Chronicles of Demonslaying. 3. The Secret of the Kusanagi Sword

Author: Li Yuhui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: Fantasy, Wuxia, Suspense, Horror. A seminal work by the pioneer of Korean fantasy, Li Yuhui. An adaptation of the novel, including a film and an online game, is set to be introduced to China. The English version has caused a sensation in Europe and America, hailed as a classic of Eastern fantasy. In the summer of 1993, in a Korean online chatroom named "SUMMER," Li Yuhui, a young engineer who graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in mechanical design, posted excerpts of his creation, "The Demonic Record," online. It immediately sparked a sensation, his popularity soared, and the entire chatroom transformed into a "The Demonic Record" room. In 1994, the first seven volumes of "The Demonic Record" were published by Seoul-based Dulnyouk Publishing, causing a huge stir and nearly turning the entire country into a readership frenzy. Some readers even said that he lived solely to await the release of the next volume of "The Demonic Record." Spanning until July 2001, "The Demonic Record" was published in its 19th volume, becoming a monumental work. Statistics show that by the end of last year, "The Demonic Record" had sold over 10 million copies in Korea, where the total population exceeds 40 million. Although only the first three volumes of the novel—A Voice Calling You to Open Your Eyes, The Portrait Paints a Lure, and The Secret of the Grasshopper Sword—are being launched in China this time, the magical, wuxia, suspenseful, and horror elements characteristic of Korean horror fiction are fully evident. Additionally, the unique esoteric Buddhist concepts and legendary tales from Korean culture are woven into this work. "The Demonic Record" is hailed as the cornerstone of "Korean-style horror." It follows the struggles of four main characters—four "Demonic Exorcists"—against evil forces in the human world. The story narrates how supernatural demons, ghosts, and other paranormal phenomena torment humanity, and how the four "Demonic Exorcists" rise to fight against them. Along the way, tales of sages who aid them and villains who obstruct them are interwoven. The four "Demonic Exorcists" are super-powered individuals who have experienced extraordinary encounters and possess extraordinary abilities. Under no circumstances do they harm humans or use their powers on ordinary people. Initially, they secretly rescue those tormented by malevolent spirits and demons, gradually embarking on the path of "Demonic Exorcism" and ultimately embracing their mission to dispel evil. "The Demonic Record" is divided into four parts—Domestic, International, Mixed-World, and Apocalypse—with a total of 19 volumes. Each book contains several stories of varying lengths and quantities. These stories are relatively independent yet interconnected. "The Demonic Record" not only features thrilling and suspenseful plots but also showcases meticulous world-building. The use of Eastern symbols such as exorcism rituals, ghost summoning, samurai imagery, and supernatural mental powers constructs a unique atmosphere that blends fantasy and wuxia, enhancing the novel’s horror ambiance.