Once upon a time, high up in the highest mountains of the world, where the peaks touched the clouds and the snow never melted, there stood the great mountain called Kunlun.
It was a place of magic and mystery, hidden away from the eyes of ordinary men. And in this sacred place lived a creature unlike any other.
His name was Baize.
He had the body of a lion, but he walked with the grace of a dragon. His fur was as white as fresh snow or the brightest moon, and his eyes held the wisdom of the stars. Most wonderful of all, Baize could speak the language of humans, and he understood the feelings and thoughts of every living thing in the world.
He was very rare and very shy. He would sleep for hundreds of years, only waking up when the world was peaceful and ruled by a kind and wise King.
One day, a great and good Emperor named Huangdi ruled the land. His heart was full of love for his people, and justice shone like the sun. Because the world was good, the earth shook gently, and a soft light appeared in the sky.
From the mists of Kunlun Mountain, Baize slowly walked down.
He came down from the heights to meet the Emperor, for he knew that here was a ruler who would listen.
When the Emperor saw the magnificent white beast standing before his palace, he was not afraid. He bowed low and said, "Welcome, noble spirit. You have come to bring us wisdom, I know."
Baize nodded his great head, and his voice was like the sound of bells ringing in the wind.
"I have come," said Baize, "because you rule with virtue. I bring you knowledge of all the things in heaven and earth."
And so, the great beast sat down beside the Emperor and began to speak. He told him of 11,520 different kinds of magical beings and strange creatures that lived in the world.
He explained how to tell which spirits were good and brought luck, and which ones were evil and brought trouble. He taught the Emperor how to protect his people from harm, how to cure sickness, and how to make the land rich and fertile.
"Whenever you see me, or my image," Baize said softly, "all bad luck will turn away, and danger will become safety. I am a friend to those who are good."
The Emperor listened carefully, and he ordered his scholars to write down every single word that Baize spoke. They made a great book called The White Tiger Classic, so that everyone could learn this wisdom forever.
When Baize had finished teaching, he stood up to leave. The snow-white fur shimmered in the sunlight.
"I must return to the mountains now," he said. "But remember, as long as kindness rules this land, my blessing remains with you."
With a gentle smile, the divine beast turned and walked back into the mist, disappearing as quietly as he had come.
Because of the wisdom of Baize, the Emperor ruled his people with great skill and love. No evil could harm them, and no danger could touch them. The country became the richest and happiest in all the world.
And even today, people draw the picture of the beautiful white beast on their doors and walls, hoping that his wisdom and good fortune will never leave them.
And so they lived, safe and blessed, happily ever after.