But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 10

The sky was faintly bright, pale golden light piercing through the clouds and mist to fall upon the plaque of the “River God Temple.” The dilapidated temple seemed gilded at the edges, and upon closer inspection, it almost carried a divine glow.

Lan Wusi had followed Honghong’s directions, but for some reason, all the gu insects she released had been shattered, vanishing without a trace. She had no choice but to rely on Honghong to fumble her way to this temple.

Yet before the joy of finding it could fully bloom, Lan Wusi was startled by a figure hanging on the wall.

Hiding behind a tree, she stared for a long time before recognizing the disheveled, barely breathing man as Elder Hanshi of the Tianji Sect. Instantly, Lan Wusi swallowed hard, her heart sinking like a stone.

Now she knew what had happened to her gu insects.

If even Elder Hanshi had been strung up on the wall like a corpse, what could her little bugs possibly do? She wasn’t even sure if the young master and the others were still alive.

At this thought, a tear welled up and rolled down her cheek.

Just as she grieved, voices echoed from inside the temple. Lan Wusi froze, then saw Luan Yu and Luan Xuan step out, seemingly troubled by something.

Her eyes brightened, and she was about to approach when she overheard their conversation.

“Brother, do you think one pheasant is enough?”

“Probably not. There are many of us—one pheasant wouldn’t even fill the gaps between our teeth.”

“Who knows what we can even catch around here.” Luan Xuan raised her hand, the jade pendant on her finger emitting a faint hum, as if summoning something. “No idea where the River God went either. Otherwise, we could’ve asked what she’d like to eat.”

Luan Yu nodded, the jade on his finger resonating as well.

Before long, the faint rustling of animals stepping on branches surrounded them.

Had Elder Hanshi on the wall been conscious, he would’ve been stunned—these two could summon beasts! They were from the Luan family, renowned for their beast-taming arts!

Lan Wusi fell silent. She had only been separated from the young master for a few days, yet he had already been reduced to serving others! Fury burned in her chest. Once she saw who was behind this, she would—

One breath. Two breaths. Three.

A cold touch grazed her neck, light and teasing.

Luan Yu’s brow twitched. His eyes snapped open, and he seized the offending hand, veins bulging as he gripped it mercilessly.

“Ah—!” Lan Wusi yelped. “That hurts!”

“Lan Wusi.” Luan Yu sounded surprised but let go, his tone indifferent. “How did you find this place?”

“Sister Lan!” Luan Xuan, however, was delighted.

“Young Miss.” Lan Wusi bowed slightly before pouting and leaning against Luan Yu like a boneless snake. “Young Master, you’ve made me search so hard for you.”

Luan Yu: “…Speak properly.”

With a coquettish huff, Lan Wusi recounted everything that had happened. Just as she was lamenting how pitiful she’d been, running into the cold and unfeeling Qi Yan, she turned her head—only to see Yuan Ji and Qi Yan walking toward them.

Her face paled. She immediately released Honghong from her sleeve, ready to fight. “Young Master, be careful! These two—”

Before she could finish, Luan Yu patted her shoulder, signaling her to retract Honghong. “It’s fine.”

Luan Xuan eagerly held up a plump pheasant, presenting it to Yuan Ji like an offering. “River God! Look, I found a fat pheasant! Let’s have Uncle Yan roast it for breakfast!”

Luan Yu also stepped forward. “River God, where have you been? And who is this?” His gaze slid past Yuan Ji, landing warily on Qi Yan.

“Collecting trash. Qi Yan of the Tianji Sect.” Yuan Ji was curt, ignoring the others’ stunned expressions as she nodded at the clucking pheasant. “Plump enough.”

Luan Xuan beamed, happier than if the clan leader had praised her beast-taming skills. Gripping the pheasant’s wings, she dashed into the temple. “I’ll go find Uncle Yan!”

Once Luan Xuan was gone, Yuan Ji’s amused gaze settled on Lan Wusi. She’d guessed right—this woman was connected to Luan Yu. That illusion array must have been part of the Jade Pendant’s power.

“We meet again.”

The fire in Lan Wusi’s heart was doused in an instant. Deflated, she shrank behind Luan Yu.

Of all the rotten luck—I can’t beat these two!

Young Master, you’re on your own!

Luan Yu, meanwhile, was torn between two thoughts:

1. “The River God went out to collect trash and brought back Qi Yan… Is she calling him trash?”

2. “The River God is so familiar with Qi Yan, the Tianji Sect’s top disciple? As expected of a god—her abilities are extraordinary.”

Unable to process it all, he shot Lan Wusi a suspicious glance. “River God, this is my friend Lan Wusi. You… know her?”

“We’ve met.” Yuan Ji nodded, then looked away when Lan Wusi ducked her head like a guilty animal. “Are the others behaving?”

As she strode into the temple, her gaze landed on the grotesque sight of the figures still hanging on the wall. Disgusted, she flicked her fingers, dispelling the barrier.

The force pinning them vanished. The row of tied-up disciples, previously asleep, suddenly lost their support and toppled forward like dominoes.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Cries of pain erupted as Elder Hanshi, still dangling, was yanked down by the rope. He blinked dizzily, the world spinning, before landing flat on his back.

Dazed, he wiped his face, smearing dried blood, and sighed in relief. “Finally… off the wall.”

Qi Yan watched the pile of groaning disciples, his brow furrowing as he masked his disdain with polite concern. “Elder Hanshi? What happened?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Hanshi stiffened. Slowly, he turned his head, his expression shifting to shock—and reproach.

“Qi Yan?! Why are you with this demon?!”

Seeing him beside Yuan Ji—who looked even more radiant than before—while Qi Yan appeared weak and unsteady, a lewd and unspeakable assumption flashed through Hanshi’s mind.

Could it be—?!

This demon drained our sect’s most promising disciple?!

“Have you lost your mind?!” Hanshi’s heart ached so much he nearly fainted. How vile! To target our future sect leader!

“I should’ve exorcised this demon sooner! This elder has failed you!”

Gritting his teeth, he struggled to stand, wanting to avenge Qi Yan—but his strength had always relied on talismans, and for some reason, this demon had nullified them all.

Defeated, Hanshi slumped back, leaning on a disciple as two lines of tears streaked his already messy face.

Yuan Ji stared blankly, baffled by his dramatics. Her eyes shifted to the disciples, whose faces screamed “We want to explain but can’t,” and she sighed inwardly.

You were just hanging on a wall for one night. Why the hysterics?

Once again, her understanding of this world expanded.

Lan Wusi, who had quietly followed Luan Yu inside, finally grasped Hanshi’s misunderstanding. She leaned in and whispered:

“Is it what I think? No wonder you said the River God rushed to save Qi Yan from the illusion. They must be close. So much for the rumors.” She clicked her tongue. All that talk about Qi Yan being cold and unromantic—seemed no different from other men.

Glancing resentfully at Luan Yu’s sleeve, she sighed. This blockhead still doesn’t get it.

“Don’t spout nonsense.” Luan Yu’s expression darkened, burying his suspicion deep. He shoved Lan Wusi’s head back. “Keep hiding.”

Lan Wusi: “…Hmph!”

As Hanshi’s tearful display continued, Yuan Ji massaged her temples. “I did this. Got a problem?”

All I did was bring this guy to the temple. Why the fuss?

“System, check if his brain got knocked loose.”

The System hesitated. It couldn’t possibly voice that kind of filthy assumption—it would corrupt its pure host!

After a pause, it said, “Maybe. Older people are fragile.”

Yuan Ji: “…I see.”

Hanshi, taking her blunt admission as confirmation, trembled with rage, pointing a shaky finger as he stammered, “D-Demon!”

Yuan Ji narrowed her eyes. “Keep pointing, and I’ll hang you back up.”

Hanshi: “…”

He retracted his hand, his glare full of silent accusation.

Damn it!

Qi Yan, watching this absurd exchange with growing confusion, coughed lightly to cut it off. If this continued, things would spiral beyond repair.

When all eyes turned to him, he pressed a hand to his lips, feigning another cough. “Elder Hanshi, this disciple was gravely injured earlier. Cultivator Yuan saved me.”

His lashes fluttered as he spun a tale: A demon beast had ambushed him, leaving him weakened, and Yuan Ji had heroically brought him to the temple. His voice was smooth, soothing, and utterly convincing. Even Lan Wusi, whom Qi Yan had chased relentlessly, found herself half-believing it.

“Was I just lucky to escape that demon beast?” she muttered. “What kind of monster could injure Qi Yan, of all people? My luck must be incredible.”

“To repay Cultivator Yuan’s kindness, I’ve promised her a favor.” Qi Yan met Yuan Ji’s gaze earnestly, every inch the noble gentleman. “I’ll have to trouble her for now, but once I recover, I’ll repay her generously.”

Yuan Ji remained impassive. “Unnecessary.”

Her eyes swept over the Tianji disciples, who were pretending not to listen while straining their ears.

“I brought you here because you’re from the Tianji Sect.”

Her voice was icy, detached. “They damaged my temple.”

“I don’t need your service.”

“Just compensation.”

Qi Yan’s calm facade cracked: “…What?”