Jin slowly opened his eyes, his senses slowly coming back to him. The heavy darkness that had surrounded him earlier was gone. Instead, he found himself in a bright, quiet room, the soft light of the sun shining through large old tradition windows. The scent of incense filled the air, and the soft sounds of distant chatter drifted in from outside. Everything felt... unfamiliar.
His body felt different, lighter, as though he was no longer the person he remembered. He sat up, the soft silk of his robes brushing against his skin. His hands instinctively reached up to touch his face. These weren't his hands. His skin was fairer, and his fingers were more delicate than he was used to. He stood up unsteadily, his feet sinking into the plush carpet beneath him.
The room was lavishly decorated, with expensive-looking furniture and colorful tapestries hanging on the walls. A large wooden desk sat by the window, and shelves lined with books filled the space. The room radiated wealth, but none of it made sense. Jin was in a completely different place, and the body he was in didn't belong to him.
When he looked into a nearby mirror, his breath caught. The reflection staring back at him was of a young man, no older than 16 or 17. His face was youthful, but his features were sharp and well-defined, the kind of face that looked like it belonged to someone of importance. His dark hair fell to his shoulders, neatly framing his face. It was a handsome face, but it was a stranger's.
A sudden surge of memories rushed into Jin's mind, flooding him with information that didn't belong to him. They came so fast, so overwhelming, that it was almost as if someone had shoved them into his head. He wasn't Jin Kyoto anymore. He was Chen Yuan.
The name echoed in his thoughts, settling there as though it had always belonged. Chen Yuan was a famous scholar in the Ying dynasty, known for his sharp mind and his influence in academic circles. He came from a wealthy and respected family, one of the most prominent in the capital city. His father had been a high-ranking official, and his family's estate was one of the largest and most well-known in the entire city. Chen Yuan himself was well-regarded by those in power, respected for his intelligence and his ability to navigate the complex world of politics.
As the memories of Chen Yuan's life filled his mind, Jin felt a strange sense of unease. He was now in the body of a boy who had everything—wealth, status, and respect. He should have felt at ease, but something was wrong. The life of Chen Yuan was foreign to him, and it was clear that this new identity came with its own set of expectations.
"Okay, this body seems pretty good" Jin muttered but first,
He needed to understand this new world, to learn who Chen Yuan was and how he could fit into this strange life.
He stood in front of the mirror for a moment longer, taking a deep breath. 'I'm Chen Yuan now. I have to act like him. I need to survive here, and I need to learn how to fight.'
The room was quiet, and Jin's thoughts raced. He would make this work. He had no choice.
Jin now in the body of Chen Yuan stood still, processing everything that had happened. His new life, his new identity it was all so overwhelming. He had to act quickly.
He looked around the room, trying to gather his thoughts.. In this new life, he had power wealth, influence, and connections. He could use them.
Chen Yuan's family was well-known, and he had many servants. He needed to act as though he were truly Chen Yuan, the respected scholar. He could do that. After all, acting was what he did best. In his previous life, he had been an actor, skilled at pretending to be someone else. This was no different. He'd play the part of a wealthy scholar who needed help, and the world would follow his lead.
Jin took a deep breath and called out to the servant waiting outside the door.
"Liang," he called, his voice smooth, confident, "Come in."
The door creaked open, and a middle-aged man stepped into the room. Liang was one of the senior servants in the household. He was loyal, diligent, and had served the family for many years. His graying hair and calm demeanor made him someone people trusted. Liang's eyes widened slightly when he saw Chen Yuan standing there in such an authoritative way, but he quickly bowed deeply.
"Master Chen, you've awoken," Liang said, his voice filled with concern. "Are you feeling well?"
Jin nodded, taking a seat at the desk. "I'm fine, Liang. But there is something urgent I need you to do for me."
Liang raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you need, Master Chen?"
"I need you to hire an exorcist," Jin said, trying to keep his voice calm, though his mind was racing. "A famous one. Someone who can teach me how to deal with... spirits."
Liang looked surprised but nodded, understanding that Chen Yuan was a man who was never one to make unreasonable requests. "An exorcist, Master? Is there something troubling you?"
Jin leaned forward, keeping his voice low and serious. "Yes. There are... things in this world that are beyond ordinary understanding. Even though I am a scholar. I need to learn how to protect myself."
Liang hesitated for a moment before bowing again. "Understood, Master. I will find someone suitable."
"Good," Jin replied, standing up from the desk. "Tell them I will pay them generously—gold taels, as much as they need. Just make sure they come quickly."
"Yes, Master Chen," Liang said, giving another respectful bow before quickly leaving the room to carry out the order.
Jin stood there, looking out of the window. The capital of the Ying dynasty was bustling with activity. People walked the streets, trading goods and conversing, unaware of the danger that lingered in the shadows. Jin knew he didn't have much time. He only got 10 years here.
A few days passed, and the atmosphere in the household shifted. Jin could sense the anticipation. He had made it clear to his servants that he needed privacy and quiet in preparation for his training. Finally, one evening, Liang returned to the room, his face slightly flushed from the excitement of the news.
"Master Chen," Liang said, stepping into the room, "the exorcist has arrived."
Jin turned to face him. "Good. Bring him in."
A moment later, a tall man stepped into the room. He was dressed in plain, yet finely made robes, with an aura of confidence and strength surrounding him. His name was Bai Zhi, a renowned exorcist known across the capital for his skills in banishing spirits and ghosts. His reputation was unmatched.
"Master Chen," Bai Zhi greeted, his voice calm but powerful. "I've heard you have need of my services."
Jin stepped forward, bowing his head respectfully. "Yes, Bai Zhi. I've quite interested in the world of Exorcism. Teach me how to exorcise a ghost. And I will pay you gold taels for your time."
Bai Zhi nodded, his expression serious. "Ghosts are not to be taken lightly, Master Chen. I will teach you everything I know. But you must understand, this is not an easy path. It requires both mental and physical discipline."
"I am ready," Jin said, determination in his eyes. "Teach me everything. "
Bai Zhi smiled slightly, impressed by the young man's resolve. "Very well. We will begin your training tomorrow."
Jin watched as Bai Zhi left the room, his mind already racing with the possibilities.