To eat ravenously and voraciously, like a wolf devouring its prey; to wolf down food. It can also metaphorically describe the ruthless exploitation or plunder of others.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
The King of Hell's palace was conducting its regular inventory. The judge began checking the register of hungry ghosts.
Suddenly, a demon attendant rushed in to report: "The previous guardian of the Ghost Gate was negligent, allowing many hungry ghosts to seize the chance to escape to the human world and live amongst mortals."
The King of Hell asked what they were doing in the human world. The attendant replied that they had become county magistrates.
The King of Hell sighed, "These hungry ghosts, once they gain power, will certainly ruthlessly exploit and harm the people, like wolves devouring and tigers preying."