Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 83

The reason was that they couldn’t defeat that monstrous fish demon, which had reached the peak of the Blood-Refining realm. It could always retreat into the unfathomable depths of the river.

Could they possibly ask their Lord Envoy to also dive into the mysterious depths of the Jinlin River?

As for why Taiping Town hadn’t relocated—within a hundred-mile radius, the Jinlin River was the only major river, and it served as a vital route to the prefectural city of Badao Prefecture.

The local government of Jinlin County had once proposed relocating Taiping Town, but the suggestion was rejected by most of its residents.

In these increasingly chaotic times, having found a place to settle down, even at a small cost, was far better than wandering aimlessly.

Most importantly, that monstrous fish demon seemed to understand boundaries.

It stayed hidden at the bottom of the Jinlin River year-round, causing no trouble, and only demanded twenty young boys and girls as tribute each year.

The people of Taiping Town had tacitly accepted this arrangement.

Later, the Black Swan Guards from the prefectural city also quietly withdrew, letting the matter drop and choosing to turn a blind eye.

Now, with the world undergoing drastic changes and supernatural anomalies experiencing major upheavals, everything had begun to awaken ahead of time.

Other mountain demons and monsters had also begun to appear frequently in the human world.

Even the Black Swan Guards in the prefectural city were facing a shortage of personnel.

Thus, the Envoy had chosen to overlook the monster in the Jinlin River, maintaining the status quo by feigning ignorance.

What Zhao Sheng and the others hadn’t expected was that there was another layer to the situation.

Deep within the Jinlin River lay a terrifying presence.

Their so-called Lord Envoy, Li Chengfeng, was one of the few who knew this secret.

The River God of the Jinlin River?
Wasn’t that just a legend among the folk?

Though Lu Xuan’s face remained expressionless, his mind was racing.

Sacrificing living people?
This sounds more like an evil deity. Could it be a demonic creature?
A demonic creature!

At this thought, a flicker of emotion finally crossed Lu Xuan’s face. He glanced subtly at Zhao Sheng and the others.

It was then that Lu Xuan noticed something unusual about the expressions of Zhao Sheng and his companions.

Logically, as martial artists at the Blood-Refining realm, the three of them should have heard the conversation involving the mayor of Taiping Town, just as he had.

“Zhao Sheng, as a member of the Black Swan Guards, have you ever heard of something like a River God?”

After a moment, Lu Xuan set down his teacup and casually brought up the topic of the River God.

Lu Xuan’s sudden question made Zhao Sheng and the other two laugh awkwardly.

“Heh heh…”

“Reporting to Senior Xuan, I have indeed heard of something like a River God.”

“Senior, are you referring to the River God of the Jinlin River?”

“We do know a little about this matter.”

Zhao Sheng understood clearly that since this senior had suddenly raised questions about the River God, he must be referring to the demonic creature in the Jinlin River.

Although speaking of this matter was somewhat embarrassing, Zhao Sheng didn’t dare refuse Senior Xuan’s inquiry and chose to explain everything truthfully.

“Alright, Zhao Sheng, no need to say more. I understand.”

Before Zhao Sheng could finish, Lu Xuan cut him off, stopping him from continuing.

So it’s a demonic creature at the peak of the Blood-Refining realm!
Lu Xuan didn’t dwell on the details. All he needed to know was that the so-called River God of the Jinlin River was, in fact, a demonic creature.

“By the way, Zhao Sheng, I just heard that this town offers twenty young boys and girls to that demonic creature every year.”

“If, three days from now, that demonic creature doesn’t see the sacrifices, what might it do?”

Zhao Sheng laughed awkwardly and hesitated before responding to Lu Xuan.

“Reporting to Senior Xuan, this… I really don’t know.”

None of them had ever lived in Taiping Town, so how could they know what the consequences might be?

“Is that so?”

Lu Xuan murmured softly, then without hesitation, said something that shocked Zhao Sheng and the other two.

“The three of you, come with me to meet the mayor of Taiping Town.”

“I’m quite curious to see what will happen if the Jinlin River demon doesn’t receive its sacrifices three days from now.”

“Senior Xuan, you mustn’t!”

“That demonic creature is extremely powerful, at the peak of the Blood-Refining realm. The three of us are no match for it.”

“If we anger it, when the time comes…”

Lu Xuan frowned slightly, speaking with a hint of displeasure. “That is not for you to worry about. I have my ways to deal with it.”

Immediately, an inexplicably powerful aura emanated from Lu Xuan, putting Zhao Sheng and the others on high alert.

“Then… then we will follow Senior Xuan’s arrangements.”

Seeing that Lu Xuan had made up his mind, Zhao Sheng and the other two had no choice but to brace themselves and obey his orders.

Of course, deep down, Zhao Sheng and the others held a sliver of hope.

If Lu Xuan could eliminate that demonic creature, wouldn’t they be overjoyed?

Their only concern was that if they failed, it would inevitably provoke the wrath of the demonic creature in the Jinlin River.

If that happened, while they might be fine, the ordinary people of Taiping Town would suffer the consequences, bearing the brunt of the demon’s fury.

Mayor’s Residence, Taiping Town.

In the main hall, twenty young boys and girls—children chosen by lottery to be sacrificed to the River God—were gathered.

“Make sure their meals these next few days are generous. Consider it compensation from Taiping Town.”

The mayor of Taiping Town seemed somewhat reluctant, turning his back to avoid seeing the crying and distressed children.

“You few, make sure to keep a close watch on these children. Remember, this matter concerns the sacrificial ritual. No mistakes are allowed.”

Whoosh!

At that moment, the faint sound of objects landing on the ground echoed.

Four figures suddenly appeared in the hall, startling everyone.

Even the crying children fell silent, curiously watching the newcomers.

These four were none other than Lu Xuan and Zhao Sheng’s group.

The mayor of Taiping Town immediately assumed a defensive posture, eyeing Lu Xuan and the others warily.

“Who are you?!”

“Are you the mayor of Taiping Town?”

“I am Zhao Sheng of the Black Swan Guards from Badao Prefecture. From today onward, I will be taking charge of Taiping Town.”

Lu Xuan spoke without changing his expression.

Beside him, Zhao Sheng staggered slightly, as if startled by Lu Xuan’s words.

“The Black Swan Guards?”

“It’s you!”

“Have you come because of the River God of the Jinlin River?”

Hearing Lu Xuan’s words, the mayor of Taiping Town instantly recalled the experts from Badao Prefecture all those years ago.

“But… didn’t you fail back then?”

The mayor’s face darkened. The appearance of the Black Swan Guards reminded him of the consequences of angering the River God of the Jinlin River all those years ago.

In a single night, the River God had taken away over a hundred people from the town.