But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 29

With a nervous heart, Mu Zhao only allowed Mu Dezhong to enter with him, while the others waited outside to avoid disturbing Yuan Ji.

“Mu Yi, guard the door. Do not let anyone in,” Mu Dezhong said sternly, his cold gaze sweeping over their faces. “If anyone dares to disturb the River God, deal with them immediately!”

“Yes!” Mu Yi responded, standing rigidly at the entrance, his expression grave.

Seeing that she couldn’t enter, Qu Yunqing had no intention of staying perched on Yan Ku’s head either. With a swift movement, she scurried away.

Inside, the shabby hut had yet to be repaired. Only the cobwebs on the beams had been brushed away, and faint, jade-like light flickered across the cracked walls, faintly illuminating a furry little head.

Yuan Ji sat on a stone bed at the front, one hand propping up her chin, the other resting on her knee as she idly tossed a spirit stone in her palm. Her gaze drifted casually toward the crack in the wall.

The furry head immediately froze, not daring to move an inch.

When the two entered, Yuan Ji withdrew her gaze and lazily yawned, pointing at a spot. “Sit there.”

“Okay, Sister Yuan.” Mu Zhao was extremely obedient, sitting exactly where she indicated, hands folded neatly on his lap, the picture of docility.

Mu Dezhong was no less formal, standing a step behind Mu Zhao, the white lotus on his wrist already budding, ready to act at any moment.

When Yuan Ji glanced at him, Mu Dezhong stiffened, pinching the flower bud between two fingers to keep it perfectly upright. He forced a smile, though his heart trembled.

“Before coming, we made sure the young master bathed and purified himself with incense. This shouldn’t be considered disrespectful, right?”

Yuan Ji: “…There’s no need to be so rigid.”

Ahem. She cleared her throat. “Raise your hand.”

Mu Dezhong helped roll up Mu Zhao’s sleeve. Mu Zhao held his breath, cautiously looking at Yuan Ji with wide, sparkling eyes.

Yuan Ji pressed her fingertip against the seal on his wrist, gathering her spiritual energy before applying a slight force.

A blinding beam of light erupted from the seal. Mu Zhao grunted, feeling as though something were tugging violently at his wrist.

“Xiao Chuan, do you really think the River God can help the young master awaken his companion plant?” a servant outside asked anxiously upon seeing the white light.

After all, the clan had spent years trying and failing every time.

This time, though he was skeptical, a sliver of hope still lingered in his heart.

Yue Tianchuan shifted uncomfortably before muttering, “Maybe. I don’t know.”

“Ah, well, we’ll just have to wait.” The man patted his shoulder, oblivious to Yue Tianchuan’s stiffened posture.

The remaining servants fell silent, guarding the door to prevent any disturbances.

At that moment, no one noticed the small leaf slowly unfurling from the red lotus on Yue Tianchuan’s wrist. His expression twisted, and he blurted out, “I—I need to use the restroom.”

“Go quickly and come back soon,” Mu Yi said, unsuspecting.

Yue Tianchuan sprinted away as if his life depended on it.

Ye Wenshu, standing at the entrance, raised an eyebrow in surprise. “That boy’s really nimble, running so fast.”

Xuan Chengren sighed deeply, staring in the direction Yue Tianchuan had fled. “Hope he doesn’t get lost on the way back.”

Yue Tianchuan’s heartbeat pounded violently, the wind roaring in his ears. His lungs burned as if about to explode.

Taking a deep breath, he glared at the red lotus on his wrist, his brows furrowed.

Last night, that person had contacted him again through the lotus.

“Yue Tianchuan, don’t push your luck. The only reason you’re still alive is because I’m giving you a chance.”

“You think someone can help Mu Zhao awaken his companion plant? Don’t joke around. Everyone knows that brat is a good-for-nothing.”

“Even if he does awaken it, it doesn’t matter. Make Mu Zhao take this medicine—it’ll ensure his companion plant dies for good.”

“As for that woman, make her take it too. I’ll teach her the consequences of crossing me!”

“If you don’t want your Crimson Lotus to disappear as well, you’d better act fast!”

“Kill Mu Zhao. Only then can you avenge your parents.”

Yue Tianchuan’s chest tightened. He gritted his teeth and turned his head away. When he looked up again, his eyes had darkened.

…

Inside the hut, Yuan Ji pressed her fingertip to Mu Zhao’s wrist, dividing her spiritual energy into countless fine threads that seeped into the seal.

After practicing the night before, she easily located the key to breaking it.

Surprisingly, the seal itself wasn’t difficult—it was the poison laced within that posed the real threat.

If she made even the slightest mistake in dismantling the seal, the poison would instantly spread through Mu Zhao’s body, killing him on the spot.

Yuan Ji frowned slightly but wasn’t deterred.

She only needed to encase the poison, and the problem would be solved.

Crushing the spirit stone in her hand, she channeled its energy into Mu Zhao’s body. The countless threads of spiritual force converged along the seal’s patterns, breaking through layer by layer until they struck the core.

Pop.

Tiny cracks spread rapidly from the center, revealing a fresh green sprout beneath.

“Mm—” Mu Zhao grunted, suddenly feeling his wrist grow lighter. He turned it in surprise, and an unfamiliar presence timidly peeked out.

His entire body stiffened. Slowly, he looked up.

Meeting Mu Dezhong’s tense gaze, he slowly raised his hand.

A tiny leaf swayed gently.

Tears welled in his eyes. Mu Dezhong didn’t dare breathe, afraid of startling the fragile sprout.

It’s really out!!

I’m not a failure!! I have a companion plant!!!

Mu Zhao’s heart raced, his face flushed with joy. Though he was carefree by nature, years of ridicule had left a knot in his heart.

And Yuan Ji had undone it.

Mu Dezhong was even more emotional, his hands trembling uncontrollably as he choked up.

“Th—thank you… River God.”

For a moment, the two didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They immediately knelt before Yuan Ji and kowtowed three times in sincere gratitude.

Yuan Ji withdrew her hand, speaking calmly. “Go out. They’re waiting.”

“Yes!” Mu Dezhong excitedly cradled the sprout, feeling invigorated.

No one but Yuan Ji noticed the shock in Qu Yunqing’s eyes as she witnessed everything.

The residual aura on that seal belonged to at least a Nascent Soul-level cultivator. Yet this girl had dismantled it so effortlessly!

Just how much power is she hiding?!

Qu Yunqing’s expression hardened as she scrutinized Yuan Ji with newfound wariness.

But the moment their eyes met, a chill ran down her spine. With a panicked “Ji-ji gu-gu,” she tumbled off the wall.

Outside, the crowd erupted into cheers the moment they saw Mu Zhao’s elated expression. Joy filled the River God’s temple.

[Ding: Congratulations, Host. You have gained 500 faith points.]

[Ding: Congratulations, Host. You have gained 300 faith points.]

[Ding: Congratulations, Host. You have gained 600 faith points.]

…

System watched the steadily rising faith points, its interface curving into a smile. “Yuan Ji, we’ve received so much faith! We’re at 5,000 now!”

“Not bad.” A faint smile touched Yuan Ji’s lips. She checked the mission progress, expecting it to be complete—only to find the bar only halfway filled.

Pondering for a moment, she was interrupted when a celadon teacup appeared before her.

Following the cup, she saw Yue Tianchuan forcing a stiff smile. “River God, Young Master, you must be tired. Have some tea to soothe your throats.”

The tea in the cup was clear and fragrant, steam curling gently—likely brewed the moment they had entered.

“Sister Yuan, you first.” Mu Zhao took the cup and offered it to her.

“Young Master!” Yue Tianchuan’s face paled as he reached out to stop him.

Noticing Mu Zhao’s confusion, he awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Yuan Ji chuckled softly. Under Yue Tianchuan’s tense gaze, she accepted the cup—

And slowly poured it onto the ground.