Set years later, Ning Caichen is wrongly imprisoned for being a demon sympathizer. After escaping, he stumbles into a village terrorized by a demon posing as a high priest and a ghostly bride. He meets a woman (Joey Wong) who is the lookalike of Xiaoqian, while a new comic-relief swordsman (Jacky Cheung) and a righteous maiden (Michelle Reis) join the fight. The film shifts from pure ghost romance to political satire and Buddhist vs. Taoist exorcism.
These are considered classics, but availability changes. Current common sources: a chinese ghost story i ii iii 198719901991 full
The wirework and kinetic choreography reached new heights, showcasing dizzying gravity-defying sword flights. Set years later, Ning Caichen is wrongly imprisoned
Ning falls deeply in love, unaware that Xiaoqian is a ghost. She is a tragic spirit forced by the hideous tree demoness (the Tree Devil) to seduce men so the demon can absorb their life force. When Ning discovers the truth, he refuses to abandon her. With the help of the eccentric, sword-fighting Taoist priest Yin Chek-ha (Wu Ma), Ning descends into the underworld itself to rescue Xiaoqian’s soul. The film shifts from pure ghost romance to
The casting was pivotal to the film's success.
A Chinese Ghost Story I (1987): The Masterpiece of Ethereal Romance
Following the massive success of the original, the 1990 sequel expanded the scope, traded some of the intimate romance for high-octane action, and added a layer of political satire.