But I’m a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 88

Ruan Xuanxin opened his eyes once more, gazing up at the dark green canopy overhead. From time to time, a blue head would peek out from among the leaves, push them aside, tilt up, and release a stream of bubbles carrying the scent of the sea.

Pop. A bubble drifted down and burst right in front of his face. For a moment, Ruan Xuanxin was utterly bewildered.

“Am I dead?”

He muttered to himself, reaching up to wipe the water droplets from his face, only to hiss in pain as the movement pulled at the wound on his chest. “Sss.”

He remembered now. He had been hunted by a Demon Wolf. Wait… he wasn’t dead? Then… where was that wolf?!

Ruan Xuanxin jerked his head up. Next to him, a campfire crackled, tiny sparks flying. The flames were hungrily licking at a massive shape suspended above it, sending up wisps of scorching smoke.

“Oh, you’re awake.” Ah Tong flew down from a branch and landed on Ruan Xuanxin’s face, extending two feelers in a friendly greeting. “Talk about nine lives!”

His vision suddenly blocked by the sticky, suction-cup sensation clinging to his face, Ruan Xuanxin panicked. He let out a strangled cry, flailing his head wildly, trying to shake off this terrifying, unknown creature.

His cries were so desperate and loud that they frightened Ah Tong even more. The little creature promptly tightened the suction of its feelers, terrified of being flung off into who-knows-what.

“Ahhhhhh!”

“Squeak squeak squeak!!!”

Their overlapping shrieks echoed across the River of Forgetfulness.

Yuan Ji’s face was wooden, her expression sinking inch by inch. A vein throbbed at her temple. She felt a headache coming on.

Maybe if she tossed both Ah Tong and this troublesome fellow into the River right now, she could finally have some peace.

Yuan Ji gazed at them darkly, grinding her teeth before casting a silencing spell on each. Instant quiet descended upon the surroundings.

Ruan Xuanxin and Ah Tong stared at each other, wide-eyed. Silence.

Ah Tong shot a resentful look at Yuan Ji, then, as if venting its frustration, gave Ruan Xuanxin a couple of taps with its feeler. Seeing the dazed look in his eyes, it gave a soft hmph and scurried back to Yuan Ji’s shoulder.

“This… this is an octopus demon?” Ruan Xuanxin inwardly gasped. But then he remembered—he’d seen that blue head among the branches earlier. If it had wanted to eat him, it would have done so already.

He breathed a sigh of relief, his attention drawn to the roaring campfire. Having lost so much blood earlier, his entire body had felt bone-chillingly cold. Now, the heat radiating from the fire held a fatal allure for him.

Ruan Xuanxin took two steps forward, swallowing hard. The Demon Wolf that had been hunting him was now meat on a spit, at the mercy of the person roasting it.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared intently at Yuan Ji.

Right! When his spirit was on the verge of shattering, he had seen a streak of white light descend from the sky, strike down the Demon Wolf, and save him!!

But… this was just a young girl, seemingly younger than him, who had effortlessly killed that frenzied Demon Wolf and was now roasting it on a spit?!

The shock this scene delivered to Ruan Xuanxin far surpassed the time he overheard his martial uncle calling the giant serpent in the back mountains “Kitty.”

“&%$#” Ruan Xuanxin excitedly stepped forward, wanting to say something, but the words were firmly sealed at his lips.

Ruan Xuanxin: “……”

He crouched next to Yuan Ji like a puppy, his eyes shining brightly.

Yuan Ji: “……”

Impatiently, she waved her hand and released the silencing spell on him. “Speak quickly if you have something to say.”

“Senior!” Ruan Xuanxin exclaimed happily, quickly performing a salute towards Yuan Ji. “This humble one is Ruan Xuanxin of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Many thanks for saving my life. Might Senior be willing to take me as a disciple?”

Yuan Ji’s attention remained fixed on the Demon Wolf before her. As soon as Ruan Xuanxin finished speaking, she refused without a second thought. “No.”

Ruan Xuanxin’s brows and eyes instantly drooped, putting on a pitiful expression. “Senior, it’s true my current strength isn’t high, and I’m injured.”

“But as long as I can become your disciple, I can do anything!”

Serve tea, pour water, massage legs, pound backs, slay demons, commit arson—I can handle it all!

Seeing this, Yuan Ji glanced at him. Just as the latter thought she might be relenting and about to agree, a flash of white light exploded before his eyes.

Ruan Xuanxin only felt a bright light, the budding joy in his heart instantly extinguished as he, along with that feeling, was flung into the icy waters of the River of Forgetfulness.

“Gurgle, gurgle…”

The river water in the night was piercingly cold, but in this moment, Ruan Xuanxin seemed to gain a sudden insight.

He had always pursued complex sword techniques; the more flashy and elaborate, the more they captured his attention. That’s why in the past he had learned techniques like the “Smiling Amidst Flowers Sword,” the “Single Grain in the Vast Sea Sword”…

But when Senior threw him into the river, he hadn’t even sensed a ripple of spiritual energy.

Was this the power of a true expert? The mightier one was, the simpler their moves? Or perhaps, raw, substantive strength was the true foundation?

Having grasped this, Ruan Xuanxin instantly entered a profound, mystical state.

“He… he actually achieved a breakthrough in the River of Forgetfulness!” Ah Tong exclaimed in surprise, blowing a bubble. “This guy really lives up to being a genius swordsman of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, achieving enlightenment in a situation like this.”

“Mhm.” Yuan Ji responded indifferently, unconcerned, her gaze returning to the Demon Wolf before her.

Its fur had been far too thick and dense before. She couldn’t investigate how the wolf had become this way, so she had resorted to using fire to burn it all off.

Yuan Ji turned the wooden spit, roasting the Demon Wolf more evenly.

Just then, a delicate, fresh fragrance wafted over, diluting the charred, foul smell in the air.

Yuan Ji’s eyes unconsciously flickered with a trace of a smile.

He was here.

“Yuan Ji.”

The person stood behind Yuan Ji. Seeing her, he couldn’t help but take two quick steps forward. Yet, the closer he got to Yuan Ji, the more apprehensive he became.

Qiguan Shang looked at Yuan Ji’s back, unwilling to turn around. His heart instantly filled with unease. His beautiful brows drooped forlornly, a picture of pitiful dejection.

He called out again softly, “Yuan Ji.”

“Are you still willing to hear my explanation?” Qiguan Shang’s voice was extremely gentle, like a soft spring breeze caressing the newly sprouted tips of flowering branches.

Yuan Ji’s heart trembled slightly. She silently tightened her grip on the wooden branch in her hand. After a long moment…

She cleared her throat and granted him a great mercy. “Speak.”

Receiving permission, that warm presence immediately drew much closer. It wasn’t as scorching as the campfire, but carried a warmth like a hot spring.

“Yuan Ji, I… didn’t intentionally deceive you.” Qiguan Shang paused. “I was afraid… you would despise me for being a demon.”

Yuan Ji turned her head in confusion, about to ask why he would think that, when she saw the person before her illuminated by the campfire. A sprig of red plum blossom was tucked behind his left ear, from which dangled a tassel woven of delicate gold strands, echoing the dot of gold at the center of his forehead, adding a unique brilliance to his appearance.

Qiguan Shang slowly raised a hand. He had changed out of the red robes for a more luxurious black robe, with flowing golden patterns rippling across it like slowly churning lava, adding a dangerous air to his demeanor.

Yuan Ji subtly pursed her lips, her tone slightly stiff. “A demon?”

“Yes. I am a Demon Realm Sovereign—Qiguan Shang.” Qiguan Shang lowered his gaze, his eyes fixed directly on Yuan Ji. “I wasn’t exiled by my clan either. I came to find you of my own will.”

I searched for you for over ten thousand years.

A seemingly unfathomable sadness seemed to pool in Qiguan Shang’s eyes. He looked at Yuan Ji like this, as if it were the last time, wanting to imprint her image deeply into his mind.

“I don’t presume to ask for your forgiveness.” Qiguan Shang offered the bouquet of crystalline flowers in his hand to her. These flowers had the luster of spirit stones yet held the gentle warmth of jade, a flower quite beloved by demons.

“I only hope for a chance to remain by your side.”

These flowers were exceedingly rare, growing only a few blossoms each year on the highest peaks of the Demon Realm. And Qiguan Shang held a full bouquet. “These are called Crystalline Profusion Flowers. When dissolved in water and consumed, they can alleviate headaches.”

“If you don’t find them distasteful, after you finish this batch, I will bring you more every day.”

Yuan Ji unconsciously touched the swollen spot on her temple, which still seemed to carry the faint coolness of Qiguan Shang’s fingertips. She withdrew her hand, her expression cold. “And what about your curse? Explain that.”

“You mean this Corrosive Life Curse?” Qiguan Shang wanted to undo his collar to explain to Yuan Ji, but his fingers paused just as they touched the fabric. He slowly parted the outer robe, revealing a layer of dark red gauze underneath, beneath which black thorns writhed arrogantly.

Yuan Ji’s eyes narrowed instantly, her hand reaching out to touch. In such a short time, it had gained such vitality.

How was this possible?

“Apologies.” Qiguan Shang gathered the robe back together, concealing the thorns from view lest they dirty Yuan Ji’s sight. “This is the curse every Demon Realm Sovereign receives.”

The Heavenly Dao, unwilling to let the demon race occupy the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, thus cast down this curse. Within the bloodline of every demon lies the seed of a Corrosive Life Plant.

This plant feeds on the host’s demonic energy. The stronger the host’s demonic power, the more luxuriantly the Corrosive Life Plant grows. As one wanes, the other waxes. The stronger the power, the shorter the lifespan.

Generally, the strength of an ordinary demon is insufficient to awaken this plant; it sleeps within their bloodline for their entire lives.

Only the most formidable demons awaken the Corrosive Life Plant, and only they possess the power to barely suppress it from consuming them too quickly.

Therefore, those unaware of the truth all say, “Only Demon Realm Sovereigns receive the Corrosive Life Curse.”

“The stronger one’s power, the more this curse grows. But Yuan Ji, you needn’t worry, it won’t endanger life; it just looks frightening.” Qiguan Shang’s tone was light. “With the plum blossoms you gave me, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Yuan Ji stared at him fixedly, silent.

After a long while, she took the bouquet of Crystalline Profusion Flowers from Qiguan Shang’s hand, mumbling, “Demon, immortal, or monster—they’re all the same to me.”

Immediately, Qiguan Shang’s eyes brightened. He gazed at Yuan Ji, his slightly lowered eyes now brimming with surging affection.

“Yuan Ji, you’re just forgiving him like that?” Ah Tong pouted, somewhat incredulous.

Yuan Ji was too biased!

Yuan Ji shot it a dark look and cast another silencing spell.

Ah Tong: ? ? ! ! !

It was going to throw a fit!

Having received forgiveness, Qiguan Shang’s heart suddenly relaxed. A slight smile touched his lips as his gaze fell on the Demon Wolf over the campfire. “Yuan Ji, are you hungry? Let me roast it for you.”

Hearing this, Yuan Ji jolted awake. So that was where the faint aroma of meat was coming from—the demon beast was actually cooked.

A complex mix of emotions washed over Yuan Ji. She looked at the charred, indistinguishable mess of burnt hair and flesh below and spoke with difficulty.

“Actually… I wanted to investigate the cause of this demon beast’s frenzy.”

Qiguan Shang looked at her, puzzled.

“I forgot for a moment.”

“Can we still find out if it’s burnt…?”

Qiguan Shang was momentarily at a loss for words. That was certainly a good question.

The two of them moved the Demon Wolf away from the campfire, looked at each other, and fell silent.

Just then, a surging sword aura shot out from the River of Forgetfulness.

“Hahahaha!”

The spirited youth let out a hearty laugh. Ruan Xuanxin erupted from the river, his eyes shockingly bright. Like a dog that hadn’t seen its master in ages, he charged straight towards Yuan Ji.

“Shifu!”

“I achieved a breakthrough!”

Yuan Ji: ? ?

Before she could react, she saw a surge of demonic energy fly out from beside her, once again slapping the young man back into the water.

“Gurgle, gurgle…”

Yuan Ji: “……”

A vein twitched at Yuan Ji’s temple. As if remembering something, she turned to look at Qiguan Shang. “Wait. Pull him out first.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Qiguan Shang before her seemed to suffer a tremendous blow.

He opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word, simply lowering his eyes and responding despondently.

“Alright. I’ll listen to Yuan Ji.”

It wouldn’t be impossible to finish him off with one strike while he’s in the water right now, Qiguan Shang thought darkly.

Never mind. Pull him out first and find another opportunity later…