But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 26

“Ah! What the hell is this?!”

“Help! Someone save me!”

“Boss! This damn thing won’t cut!!”

“Ahhh! Help!! It’s biting my a**!”

The blood-curdling screams, laced with panic, jolted everyone out of their meditative trance. Under the dim starlight, they looked up at the struggling black figures in midair and shuddered.

Their gazes then fell on Yuan Ji, who stood there completely at ease, and a wave of awe washed over them.

They knew it—this wall eats people!!

Several black-robed, masked men were tightly bound by thick, vine-like branches. The dark leaves snapped shut with a sharp “shhk!” and tore off a bloody piece of clothing in one swift motion.

Brutal. Merciless.

The man who had been bitten groaned and swung his sword with all his might—a top-grade spiritual weapon gifted by his master. There was no way it couldn’t cut through these damn vines!

But the blade didn’t slice through as he expected. Instead, it glanced off as if hitting an invisible barrier, sending sparks flying. The vines, as if provoked, sprouted even more dark leaves, their edges clicking ominously.

Everyone’s scalp prickled. They swallowed hard, their throats dry. Note to self: Never piss off the River God. If she throws you out to feed the wall…

Meanwhile, Yue Tianchuan, who had just stepped into the temple, clung to Mu Dezhong in terror. “F-Foster Father, what is that?!”

Mu Dezhong’s expression was complicated. He patted Yue Tianchuan’s hand reassuringly. “Just remember to obey the River God from now on.”

Yue Tianchuan: …?

Nearby, A’Tong—who had been silent all this time—watched as a leaf lunged and took a vicious bite out of a man’s arm. Finally, he couldn’t hold back.

“Y-Yuan Ji… is this really what a Venus flytrap looks like? Something feels… off.”

Since when did carnivorous plants chase people around and shrug off sword strikes?!

Yuan Ji glanced at him, amused. “Of course it is. Don’t you know the products in your own store?”

A’Tong fell silent, then pulled up the item description:

[Venus Flytrap Seeds: Grows into lush green plants with fan-shaped leaves. Feeds on insects to thrive. An excellent household plant!]

Then he looked at the pitch-black, towering monstrosity currently trying to snack on humans.

A’Tong: “…”

“Y-Yeah, that… checks out.” He nodded vigorously, as if convincing himself. “Definitely an excellent household plant!”

Yuan Ji chuckled and tapped the stone table lightly. The creeping vine that had been sneaking up for a bite froze, then rolled back to her side like a scolded puppy, its flame flickering innocently.

“Don’t just eat anything you see.”

She tucked the flame away and studied the dark plant, seemingly lost in thought for a moment before ordering, “Toss them out.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the screams with eerie clarity. Before anyone could react, the menacing leaves spat out the half-chewed limbs with audible disgust—even mimicking a human “ptui, ptui!”

The vines then hurled the intruders outward. The “thud” of bodies hitting the ground made everyone wince.

Yuan Ji stood and stepped onto one of the leaves. Her hair, gleaming like satin under the stars, cascaded down her back.

The onlookers’ hearts leapt to their throats—until the enormous plant shrank back into an ordinary wall, docile as if nothing had happened.

They swallowed their gasps and exchanged uneasy glances.

Yuan Ji tilted her head. “Need a lift?”

Her tone was casual, as if asking about the weather.

Mu Chao’s face paled as traumatic memories resurfaced. He shook his head violently. “N-No thanks!”

The others hastily agreed, scrambling for the door. “We’ll just… use the exit, thanks!”

Huang Li even carefully tucked in his robes, terrified the “man-eating wall” might take a bite.

Outside, the once-formidable assassins now lay in a bloody heap, some unconscious from blood loss.

A bold servant yanked off one of their masks and shouted, “Young Master! These are Second Branch’s death squad!”

Mu Chao’s expression darkened. Sure enough, each captive bore a blue eight-petaled flower tattoo on their neck.

“They’re the ones who hunted me,” Yue Tianchuan growled. “Foster Father, after we split up, I followed your trail. They thought capturing me would give them leverage, so they chased me relentlessly.”

His fists clenched. “They hadn’t attacked in two days—I thought I’d lost them. If not for that plant…”

Mu Chao’s voice was hoarse. “They must’ve alerted the Second Branch the moment they found us.”

Mu Dezhong paled. “Then we’re not safe here. We must leave—now!”

Mu Chao shook his head. “It’s too late. You know how the Second Branch operates. They’ve already taken over most of the clan.”

The group’s faces turned ashen. Yue Tianchuan staggered. “So we just wait to die? Young Master, I’ll clear a path for you!”

“Yue Tianchuan! You’re injured!” Mu Chao’s voice sharpened. “Your bonded flower is fading, isn’t it?”

Mu Dezhong grabbed Yue Tianchuan’s wrist. The once-vibrant red lotus now bore signs of withering. “Xiao-Chuan…?”

Yue Tianchuan forced a smile. “Even without Little Red, I still have my martial arts. I’ll be fine.”

But everyone knew what that meant.

Perched on the wall, Yuan Ji swung her legs idly, puzzled by their despair. The lotus wasn’t beyond saving—it just needed reigniting.

She yawned, glancing at the hundred-strong force hiding in the woods. Hurry up already. I’ve got trash to collect.

“Perhaps the River God can help,” Luo Qiushui suggested softly, her calming voice easing the tension.

Mu Dezhong’s eyes lit up with hope. He rushed forward—only to recoil as the wall’s leaves snapped warningly.

Sweating, he bowed deeply. “Great River God, might you lend us your aid?”

Yuan Ji leaned forward, her gaze cool and detached.

Mu Chao stepped up, bending at the waist. “I offer half the Mu family’s future profits in exchange for your assistance.”

[Ding! Hidden Quest Activated: Resolve the Mu Family Crisis. Completion reward: 200 Divine Power.]

Yuan Ji’s eyes brightened. She glanced at the kneeling servants. No need for this.

But with a quest at stake—and her memories on the line—she’d act regardless.

“Accepted.”

No sooner had she spoken than the ambush was sprung. A hail of poisoned needles, leaves, and petals rained down.

“Look out!”

Weapons were drawn, sweat beading on brows. A hundred against one—even a god might struggle.

Yuan Ji, however, had a different concern: The talismans buried under the temple’s foundation. Unearthing them now would collapse the building.

Too troublesome.

Her sigh sent hearts plummeting. Was even the River God powerless here?

Then, a single word:

“Come.”

A monstrous wave crashed down from nowhere, swallowing poison, weapons, and attackers alike. In seconds, a giant water sphere had rolled over the entire force, leaving no one standing.

Everyone stared, slack-jawed.

…What.

Wait. This violent, overbearing style—it felt familiar.