slash, broke the sharp weapons and teeth of the monstrous bird, and shot through the shield of the boar. Finally, he vanquished the dragon, successfully completing his divine mission. But instead of receiving praise, Hu Yi faced the wrath of the Jade Emperor. The golden birds he had slain were the Emperor's children. I told you to subdue them, not to kill them, the Jade Emperor thundered, furious at the loss of his sons. As punishment, he stripped Hu Yi and Chang'e of their divine status, condemning them to live as mere mortals. They could no longer ascend to heaven, and they now suffered from hunger, cold, and the fear of death. As time passed, Chang'e grew increasingly distressed by her mortality. She couldn't bear the thought of aging and eventually dying, which led her to tears and constant complaints. Desperate to alleviate her suffering, Hu Yi sought a way to regain their immortality. He remembered hearing of the Queen Mother of the West, a goddess who resided in the distant Kunlun Mountains, where she kept the elixir of immortality. Hu Yi embarked on a long and perilous journey, braving dangerous terrains and fending off attacks from demons, until he finally reached the Kunlun Mountains and met the Queen Mother. She had only two pills left. One would grant immortality, and two would allow the taker to ascend to godhood and return to heaven. Recognizing the couple's past heroism, she gave Hu Yi both pills, urging him to share them with his wife. Overjoyed, Hu Yi returned home with the elixir. Exhausted from the journey, he fell into a deep sleep, unaware of the temptation that would overcome Chang'e. That night, unable to resist, Chang'e stared at the pills, contemplating their power. If she took one, she'd gain immortality. If she took both, she'd return to heaven. After much hesitation, Chang'e swallowed both pills. Her body began to glow, and she floated into the sky, leaving Hu Yi behind. When Hu Yi awoke and discovered what had happened, he was heartbroken. He spent the rest of his days in sorrow, eventually taking on an apprentice named Feng Meng. Tragically, Hu Yi's life ended at the hands of Feng Meng, who killed him with a peachwood club. This death gave rise to the belief that spirits fear peachwood, which is why peaches are not placed on altars during offerings. As for Chang'e, she reached heaven only to face the Jade Emperor's fury once more. How dare you return here after what you've done? Enraged, the Jade Emperor banished her to the cold, desolate moon, transforming her into a hideous toad. It's said that the dark spots on the moon are the shadows of Chang'e, now a toad, forever weeping in her lunar prison.