Heaven-Collapsing Start [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Everything needed for the death anniversary had likely been prepared well in advance. Consequently, the disciples of the Ji family within the estate spent more time quietly discussing the white-clad figure who had appeared the previous evening.

Being far away in a minor branch family, they naturally held a hazy yearning for the main house in the capital. Regarding Ji Liang’s identity, they were all more or less aware: he had awakened powerful spiritual energy at birth and was later taken to the main house for cultivation. On one hand, they admired the luck of seeing this legendary figure; on the other, they were captivated by his unparalleled grace.

When the younger ones, who didn’t recognize Ji Liang well, voiced innocent confusion upon hearing the discussions of their seniors, they were quickly given a crash course on everything concerning him.

Thus, whenever Ji Liang stepped out of his courtyard to stroll through the estate, he would invariably garner a multitude of admiring gazes, much like a crowd of fans.

By the veranda, Ji Yugeng silently watched the white-clad figure slowly disappearing down a path lined with flowers, while the voices of disciples filled with admiration or yearning—drifted faintly into his ears.

“Isn’t this quite good?”

The old servant stood a step behind, a kind smile on his face. He said, “If the Madam knows in the afterlife that the Young Master has grown up to be so outstanding, she will surely feel very gratified.”

Ji Yugeng paused slightly and withdrew his gaze without saying a word.

With Ji Liang’s powerful spiritual perception, he was naturally very aware of that gaze behind him, which differed from the simple admiration of the others; he also knew that the person silently watching him was the original owner’s father.

Regarding this man, Ji Liang had no wish to offer an evaluation. Causing the mother’s death was not the original owner’s will; to blame the death of a mother on an innocent child was simply ridiculous.

The sounds of children playing came from ahead. Ji Liang paused, and soon two children, about six or seven years old, appeared from around a corner, chasing each other. With the Mistress’s death anniversary approaching, their Master had uncharacteristically relaxed their usually rigorous practice. Children of this age are naturally restless and prone to jumping about, so they couldn’t help but play wildly.

Seeing that the frolicking children hadn’t noticed their surroundings and were about to collide with Ji Liang, a nearby maid stepped forward first, scolding the two: “Watch where you are going! Do not bump into the Lord.”

The two children were startled and shrank their necks. Looking ahead, besides the stern-faced maid, a slender figure in white robes resembling a picture of tranquil years entered their sight.

Ji Liang waved his hand, stopping the maid from continuing her lecture. He stepped forward, came before the two children, and crouched down slightly to meet them at eye level.

“What are your names?”

His calm and soothing voice, like flowing water, calmed the children’s panicked hearts.

“I… I am called Ji Chen.”

“I am called Ji Kun. Why are Big Brother’s eyes covered? Can you not see?”

Compared to the introverted child before him, this one was clearly much bolder. Seeing that the maid was no longer scolding them, he returned to his mischievous nature; he also vaguely understood that the Big Brother in front of them was the key to not being punished for slacking off.

However, hearing these words spoken with childhood innocence, the maid’s eyebrows instantly shot up, a sign she was about to explode. To be so impolite and dare to mention the Lord’s taboo eyes was practically the same as “stirring the earth over the head of the Great Deity.”

But before the maid could shout, Ji Liang’s voice rang out again, still indifferent and self-possessed, without a hint of dissatisfaction.

He said, “Are you the new initiated disciples my father has taken in?”

Disciples are divided into ordinary disciples and “closed-door” (initiated) disciples. Usually, those with better talent receive personal instruction from Ji Yugeng and are accepted as initiated disciples. These two children, though young, clearly possessed outstanding talent.

The two children nodded. Noticing Ji Liang’s way of addressing their Master, their eyes widened in curiosity. “Are you the ‘Family Head’ they talk about?”

“Do not be rude to the Lord,” the maid finally couldn’t help but interject.

Yet Ji Liang suddenly laughed a slight curl of the lips. Although it lasted only an instant, the effect was remarkably significant, leaving the two children facing him directly in a daze.

He reached out and patted the two children’s heads, saying, “Yes, I am the ‘Family Head’ they speak of.”

The children’s eyes shone brightly.

“Then can we be as powerful as the Lord in the future?”

They likely spoke such innocent words because they had heard from others of Ji Liang’s strength as the foremost person of this era.

Ji Liang smiled slightly again but said nothing. He merely patted their shoulders and stood up, the hem of his robe tracing a graceful arc in the air.

“You should first think clearly about the reason why you want to become powerful.”

Ji Liang passed the two children, leaving only these words lingering in the fragrant air for a long time.

…

The time Ji Liang spent waiting for the anniversary was brief and monotonous. The estate was far from the bustling streets of the town, built at the foot of a mountain, so Ji Liang walked toward the back mountain.

Compared to the estate’s environment which felt more strange than familiar, the back mountain in the original owner’s memory remained exactly as it was.

A silver river wound through the mountain valleys, shimmering under the sunlight. The banks were lush with vegetation, miscellaneous trees were in bloom, and butterflies flitted about a scene of breathtaking beauty.

The sound of rushing water reached his ears; it was a small waterfall in the mountains. The water gurgled, striking the rocks at the bottom of the falls, sending spray flying.

Some minor yokai poked their heads out from the lush trees. Seeing the slender figure standing quietly by the pool, and simultaneously sensing the powerful spiritual energy fluctuations from this person, they couldn’t help but start a noisy discussion.

“An unfamiliar face.”

“Is he a human from that exorcist family below?”

“He looks a bit familiar.”

“Too delicious. Such powerful spiritual energy, I really want to eat him.”

There were also some yokai who seemed to recognize Ji Liang.

“It’s that kid from before. Has he grown up now? Well, that makes sense; it seems ten or more years have passed.”

“Haven’t seen him in so many years, why is this kid back?”

Ji Liang remained motionless. The attendant beside him, however, seemed to feel something; his gaze darted around, but he couldn’t find a single suspicious figure.

Ancient trees reached for the sky, the greenery was lush, and the air was filled with the crisp scent of plants. Looking deeper into the forest, the shade blotted out the sun, leaving a deep and hazy expanse. Sunlight grew increasingly sparse, and occasionally, the mournful cry of some unknown animal echoed…

The attendant rubbed the goosebumps that had unconsciously appeared on his arms, steadied his nerves, and tried to pull back his wandering thoughts.

When the sun began to sink into the west, Ji Liang left the back mountain. The attendant following him let out an obvious sigh of relief.

“He’s gone.”

“Do you think he’ll come back tomorrow? Just like before.”

“Don’t be stupid. Are you waiting for this brat to capture you all?”

“Scatter, scatter.”

Ji Liang walked slowly down the mountain path, gradually leaving the whispers of these minor yokai far behind.

…

The next day, at the Hour of the Rabbit (5 AM – 7 AM).

The sky was just beginning to brighten, a time when the morning mist had yet to disperse. Throughout the Ji branch estate, a somber atmosphere permeated. Even the most mischievous children were as quiet as mice under the supervision of adults.

Because today was the death anniversary of the Mistress.

Ji Liang, dressed in plain white attire, followed quietly beside Ji Yugeng. A large contingent set out from the estate toward the location of the mausoleum. There, all the ancestors of Ji Yugeng’s branch were buried.

Speaking of which, Ji Yugeng’s branch had separated from the main house during the sixth generation. It had been passed down for three or four generations by now. It had been glorious at the start, but it was now gradually declining. If not for Ji Liang’s birth and his subsequent cultivation at the main house and the rise of the branch family’s status as Ji Liang’s position improved it would likely have been forgotten and disappeared before long.

The sun rose gradually, its golden, warm light climbing over the undulating mountains, illuminating the earth and dispelling the thin morning mist.

The long procession finally arrived at the mausoleum. Two old servants of the Ji family kept watch here. Facing Ji Yugeng and his party, they bowed slightly and stepped aside, watching them enter the mausoleum grounds.

It was a stone-built tomb, covered in climbing green moss. The headstone stood before the grave, inscribed: Tomb of Beloved Wife, Wen Qiuniang, with two lines of fine text recording the historical facts below.

Ji Liang stood quietly to the side, facing forward. Several disciples dusted and cleaned the tomb, arranged the incense burner, and set out offerings.

Wisps of smoke rose slowly, and white paper drifted gracefully in the air. The low sound of chanting seemed to blend into the sound of the wind in the mountains.

Ji Liang took the three sticks of incense handed to him by a disciple, brushed back his robes, and knelt with the others.

One bow. Two bows. Three bows.

Incense was offered.

The entire process was solemn and dignified.

By the time everything concluded, an hour had passed.

The group exited the mausoleum grounds and began the return journey.

Compared to the state they were in upon arrival, not daring to breathe too loudly—they were clearly much more relaxed now, except for Ji Yugeng at the front, who still wore a stern face.

Returning to the estate, the disciples relaxed completely, even finding the mood to whisper.

“That Lord should be returning to the main house soon, right?”

“Yes, after all, the Mistress’s anniversary has passed.”

“I really want to go to the main house too. I wonder if that Lord can take me along when he goes back.”

“You’re dreaming. Is the main house a place you can go just because you want to? You’d be better off wishing your cultivation could improve by leaps and bounds; perhaps then the Lord would take a fancy to you.”

Ji Liang likely thought the same. After all, given his status, it was impossible for him to stay at the branch family for long, even if he was Ji Yugeng’s son.

However, that night, Ji Yugeng who had been indifferent to him suddenly came to his courtyard. Looking at him, he said:

“It is time for you to marry.”