Golden-Haired Hou
The Golden-Haired Hou, is a mythical creature featured in Chinese mythology and legends. According to legends and literary works, the Golden-Haired Hou serves as the mount of the bodhisattva Guanyin.
Legend
In addition to the mythological depictions, there is another folk belief surrounding the Golden-Haired Hou. According to this superstition, the Golden-Haired Hou is not a divine or mythical creature but rather a type of jiangshi that has reached an advanced stage of cultivation. It is said that a jiangshi initially has white hair, and after about 500 years, its hair turns black. After another 500 years, it can cultivate itself further, and its hair turns golden, at which point it is called a Golden-Haired Hou.Initially described as resembling a dog, there are also legends that portray the Hou as a natural enemy of dragons, specifically preying on their brains. However, other accounts suggest that the Hou's appearance is more akin to that of a qilin, a benevolent and auspicious creature in Chinese mythology.
''Journey to the West''
In Journey to the West, the Golden-Haired Hou is the mount of Guanyin. One day, he accidentally came across a scene where he overheard the situation involving Mahamayuri, who had cursed a young prince of the Kingdom of Purpuria. The prince had a hobby of hunting and had accidentally killed two of Mahamayuri's followers. In response, Mahamayuri declared that as retribution, the prince would suffer from lovesickness for three years.Years later, after the prince had grown up and ascended the throne, the Golden-Haired Hou took advantage of his caretaker falling asleep and escaped to the mortal realm. There, he transformed into the demon lord Sai Taisui and took up residence in Unicorn Mountain's Xiezhi Cave, where he commanded a group of lesser demons. Sai Taisui abducted the Golden Sage Queen, one of the king's favorite consorts, and forced her to marry him. Without the lady, the king got sick for three years. However, the queen was protected by a magical robe gifted by a deity, rendering her untouchable by any mortal or demon. Frustrated, Sai Taisui demanded that the kingdom offer him palace maids as tribute.
Sai Taisui possessed a treasure known as the Purple Gold Bell, crafted by Taishang Laojun. The bell had three golden chimes: shaking the first released a 300-zhang blaze of fire, the second emitted a 300-zhang cloud of smoke, and the third unleashed a 300-zhang storm of yellow sand. Sai Taisui engaged in multiple battles with Sun Wukong. During their final confrontation, Sun Wukong stole the Purple Gold Bell, leaving Sai Taisui at a disadvantage. Ultimately, Guanyin intervened to subdue Sai Taisui. She also used the Tight-Fillet Spell to compel Sun Wukong—who had attempted to keep the treasure for himself—to return the Purple Gold Bell.