But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 61

Yuan Ji channeled all her divine power through the river god statue to aid the villagers. Even if she couldn’t step out right now to tear apart those disgusting creatures, she could at least ensure they wouldn’t harm the villagers’ lives at this moment.

With that thought, the strange golden hue in her eyes faded, leaving only a deep, abyssal black—calm and undisturbed.

“Hngh.” She let out a muffled groan, her body swaying unsteadily.

Indeed, drawing out all her divine power was still a strain for her in her current state.

She needed to recover her strength quickly. If only she could take back…

Wait. Take back what?

Yuan Ji froze, unable to grasp the fleeting shadow that had crossed her mind.

It felt familiar, yet she couldn’t place it. It was as if she had lost that thing a long, long time ago—so long that she had nearly forgotten.

Dizziness washed over her again, and irritation flared in her chest like a fire raging in her mind, accompanied by a dull, roaring noise.

“Yuan Ji, are you okay?”

A’Tong floated forward anxiously, but before it could get an answer, a pair of smooth, jade-like hands steadied Yuan Ji first.

“Are you tired?” Qi Yan asked softly, his voice as gentle as a mountain stream, soothing to the ear. He chuckled lightly, teasing, “Leave the rest to Zhi Jie. If you underestimate it, it might throw a tantrum.”

As if in response, the sword at his side let out a resonant hum, its aura surging severalfold, brimming with eagerness for battle.

Meanwhile, the Thunder Snake nearby looked as if it had seen a ghost, its large head swiveling between Yuan Ji and Qi Yan, utterly bewildered.

Who’s tired?

This terrifying god would get tired?

The Thunder Snake was convinced Qi Yan’s eyes must be faulty. Even if it collapsed from exhaustion, this fearsome woman wouldn’t so much as yawn.

A’Tong watched the two standing so close and swallowed back the words on its mind. Its sixth sense warned it to stay silent right now. And unless it was mistaken, it felt like Qi Yan had glanced at it just now.

…Surely that was just its imagination?

Unaware of A’Tong’s internal crisis, Yuan Ji caught a faint, refreshing scent that cleared her mind slightly. Lifting her gaze, she met Qi Yan’s smiling eyes.

Like a feather skimming the water’s surface, the lightest touch sent ripples through her thoughts.

“Shh.” Qi Yan leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “He’s watching.”

The moment their eyes locked, Yuan Ji’s heart trembled. Instinctively, she rubbed her fingertips together, as if that could suppress the unfamiliar emotion rising within her.

No further explanation was needed—she understood his meaning perfectly.

Yuan Ji gave a slight nod, her face growing even paler.

“Ahem.” She coughed softly, forcing herself to appear unaffected, then slowly raised a hand to gently touch Qi Yan’s cheek.

Around them, the restless wraiths seethed, their chaotic resentment whipping at their robes, their hair fluttering and tangling together. For a moment, it seemed nothing could pull the two apart.

!! Stop right there!

A’Tong watched the scene, on the verge of devolving into a bubble of pink romance, and screamed internally. It didn’t know whether to grab Yuan Ji’s hand or cover its own eyes.

Dammit, has our host finally fallen for his charms?

A’Tong mourned in despair.

The next second, Yuan Ji pressed Qi Yan’s face into the crook of her neck, ruthlessly popping any pink bubbles against her shoulder.

“Mm, don’t be afraid.”

“I’m here. I’ll get you out.”

With a solemn expression, the “weak and feeble” Yuan Ji patted Qi Yan’s shoulder, offering her “steadfast” support to this “pitiful” cultivator.

But her faint, breathless voice made the promise hard to believe—more like the delusional ramblings of someone on death’s doorstep.

Perched on the clouds above, Wu Du observed everything with satisfaction. He was now certain these were just two overconfident cultivators. They must have gotten lucky earlier with the Thunder Snake’s protection. Once he captured that serpent, he’d relish the sight of them weeping in despair.

Wu Du waved his hand, and the wraiths beside him slithered away, lurking behind the Thunder Snake, waiting for their chance.

Aside from the abrupt shift from a romantic atmosphere to a heartwarming mother-and-child scene, everything was going according to plan.

Bent at the waist, his face buried in Yuan Ji’s shoulder, Qi Yan couldn’t quite fathom how things had ended up like this.

He stared at Yuan Ji’s pale cheek and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Of course. The River God was no ordinary woman.

Behind them, a tide of blood surged.

The fish had taken the bait.