But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 7

“Fiend! Surrender now!”

A booming voice rang out from beyond the door, carrying the weight of years. It shook the withered grass from the eaves and sent a tremor through the hearts of those who heard it.

Several villagers clutched their chests, instinctively lowering their heads and fixing their gazes firmly on their shoes, afraid their mere glances might offend the “immortals” and bring unforeseen calamity. But then they remembered—they had the River God on their side now!

Shedding their usual timidity, they mustered their courage and stared intently at the entrance, the skewers of roasted meat in their hands transforming into makeshift spears, their best weapons yet.

If these newcomers dared to disrespect the River God, they would fight to the death.

Ahem. Yan Ku cleared his throat and raised the fragrant, sizzling meat in his hand. “River God, those people—”

Before he could finish, Yuan Ji took the skewer from him and eyed him suspiciously. “You… roasted this well.”

Praise instantly wiped all other thoughts from Yan Ku’s mind. He lowered his head bashfully. “You flatter me, River God. It’s only because of your discerning eye—this demon beast was the perfect choice. The meat is firm, fatty but not greasy.”

He wasn’t wrong.

This demon beast, whatever its innate talents, had leaner meat than usual, and its body was a full size larger than the average mountain boar. Even after Yan Ku had distributed portions to everyone, plenty remained. The rich aroma of fat melded with the crisp scent of fruitwood, leaving no trace of greasiness.

The cultivators who had burst in, ready for a life-or-death battle, were instead hit by the overwhelming fragrance of roasted meat: …?

How… humble of you.

Elder Han Shi cleared his throat and roared, trying to reclaim everyone’s attention. “Fiend!”

“Fiend?” Yuan Ji tilted her head, studying the newcomers before glancing down at the roasted meat in her hand, puzzled. “This?”

Elder Han Shi’s face flushed red. This was clearly an insult!

A menace, through and through!

“Fiend! Don’t play dumb!” Han Shi pulled out a stack of talismans, their familiar aura unmistakably similar to the ones used earlier.

Yuan Ji’s expression darkened in understanding.

“Ah, so the little ones cried to the big ones,” A’Tong muttered, floating beside her.

Elder Han Shi had been leading disciples to eradicate evil spirits nearby when he received a distress signal from his sect’s disciples. By the time he arrived with reinforcements, all he found was devastation.

Luckily, they had a Mirror of Remembrance to replay the events. After reviewing it, they saw this woman had beaten their disciples black and blue.

This was an affront to the Heavenly Extremity Palace’s dignity! If word got out that their disciples had been thrashed by some nameless girl, where would their reputation go?

He immediately led his disciples in pursuit, only to witness a sky filled with dark energy. Just as they prepared to subdue the rampaging demon beast wreaking havoc, the sinister aura abruptly vanished.

Han Shi and his disciples exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions growing graver.

The person who had attacked their disciples and the source of the dark energy were in the same place—and now, with her earlier words…

So, this woman was also raising demon beasts?!

Fang Mingzhu, recognizing the Heavenly Extremity Palace’s insignia, tugged at Wu Boshan’s sleeve and whispered, “Are they here to cause trouble for the River God?”

Wu Boshan patted her hand reassuringly, then turned to Yuan Ji, awaiting her orders.

Before Yuan Ji could speak, Yan Ku, spotting the tokens at their waists, realized these were disciples of the Heavenly Extremity Palace—the number one sect in the cultivation world. Nervous, he murmured, “River God, these are Heavenly Extremity Palace cultivators. Should we… retreat for now?”

“Retreat?” Yuan Ji glanced at him. “Unnecessary.”

“Such arrogance!” one of Han Shi’s disciples spat. “Fiend, you injured Senior Brother Dongfang! Surrender now!”

Yuan Ji paused, then sighed. “That sounds familiar. Where have I heard that before?”

She tilted her head. “You’re from the Heavenly Extremity Palace too?”

Elder Han Shi scrutinized her and, sensing no cultivation aura, relaxed, stroking his beard smugly. “Naturally.”

Yuan Ji nodded. “Good.”

Her slender fingers twirled lightly at her side, and a flash of white light flickered. It seemed like a casual motion, but for some reason, Han Shi’s heart clenched—as if something had been stripped from him.

Elder Han Shi: …?

This wasn’t going as planned. No matter. He’d just subdue this fiend himself before she caused more trouble.

Han Shi pinched a yellow talisman between two fingers, pressed it to his lips, and muttered an incantation. Confident, he glared at the insolent girl, ready to show her the might of the Heavenly Extremity Palace.

“Rise!”

As the chant ended, the cinnabar on the talisman glowed gold, and the paper shot toward Yuan Ji with overwhelming force—far stronger than Dongfang Hua’s earlier attempt.

“Oh no, that’s Elder Han Shi of the Heavenly Extremity Palace, a Nascent Soul cultivator!” Luan Yu recognized the talisman immediately.

Han Shi’s personal cultivation wasn’t extraordinary, but his talismans were legendary—even the sect leader treated him with respect. His exclusive “Divine Summoning Talisman” could borrow a sliver of divine power to amplify his strength. The sheer force was not to be underestimated. “River God, be careful!”

But no one expected what happened next.

The talisman, brimming with murderous intent, had barely left Han Shi’s hand when it lost all momentum, fluttering weakly through the air like a dead leaf before plopping lifelessly to the ground.

Pfft! Someone couldn’t hold back a snicker.

Humiliated, Han Shi’s face darkened. He shot a glare at the offender before yanking out another talisman.

“Go!”

A moment later, the same thing happened—the talisman was slapped to the ground by an invisible force, landing neatly beside the first.

Yuan Ji: …?

“Damn it!” Han Shi cursed inwardly. Noticing his disciples’ doubtful looks, his temper flared. He barked at them, “What are you panicking for?!”

“Fine! If this is how it is, I’ll get serious!” His voice was low and venomous.

Wu Boshan shielded Fang Mingzhu, while Luan Yu did the same for Luan Xuan. The entire group tensed, not daring to breathe.

Yuan Ji observed Han Shi, then leisurely raised a hand, revealing a chestnut cake resting on her palm.

The cake had been carefully stacked into a pagoda-like tower by the villagers, but after the demon beast’s rampage, it had tumbled to the ground, its pale yellow surface now dotted with dried grass.

Unfazed, Yuan Ji plucked off the grass. The faint sweetness of chestnut clung to her fingertips.

They must’ve used a lot of sugar.

Rubbing her fingers together, she suddenly remembered the delicate fragrance of the white jade cake she’d smelled earlier. That dessert must’ve been just right.

She sighed wistfully, then looked up at Han Shi, her gaze chilling.

Han Shi shuddered. Strange. This girl has no cultivation at all…

With a cold snort, he tightened his grip on the talisman. “Perish!”

He finished the incantation in a flash, smirking. He could already imagine their terrified faces.

But his triumph was short-lived.

The talisman flew out—only to plop lifelessly to the ground like all the others, crumbling to dust.

“No… impossible!” Elder Han Shi stammered, eyes bulging as he stared at the neatly lined-up talismans. His once-smooth beard was now frazzled. “What trickery is this?! Fiend, what sorcery have you wrought?! I refuse to believe it! More talismans, now!”

His disciples hurriedly handed over stacks of talismans. “Elder, here!”

Han Shi snatched them, nearly possessed as he flung talisman after talisman at Yuan Ji.

“Flame Cloud Talisman!”

“Ice Spike Talisman!”

“Thunder Rush Talisman!”

“Spirit-Binding Talisman!”

…

Yuan Ji stared blankly as the talismans performed synchronized free-falls in front of her, her eyebrow twitching.

This feels… weird.

“Tsk. This guy’s stubborn,” A’Tong sighed, shaking his head. “At this rate, it’s like a carnival game—whichever ring lands on you wins a prize?”

Yuan Ji arched a brow, catching the unfamiliar term.

She didn’t know what it meant, but it didn’t sound complimentary.

Brushing the crumbs from her hands, she decided she’d had enough of this farce. It was getting noisy.

She glanced down at the dozens of talismans strewn before her, their dazzling array nearly blinding. Patience thinning, she rubbed her temples and casually flicked a finger.

Whoosh!

All the talismans stood upright at once, lining up neatly as if awaiting her selection.

Elder Han Shi felt blood rush to his throat: …?

What kind of sorcery is this?!

The onlookers gulped, sensing something unprecedented was about to unfold.

Sure enough, Yuan Ji lazily picked one from the bunch.

“This one.” She crooked a finger, and the “Spirit-Binding Talisman” erupted in blinding light before transforming into spiritual chains that wrapped tightly around the Heavenly Extremity Palace cultivators.

Elder Han Shi and disciples: …?! Wrong target! You tied up the wrong people!

Yan Ku: … No incantation needed?

Wu Boshan and Fang Mingzhu: …?

Luan Yu and Luan Xuan: …?

The villagers, however, brightened instantly. Dropping their makeshift spears, they crowded behind Yuan Ji, showering her with praise.

“The River God is amazing!”

“As expected of the River God, protecting us once again!”

“Using the enemy’s own weapons against them—truly a divine being!”

Their heartfelt compliments grew with each word, deepening the scowl on the Heavenly Extremity Palace cultivators’ faces.

Yan Ku wanted to join in but held back. Instead, he quietly pulled out a rope said to restrain even Nascent Soul cultivators and added another layer of security to the “Spirit-Binding Talisman.”

Just in case the talisman fails.

Everyone: …?

Always the meticulous one.

Not to be outdone, Luan Yu stepped forward and sprinkled a bottle of “Muscle-Softening Powder” over the captives. Extra insurance.

Elder Han Shi and disciples: …?

Yuan Ji observed their actions, her expression unreadable. After a thoughtful pause, she nodded slightly—as if she’d learned something profound—making A’Tong shudder.

Encouraged by the River God’s display, the villagers huddled together, whispering. Finally, the eldest elder spoke up.

“Since the River God has descended, we must begin restoring the River God Temple at once.”

[Ding! Hidden reward unlocked: River God Temple x1.]