The Unremarkable Little Taoist Master - Chapter 166 - Chiyou1

I released Fusu from the peach wood talisman. Upon seeing Fusu, Qin Shi Huang wailed, “Fusu, I have wronged you!”

Fusu knelt on the ground, crying, “Father, it’s I who have wronged you. Because of me, the empire you fought so hard to build has been destroyed… I… I would not mind dying!”

Qin Shi Huang mournfully replied, “This is not your fault; do not be so harsh on yourself. I understand, and I do not blame you. Now, isn’t this the peaceful world I once desired? It no longer matters who made it happen.”

…

After a long while, I interrupted their emotional reunion and asked Qin Shi Huang, “What exactly is wrong with my body?”

Qin Shi Huang paused for a moment and said, “First, let me ask you: do you have any excess power that does not belong to you?”

I answered, “Yes, but the power is not very strong.”

Qin Shi Huang continued, “There is a demon residing within your body. He chose this body as his vessel, as his proxy. Years ago, when he fought against Huangdi², Huangdi gained the upper hand at great cost to himself and sealed him away. However, even then, he expended the last bits of his strength to scatter his soul, seeking a suitable container for a future resurrection and return to the mortal realm.”

I couldn’t help but ask, “If he revives, what will happen to me?”

Qin Shi Huang sighed and said, “The person chosen to be his vessel will lose their will and become an instrument of murder, their actions no longer under their control.”

I felt a chill run down my spine; it seemed certain that I would meet my end.

Qin Shi Huang seemed to see through my thoughts. He shook his head and said to me, “Actually, you don’t need to be so pessimistic. From the question I asked earlier and after analyzing it, it seems you might not be the primary vessel, because a true vessel can wield its power, while you cannot. Perhaps you were merely chosen as a backup, just in case.”

His words hit my ears like a thunderclap, and I felt a surge of disdain toward Qin Shi Huang. No wonder he was a solitary emperor; even his words lacked warmth. First, he called me a vessel, and now he said I was only a substitute. I truly wanted to strangle this man in front of me, who had no sense of diplomacy, because it was simply infuriating.

Qin Shi Huang seemed to still be processing everything as he continued to speak to me quietly, “Logically, it wouldn’t just divide into one incarnation; there could be multiple. From your appearance, you might be the weakest of them all.”

He suggested that it could simply be a random occurrence of an extra division, so I didn’t need to worry about being targeted as a vessel. However, he also noted, if all other vessels were eliminated, it was still possible that he might remember me as an overlooked candidate.

I had no intention of continuing the conversation with Qin Shi Huang; the generational gap felt too vast. If I were strong enough to take him down, I would undoubtedly give this bastard a thorough beating. His words were so harsh, no wonder his reign ended in destruction. I had mentally cursed him countless times.

After a pause, Qin Shi Huang continued, “Moreover, the descendants of Huangdi are tasked with hunting down these incarnations, for this entity is incredibly powerful. If he were to revive, the whole world would plunge into chaos, creating a true hell on Earth.”

I looked at Qin Shi Huang, who appeared anxious, and felt a mix of anger and curiosity. I was genuinely curious about the identity of such a powerful being, someone who could even confront Huangdi. Though he had lost, he had not been utterly destroyed; instead, he was merely put into a deep slumber.

With a sigh, Qin Shi Huang elaborated, “A thousand years ago, this being successfully attacked Huangdi’s daughter. Influenced by him, she became the drought demon³. Ultimately, she sealed herself away completely to prevent devastation in the world. Now that this entity has resurfaced, I wonder if the world will again become a hellish place.”

As he spoke, Qin Shi Huang sighed deeply and then fell silent, looking at me. I could sense his thoughts clearly. I said, “If it really is me, I would choose to end my life because I don’t want to turn this world into hell.” Qin Shi Huang nodded gravely and said, “I actually have faith in you. Although the power within your body is evil, the energy in your heart is just. Walking the line between good and evil is like walking on a tightrope; one misstep could lead you into an abyss. Remember this: never do anything that harms others or yourself.”

I nodded and said, “I will definitely keep my word today. I don’t want to see the entire world suffer because of my actions. If it comes to it, I would prefer to exchange my life for the peace of others. But after all this back and forth, you still haven’t told me who that mysterious existence is!”

Qin Shi Huang nodded and replied, “That person is someone we’re all familiar with. His name is Chiyou.”

“Chiyou?” I exclaimed loudly. Qin Shi Huang looked at me with disdain and said, “Why are you shouting? Is it really that surprising?”

I couldn’t help it and blurted out, “That’s ridiculous! It’s Chiyou-killing me would be like squashing an ant! How can I not be surprised?” Qin Shi Huang glanced at me and muttered, “You might be even less than an ant.”

I stared at this harsh-tongued old man in disbelief, glaring at him with all my might. Qin Shi Huang met my glare with an expression of indifference, and I felt deflated. I couldn’t outfight him or outsmart him. Oh, heaven, what sins have I committed to deserve this punishment?

I decided not to waste any more words with Qin Shi Huang and began to think carefully. Many figures came to mind, but I never expected it to be the demon god Chiyou.

When it comes to Chiyou, I’m sure everyone is somewhat familiar with him; he is perhaps the most notorious antagonist in history.

In that moment, I was plunged into an overwhelming sense of panic. If it were someone else, I might find a way to resist. But if it truly is Chiyou, I would have no strength to fight back; in his presence, I would feel as weak as a child.

I prayed that even Chiyou’s vessel could survive, so he wouldn’t descend upon me. At that very moment, in a mountainous valley in the northwest, a burly man was sprinting ahead, closely followed by a man in black.

The man in black wielded a longsword, and with each step the burly man took, he left behind a trail of blood. The man in black seemed to enjoy this cat-and-mouse game, leisurely pursuing the burly man.

The burly man seemed to know that he was on his last legs. After a few more desperate strides, he suddenly turned his head. The moment he faced the man in black, his piercing purple eyes glared fiercely at him as he said, “Indeed, the descendants of Huangdi are different. You’re the first person capable of killing me.”

The man in black revealed a cold smile but did not respond. Instead, he swung his sword with the swiftness of the wind, the blade cutting through the air and striking the burly man hard.

The man in black removed his mask, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face beneath. When the burly man saw the features hidden behind the mask, a deep sense of unwillingness washed over him.

Meanwhile, at a secluded beach in the far south, a group of black-clad individuals surrounded a small, slender boy. What stood out most about the boy were his striking purple eyes. Holding a dagger, he faced off against the encroaching black-clad figures.

As the black-clad men charged, the slender boy swiftly countered, his dagger flashing through the air. Screams of pain echoed around him as bright red blood splattered onto his body and face. A chilling smile crept onto the boy’s lips, and his sinister purple eyes emitted a strange glow.

The sounds of battle rang in the air as the boy fought ferociously. After several confrontations, he managed to take down a portion of the black-clad men, but he too began to bleed. If this continued, he might soon succumb to blood loss.

Once more, the boy forced the black-clad figures back. With a splash, he dove into the water, and his words echoed in the air as he disappeared from view.

“The day I return will mark the downfall of the Huangdi family.” The black-clad men watched helplessly as the slender boy vanished into darkness, one of them sighing in resignation as he pulled out his phone to call in. “Report: we failed to complete our mission. That kid got injured and managed to escape.”

Footnote:

1. Chiyou(蚩尤):Chiyou is a legendary warrior and adversary of the Huangdi.
2. Huangdi(黄帝):Huangdi, or the Yellow Emperor, is a legendary Chinese ruler.
3. Drought Demon(旱魃):A drought demon, known as Hanba in Chinese mythology, is a mythical creature believed to cause severe droughts.