(literary) an evil person who schemes in the shadows; a malicious individual; literally refers to ghosts and a legendary water demon [[蜮|蜮|yu4]] that harms people by spitting sand at their shadow

sinister or devilish stratagem; underhanded means used to harm others secretly

to harm others through secret, underhanded, or malicious means; literally meaning to act like a ghost or a malevolent water demon

(literary) venomous snakes and water-dwelling monsters; used to describe malicious people who harm others