The Maoshan Record of Strange Ways

[The Supernatural + Taoist Mysticism + Zombies and Ghosts + The Dark Side of Human Nature]

Born with Yin-Yang Eyes and burdened by a deadly Yin curse, Zhang Xuanling is a Maoshan Taoist known by his religious name, Qingwei. He sets out to gain experience at his master’s command, never expecting to step into an endless abyss of terror. From the bizarre spirit-summoning formation and strange corpse transformations in Blackwater Village, to the horrifying truth behind the blood corpses and gu poison of western Hunan; from the skin lanterns that send shivers down the spine at the midnight ghost market, to the shocking conspiracy unleashed by the evil cult known as Luofeng, he encounters supernatural phenomena at every turn, including ghost soldiers marching across the road, painted-skin demons stealing souls, and the Yellow Springs flooding the mortal world. Every step is fraught with danger.

The story artfully blends folk tales of the uncanny with Taoist secret arts. Maoshan’s Eight Methods for Subduing Corpses, including inked carpenter’s lines, glutinous rice, and peachwood nails, appear alongside Taoist arts such as the Golden Light Spell and Five-Thunder Finger, adding a touch of mystery to the battle between good and evil. The author carefully crafts horror through sound, sight, and other senses: the crunch of zombies chewing bones, the grotesque faces of skinning ghosts, and the extra voice that echoes during a folk soul-calling ritual all let fear seep into every corner.

As the story unfolds, the ambitions of Luofeng are gradually revealed. The organization seeks to summon a ghost king with the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls and turn the human world into a realm of ghosts. After enduring life-and-death trials, Zhang Xuanling uses himself as bait and calls down heavenly lightning to shatter the conspiracy. He succeeds in protecting the human world, but defies fate at the cost of his sight. By a twist of fate, he gains the “Mind’s Eye” and continues his wandering path of exorcism.