Mao Shiba: The Ghost-Hunting Taoist

The Way gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all things.

All things carry yin and embrace yang, blending their vital energies to achieve harmony.

What people dislike most are being solitary, destitute, and unworthy, yet princes and dukes use these words to describe themselves.

Thus, some things are diminished and yet gain, while others are increased and yet lose.

What others have taught me, I also teach to others.

The Way is unique. It contains the two forces of yin and yang, whose interaction creates a state of balance in which all things come into being. All things turn their backs to yin and face yang, and the mutual stirring of these two forces forms a new harmonious whole. What people dislike most are the words "solitary," "destitute," and "unworthy," yet princes and dukes use them to refer to themselves. Thus, if something is diminished, it may instead increase; if it is increased, it may instead diminish. What others have taught me, I teach to others in turn. Those who use violence die without a proper end. I take this as the guiding principle of my teaching.

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