But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 12

The insect was no larger than a fingernail, hidden so perfectly in the air that no one noticed it—until Yuan Ji caught it. This was why Lan Wusi had been so confident. Yet she never expected Yuan Ji to have the System on his side.

The moment Lan Wusi released the gu insect to control Yuan Ji, System alerted him, thwarting her scheme.

Yuan Ji turned the insect between his fingers, his movements deliberate. Under the scorching dance of flames, the gu insect’s form gradually became visible—its lake-blue carapace refracting an emerald halo.

A pity such a beautiful hue was soon overtaken by scorched yellow.

“Sister Lan, why would you do this?” Luan Xuan asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

She had grown up with Lan Wusi and knew her methods well. This gu insect was Lan Wusi’s most prized weapon. Once it burrowed into a person’s body, it could seize control of their every move within a single breath, bending them to Lan Wusi’s will.

But these insects were rare, and Lan Wusi guarded them jealously. The only time Luan Xuan had seen one was during a clan uprising in their childhood, when Lan Wusi used it to subdue the rebels and save her and her brother.

“So why use it now?!”

Yuan Ji rubbed his ears, mildly impressed that such a small body could produce such a piercing shout.

Lan Wusi’s face paled, her entire body stiffening. She had never imagined someone could detect the gu insect, let alone considered what to do if caught. Her lips parted, but under Luan Xuan’s devastated gaze, no words came out. Desperate, she scanned the surroundings for Luan Yu.

“I… Young Miss, I—”

Just then, Luan Yu strode over, his expression unreadable. Lan Wusi’s eyes brightened as she reached for his sleeve, eager to explain. “Young Master, please listen—I only wanted to stay with—”

“Lan Wusi.” Luan Yu’s voice was low, cutting her off. His usual gentleness was gone, replaced by a chilling sternness that made her heart pound. “The River God saved our lives. This was unacceptable.”

“Yuan Ji, analysis complete.” System inhaled sharply as the results flashed across its interface. “If this thing had gotten inside you, you’d have been controlled without a trace. The only ways to break free are the insect’s death or the death of its master.”

It covered its nose and mouth, shuffling away from the charred remains. “She’s vile. Let’s kick her out!”

Hmph. How dare she try to steal Yuan Ji from them? Over its digital corpse!

Yuan Ji paused, his fingers stilling as he glanced at the gu insect with disgust. With a flick of his wrist, he reduced it to ashes.

A wisp of gray smoke dissipated. Yuan Ji brushed off his fingers, already searching for clean water to wash his hands—when a silk handkerchief embroidered with cloud patterns floated into view.

Yuan Ji: “…?”

When he didn’t take it, the handkerchief drifted closer, revealing what held it up: a palm-sized azure sword. The lifeless weapon swayed slightly, its movements oddly… eager.

From the sidelines, Qi Yan’s eyes narrowed. He clicked his tongue and yanked the true culprit—Jiejie, the sword that had stolen his handkerchief—back into his storage ring.

“You’ve grown bold lately,” he muttered.

Freed from interference, the little azure sword trembled, letting out a metallic hum before vanishing. The handkerchief fluttered gently into Yuan Ji’s palm.

A faint, cool fragrance lingered on the fabric. Yuan Ji studied the cloud embroidery, then flicked a glance at Qi Yan, who sat meditating nearby, eyes closed. Ignoring System’s dramatic gasp, he wiped his fingers methodically.

The silence stretched, thick with tension.

Luan Yu took a deep breath and pushed Lan Wusi aside—not letting her cling to him—before kneeling abruptly before Yuan Ji. The sudden movement startled everyone, including Yuan Ji himself.

“Young Master!”

“Brother!”

Luan Xuan dropped to her knees beside him, her childish face solemn beyond her years.

Lan Wusi lunged to pull Luan Yu up, but a single look from him froze her in place. Trembling, she knelt as well, fingers twisting in remorse.

“River God, I apologize on Lan Wusi’s behalf. She never intended true harm.” Luan Yu chose his words carefully. “But I know her actions were inexcusable. I don’t dare ask for forgiveness. I’ll take her far from here and ensure she never troubles you again.”

“However… my sister is young, and the road ahead is perilous. I beg you to shelter her awhile. Once I reclaim our clan’s authority, I’ll return for her.”

“Brother!” Luan Xuan cried, clutching his sleeve.

Luan Yu patted her hand reassuringly. “As compensation, I offer half the Luan family’s wealth. Please, grant us this mercy.”

Lan Wusi finally grasped the consequences of her actions. Tears welled in her reddened eyes as she kowtowed, her voice breaking. “I—I’m sorry…”

Yuan Ji barely glanced at her. His interest lay with the composed young man before him—a far cry from his earlier impression. After a pause, he nodded.

“Granted.”

“Leave.” He flicked his sleeve toward the shattered gates, the only barrier left.

“May I… stay a little longer? To bid my sister farewell?”

Permission granted, Luan Yu pulled Luan Xuan aside, whispering urgently. By the time they finished, her cheeks were streaked with tears. He forced a smile. “Don’t cry. I’ll come back soon. Be good for the River God, understand?”

She nodded violently, hiccuping. “P-Promise?”

“I promise.” He ruffled her hair and pressed a storage ring into her hands. “Give this to him.”

Nearby, Lan Wusi wiped her tears silently—when a voice echoed in her mind.

“A protective talisman. In exchange for three tracking gu insects.”

She jolted, meeting Qi Yan’s piercing gaze. Her tracking gu were unparalleled; once they latched onto a scent, they could hunt their target to the ends of the earth.

Why does he want them? Was that why he chased me earlier?

Swallowing her questions, she agreed. Three insects for one of Qi Yan’s talismans? A steal.

She glanced nervously at Yuan Ji—who clearly despised bugs—and nodded. After we leave.

The exchange would happen later.

Soon, Lan Wusi and Luan Yu bowed their farewells. Before they left, Yuan Ji tossed Luan Yu a conch shell from the System shop.

“Need help? Use this. I’ll come.”

Luan Yu’s eyes reddened. “Thank you.”

Once they were gone, Yuan Ji handed the storage ring to System without a second glance.

“Yuan Ji! I checked—we can use this world’s currency!” System eyed the ring greedily, already envisioning its dream lighthouse. “With these spirit stones, we can renovate the temple and unlock bonus features!”

It scrolled through the shop eagerly. “Thirty thousand premium stones plus this ring, and we could gild the entire temple! So shiny! So majestic!”

Yuan Ji’s gaze drifted to the broken gates leaning against the wall. A renovation was overdue.

His fingers swiped through the options—then stopped at the cheapest one.

[Ordinary Gates: A door that lights up!]
[Free signboard included! Don’t miss out~]

“Wait!” System yelped as Yuan Ji’s finger hovered over Purchase. “We have loads of stones! This costs one!”

Yuan Ji blinked. “That ring is for his sister’s upkeep. We only have thirty thousand. Be frugal.”

“Besides, free signboard and lighting? Good deal.”

Click.

A thunderous BOOM echoed from the front yard. System screamed as a blinding column of light erupted skyward, illuminating half the horizon.

Yuan Ji: “…”

Ah. So that’s why it was one stone.

The “lighting” was literally a miniature sun embedded in the door.

As the radiance flooded the courtyard, the others stumbled out, shielding their eyes.

“River God, what is this…?” someone ventured.

Yuan Ji deadpanned: “A door.”

Silence.

They wanted to see this divine gate, but the light was physically unbearable. Slowly, they retreated inside.

The River God must have his reasons…

The beam pierced the clouds, its aura shaking the cultivation world. Deep in the mountains, a streak of gold shot toward Wangchuan.

And the man who had hunted it for years unsheathed his blade, grinning.

“Found you.”