Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 147: The Three-in-One Strategy

Radiance scattered the darkness above. From the sky descended countless beams of light, while the ground burst forth with thousands of fire pillars. They closed in like the jaws of a great maw, sealing Bai Shuangying’s true form within Xushan.

Bai Shuangying’s rage hadn’t yet subsided. It was as if he had suddenly found a circle of fences in his path and began ramming into them repeatedly. After only a few collisions, visible cracks began to appear.

The immortals had no time to form ranks. One representative descended from the heavens, and another rose from the Underworld, while the rest quickly formed a formation to resist Bai Shuangying’s fury with full force.

The two immortals rushed toward Zhuang Guiqu and his disciple, swiftly halting the deadly ritual they were performing. But even after the pain stopped, Bai Shuangying’s wrath remained undiminished.

He had been deceived a hundred years ago, again five years ago, and now once more wounded deeply by humans. They say even a clay figurine would have some temper, so how much more so a being of Heaven’s Will?

The two immortals stood before Zhuang Guiqu: one appeared as a cheerful elder dressed in fine silk, radiating fortune and longevity; the other wore a tattered burial robe with a face like a corpse frozen in sorrow. But their eyes both burned with the same fury, as if wishing to tear Zhuang Guiqu limb from limb.

Fang Xiu immediately activated the hair ring, concealing both himself and A’Shou completely.

A’Shou fixed her gaze on the sorrowful-faced ghost immortal and hissed, “Back in the day, that old man really was the number one ghost immortal.”

“He had a vile temper. Died a century ago. I can’t believe I’m seeing him again here.”

Despite the formidable lineup before him, Zhuang Guiqu didn’t appear the least bit flustered.

Maintaining the form of a child, he lifted his wooden mask to reveal a surprisingly delicate and elegant face. A’Shou couldn’t help glancing at Fang Xiu—Zhuang Guiqu’s features didn’t resemble Fang Xiu’s, but that insufferable cleverness was nearly identical.

“Greetings, seniors,” Zhuang Guiqu greeted with ease, bowing politely and standing firmly.

Zhuang Feng wasn’t as composed. Still young, he was overwhelmed by the pressure of the immortals and could barely remain upright. Even though he revered Zhuang Guiqu, he collapsed into a kowtow, sweat pouring down his forehead.

“Zhuang Guiqu, do you admit your guilt?” asked the immortal with the face of fortune, his tone solemn.

“The Xushan Evil has injured people time and again, and five years ago incited a great calamity, costing the lives of countless elite soldiers. Just look at the black forest and white fruits. This is irrefutable evidence!”

“The imperial army is stretched thin, the borderlands in chaos, and the people are displaced. Turmoil is on the horizon. I came specifically to seal this Evil and restore morale—for the peace of the world. Where is the guilt in that?”

Zhuang Guiqu stood tall and spoke with measured clarity.

“With your level of skill, you clearly understand the power of a Corner of Heaven’s Will. Peace for the world? Looks more like you’re courting catastrophe!” the sorrowful ghost immortal sneered. “How bold. Why not sacrifice you now to appease the Spirit of the Mountains?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a whirl of sinister energy flared around him, forcing A’Shou to step back.

Zhuang Guiqu smiled.

Though his current form was that of a child, his expression didn’t match the features—but at a glance, the smile was pure, even “sincere”.

“The Corner of Heaven’s Will is no mortal. After all it has endured, it’ll need at least a thousand years to calm its fury. I’m not the only one who provoked it, and it’s still in a rage. If you kill me now as an offering, can you really be sure it’ll stop?”

“I understand that you seek peace for the human world. But think about it—if from the start you had thrown me out and it didn’t accept it, you’d be the ones who ‘initiated’ hostility against the Corner of Heaven’s Will.”

He deliberately paused, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. He asked silently, “Will you risk it?”

Everyone present understood that immortals were stuck between the human world and Heaven’s Will. Humanity was ever-changing; new generations every hundred years. But the Corner of Heaven’s Will endured as long as the heavens themselves. Coexistence was inevitable.

“…So why not work together to resolve this? Let my line persist, and when a thousand years pass and Heaven’s Will has calmed, if it’s still angry, you can hand us over then. Everything can be negotiated.”

A’Shou couldn’t stop herself from looking at Fang Xiu again. This mix of stubborn twisting and deliberate manipulation was eerily familiar.

Zhuang Guiqu’s words made it clear: “I know you’ll intervene. I’m using you.”

The ghost immortal furrowed his brows and was about to explode with rage, but the other immortal caught the nuance and stepped forward. “A thousand years from now?”

The situation had escalated quickly. They couldn’t recklessly harm Bai Shuangying, nor could they let him harm humans. Every spell the immortals cast was cautious and restrained—it was unbearable. Now this mortal was talking about “a thousand years later”… It was a curious proposition.

Zhuang Guiqu’s smile widened. “If I dared to act, of course I have a plan.”

He turned his face toward the shifting lights and shadows in the dark, his eyes shining.

To him, it wasn’t the cannons of life and death, but fireworks lighting up a celebration.

Fang Xiu stared unblinkingly at Zhuang Guiqu’s profile, holding his breath while listening intently. Even Bai Shuangying had stopped writhing within his flesh, listening with him.

“…The Corner of Heaven’s Will is pure in temperament, no more complex than a beast. If you trap it in Xushan, feed it well, and keep it comfortable, over time it will surely calm down.”

“As for how to trap it—let the Underworld lend the power of Immortal E’s.”

The sorrow-faced ghost immortal narrowed his cloudy eyes, words of protest forming but not spoken. He rubbed his sparse beard and frowned. “Use the karma and yin energy of the Immortal E’s?”

Zhuang Guiqu nodded earnestly. “Heaven’s Will is the principle of karma. Immortal E’s are its manifestations. Use its own spear to pierce its shield. Karma chains will surely be effective.”

“Also, karmic force gathers yin. It will nourish the Corner of Heaven’s Will endlessly. You can say this is killing two birds with one stone.”

The fortune immortal’s expression softened slightly.

It really wasn’t a bad idea—

Originally, the Spirit of the Mountains already resided within Xushan and showed no interest in the outside world. If they gently confined it and continuously fed it yin energy, it wasn’t even truly an attack. It was closer to divine mediation.

The Spirit would be well-fed and sleep for centuries, awakening to a changed world. By then, its grudge against humanity might not be as sharp.

From Zhuang Guiqu’s perspective, as a mortal, he was truly resolving a crisis for the human world, granting it peace for centuries to come.

He had thrown himself into this chaos with boldness yet plausible justification. He exploited cosmic forces with eloquence and rationale. Truly a remarkable figure.

With this realization, the two immortals relaxed a bit.

The ghost immortal sighed deeply. “Fine. I will gather the Immortal E’s and prepare the seal.”

The fortune immortal flicked his sleeve. “I will grant you the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art. The sealing is complex. You will accompany us.”

Zhuang Guiqu kept that pleasant smile and bowed solemnly.

“I’ve contemplated this sealing for many years and devised a perfect method. If the two of you are willing, I’d like to share it.”

“Construct a tower between yin and yang, to contain the Immortal E’s…”

Even before Zhuang Guiqu finished describing the plan, Fang Xiu—who didn’t know magic—could already understand.

Inside the Disaster Relief Tower would be the Shrine of All of E’s, alongside sacrificial rituals—

Find sinners among humanity and force them to resolve the E’s. If they succeed, it stabilizes the world. If they fail, new Immortal E’s would be born, which would give the immortals better control over the sealing.

Additionally, the more Immortal E’s that exist, the more yin energy can be fed to the Corner of Heaven’s Will. With enough nourishment, it would not resist with full strength.

Coming from Zhuang Guiqu’s silver tongue, the plan sounded flawless. He was smooth, pragmatic, and the proposal genuinely benefited both Heaven and Earth. The two immortals were even more at ease.

Mortals had limited vision. Zhuang Guiqu had done more than enough. Why be picky?

Even A’Shou couldn’t help nodding, almost persuaded. But then she recalled Zhuang Feng’s expression of ecstatic discovery when he first found the Corner of Heaven’s Will. That brought her back to clarity.

Still, the Disaster Relief Tower had stood for years and was officially acknowledged by both the human world and the Underworld. A’Shou thought it over repeatedly and couldn’t figure out what personal benefit Zhuang Guiqu might gain from it.

In her confusion, she instinctively turned again to Zhuang Guiqu’s suspected counterpart—

Fang Xiu was smiling.

His mismatched eyes narrowed, and his grin was dazzling. This wasn’t his usual obedient smile, nor one of genuine delight. It was twisted, ghostly, enough to send chills through even A’Shou, who was herself a ghost immortal.

“If I didn’t already know what this guy was scheming, I’d suspect I was his reincarnation.”

Fang Xiu murmured, “So that’s it. That’s what you’re after.”

Not far away, the immortals were already preparing the seal.

Zhuang Feng knelt on the ground, reverently bowing toward Zhuang Guiqu.

Zhuang Guiqu held the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art in one hand and gestured with the other, assisting with the spell.

“This disciple shall record everything truthfully,”

Zhuang Feng murmured, eyes brimming with tears.

“Master and the immortals together sealed the Corner of Heaven’s Will. Everything happened just as you said. Before the ancestors of the Guishan Sect, the Spirit of the Mountains was nothing to fear!”

“People only think that ■■■■■■■■ is the ■■■■■■■■!”

Whether due to the influence of the Immortal Encounter E or the presence of Bai Shuangying inside him, the muddled sounds in Fang Xiu’s ears suddenly began to clarify.

“People only think that the Spirit of the Mountains is the ■■■ of Xushan—Master, you are the one truly worthy of being called the ■■■ of Xushan!”

Those voices roared in Fang Xiu’s ears. His head throbbed as if pierced by knives, but his focus had never been sharper.

“People only think that the Spirit of the Mountains is the God of Xushan—Master, you are the one truly worthy of being called the God of Xushan!”

Nearby, in an unremarked corner close to Zhuang Feng, the old book belonging to Zhuang Guiqu faintly glowed, then sank back into darkness.

…Just as expected. Fang Xiu held his breath.

The mountain ghost, too, is a god. Beneath Weishan, the trees grow dense.

The mountain god, too, is a ghost. Within the Disaster Relief Tower, it becomes an evil spirit.

No wonder Bai Shuangying could directly recognize the God of Weishan. No wonder Fang Xiu could summon him from the Disaster Relief Tower.

It all came down to that one phrase: “Born of the Nine Springs, never parted for a lifetime.”

Only someone as equally mad as Zhuang Guiqu, only someone like Fang Xiu, could summon the resentful Bai Shuangying.

At this moment, Fang Xiu fully understood Zhuang Guiqu’s true plan.

“A’Shou Jie, you saw it during the Grave-Sealing ritual.”

Facing the countless flashes of sealing light, Fang Xiu’s voice carried an eerie lightness.

“The Guishan Sect stole yin energy from the Disaster Relief Tower to nurture prodigies—birthing monsters like Cen Ling, a living ghost immortal.”

“But a ‘Corner of Heaven’s Will’ starved to weakness still must be put to use—if there are man-made ghost immortals, there must also be man-made Immortal E’s to match.”

A’Shou’s face turned ghostly pale. Her gaze darted quickly to the old book beside Zhuang Feng.

“To plan the construction of the Disaster Relief Tower… to seal the Corner of Heaven’s Will… the karma from this is enough to create an unprecedented E.”

Fang Xiu whispered quietly.

“I think… I know who the ‘man in black’ is.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 146: The So-Called Bargaining Chip

The hand that appeared in front of the porcelain figurine was exceptionally beautiful. Its fingers were long and elegant, the skin flawless like jade. The five fingers were gently cupped, the index finger slightly relaxed—its pose resembled a lotus bud.

It paused hesitantly in place, not reaching for the figurine immediately. Zhuang Guiqu waited patiently for the right moment, his body tensed to just the right degree, every inch of him performing fear and wariness.

That left hand hovered for several seconds, then finally inched forward and grasped the porcelain figure.

The water mirror couldn’t reflect this, but under the crude wooden mask, Zhuang Guiqu curled his lips into a smile.

Just as the hand relaxed, ready to guide the way, Zhuang Guiqu lunged forward and grabbed it.

The scattered wild fruits and sweet potatoes burst open, revealing hidden magic weapons buried beneath. Waves of green ripples flared through the air. The porcelain figurine began to vibrate, and fine golden chains emerged from within, locking directly onto the hand.

The hand visibly paused, seemingly confused by what had just happened.

A moment later, it began to tremble violently. The fingers twisted at unnatural angles, convulsing in spasms. Though it made no sound, Fang Xiu felt as if he could hear its silent screams.

Fang Xiu stared coldly at Zhuang Guiqu through the water mirror, his nails digging into the flesh of his palm, drawing warm blood.

His limbs were ice-cold, and he felt no pain. There was only a prickling numbness. All his attention was fixed on the struggling left hand.

It must hurt terribly.

Bai Shuangying had always been good at enduring pain. Even during the Grave-Sealing ritual, when he had cut away part of his body to protect Fang Xiu, he had managed to act calm and unbothered.

To be twisting like this now meant the pain had to be unbearable.

This time was different.

From Bai Shuangying’s perspective, a century of conflict with mortals was little more than a squabble. The last time Zhuang Feng set the mountain on fire, it was at most a “shove” in terms of offense.

To a Corner of Heaven’s Will, sulking was one thing, but human harm remained negligible.

From Zhuang Guiqu’s perspective, though, this was a completely different story.

The gap in power was just too vast. How does one confront a giant beast alone?

The hardest, yet most “honorable” method was to trap it alive without direct confrontation.

A bit simpler was to find a powerful enough weapon and try to kill it.

The simplest, and seemingly least effective method was to hurt it.

For mortals, capturing a Corner of Heaven’s Will was pure fantasy, and killing it even more so. But as an exceptionally gifted cultivator, Zhuang Guiqu could theoretically achieve one thing if he tried hard enough: maximize its pain.

Sure, such pain wouldn’t damage Bai Shuangying’s core. But just as red-hot needles piercing your fingertips, there were countless ways to torment even without fatal harm.

Fang Xiu struggled to describe how he felt now. He had thought he couldn’t hate Zhuang Guiqu any more than he already did, yet his hatred had now doubled.

One part was for the ghost he loved suffering. The other was a subtle hatred of someone too similar to himself.

Fang Xiu hated the parts of himself that resembled that man.

Like now, he knew exactly what Zhuang Guiqu would do next.

Unfortunately, the others couldn’t see through it.

Across the water mirror, Zhuang Feng was filled with passion. “This is the sealing technique my Master spent half a lifetime researching. Everyone, assist him!”

The cultivators thought it was a sealing spell and sprang into action, each using their own powers with great enthusiasm to charge into the mountains. The soldiers at the base also began to organize, preparing to march upward.

The first cultivators to reach the scene spared no effort.

Some enhanced Zhuang Guiqu’s spell, helping him amplify its power.

Some brought out their most treasured artifacts to help pin down that poor left hand.

One even went so far as to burn his own spiritual core, transferring all his power to Zhuang Guiqu—the old Taoist who had lost his son. His eyes were bloodshot, and the dry hair of his beard bristled upward.

His magic coalesced into a faintly glowing red beam that surged into Zhuang Guiqu’s body.

Grief and vindication twisted his features. His once-yellowed eyes quickly shriveled into something plastic-like. Even without understanding magic, Fang Xiu could tell that his life force was draining rapidly.

His cheeks sank further, his wrinkles cracking like parched earth.

Within two minutes, the old man could barely stand. He staggered in place and instinctively looked around the human world—

As if he knew it would be his last glance.

At last, his gaze landed on Fang Xiu’s striking red robe. His misshapen eyes turned slightly, revealing a pure smile. Perhaps he was recalling the taste of pastries from earlier.

The moment he fell, his body crumbled into brownish-yellow powder. He died without a sound.

Fang Xiu didn’t respond to the old man’s final smile.

He stared silently at the handful of earth below him for a long time.

The old man died believing he was sealing a great evil, protecting humanity, avenging his son.

What he had truly done was sacrifice his life to intensify Bai Shuangying’s pain and push the world one inch closer to ruin.

Zhuang Feng was even more enthusiastic.

He stood by Zhuang Guiqu’s side. Hundreds of flaming sword phantoms spun in the air as he personally protected his master.

In the midst of the blazing magic, the only thing left untouched was the book Zhuang Guiqu had brought, lying in a corner. Its pages rustled softly in the wind.

Just as Fang Xiu had guessed, the relentless agony had driven Bai Shuangying into pure rage.

The mountains trembled violently. Birds took to the sky. The ground shook so hard people couldn’t stay standing. A’Shou drew her sword without hesitation and used it for balance.

“That lunatic Zhuang! Is he trying to get himself killed?!”

She had made tactical plans in tents, fought on real battlefields. Strategy was supposed to be cunning, but she had never seen a plan this insane.

Zhuang Guiqu had done nothing but provoke Bai Shuangying with no defenses, no escape plan. Nothing!

“…He’s very clever,” Fang Xiu finally responded softly.

“A ‘Corner of Heaven’s Will’ like Bai Shuangying, born of Heaven and Earth itself, is exceedingly rare.”

“The gods and immortals of the celestial court or the Underworld need offerings, worship, or were once mortals themselves. The human world is the foundation of their existence. They can’t just stand by and let it be destroyed.”

“In this kind of survival-level crisis, justice no longer matters. Even if Bai Shuangying has suffered the greatest injustice, the gods will still side with humanity.”

A’Shou wrinkled her face. “That’s all logical… but how can Zhuang Guiqu, the person who started it all, be sure the gods won’t come for him?”

“Because he has a bargaining chip.”

Fang Xiu unconsciously touched his lips.

“Zhuang Guiqu is a master of magic, a government official, and a highly respected figure among the people. In these turbulent times, if the gods treat him as a villain, it will throw the world into chaos.”

“On the other hand, when gods descend to fight the Corner of Heaven’s Will, they need an out—they must let humanity participate. If the Corner of Heaven’s Will holds a grudge in the future, they can point to a responsible ‘scapegoat’.”

“So for the gods, having Zhuang Guiqu serve as the mortal ‘hero’ is all gain, no loss. It helps stabilize the world, and it ensures the God of Calamity will focus his hatred on someone ‘deserving’. Perfect.”

“Zhuang Guiqu knows it. The gods know it. They just tacitly agree.”

A’Shou had no words.

After a while, she asked suspiciously, “How do you know all this…?”

“Because Zhuang Guiqu and I are the same type of person.”

Even more alike than you think, A’Shou Jie.

Fang Xiu wanted to smile at her but failed.

His palm was torn to a bloody mess by his own nails, and his heart was cold as ice.

A’Shou glanced at Fang Xiu’s bleeding fist and softened her tone. “If that damn emperor brat had even half your cunning back then, I wouldn’t have died so pointlessly.”

Around them, the shaking of the earth grew more violent. The cracking of collapsing mountains echoed nonstop. Before the sun could even set, Bai Shuangying’s massive body surged from the mountain, shimmering and shifting in the sunlight.

The remaining cultivators stared at the rapidly approaching form in shock.

Their heads tilted upward, limbs and tongues twisting into coarse black branches. A forest of black trees formed instantly. Only Zhuang Guiqu and Zhuang Feng remained standing, still attacking Bai Shuangying.

This time, Bai Shuangying didn’t target only the instigating Zhuang Guiqu.

Filled with rage and grievance, his true form surged outward through the fractured mountains toward surrounding lands.

The sky changed color again, dark like ink bleeding across the horizon.

Fang Xiu didn’t know whether Bai Shuangying wanted to destroy humanity or just force Zhuang Guiqu to stop. Honestly, his ghost’s intentions no longer mattered.

With Zhuang Feng guarding him, Zhuang Guiqu was like a splinter lodged in Bai Shuangying’s throat, nailed into the mountain.

The pain would not end.

A’Shou shielded Fang Xiu with one arm, both of them hiding behind a withered black tree.

Perhaps because Bai Shuangying resided within Fang Xiu, the wild corruption avoided them. Strangely, Zhuang Guiqu and Zhuang Feng had also survived the contamination.

…However, the elite soldiers had yet to appear. Understandably so—the Guishan Sect wouldn’t be foolish enough to repeat the same move from five years ago.

Fang Xiu could guess who had taken their place this time.

The sun was about to set. The Corner of Heaven’s Will was about to reach the town at the foot of the mountain.

Considering the size of Xushan, if Bai Shuangying’s true form spread in all directions, a third of the Kui Dynasty’s territory would fall within his reach.

At that moment, the massive creature looked like water about to spill from a cup, rising along the rim, ready to flood outward.

Finally, in the center of the dark sky, a golden light tore through the black.

Billowing auspicious clouds rolled in. Celestial music echoed, suppressing the dreadful roar of a collapsing world.

From the quaking ground below, thick gray mist rose, revealing the vague silhouettes of an army.

Dark energy surged over the land, black trees swayed, and even the white fruit on their branches let out eerie moans.

At the center of all this chaos, the childlike Zhuang Guiqu stirred.

“Karma…”

He mumbled hazily, “It’s here… Karma has arrived…”

The author has something to say:

Xiao Bai’s anger has been revealed, and Xiao Fang’s fired up too!

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 145: Return of the Past

When faced with the question, Fang Xiu openly showed his ignorance and how little he cared.

He blinked, his dark eyes full of innocent confusion.

Unfortunately, A’Shou had the breath stuck in her chest and insisted on explaining. “Heaven’s Will is natural, born of Heaven and Earth, and contains the principles of all things…”

Fang Xiu continued to look at her with innocent eyes.

A’Shou: “…”

A’Shou: “…In short, mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas each have their own spirit. When their spiritual nature gathers, Heaven’s Will is born.”

“These beings are neither gods nor ghosts. That is why they are called ‘Corners of Heaven’s Will’. It is not surprising that Xushan, the largest mountain range in the world, gave rise to the ‘Spirit of the Mountains’.”

What was surprising was that she had never realized this herself until Bai Shuangying personally told his story. Bai Shuangying had polluted the Disaster Relief Tower for who knows how many years just to escape.

As soon as it was related to Bai Shuangying, Fang Xiu perked up immediately.

No wonder Bai Shuangying was so good at magic—

From a scientific perspective, the relationship between “Heaven’s Will” and a “Corner of Heaven’s Will” was like that between the internet and a server.

The so-called magic was simply programs running on the “internet” of Heaven’s Will.

…But what did that have to do with him?

…He was no genius in mystical arts and not even spiritually gifted. Other than Bai Shuangying himself, he didn’t need to gain anything more from him.

“You make it sound like a ‘Corner of Heaven’s Will’ should be easy to find. But judging by Zhuang Feng’s reaction, the Guishan Sect clearly struggled.”

Fang Xiu quickly steered the topic back.

A’Shou shook her head. “First of all, hills and valleys that haven’t truly developed can’t produce spiritual nature. To give rise to consciousness, it has to be something at the level of vast mountain ranges or mighty rivers.”

“Second, such entities live as long as Heaven and Earth. They are extremely slow to perceive and rarely interact with outside beings. A thousand years is just a moment to them—let alone communicating with mere mortals who live less than a hundred.”

Fang Xiu thought for a while. “So you’re saying they’re not very smart and also kind of antisocial.”

A’Shou’s mouth twitched. She hesitated for a long time but finally gave a reluctant nod.

…That’s your takeaway? The important part is that they are extremely rare and unbelievably powerful!

“Then Bai Shuangying is very smart,” Fang Xiu praised his ghost sincerely.

A’Shou resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Yes.”

Fang Xiu pretended not to notice. “But Bai Shuangying previously used the Four Symbols Spirit-Viewing Array. His result was ‘Evil’. Not a mix of ‘God’ and ‘Evil’.”

“What?!”

A’Shou’s teasing and helplessness vanished instantly.

……

Even when Zhuang Guiqu was getting ready to leave and suppress the evil, A’Shou’s words still echoed in Fang Xiu’s mind.

She had spoken with certainty that Bai Shuangying’s power had been eroded.

His power had been infiltrated by an “external entity”, like a parasite in the body, temporarily stripping it of its natural purity. Combined with his actual malice toward the human world, the Heaven’s Will had judged him as “Evil”.

Bai Shuangying hadn’t noticed anything wrong before, simply because he had no basis for comparison. He had assumed it was due to his sealed power and his own negativity, not realizing the full nature of the seal.

When Fang Xiu questioned her, A’Shou had made her stance very clear.

“They’re about to demonstrate the sealing process.”

She said with concern, “This is the perfect chance to see what that ‘external entity’ really is.”

After sunrise, the reinforcements gathered in front of Zhuang Guiqu’s tent.

The curtain of the luxurious tent fluttered, and a small boy crawled out first. He wore coarse clothes like a mountain villager and had a crooked wooden mask on his face. He looked completely out of place beside the lavish tent.

The boy carried a bamboo basket on his back, filled with freshly dug sweet potatoes and wild fruit. The scent of forest and mountain was so fresh, Fang Xiu could smell it even from afar.

Zhuang Guiqu’s attendant? No, didn’t look like it.

Most people from the Guishan Sect were well-dressed and well-groomed. There was no way would they raise such a messy child.

As Fang Xiu pondered, he saw Zhuang Feng step forward respectfully and bow to the boy. “Greetings, Master.”

“Mm.”

The boy nodded, and an aged voice came from behind the mask.

Then he cupped his hands in a salute and politely addressed the gathered crowd.

“The Great God of Calamity has plagued the people. Over five years, tens of thousands have died in Xushan, their bones not yet cold. Natural disasters persist across the land, chaos spreads in the borderlands, all because the dragon vein of our mighty Kui Dynasty has been disturbed.”

“Today, all of you have braved danger to gather here. This humble Taoist is deeply grateful. The path ahead may lead to death, but the righteous path of humanity shall never perish!”

Cheers erupted from the cultivators around him. It wasn’t exactly in unison, but it was loud enough. Zhuang Feng stood off to the side, his gaze toward Zhuang Guiqu full of reverence.

Fang Xiu kept his hands tucked in his red sleeves, coldly watching from the side.

Zhuang Guiqu had disguised his face and body; Fang Xiu couldn’t even see his expression. Through the black holes in the mask, he could only faintly sense Zhuang Guiqu’s gaze sweeping over him.

After the speech, Zhuang Feng stepped forward. He bowed to Zhuang Guiqu, then slowly walked past him to face the crowd.

“For five years, no one has dared make a wish to the Great God of Calamity. Surrounding villages have all relocated. That monster now hides deep in the mountains, luring mortals in but never showing itself again.”

“This time, my Master will risk himself alone to lure the God of Calamity out—”

Crack.

Fang Xiu clenched his fists, his knuckles popping.

He didn’t need Zhuang Feng to explain. He could tell what Zhuang Guiqu was planning at a glance.

Zhuang Guiqu and his group knew full well that Bai Shuangying was actually a corner of Heaven’s Will. He was extremely simple-minded and bore no innate malice.

He had once lived peacefully with a small village for over a decade. That story must have spread in some form.

They knew that as a powerful and absolute being, Bai Shuangying had a soft spot for pure and weak children.

“The God of Calamity prefers to use virgin boys and girls as sacrifices…” Zhuang Feng said passionately.

They knew that five years of pestering meant nothing to Bai Shuangying. He was just angry, but he didn’t truly hate humanity.

“For years the God of Calamity has received no offerings. My master will appear in the form of a child to lure him out…”

Ignoring the impassioned speech, Fang Xiu stared past Zhuang Feng at Zhuang Guiqu behind him.

That man took a few steps, and in the movement, part of a book inside his basket became visible.

According to Zhuang Guiqu’s plan, he would head into the mountains alone. A few cultivators would lie in ambush nearby, while soldiers waited farther out.

Once he “engaged the enemy”, the cultivators would stabilize the situation, and the soldiers would charge in to help. Perfect timing.

“…Perfect my ass.” A’Shou, now with the main group at the border of Xushan, cursed under her breath. “This handful of mortals couldn’t even fill the gap between the Spirit of the Mountains’ teeth!”

Cursing aside, her expression was grim.

They all knew—Bai Shuangying was still sealed in the Disaster Relief Tower. He hadn’t gone there willingly.

For the third time, they returned to the ruins of the small village.

The landslide had turned into firm ground. Only some broken tiles and scattered bricks remained on the surface. Many dead trees were still buried, with only withered, crooked branches sticking out of the earth.

The remnants of the shrine had been completely swallowed by weeds. If Fang Xiu hadn’t witnessed the village’s destruction twice, he wouldn’t have even found the ruined shrine’s location.

Even the white porcelain statue had been devoured by the mountain. Only a sliver of whiteness peeked through the overgrowth, like bone exposed through yellow earth.

This was the village closest to the mountains. Beyond this point was the true Xushan domain.

There, black forests stood in dense clusters. The ground was covered in yellow-white pebbles. Shriveled white fruits swayed from the branches.

Clearly, many had died here over the past five years. Compared to Fang Xiu’s memory, the dark forest had grown much wider.

A boundary between reality and nightmare.

The cultivators stopped at the edge of the village. Zhuang Feng had already set up spells. A giant water mirror floated in the air, reflecting the image of Zhuang Guiqu advancing alone.

As the moment of sealing drew near, Fang Xiu stared expressionlessly at Zhuang Guiqu’s back.

The “little boy” moved through the thick mountain fog. He passed through ominous black trees and crossed a creek filled with white stones, heading toward the beginning of it all—the very first place, where the little girl once cried.

It was an ordinary and hidden little spot, one even the grown-up girl could no longer find. Zhuang Guiqu calculated and walked, somehow managing to find the old place.

A hundred years later, the stone was still there, unchanged.

Zhuang Guiqu staggered over, moving just like a real child. He sat “blankly” on the stone for half an hour, then began to cry. He lifted half his mask and wiped at his nose and eyes.

In that moment, even his voice matched that of a child.

“Help me, someone help…” he whimpered. “Father, Mother, where are you—”

“I want to go home. I want to go home. This place is scary—”

But he cried from daylight until the sun set. No one responded. The cultivators in the village sat and waited almost the entire day and gained nothing.

Zhuang Feng, however, continued to maintain the spell with full confidence.

One had to admit, Zhuang Guiqu’s acting was impressive. Once night fell, he curled up miserably and cried himself to sleep.

Before long, a wild dog spotted the “little prey”. Under cover of night, it approached and bit into Zhuang Guiqu’s leg.

Zhuang Guiqu didn’t use any spells to defend himself. His leg was soon torn and bloody. He grabbed a stone and began sobbing and smashing the dog’s head.

The sharp rock wounded the dog’s eye. After a sharp yelp, it tucked its tail and fled into the dark.

Zhuang Guiqu crawled back to the stone and barely managed to bandage the wound. Blood kept oozing out. He kept sobbing, his voice hoarse and terrifying.

Within half an hour, he began to run a fever, his head drenched in sweat.

“Mother… Mother… home… take me home…”

Zhuang Guiqu lay limp on the stone, muttering in a delirious voice.

The contents of his basket had spilled onto the ground. In addition to sweet potatoes and fruit, there was a nameless book and a small bundle of porcelain items.

Among them was a tiny porcelain statue.

Zhuang Guiqu grabbed it, added a few beautiful fruits, and offered them on the bloodstained stone.

“Mother… you said… this could summon the mountain god to protect me… Mountain God, please save me… please…”

“I just want to go home…”

His crying was honest and despairing, like a real child. Finally, after a night of suffering, just before dawn—

…A hand reached out from in front of the porcelain statue.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 144: Two Sides of the Story

What followed felt all too familiar.

The mountain was angry.

Once again, the villagers at the foot of the mountain were slaughtered. Mortal karma, which should have withered like autumn leaves, was violently severed yet again.

But this time, the victims weren’t “contaminated” into trees. Instead, a vast forest rose from beneath the mud. The dead became withered trunks. The soldiers didn’t manage to retreat in time and were swept up in the same “harvest” as before, their corpses swaying from the branches.

Rumbling echoed from the mountains near the village, and countless boulders tumbled down. Shadows moved across the slopes. Fang Xiu stared intently. In the end, all was revealed—

The phantom pouring from the mountain was very familiar. It looked identical to Bai Shuangying’s true form.

But larger. More terrifying. It glided effortlessly between rock and tree, sometimes vanishing underground. At a glance, it resembled a dragon, though its forms constantly shifted. Even a brief look made the brain buzz and ring.

Yet Fang Xiu only found it beautiful.

His ghost was never some “divine emissary” or “detached witness”. Bai Shuangying truly was the “Great God of Calamity” spoken of in whispers.

But what kind of “Great God of Calamity” was this?

Bai Shuangying was still the same gullible Bai Shuangying. There had never been a grand conspiracy. The “Spirit of the Mountains” simply possessed the most unfiltered disposition—descending to the mortal world for trivial matters, shutting himself away over trivial matters, getting angry over trivial matters.

Then letting time smooth everything out.

But people don’t like intentions that simple. So long as suffering and human hearts exist, everything can be packaged into tales of justice and evil.

…Even he hadn’t realized this at first.

It was just as people say: man proposes, Heaven disposes*.

*(人算不如天算) It’s a saying meaning that sometimes, despite your best efforts, things will not go as plan and it’s out of your control (AKA let nature run its course).

Fang Xiu moved the hand on his chest to his lips, pressing a kiss that sealed off the flesh and blood. Every cell in his body tingled and melted, his limbs so numb he could barely stand.

“So it was you all along.”

He murmured, “After walking so far, it turns out you’re my destination.”

“That’s wonderful.”

…His destination?

A’Shou looked at Fang Xiu in confusion. She didn’t understand what he meant. But judging by the red flush on his cheeks and ears, maybe there was still hope.

To be honest, A’Shou’s ghost body nearly cracked in two—no matter how you looked at it, the Spirit of the Mountains was exactly like the out-of-control Bai Shuangying!

A’Shou couldn’t remember “who” was sealed under the Disaster Relief Tower, but she certainly understood the weight of something tied to “a corner of Heaven’s Will”.

She also understood how deeply Fang Xiu favored his seductive ghost—no, favored this corner of Heaven’s Will. There was once a story of an emperor lighting war beacons to amuse a beauty*. With how absurd Fang Xiu was, she fully believed he’d mess with the Underworld just for Bai Shuangying.

*Clarity: She’s referring to King You of Zhou.

It was unbelievable. In all her years of being dead, A’Shou had never seen anything so absurd. Yet, as a general who once galloped through battlefields, she forced herself to remain calm.

From the look of things, the seal on the Disaster Relief Tower loosening had to be connected to the increased activities of the Guishan Sect.

That was a separate matter. For now, she had to see it through to the end.

Not far away, Zhuang Feng was still smiling.

He gazed affectionately toward the mountains beneath the night sky. A breeze lifted the edge of his robes, revealing countless talismans hidden underneath.

Zhuang Feng relied on those to barely stave off the corruption, but even so, his legs wouldn’t stop walking toward the forest. He raised a hand and released a signal flare.

The cultivators and soldiers at the foot of the mountain surged forward again, swallowed up like heads bobbing in a flood.

There was only one difference from the previous story: this time, they didn’t even pretend to rescue the disaster victims. They simply shouted “Return” charging headlong into death without looking back.

As hundreds of cultivators attacked, the mountain finally caught fire. The blaze spread through the cursed trees made from the villagers, then into the dry grass covering the mountainside.

The “Spirit of the Mountains” was momentarily distracted. The corruption weakened slightly. With waves of cannon fodder ahead, Zhuang Feng was able to move upstream with dignity.

At the edge of the darkness, he turned and looked deeply at the raging mountains behind him.

The land was once again scorched to ash, with nothing left but death and wildfire.

Only a ruined shrine still stood, fused with the remains of the village.

“I’m going to report that bastard!”

Beside Fang Xiu, the black Taoist was furious. “I already know exactly what he’s going to say once he gets back. That bastard Zhuang Guiqu has always—”

“He’ll say Zhuang Guiqu personally led the rescue; that the fire was lit at the victims’ request, to punish the God of Calamity,” Fang Xiu said softly. “Then the God of Calamity grew enraged and attacked the innocent. Zhuang Guiqu cast spells to suppress it, and Zhuang Feng led the people in fierce resistance. Cultivators and soldiers fought valiantly. Countless elite forces gathered to help, all just to stop an enraged god.”

“In the end, the mortals prevailed. The God of Calamity didn’t rampage across the world. But thousands of brave souls died, leaving only the Guishan Sect behind…”

“…This could be regarded as a tragic victory. The Sect suppressed the God of Calamity.”

Just like the first “script” they experienced.

The objective result existed. The flaws in the process were glaring, but few would dig into the details.

Fang Xiu extended a hand, feeling the damp air.

Black characters swirled in the wind. Strange scraping sounds followed. He was beginning to form a guess about the nature of the Immortal Encounter E.

The black Taoist hugged the surviving child, still angry. “And to think I believed all that nonsense about slaying demons across the land. Not one of those bastards saved a single soul!”

“Who knows what they’re really planning, seeking a corner of Heaven’s Will…”

“I have to go,” Fang Xiu interrupted.

The Taoist looked at him in confusion.

“I must reach the final story,” Fang Xiu said solemnly. “He showed me his truth. Of course I must give him a proper answer.”

He took out two pastries and handed them to the bewildered Taoist.

The Taoist took them automatically, biting one out of habit. His eyes flew open, the confusion in them only deepening. He stuffed the other into the terrified child’s hands, then looked back at Fang Xiu. “Master…”

Fang Xiu met his gaze and wavered for a moment. He saw the Taoist lying at the bottom of a muddy pit, straining to hold the crying child above the sludge before being buried.

If he hadn’t intervened, that probably would’ve been the “real” version of the story.

Some people distort stories for selfish gain. Others rewrite them to avoid regret. But in the end, a story is still just a story.

He was simply saying goodbye to someone’s regret.

“I met your father. He was eating pastries while telling us your story. He was…”

[He was waiting in the forbidden place, ready to avenge you…]

Fang Xiu opened his mouth, spitting out strings of black characters. He caught them as they fell, rough scraping sounds following each word.

…It was like flipping pages in a book.

The world lit up in an instant.

The Taoist holding the pastries transformed into an old man with a beard. He stood in the Guishan Sect’s camp, one hand holding sweet soup, the other clutching pastries, his voice full of righteous anger.

“…Ever since that disaster, I haven’t seen my son again! It’s thanks to Master Zhuang who brought back word, or I’d still be in the dark!”

His cloudy eyes fixed on Fang Xiu, as if Fang Xiu had never left.

After ranting, the old man paused. “Hey, where’s that pretty boy in white?”

“That’s the ghost I raised. I absorbed him into my body,” Fang Xiu said with a perfect smile.

“Not bad,” the old man chuckled, mollified by the pastry. “Well, it’s getting late. Let’s head back and rest up. Tomorrow we’re sealing that damn God of Calamity!”

Fang Xiu patted Bai Shuangying, curled up in his belly, and hummed softly.

……

This can’t go on.

I can’t just follow this story. I need to take control again.

“Bai Shuangying” should be the same as me. So why does he reject me?

I simply sensed my own aura, tried to reclaim my scattered power. Why was I trapped?

I am the Great God of Calamity. Everyone calls me the Great God of Calamity.

That power is clearly mine. Everyone says it is.

I don’t understand. Why? Why?

…This doesn’t match the records.

Bai Shuangying, curled up in Fang Xiu’s flesh, watched the thrashing thoughts with cold detachment.

This entity affected him most, so he decided to seal it within himself in exchange. At least for now, it couldn’t lash out at Fang Xiu freely.

He was now certain this thing was a product of the Immortal Encounter E—it was good at sensing others’ desires, but it wasn’t very smart. Like the “programs” Fang Xiu once described.

Faced with it, Bai Shuangying couldn’t help but feel intellectually superior.

And it turned out that even under limited options, his choice had been right.

Fang Xiu wasn’t afraid. His body burned hotter, heart thudding louder, rapid breaths compressing Bai Shuangying’s form.

Fang Xiu reacted just like when they kissed; Bai Shuangying could feel his excitement and joy from within.

Trusting Fang Xiu felt even better than feeding on kisses. How strange.

He had given his truth to Fang Xiu. What surprise would Fang Xiu give in return?

…Bai Shuangying stroked the warm, smooth organs around him, quietly listening to the sounds outside.

He heard the old man’s voice. Fang Xiu had returned to the forbidden place. He heard the rustling of tent fabric. Fang Xiu and A’Shou had gone back to rest.

Then he heard A’Shou’s raspy voice. “Do you know what a corner of Heaven’s Will represents?”

“No idea. Sounds impressive,” Fang Xiu replied, his voice rumbling through flowing blood.

“Every time I tried to look into what the Disaster Relief Tower was suppressing, every time I read the old records, I couldn’t focus. A thousand years later, I thought maybe I was just getting old.”

A’Shou laughed bitterly. “If it’s the pollution from a corner of Heaven’s Will, I guess that makes sense… To be honest, even now, I still can’t recall the God of Calamity’s true name.”

Fang Xiu didn’t answer. He instinctively rubbed his stomach. Bai Shuangying felt the vibration and leaned in through the flesh.

His human’s movements were soft and comforting. That tender caress cleared his mind, while the frustrated thoughts of the “Immortal Encounter E” grew ever weaker.

A’Shou pressed on persistently. “Do you understand the nature of Heaven’s Will?”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 143: A Corner of Heaven’s Will

They seemed to have returned to the previous story the mudslide was still a mudslide, Zhuang Feng was still Zhuang Feng, and the elites were still the same elites.

Only this time, there was no tent belonging to Zhuang Guiqu, and no so-called “Heaven-Breaking Divine Art”.

The villagers were still fumbling about in the aftermath of the disaster, trying to save themselves. No one even considered blaming the “Great God of Calamity” for what had happened.

Makes sense, Fang Xiu thought to himself.

This village had experienced floods over the past century. The consequences of a few foolish wishes here and there were well-known to the locals. Would they really buy into the idea that this disaster was caused by the “Great God of Calamity”?

…Looking deeper, could just a few hundred cultivators cursing and setting fires really be enough to summon the “Great God of Calamity”?

…Could the “Great God of Calamity”, simply throwing a tantrum in one corner of Xushan, really have forced the immortals to hand over the “Heaven-Breaking Divine Art” to Zhuang Guiqu?

…With the borders in turmoil, would the imperial court really station troops near this desolate mountain village, ready to assist at a moment’s notice?

Something was off. Thinking it through in reverse, there were countless details in that “script” that didn’t add up.

Fang Xiu appeared without hesitation and strode up to the black Taoist. “What are you doing?”

With a flick of his sleeve, a crimson robe blocked between them.

The sudden appearance of a stranger dressed in red with heterochromatic eyes caused the soldier tugging at the Taoist to instinctively take a half-step back.

The Taoist reacted quickly, darting behind Fang Xiu without hesitation.

“Master, save me! Please!”

“What’s going on?” Fang Xiu asked bluntly, standing between them.

Clutching the still-wailing child, the Taoist immediately launched into his accusation.

“They all say this place was destroyed by the Great God of Calamity. I’ve been running around for years. Don’t I know better than anyone? This was a natural disaster! But that bastard surnamed Zhuang tricked us into coming here!”

“I just dug out this child’s parents. Surname Zhuang’s lackeys said it was a hassle and killed them on the spot! They even sealed off the road down the mountain during the night. They’re clearly up to no good!”

He cursed loudly, spittle flying onto Fang Xiu’s neck.

Fang Xiu turned to look at the soldier—or rather, one of Zhuang Feng’s “personal guards”. The man remained expressionless, but seeing Fang Xiu quietly listening to the Taoist’s complaint, his eyes took on a mocking gleam.

“Just some useless scum, now suddenly bold. The God of Calamity should be purged. To die here is to return one’s soul to the mountains and earn merit for eternity.”

He widened his eyes and bared his teeth in a grin. “I carry a talisman personally bestowed by Master Zhuang. Your pathetic magic— Ow!”

Fang Xiu, still dressed as a proper “cultivator” in red robes and with heterochromatic eyes, calmly pulled out a can of Wangzai and hurled it at the soldier’s nose.

The whole action was incredibly plain, with no magic involved at all. There was only just a crisp crack.

The Taoist: “…”

It was clear he had to regulate his breathing to keep from laughing aloud.

Before the soldier could react, Fang Xiu grabbed the Taoist’s robes again and dragged him toward the shadows. A’Shou moved to cover them. Using the concealment ring Bai Shuangying had gifted him, the group quickly escaped the scene.

Just like last time, they hid beside the shrine.

The shrine had been destroyed by the mudslide. The white porcelain statue was exposed, splashed with mud. A boulder had cracked its head, leaving a large, visible fissure.

But unlike the last time, when fervor filled the air, this time no one paid the statue any mind.

Fang Xiu glanced over the broken idol and suddenly felt a deep unease. If Zhuang Feng and his soldiers hadn’t come, the villagers probably wouldn’t have rebuilt this “ominous” shrine after the mudslide.

After the floods a century ago, people should have parted ways peacefully.

This mudslide was meant to be a natural farewell.

However…

The Taoist carefully covered the child’s mouth to keep him quiet. The soldier, unconcerned with the three who escaped, quickly redirected his attention to nearby survivors.

He dragged those still able to move from the mud and hauled them toward the firelight—

There lay a massive earthen pit, already filled with many survivors. The mudslide had left the soil soft and wet; those who fell into the pit sank like they were in a swamp and had little chance of climbing out.

Beside the pit stood an eerie altar and incense burner, thick with burning incense.

Zhuang Feng approached with sword in hand. This time, instead of raising the flaming blade to the sky, he stabbed it into the mud.

The Taoist cursed softly under his breath. “What if we hand the kid to that girl, and we go cause a scene? Save who we can!”

Fang Xiu looked at the flames in the distance and shook his head. These were Bai Shuangying’s stories. He couldn’t save the dead from a thousand years ago.

Still, he softened his words slightly.

“My strength is limited. I have the will, but not the means.”

The Taoist didn’t understand. “But you still saved me.”

Hearing that, even A’Shou turned her head toward Fang Xiu. But he continued staring into the distance, ignoring their gazes.

“…Maybe I just like doing unnecessary things before the end arrives.”

He exhaled softly, waiting for some strange intrusive thought to appear.

Strangely enough, this time everything was quiet. Those tempting thoughts had been swallowed along with Bai Shuangying’s transformation.

No narration. No interference.

Fang Xiu watched as the soldiers controlled the survivors and cultivators, throwing them into the muddy pit.

From dusk till dawn, Zhuang Feng’s men worked tirelessly, filling the pit until it overflowed.

The Taoist’s righteous fury was thoroughly extinguished. He was now trembling with fear.

“Master, once they finish, you should take the child and get down the mountain.”

“What about you?” Fang Xiu asked.

The Taoist gave a bitter smile.

“I want to see this through, record these vile deeds, and get the word out. Otherwise, when that bastard Zhuang Feng returns to the capital, who knows what lies he’ll spread?”

At the end, he nearly lost his voice.

Fang Xiu silently looked at him.

“I want to see the end too,” he finally said. “You could try to escape early, but Zhuang Feng has sealed the way. He’ll be prepared.”

He had already seen this tragedy unfold once before, a century ago.

The Taoist paused, showing a trace of hesitation. In the end, he clutched the child tightly and nodded at Fang Xiu.

“I understand. Thank you, Master.”

He didn’t flee. Instead, he crouched quietly beside Fang Xiu, this “heaven-sent master”, racking his brain for a way to preserve the memory of a life already ended.

And over at the pit, the slaughter continued.

As Zhuang Feng chanted his incantations, thick muddy water slowly filled the giant pit. Survivors thrashed as they were submerged, becoming like stones at the riverbed.

Fang Xiu watched as the magic commanded the mud to flood the pit, burying hundreds alive. The whole process was seamless and fluid.

As soon as the pit was filled, Zhuang Feng used his sword like a pen to etch lines atop the mud. The flames hardened the sludge, making every stroke razor-sharp.

Seeing the array take shape, A’Shou couldn’t help but curse aloud.

“Completely evil!”

“What kind of spell is that?” Fang Xiu asked, unfamiliar with it.

“A distorted version of the Four Symbols Spirit-Viewing Array. The original is an immortal technique used to observe mortal fate. These bastards modified it—using humans related by karma as living sacrifices to measure the strength of the ‘Great God of Calamity’!”

A’Shou’s face was full of anger.

“What do they think mortals are?”

The Taoist gasped, shrinking back with the child.

Fang Xiu gave a short reply but said little more.

By now, it was clear that the “Great God of Calamity” was closely linked to Bai Shuangying.

Over the century, mountain gods and spirits had received mixed reputations.

But the strength of this “Great God of Calamity” still lacked a clear benchmark. All Fang Xiu knew was that his ghost lived in Xushan and had been sealed away.

The elderly immortal who came to warn Bai Shuangying had shown particular respect, but that was only circumstantial evidence.

Other possibilities existed, of course. Maybe his ghost was only the God of Calamity’s emissary. Maybe just a witness.

But these odd theories could not override the facts pressing closer.

…Only one last piece of the puzzle was missing.

Fang Xiu’s mouth was dry, his body drenched in sweat, his heart pounding against his ribs.

Ever since entering the Immortal Encounter Ritual, his mind had been running nonstop. Now, it was on the verge of shutting down.

All those tightrope-like schemes and surprise gifts he had planned for Bai Shuangying were now jumbled together, exploding into a ridiculous mess of fireworks.

The plan he had spent more than ten years crafting had turned into scattered playing cards, shuffled by fate and now about to land.

He subconsciously placed his hands on his chest and abdomen. Bai Shuangying had grown quiet inside him, as if waiting for something as well.

In the damp night air, the magical patterns on the mud began glowing red, shining with piercing light.

That light twisted across the ruins, converging on the center of the former pit.

When the light faded, a warped word appeared in the middle.

It blended the characters for “god” and “evil”, its strokes tangled and shifting constantly, making the viewer dizzy. Zhuang Feng stared at the giant symbol, larger than a human head, and his smile deepened.

The Taoist had never seen such advanced magic. He let out a confused “huh.”

A’Shou, however, turned pale and froze in place.

Fang Xiu whipped his head toward her. For the first time, he saw despair on her face.

“How can this be?” A’Shou clutched her head and muttered. “No, no, wait. If it’s like this… it actually explains everything. That’s why the immortals acted. That’s why they built the Tower…”

“Underneath the Disaster Relief Tower—what it’s been suppressing all along…”

“Master, I finally found it! It really is a corner of Heaven’s Will, a corner of Heaven’s Will!”

“They say Heaven and Earth have divine order. No god or ghost can see it. Yet this spirit of the ten thousand mountains has entered the world!”

His voice brimmed with manic joy, as if he had just passed the imperial exam.

“A Corner of Heaven’s Will has entered the mortal realm. Dragging down immortals may not be far behind!”

“This is destiny. This is fate. The Guishan Sect… has succeeded!”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 142: Unpredictable

In ancient times, when the heavens were high and the land vast, information always arrived a beat too late.

The news of the shrine creating miracles reached the county magistrate and continued to travel upward. The emperor, making a rare inspection, happened to arrive during a flood.

The accompanying officials instantly broke out in cold sweat. They immediately blamed the chaotic villagers, claiming their offense had provoked divine punishment. After all, the area had seen more than a decade of favorable weather, and all the wishes made had come true. This was no mere rumor.

The emperor looked like a strong man and didn’t seem too concerned. He personally offered incense at the shrine and then ordered his several hundred attendants down to the mountain’s base.

These hundreds had been transported by wooden carts—robust men, each wearing shackles, with features noticeably different from the villagers’. They knelt in rows at the foot of the mountain, hatred burning in their eyes.

A’Shou was the first to react. “These are barbarians from the borderlands. They are going to perform a human sacrifice.”

After a brief calculation, she added, “This man must be the fourth-to-last emperor of the Kui Dynasty. At that time, a small border kingdom rebelled, and he decided to send troops to suppress them.”

But the later years of the Kui Dynasty were chaotic. That single campaign dragged on for more than a hundred years. Even by the fall of the dynasty, the conflict hadn’t ended. The borders continued to be gradually eroded.

Fang Xiu wasn’t surprised. This shrine had been performing miracles for years, and the emperor only now showed up. Clearly, something had gone wrong elsewhere, forcing him to seek an “auspicious sign”.

The weather that day was remarkably fine with not a cloud in the sky.

At the foot of the mountains, the executioners raised their blades and beheaded one after another. Blood flowed in torrents. The herbal scent on the wind was overwhelmed by the stench of iron. Hot blood seeped into the soil as the bodies toppled in neat rows.

Elderly Daoists in special robes came and went, sticking burning incense into the bloodied earth.

What had started as crude porcelain figurines had become golden statues. Now the sacrifices were living humans.

Amid this carnage, the emperor personally recited the prayer, asking god to bless the Kui Dynasty with prosperity and military victory. When the ceremony ended, there were cheers coming from all sides.

Even Fang Xiu, accustomed to bloodshed and horror, couldn’t help but frown at this crude ritual. In his head, Bai Shuangying was clearly just as displeased.

[So many dead. It’s filthy and noisy.]

[This request is even more troublesome than the last. Why dirty my land and still expect favors in return?]

But at this point, his thinking remained simple.

[Humans demand too much. This time I will reject them directly. That should save trouble.]

The corpses on the ground began to twitch and rise. They broke the incense sticks before them, then spread their limbs and crawled like insects. Severed heads still dripping blood were stuck to their backs. 

In the pool of blood, their limbs grew thin and sharp, and with heads firmly affixed, they resembled spiders missing their legs. Hundreds of grotesque corpses began crawling away from the altar along the path they came.

The cheers fell silent in an instant. Cultivators rushed to shield the emperor, and commoners fled in panic. The emperor, to his credit, remained relatively calm. He drew his sword, pointed at Xushan, and shouted, “Monster!”

What followed was chaos. The cultivators nearly fought each other on the spot. Some claimed this was an ominous sign and urged the emperor to kill all witnesses to prevent leaks. Others insisted it was merely a demonic disturbance and that the emperor, being Heaven’s chosen, had not been harmed.

Some even praised it loudly, calling it an auspicious omen—the heavens had judged the barbarians harshly, transforming them into vermin unworthy of peace, even in death.

Amid the confusion, a plump woman quietly picked up a toddler who couldn’t yet speak. Her back basket was filled to the brim as she crept toward the mountain mist.

Clumsily, she crossed jagged rocks and rushing streams, stumbling into the deep mountains. But more than ten years had passed. People were now used to worshipping at the mountain’s base. No matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t find the old stone used for sacrifice.

So she found a clearing and placed her offerings there—sweet fruit, sugar cakes, and a familiar small porcelain figure. The village had become much wealthier; this time, the offerings were richer.

She carefully brushed grass clippings from her clothes, then solemnly knelt. The child beside her knelt clumsily as well.

“This is my fourth child. If not for Your help years ago, I wouldn’t be alive today.”

The girl from before, now a grown woman, bowed her head and prayed, murmuring, “Swapping a porcelain figurine for a life was never fair. If God had truly grown tired of humans, it wouldn’t have helped me in the first place.”

[……]

“For over ten years, You have brought us peace. Now everyone has meat to eat and clothes to wear. The recent flood was just a natural disaster, but people blame You instead of the Thunder God and Mother Lightning. That’s unfair.”

“I don’t know whether You are angry or meditating. I just hope You are safe and well. Whether we meet again or part ways, thank you for all you’ve done over the years. Thank you.”

She kept talking softly, palms pressed together in sincere prayer. When she opened her eyes occasionally, there was no hatred in them, only resignation and quiet sadness.

It felt like saying goodbye to an old friend.

At last, a beautiful hand emerged from the earth and took the porcelain figurine.

As it passed the child, it hesitated, then took a sugar cake and gave it to the curious child.

The child, unafraid, laughed and happily took a bite.

“You really are a God.”

The woman smiled, eyes glistening.

She watched the hand vanish, then stood with a sigh of relief, holding the child’s hand as they walked down the mountain.

…This should have been a proper farewell, Fang Xiu thought.

But when the woman reached the village, the emperor’s cultivators had made their decision.

The world was unstable, war was on the horizon, and this omen was bad. The rumor could hurt the court. Since the village had already suffered, it was best to eliminate it entirely.

The woman died before the child finished his sugar cake. He clutched the treat in confusion, watching as the soldier’s blade descended.

In the bloodied blade’s reflection, he saw Xushan.

The emperor’s elite troops were brutally efficient. From the elderly to infants, the entire village was wiped out in less than a day.

The villagers’ bodies were buried in a remote area at the mountain’s base. A once-thriving village became desolate overnight.

Newly made tools were still in their courtyards. A coffin-in-progress lay in the carpenter’s home.

They hadn’t even finished burying the flood victims before they, too, perished.

Officials gave a polished statement to the public—the emperor had prayed in person, and the Immortal had responded with a divine omen. The villagers had all become immortals, preparing to join the war effort.

[Now it’s quiet. Even if people come again, I can simply ignore them.]

[…]

[But I took the figurine. I didn’t give that child a proper farewell.]

…After that, the wishes made in the shrine have changed.

The tale of the divine omen spread quickly, drawing people to the now-empty village. They still prayed at the shrine, and, shockingly, “god” answered again.

Pray for healing, and you might get better—only to fall fatally ill later. Pray to never be separated, and the next day, both lovers would turn into hairless bird-creatures, cuddling until they froze to death in the winter.

Those who prayed for wealth tripped and cracked their skulls on expensive jade. Those seeking longevity drowned in ice-cold water, frozen for eternity beneath blocks that would never melt.

The wishes were either ignored or granted in twisted ways, with the wisher’s life as the price.

Fewer and fewer dared to pray. The shrine decayed and became increasingly ominous. But since it still “worked”, no one dared tear it down.

Strangely, though the visitors dwindled, there were always a few desperate enough to try their luck.

So the village, once called a place blessed by the gods, became known as a land of unpredictability*.

*This is the title of the chapter (神鬼莫测). It is an idiom referring to being so unpredictable that even the ghosts and gods can’t foresee it, which application is quite apt in the literal sense, since these wishes are, ironically, granted by a “god” and “ghost”.

…People say a mountain god lived there, kindhearted and wise.

…People say a mountain god lived there, granting good harvests and longevity.

…People say a mountain god lived there, and He turns the villagers into immortals, led to victories on the border, and those in the village had ascended to heaven.

…People say a mountain ghost lived there, full of wicked schemes.

…People say a mountain ghost lived there, taking lives without mercy after fulfilling their wish.

…People say a mountain ghost lived there, watching the world, waiting for disaster to descend upon the Dynasty, bringing about chaos and suffering.

Whether god or ghost, it depended on if the years were prosperous or hard. People wrote what they wanted to believe.

But atop the highest peak of Xushan, rings of porcelain figures remained clean and white, gleaming in the sunlight.

Fang Xiu couldn’t help rubbing his forehead.

With what he knew of Bai Shuangying, his ghost was simply sulking. It was just, ghosts have a lifespan much too long, and their tantrums lasted just as long.

Bai Shuangying probably didn’t care about the woman’s death, but he couldn’t forget the final figurine he received, the one for which he had failed to keep his promise.

He didn’t want a forced parting by death. He wanted a “good ending” where both sides knew and agreed it was time to part.

……

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. Constant warfare pushed the Kui Dynasty to the brink.

The borders were crumbling. Rebellions broke out across the land. Monsters and ghosts appeared more frequently. The emperor was young and powerless to control anything.

By comparison, Xushan’s surroundings remained relatively calm. But as the world descended into chaos, even fewer people came to make wishes.

People struggled to survive, let alone hope for blessings. No one would risk a journey to a cursed village.

[At last, I will have peace. It took a little longer than expected.]

[A century of chaos begins. I can finally sleep again. Life and death are just like this. I’ve seen enough.]

[From now on, I don’t want to deal with humans again.]

However—

A sharp cry pierced Fang Xiu’s ears. His feet were soaked in mud, the air reeking of corpses. In the distance, the sound of a funeral horn drifted, eerie and broken, enough to raise goosebumps.

…Huh?

The scene before him felt familiar, but something was subtly different.

“Why did they kill my parents!”

At Fang Xiu’s feet, a half-buried child screamed, “We escaped already… wuwu…”

Two arms lifted the crying child.

The black Taoist who should have died reappeared. This time, he didn’t help the soldiers with disaster relief but stood squarely in their way.

“This is a sin,” he said, eyes fixed on them. “This is not what we agreed upon.”

“There is no Great God of Calamity here!”

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