But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 70

The River God’s Manor.

“Cultivator Qiguan, how many people are still in your family?” Xiang Yizhi passed a plate of pastries, freshly made by Yan Ku, to Qiguan Shuai, asking as if it were just a casual inquiry. “Please feel at ease staying at the River God’s Manor today. Should we send someone to your home to inform them of your safety?”

The ingredients available in the River God’s Manor weren’t plentiful, but there was a patch of spiritual plants growing exceptionally well in the valley outside the boundary stone. Combined with Yan Ku’s transcendent culinary skills, the delicate petals were plucked and made into pastries, their fragrance becoming even more alluring.

Qiguan Shuai did not particularly like sweet foods. He reached out to take the plate and offered a distant word of thanks, leaning languidly against the withered tree in the courtyard, his gaze intently following Yuan Ji’s figure in the distance.

From time to time, a trace of regret flashed in his dark eyes, which made Xiang Yizhi inwardly click his tongue.

Look at that gloomy, resentful stare. Tsk, some lovesick fool who’s wandered here from who-knows-where. “What a pity, really.”

“A pity for what?” Qiguan Shuai’s old servant, Hu Bo, suddenly appeared, staring sharply at Xiang Yizhi like a dagger glinting with cold light. “Our Lord is a dragon among men, possessing graceful elegance and a dashing demeanor! Could there possibly be anyone in this world better than our Lord?!”

The Lord had finally regained consciousness, only to be bewitched by a woman. Instead of pursuing grand ambitions, he was content to stay in this insignificant place. Hu Bo was deeply distressed, wishing he could fully display his Lord’s merits before the River God, so that person would realize what she was missing.

She actually threw the Lord into the river! Utterly ignorant and infuriating!

Even now, recalling it made Hu Bo’s anger flare.

Xiang Yizhi didn’t know where this little old man got all his energy. He wasn’t tall, but his temper was considerable; even his small cane could whip up a strong gust of wind.

The Desolate Valley, silent for so many years, was rarely this lively, and Xiang Yizhi was quite pleased. He glanced around and, seeing no one else nearby, leaned in conspiratorially towards Hu Bo.

“Let me tell you a secret. Don’t tell anyone else.” Xiang Yizhi motioned for him to come closer and whispered, “Actually, our River God already has someone in her heart. It’s just that person’s soul was scattered to the winds. Tell me, how can the living compete with the dead? You’d better advise your Lord to give up.”

But as soon as he finished speaking, Hu Bo, who had been furious moments before, lost his anger. “Is that all? It’s fine as long as she’s not completely unfeeling.”

In his opinion, what was the point of the Lord going to such lengths to hide his identity and stay by this River God’s side? He should just take her back, confine her, day after day, year after year… sooner or later, he would get what he wanted.

Xiang Yizhi wore an expression that said “you just don’t understand” and whispered again, “That person also had a child with the River God.”

“Ahem.” Qiguan Shuai was startled by their hushed whispers into coughing several times. The bloodlust in his eyes surged like scorching flames, and an icy glare shot towards Xiang Yizhi, who instantly broke into a cold sweat, his legs trembling.

Who was it?

He slowly straightened up, the hand supporting him on the branch gradually tightening, the knuckles arching into a beautiful, jade-like curve. Just standing there quietly, he exuded immense pressure.

Suddenly, as if he sensed something, his eyes fluttered shut. He covered his lips with his hand, leaning weakly against the withered tree. His wide sleeve slipped down, revealing a smooth, well-defined arm.

“Ahem.” His breath was faint.

Xiang Yizhi’s eyes widened, unable to believe what he was seeing: He…?!!

“Be careful.” Yuan Ji suddenly appeared, reaching out to steady him. She pursed her lips guiltily. “Are… are you alright?”

Qiguan Shuai glanced at her. After steadying himself, he quietly withdrew his hand, subtly putting some distance between himself and Yuan Ji.

A faint smile touched his pale face, making him appear both fragile and resilient, like a tenacious sprout that, even after a torrential downpour, still strives to show the world its vibrant green.

“It’s nothing. Thank you for your concern, Yuan Ji. I feel a bit better now.”

“It’s just that this body of mine is rather useless. I’m afraid I’ll have to impose on you for a few more days. I will leave on my own once I’ve improved.” Having said this, he lowered his head despondently. Whether it was because the river water had chilled him, Yuan Ji thought she saw a faint redness at the corners of his eyes.

“Hmm.” A strange feeling. Yuan Ji pressed her palm, trying to pinpoint the source of this odd sensation.

But seeing how Qiguan Shuai was now deliberately avoiding her, Yuan Ji didn’t know what to say, only feeling even more guilty. Who told him to suddenly get so close? It was just a reflex…

“Yuan Ji, that wasn’t a reflex; it was practically like trying to destroy the evidence,” A-Tong accurately pointed out. “Look at his wounded appearance. So pitiful, tsk tsk…”

Yuan Ji: “…”

Perhaps I’ve really been poisoned by those romantic novels.

Once she figured it out, Yuan Ji completely dismissed the absurd idea of a “River God seeking a marriage” from her mind. She had overreacted.

Yuan Ji nodded calmly. “Alright, then rest well these next few days.” With that, she turned to leave without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing this, Qiguan Shuai’s lips moved a couple of times, but ultimately, no words came out. The dim light in his eyes flickered back to life when he saw Yuan Ji return.

“Oh, this is for you.” Yuan Ji gracefully extended her hand. Resting on her palm was a pure white porcelain vial, with a faint, shimmering light glimmering on its surface. Just a glance was enough to know its contents were extraordinary. “It can treat chills and fever.”

A-Tong chimed in with a strange, mocking voice, “Yeah, this is a pill that can supposedly heal the dead and regenerate flesh. A mere chill is nothing for it.”

Yuan Ji clenched her fist. “Stop talking. This is an apology.”

A-Tong shrugged, unconvinced.

Avoiding Qiguan Shuai’s gaze, Yuan Ji turned to leave but saw several beams of golden light fly out from the River God’s Manor, instantly merging into the formation.

In the next moment, the Faith Power in the faith pool began to deplete rapidly.

“Strange, why is the faith value fluctuating so drastically?” A-Tong watched anxiously as the nearly empty pool depleted at an alarming speed.

This couldn’t go on.

“River God, something terrible has happened!” Ye Wenshu came running in a panic. “Uncle Wu sent a message! Someone is attacking the River God Temple!”

Yuan Ji thought for a moment, then closed her eyes to investigate the situation at the temple.

Sure enough, a few pests had come.

Yuan Ji’s eyes darkened. She let out a light laugh. It seemed these particular pests had come prepared this time. How thoughtful of them.

It would be a shame to waste their efforts if she didn’t go.

Yuan Ji transformed into a beam of white light and vanished into the formation. Ye Wenshu spotted Qiguan Shuai under the tree, his features contorting slightly. He had heard the River God brought someone back, but he never expected it would be someone like this!

The curiosity in Ye Wenshu’s eyes was almost overflowing. But now wasn’t the time for that. He glanced at Qiguan Shuai, then turned to look where Yuan Ji had vanished, and hurriedly followed the golden beams back to the River God Temple.

After they left, Qiguan Shuai, who had been left behind, dropped the pretense. He straightened up, his tall stature emanating an intimidating aura.

Qiguan Shuai tucked the jade vial close against his chest inside his robes. His voice was cold as he addressed Hu Xiao. “Did someone act without orders?”

Hu Xiao bowed low, not daring to face Qiguan Shuai’s anger. “My Lord, it’s the cultivators. They heard that ‘Qi Yan’ has died and are getting restless, trying to fish in troubled waters. Should we send someone to…”

“Don’t alert the enemy. Wait for my command.”

The disgust in Qiguan Shuai’s eyes for the cultivators was unmistakable, showing no regard for the fact that just days ago, he himself had been the so-called “Beacon of the Righteous Path.”

He turned to look at Xiang Yizhi, who was trying to make himself as small as a quail, and raised an eyebrow, his voice a soft threat. “Smart people know what to say. Those who aren’t smart…”

“There’s not much use keeping their heads attached. Right?”

“Yes, yes, you are absolutely right.” Xiang Yizhi bowed respectfully. Only after Qiguan Shuai transformed into a red light and followed Yuan Ji into the formation did Xiang Yizhi realize the back of his robe was completely soaked with sweat. This person was actually the famous Demon Realm Sovereign!

The Demon Realm Sovereign!

And he had pretended to be that weak, delicate appearance! Xiang Yizhi was furious. Truly, a cunning demon, using such underhanded tricks to stay here. Once the River God returns, he would definitely expose this man’s true face!

Xiang Yizhi secretly vowed not to let the River God be deceived by this individual.

Meanwhile, at the River God Temple.

Several disciples from the Tianji Sect stood outside the temple, holding long swords and magical artifacts, glancing uncertainly at each other.

One of the leading disciples raised the Divine Suppression Whip given by the sect, his heart uneasy. He looked at the crackling lightning on the temple walls, then at the menacing man-eating plants, and swallowed hard.

“Senior Brother, can we really get in?”

The senior brother next to him glared coldly and rewarded him with a sharp slap. “You coward! With the Divine Suppression Whip in hand, what are you afraid of? You’re an embarrassment to the sect!”

“Besides, the River God is dead. Now, this River God Temple is at the end of its rope. It would be better for our Tianji Sect to take control, to provide protection for the common people and free them from the deception of evil spirits and demons.”

The man brushed the dust off his immaculate sleeves, assuming an air of detached righteousness, his words full of noble purpose, the very picture of a righteous path adherent.

“Yes, Senior Brother. You are right.” The disciple covered his reddened cheek, took a deep breath, and swung the long whip.

“The River God is dead! This River God Temple rightfully belongs to the Tianji Sect!”

Crack!

The whip tore through the air with a terrifying sound, roaring as it shot towards the River God Temple.

Boom!

A tremendous force impacted the temple. The protective formation shuddered but held firm, safeguarding the temple within from any damage. The collision of the two forces lifted the ground within a ten-mile radius centered on the temple. Dust filled the air, birds scattered in alarm, and chaos ensued.

“Tsk. How dirty.” Yuan Ji looked at the scene before her with distaste, waving a hand dismissively. She hadn’t expected these few little pests could actually cause such a stir.

“Senior Brother! Look! In the sky!!”

The disciple holding the whip was about to strike a second time when he caught sight of Yuan Ji above them, observing their actions indifferently. He was so frightened he fell to the ground.

“The- The River God! She’s manifested!”

Before he finished speaking, the senior brother he had addressed kicked him, sending him flying.

The senior brother watched as his junior flew several meters, crashed into a giant rock, and vomited a large amount of blood, yet his expression remained unchanged. “Idiot.”

“This is just the last desperate struggle of the criminals. Hurry up and use the Divine Suppression Whip to capture them!”

“What River God? It’s nothing but an elaborate illusion.”

Yuan Ji was genuinely impressed by this act of attacking his own side. She let out a “Wow,” momentarily unable to resist the urge to applaud.

How bold.

But this power… she wondered how it would compare to the truly bold.

“Since you doubt its authenticity, why don’t I demonstrate the River God’s power for you today?”

Yuan Ji raised her hand. A layer of white light gradually enveloped her. Her black eyes, devoid of joy or sorrow, reflected the terrified expressions of the men below.

Thousands of majestic voices rang out simultaneously.

“Fierce Warriors, heed the call!”

“We pay respects to the River God!”