Discover the enigmatic Shan Daoist and his mesmerizing talents, from drawing magic circles to astonishing bedroom skills. Dive into the world of wonders!
A young nobleman from Korea, a descendant of a prominent family in the county, had a strong interest in magic tricks. There was a Taoist priest named Shan who excelled in the art of disappearing acts. The young nobleman admired his skills greatly and invited him as an honored guest to his home. Shan would often disappear in the blink of an eye while sitting or standing with the guests. The young nobleman hoped that Shan would teach him this skill, but Shan refused. The young nobleman persisted in his request, and Shan said, “I am not reluctant to share my magic, but I fear it would tarnish the reputation of our profession. Magic is different from other skills; when taught to a gentleman, it may be acceptable. But if it falls into the hands of unscrupulous individuals, they may use invisibility to steal from others. I have no such concerns about you, but once you leave and encounter a beautiful woman, if you cannot control yourself and use invisibility to enter her chamber, would that not encourage wickedness and indulgence in debauchery? I cannot comply.” The young nobleman realized he couldn’t force the Taoist priest and harbored resentment. In secret, he conspired with his servants to find an opportunity to beat and humiliate the priest. He was afraid Shan would escape using his invisibility, so he scattered fine ashes in the wheat field that Shan would have to cross, thinking that while the priest could make himself invisible, there would surely be footprints left in the fine ashes wherever he passed. They would follow these footprints and then strike him suddenly, believing they would definitely succeed. With this plan in mind, the young nobleman deceived Shan into coming, and he ordered his servants to brutally whip the Taoist priest with a cattle whip. Suddenly, Shan disappeared, leaving footprints in the fine ashes of the wheat field. The young nobleman’s servants followed the footprints and began to strike wildly, but in an instant, the footprints became chaotic, and they lost their target.
Han Gongzi had just returned home when Shan Daoist arrived. Shan Daoist said to Han’s servants, “I can no longer stay here! You have been serving me these days, and now that we part ways, I should show my gratitude.” With that, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a jug of wine. Then he reached in again and took out a large platter of dishes, placing both the wine and the dishes on the table. After arranging them, he reached into his sleeve several more times, filling the table to the brim. He invited everyone to sit down and enjoy the feast, and they all got drunk. Shan Daoist then put the wine and dishes back into his sleeve one by one.
Upon hearing this strange occurrence, Han Gongzi asked Shan Daoist to perform another magic trick. Shan Daoist drew a city on the wall, and with a push and a knock of his hand, the city gate immediately opened. Shan Daoist then tossed all his belongings, clothes, and items from his box into the city through the gate. He bid farewell, saying, “I’m leaving.” He jumped into the city, and as he did, the city gate closed, and the Daoist disappeared.
Later, it was heard that Shan Daoist was in the market of Qingzhou, teaching children to draw black circles with ink on their palms. When they encountered someone, they would playfully toss the circle, regardless of where it landed—whether on a person’s face or clothes. The black circle would then magically transfer from their palm to the spot where it landed.
It was also rumored that he was skilled in a bedroom technique, where he could make his genitalia suck up and consume burning alcohol, emptying a cup with it. Han Gongzi once witnessed this himself.
《单道士》
韩公子，邑世家。有单道士，工作剧。公子爱其术，以为座上客。单与人行坐，辄忽不见。公子欲传其法，单不肯。公子固恳之，单曰：“我非吝吾术，恐坏吾道也。所传而君子则可，不然，有借此以行窃者矣。公子固无虑此，然或出见美丽而悦，隐身入人闺闼，是济恶而宣淫也。不敢从命。”公子不能强，而心怒之，阴与仆辈谋挞辱之。恐其遁匿，因以细灰布麦场上，思左道能隐形，而履处必有印迹，可随印处急击之。于是诱单往，使人执牛鞭立挞之。单忽不见，灰上果有履迹，左右乱击，顷刻已迷。
公子归，单亦至，谓诸仆曰：“吾不可复居矣！向劳服役，今且别，当有以报。”袖中出旨酒一盛，又探得肴一簋，并陈几上。陈已复探，凡十馀探，案上已满。遂邀众饮，俱醉。一一仍内袖中。韩闻其异，使复作剧。单于壁上画一城，以手推挝，城门顿辟。因将囊衣箧物，悉掷门内，乃拱别曰：“我去矣。”跃身入城，城门遂合，道士顿杳。
后闻在青州市上，教儿童画墨圈于掌，逢人戏抛之，随所抛处，或面或衣，圈辄脱去，落印其上。又闻其善房中术，能令下部吸烧酒，尽一器。公子尝面试之。