Chapter Seventy-Seven: Decisiveness

Heaven’s way is constant, yin and yang complement each other; to cling to a single thing is to hinder divine clarity.

Chen Jin avoided the old man’s gaze, turning instead to the floating patch of land beside them.

“I beg you, Daoist, please save our village and the Earth God. I am willing to offer everything I have.” The old man cast aside his cane, attempting to kneel.

But Chen Jin raised his hand, gently stopping him.

“Daoist…” the old man looked at Chen Jin.

“I shall stay in the village for three days. If the Lord of Inspiration comes within these three days, I will help you resist him. If he does not, I will leave at the end of the third day.” Chen Jin spoke calmly, his expression unchanged.

“Thank you, Daoist, thank you!” The old man’s face immediately brightened.

“Ah, young friend, you needn’t do this. That Lord of Inspiration is quite formidable,” the Earth God sighed nearby.

“Is he truly a demon king?” Chen Jin communicated with it through his mind.

“He’s a great demon, but far from a demon king,” replied the Earth God.

“Then there is nothing to fear,” Chen Jin responded.

Even if faced with a demon king, Chen Jin still carried a talisman left by the Cloud Elephant Immortal. Though inferior to a Heavenly Master’s talisman, anything left by a celestial immortal was bound to be extraordinary.

So, Chen Jin wasn’t exactly fearless, but he had something to rely on. Surely nothing in this world could kill him with a single blow—probably. After all, he had only encountered things on his current level, avoided major trouble, and understood that the world was vast; the great struggle of the Dao was not his concern yet.

Perhaps, when he reached the level of the Cloud Elephant Immortal, his view of the world would change, and then the great struggle of the Dao would become relevant to him.

He was digressing again.

Chen Jin settled into Qianan Village.

To be honest, he still couldn’t connect this place to any location in modern times. It was difficult—over a thousand years could change everything. Perhaps one day a battle between immortals would turn the land upside down, and everything would be altered. It was easy for cultivators to tamper with the memories of ordinary people, so history’s events couldn’t always be interpreted literally.

After Chen Jin moved into the village, the Earth God often came to see him, as if to repay him by teaching him the arts it once learned, and, since becoming the Earth God, sharing its insights into heaven and earth.

In short, the simplicity of the ancients was unmatched by modern people.

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The next day, the mountain spirit returned, this time bringing a troop of minor demons.

These demons had not taken human form—they remained beasts, all carnivorous predators: tigers, leopards, wolves. None could speak human tongue, only uttering wild roars.

The villagers, led by Zheng Chang, gathered again, some wielding hatchets, others carrying poles and hoes. Chen Jin joined them.

“Hand over the Earth God,” screeched the mountain spirit. “Our lord says: as long as you hand over the Earth God, he will spare you.”

The villagers had already been instructed—they knew their survival depended on the Earth God. If the Earth God was taken by monsters, those monsters could crush them with ease.

They had all been briefed, well aware of the stakes.

Qianan Village was united; as long as there was a wise elder, a capable leader, they could withstand external threats.

“Get lost! We will never hand over the Earth God!” Zheng Chang shouted back.

“Never! Never!” The villagers echoed him, their voices thundering, shaking even the bewildered demons.

Faced with humans more formidable than themselves, the demons wavered.

The mountain spirit trembled, but forced itself to remain composed.

“Fine, fine, fine! Our lord will give you one more day to think. If you still refuse, we will slaughter your village and devour you all!” it threatened.

But as it turned to leave, a streak of light flashed suddenly, slitting its throat. Black blood spilled across the ground.

It collapsed, convulsing, clutching its throat. Soon, it was lifeless.

The minor demons who had come with it to bolster its courage tried to flee.

Yet the streak of light did not pause; it swept across their throats, sending each to their doom.

The light flew back into the midst of the stunned villagers, settling into Chen Jin’s sleeve.

To be frank, Chen Jin now knew what kind of creature the Lord of Inspiration was.

He was cowardly—only dared send underlings, never showing himself, relying on intimidation rather than decisive action to wipe out the village.

His strength was surely lacking. Like the Earth God, he was wounded, so could only send minor demons to stir up trouble, repeatedly creating disturbances and feigning strength. Unfortunately, he miscalculated, encountering an outsider like Chen Jin.

If it had been only the first day, it would count as a declaration of war. But on the second day, without showing himself again, it was clear he was lacking in confidence.

So, Chen Jin acted without hesitation.

“Daoist… you… they…” Zheng Chang stammered, glancing from Chen Jin to the twitching, bleeding demons and then to Chen Jin’s sleeve.

“Little Daoist, go burn the mountain spirit. Don’t let its blood taint the farmland, or the fields will be ruined. The meat of the other demons is highly nourishing—drag them back to the village for the people,” Chen Jin said, waving his hand, calm as ever, as if what he had done was nothing more than a casual gesture. And indeed, it was.

“Alright!” Zheng Chang nodded stiffly.

Judging by his demeanor, he had only intended to verbally spar with the demons, never expecting Chen Jin to suddenly strike and kill them all.

Yet he had witnessed Chen Jin’s power—the fleeting streak of light was beyond his vision, impossible to guard against. Who knew if it might stab him from behind? He’d lose his head before he could even cry out.

Looking at the fate of the mountain spirit, then at the other demons… Well, tonight they’d have meat.

“Young friend, are you trying to lure the Lord of Inspiration here?” The Earth God had followed the group as well; its activity range was limited to the village, so its presence was normal.

“Yes,” Chen Jin nodded. It was, after all, reciprocal. The Earth God had shared much useful knowledge with him, clarifying the nature of deities. So, seeing through the Lord of Inspiration’s weakness, Chen Jin took the initiative.

Now, he only hoped the Lord of Inspiration would come soon.

And then, let him meet his end.

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