How did I, who just ascended to heaven, become an evil spirit?

The supervisor frowned and quickly tidied up the books on Li Hu's desk.

"Come, take a few books back to your room. You don't need to participate in today's study session. I'll ask the dean for permission to give you a day to recuperate."

As the supervisor spoke, he helped Li Hu up and patted him on the shoulder with a ruler, saying...

"Even though we're not in the lecture hall, we should still study diligently when we get back to our dorms."

"Yes, thank you, Supervisor." Li Hu looked dazed and embarrassed, and bowed.

Li Hu was then given special permission to leave the lecture hall.

Li Hu never expected things to develop in this direction, and he couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

The supervisor's attitude suddenly became amiable, as if he was afraid that if a student really got into trouble in the academy, it would be difficult to explain to their parents in the future. No matter what dynasty it was, teachers always put the health of their students first.

Therefore, the supervisor's attitude was understandable... Li Hu thought.

In that case, I might even have to skip the evening's refreshing soup.

Unfortunately, before leaving, the supervisor still had to reprimand Li Hu and adjust the control target.

Although Li Hu has now withdrawn from school on leave, he still cannot regain control of his own body.

So Li Hu casually found a corner in the dormitory to sit down and started flipping through the book in his hand.

The main purpose of the supervisor's control was to help Li Hu recover from his illness, so he didn't study this time either. He just sat quietly in the corner like a zombie, staring intently at his book, without raising his voice.

Time passed quietly, and Li Hu maintained his leisurely study routine.

During this time, the supervisor must have been worried, so he specially arranged for a boy to sit next to Li Hu, serving him tea and water and taking good care of him.

The two did not exchange any words throughout the entire conversation.

Li Hu glanced at the boy out of the corner of his eye and saw that he also had a stiff expression and exuded a faint sense of artificiality.

Li Hu guessed that this boy was probably just like these scholars, a puppet being manipulated and not allowed to have personal freedom.

This godforsaken place is truly deserving of death!

clang!clang!clang!

The gong that signaled the end of the school day finally sounded.

Li Hu slowly stretched his stiff body, feeling his body return to his control. A ferocious and angry expression gradually spread across his face. He knocked down the boy who had been following him with a chop to the neck, and then stepped out of the dormitory.

He carefully avoided the scholars who came out of the lecture hall to wash up in the back mountain, as well as the supervisors, boys and girls scattered in various places, and found a deserted alleyway to go straight to the library.

He returned to the floor where he had been reading earlier, having casually hidden the sword in case he bumped into anyone there while carrying it.

Li Hu picked up the gleaming golden sword, kicked open the window, and leaped out of the library.

Based on the location of the gong sounds, Li Hu deduced that the gong must be located on a high floor of the Drum Tower. So, Li Hu climbed up in the dark and finally saw the gong when he opened the door.

Li Hu examined it carefully for a while; black mist swirled around it.

In the corners around the gong, there were some straw dolls, several bundles of hemp rope, red candles, straw paper, and other such things, all of which looked ominous.

Li Hu figured he was right; the gong was indeed an evil object, much like the clay statue that Ma Jiabao's family worshipped.

Li Hu drew his longsword, his energy coursing through his body, and made a move to split the bronze gong in two.

"Young hero! Young hero, please don't make a move!"

Just then, an old voice called out from behind Li Hu. Li Hu turned around and saw a man with gray hair, a dark face, and wearing a red fourth-rank official's robe, but the luxurious silk robe was already tattered.

Li Hu looked again and realized that the old man in front of him was actually the teacher who gave lessons to the students.

It was very strange that the Master was wearing tattered red clothes late at night. He didn't even notice when the Master was close to Li Hu from behind.

Unless the Master himself was in this Drum Tower.

Thinking of this, Li Hu couldn't help but become more vigilant, standing at a distance with his sword in hand.

No matter how you look at it, it's definitely not normal for an old man like Confucius to be alone in the deserted Drum Tower at night, dressed in tattered red official robes.

The master stretched out both hands and pressed them into the air in front of him. He looked very frightened and said tremblingly:

"Young hero, this is a misunderstanding. We did not know that a sword immortal had arrived. We are guilty, we are guilty. This gong must not be cut. The entire academy depends on this gong to carry our hopes."

The master looked very anxious. Li Hu frowned when he realized that the master had guessed his identity.

He shifted his feet, and after making sure the teacher didn't have a ruler or a gong, and that he couldn't strike the gong, he asked in bewilderment, "Does the teacher know that this gong is an evil spirit? This evil spirit harms people, so why can't I kill it?"

"Young hero, aren't you also an evil spirit?" the Master said with a wry smile.

"Initially, the supervisor was unaware that the young hero had come. He went straight in without being informed and showed no restraint. This led the supervisor to mistakenly reprimand the young hero as a student of the academy, which resulted in all the misunderstandings that followed."

"If we had known it was you earlier, we wouldn't have had so many misunderstandings."

"I have offended you greatly these past two days."

The master clasped his hands in a fist and smiled awkwardly, looking like he was apologizing.

"Then how do you know it's me now? When someone outside pointed out that I was Li Hu, why didn't you have any doubts?" Li Hu asked again.

"Oh, young hero, we have long heard that a sword immortal named Li Hu ascended to heaven in Dengzhou three months ago. However, there are probably countless people in this world named Li Hu, and no one dares to guess in this direction."

"It wasn't until the young hero walked through the courtyard with his sword that we remembered this matter. Observing the young hero's demeanor and the spirit he displayed when answering questions in class these past few days, all the clues were put together, and only then did we dare to confirm the young hero's identity."

The master bowed repeatedly, making Li Hu feel a little embarrassed, so he stepped aside to avoid him.

Seemingly sensing Li Hu's aloof attitude, the Master still spoke sincerely:

"To be honest, it was indeed our fault. However, young hero, you have come here without any invitation or attendant to report your arrival. May I ask... what brings you here?"

Perhaps sensing that his words were ambiguous, the Master immediately added,

"I absolutely did not mean to blame you for your rudeness, young hero, but... I just wonder what I can do for you?"

Seeing his sincere attitude, and how the old man, who looked to be over seventy, treated him with utmost respect, Li Hu's anger subsided considerably.

Li Hu was the type who responded to gentle persuasion but not force, so he cupped his hands in response:

"Li has just become an evil spirit and has many questions about many things. Having long heard of the great reputation of Xiazhu Academy, he came to the library to find answers while passing by this place."

"So that's how it is, so that's how it is," the Master sighed.

"The pure and the impure are separated, yin and yang stand on opposite sides, immortals lead with fragrant flowers, and evil spirits grow beside the bones... This is truly a sin."

"Then what is troubling you, young hero?" the Master asked again.

Li Hu pondered for a moment, then finally asked, "I want to know what exactly an immortal is. Is he me?"

Li Hu figured that since this academy dared to raise evil spirits, it must have a thorough understanding of this subject. He decided to find out everything about it today.

Upon hearing this, the Master sighed and stroked his beard, saying:

"The relationship is complex. In my opinion, it can be said that it is, and it cannot be."

Hearing this ambiguous answer, Li Hu wasn't impatient. He'd noticed in class these past few days that the teacher wasn't one to keep people in suspense. So he clasped his hands and said:

"Please enlighten me, Master."

"I had heard that if an immortal kills the evil spirit that accompanies him, he can improve his magical power and advance further above the Jade Palace."

"But during this time, the Sword Immortal's attitude towards me has been quite unpredictable. He chased me for three months, and then helped me twice. I really don't know what he's thinking, and I'm even more confused these days."

"Please enlighten me, Master," Li Hu repeated.

"Hmm..." The Master nodded, as if he were thinking and organizing his thoughts. After a long silence, he finally spoke:

"I would like to ask you, young hero, what was your purpose in making the decision to seek immortality and enlightenment?"

"The plan..."

Li Hu hesitated. He had been a transmigrator since he was three years old and had started cultivating immortality. Seventeen years had passed since then, and his views on cultivation had gradually become more complicated.

However, he still chose the strongest thought and said, "It is not easy to survive in chaotic times. What I seek in cultivating immortality is nothing more than self-preservation."

"That's it!" The Master seized upon Li Hu's answer and smiled.

"This is the heart of a young hero."

"In fact, the immortal is indeed the same person as that mortal from back then, or the evil spirit that came with him, only his thoughts and actions are purer."

"What kind of heart one has on the path of cultivation determines what kind of person one becomes."

"Since your request is for self-preservation, then the immortal will help you protect yourself and will certainly not put you in danger."

"Then... then why did he chase me before?" Li Hu asked, still frowning.

"This...this must be some kind of misunderstanding, just like when you, young hero, tried to smash that gong." The Master smiled and stroked his beard. "However, I truly do not know what the misunderstanding is, nor can I guess."

The Master paused, seemingly feeling that his explanation was inadequate, and then, while pacing back and forth, added:

"I recently heard that a cultivator from Zhongzhou ascended to immortality a few days ago."

"That Gu Xiu has been distributing porridge for twenty years and is a well-known philanthropist. His sincere and kind heart, which is to build thousands of houses to shelter all the poor and make them happy, must be his goal on the path to immortality, his Dao heart, and his code of conduct."

"After the Valley Immortal ascends to immortality, everything he does will inevitably be for the same purpose."

"Such a kind heart is witnessed by Heaven and Earth. In the future, our Great Tang Dynasty will surely enjoy favorable weather and abundant harvests year after year."

Li Hu seemed to have figured something out. According to the Master's explanation, the goal of cultivating immortality is to cultivate one's Dao heart, which will shape the character of an immortal.

Whatever you desire, the immortal will do it.

What Li Hu seeks on his path of cultivation is a sense of security, and the sword immortal will ensure his safety.

"If that's the case, then it's a good thing." Li Hu breathed a sigh of relief, and his doubts were largely dispelled.

"Young hero, let me speak frankly."

The Master bowed and said, "It is indeed true that immortals can advance further if they slay their companion evil spirits. Generally, if an immortal transforms into an evil spirit and can live for more than three days, it is already considered a long life."

"If the Sword Immortal truly wanted to kill you, how could he have allowed you to live for three months?"

The Master smiled, and the meaning behind his words was self-evident.

Li Hu suddenly understood, and finally came to terms with these matters. He then bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for clearing up my doubts, sir."

However, after Li Hu stood up, his expression turned cold. He pointed to the gong behind him and said, "I, Li, am clear about my likes and dislikes. If you want me not to destroy this gong, I need you to give me a reason."

After such a long conversation, the Master was much more relaxed, his initial fear gone. He simply stroked his beard and explained:

"Young hero, do you know how many scholars in our Great Tang Dynasty have sought fame and fortune?"

"I guess it's more than ten thousand," Li Hu replied, choosing a possible number.

"No, there are more than ten million."

Li Hu was slightly startled by this answer. The Master then said, "The path to officialdom is one in a million, and its difficulty is no less than seeking immortality or enlightenment."

"This Xiazhu Academy never harms or injures anyone; it simply provides a quiet place for scholars from all over the world to study. The scholars who come here all swear to do so voluntarily, and their families send them from afar. Passing the imperial examinations is their only wish. I have never seen someone like you, young hero, who has strayed into this place.

"My Xiazhu Academy is merely providing them with a place where they can focus their minds without distractions. Although the methods are somewhat unorthodox, I can guarantee that none of the scholars here will regret coming here."

After listening to his explanation, Li Hu did understand a lot more.

Although the supervisors here are strict, they still care deeply about Li Hu when he is ill, and all forms of corporal punishment are within acceptable limits.

Thinking about it carefully, it's not as terrifying as an internet addiction treatment school; it's probably more like Hengshui High School at best.

Perhaps the only thing to blame is this system... Li Hu's anger subsided considerably after thinking this, but then he suddenly remembered the boys and girls who were also being controlled. They were only seven or eight years old, at the age when they were most mischievous. Surely they couldn't have done it voluntarily?

So Li Hu didn't sheathe his sword, and asked again, "Then how do you explain those children?"

"Hahaha, young hero, you are truly kind and generous!"

The Master laughed heartily, waved his hand in front of him, and the scarecrows in the corner flew into his hand.

He placed the straw figure on the ground, covered it with straw paper to make it look like clothes, and then gently waved his hand. A cloud of black energy surged out from his palm and completely enveloped the straw figure.

When the black mist dissipated, the straw figure inside had turned into a child of about seven or eight years old, looking exactly like the boys outside.

Even his expression was blank, as if he were being controlled by a gong.

"My magical powers are weak, and I cannot conjure lively children, but they are more than enough to take care of these students' daily needs," the teacher said with a smile to Li Hu.

Li Hu was also amazed, so he cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

"I am Yin Zhi, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the third year of Huaiyuan, and I was appointed as a fourth-rank official, a remonstrating official," the Master said, stroking his beard.