The Tiger Folklore of Jangsan (萇山) in Busan (4)

What is a Taoist Spell Master?

A Spell Master is one who cultivates the Tao (道) and wields Taoist spells (道術),

Upholding the will of the Six Ding Six Jia Spirit Generals (六丁六甲神將), fulfilling the role of guardians of the Dharma.

That is a Spell Master.

Spell Masters exterminate yokai through wielding Taoist spells (道術).

The Taoist spells used by Spell Masters differ in principle from the Martial Force (迫力) of Martial Artists.

Martial Force is a power based on immense ‘physical force’.

Simple and brute, intuitively destructive.

However, Taoist spells, unlike Martial Force, are powers based on the Tao.

They may seem overly complex, not intuitive,

But no one can deny their mystical potency, a power so wondrous it leaves one in awe.

Spell Masters can ride the wind,

Move the earth,

Command fire,

And walk on water.

The Taoist Society (度伽會) that Spell Masters belong to was founded around 500 years ago by the immortal Woosa Uchi, who achieved transcendence from human form.

For 500 years, they have faithfully fulfilled their role as saviors, heeding the late Woosa Uchi’s command to save humanity through Taoist spells.

However,

For some reason, after the beings called ‘goblins’ vanished overnight,

The formidable ‘great yokai’ also disappeared in turn.

This nation could enjoy 500 years of prosperity as a result.

In an era of peace, such immense power was unnecessary.

Gradually, the Taoist Society’s Spell Masters grew averse to combat spells.

It was not that they neglected the Tao’s cultivation.

There were different types of spells – those specialized for combat, and those for cultivating the human spirit.

In an era of peace, they had no need to grit their teeth and train in combat spells.

They chose the path of spiritual cultivation over combat spell training, distancing themselves from yokai extermination and ascending to mystical mountains to reaffirm their teachings.

There were occasional troublesome yokai, but with the modern ‘Yokai Extermination Offices’ established and Martial Artists still active, it seemed there would never be a need for Spell Masters’ power.

In that sense,

Regarding this Jangsan (萇山) tiger incident, the Taoist Society elders had no choice but to gather and ponder.

If they had diligently trained in combat spells to the present day, they could have sent that mere yokai to the underworld with a flick of the wrist.

Ultimately,

To fulfill their role as guardians of the Dharma,

The Taoist Society was forced to unveil the joker card they had secretly kept hidden all this time.

The Taoist Society Spell Master,

Ho Joon.

Some call him the reincarnation of the winged Spell Master.

The descendant or reincarnation of Woosa Uchi himself.

Unlike modern Spell Masters utterly inept at combat,

Ho Joon was so exceptionally talented in combat spells that calling him Woosa Uchi’s reincarnation was no exaggeration.

He could ignite karma flames with a mere gesture,

Soar on clouds,

And manifest up to ten clones of himself with ease.

The Taoist Society, already lacking in manpower and deeply concerned, rejoiced at the appearance of Ho Joon, hailed as Woosa Uchi’s 21st century reincarnation.

Yet they could not wholeheartedly celebrate either.

For Ho Joon had,

Inherited Woosa Uchi’s personality as well as his abilities.

He was a derelict.

No, a super derelict, the derelict of derelicts.

This so-called cultivator of the Tao would spike his hair and frequent clubs indulging in carnal desires as he pleased.

With his handsome looks and toned physique, he would bewitch women and stay up drinking all night.

The reason for his late departure to Busan was precisely due to his damned drinking habit.

That the Taoist Society’s greatest, no, perhaps the entire nation’s greatest combative asset was such an utter derelict…

The Taoist Society elders could only lament.

Yet as a Spell Master, he still retained the bare minimum identity, obediently heeding the elders’ command to depart for Busan.

Of course,

The thought of ‘taking this chance to drink with the women of Busan’ crossed his depraved mind.

Aboard the train, he cradled his throbbing head – vestiges of last night’s drunken revelry.

Just as he was about to rest his eyes with Busan still a way off,

“Grrrr… grrrrrr.”

The sound of some beast growling began echoing through the train car.

Whether some lunatic had brought a dog aboard, he did not know.

But he was too exhausted to muster any anger, so

He closed his eyes in an attempt to sleep…

“Munch, munch, munch, munch.”

Sleep…

“Grrrrrr… keeeeen, keeeeen.”

Sleep…

“Grrrrrr.”

“Oi, damn it! So freakin’ loud!”

…was impossible.

True to his ‘derelict’ moniker and fiery temper, he stomped over in the direction of the beastly sounds.

The sight he then encountered was:

“…”

“…A gumiho?”

Munch.

Munch munch.

Some beautiful woman with multiple tails

Munching on dog chewing gum – a somewhat surreal scene.

Shocked by this sight and his brain frozen, the woman began offering excuses:

“Not a gumiho. I’m a 6miho.”

“…”

“A 6miho cosplayer, my name is Miho.”

“…”

“The, the character’s name was… um, I forgot.”

“…”

Cosplay?

Nonsense.

Those tails looked too realistic to be cosplay.

Ho Joon

Was a rather perceptive Spell Master.

His instincts began ringing alarm bells.

This captivating woman lying before him was

Undoubtedly not human, but a yokai.

As Ho Joon eyed her suspiciously, she seemed to sense his skepticism and began offering more excuses, waving her hands:

That she was actually just a dog chewing gum enthusiast on her way to Busan for a cosplay event.

Of course,

It was an utterly unconvincing excuse.

Busan was locked down.

He began pondering:

Whether to take the risk of using combat spells ‘on this train’ to subdue her.

She did not seem malicious, but

To Ho Joon, who favored pretty women, her beauty was dazzling enough to make one’s eyes roll back,

With perky breasts and an excellent figure as well.

But even the derelict Ho Joon could still discern right from wrong.

She was a yokai.

He was human.

Coexistence was impossible.

He resolved to observe her for now, then exterminate her the moment they disembarked.

Ho Joon then naturally took the seat beside her.

---

I subtly gauged his vibe.

Though he seemed fatigued with dark circles under his eyes, he kept them wide open, closely watching me.

He was a Spell Master.

Of course, he did not courteously introduce himself to a suspicious person… no, yokai like me, but

His attire,

His formidable presence,

Taking a Busan-bound train in this situation –

He was undoubtedly a Spell Master to anyone.

My ‘cosplay girl cosplay’ plan had failed.

It couldn’t be helped, the circumstances were not favorable.

This was a train heading to Busan where hell had broken loose.

I had removed my cap thinking I was alone in the car,

And was munching on dog chewing gum,

Even swishing my tails merrily, addicted to the taste.

Excuses would no longer work.

Nevertheless, I decided to keep up my shameless front.

What could they do if I insisted I wasn’t a yokai?

It might not work, but it was better than staying silent.

Just as I was about to fabricate more excuses, he silently plopped down right beside me,

Folding his arms and glaring at me intently.

An uncomfortable situation.

Sniff sniff.

Sniff sniff sniff.

Sniff sniff sniff sniff.

Distracted by the dog chewing gum, I hadn’t noticed,

But with him sitting beside me, a pungent smell of alcohol began wafting over.

It seemed like cigarette smoke too.

…Were all these Spell Master fellows nothing but punks?

In any case, I spoke to him in a ‘say what you have to say’ manner as he stared me down:

“What?”

“…”

“If you have something to say, say it. Why are you gawking at me like that?”

I had resigned myself to whatever happened.

It seemed I had caused an incident of sorts.

My apologies, Director.

“…Pfft.”

When I spoke,

For some reason,

“Kuhahahahaha! Aha, ahick… In all my days, I’ve seen one crazy-ass yokai!”

He began laughing maniacally.

His laughter carried a confidence that,

‘I can kill you anytime I want.’

After wiping away the tears clinging to his dark circles, he finally addressed me:

“Alright, since you spoke so candidly, I’ll ask candidly too. Who the hell are you?”

“A 6miho cosplayer.”

“I heard the Jiri Mountain fox yokai was exterminated two weeks ago. What’s your deal?”

“An otaku who likes anime. Cosplaying is my hobby.”

“Why are you going to Busan?”

“To attend the Busan Comic Festival.”

“You’re exceptionally intelligent for someone spouting such nonsense. How did you learn human culture?”

“From SeedWiki and online forums.”

“How could you evade the yogi detection radar? Do you have some ability to conceal your yogi?”

“Yeah, I suppressed it kind of. With lunchboxes and beef jerky.”

“…This isn’t getting through to you.”

“This isn’t getting through to you.”

Damn it.

I really seem to have screwed up properly this time.

I should have backed down after being so brazenly shameless with my responses.

The back-and-forth between the Spell Master and I continued until we neared Busan.