The theme of "reincarnation as a demon" is explored in an interesting way. Youki is stuck between two worlds: his human memories and his demon body. His decision to break his wings and horns to pass as human is a physical representation of this conflict. It's a bit edgy, but I respect the symbolism.
The pace at the start is a bit rushed – we go from the temple to the mansion to the ghost exorcism really fast, and sometimes I wish they'd lingered more on Yan Luo's internal world. But at the same time, I wasn't bored for a second. The way information about the previous life is sprinkled in through her memories keeps the story moving. I do think the beginning could have used one more scene at the temple to make the Master's neglect hit harder.
The tension between wanting to leave the village and being unable to because of the tiger forest is a good ongoing threat. Li Xuan's failed escape attempt where the tiger-slayer died is a vivid reminder of the dangers. It makes his current scam with Xu Yan feel like a desperate gamble for a way out.
1 "Consider being with me?" isn't a question; it's a demand. He's offering a contract, and she knows it. Her "Thank you, Young Master Chu" is her polite way of saying "we'll see" without giving him any power over the situation.
The way Mos recites her normal life like a confession was very funny. “I never leave fatigue… doctors say I’m too normal.” That kind of monotony makes her reincarnation as a female rat even more ironic. It’s a good contrast between her boring human life and her chaotic new one.
2 The pacing between the Thailand opening and the airport return is tight and efficient, but I wish we got a bit more of Xie Fanxing’s emotional processing during the flight. She goes from sleeping with a stranger to arranging a break-up with her fiancé with no face time to process. It feels like she’s running from her feelings. I hope later chapters show her breaking down alone because that would make her multidimensional.