Chapter 1 – The heart of a demon never has regret even in death
“Fang Yuan, quietly hand over the Spring Autumn Cicada and I’ll give you
a quick death!”
“Old bastard Fang, stop attempting to resist anymore, today all of the major
factions of justice have combined together just to destroy your devil lair.
This place is already covered in inescapable nets, this time you will
definitely be decapitated!”
“Fang Yuan you damn demon, just because you wanted to cultivate the
Spring Autumn Cicada, you’ve gone and killed thousands of people. You’ve
committed too many unforgivable, heinous sins!“
“Demon, 300 years ago you insulted me, took away my body’s purity, killed
my entire family and executed my nine generations. From that moment
onwards, I hated you with a burning passion! Today, I want you to die!”
……
Fang Yuan was in deep green robes that had been torn to shreds. His hair
was disheveled and his entire body was covered in blood. He looked
around.
The bloody robes waved lightly in the mountain breeze like a war flag.
Fresh blood flowed from the numerous wounds on the body. Just by
standing there for a short while, Fang Yuan had already accumulated a large
pool of blood beneath his feet.
Enemies surrounded him all around; there was already no way out.
It was a forgone conclusion that he would die here.
Fang Yuan understood his situation clearly, but even in the face of death his
expression did not change, it was calm.
His gaze was quiet, his eyes like deep pools of water in a well, so deep that
there seemed to be no end.
The major factions of justice that had surrounded him were not just the
experienced elders, but also young and talented heroes. Around the heavily
surrounded Fang Yuan, some were roaring, some were sneering; there were
eyes that were gleaming with light, some holding onto their wounds while
looking on fearfully.
They did not move; everyone was wary of Fang Yuan’s final attack.
For 6 hours this tense moment went on until the evening came, the sun
casting its rays upon the side of the mountain. In that moment, it was as if
the place was on fire.
Fang Yuan, who had been silent as a sculpture the entire time, slowly turned
his body.
The group of warriors was suddenly alerted and they all took a big step
backwards.
By now the gray mountain rock beneath Fang Yuan’s feet had long been
stained a deep red. Due to losing too much blood, his face had become
deathly pale; in the afterglow of the sunset, it suddenly had a brilliant luster
upon it.
Looking at the setting sun, Fang Yuan lightly laughed. “The sun sets above
the blue mountain, the autumn moon with the wind of spring. The morning
is fine like hair and night is like snow, whether you succeed or fail when
you look back there’s nothing left.”
As he said this, memories of his previous life on Earth emerged before his
eyes.
He was originally a Chinese scholar on Earth who chanced upon this world.
He endured a hard life for 300 years and went through another 200 years;
about over 500 years of his life flew by in the blink of an eye.
So many memories that were buried deep inside the heart begun to relive
themselves, sprouting into life before his eyes.
“I failed in the end.” Fang Yuan sighed in his heart emotionally, yet there
were no regrets.
This end result was something he had foreseen. When he made his decision
in the beginning, he had prepared himself for this.
To be a demon is to be merciless and cruel, a murderer and destroyer. There
is no place in heaven or earth for such a thing – turning into an enemy to the
world, still having to face the consequences.
“If the Spring Autumn Cicada that I have just cultivated is effective, I shall
still be a demon in my next life!” With this thought, Fang Yuan couldn’t
help but let out a big laugh.
“Wicked demon, what are you laughing about?”
“Be careful everyone, the demon is going to attack before his final
moments!”
“Hurry up and surrender the Spring Autumn Cicada!!”
The group of warlords surged forward; at this moment, with a loud bang,
Fang Yuan was engulfed in a blinding surge of energy.
……
The spring rain quietly rained down on Qing Mao Mountain.
It was already late in the night, a slight breeze blowing with the light rain.
Yet Qing Mao Mountain was not covered in darkness; from the side down
to the foot of the mountain, dozens of tiny lights shone like a bright band.
These lights shone from tall buildings, even though it could not be said to
match up to ten thousand lights, yet it was still a few thousand in number.
Situated on the mountain was Gu Yue(1) Village, giving the vast lonely
mountain a rich touch of human civilization.
In the middle of the Gu Yue Village was a magnificent pavilion. A grand
ceremony was being held at this moment, and the lights were even brighter
than ever, radiating with glory.
“Ancestors, please bless us! We pray that this ceremony will bring many
young men of outstanding talent and intelligence, bringing their families
new blood and hopes!” The head of the Gu Yue clan had a middle-aged
appearance, his sideburns were graying and he was clothed in ceremonial
white robes, kneeling on the brownish yellow floor. His body was straight
with his hands held together, eyes tightly shut as he prayed sincerely.
He was facing a tall black case; there were three layers on the case, all
housing memorial tablets of ancestors. On both sides of the tablets was
copper incense, the smoke rising.
Behind him were over 10 people kneeling in a similar fashion as him. They
wore loose white ceremonial garments, and were all the clan’s elders,
important members, and those who had much authority.
After finishing prayers, the Gu Yue clan head bent his waist with his two
hands pressing against the floor and kowtowed. As the forehead knocked
against the brownish yellow floor, light thuds could be heard.
Behind him, the elders and important clan members solemnly and quietly
followed suit.
With this, the hall was filled with light thuds as the heads knocked against
the floor.
When the ceremony was over, the crowd of people slowly got up from the
ground and silently walked out of the sacred temple.
In the hallway, sighs of reliefs were heard from the crowd of elders and the
atmosphere loosened up. The noise of discussion slowly rose.
“Time flies too quickly, in the blink of an eye, a year has gone by.”
“The previous ceremony feels like it just happened yesterday, I can still
recall it vividly.”
“Tomorrow is the opening of the annual grand ceremony, I wonder what
new clan blood will show up this year?”
“Ah, I hope that some highly talented youths will appear. The Gu Yue clan
hasn’t seen a genius emerge for three years now.”
“Agreed. The Bai Village, Xiong Village these few years all had some
talented geniuses appear. Especially that Bai Ning Bing from the Bai clan,
his natural talent is quite terrifying.”
It was unclear who had brought up the name Bai Ning Bing, but the faces of
the elders started to show worry.
The boy’s qualifications were splendid; in just a short period of two years
worth of training, he had already reached the level of a level three Gu
Master.
In the younger generation, he could be said as the most outstanding one. It
was to the point that even the older generation could feel pressured from the
promising youth.
In time, he would inevitably become the pillar of the Bai clan. At the very
least he would also be an independently strong warrior. No one ever
doubted this fact.
“But for this year’s youths that will be participating in the ceremony, not all
hope is lost.”
“You’re right, Fang Zhi’s side has appeared a young genius. Able to start
talking after three months, able to walk after four. At five years of age he
was able to recite poetry, seems exceptionally intelligent, especially
talented. What a pity that his parents died early, now he is being raised by
his uncle and aunt.”
“Yes, this one has wisdom at a young age, also harboring big ambitions. In
the recent years I have heard his creations ‘Jiang Jing Jiu’, ‘Yong Mei’ and
‘Jiang Cheng Zi’, what a genius!”
The Gu Yue clan head was the last to walk out of the ancestral temple. After
slowly closing the door, he heard the discussions that were going on in the
corridor among the clan elders.
He knew at once that the elders were discussing about the youth known as
Gu Yue Fang Yuan at that moment.
As the head of the clan, it is natural to pay attention to the outstanding and
prominent young ones. And it so happens that Gu Yue Fang Yuan was the
most eye-catching one amongst the juniors.
Experience has shown that those who have photographic memory at a
young age, or those who possess strength that could rival an adult, or had
other great inborn talents, all had outstanding cultivation qualifications.
“If this child shows A grade potential, with great care he could even
compete against Bai Ning Bing. Even if it is B grade, in future he could also
become a banner of the Gu Yue Clan. But with this sort of early
intelligence, the percentage of B grade is not that big, but highly possible to
be an A grade.” With this thought, the Gu Yue clan head curled up his lips
slowly into a smile.
At once, with a cough he faced the clan elders and said, “Everyone, the
hour is late, for tomorrow’s opening ceremony you should all rest well
tonight and take care of your energy levels.”
At his words, the elders looked startled. They looked at each other with a
hint of caution in their eyes.
The clan head’s words meant well, but everyone knew what he was aiming
to convey.
Every year to compete for these young geniuses, the elders would fight
among themselves to the point of reddened ears and bleeding heads.
They should stay well rested and replenish themselves until tomorrow
comes where the competition begins.
Especially with that Gu Yue Fang Yuan, whose A grade potential was
extremely huge. Not counting the fact that both his parents were deceased,
and also that he was one of the two only descendants of Fang Zhi’s
bloodline left. If one was able to get their hands on and bring him into their
own family line, with great care and training, one could secure himself a
hundred years of prosperity!
“However, I’m going to go ahead and say what needs to be said first. When
you compete, do it fair and square; no tricks and conspiracies are allowed,
or damage to the clan’s unity. Please keep this in mind, all of you!” The
clan head strictly instructed.
“We wouldn’t dare, we wouldn’t dare.”
“We’ll keep it in mind.”
“Then this is good night, please take care.”
The clan elders slowly dispersed with deep thoughts.
Not long after that, the long corridor became quiet. The wind from the
spring rain breezed through the window, and the clan head lightly walked
towards the window.
Immediately, he breathed in the fresh moist air of the mountain, how
refreshing it felt.
This was the third floor of the garret; the clan head looked out of the
window. He could see half of the entire Gu Yue Village.
Even if it was late in the night, most of the homes in the village still had
lights on, which was unusual.
Tomorrow is the opening ceremony, and it affects everyone’s best interests.
A kind of excited yet tense atmosphere had enveloped the hearts of the
people of the clan, and thus naturally many people could not sleep well.
“This is the hopes for the clan’s future.” With the many lights dancing in his
eyes, the clan head sighed.
At the very same moment, a pair of clear eyes quietly looked at the same
lights sparkling in the night, full of complex feelings inside.
“Gu Yue Village, this is 500 years ago?! Looks like the Spring Autumn
Cicada really worked…” Fang Yuan quietly gazed, standing by the window,
letting the rain from the wind hit his body.
The use of the Spring Autumn Cicada is to reverse time. In the Ten Big
Mystical Gu rankings, the Spring Autumn Cicada managed to be ranked
seven, naturally it was no mere creature.
In short, it is the ability to be reborn.
“With the use of the Spring Autumn Cicada I have been reborn, going back
to the time of 500 years ago!” Fang Yuan stretched out his hand, his sight
fixated on his own young and soft, pale palms, then slowly clenched them,
embracing the truth of this reality with all his might.
The sound of the drizzling rain hitting softly against the window sill filling
his ears, he slowly closed his eyes, opening them after a long while. He
sighed, “500 years of experience, it really feels like a dream.”
But he knew it clearly: This was definitely not a dream.
TL Note:
This novel has another name, Daoist Gu.
The Chinese name is 《蛊真人》pronounced as Gu Zhen Ren, Gu is the
name of the mystical bugs that are used in this novel. I used the name
Reverend Insanity because I felt that it fit more than Daoist Gu; the main
character is by no means a saint or a good person. In fact as a warning, you
can say that the MC is a pretty ruthless villain, so do expect a roller coaster
coming your way.
(1) Gu Yue: It means Ancient Moon in direct translation. The clan kinda has
an affinity with moon things. The ‘Gu’ used in here is a different chinese
character from the mystical Gu insects.
Chapter 2: Going back in time with 500 years of
knowledge
Chapter 2 – Going back in time with 500 years of knowledge
It is said in legend that a river of time exists in this world. It supports the
world’s time flow and circulation. And by using the Spring Autumn
Cicada’s power, one can travel back upstream and return to the past.
There is much conflicting opinion on this mythical tale. Many do not
believe in it, and some are skeptical to the truth.
Few people actually dare to believe it.
Because every time one uses the Spring Autumn Cicada one must pay with
his life, letting his entire body and cultivation be the driving force to use its
power.
Such a price is just too expensive, and the thing that people just cannot
accept is the fact that after paying with your life, you don’t even know what
the outcome is.
So even if someone has the Spring Autumn Cicada, they would not dare use
it so indiscriminately. What if the rumors were fake, and it was just a scam?
If Fang Yuan were not cornered into such a state, he would also not use it so
hurriedly. But now, Fang Yuan is thoroughly convinced. Because the reality
of the truth has been laid before his eyes and there was no denying it. He
has really been reborn!
“It’s just a pity… From the start I had wasted an absurd amount of effort,
killing hundreds of thousands of people, making even the heavens furious
and inciting people’s vengeance, went through suffering and multiple
hardships to finally attain and refine this good Gu…” Fang Yuan thought
with a sigh. Even though he had been reborn, the Spring Autumn Cicada did
not come with him.
Humans are the greatest among thousands of creatures, Gu are the essence
of heaven and earth.
Gu comes in thousands of shapes and sizes of strange and mysterious
variety – there are too many to count. Some Gu after being used once or
even twice or thrice will completely dissipate. And some Gu can be reused
again and again as long as it is not used over its limits.
That said, it is probable that the Spring Autumn Cicada is one of those types
that can only be used once before disappearing for good.
“But even if its gone, I can still refine another. I have done it in my previous
life, why can’t I do it in this life?” After the thoughts of pity were put aside,
Fang Yuan’s heart burst forth ambitious and determined feelings.
To be able to be reborn, this fact made the loss of the Spring Autumn
Cicada entirely acceptable.
Not to mention he had something precious with him, so its not like he lost
everything.
This precious treasure was his 500 years worth of memories and
experience.
In his memories are a multitude of all kinds of treasures and precious items
that no one has opened yet in this time. All the big events and incidents he
can easily grasp by the veins of history. There are a countless number of
figures: some are predecessors of hidden levels; some are geniuses, some
people not even born yet. Also in these 500 years of life are memories of
painstaking cultivation and rich combat experience.
With all these memories and experiences, he had undeniably grasped the
overall situation and upcoming opportunities. With good planning and
execution, he could empower the situation with great fierceness and
elegance. It was not a problem now that he could take a step ahead of
others, breaking the higher boundaries!
“So how do I go about this hmmm…” Fang Yuan was incredibly sensible.
He collected himself together and faced the night rain outside the window,
pondering. With this thought, things started to feel complicated. After
thinking for a moment, his brows wrinkled deeper.
500 years of time was a rather long period. Don’t mention those long
muddled memories that cannot be recalled, even remembering the hidden
locations of treasures or special encounters of people were a lot, but the
main issue was that the locations were separated among a long distance and
had to be accessed or visited at certain periods of time.
“The most important thing is cultivation. The me right now has not even
opened my Primeval Sea, hasn’t stepped on the path to be a Gu Master. I’m
just a mortal! I have to hurry and cultivate, catching up to history and seize
the opportunities with the best advantage.”
Not to forget, many of these hidden locations of treasures were useless
without proper foundation. Instead it would just be walking into a wolf’s
den, looking for death.
The problem in front of Fang Yuan right now was cultivation.
He had to increase the level of his foundation as fast as possible. If he were
slow like his previous life, he would just be too late.
“To cultivate as fast as possible, I would have to borrow the resources from
the clan. With the state I am right now, I have no power or ability to travel
back and forth across the dangerous mountains. Even an ordinary mountain
boar can take my life. If I can reach the cultivation of a Third level Gu
Master, I’d have the means to protect myself and leave the mountain.”
Through the eyes of a 500 year old person who has cultivated in the
Demonic Way, Qing Mao Mountain was just way too small, Gu Yue Village
even feels like a cage.
But while the cage restricted freedom, the sturdy bars of the cage also
brought about a certain kind of safety.
“Hmm, in this short period of time I’ll just stay in this cage. As long as I
can reach Third level Gu Master, I can leave this poor mountain. Luckily
tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, I’ll be able to start training as a Gu
Master soon after.”
When he thought about the Awakening Ceremony, old memories that had
long been buried away in his heart resurfaced themselves.
“Talent huh…” He sneered, his gaze focused out the window.
At this moment, the door to his room was lightly pushed open and a young
teenager walked in.
“Big brother, why are you standing in the rain by the window side ?”
The youth was thin, slightly shorter than Fang Yuan. His face resembled
Fang Yuan’s features greatly. As Fang Yuan turned his head to look at this
young man, a complicated look flickered across his face.
“It’s you huh, my twin little brother.” He raised his eyebrows, his
expression returning to that of cold indifference. Fang Zheng lowered his
head and looked at his own toes; this is his signature stance.
“I saw that big brother’s window was not shut closed, so I thought I’d come
in here and close it. Tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, it’s so late and
you haven’t gone to bed yet big brother. If Uncle and Aunty knew, they
would probably be worried.”
Fang Zheng was not surprised at Fang Yuan’s coldness. Ever since he was a
small child, his older brother had always been like that. Sometimes he
would wonder, maybe a genius is just like this, being rather different from
ordinary people. Even though he had the same look as his older brother, he
felt that he was ordinary like an ant.
They were born from the same womb at the same time, and yet why are the
heavens so unfair? His older brother had been endowed with gleaming
talent, while he himself was as ordinary as a stone.
Everyone around him would say, “This is Fang Yuan’s little brother-” when
they mentioned him. His aunt and uncle would constantly tell him to learn
from his older brother. Even when he looked into the mirror sometimes, he
would feel disgusted as he saw his own face!
These thoughts had been ongoing for many years, accumulating day and
night deeply into his heart. Like a giant stone pressing against his heart,
these few years Fang Zheng’s head lowered more and more, and he also
grew quieter.
“Worried…” At the thought of his aunt and uncle, Fang Yuan laughed
silently. He could still remember clearly how the parents of this world had
both lost their lives in one of the clan missions. When he was only 3 years
old, he and his little brother became orphans.
In the name of upbringing, his aunt and uncle grabbed hold of the
inheritance left behind by his parents while inflicting harsh treatment
against his younger brother and himself.
He originally planned to just be a normal person, even planning to conceal
his abilities and bide his time. However his life was difficult, making Fang
Yuan have no choice but to choose to expose some of his talents.
The so-called talent is merely but a mature and intellect soul that carried a
few of Earth’s popular ancient poems.
With this he managed to startle people and capture attention. Because of
pressure from the outside world, the young Fang Yuan made a decision to
keep a cold indifferent expression to protect himself, reducing the
possibility of revealing any secrets. Over time the coldness would become a
habit that he was accustomed to expressing.
Thus his aunt and uncle were no longer harsh on him and his younger
brother. As the years passed and they got older, the future became more
optimistic and better treatment increased. This was not lover, but a type of
investment.
It’s hilarious how his little brother never saw this truth,; not only was he
deceived by their aunt and uncle, he also started burying resentments inside.
Although he looked like a good-natured and honest boy now, in Fang
Yuan’s memories when his brother was found out to be an A grade talent the
clan spent much effort in raising him with all they had. After that all the
buried resentment and jealous and hate inside was released, and many a
time Fang Zheng would target, suppress and make life difficult for his own
older brother.
As for his own grade, it was only C grade talent.
Fate loved to play a joke.
A pair of twins – The older one only had C grade talent, but had been
known as a genius for a dozen years. The younger one who was always
overlooked was the one with A grade talent instead.
The results of the Awakening Ceremony had left the clan shocked. The
treatment of the two brothers had suddenly reversed after that.
The younger brother was like a dragon rising up to the heavens; the older
brother was like a phoenix that fell down to the earth.
After that came the many hardships and troubles from his own younger
brother, the cold eyes of his aunt and uncle, the contempt of the clans
people.
Did he hate it?
Fang Yuan in his previous life hated it. He hated his own lack of talent, he
hated how heartless the clan was, hated how fate was so unfair. But now,
with his 500 years of life experiences, using this to rethink this course his
heart was actually calm, not a shred of hatred.
What was there to be gain from resentment?
Thinking about if from another point of view, he could understand his
younger brother, aunt and uncle, even those enemies from 500 years later
who attacked him.
The strong eat the weak, survival of the fittest; these have always been the
rules of this world. Everyone has self-ambitions, always struggling to grasp
the opportunities. Among all the war and killing what is there not to be
understood?
500 years of life experience have long allowed him to understand all of this,
with the heart that wants to gain immortality.
If someone tries to prevent this pursuit of his, no matter who it is he will kill
and live through it. The aspirations in his heart were too big, stepping onto
this road was to be making the world your enemy, and it was destined to be
alone, destined to kill.
This was the conclusion of 500 years of life.
“Revenge is not my intention, the Demonic path does not compromise.”
With that he couldn’t help but laugh and gave his younger brother a faint
glance. “You can leave.”
Fang Zheng’s heart shook as he felt like his brother’s eyes were sharp like
an ice blade, seemingly penetrating the deepest parts of his heart.
Under such a gaze, he felt like he was naked in the snow, unable to hold any
secrets.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow, big brother.” Not daring to say anymore, Fang
Zheng slowly closed the door and left.
Chapter 3: Please go aside and scram
Chapter 3 : Please go aside and scram
Bang, Bang, Bang.
The patrolling night watchman banged his wooden clappers in a rhythm.
The sounds spread into the high pillar houses; Fang Yuan opened his dry
eyelids while his heart silently thought, “Its already the hour before dawn.”
He had been lying in bed thinking for a long time last night. He thought up
a lot of plans. He probably only slept for a little over two hours. This body
has not started cultivating, his energy is not so vigorous and thus his body
and mind were still shrouded in exhaustion.
However with 500 years of experience Fang Yuan had long build up deep
steel-like determination. This sort of sleep-deprived exhaustion is nothing to
him.
Immediately he shoved away the thin silk blanket and got up neatly. He
opened the window and found that the spring rain had stopped.
The mix of fragrance of the earth, trees and wild flowers greeted him. Fang
Yuan felt his head clear, the sleepiness washing away cleanly. Right now
the sun had yet risen, the sky still a deep dark blue, not dark yet not bright.
Looking around, the tall houses made of green bamboo and wood
contrasting with the mountain, was a sea of pale green colour.
The tall houses had at least two floors; it was the mountain folk’s unique
structure of a house. Due to the mountain’s uneven terrain, the first floor is
massive wooden stakes; the second floor is where the people reside. Fang
Yuan and his brother Fang Zhen stayed at the second floor.
“Young master Fang Yuan, you’re awake. I will go upstairs and wait for you
to wash up.” At this moment, a maiden’s voice floated up from downstairs.
Looking down, Fang Yuan saw his own personal servant – Shen Cui.
Her looks were only slightly above average, but she dressed up well. Shen
Cui wore a green robe with long sleeves and trousers, had embroidered
shoes on her feet and her black hair had a pearl hairpin. Her body from head
to toe radiated youthful vitality.
She looked happily at Fang Yuan while carrying a basin of water, and
walked upstairs. The water was at the right warm temperature and was used
to wash the face. After rinsing his mouth, he used a willow twig with snow
salt to clean his teeth.
Shen Cui waited gently, her face wearing a smile and her eyes lively as
spring. After he was done she helped Fang Yuan dress, her plump breasts
rubbing against his elbow or his back a few times during the process.
Fang Yuan’s face showed no expression; his heart was calm as water.
This servant girl was nothing but his aunt and uncle’s watcheye and was a
vain heartless girl. In his previous life she enraptured him, but after the
Awakening Ceremony when his status plummeted she quickly turned away
her head and gave him countless disdainful looks.
When Fang Zheng came over he was in time to see Shen Cui smoothing the
creases on the clothing of Fang Yuan’s chest. His eyes had a flicker of
jealousy.
These years living together with his older brother, under the care of Fang
Yuan he also had a servant waiting on him. However his servant was not a
youthful girl like Shen Cui but a fat and wide old woman.
“I wonder which day can Shen Cui wait on me like this, wonder what it
feels like?” Fang Zheng thought inside his heart, yet he did not dare to.
His aunt and uncle’s biased love to Fang Yuan was no secret to everyone.
Originally he did not even have a servant to wait on him. It was Fang Yuan
who decided to take the initiative and ask for one for Fang Zheng.
Although there was the status difference of master and servant, but usually
Fang Zheng did not dare underestimate Shen Cui. That was because her
mother was the Mother Shen(1) who stood beside his aunt and uncle.
Mother Shen was the caretaker of the entire household – having full trust of
his aunt and uncle, her authority was not small.
“Alright, no need to tidy up.” Fang Yuan impatiently brushed away Shen
Cui’s soft small hands. His clothing had long been tidy; she was just trying
to seduce him.
To Shen Cui and the brightness of her future, Fang Yuan’s possibility of
having an A grade talent was huge. If she could be his concubine she would
be able to elevate from servant status into master – it was quite a big step.
In his previous life Fang Yuan was deceived by her and had feelings for
Shen Cui. After his rebirth he was clear as a blazing fire, his heart as cold as
ice.
“You can leave.” Fang Yuan did not even look at Shen Cui as he tidied up
his own sleeve cuffs. Shen Cui pouted slightly, feeling that today Fang
Yuan’s puzzling behavior was rather odd and upsetting. She wanted to reply
in a spoiled way but being scared by his cold and confusing nature, her
mouth opened and closed a few times before she ended up saying ‘yes’ and
retreating obediently.
“Are you ready?” Fang Yuan asked Fang Zheng.
His younger brother stood at the doorway, his head bowed down to look at
his toes. He muttered a light ‘yes’. Fang Zheng had actually been awake
since the fourth watch, too nervous to fall back asleep. He quietly got out of
bed and got ready a long time ago, his eyes having black circles.
Fang Yuan nodded. In his previous life he was not clear about his younger
brother’s thoughts, but in this life how could he not understand? But right
now it was meaningless to him, and he lightly said, “Then let’s go.”
So the two brothers left the house. On the way they bumped into many
youths of similar age, all in groups of twos and threes, quite clearly heading
to the same destination.
“Look guys, those are the Fang brothers.” Their ears could pick up the
small cautious talk. “The one walking in front is Fang Yuan, he’s the Fang
Yuan who created the poems,” some of them emphasized.
“So that’s him. His face is expressionless as if he had no regard for others,
just like the rumors say.” Someone said in a sour tone filled with jealousy
and envy.
“Hmph, if you were like him then you can also act like that!” Someone
coldly replied against the person, hiding a sort of dissatisfaction.
Fang Zheng listened expressionlessly. He had long been accustomed to this
kind of discussion. His head low, he followed quietly behind his older
brother.
By now the light of dawn had peeked over the horizon, casting Fang Yuan’s
shadow over his face. The sun rose gradually, but Fang Yuan suddenly felt
like he was walking into darkness.
This darkness was coming from his older brother. Maybe in this life, he
would never be able to escape from the imprisoning huge shadow of his
brother.
He felt a burst of pressure on his chest making his breathing difficult. This
damned feeling was even making him think of the word ‘suffocate’!
“Hmph, this talk is a good example of the saying: ‘those who of outstanding
talent easily bring about jealous from others’,” Fang Yuan thought with a
sneer as he listened to the gossip around.
No wonder when it was announced that he had C grade talent, he would be
surrounded by enemies and suffer harsh, disdainful coldness for a long
time.
Behind him, Fang Zheng’s breathing got dreary and tried to stop listening.
What Fang Yuan did not manage to realize in his previous life, he could
perceive with the finest detail in this life. This was the ability of keen
insight that he had gained from 500 years worth of life experiences.
He suddenly thought of his aunt and uncle and how scheming they were.
Giving him Shen Cui to monitor him and passing his younger brother an old
wet nurse, not including other things in life that were different among them.
All these actions had intentions – They wanted to cause unhappiness in his
younger brother’s heart and instigate a rift among the brothers.
People are not worried about whether they receive less; people worry about
whether whatever they received is undistributed well.
In his previous life his experiences were too little, while his younger brother
was too foolish and too naïve, thus his aunt and uncle successfully
instigated a riff among them.
After being reborn with the Awakening Ceremony before him, it seemed
like the situation was difficult to change. But with Fang Yuan’s evil way of
means and wisdom, it’s not like the situation cannot be changed.
His younger brother can be suppressed entirely, that young Shen Cui he
could turn into a concubine early on. Not forgetting his aunt and uncle and
the clan elders – he had at least several hundred ways of beating them.
“But, I don’t feel like doing that…” Fang Yuan sighed carefreely.
So what if it was his own younger brother? Without the blood relation his
younger brother was just an outsider, he could easily give him up anytime.
So what if Shen Cui grew any prettier? Without love and loyalty she was
just a heap of flesh of a body. Keep her as a concubine? She’s not worthy.
So what if it was his aunt and uncle, or the clan elders? They’re just
passers-by in life, why waste effort and energy to beat these people?
Hehe.
As long as you don’t get in my way, then you can go aside and scram, I
don’t need to care about you.
(1) Mother Shen is like a title or way to call a woman of her position.
Chapter 4: Gu Yue Fang Yuan
Chapter 4 – Gu Yue Fang Yuan
The sun rises in the sky, the sun ray brilliant. The mountain fog is not very
thick; the sharp rays easily pass through.
Over a hundred 15 year-old youths gathered in front of the clan pavilion.
The clan pavilion was in the middle of the village, reaching 5 storeys and
having sharp tilted roofs; it was heavily guarded. Before the pavilion was
the square, and in the pavilion was the shrine of the Gu Yue ancestor
memorial tablets. Every generation of clan head had lived in the pavilion.
With every major ceremony or big incident, the clan elders would gather
and discuss meetings here as well. This was the entire village’s authority
central.
“Good, all of you are punctual. Today is the Awakening Ceremony; it is
your life’s great turning point. I won’t say much, just come with me.” The
one responsible at the moment was the elder of the academy. His beard and
hair were white and he was in high spirits as he led the young teenagers into
the pavilion. However they did not go up, but were led downstairs after
going through the entrance of a great hall. Following down a constructed
stone ladder, they went into an underground cave.
The group of youths made surprised and amazed noises. The underground
cave was beautiful, stalactites sparkling with the colors of the rainbow. This
light shone on the youth’s faces, the neon hues gorgeous.
Fang Yuan was mixed into the crowd, quietly observing everything that was
happening. In his heart, he thought: Hundreds of years ago, the Gu Yue clan
came to Qing Mao Mountain and settled down after migrating from the
central lands to the South Border. It was when they found a spirit spring in
this underground cave. This spirit spring produces a large number of
primeval stones – It could be said that this was the foundation of the Gu
Yue village.
They walked several hundred steps. It got darker and the sounds of water
were faintly heard. After turning around a corner, a 3 zhang – wide(1)
underground river greeted them. By now the colorful lights of the stalactites
had disappeared completely, yet in the darkness the river emitted faint blue
light. It was like a star river of the night sky.
The river flowed from the dark depths of the cave. Inside the crystal clear
waters, one could see fish, aquatic plants and even the sand beneath the
river. Opposite the river was a sea of flowers.
This was the Gu Yue Clan’s closely cultivated moon orchids. The beautiful
blue and pink colored petals were like shaped like a crescent moon; the
flower stems were like jade, the center of the flower shining like the sort of
warm brilliance that radiates from pearls under the light. At first glance, in
the dark background the flower sea looks like a huge piece of land covered
in bluish green carpet dotted with countless pearls.
The moon orchid is food for a lot of Gu. This flower sea could be said as the
clan’s biggest cultivation medium, Fang Yuan thought knowingly to himself.
“Wow, so pretty!”
“It really is beautiful!”
The new sight opened the young teenagers’ eyes. Each one of them had a
light radiating from their gaze with excited and anxious feelings.
“Alright, listen as I call your names. Those who are called must walk
through this river to the opposite bank. Walk as far as you can, of course the
further you go the better it is. Are you all clear?” The elder said.
“All clear,” the youths replied. Actually before they came here, they had all
heard their family members or seniors talk about it. It is known that the
further you can walk, the better your talent is. Your future will also become
brighter.
“Gu Yue Chen Bo.” The elder held the name list and called out the first
person.
The river was wide but not deep – it covered up to a youth’s kneecaps.
Chen Bo’s face was full of seriousness as he stepped into the flower sea
ashore. As he did so, he could feel an invisible pressure as if there was a
wall in front of him that he could not see, blocking him from walking
forward. During this moment, the flowers at his feet suddenly gave off a
weak white light. The light gathered around Chen Bo and entered his body.
For a moment Chen Bo felt the pressure drop; the invisible wall blocking
him suddenly felt softer. With this, Chen Bo gritted his teeth and mustered
his strength, walking forward. He tried to force his way in stiffly, yet after
three steps the wall in front of him hardened again back to the state before.
Thus he could not walk any further.
As he watched this the elder sighed. While recording what happened, he
said, “Gu Yue Chen Bo, 3 steps, no talent to become a Gu Master. Next, Gu
Yue Zao Xie!”
Chen Bo was deathly pale as he walked pass the river back to the youths,
clenching his teeth. Without the endowed talent he could live as a normal
human, holding the lowest position in the clan.
His stature was shaky; it was a huge blow to him, as if reality had killed all
his hopes. Many people threw him pitiful gazes, while even more had
fixated stares at the second person crossing the river.
It was a pity that this youth could only walk four steps forward – he did not
have talent either.
Not everyone has the natural talent to be a Gu Master. Generally speaking,
it is not bad if five out of ten people have talent. In the Gu Clan, this ratio is
higher, reaching six people. This is because the Gu Yue clan’s ancestor –
The first generation clan leader was a famous, legendary and powerful man.
Due to cultivation reasons his bloodline carried powerful genes, thus the
average quality of talent in the Gu Yue clan was generally higher as they
carried his blood in their veins.
With two consecutive failures, the other elders observing the scene in the
dark started making ugly expressions. Even the clan head was frowning
slightly. The next moment, the academy elder called out the third name: Gu
Yue Mo Bei.
“Here!” A horse-faced youth dressed in linen robes lightly called as he
came forth. He was tall in build, looking much sturdier than his peers. There
was a brave aura about him. He crossed the river in a few steps and reached
the opposite bank. 10 steps, 20 steps, 30 steps; one after another small lights
entered his body. He walked until he reached 36 steps before he could
finally go no further.
The youths at the riverbank watched with wide opened eyes, shocked. The
academy elder happily exclaimed, “Good, Gu Yue Mo Bei, B grade talent!
Come here, let me see your Primeval sea.”
Gu Yue Mo Bei walked back to the academy elder’s side. The latter
stretched out his hand and put it on the juvenile’s shoulder, closing his eyes
as he checked with focus. Then he retracted his hand and nodded, recording
down on the paper: Gu Yue Mo Bei, primeval sea measuring six by six, can
be vigorously trained.
This special talent can be measured by four grades – A grade to D grade. A
D grade talent youth who is raised for 3 years would be able to become a
rank one senior Gu Master, become the foundation of the family. A C grade
talent youth after two years of cultivation will usually be able to become a
rank two senior Gu Master, becoming the clan’s backbone. A B grade talent
must be cared for. Often becoming a future clan elder, with 6-7 years of
training they will become rank three Gu Masters.
And when it comes to A grade, even if it was just one, would bring great
luck to the entire clan. Great care must be given; with this talent in about 10
years they can become a rank four Gu Master. At that moment they would
be able to compete for the position of the head of the clan!
In other words, as long as this Gu Yue Mo Bei grows up, eventually he will
become one of the elders of the Gu Yue clan. That is why the academy elder
laughed happily; the elders watching in the darkness also sighed in relief,
then they all turned to look at one of the elders amongst them with jealousy.
This elder was also horse-faced, known as Gu Yue Mo Bei’s grandfather,
Gu Yue Mo Chen. His face was already smiling. He provokingly looked at
his old nemesis and said, “What do you think? My grandson isn’t bad huh,
Gu Yue Chi Lian.”
Gu Yue Chi Lian had a head full of red hair. He made an annoyed ‘hmph’,
not replying to other. It was apparent that his face expression was really
dark.
One hour later, half of the youths had already walked through the flower
sea. There were quite a number of C and D grade talents among them, while
half of those youths had no talent at all.
“Sigh, the bloodline is getting thinner. These few years the clan hasn’t had
any rank four masters to strengthen the bloodline. The fourth generation
clan head was the only rank five master, but in the end he perished together
with the Flower Wine monk and did not leave behind any descendants. The
Gu Yue clan’s later generation talents are getting weaker and weaker,” the
clan head said with a deep sigh.
At this moment, the academy elder shouted, “Gu Yue Chi Chen!”
On hearing this name all the elders looked at Gu Yue Chi Lian; this was Gu
Yue Chi Lian’s grandson.
Gu Yue Chi Lian had a small and short build with a face full of pockmarks.
He was clenching his fist, his entire face sweating. It was evident that he
was incredibly nervous.
As he walked onto the opposite bank, the little lights entered his body; after
walking straight for 36 steps he stopped.
“Another B grade!” The academy elder yelled.
The youths started a commotion, sending Gu Yue Chi Chen envious stares.
“Hahaha, 36 steps, 36 steps!” Gu Yue Chi Lian shouted, proudly staring at
Gu Yue Mo Bei. This time it was Gu Yue Mo Chen’s turn to have a sour
face.
“Gu Yue Chi Chen, huh…” In the midst of the crowd, Fang Yuan stroked
his chin thoughtfully. In his memories, the clan heavily punished Gu Yue
Chi Chen because he cheated during the Awakening Ceremony. In reality
Chi Chen only had a C grade talent, but because his grandfather Gu Yue Chi
Lian helped him fake the results, that’s why he appeared to have B grade
talent.
To be honest if he wanted to cheat, Fang Yuan had a countless number of
ways to do so, some ways even more perfect than Gu Yue Chi Chen’s
method. If a B grade or A grade talent appeared, they would receive the
clan’s huge care.
But firstly, Fang Yuan had only just been reborn. It was hard to prepare the
cheating method by this condition. Secondly, even if he managed to cheat,
he would not be able to fake his cultivation speed. He would be exposed by
then. However Gu Yue Chi Chen was different; his grandfather was Gu Yue
Chi Lian – One of the two elders with the most authority within the clan.
With this Chi Lian would be able to cover up for his grandson.
“Gu Yue Chi Lian was always hostile towards Gu Yue Mo Chen, these two
elders are the clan’s two biggest influential authorities. To suppress his
opponent he would need his own grandson to have an outstanding talent. It
is also because he was helping from behind, Gu Yue Chi Chen was able to
conceal the truth for a time. In my memories, if it were not for that incident,
the truth would never have been exposed.”
Fang Yuan’s eyes shone with light, his mind thinking up ways to use this
knowledge to his advantage.
If he exposed the matter on the spot, he would receive a bit of reward from
the clan, but then he would offend the highly powerful Gu Yue Chi Lian.
This was not advisable.
Within such a short time he also could not blackmail them. Due to having
low status, it would just backfire on him.
As he pondered, he suddenly heard the academy elder call out his own
name: “Gu Yue Fang Yuan!”
We begin with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Primal Groudon. I used to be very pro-PDon, but at this point, I feel like there's a good argument for a suspect test. Mold Breaker sets shape the teambuilder in ways that no other Pokemon, not even the absurdly broken Diancie can manage. At least most Scales Steels can have an okay Dia matchup. If you're not exactly AShield FC, you die on the spot, straight up. This compounds with the prominence of the extremely versatile and splashable utility Mortal Spin sets, combined with other offensive sets like Desolate Land or Unburden. Still, I could see an argument for keeping it if we get rid of the other guys.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Mega Diancie. I've been insistent about getting her banned and it will continue because holy fucking shit. I keep seeing people running dogshit non-Pixi sets and I really have to wonder where we went wrong because like you can just click Boomburst and kill them anyways. Population Bomb also exists if you want to just commit highway robbery sometimes. I credit MDia with the popularity of PsySpam, as most other HOs just kinda die to PixiSpeed after chip (minus screens, which has a whole host of problems holding it back). Go kill it, thanks.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Kartana. Kart is weird because it's kinda gone through the it's so over we're so back loop but for brokenness. Right now I think it's probably too broken but ask me again next week and I can change my mind on the spot. Its main issue is having to handle it alongside Diancie and PDon, while also dealing with its own bag of tricks with Tinted Lens Sunsteel. Sure, it can be a bit shoddy to improof at times, but that's more than worth the insane firepower it can give. Honestly I don't have much to say on this that hasn't already been said. It's a very simple mon, you just kinda click the Sunsteel button.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Arceus Ghost. Don't ban it. Ghosty is 1000% fine if we just remove the other broken guys first. It's like Kartana but way more likely to be fine even with current meta in that aspect. You can slow pivot to break through it with Ting or Regi going into Gren or Flutter, you can DTail to deny setup, you can Nuzzle to neuter its biggest selling point, you can load MG Chans if you just really fuckin hate it specifically, there's many ways to handle Ghosty I've found. This is without getting into the niche options like MG Ygod or Clear Smog.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Mega Alakazam. This is def one of the most popular anti-meta mons along with Gren and there's good reason for that. I feel like most are squandering its potential by running it on PsySpam when its best usage is just doing what it did in the previous meta, but now less stuff switches into it because Ting gets atomized by a fuckin shiny rock that knows how to sing. I think a perfectly played Zam is probably the best mon in the game, but you need to get basically every switch right for that to work. Just use it more. PsySurge is still really good for preventing Dia from RKing but just don't use Terrain Extender, run Specs and kill stuff.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, PsySpam. It's bad. Please don't use PsySpam. I don't understand why this dogshit cheese that barely functions half the time is so popular in HPL. All it does is matchup fish like why are we using it. If you want a good matchup fish, may I suggest Normalize or mixed SG Don?
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Ash Greninja. Most of what this mon does has been spoken about at length, but it's impressive that Gren is still so effective at its niche. Also please don't run Fleur Cannon that's bullying :(.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Flutter Mane. One of the more underrated old meta mons, I really like what Flutter brings to a lot of teams. Flare Boost is probably its best set just from raw power but it's really close between that and MGLO. Norm is also there. With such a Korai-centric meta I really value what Flutter brings as both an improofing option and an offensive option.
/
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, FC Fighting. Sometimes I wonder if these mons are as ubiquitous as Imp on modern BH teams. You literally don't have a reason to run anything else aside from, maybe Palkia? But even then that's a pretty big downgrade in speed. I would just spam these on every team, switch it up every now and then so you don't get goobed by random coverage but that's about all you need to switch up. You could try running other FCs! You could also just fucking explode to Kart!
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Palkia Origin. I like this guy a lot, Hallward gave me a bunch of teams with him and he's proven to be pretty effective. I think Levi is prob my preferred set overall since you get a lot of utility out of it as a spinner, but MG and FC have their own merits too. Run Scald over Steam Eruption btw it's usually just better because of PP diff.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Dialga Origin. Very underrated Scales user that I think more people should explore. RevDance is fake and doesn't actually beat any Norms aside from arguably Flutter but you're pretty good at blanking most of the non-Dia special guys, since Zam doesn't run Ground or Fighting coverage. Also a great Teleport user which is a move I really don't see as often as I probably should.
We continue with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Triple Arrows. If I can have one good argument as to why this move isn't banned, I'll hear it. Literally all this move does is encourage cheese, cheese, and more cheese. Combat Torque is perfectly usable and sometimes better than TArrows on anyone that uses it, but the sheer cheese potential of TArrows makes it far, far better. It's like if you had the option between using Dire Claw and Gunk Shot. We lose actually nothing from a ban.
We conclude with the most popular Pokemon in BH, Normalize. Read what I said above as to what's lost if Norm is banned. I don't think this ability is fair to have in the game as is. Maybe if Ability Shield guys did literally anything to Ghosts, this would be appealing, but nope. They're all just bad into every Ghost anyways, let alone the Norm ones.
