But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 8

“Reward… the River God’s Temple?”

“It can’t be this, right?”

Yuan Ji stared silently at the dilapidated temple before her. Overgrown with weeds and further ravaged by the recent rampage of frenzied magical beasts, the place was in utter disarray.

The System coughed lightly, attempting to console her. “Well, it’s shabby, but at least we have a place to stay tonight!”

Yuan Ji: “……Should I thank you for that? How… considerate of you, System.”

Unaware of Yuan Ji’s mental exchange with the System, the group behind her followed the old man’s gaze upward. The faded plaque bearing the words “River God’s Temple” was draped in cobwebs, swaying perilously in the wind as if it might crash down at any moment.

After a moment of solemn silence, they nodded in unison.

“It really does need repairs.”

“Lord River God, tomorrow I’ll gather the villagers to help restore the temple,” the elder declared eagerly, as if ready to sprint back and summon everyone immediately.

Wu Boshan rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular arms. “I used to be a carpenter. I’ll lend my skills to repay your grace, Lord River God.”

“Perfect! I was a carpenter too!” The elder’s eyes lit up. “Together, we’ll make this temple so magnificent it’ll rival the palaces of the immortals—worthy of your divine status!”

Wu Boshan, who had always loved woodworking, was thrilled to meet a kindred spirit after years of wandering. Soon, the two were deep in discussion about the temple’s restoration—one insisting on three stories, the other arguing for nine to match the River God’s prestige.

Just as Yuan Ji thought they might come to blows, they exchanged a glance and reached a consensus.

“Nine stories it is!”

Yuan Ji massaged her temples. “…That’s completely unnecessary.”

Meanwhile, Luan Xuan plucked a wildflower from the corner and shyly approached Yuan Ji, offering it with both hands. “Lord River God, this is for you. My brother and I want to help too… if that’s alright?”

After receiving Yuan Ji’s nod, the girl cheered and joined the carpenters’ enthusiastic planning session.

Eavesdropping, Yuan Ji caught snippets of their grand vision—pearl-encrusted pillars, rainbow-colored sand mosaics—until her mind conjured an eyesore of gaudy colors.

“…My eyes hurt.”

Unable to contribute to the fervent discussion, Yuan Ji quietly retreated from the campfire circle.

“System, explain the ‘faith points’ you mentioned earlier,” she said.

Reluctantly tearing itself away from the planning session, the System summoned a translucent screen and began lecturing with a makeshift pointer.

“When someone acknowledges your identity as the River God and places their faith in you, it generates faith points. These can be converted into divine power—so the more believers you have, the stronger you become.”

Its eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement. “Yuan Ji! Let me ‘borrow’—ahem, exchange—a lighthouse from the System Shop to put on the temple! A shiny golden one! That’ll attract believers in no time!”

Yuan Ji: “……”

She hadn’t realized the System had such a passion for architecture—or such questionable taste. A lighthouse would only draw unwanted pests like moths to a flame.

She vetoed the idea firmly, ignoring the System’s persistent pleading.

…

As night deepened, the moon vanished behind thick clouds, plunging the world into darkness.

The once-calm Forgotten River stirred ominously, as if something colossal struggled beneath its surface—until a sword’s gleam pierced the water, silencing the disturbance.

Qi Yan’s cold gaze swept over the river before settling on the distant temple with undisguised disdain.

“Fools.”

With a flick of his sword, he vanished—not toward the temple, but away from it. He had no patience for idiots.

Meanwhile, Yuan Ji, sensing something, glanced into the distance.

“System, it’s past midnight. Issue today’s mission.”

“Oh! Right away!” The System nodded vigorously, pleased by her diligence.

[Daily Mission: Collect river trash (0/3)]

The moment the electronic voice faded, Yuan Ji was already three steps from the temple.

The System watched her unusual haste with suspicion—until tears welled in its eyes.

“My host is so hardworking! The other Systems will be so jealous!”

Yuan Ji’s departure went unnoticed by the sleeping group, but the bound Heavenly Peak Sect disciples saw their chance.

“Elder Han Shi! Wake up! The demon’s gone—let’s escape!”

Grumbling, Han Shi blinked awake. “What? Oh! Yes, we’re leaving!”

“But Elder…” A disciple grimaced at their unbreakable bonds. “We can’t get free!”

Han Shi’s temples throbbed. “Must I do everything myself? You—be my stepping stool!”

As the disciple reluctantly bent down, Han Shi climbed onto his back, smugly scaling the wall—only for an invisible force to slam him face-first into the bricks.

Blood and snot dripped down the wall as the disciples below stared in horror.

“Elder… should we keep trying?”

Han Shi, teeth gritted: “GET ME DOWN, YOU FOOLS!”

Meanwhile, sensing the commotion, Yuan Ji smirked.

“Let them struggle.”

Her good mood lasted until she caught a familiar scent—white jade cakes.

Her hand froze mid-trash retrieval. The System, oblivious, chirped: “Ooh, that shiny thing could be a door knocker! And that jade chime would sound lovely in the wind!”

Ignoring it, Yuan Ji’s eyes narrowed at the horizon.

“There’s something out there.”

In a flash, she vanished, leaving the System scrambling after her.

“Yuan Ji?! Wait for me!”