But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 14

Scalding tears streaked down his cheeks as Ye Wenshu lay on his back, weeping silently—just like the persecuted innocents in the stories he wrote.

Had he not been stuffed into a burlap sack and discarded like worthless trash in a corner, he might not have felt quite so wretched.

Early that morning, his divination had warned him of impending doom. The only person who could save him was hidden in this forgotten land.

After a fruitless journey, exhausted and covered in dust, who could have imagined that merely passing by a dilapidated temple would bring him such humiliation?

Ye Wenshu seethed with indignation. This delicate-looking girl appeared refined and ethereal—how could her methods be so ruthless?! Just how many people had she tied up to master such inescapable knots?!

If only Yuanji could hear his silent curses. She would have calmly replied: No special skill—just natural talent.

“Yuanji, will anyone actually come to ransom him?” A’Tong glanced at the disheveled, self-pitying Ye Wenshu and shook his head in disdain.

“They will.” Yuanji sounded certain. “The cut on his clothes is fresh.”

“A blade did this.” Her gaze lingered on the mud-stained garment, where a large gash split open near the heart. “But he dodged quickly and escaped. The attacker was aiming to kill—they’ll definitely come after him again.”

A’Tong studied the slash mark—a clear attempt on the man’s life. He swallowed hard. “What if they fight inside the temple and wreck the place?”

The moment he spoke, Yuanji shot him a slow, meaningful look. A’Tong’s eyes immediately lit up, his entire being perking with realization.

So that’s the plan! Now he understood!

Yuanji glanced at Ye Wenshu, who had given up struggling, and idly twirled a spirit stone between her fingers. “A’Tong, check the map. Has the person arrived yet?”

At the mention of the map, A’Tong hesitated guiltily before unfurling it. A green dot was speeding toward the River God Temple.

“Yuanji, they’re moving fast—they’ll be here in less than half an incense stick’s time!” A’Tong turned eagerly toward the door, his gaze piercing through it as if willing his beacon to hurry.

“Mm.” Yuanji acknowledged softly, seizing the moment to close her eyes and guide her energy through her meridians.

Her power hadn’t fully recovered yet, and sometimes she still had to rely on physical means. If she depended entirely on that unreliable system to restore her strength, who knew how many eons it would take?

A white glow traced her meridians, drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy like a whirlpool. The abundant energy surged into her, eager and unrelenting.

Qi Yan, sensing the drastic shift in spiritual energy, instinctively summoned his sword, Zhijie. But when he realized it was Yuanji cultivating, his grip loosened slightly, and his bloodless fingertips regained some color.

He observed her thoughtfully before resuming his act—eyes half-lidded, feigning severe injury.

Yet in Ye Wenshu’s mind, Qi Yan’s voice suddenly echoed:

“Do you want to live?”

Ye Wenshu’s eyes bulged. He rolled them around before Qi Yan’s cold, detached image materialized in his thoughts.

Cautiously, he ventured, “Cultivator Qi?”

Qi Yan responded indifferently. “Someone is hunting you.”

Ye Wenshu’s expression crumpled, his spirit deflating. He laughed bitterly. “Yes. I’m about to die.”

That person had chased him for years. He had hidden and fled for just as long.

“Cultivator Qi, everyone wants to live. But our fates are already written—it’s not as simple as wanting or not.”

Qi Yan frowned, clearly disagreeing. “Humans triumph over destiny. If you submit to fate, you let heaven control you.”

Ye Wenshu froze momentarily before replying with sudden fervor, “Cultivator Qi speaks wisely! But breaking free from ‘fate’ is easier said than done. Since you say this… do you have a way?!”

“If Cultivator Qi can guide me, I’ll repay you with everything I have!”

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Qi Yan tapped the rim of his cup lightly. “Good.”

“This is the River God Temple.” Ye Wenshu nodded—yes, he had noticed earlier.

Qi Yan continued, “The person before you is the River God. She can resolve your predicament.”

Ye Wenshu stiffened, sucking in a sharp breath. His divination had indicated his savior would be someone of extraordinary power—but this girl looked far too young to save him!

Then, he let out a silent, self-deprecating laugh. She did tie me up like a dumpling—that does count as extraordinary skill.

His smile deepened, creasing his cheeks. “I was blind! Thank you for showing me the way, Cultivator Qi. But… I have one more question.”

Ye Wenshu suddenly grew awkward. “I… may have offended the River God earlier without realizing it. How can I persuade her to save me?”

“Simple.” Qi Yan’s lips curled slightly as he glanced at the spirit stone between Yuanji’s fingers. “Spirit stones.”

Ye Wenshu: ?

What?

“Or…” Qi Yan tilted his head. “Shiny things.”

Ye Wenshu was baffled. “That’s all?”

Qi Yan merely smiled cryptically, leaving him to ponder what offering to prepare.

Just then, a humanoid figure shrouded in thick black mist appeared before the temple gates. A cold glint flashed from the long blade in its grip.

Its mouth stretched unnaturally wide, revealing jagged fangs as a hoarse voice grated from its throat:

“Found you.”