But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 60

Dark clouds blotted out the sun, leaving not a sliver of light.

Amidst the flickering lightning, several white-robed men with an immortal aura appeared atop their swords in the sky. One disciple leaped down from his sword, the compass in his hand trembling incessantly as it detected lingering traces of energy in the air. He stepped casually over a pool of blood on the muddy path, his pristine robes remaining untouched by any stain. As he advanced, the compass shook even more violently before finally pointing firmly in one direction.

Examining the direction indicated, his face lit up with joy.

“Elder, Lin Heqing is just ahead.”

After pursuing him for so long, they had finally found his trail. Their relentless journey day and night had not been in vain.

Ever since Lin Heqing stole the artifact from the forbidden barrier, he had been evading capture, never staying in one place for long. Despite countless disciples being dispatched to track him, none had succeeded—until now.

The thought that the man they had chased for days was right before them made the disciple’s heartbeat quicken. He took a deep breath to steady himself and looked up at the elder.

“The demonic energy in that village ahead is overwhelming. Lin Heqing must have unleashed those evil spirits. Should we investigate?” The disciple paused before adding, “He’s hidden for so long—what could have forced him to reveal himself now?”

“Exactly, Elder! Lin Heqing must have been colluding with the demonic forces all along. How else could he have breached the forbidden grounds?”

The leader, Elder Xuanfeng, had silver hair and white brows, his moon-colored robes embroidered with silver lotus patterns that shimmered brilliantly even in the endless night.

At their words, he opened his eyes, his icy gaze sweeping in the direction the compass pointed—toward a dilapidated village.

“He is not here. Do not linger for trivial matters.”

Elder Xuanfeng’s gaze passed over the rampaging demons as he raised a finger, transforming into a streak of white light that shot straight toward the River God’s Temple.

The others, seeing this, could no longer concern themselves with the surrounding demons and hurried after him. The lives of a few mortals were insignificant compared to the treasure they sought.

As the group vanished in flashes of white light, they also took with them the last glimmer of hope in the villagers’ eyes. The crumbling village was once again enveloped in terror.

A fierce wind howled, slamming open a rickety wooden door with a bang. The desperate screams outside made the people huddled in the cellar shudder. A bolt of lightning split the darkness, illuminating their terrified faces.

“Ah!”

An elderly woman frantically clamped a hand over the child in her arms, muffling any sound. Her rough hands were already covered in grime, but she paid it no mind.

The slightest noise would draw the attention of the demons floating outside.

And to be noticed meant death.

Bang!

Another crash—the barely-hanging door was ripped away. The howling wind carried with it the agonized wails of the damned, rushing into the house like a rabid beast, searching for prey.

In the faint light filtering through the cracks in the wooden planks above, the villagers caught glimpses of sword flashes cutting through the sky. But before they could feel relief, they met pairs of glowing red eyes.

In the flickering crimson light, a hoarse, eerie voice whispered behind them.

“Found you.”

A chill crawled up their spines. Their throats tightened as they barely managed to choke out two words.

“H-help… us!”

The old woman’s eyes, weighed down by wrinkles, widened in horror. She clutched the child to her chest, murmuring in despair, “It’s over… all is lost.”

The child, unaware of what was coming, instinctively hugged a small wooden idol tighter, as if it could offer some protection.

Similar scenes played out across the entire village—agonized screams cut short one after another…

Until only silence remained.

…..

Meanwhile, Elder Xuanfeng and his group arrived outside the River God’s Temple. As rain-like bolts of lightning streaked across the sky, his murky eyes widened slightly, a flicker of excitement passing through them.

A sword flash intercepted a lightning bolt as thick as a bowl.

“Lin Heqing! Surrender now!”

The sword’s radiance carried an overwhelming killing intent, slicing through the crimson mist and purging the surrounding evil.

“Someone’s come to help us!”

Huang Li’s sweat-drenched face broke into a relieved smile. But when she turned, she saw the grim expressions on Yan Ku and the others.

“The heavenly tribulation and the demons have arrived together,” Yan Ku said darkly, tightening his grip on his sword. “The temple may hold, but the villagers within a hundred miles…”

He left the words unspoken, but the solemn tension spread quickly among them.

Huang Li’s smile froze. She looked up just in time to see Lin Heqing sneer before summoning another artifact.

“Blood-Drinking Crystal, go!“

As his voice fell, an overwhelming crimson mist surged forth. Vengeful spirits, like frenzied beasts, lunged at the group, seeking to tear them apart.

“I’ll go help the villagers.”

Yan Ku’s sword traced a graceful arc as he resolutely stepped out of the temple. Having wandered for years, he had been sheltered by the villagers of Yan Village. He could not abandon them now.

“Uncle Yan!” Luan Xuan released Fang Mingzhu’s hand and ran after him, pressing a talisman into his palm. “This will protect you.”

The talisman bore the intricate markings of the Luan Clan’s secret arts, its spiritual energy pulsing with a profound defensive formation.

Yan Ku patted her head with a silent smile. “Thank you, Xuan’er.”

Moved by his resolve, the others rose one after another, following him out to save the villagers—leaving only a few behind to guard Luo Qiuishui, still enduring his tribulation.

The River God had saved them when they were in peril. Now, they would stand firm in this crisis, ensuring they did not disgrace his name.

The moment they stepped out, an oppressive force slammed into them. The restless resentment lurking nearby was suffocating—one low-level disciple from the Blazing Moon Sect even coughed up blood and collapsed on the spot.

They tossed him back into the temple, struck by a sudden realization: “The outside is this horrifying? Inside the temple, we didn’t feel a thing.”

“The River God’s power is truly unfathomable.”

Yan Ku’s brow furrowed. His sword flashed, obliterating a vengeful spirit that tried to ambush him before he dashed toward the nearest village.

But the resentment unleashed by the Blood-Drinking Crystal was overwhelming. Even with the talisman’s protection, Yan Ku was soon covered in wounds, his appearance wretched.

“Look, more fools rushing to their deaths.” Lin Heqing paid them no mind. His laughter turned hoarse before he finally stopped, his gaze settling on Xuan Changsheng inside the temple.

Xuan Changsheng sat silently under the eaves, head bowed, oblivious to the complex, profound look directed at him.

Lin Heqing turned back to Elder Xuanfeng. “Old Man Xuanfeng, don’t rush. It’s your turn now.”

“Elder, be careful!” A disciple threw himself in front of the elder—only to be swallowed whole by the Blood-Drinking Crystal in the next instant.

Elder Xuanfeng’s eyes gleamed with fervor as he stared at the crystal in Lin Heqing’s hand. “The Blood-Drinking Crystal… at last, it’s found.”

In a flash, he transformed into a white streak, lunging at Lin Heqing to seize it.

Amidst the rolling dark clouds and flashing lightning, gray and white shadows clashed fiercely. Gradually, the white figure began to lose ground.

Below, Xuan Changsheng slowly lifted his head, his lips curving into an imperceptible smile.

He rested his arm on his knee, his slender fingers idly flicking a pebble on the ground. Unnoticed, the pebble landed precisely where he directed.

The formation was quietly taking shape.

…..

Inside the Blood-Drinking Crystal

Watching as another vengeful spirit that tried to ambush Yuan Ji was obliterated, the Thunder Serpent couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

“Tsk, that white light is even more terrifying than me. With just a finger, she repelled so many spirits.”

“A true force of destruction.”

The serpent shuddered when it turned and met Yuan Ji’s cold eyes.

“Damn it! What if she’s so bloodthirsty she decides to ‘purify’ me next?”

Panicking, the Thunder Serpent flicked its tongue in what could only be described as a sycophantic grin, doing its best to appear harmless.

Yuan Ji’s inky hair stirred as if touched by an unfelt wind. Slowly, she lifted her lashes, her dark eyes deepening further.

This place was utterly repulsive.

Filthy. Rotten.

A strange sensation churned in her chest, a suffocating pressure that refused to ease.

Nearby, the vengeful spirits flailed blindly. Soon, the crimson mist thickened once more.

“How bothersome.”

She tilted her head irritably, a thought surfacing in her mind—why not just destroy it all and be done with it?

“Yuan Ji! Bad news!” A-Tong’s voice suddenly rang in her ears. “The believers—the believers are in danger!”

A-Tong projected the desperate prayers it had intercepted through the villagers’ hidden idols.

“Someone, save us… I don’t want to die. The wheat in the fields hasn’t been harvested yet.”

“Save my child—she’s only three! Please, someone help her…”

“River God, if you have any mercy, save us…”

“River God, we beg you to reveal your power and protect us.”

“River God…”

“River God…”

One plea after another, all begging for a chance to live.

“Yuan Ji…” A-Tong hesitated. “What… do we do?”

Before it could finish, Yuan Ji suddenly looked up, her golden eyes flashing with an eerie light—so unfamiliar it sent a chill down A-Tong’s spine.

“Who dares harm what is mine?“

In the next instant, thousands of River God idols within a hundred-mile radius erupted with blinding golden light.

Vengeful spirits and demonic beasts disintegrated into ash under its radiance.

In the cellar, the villagers stared dumbfounded at the idol in the child’s arms—the very idol that had just driven away their tormentors.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then, someone whispered in awe,

“The River God…”

“She has answered us!”

“She came to save us!”