Mythical Beasts in Ancient Legends: The Fierce Hound
The Ao Yin, an ancient mythical beast, resides in the underworld and sustains itself by consuming living beings, with a particular appetite for human flesh. It stands among the ten ferocious beasts of ancient times, known for its fierceness comparable to that of the Qiongqi, and thrives on spreading chaos throughout the world. Eventually, powerful ancient beings managed to capture it within a spatial barrier, locking it away on the Isle of Penglai. This fearsome creature resembles a bull, with four horns and long hair draping over its body like a raincoat.
The Origin of Ao Yin
“They are neither alive nor dead; they are trapped between life and death.” The legendary underworld is a realm filled with demons, where lost souls cry out endlessly. Most of these souls have suffered the trials of life and death, unable to be reborn into the human world or descend into hell. After enduring countless torments over the ages, they remain in this cold, lifeless, and dark underworld, where time is infinite and there is no end in sight.
Only one entity can escape: the Demon King of the Underworld. It is said that the man-eating giant beast Ao Yin comes from this realm. According to the "Classic of Mountains and Seas," Ao Yin resembles a bull, bearing four large horns, and has hair as long as a raincoat. It is a terrifying and bloodthirsty creature, mercilessly killing with a particular preference for human flesh. Upon capturing someone, it treats them as a treasure, retreating into the woods to enjoy its feast. Its lair is often strewn with eerie white bones.
During Emperor Yao's reign, the Sanmiao tribe caused chaos in the Jianghuai region and was exiled to the Three Dangerous Mountains. The Sanmiao are descendants of the Jiuli, specifically from Chiyou's lineage. After Emperor Da Yu took the throne, the Sanmiao once again instigated turmoil in the Three Dangerous Mountains, prompting Ao Yin to slaughter innocents and rampage unchecked. Da Yu launched a campaign against the Sanmiao, battling them for over 70 days. He ultimately subdued the Sanmiao and imprisoned Ao Yin on Mount Penglai.
Penglai is surrounded by the sea on all sides, with no land routes to the central plains, preventing Ao Yin from harming humans further. Later legends suggest that a deity tamed it and made it a mount.
Legends Related to Ao Yin
The Prototype of the Bull Demon King
Ao Yin is one of the ten ferocious beasts of ancient times, rivaling the infamous man-eating beast Taotie. Wherever Ao Yin goes, nearly all animals are devoured, leaving only piles of bones. Humans remain Ao Yin's preferred prey; it often lurks around human settlements, disguising itself as a wild bull with its long hair. When someone falls for its deception and approaches, it quickly reveals its true nature, attacking to take their life, leaving nothing but bones and skulls behind.
In both appearance and character, it is truly the "Bull Demon King," posing a great threat to humanity.
Its terrifying appearance alone is enough to instill fear, and this demon also favors feasting on living animals, with humans being its most coveted prey. Capturing a person and consuming them alive is Ao Yin's greatest pride and pleasure. In the Three Dangerous Mountains, piles of white bones are scattered everywhere. Some reports describe Ao Yin devouring a person from head to toe while they scream for help, with blood gushing from its mouth, the person convulsing, and the sound of crunching bones echoing in the distance.
The Prototype of the White Bone Spirit
Ao Yin consumes only living beings and never consumes carrion. Legends also say it is the prototype of the White Bone Spirit, arising from its long history of consuming human flesh and animals. Due to its origins in the sacred realm of the underworld, it possesses an immortal body with an exceptionally long lifespan. Over time, it absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, becoming a spiritual creature capable of transforming into human form after a thousand years.
Unlike Taotie, which is an indiscriminate omnivore, Ao Yin exclusively preys on humans, opting for other animals only when it is in an utterly desolate environment without humans. This aspect parallels the White Bone Spirit, as both are monsters that prey on humans.