Chapter 1: Three Fine Hairs

Upon hearing these words, the scholar was taken aback

With a thud, the statue fell in the direction of the light, and with a crack, it crushed the bird-headed figure, causing its brain to splatter and blood to scatter.

He was gasping heavily, his blue shirt tattered and torn, mostly scratched by branches in the forest, and the area near his shoulder was soaked with a large amount of blood

"Transform into a vengeful spirit?" The bird-headed man chuckled and shook his head, "Don't overthink it; you cannot enter the underworld. Your soul is already mine!"

To be wounded by a mere mortal like you is a great humiliation, and it must be compensated with flesh and blood, as well as the essence of life

The man with the wooden face was about to explain when he was interrupted by the wolf-headed man: "Forget it, it doesn't matter, the deadline is approaching, and the urgent task is the remaining few villages"

Halfway through, a pig ran out from the village, with a large head and a bulky body, yet it hurriedly trotted to the front of the wolf leader, panting heavily.

Then, several individuals did not linger and entered the village.

The stream flows gently, winding its way around the village, as the shepherd boy rides his cow, playing the flute along the way

At that moment, the statue spoke: "If you seek revenge, there are ways to do so"

The deadline is approaching

At the edge of the village by the bridge, several figures approached slowly, all dressed in plain attire, yet each possessing a robust physique and an extraordinary presence. The leader of the group looked at the scene before him and began to laugh

Sweat continuously dripped from his forehead, and the scholar wore a look of panic, occasionally glancing back over his shoulder

Hula la

The scholar has walked a long way, with each step leaving a footprint, marked with splatters of blood.

However, there was a young man, approximately twenty years old, dressed as a scholar, holding a broken sword in his hand, with blood on the blade

After several ups and downs, I have caught up with the shepherd boy

What a scene of tranquility in the countryside

Passing by, the person at the front shook his head and walked to the edge of the field, asking, "Old man, are there any educated people in your village? The kind with titles?"

A few people happened to pass by, and the elderly man planting rice also noticed them and called out to them

Son? '' The wolf-headed man nodded, `` Capture him, and after the matter is investigated, if there are no achievements to his name, then he will be slaughtered for meat. For those who have been enlightened by the teachings of the sages, that meat is exceptionally tender. ''

Before the old man could shout, that mouth lunged at him

Subsequently, the white light rapidly dissipated

The setting sun is like fire, the clouds are like flames, painting half the sky red

A piercing scream came from the side, but the shepherd turned his head and saw the scene of a human head transforming into a wolf, with the wolf devouring a person. In shock, he cried out, and the water and the cattle beneath him seemed to be stirred as well, mooing loudly, their hooves pounding as they galloped towards the village.

The sound of flapping wings faintly echoed from a distance, startling the scholar. He struggled to support himself, trembling as he stood up, only to find blood staining his legs. With a forceful push, he fell down again.

The old man's expression changed abruptly, and he retreated two steps. He then saw the person ahead suddenly open his mouth, his lips rapidly expanding, and in the blink of an eye, it was half a person's height, revealing a deep red interior

General, that pig-faced one looks embarrassed, its bloodied mouth smacking, "That poor fellow was killed by me."

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts

I did not expect this person to be so stubborn, no wonder they are so unwilling. Well, since I have entered this body, everything that once existed on Earth has vanished with the wind. From now on, I shall be Qiu Yan.

As soon as the words were spoken, the sky suddenly erupted with thunder and lightning. From the gaps in the surrounding floor, dark energy seeped out, coiling and condensing into three masses of black mist

Boom

The sun sets in the west

A green shadow runs through the mountains and forests, making several turns, all in secluded areas of the woods

In the village, smoke rises from every household, and faint voices can be heard.

Is this the place where Qiu met his end

The person at the forefront shook his head, saying, "It is our king who is looking for him!"

The light flickers

Upon hearing this, the scholar became even more spirited: "I wish to hear the details."

"Monsters, monsters!" he muttered, and ran a few steps forward. The surrounding trees and bushes grew denser, and his fear intensified.

Ah ah ah

Having been in this world for several decades, I have now finally experienced the feeling of being human again, after being attached to a statue for so long

Speaking aloud, the bird-headed man suddenly rose from the ground, unexpectedly abandoning the scholar and preparing to leave directly

Before the words had left his lips, a loud "boom" was heard, and something fell down

A dilapidated temple appeared before me, ancient and worn.

The eyebrows on the wolf's head furrowed like those of a human

Letting you escape to report back may not lead to a better outcome; it seems little different from killing you. Farewell, and safe travels.

"Ran away?" The wolf-headed man showed a displeased expression, "A mere mortal can escape from your hands?"

Just at this moment

He exerted strength in his legs, attempting to stand up, but with a thud, he fell down again

The head of the wolf-headed man has shrunk to a normal size, with a trace of fresh blood lingering at the corner of his mouth, as he walks step by step towards the village

The bird-headed man sneered: "Wail! The more tragic your death, the stronger the soul will be, and the more nourishing it will become! Hmm? Is it about to die? How fragile! Very well, I will first extract the soul and then eat the flesh while it's still warm."

The dilapidated temple trembled, and specks of white light seeped from the walls, spreading forth to encircle the bird-headed figure, imprisoning it in midair

Then the statue said: "However, I have a method, a different approach, it all depends on whether you are willing to accept it"

Amidst the sound of words, his wounds healed rapidly, and his languid spirit was revitalized

Hmm? This is ... ...

His breath grew weaker, his complexion increasingly pale, and his spirit more and more dazed, yet a clear understanding emerged within his heart

The statue said: "Think carefully, what I am about to say is already in your heart"

As he spoke, his face was as pale as paper, with visible veins beneath the skin. A dark aura lingered between his brows, indicative of great joy and sorrow, a wounded spirit, and the invasion of malevolent energy, harming his very essence. This was a manifestation of waning vitality, and it would not be long before it led to his demise

The wolf-headed man spat out a piece of bloody bone, and with a wave of his hand, several people behind him grinned menacingly, their tattered clothes revealing their beastly forms, all charging towards the village

Suddenly

After the time of half a stick of incense, the scholar stood up again

Qiu Yan's expression shifted slightly, but he did not feel surprised

Landing, the wings retract, transforming into arms. Footsteps echo as a person with a bird's head enters the temple, a small patch of blood visible on this person's abdomen

Crisp!

A hoarse voice came from outside the temple

Suddenly, the scholar trembled all over, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he uttered indistinct words.

On the statue, there was also a figure radiating white light that rose up, clasped its hands in greeting, then raised a hand to point, shooting out a beam of white light that enveloped the scholar's phantom and burrowed into the ground, disappearing without a trace

In the blink of an eye, the scholar's vitality dissipated, with blood flowing from all seven orifices. Dark energy intertwined with flesh and blood, drawing out wisps of ethereal soul energy, as fragile as a thread. It was evident that he was on the brink of death.

Exhausted

A strong odor of fish permeates the air

However, the wooden-faced man hesitated for a moment and said, "The injured crow has already caught up."

Upon seeing this person, the scholar was initially startled, but soon regained his composure: "You demons, who kill and devour lives, even if I die and become a vengeful spirit, I will not let you go!" As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze suddenly became dazed, and he lost focus for a moment

As soon as these words were spoken, the bird-headed man suddenly kicked off and lunged forward, directly grabbing the scholar by the neck, his hand enveloped in a swirling black mist that penetrated the scholar's body through his pores

Amidst the crisp sounds, the leader slightly bent down, and his head transformed into a massive wolf's head, with the wolf's jaws gnawing, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth

Along the way, in the rice fields, an elderly man planting seedlings chuckles and calls out to the shepherd boy.

"Don't blame me! Don't blame me!" The pig's head shook, "I hadn't even touched that old thing, and he started babbling a bunch of nonsense, then he bumped his head and died!"

A thread of white light flickered around his entire body, and a phantom resembling a scholar emerged from the crown of his head. Initially appearing bewildered, it soon expressed surprise, regained its composure, and bowed in reverence to the deity, offering its thanks.

Can you run away?

Ah! The scholar cried out in despair

What crime have my father and the villagers committed? Why must they meet such a fate? If heaven has a heart and spirit, why does it allow demons to rampage? Now that I am about to die, I cannot avenge my grievances, nor can I fulfill my aspirations; how utterly unjust this is!

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Are you referring to Master Qiu? The old man, simple and unpretentious, upon hearing this, was delighted and said, "Are you here to find the Master? But are you his friends?"

He jumped in place a few times and then swayed as he took a few steps

The road to the underworld is long; may you walk well along the way and wish for peace in the next life. The figure of Bai Guang sighed softly, swayed slightly, and a stream of light separated, landing on the still and motionless body of the scholar.

Good! The statue spoke again, saying, "There are three fine hairs at the back of my neck. Pluck one, hold it in your mouth, dispel the distractions in your heart, and simply wait."

With his legs giving way, he collapsed to the ground, the pain throughout his body consuming the last remnants of clarity. As he gazed at the deity on the stage, a sense of unwillingness surged within him

It is done

He murmured a few words, closed his eyes, and displayed an expression of deep immersion. After a while, he finally reopened his eyes

The entire village was suddenly in an uproar, with men shouting in anger and women wailing in despair

A dark shadow descended from the sky, with pitch-black wings flapping at its side, scattering a few feathers as they fell.

The green robe fluttered on the hillside, ultimately coming to rest in a patch of grass

After expressing gratitude, the scholar's complexion grew increasingly dim: "It is a pity that only one monster related to books has died, while many others remain at large. This grudge..."

"What?" The scholar was taken aback, his eyes widening, and his complexion suddenly flushed. "How can I take revenge? Is it possible that the mountain god is going to save me?"

Such trivial skills, yet you dare to launch a surprise attack! The bird-headed man, unhurried, waved his arms, transforming them into wings, flapping and stirring, and a black wind surged forth

The temple is inherently small, having been neglected for many years, and is now in a state of disrepair. Clutter is scattered in the corners, and a thick layer of dust covers the stone floor

Call

Flap! Flap!

Blood drips

Having not used my legs to walk for decades, I can hardly coordinate the action of getting up. Well, I might as well adapt to it; it is just right for healing.

As the black wind blew, it forcefully resisted the falling object. The bird-headed figure focused its gaze, and what came into view was a clay statue of a deity

Screams, roars, and swallowing; the shepherd boy and his cattle were devoured, leaving behind a ground stained with fresh blood and shattered bones, turning the soil red

As soon as he finished speaking, several urgent shouts came from the front, and immediately after, a wooden-faced man rushed over: "General! Not good! The scholar's son has run away!"

"If it were elsewhere, I truly would have no way to deal with you! Unfortunately, this temple is my territory." The faint words echoed, emanating from within the statue.

In a daze, the scholar limped forward a few steps and entered the dilapidated temple

The general is unaware that the scholar suddenly drew his sword

Hmm? He glanced over and noticed that the altar dedicated to the deity was completely empty. Suddenly, he understood, "So there is a local deity in this temple! Good! If I report this to the king, it would be a great achievement! I, Wu Laosan, might even be able to secure a position as a general!"

In the next moment, a sound of "bang" escaped the scholar's lips, as if something had exploded, and then he trembled all over and raised his head.

Suddenly

The scholar, nearly exhausted and with the lamp nearly extinguished, forced himself to rise. It took him over ten breaths to swallow the ink brush hair. He raised his hand to adjust his clothing, bowed his head towards the direction of the village, and then fell silent, remaining motionless.

Hmm? The bird-headed person was taken aback, "Who are you talking to?"

Thud

You really can run, like that mouse, darting everywhere. However, your scent lingers all the way, and you cannot escape from my grasp, Wu Laosan!

The scholar bore several new wounds, with a faintly visible gash on his face appearing starkly white, and the broken sword in his hand was nowhere to be found

He felt a sense of gloom in his heart as he raised his head to look at the illustrations in the book

"Did he die?" The wolf-headed man showed a look of confusion, but after a moment's thought, he said, "Forget it, an old scholar, dead is dead. At such an advanced age, our princess probably wouldn't take a liking to him. There are several villages nearby, and there won't be a shortage of scholars. Let's capture a few more."

Not good! The bird-headed man changed his expression, "You wild deity have quite the audacity! I am a soldier under the command of the Great King of Tongshan, with a soul token binding my fate. If I were to die, there would surely be repercussions. You and your dilapidated temple..."

He had heard of this temple, which was said to enshrine the deity of Minyuan Mountain. It once enjoyed a flourishing incense offering, but eighty years ago, with the change of dynasties, Jianan Road became a place of dragon's rise. After several administrations, the mountain dwellers in Qingchang County gradually diminished, and the temple slowly fell into disrepair, with even the paths overgrown with weeds, rarely visited by anyone

On the innermost platform, there stands a clay sculpture, shrouded in a gray haze, making it difficult to see clearly

... ...

You are being attacked by malevolent spirits, and your soul is about to disperse; even the underworld may not be able to receive you. I am merely a minor deity residing in the mountains, unvenerated for decades, struggling to ensure my own survival, unable to even leave this temple. Under the circumstances, killing that monster in a surprise attack is already the limit of my capabilities. How can I save you

As I expected

Upon entering the temple, the bird-headed man glanced around and sneered: "You came all this way just to seek divine help? What a joke! Within the borders of this Yuan Ning Prefecture, which local deity can compare to my lord? You are worshipping the wrong god; if you die, you have no one to blame but yourself". With that, he let out a derisive laugh.

Upon witnessing this, the scholar laughed maniacally, though his voice was as faint as a mosquito's. After a few breaths, he restrained his laughter, struggled to rise, and performed a grand salute to the deity: "Thank you, Mountain God, for your great grace, but I, Qiu, am about to perish and have no way to repay you."

The scholar, in a state of panic, unexpectedly arrived here

As his foot slipped, the soil beneath him rolled away, and the scholar felt a void beneath his feet, causing him to lose his balance and tumble down

The big pig breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, then thought of something and quickly said: "That old scholar has a son who looks quite impressive, much better than that old scholar himself!"

Upon hearing this, the scholar paused for a moment, and indeed found that a thought had emerged in his mind. He was taken aback for a moment, then unexpectedly broke into a smile: "As my time draws near, I, Qiu, have long given up hope for revenge, and cannot even aspire to be a wandering spirit. The mountain deity has slain this demon, and thus is my benefactor. Now, willing to expend divine power to help me return to the cycle of reincarnation, it seems I have indeed benefited. What is there to regret about this body? In the future, I shall still rely on the mountain deity to fulfill my wishes."