Chapter 1: The Mad Spirit Awakens
The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the misty mountains of Jianghu. Birds chirped lazily, unaware of the chaos that was about to unfold.
Liu Yao's eyes flickered open. For a moment, he was disoriented—his head pounding like a drum, his limbs heavy as if he'd been buried in a mountain of rocks. But soon, fragments of memories surged back: wild fights, outrageous schemes, and that insatiable urge to cause trouble.
He sat up abruptly, coughing out a mouthful of dust. His surroundings were a small, dilapidated hut in the middle of nowhere. No grand palace, no noble family—just a humble shack and a few chickens pecking at the ground.
"Huh… I guess I wasn't dreaming," Liu Yao muttered, rubbing his temples. His voice was rough but laced with his usual sarcasm. "So, this is the legendary Jianghu? Looks more like the back alley of a garbage dump."
He looked down at himself. His clothes were torn and stained, but he could feel the faint stirrings of energy within him. Rebirth? Revival? Who knew. But he was alive, and that was enough to get his blood boiling.
"Time to see if I still have it," he said with a grin. He stood up, stretching exaggeratedly, cracking his neck with a loud pop. Then he took a deep breath, a mischievous sparkle lighting his eyes.
As he stepped outside, he spotted a young girl tending to her herbs nearby. She looked up, startled by his sudden appearance.
"Hey, kid. Tell me—where's the nearest town? Or better yet, where's the biggest trouble-making spot in this godforsaken place?" Liu Yao asked, hands on his hips.
The girl blinked, then pointed hesitantly. "Um… there's the village of Qinghe about five miles south. But… are you okay? You look like you've been through a war."
Liu Yao chuckled, a sound full of amusement and mischief. "War? Nah, just a little nap. But I think I'm ready for some real action now. Jianghu, huh? Let's see if you've still got some juice left in you."
He brushed himself off, glancing at his reflection in a puddle. His face was a little dirtier than before, but his eyes gleamed with renewed confidence.
"First order of business," he said, cracking his knuckles, "find some food, some gear, and maybe a decent opponent. Or better yet—" he smirked "—a big, stupid villain to punch in the face. That's the best way to wake up, isn't it?"
With that, Liu Yao set off down the mountain trail, humming an irreverent tune. Behind him, the chickens scattered in panic.