But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 34

In the damp, gloomy underground prison, a thick stench of decay and death permeated the air. Yuan Ji frowned slightly, a trace of suspicion flashing in her eyes.

She lowered the flame in her fingertips, illuminating the scene below. A group of ragged individuals shrank back in fear at the sudden light, their faces filled with panic, as if terrified they would be the next ones dragged away.

Yet among them, one person’s eyes shone brightly. He rushed toward the light, toward Yuan Ji, as if proclaiming to the others that their savior had arrived.

“Look! The River God has truly come to save us!”

The others hesitated, their expressions a mix of doubt and hope. Yuan Ji focused on the man’s dirt-streaked face, finding it vaguely familiar.

“Yuan Ji, that’s one of the villagers from the River God Temple,” Ah Tong said, its memory far sharper than hers. With just a glance, it recognized the unlucky man.

Ah Tong clicked its tongue. “His luck is terrible—first running into frenzied demonic beasts, and now getting captured here.”

Yuan Ji stared at the grinning villager: …Yeah, no kidding.

“Wang Dazui?” She rubbed her temples, struggling to recall his name.

Wang Dazui’s eyes lit up. The River God actually remembers my name! His spirits lifted even higher. “Yes, Lord River God! It’s me!”

“Lord River God, the village chief and I went out to gather timber, but we were captured not long after.” Worry crossed his face as he mentioned the chief. “I’ve been locked up here, but I don’t know where they took him.”

Ah Tong: “Wow, another unlucky guy.”

Yuan Ji: …

She nodded. “Let’s get you out first.”

The conditions in the underground prison were abysmal. Several people were slumped in a corner, their heads bowed so low it was impossible to tell if they were alive or dead.

Among them was Guan Muping, who had been thrown into the cell along with several children. He clutched a little girl protectively in his arms, pressing himself into the shadows, trying to stay unnoticed. When he heard that familiar voice, his head snapped up—and there, amidst the darkness, stood a figure bathed in light.

Thump. Thump-thump.

His pulse raced as he stared unblinkingly at Yuan Ji, afraid that if he so much as blinked, she might vanish.

At this moment, Yuan Ji had unwittingly become his pillar of hope.

River God.

He engraved those two words into his heart. If I can get Aixiang out of here…

“Yes, Lord River God!” Wang Dazui obeyed, leading the others out of the pit.

The twenty or so prisoners climbed out in a daze, supporting one another as they stood awkwardly before Yuan Ji, their eyes glistening with unshed tears.

We… we’re really free?

But before they could fully process their joy, an enraged roar came from behind.

“You asking to die?! Who said you could come out?!”

Yuan Ji turned to see five or six burly guards charging toward them, their faces twisted in fury. The blades in their hands gleamed wickedly sharp, and the grease at the corners of their mouths suggested they’d just finished a hearty meal.

“Drop dead! Get back in there!”

One guard thrust his spear at the nearest prisoner, the cold steel flashing as if he were herding livestock—completely indifferent to whether the man lived or died.

“Ahh! Help!” The man screamed, covering his head as he stumbled back, bracing for the pain—but it never came.

Trembling, he cracked open one eye—only to see a slender figure standing protectively in front of him.

The others flinched, scrambling away like startled fish.

This had happened before. Someone had tried to escape, only to be beaten half to death by the guards. He hadn’t lasted long.

Despair threatened to swallow them whole—but this time, the air remained eerily silent. No curses, no violence.

“What… what’s happening?”

Dazed, the prisoners looked up—and saw the legendary River God standing calmly before them. With a flick of her finger, the sharp spear went flying.

They watched as it embedded itself deep into the stone wall, the shaft quivering from the impact. A collective gulp ran through the crowd, but strangely, their hearts felt steadier.

Maybe… maybe this time will be different.

Yuan Ji tilted her head slightly, her voice light as she addressed the furious guard.

“Don’t you know how to hold a spear properly?”

Her tone was casual, but the words struck like a slap to the face.

The guard, flustered, glanced around at his snickering comrades before snarling, “You think this is funny?! You’re dead!”

He turned and grabbed the spear lodged in the wall, yanking with all his might.

It didn’t budge.

His face turned red with exertion, veins bulging in his thick arms as he pulled again.

Still nothing.

“Pfft.”

A stifled laugh from somewhere in the crowd was the final spark. Humiliated, the guard’s eyes burned with murderous rage.

He snatched a blade from one of his comrades and swung it at Yuan Ji with lightning speed.

“Watch out!” Guan Muping’s heart leaped into his throat.

But in the next instant, the blade was sent flying—shattering midair into pieces.

A green sword materialized before the crowd, its tip pointed at the guards, its aura so oppressive it stole the breath from their lungs.

The air froze. Guan Muping’s pulse still hammered wildly as he followed the sword’s trajectory—only to see Qi Yan standing there, his expression indifferent, yet chilling to the bone.

“So strong.” Guan Muping thought, quickly pulling Aixiang deeper into the crowd.

Yuan Ji turned and thanked him.

“No need. Just avoid dirtying your hands.”

Qi Yan gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the now-wary guards. “Come at me together.”

The guards exchanged uneasy glances before rallying with a battle cry and charging.

A flash of white light—

And then the once-ferocious guards collapsed like sacks of mud, their lifeless bodies hitting the ground.

From the crowd, someone hissed through gritted teeth: “Good! They deserved it!”

The words ignited the prisoners. Laughter and tears mixed as they celebrated their survival. Some even mustered the courage to kick the corpses of the guards who had tormented them, venting their rage.

Yuan Ji listened to their disjointed thanks, watching the joy on their faces, and a faint smile flickered in her eyes.

The commotion hadn’t gone unnoticed. Whoever lurked deeper in the caves would have heard.

She motioned for Wang Dazui to step forward. “Wait here until we return.”

“Lord River God, let us come with you! We want to save our families and friends!” A man stepped up beside Wang Dazui, his battered body covered in wounds, yet his voice firm.

His wife had been taken deeper inside. He had failed to protect her before—this time, he wouldn’t stand by.

“Yeah, Lord River God! Let us help!”

“Yuan Ji…” Ah Tong hesitated.

It was moved by their determination, but as a system, its data analysis suggested these people were more likely to be liabilities than assets.

Yuan Ji knew its concerns. A faint smile curled her lips.

“It’s fine.”

As long as she was strong enough, they wouldn’t be a burden—just followers in her wake.

“Yuan Ji…” Ah Tong frowned, unconvinced.

But Yuan Ji paid it no mind. She glanced at Qi Yan, and seeing the same resolve in his eyes, she smirked at Wang Dazui. “Let’s go.”

The group cheered, grabbing whatever weapons they could find, eager to contribute.

Yet soon, they realized—even armed, they were practically useless.

Enemy guards? A wave of Yuan Ji’s hand sent them flying, unconscious.

Traps? A flick of her fingers, and flames erupted, dismantling the mechanisms.

Forked paths? A punch, and the wall crumbled, opening a new route.

Dazed, the crowd trailed behind her, an inexplicable pride swelling in their chests—especially after rescuing more prisoners.

“Uncle Wang! This is the legendary River God! She saved us!”

One of the survivors helped an elderly man stand, grinning. “With just a flick of her hand, she sent a spear straight through solid stone—no cultivator could ever match her!”

“Aunt Liu! Do you see her? That’s the River God! She knocked out a guard with one finger! Her power is unfathomable!”

“Dad! The River God saved us! She could’ve left us behind, but she risked her life to fight through the caves! She’s truly benevolent!”

“Wife—”

“Xiao Ma—”

The newly freed prisoners: “…Huh?”

After listening for a while, their eyes filled with awe as they stared at Yuan Ji.

They understood now.

By the next cell, they were the ones rushing in to pull people out—eagerly spreading tales of the River God’s might and kindness, as if afraid they’d miss their chance to sing her praises.

And so, with each group rescued, the same words echoed again and again.

As for that cold-faced male cultivator? No one dared ask his name.

Guan Muping followed the growing crowd, committing every word to memory. A vague idea took shape in his mind—he was starting to understand what he needed to do.

Ah Tong listened to the constant ding of rising faith points, gazing at Yuan Ji with admiration.

Meanwhile, in another cell, Mu Dezhong and Song Yingzi exchanged despairing glances.

Mu Dezhong’s brows had practically turned white from stress. He still hadn’t found Xiao Chuan, and now he was trapped here.

In their lowest moment, they silently prayed—River God/Master, please notice we’re missing… come save us.

But this place was too well-hidden, too heavily guarded. Hope was slim.

Mu Dezhong sighed—only for the sound to cut off as the wall before him exploded in a shower of rubble, nearly giving him a heart attack.

Oh no. This is it. I’m done for.

His face turned ashen.

But then, through the settling dust, a familiar figure emerged.

“Lord River God!” Mu Dezhong’s heart leaped—until he noticed the massive crowd behind her.

His breath caught.

What—what’s with all these people staring at me like I’m prey?!