During the Qing dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi, in her pursuit of absolute power, used venomous insect sorcery on eunuchs and court attendants. These victims became puppet-like corpses, obeying her every command as she attempted to control state affairs. As the number of cursed corpses grew, the affliction began to spread like a plague, causing chaos among the common people.

A Taoist priest from the Maoshan tradition, Master Huang Yang, was entrusted by the local villagers to take on this heavy responsibility. He set out on a journey to quell the catastrophe. In the towns of Guangxi, he encountered a mutated Kui-Guan feasting on innocent civilians, triggering widespread casualties and an explosive proliferation of the venomous worms. In response, Master Yang set up a ritual altar to restore balance and act on behalf of Heaven.

This fictional setting, written by Bico Liou, founder of the brand THE MURK, shifts the story’s stage to late Qing China. Within it, we might glimpse the lingering horror elements from the Hong Kong films that haunted our childhood memories.