Taotie

A sheep's body, a human face, and claws that veil the sky in murderous aura.

A serpent's tail, eyes beneath its armpits, and lips and teeth that devour countless living beings.

One of the Four Fiends of antiquity, it walks among the greedy people of the world.

Legend says it has slumbered for ages.

Once it awakens, corpses will pile like mountains and blood will flow like silk.

Having finished his tale, the storyteller picks up a porcelain cup and takes a small sip of cold tea.

Among the listeners, an unremarkable boy cranes his neck in anticipation.

The blue-and-red jade pendant at his waist has begun to glow faintly, though no one knows when.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.