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(This story is set in an alternate history, with the world of Inuyasha's demons as the main backdrop.)
On a summer night in June, in a small courtyard in the northern part of the Peninsula, a new life was born.
The child was named Li Xia.
In his previous life, he had been a proud member of the Chinese Communist Youth League—a model youth in China.
In this life, he was reborn into a family on the Peninsula, carrying memories of his past life.
At first, Li Xia thought his life would pass by peacefully and uneventfully.
That was until he turned five years old when the family tested all children of age for their innate spiritual aptitude. Only then, after personally witnessing fantastical and supernatural feats, did he suddenly realize—he wasn't reborn into a normal world like his previous life, but into a realm filled with demons, ghostly spirits, priestesses, and sorcerers.
He saw several elders of the clan seal visible ghosts into talismans with his own eyes. He witnessed the majestic appearance of shikigami (spiritual familiars) and watched as the skies changed with a single gesture.
It was nothing short of divine power!
In his previous life, he had never encountered any supernatural beings—at least, not personally.
But in this life, in this world, the existence of spirits and gods was undeniable—he had seen them with his own eyes!
And from that moment, his ambition began to stir.
His formerly laid-back and passive heart grew restless.
What does the extraordinary mean?
Naturally—immortality!
While supernatural powers didn't guarantee eternal life, they did open a gateway for humans to step into that realm.
And once you stepped through that gateway, you had the potential—the chance—to pursue immortality.
And immortality meant unlimited possibilities.
Like, doing whatever you want.
Besides, he had already died once—he didn't want to die a second time.
However, his father, Li Zhun, was a bit of a letdown.
You see, those who can cultivate possess bloodlines that are different from ordinary people. To maintain these bloodlines, cultivation families often adopt children with spiritual potential as child brides or child grooms, combining strong bloodlines through marriage to preserve their advantages.
While marriages between cultivators and regular humans did happen, they were rare—because it wasn't just about oneself, but also about future generations and the entire family. Few dared to break this unspoken rule.
But Li Zhun, his cheapskate of a father, was the exception.
Despite having cultivation potential, he chose a partner who had no spiritual aptitude whatsoever. As a result, the already mediocre bloodline became even more diluted.
Sure, Li Xia was a bit resentful of his father's poor choices, but at the same time, he was deeply grateful.
After all, if his dad hadn't acted so recklessly, how else could he have been reborn into this life with memories of a previous one? Mediocre as his potential was, it was still better than having none at all.
Besides, his parents treated him well.
Whatever flaws he was born with, he'd have to work hard to make up for them himself.
Now, it's time to introduce the Li family of the northern Peninsula.
The Li family was one of the Three Great Mage Clans of the Peninsula, bearing the responsibility of exorcising evil spirits and suppressing malevolent forces.
Mages were those who had mastered extraordinary powers. They could absorb special energy particles from the world according to specific cultivation techniques, refine them, and convert them into spiritual power or mana stored within the body—this energy was the foundation for casting spells and other mystical arts.
The Li family specialized in a lesser-known branch of magic: the art of talismans.
Talisman magic worked by using special materials—spirit ink, talisman paper, and enchanted brushes—to inscribe magical runes onto paper. These runes sealed specific spells into the talismans.
When needed, the user could activate the talisman and unleash the stored magic.
This essentially allowed spells to be "preloaded" and used later.
Mages who specialized in talisman crafting were often able to compensate for their own limited mana or slow spell-casting speed—making them surprisingly formidable.
This tradition originated in mainland China, passed down from the ancient Heavenly Empire.
Back then, demons and evil spirits roamed the land, and humans were little more than food to them. It was thanks to the compassion of the Heavenly Empire that this knowledge was passed down to the Peninsula.
Unfortunately, the inheritance wasn't complete—just a token gift from a powerful "father nation" to its dependent "son nation."
And even within the field of talismans, the Li family's branch was only a sidestream.
Still, even this fragmented inheritance had allowed the Li family to prosper for generations.
As a descendant of the Li family's talisman branch, Li Xia once had the opportunity to explore more advanced systems of cultivation. But because of his limited bloodline, the clan elders—those supposedly "virtuous and respected" figures—looked down on him and showed little support.
And now—
Ten years had passed in a flash.
After a decade of hard training through heat and cold, Li Xia was still just a low-level, barely competent novice mage. Without access to the structured education the family was supposed to provide, his skills remained rough and incomplete.
At times, he felt utterly defeated—even hopeless.
"Xia, when are you leaving for Tokyo?"
At a family dinner, a cultured-looking middle-aged man wearing glasses spoke up.
This was his father, Li Zhun.
Dressed in Taoist robes with a scholarly demeanor and spectacles, he looked a bit mismatched—like someone trying to blend two worlds and failing.
There were four people in the family: father Li Zhun, eldest sister Li Qin, older brother Li Yang, and youngest sibling Li Xia.
As for Li Xia's mother?
She died in a supernatural incident years ago.
It happened when Li Xia was just over six years old. At the time, he was helpless to do anything.
That tragedy was one of the inherent risks faced by ordinary people connected to low-level cultivators.
It also became one of the key reasons Li Xia craved power.
"Father, can't we wait a little longer?"
The young boy, still somewhat immature in appearance, furrowed his brows slightly.
Li Zhun replied gently,
"School in Japan has already been in session for over half a month. If you delay any longer, it'll just be harder to adjust later."
He paused briefly, then let out a quiet sigh.
"Xia… let it go. I know you're frustrated—I know you long for recognition from the main branch, to cultivate deeper arts, to rise above the rest. I remember when you were little, you told me all about your dreams."
"But we have to face reality…"
"Our family's talent is ordinary. We're not suited for the main clan's path of demon-slaying and spirit-exorcising cultivation. We're better off quietly managing our affairs, living a life of wealth and stability. There's no need to obsess over supernatural power."
"Look around—most people in the world live happily without ever touching the mystical. We can too."
As members of a cultivated family, they naturally carried a sense of superiority.
And Li Zhun, being the "cheap dad," was no exception.
Cultivation families were often divided into main branches and side branches.
Those with outstanding talent were chosen for the main branch. The rest—with average potential—were relegated to the side branches, destined to serve and support the main family.
Because no matter how hard they trained, their innate talent limited their potential, the family would assign them to manage secular businesses—to provide resources, cultivation supplies, access to various supply channels, and other services to support the main bloodline. In turn, the main branch, which held both power and spiritual might, would offer a degree of protection to the various side branches.
For a thousand years, this was how the Li family of the Peninsula's talisman tradition had been passed down.
And so it was with the other major families as well.
At first, Li Xia had dreamed of becoming a member of the main branch, enjoying both power and prestige.
After all, who doesn't want to shine under the spotlight?
Unfortunately, he simply lacked the talent.
Now, within their family of four, even his elder sister and second brother—who had similarly average talent—had been granted some resources and were expected to carry out family missions in the future. Only he, being the youngest, was not yet assigned to oversee any industries or take on any formal responsibilities.
What his father now intended was to send him to study abroad in Tokyo, so he could familiarize himself with various aspects of life in Japan. That way, he could one day take over some of the family's businesses there.
"Father, you've sent big sis and second brother to the mainland… can't you send me there too?"
The teenager grumbled softly.
Although he'd been made to study Japanese over the past few years, it didn't feel as natural or familiar as the language of the mainland.
The family's education system was quite different from the regular school system.
Their learning was always goal-oriented.
What to study, what to focus on, and what to take as secondary subjects—everything was clearly defined.
Moreover, the point of learning was communication and real-life application, not passing tests or chasing grades. As a result, his childhood had been rather relaxed—certainly much easier than the cutthroat academic pressure he'd faced in his previous life.
"You want to go to the mainland too?"
His father raised an eyebrow.
"Of course! The mainland is rich in resources, full of opportunities, and steeped in ancient traditions. Compared to that, Moon Island falls way behind!"
At least, in this reborn world—that's how things were.
"No can do."
His father shook his head.
"Your sister and brother are being sent to the mainland to mingle with the young elites of the Heavenly Empire. The hope is to build connections and maybe even improve our bloodline through marriage. Believe me, it won't be easy for them at all."
"You, on the other hand, are being sent to Tokyo on Moon Island with no such tasks or pressures. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
Since the mainland was seen as the Heavenly Empire, it was only fitting that older and more capable family members be sent there. Otherwise, wouldn't they be looked down on by the mainland's young geniuses?
"Xia, your talent is the weakest. So listen to your father and just attend a regular middle school on Moon Island. After a few years, you can graduate and start managing the local businesses. Living a wealthy and stable life isn't so bad, is it?"
His father, speaking earnestly, turned down Li Xia's request to study on the mainland.
Ever since the great upheaval of the world's spiritual environment hundreds of years ago, cultivation has become increasingly difficult. It was only now beginning to slowly recover. After four to five hundred years of the "Age Without Dharma," many of Japan's old shrines and temples had already fallen into decline. Given that, Li Zhun had no hope that his son would someday bring home an exceptionally talented daughter-in-law.
At the other end of the green jade-carved dining table—
His beautiful 18 or 19-year-old sister and similarly aged brother beamed with delight upon hearing their father's decision. They were more than pleased with the arrangement. After all, being sent to the Heavenly Empire—a land of talented people and rich traditions—rather than an overseas backwater like their younger brother, left little to complain about.
"Little brother, sure, the mainland is great… but Moon Island isn't bad either!"
They both chuckled.
Their eyes were full of longing for the Heavenly Empire.
"Tch…"
Li Xia smirked.
He hadn't expected the people of this world's Peninsula to revere the Heavenly Empire so deeply.
It was hard to imagine what kind of flourishing civilization this "alternate timeline" had become—a world with no World Wars I or II—yet now thriving with such prosperity.
At the same time, he recalled many things from his past life.
"Why were people from the southern Peninsula in my past life so obsessed with China's ancient celebrities and traditional festivals? What were they after?"
"Alright then, you'll be leaving tomorrow. No more delays."
His father sipped a small glass of wine after dinner.
"Or else those old coots in the clan will start complaining again."
"What's the name of the school in Tokyo?"
There are two kinds of people in this world: those with ambition, and those content with the status quo.
And they define happiness very differently.
Though Li Xia had no intention of settling for mediocrity, he had to accept the reality of his current situation.
"Sugi Middle School."
P.S. Just to clarify: the main character is reborn in the northern part of the Peninsula.
You know where that is—I don't need to explain.
Also, the modern world that the female lead lives in is the same as Inuyasha's demon-filled timeline. It's not—as some readers have misunderstood—a world without demons.
Even in the original Inuyasha, modern times had demons like:
The demon-worshiping spirit child
The flesh-bodied, human-faced monster
The little ghost girl, Mayu, whom normal humans couldn't even see
There's even a Shikon Jewel shard that remained hidden for hundreds of years in the modern world.
(End of Chapter)