Daoist Elder Wei He was beside himself with rage.
He wanted nothing more than to reach into the screen and tear the Fated One to pieces. And the others present weren’t faring much better.
Dean Xu was the first to react. He slammed the table, shot to his feet, and glared furiously, eyes wide as a tiger’s. “Fated One, what is the meaning of this?!”
Master Chengde, who had also been about to slap the table, silently sat back down.
Dean Xu knew it—he just knew Chi You would never do the things foretold in that prophecy!
What was truly hateful was that he never imagined the Fated One could be so cruel and deceitful—actually bold enough to alter the prophecy and lie to everyone.
His outburst jolted the others from their stupor. The entire hall erupted. The old Heavenly Master’s pupils shrank; he stared at the Fated One’s back in disbelief.
An elder from the Xuanling Committee face darkened as he gripped his staff tightly. “Fated One, are you telling the truth?”
“How—how could you be so selfish! You used us—you used us as your weapons!”
“You’re the Fated One! How could you do this?!”
Dozens of elders fired off questions in turn. Their blood pressure spiked in fury, and their hands trembled as they pointed angrily at him. The Fated One didn’t deny it—his face even looked apologetic.
This only stirred their emotions further. From his attitude, they had already gotten their answer.
One elderly man couldn’t hold back his tears. With a choked voice, he muttered, “What a sin…”
Most of them were already in their sixties or seventies. After all that shouting, they were exhausted, their anger spent. They collapsed back into their chairs, aging a dozen years in an instant.
After all the commotion—so it had all been a joke.
So-called sacrifice? In the end, they were just tools in someone else’s hand.
Ji Yaozi stared at the Fated One, stunned and uncertain.
It all felt like a dream. He had dreamed countless times that the Fated One would repent and change, just like what was happening now. But he also knew: in reality, the Fated One would never admit fault.
Ji Yaozi pinched himself hard, pain twisting his face.
Not a dream.
But how could this be?
Why would the Fated One say such a thing?
If he had already deceived them, why come clean now?
He hadn’t even closed the guest hall windows—as if he didn’t care who heard his words, or whether anyone would spread the secret.
Ji Yaozi’s eyelids twitched wildly. An ominous feeling kept building in his gut—he felt like the Fated One was about to do something big.
“Ji Yaozi,” the Fated One suddenly called, turning to look at him with a gentle tone. “Come here.”
Ji Yaozi hesitated for a moment, then walked over.
The Fated One nodded politely to the others, just as he had done before, then leisurely turned and left the hall with Ji Yaozi following behind.
Ji Yaozi had just opened his mouth to ask what the Fated One wanted with him, when the old Heavenly Master and Master Chengde suddenly gave chase.
The old Heavenly Master walked over with trembling steps, his expression solemn. “Fated One, please stay at the Heavenly Master Residence for one night. I have some questions I’d like to ask you.”
The Fated One sighed and nodded in agreement. He looked at Master Chengde and said kindly, “Master Chengde, will you also stay at the Heavenly Master Residence tonight?”
Master Chengde gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “Dazhao Temple has been quite busy these days—they can’t do without me. I’ll be taking my leave shortly. I came here with the old Heavenly Master just to say something to you.”
He lowered his voice. “Fated One, I believe you wouldn’t do such a thing. If the True God questions you, I will cover for you.”
But the Fated One shook his head in disapproval. “Master Chengde, just speak the truth. I have a clear conscience in my actions, and I trust the True God understands.”
Master Chengde sighed. “Understood. In that case, Fated One, Heavenly Master, I’ll take my leave now.”
After the three figures disappeared from sight, Master Chengde also turned and left. But when he passed by the reception hall, he saw the old friends gathered there, worked up and agitated, being blocked at the door by a shikigami.
Master Chengde recognized the shikigami. The Fated One had three major shikigami, and this one was named Jialan. What made Jialan memorable was that his name sounded the same as Jialan Pusa —the temple-guardian deity in Buddhism—though the characters were different. Given this name, Jialan was undoubtedly among the strongest of the shikigami.
Master Chengde didn’t understand why the Fated One would assign a shikigami to guard the door. He pricked up his ears and secretly listened to his old friends’ cursing.
“What right does the Fated One have to stop us from leaving?!”
“Is he afraid we’ll leak his secret? Pah! If he already made everything clear himself, what’s there to be afraid of? Hypocrite! Vile scoundrel!”
Jialan said, “My lord will not detain everyone for long. You all need only remain at the Heavenly Master Residence for two more days. After that, you may leave.”
Master Chengde’s heart jumped.
He stopped listening and quickly left through a side path.
So the Fated One… was leaving himself a fallback plan?
He had admitted his mistake and would likely head to Dazhao Temple to ask the True God to continue guiding him toward godhood. If he truly succeeded in becoming a god, then naturally he wouldn’t have to care about those who knew his secrets. But if he failed… then by detaining these people at the Heavenly Master Residence, he might still turn the tide.
As for why he himself was allowed to leave—it was likely because he needed to report to the True God.
Master Chengde dared not think further. He only wanted to hurry back and inform Jiang Luo about everything.
***
On the other side—
Ji Yaozi cautiously asked, “Fated One, why did you call for me?”
The Fated One turned his head and gently instructed, “For the next few days, don’t go anywhere. Stay at the Heavenly Master Residence with Feng Li, and keep yourself safe.”
He rarely showed concern for others. If this had happened before Ji Yaozi had discovered the strangeness of his own origins, he might have been deeply moved. But now, he only felt a chill run down his spine.
He forced himself to remain expressionless and nodded in agreement. The Fated One said with satisfaction, “Go on, then.”
The old Heavenly Master had a complicated look. “I’ll send a disciple to arrange a room for him.”
Along the way, the old Heavenly Master wanted to ask the Fated One many things. But even when they reached the door to the Fated One’s quarters, he said nothing. He simply waved his hand in defeat and said, “I only hope… you’ll keep Feng Li in mind.”
He left before the Fated One could reply, stumbling as he went.
The Fated One slowly pushed open the door and poured himself a cup of tea. He sipped it leisurely, and by the time he’d finished half the pot, the sky had already grown dim.
The Fated One suddenly said wistfully, “The old Heavenly Master’s life is nearing its end.”
He knocked on the table. A male shikigami appeared in the room.
The shikigami lowered his head and obediently said, “My lord.”
“Luansong,” the Fated One said with eyes closed, “go and bring more shikigami. Guard Ji Yaozi closely. Don’t let him notice anything—but also don’t let him approach Dazhao Temple.”
Luansong replied, “Understood.”
He hesitated before asking, “My lord, are you truly going to Dazhao Temple tomorrow?”
The Fated One smiled. “Now that I’ve come this far, how could I stop halfway?”
“Even if it’s dangerous, I can’t let go of the slightest hope,” he murmured. “This may be my last chance to become a god.”
The Fated One was not unaware of the risks.
But as long as there was even the faintest chance, he would brave mountains of blades and seas of fire.
What’s more, he had already sent shikigami to secretly take positions on the mountains surrounding Dazhao Temple. If the so-called path to godhood at the temple was a trap—he would not be caught off guard.
After all, the descendants of the Chi family mentioned in the prophecy—those who could kill him—were already either dead or crippled.
***
That night, Ji Yaozi stayed at the Heavenly Master Residence. But he tossed and turned without sleep. Early the next morning, he went looking for the Fated One, only to be told that he had already left.
“Left?”
Ji Yaozi grew restless. He suddenly turned and headed in the direction of Feng Li—he wanted to ask if there was something unusual about Feng Li’s mother.
Early in the morning, Feng Li was reading in the study. Ji Yaozi entered and shut the door behind him. Without delay, he went straight to the point: “Feng Li, who is your mother?”
Parentage was a taboo subject for Feng Li. His face darkened, and he held back his anger. “That’s not something you should be asking.”
Ji Yaozi hurried to explain, “Listen to me. I think there’s something off about our backgrounds. The Fated One was acting very strangely yesterday, and I think his behavior has something to do with who we really are.”
Feng Li narrowed his eyes. After a long silence, he asked, “How was he acting strange?”
Ji Yaozi hesitated, then told him about how the Fated One had altered the contents of his prophecy. Somewhere in Ji Yaozi’s words, something must have struck a nerve in Feng Li. Without Ji Yaozi noticing, Feng Li’s gaze turned dark and vacant, like he was under hypnosis—only to return to normal a second later.
He suddenly stood up.
Ji Yaozi’s words were cut short. “What’s wrong?”
Feng Li brushed past him and headed straight for the door, striding downstairs. Ji Yaozi hurried after him. “Feng Li?”
Feng Li said coolly, “Didn’t you want to know what’s wrong with the Fated One?”
Ji Yaozi nodded instinctively.
Feng Li said, “Then let’s follow him and see.”
Ji Yaozi was stunned and looked at Feng Li in disbelief. But realizing Feng Li was serious, he hesitated only for a few seconds before making up his mind and following him out of the Heavenly Master Residence without looking back.
He had pretended obedience to the Fated One for many years.
He never dared defy him, but inwardly it was like living in boiling oil. Now that the Fated One had admitted the truth of the past, was he still going to keep compromising like a spineless coward?
No—he wanted to understand why the Fated One had suddenly revealed that secret. He wanted to know who his mother truly was. It was time he took action.
***
Ji Yaozi followed Feng Li down to the foot of the mountain where Dazhao Temple stood.
He didn’t know why they were going there, but he trusted Feng Li and didn’t ask questions. He just followed him up the mountain path.
Dazhao Temple was built halfway up the mountainside, surrounded by vast, sprawling ranges. Though Ji Yaozi had heard of its name, this was his first time here. Feng Li, on the other hand, was clearly familiar with the route, leading him up the trail without hesitation.
The farther they went, the more desolate the path became. Ji Yaozi asked uneasily, “Are we sure we’re on the right path?”
Feng Li pointed ahead. “We’re close.”
Ji Yaozi followed his gesture and saw that the temple was indeed much nearer. Relieved, he continued forward, but they had barely taken a few more steps when several figures suddenly appeared, blocking their way.
Looking closer, Ji Yaozi frowned. “Shikigami?”
Five or six shikigami stood in front of them. Ji Yaozi recognized the leader—one of the Fated One’s shikigami, named Luansong.
So they were all the Fated One’s shikigami?
Why were they here?
Ji Yaozi’s expression grew serious.
Luansong spoke politely, “You two shouldn’t be here. You can’t go any further. Please turn back.”
Ji Yaozi asked in a low voice, “Why are you here?”
Luansong replied, “Master sent us to protect you.”
Ji Yaozi: “…”
A single shikigami already held formidable power. Just how important were the two of them, to require so many for protection?
Feng Li suddenly asked, “Are you here to protect me, or to protect Ji Yaozi?”
Luansong didn’t answer, but his eyes flicked toward Ji Yaozi.
Ji Yaozi’s heart sank.
Feng Li said with faint amusement, “So Ji Yaozi is important enough to warrant this many of you?”
There was something off in his tone, but Ji Yaozi didn’t catch it. Instead, he pressed, “Why does the Fated One want you to protect me?”
Luansong deflected, “It’s dangerous here. I ask that you both return to the Heavenly Master Residence.”
Which only made Ji Yaozi more determined to reach the temple.
What danger could be so great that these shikigami would stand in such tight formation?
“I’m not going back,” Ji Yaozi said coldly. He raised his hand, and a steel spike flew from his pocket, its pointed end aimed at the shikigami. “If you insist on stopping us, don’t blame me for being rude.”
This was Ji Yaozi’s most frequently used spirit tool. The spike was linked to his mind, responding to his will with deadly precision.
Feng Li scoffed. “Why waste words on them?”
He stepped forward and formed hand seals—an intense gust of wind blasted from his position, slamming Luansong back a dozen meters. Luansong steadied himself and immediately blew a sharp whistle.
A few seconds later, more shikigami emerged from the forest.
Ten… twenty… thirty…
The sheer number was overwhelming, as layer after layer of shikigami encircled Feng Li and Ji Yaozi. Their faces turned grim. The shikigami exchanged glances, then began to tighten the encirclement.
The tension mounted. Just as Ji Yaozi prepared to force his way out, a voice behind Luansong chuckled softly and chanted, “Amitabha.”
Everyone froze.
The voice drew closer, sounding bemused. “You all plan to start a fight here on Dazhao Temple’s mountain? Fights here come with a fine, you know.”
Luansong turned around and saw a bald monk emerging from the trees, delicate and feminine in appearance.
He recognized him and frowned. “Ge Wuchen?”
Ge Wuchen gave a faint smile. But in his eyes burned the ruthless, gleeful fire of long-awaited vengeance. “Since you’ve already come to our temple, wouldn’t it be rude not to pay a proper visit?”
As soon as he spoke, a crowd of eerie, ghost-wrapped malicious ghosts stepped out behind him.
These were the very hundred ghosts once sent to marry Jiang Luo. They belonged to Chi You’s forces and had long since pledged loyalty to him. Even severely injured, Chi You hadn’t devoured them to regain strength.
Luansong sensed something was wrong and gestured for the shikigami to stay alert.
The ones surrounding Ji Yaozi and Feng Li turned to face Ge Wuchen and his ghosts, shielding the two behind them.
They might have been able to handle the hundred ghosts.
But from the left came another mocking voice, feigning surprise. “What a lively scene.”
Luansong instinctively turned—and saw Liao Si strolling over with a large group of staggering corpses.
The rustling sound of corpses in the forest was like insects crawling. The stench of rot was overwhelming. The corpses pushed through branches and vines, chunks of flesh sloughing off their bodies.
An ambush from both sides.
It was a trap!
Luansong made a snap decision. “Go inform Master that it’s a trap! Chi You’s people are here!”
One of the shikigami tried to leave from the rear, but a cold voice came from behind: “Where do you think you’re going?”
Huali extended both of his claws at his sides. The nails on his claws instantly became long and razor-sharp. He and another group of resentful spirits blocked the shikigamis’ escape.
Ji Yaozi stared blankly at the scene before him, a little too shocked to react. Luansong gripped his weapon tightly and warned, “Do you think Master wasn’t prepared for this? There are shikigami all over the mountains nearby. At the first sign of trouble, they’ll swarm toward Dazhao Temple. Whatever you’re planning—it’s impossible.”
Liao Si coughed weakly, covering his mouth, and smiled. “It’s fine. We just need to take care of the big fish. As for the rest of the shikigami, others will handle them.”
“Please,” he added pitifully, “just let us finish you off quickly. My Master said I can only get a new body if I earn merit.”
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get up to 5 more chapters of This Damned Thirst for Survival right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
