The majority of the gods in the heavenly realm are those born into godhood; although humans, demons, and magical beasts have the ability to cultivate to attempt to reach the state of immortality and live in the heavenly realm. 

Many of those born as gods seem to have a particular dislike for demons, who although not quite as ageless as the gods', can more easily gain abilities to rival a gods’. A clan of eastern ogres, the oni, were climbing in status within the demon realm. And one god with a extreme distaste for demons wanted to eliminate the clan before they could raise a demon who could ascend to godhood. So the god gave the clan a scroll containing a secret art, pretending to act in good faith as he asked them to guard the artifact. And lied as he told them that should they successfully guard the scroll; the god would take the clan under his wing and give them greater prosperity. 

The scroll the god gave them was a forbidden technique within the three realms. The god expected the oni to disregard his words and try to read the scroll to learn the technique within and gain greater power. The more of the clan that learned of the technique, the more madness would gnaw at their minds. Eventually to cause the demons to fight each other to wipe themselves out, leaving no trace to the god interference. 

Although to the god’s dismay. The oni guarded the scroll dutifully, never even attempting to read the scroll’s content. 

Except for one member of the clan. A son of the main house, Loeander was skeptical of the gods’ words. He was present when the god presented the scroll to the clan, and Loeander could sense hostility. 

When Lo brought this up with his grandfather, the clan’s head. His concern was brushed aside. This was a great opportunity to the family, and Loeander being paranoid wasn’t going to sway the head. 

Not wanting to sit back and wait for the god to do something nefarious. Loeander decided to sneak into the storehouse and see just what this scroll was about. As Loeander opened the scroll. He felt a wave of dark energy crash over himself. Due to the magical nature of the scroll, Loeander could understand the the concepts within a a mere glance. But as the energy subsided, Lo felt himself full of rage. As a normally cheerful person, this wasn’t an emotion Lo felt often. 

One of the notes he recalled from the information he asorbed from the scroll was that the power it granted would amplify in a group of those with the scrolls power. Which if this rage was caused by the scroll, amplified it would cause madness. Loeander destroyed the scroll. He didn’t want to risk someone else learning the technique and making their situation worse. 

Lo heard a commotion outside the storehouse as he was about to leave. It seems Lo had triggered a device and alerted those outside. He managed to get out, but was quickly spotted by his grandfather who was furious. 

The leader didn’t need much evidence after he glance into the storehouse to see the tattered scroll and Loeander unstable appearance with marks like flame on his face.

In order to go before the god and apologize. The leader felt they would need show their sincerity, by presenting the head of the one who went against the god’s command. Even if it would cost the life of one of his grandsons. Lo isn’t quite sure how he managed to fight his way out of the clan. He was overwhelmed by power and rage. He hid in the nearby forests to rest and try to plan out what to do next.

Although in his resting spot he was discovered by one of his cousins. Fortunately, Suiyin shared Loeander’s concerns about the scroll and was willing to at least hear out Lo before deciding if he should turn him in.

Lo’s cousin was surprised about the side effect of madness. Part of him didn’t want to believe it, but the Lo in front of him was different from before and clearly unstable. So Suiyin decided to help Lo escape.

Suiyin managed to get supplies for Lo and send him to the port. He told Lo to travel west for a few weeks and find a small town to hide out in. He’s kept in touch and let Lo know the family’s movement. 

Hopefully the family would calm their heads soon.