There are several versions of this story, and this article selects one of the more widely circulated versions.
Legend has it that Lu Dong Bin, on his way to Mount Lu Shan to learn the art, encountered a big problem when he passed through the city of Nan Chang.
Mr. Wang’s daughter is taken by a demon transformed into the Xiao Tian Quan (a snarling dog) of Er Lang Shen.
Mr. Wang invited many Taoist priests and monks to subdue the demon, but they all failed.
When Lu Dong Bin heard about it, he wanted to go and help, even though he had not yet become an immortal himself.
He came with his servant to the Temple of the Annunciation and asked the senior monk for help.
The senior monk sent out his disciples with special instructions not to kill the Xiao Tan Quan, otherwise Er Lang Shen would be angry.
Er Lang Shen is a powerful immortal.
But the High Priest’s disciple was so intent on subduing the demon that he did not take this to heart.
A disciple of the high monk gave Lu Dong Bin a painting, saying that if the Xiao Tian Quan enters the painting, he should quickly roll it up, and he would be able to beat it to death.
Although Lu Dong Bin agreed, he thought in his heart that it would be best if he could spare the Xiao Tian Quan
When the Xiao Tian Quan was led to the entrance of the cave by the High Priest’s disciple and burrowed into the painting in Lu Dong Bin’s hand, Lu Dong Bin remembered the High Priest’s words and hastily opened the scroll.
But the Xiao Tian Quan was very powerful and rushed straight out of the painting, opening his mouth wide and biting at Lu Dong Bin.
Luckily, Lu Dong Bin was wearing a magical Mixed Eight Trigrams Robe and didn’t get bitten, but he was still stunned and fainted.
The Xiao Tian Quan saw Lu Dong Bin fainted and took the opportunity to escape.
Later, Lu Dong Bin became one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese folklore.
People often criticize those who do not know what is good for them by saying that “a dog bites Lu Dong Bin and does not know what is good for him”.