After Transmigrating into an Evil God - Chapter 5

Li Chi accepted his courtesy and smiled, saying, “Since you have developed self-awareness, fellow daoist, why not give yourself a name?”

The Manor Spirit thought for a moment and said, “I was born from the Li family’s human vital energy, so I shall call myself Hou Li.”

Only now did the Manor Spirit Hou Li truly become a living being, his cultivation of life and destiny no longer dependent on the rise and fall of others. This was like being reborn for him, and it was equally beneficial for Li Chi.

Having been dwelling in someone else’s residence, he had finally found a way to repay them. It seemed that continuing to live here would no longer pose any problems.

Li Chi congratulated him, but… for some unknown reason, after this understanding about object spirits was triggered, a dark and heavy mood arose in his heart, though he couldn’t tell where it came from.

It must be like those other perceptions – residual feelings from the original owner before his transmigration. Li Chi suppressed these emotions and prepared to venture into the mountain forests.

Leaving through the main gate of the Li residence, the mountain forests stretched vast and endless, with no clear direction.

Li Chi looked at the old path before the gate and simply decided to walk down along this road.

The road had been abandoned for over two hundred years. Many trees, stones, and wild vines blocked the way, making it difficult to pass, but they posed no obstacle to Li Chi.

As he traveled smoothly along, the road gradually lost its traces. The original stone slabs that paved the road had become completely broken, with weeds and small trees sprouting through the cracks. Dead branches, fallen leaves, and dust had accumulated for over two hundred years, forming a layer of black soil that buried the road beneath.

Looking further ahead, a dense forest stretched out, showing not the slightest trace of any path.

Li Chi stopped and swept his gaze downward, penetrating through the soil to see the broken stone slabs beneath.

If he insisted on exploring, he could still find traces and perhaps discover human habitation by following the path. But why force it? This trip was merely to explore the surrounding mountain forests – he would go with the flow.

Li Chi tilted his ear to listen to the wind and faintly heard the sound of water, so he followed the sound.

Once the sun came out, the mountain mist dispersed. Birds pecked at their feathers among the tree branches, occasionally stopping to glance at this stranger who had suddenly appeared in the mountains.

The sound of water grew stronger. Pushing aside vines hanging from ancient trees, he found a clear little stream flowing down, sparkling like scattered gold in the morning light. Several wild deer were drinking at the stream’s edge.

Li Chi walked over. His aura was pure and clear, so the wild deer weren’t afraid of him. They continued drinking while tilting their heads to look at him, their dark eyes pure and curious.

He raised his eyes to look upstream, his gaze penetrating through layers of forest to find the source.

In a rocky crevice, a spring bubbled forth.

Li Chi withdrew his gaze, casually patted the head of a deer that had come close, then turned to follow the stream downstream.

He hadn’t walked long before the forest began to thin out, and soon the view opened up dramatically.

The stream gathered into a pond in a low-lying area. Large carp swam in the pond, and the surrounding area was open and level, with paths crisscrossing through what was clearly a large expanse of farmland. In the distance, many houses were scattered in an orderly fashion.

Li Chi gazed at this village and felt something strange about the atmosphere within it – it seemed shrouded in a layer of pale blue mist.

Demonic energy?

Li Chi reached out and captured a wisp of this energy. The demonic energy was extremely faint, heavy yet containing a trace of fierce and savage intent. However, when it enveloped the village above, it was peaceful and stable, like weapons stored in a case, used only for intimidation and protection.

He stopped and observed this village from afar.

At this moment, the villagers were all gathered in an open space where an altar table was placed in the center. On the table sat a small stone tablet inscribed with four characters: “Great King Yishan.”

People busily placed offerings on the table, along with a plate of wheat seedlings, a hoe, and a wooden plow.

Soon, under the leadership of the village elder, the villagers arranged themselves before the altar.

“Liquan Village respectfully reports to the Great King Yishan, now that spring has arrived…”

Li Chi listened for a while and understood – these were the villagers of Liquan Village conducting their spring ritual, praying to the Great King Yishan for smooth plowing and farming.

However… the title “Great King Yishan” seemed completely unrelated to their prayers for favorable weather and abundant harvests. The heaviness in that blue demonic energy did match perfectly with the title of “mountain-moving” though.

(TL: 移 (yí) → to move, shift, displace. 山 (shān) → mountain.)

Li Chi shook his head inwardly. Perhaps this Great King Yishan had many abilities, and simply took this name because of his mountain-moving capability?

Regardless, to be able to protect an entire village with demonic energy, this Great King Yishan must be considered a great demon. And mountain-moving was indeed an extraordinary power.

Li Chi observed cautiously from afar. He didn’t wish to create unnecessary complications. Although he couldn’t determine exactly how powerful this Great King Yishan was, out of caution, Li Chi preferred to assume the worst.

As the prayers were chanted, wisps of pale smoke rose from the villagers’ bodies. This was the power of their thoughts and wishes, mixed with their prayers, gathering into faith through their common intentions.

This faith converged on the incense burning in the brazier, rising with the curling smoke to touch the pale blue demonic energy shrouding the sky above.

Li Chi narrowed his eyes, watching the changes as the villagers’ faith merged with the demonic energy.

Part of this pale faith merged into the demonic energy, while another part disappeared following some mysterious pull.

After receiving this faith, the demonic energy became slightly denser in color, but after just a moment, following the mental pull within the faith, it sent down power that fell upon the villagers.

The distance was too great, and he was merely observing from afar, so he couldn’t immediately discern the effect of this power.

Li Chi sighed quietly to himself. He had originally wanted to find people to learn about the situation in this world, but unexpectedly, Liquan Village was worshipping a great demon. He didn’t know what this great demon’s temperament was like, and his own divine power was still too weak. Better to wait a while longer.

Li Chi turned to leave, following the stream back upstream into the mountain forest. He had explored enough for today – now it was time to return and continue his cultivation.

However, as he walked, Li Chi suddenly felt something was wrong. A distinct gaze was fixed upon him.

Li Chi stopped and turned to look in the direction of the gaze. The leaves on the trees rustled slightly, and several birds were casually preening their feathers up there.

His gaze fell on one of the spotted doves. Demonic energy swirled around the dove’s body – since it had cultivated into demonic form, it must have gained spiritual intelligence. Yet this dove stared at him with bright black eyes as if nothing was amiss, tilted its head, then turned to peck at a small fruit under a leaf stem, beginning to play dumb.

Li Chi remained speechless for a long moment, then turned back and continued forward. Soon, he was hidden by the forest.

The dove dropped the half-eaten fruit, spread its wings with a whoosh, and followed behind Li Chi.

Li Chi was bothered by this gaze for most of the journey. He didn’t know what this dove demon wanted. If it was just momentary curiosity, it should have grown bored after following for so long, right? How did it target him in the first place?

Could it be because he had stopped to observe near Liquan Village? Was it one of the Great King Yishan’s subordinates?

He was almost at the Li residence. Li Chi stopped. Whatever this demon wanted to do, it needed to be resolved.

He turned around, his dark eyes looking straight at the dove demon, and asked, “Fellow daoist has followed me all this way. What advice do you have for me?”

Li Chi was secretly on guard.

The dove was startled, its black pointed beak opening. “So you knew I was a demon?”

Before Li Chi could speak, the dove opened its beak and blurted out a long string of words. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I was afraid of scaring you and didn’t dare speak this whole time! I’m so suffocated!”

“Let me tell you, last time there was an herb gatherer, and I kindly reminded him that his medicine basket had a hole. That fellow screamed ‘Oh my!’ and ran away tumbling and crawling, really annoying for a demon.”

“Where did you come from? I’ve never seen you before.”

“Pretty bold, aren’t you! Are you a cultivator?”

Li Chi interrupted it. “I am called Li Chi. May I ask how fellow daoist should be addressed?”

The dove demon smacked its beak twice. “Just call me Jin Yan.”

Li Chi suppressed his urge to complain and asked, “Why has fellow daoist been following me?”

“This mountain forest hasn’t seen a single person in years, I was curious,” Jin Yan said matter-of-factly. “Besides, I wasn’t following you, I was just going the same way.”

“Where are you heading? Let me tell you, further ahead isn’t somewhere you should go.”

“And why is that?” Li Chi asked.

“There’s a big demon ahead, very fierce,” Jin Yan flapped its wings and chattered, “Let me tell you, that guy isn’t as easy-going as I am. If you step into his territory, you’ll definitely be driven out, and you might even get hurt!”

“You might even get eaten!” Jin Yan widened those bird eyes, speaking in a deep, scary tone. Unfortunately, those bird eyes were naturally round and glossy black – no matter how wide they opened, they looked the same.

A great demon? Li Chi pondered upon hearing this. Not far ahead was where the Li residence was located, and there was no great demon there, only the Manor Spirit Hou Li. Perhaps it was referring to somewhere further ahead? But the Manor Spirit had never mentioned this at all.

The Manor Spirit had been isolated for a long time, so being out of touch with news was normal. However, this dove demon’s words might not be entirely trustworthy either.

“Fellow daoist said we’re going the same way…?” Li Chi probed without showing his thoughts.

“Hah! I have a grudge against that guy!” Jin Yan said. “Last time that guy plucked several of my feathers – it hurt so much! This time I’ve made progress in my cultivation, I must get my revenge!”

“Let me tell you, that guy is really fierce! Only someone like me could escape with my life. I think you’d better be careful and take a detour. By the way, where did you come from? I’ve never seen you before.”

“Thank you for the warning, fellow daoist. I arrived in this area less than half a month ago,” Li Chi said. “It’s normal that we haven’t met. May I ask what kind of demon this great demon fellow daoist mentioned actually is?”

“Hey! Why do you care so much? Just avoid it!” Jin Yan said discontentedly.

Li Chi had pretty much figured out this dove demon’s temperament and smiled. “Since that great demon is so formidable, and fellow daoist is going to seek revenge, fellow daoist must also be tremendously capable. My knowledge is limited – I’ve never seen a great demon before, and meeting fellow daoist today is already my good fortune. Since fellow daoist is so skilled, could you take me along to broaden my horizons?”

He wasn’t really interested in going, but wanted to try a different approach to find out the great demon’s background. If it truly was formidable, he could leave later.

Jin Yan looked at him with difficulty. “If you drag me down…”

“Though I’m weak, I can take care of myself and certainly won’t interfere recklessly. Since that great demon is fierce, I might even be able to help.” Li Chi showed appropriate doubt, “Fellow daoist wouldn’t be…”

Jin Yan considered for a moment, thinking an extra helper wouldn’t be bad, and hearing Li Chi’s questioning, immediately puffed out its little chest. “If I were afraid of him, I wouldn’t be going to seek revenge! Come along then, but don’t cause me trouble!”

“Of course not,” Li Chi smiled, then asked, “What kind of demon is it?”

Jin Yan spread its wings, flew close to Li Chi, and said mysteriously:

“That demon… is a house that became a spirit!”