Raising the Evil Spirit

At sixteen, Gu Yan joined the army, riding into battle and shedding blood and sweat for nearly ten years. However, he was framed by treacherous ministers and demoted by a foolish emperor, who feared the high merits of his ministers would overshadow his own shaky rule. Accused of treason, he was sentenced to death by a thousand cuts, and with a single light decree of “execute him in the market, exterminate his family,” the emperor sent one hundred and seventy-nine members of his family to their deaths. With the pain of one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four deep cuts engraved in his bones, Gu Yan did not enter the cycle of reincarnation but instead attached himself to a “luck-bringing charm” in the home of Su Kun, an unemployed young man hundreds of years later. To make matters worse, Su Kun happened to resemble the foolish emperor by seventy percent… All of the above is a fog! In reality, this is a tragic story of an ancient general’s soul traveling to modern times, where, after scaring Su Kun to the point of crying out in terror, he discovers he has mistaken the person.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Raising the Evil Spirit Alright, let's dive into *Raising the Evil Spirit*. This novel is definitely a mixed bag, and my experience reading it reflects that. It attempts to blend comedy, horror, romance, and the supernatural into a yaoi package, which is ambitious, to say the least. ### First Impressions Initially, I was intrigued by the premise. A scaredy-cat protagonist who attracts ghosts and a tragic male lead who suffered a brutal past? Sign me up! The early chapters promised a fun, if slightly chaotic, ride through a modern world filled with exorcism and restless spirits. There's a certain charm to the absurdity of it all. ### What Works Well The humor is definitely a strong point, at least for some. I found myself chuckling at the protagonist's constant state of panic and the situations he finds himself in. The dynamic between the leads also has potential. The idea of a love interest falling in love first adds a layer of sweetness to the otherwise dark and spooky setting. The author does a decent job of setting up the mysterious past of the male lead, which kept me hooked, wanting to know more about his tragic backstory. ### Areas of Concern However, *Raising the Evil Spirit* does stumble in some areas. The writing style feels a bit unpolished at times. While some might find the use of emojis endearing or a product of its time, I found it to be a bit distracting and jarring. It pulled me out of the story and made it harder to fully immerse myself. The characterization also feels a bit thin; I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The plot, while interesting in concept, sometimes feels convoluted and underdeveloped. ### Final Verdict Overall, *Raising the Evil Spirit* is a novel with potential that doesn't quite live up to it. It's a fun, albeit flawed, read that might appeal to those who enjoy lighthearted supernatural stories with a touch of romance. However, if you're looking for a polished and deeply engaging narrative, you might want to temper your expectations. I'd give it a cautious recommendation, with the caveat that it's best enjoyed with a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief and an appreciation for older web novel styles.