Many of today's Onmyoji and Feng Shui Masters attack their opponents by using hypnosis or other methods to create an Illusion Realm. Those lacking the strength or mental fortitude are helpless against such techniques.
As the Great Elder of the Ye Yue Family, Ye Yue Taishun's skills were even more advanced. The Illusion Realms he crafted blurred the line between illusion and reality. They not only inflicted mental torment but also caused a variety of physical injuries. Furthermore, the black smoke clinging to the paper dolls was poisonous and would enter the body through any wound. Without the Ye Yue Family's antidote, one's life would be in grave danger.
In other words, Ye Yue Taishun was going for the kill right from the start.
