Chapter 476: The River Is Clear, the Moon Near Me

Chapter 476: The River Is Clear, the Moon Near Me

Before he knew it, the ferryboat had already entered the territory of Huangting Nation, a land of towering mountains and deep waters.

Chen Ping'an came to the bow to enjoy the scenery. The ferryboat crew was considerate, deliberately lowering the boat's floating altitude. At times, it would brush past precipitous peaks, with birds flying alongside as companions.

As a territory split from the ancient Shu lands, besides the many registered immortals from grand mountain peaks who would contact various forces to follow local gazetteers and marketplace rumors, pay some money to local immortals and the Huangting court, and then dig extensively to alter river courses, causing riverbeds to dry up and be exposed in search of so-called Dragon Palace secret realms, there were also wild cultivators who came here trying to pick up scraps and try their luck. The blind old Daoist and his three disciples had once had the same idea. But matters of fortune are ethereal and elusive. Unless a cultivator was extremely wealthy, had the means to pull strings, and could throw money around indiscriminately, it was hard to gain much.

The ferryboat's destination was the Changchun Palace north of the Great Li capital, passing by Oxhorn Mountain in Dragon Spring Commandery. Chen Ping'an had no intention of disembarking there. According to his planned route, he wanted to first visit the former mansion that belonged to the bride-in-red ghost woman, to check on Gu Can's father. Then, following the familiar path of Embroidery River, Red Candle Town, Chess Piece Mountain, and Iron Talisman River, he would adopt a seated sword-flying posture and race back to Fallen Mountain as quickly as possible. Otherwise, riding a horse would be too slow, and he would miss the cross-continent ferryboat heading to Northern Juzhou.

Since a single ferryboat couldn't land just for one passenger, Chen Ping'an had already informed the crew. He would leave the horse at Oxhorn Mountain and asked them to contact the people at the Oxhorn Mountain ferry dock to have the horse sent to Fallen Mountain.

The ferryboat manager looked troubled. After all, just flying over Great Li territory was already nerve-wracking enough. They feared that if any passenger carelessly spat over the railing and it landed on a Great Li immortal's mountain peak, the Great Li cultivator would sacrifice a magic treasure and blast them all to pieces, leaving no remains. Moreover, Oxhorn Mountain ferry dock was the second-to-last stop on this route, permanently guarded by a unit of Great Li iron cavalry. How could they dare to interact with those martial artists beyond cargo handling?

Chen Ping'an explained a bit more, saying he had a good relationship with Oxhorn Mountain and that his own mountain peak was adjacent to the ferry dock. A matter of one horse wouldn't cause trouble.

The old manager wore a grimace, neither refusing nor agreeing. In the end, Chen Ping'an secretly slipped him a few Snowflower Coins, and only then did the Insight Ocean realm old cultivator reluctantly agree.

The real reason, of course, wasn't greed for those few Snowflower Coins, but rather the young man's Great Li identity—he didn't dare to offend him too much. Since he owned Fallen Mountain, he was a local magnate. This ferry route had been opened by their family's ancestor at great cost in connections and wealth, a new source of income. They would inevitably cross paths again. Taking a risk to help was just a way to build a familiar face. In running a business long-term, trivial matters accumulate. Who knows when a favor might come in handy?

Fortunately, the young man was also sensible. After getting his way, he reciprocated by saying that when the boat docked and he had free time, he was welcome to visit Fallen Mountain as a guest. His name was Chen Ping'an, and there was wine and tea on the mountain.

The old manager finally gave a genuine smile. Whether genuine or not, having that statement from the young swordsman was better than nothing. In business, often just knowing a name doesn't mean you're truly friends. But when others heard it, they would think twice.

Later, one day, after the ferryboat had entered Great Li territory, Chen Ping'an looked down at the mountains and rivers below, greeted the old manager, and then directly unsheathed his flying sword, vaulted over the railing, and leaped down.

Stepping on that golden thread, he descended in a sharp arc to the ground.

The old manager slapped the railing, his face full of surprise. When he reached Oxhorn Mountain, he would definitely inquire thoroughly about who this "Chen Ping'an" really was. He was so deeply hidden! Descending the mountain to travel, and only bringing a horse? Which immortal residence cultivator didn't have some celestial flair?

Chen Ping'an landed on a road he was already very familiar with. This time, he no longer needed a Yang Qi lantern talisman to guide him. He directly arrived at a cliff wall, flicked his finger lightly as if knocking on a door, instead of using a barrier-breaking talisman to forcefully "break in and trespass." Previously, he had done that and was later coldly mocked by the Embroidery River Water God, who had a green snake coiled around her arm. She had scolded him according to Great Li's mountain laws and warned that it would not be tolerated again. Although she seemed domineering, Chen Ping'an was indeed in the wrong. So, even if Chen Ping'an was not yet a true Sword Immortal, or even if he became one someday, he still had to "knock" here.

Ripples spread, and the mountain-water barrier suddenly opened. Chen Ping'an stepped inside, and his view opened up.

Chen Ping'an frowned slightly, walking slowly and looking around. The atmosphere here was far better than before. The mountain-water terrain was stable, and the spiritual energy was abundant. These were all good signs. It should be the result of Gu Can's father, as the new mansion master, having repaired the mountain root effectively over three years. For a mountain or water god, this was a solid merit that would be recorded in the merit book kept by the Ministry of Rites for recording and the Ministry of Personnel's Merit Evaluation Department for preservation. But today, Gu Can's father did not come out to greet him, which was unreasonable.

Previously, when returning to Fallen Mountain, Chen Ping'an had asked Wei Po in detail about this "Xiu Shui Gao Feng" Chu family mansion. Wei Po, as the Northern Great Mountain God, had jurisdiction over the old mansion and the new mansion master as his subordinate officials. Wei Po knew the details thoroughly, but he also said that the Great Li Ministry of Rites' Department of Sacrificial Worship was responsible for several "hidden threads" personally pulled by the court. Even Wei Po only had the right to know, not to interfere. This old Chu residence was among them, and it had only been transferred last winter, essentially being separated from the Northern Great Mountain territory. The last time Chen Ping'an signed a contract with the Great Li court at Piyun Mountain, the Vice Minister of Rites had mentioned this matter to Wei Po, explaining roughly, but it was just polite words to prevent Wei Po from overthinking. Wei Po naturally had no objection. He wasn't stupid. If he truly regarded all nominally Northern Great Mountain territories as his own, even the Great Li capital would count as his territory. Could he really go to the Great Li capital and throw his weight around?

Regarding the Gu family's yin spirit, according to official statements, Gu Tao had stayed in seclusion for the past three years, diligently repairing mountain and water qi. His hard work was highly commended, and the court was about to give him further rewards and appointments. It was said that Wei Po and Zhu Lian had even made a bet about Gu Tao's appointment, each writing down their guesses on a slip of paper and placing it with the pink-skirted little girl. The loser would treat the winner to wine. Wei Po had asked Chen Ping'an at the time to guess what they had written. How could Chen Ping'an guess such things? Besides, he still had boxing lessons waiting for him on the second floor, and his head was already spinning. Now, Chen Ping'an somewhat regretted not knowing, as it would have given him some psychological preparation. Wei Po also mentioned that after Gu Can's mother moved back to the ancestral home on Mudsoup Alley in the town, she immediately went to find Gu Tao. But although she entered the mountain-water territory, the husband and wife, separated by yin and yang, apparently never met face to face.

Today, the Embroidery River Water God, still clad in golden armor, was waiting for Chen Ping'an at the mansion's main gate.

However, compared to the tense atmosphere of their previous encounter, this time the orthodox Water God, whose rank was slightly lower than Yang Hua of Iron Talisman River, had a much more relaxed expression.

Chen Ping'an clasped his fists in salute. "Greetings, Water God."

The Embroidery River Water God nodded in acknowledgment. "Are you here to catch up with the mansion master Gu Tao, or to seek revenge for Madam Chu?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I'm here to visit Uncle Gu."

Regarding the matter of Letterbox Lake, since it had already concluded, there was no need to be overly deliberate. No one was a fool. This loyal Embroidery River Water God had clearly been following the secret instructions of the National Master Cui Can back then. Perhaps the performance between him and Uncle Gu had been a feint to deceive heaven and cross the sea. He had unhesitatingly changed his route and arrived at Letterbox Lake early, preventing that deadlock from becoming an even bigger knot. If he had been even a month later, Ruan Xiu and those Sticky Pole Guards would have clashed with Gu Can of Green Gorge Island. The two sides were irreconcilable, and there was a mysterious Dao connection. If either side suffered any casualties, it would have been an unimaginable disaster for Chen Ping'an.

So, this Water God, who had been lax in supervision back then, might have already been reprimanded by Cui Can.

The Water God gently stroked the head of the green snake coiled on his arm and smiled. "Chen Ping'an, although I am still somewhat annoyed that the two of you joined forces to fool me back then and let you slip away to Letterbox Lake, causing me to waste time staring at your old servant, that was your skill. Rest assured, if it's official business, I won't vent personal grievances."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Since you can appear here, Water God, you must have that magnanimity. I believe you. From now on, we are neighbors in these mountains and waters. We'll get along as we should."

The stalwart Embroidery River Water God's eyes showed approval. His words hadn't been pleasant to hear, implying clearly that since he, as a Water God neighboring Dragon Spring Commandery, wouldn't let official matters be affected by private grudges, then if a private rift arose between them someday, it would naturally be settled privately. The young man's response was appropriate—neither harsh words nor deliberate weakness.

The Water God pointed behind him and smiled. "The matter of repairing the mountain root is a long and arduous task. This time, I am not deliberately making things difficult for you and Gu Tao by preventing you from catching up. He simply cannot extricate himself for now. However, if you are willing, you may enter the mansion and sit a while. I will host you with a glass of wine on Gu Tao's behalf. As for… Madam Chu's matter, I have some personal words I'd like to share with you. Many past events are destined not to be recorded in the Ministry of Rites' archives. But after getting drunk, some harmless drunken talk is not against the rules. What do you say, Chen Ping'an? Will you give me this face?"

Chen Ping'an nodded with a smile. "Competing in drinking capacity with a Water God is indeed unwise. I'll brace myself and suffer a bit."

They walked into the mansion together, side by side. Chen Ping'an asked, "Has the night roaming feast of Piyun Mountain's gods already concluded?"

The Embroidery River Water God hummed in affirmation. "You might not have guessed it. Three of the old Five Great Mountain Gods of Great Li came to Piyun Mountain for the feast, along with many tributary state gods who attended. Since the founding of Great Li, there has never been such a grand night roaming feast. Lord Wei Po, as the host, was exceptionally elegant. I'm not flattering my superior; it's simply that Lord Wei Po was so unexpectedly outstanding, a divine presence unmatched among all mountains. I don't know how many female gods fell for our Northern Great Mountain God at first sight. After the feast ended, they lingered reluctantly, unwilling to leave."

Mentioning Wei Po, who was already familiar as the "Chess Piece Mountain Earth Deity," this Embroidery River Water God seemed genuinely impressed.

Chen Ping'an thought about how on his own Fallen Mountain, he was sometimes treated like a lecherous rogue, while Wei Po was so different. Unbelievable.

Seated in the brilliantly lit hall, only a few ghostly maidservants attended, whom the Water God waved away.

The Water God brought out two jugs of wine infused with the essence of Embroidery River's water fortune, tossed one to Chen Ping'an, and they each began to drink.

The Water God was clearly an old acquaintance of the mansion's former owner, Madam Chu. His hospitality was straightforward, without ambiguity. He didn't expect Chen Ping'an to turn from enemy to friend, but only hoped Chen Ping'an wouldn't fight her to the death. Then the Water God detailed the story of that bride-in-red ghost woman and the Great Li scholar, telling how she had once been kindhearted and deeply infatuated with that scholar. As for her violent actions after feeling betrayed by the heartless man, he didn't hide anything—each and every incident. The pitiful remains she had planted like "flowers and plants" in the back garden still hadn't been moved, their resentment lingering, the souls of the dead unable to find release, seven or eight out of ten still trapped.

Mentioning the tragic fate of that poor scholar at Viewing Lake Academy, the Water God also looked sorrowful, his expression solemn and heavy. He took a sip of wine. "Before Great Li's rise, which aspiring scholar hadn't been given cold stares and suffered grievances outside? The more talented, the more they were suppressed. This scholar was an example. Among the academy students who harmed him back then, one was from a powerful aristocratic family in Great Sui, and he still holds a central position in the court today!"

The Water God gazed toward the hall's entrance and sighed. "A messy account. How can reason be made?"

Chen Ping'an drank a mouthful of wine and said slowly, "If you really want to reason, it's not impossible. It's a matter of order, then taking it step by step. But there is one crucial prerequisite: the person doing the reasoning must be able to bear the cost of that reasoning."

The Water God smiled. "Want to give it a try? Miss Chu is trapped in the situation, unable to see clearly. Actually, you, Chen Ping'an, are the best choice—half inside the situation, half observer. If you're willing, consider it a huge favor I owe you."

Chen Ping'an shook his head. "I don't have that drive anymore, and I have no reason to do it."

The Water God hadn't held out much hope, so he wasn't disappointed, only a little regretful. He raised his jug. "Then let's just drink."

Chen Ping'an raised his jug as well. The wine was good, probably expensive, so he thought he'd drink as little as possible, treating it as a way to save money by alternative means.

Aside from the bride-in-red ghost woman, there wasn't much to talk about. So Chen Ping'an soon took his leave, and the Embroidery River Water God personally saw him to the "gate" of the mountain-water barrier.

Chen Ping'an clasped his fists in farewell, then the longsword on his back clanged as it unsheathed. One man, one sword, he soared into the air, disappearing into the sea of clouds.

Although he had witnessed this swordsman's elegance through the water curtain's divine ability when he arrived, seeing it up close now, the Embroidery River Water God was still somewhat shocked.

Chen Ping'an landed outside Red Candle Town, walked in on foot, passed by the courier station, paused to gaze for a moment, then continued on. He first looked at Fushui Bay from afar, then went to Viewing Water Street, which intersected with Viewing Mountain Street, and found that bookshop. He was even able to see the shopkeeper—a man in black clothes, holding a folding fan, sitting on a small bamboo chair with his eyes closed in repose, holding a delicate little teapot, leisurely sipping tea and humming a tune, tapping his knee with the folded fan, completely unconcerned with the shop's business.

Just like before, the handsome young shopkeeper didn't even open his eyes, saying lazily, "The prices of the books in the shop are clearly marked. It's voluntary, all based on your judgment."

Chen Ping'an had once spent money here to buy a book for Li Huai called "Big Water Precipice," which seemed to have been printed only a few years ago, for nine taels and two maces. It turned out to be an old book that had a literary spirit born within it. That kid Li Huai sure had dumb luck wherever he went.

At Green Frog Workshop on Earth Dragon Mountain Ferry Dock, Chen Ping'an had actually taken a liking to that clay figurine of a veiled woman at first sight. Based on the craftsmanship, it was very likely part of the same set as Li Huai's clay doll set, both crafted by the White Emperor City immortal Hong Yangbo had mentioned. Even if that "Green Frog Workshop maidservant Qingcai," whose sword intent wasn't concealed well enough, hadn't offered it, Chen Ping'an would have found a way to acquire it. As for that piece of Divine Water Nation imperial pine-soot ink, he really didn't have enough immortal coins to buy it at the time. He planned to ask Wei Po, who had once been a mountain god of Divine Water Nation, whether it was worth purchasing.

But that wasn't the reason Chen Ping'an had come here. In fact, that young shopkeeper, who was a water spirit from Chongdan River taking human form, had since risen meteorically. From a mountain-stream spirit that had emerged from water to wander the human world, he had been promoted to the Great Li court's appointed Zheng God of Chongdan River. Not only that, but he was the first orthodox Water God of Chongdan River since the founding of Great Li—a true "carp leaping over the dragon gate."

Like the Embroidery River Water God, he was now a neighbor. For mountain cultivators, this distance between mountains and waters was just like going from Mudsoup Alley to Apricot Blossom Alley.

Chen Ping'an didn't intend to curry favor deliberately—there was no need and no use. But since he was passing by, it was only proper to greet him proactively, both in reason and in propriety.

When you're down, you must take yourself seriously. When you rise, you must take others seriously.

These were truths you could find even in the mud of Mudsoup Alley. You couldn't walk too far, climb too high, and then just forget them.

Chen Ping'an picked out a few expensive books that were roughly considered good editions. Suddenly, he turned his head and asked, "Shopkeeper, if I bought all the books in your shop, how much discount would you give?"

The young shopkeeper, who looked like a handsome scion of a wealthy family, opened his eyes and said impatiently, "I rely on this little shop to rest and eat. If you buy everything, what am I supposed to do with a sack of silver? Go drink flower wine at Fushui Bay? With this face of mine, who knows who'd be getting the better deal? How much discount? One hundred ten percent, one hundred twenty percent—are you buying?"

Chen Ping'an nodded with a smile. "I'll buy."

The young shopkeeper put down his teapot on the waist-high incense table beside him, snapped open his folding fan, and fanned gently in front of him. He smiled. "Not selling!"

Chen Ping'an had no choice but to give up and paid over thirty taels of silver for those few old books.

With silver in hand, the shopkeeper grinned as he saw Chen Ping'an to the door. "Welcome back, guest."

Chen Ping'an saw his expression and knew he had been overcharged.

---

After Chen Ping'an left Viewing Water Street, the shopkeeper sat back in his chair, closed his eyes for a moment, then got up, closed the shop, and went to a riverbank.

Red Candle Town was a key commercial hub near Dragon Spring Commandery, where the Embroidery, Yuye, and Chongdan Rivers converged. The court was now undertaking massive construction, with dust flying everywhere and much noise. As expected, Red Candle Town would not only be incorporated into Dragon Spring Commandery but would soon be promoted to the county seat of a new county. Meanwhile, Dragon Spring Commandery was about to be upgraded from a commandery to a province. Up on the mountains, everyone was busy; down in the government offices, they were busy too. Especially with Piyun Mountain's existence, countless mountain and water gods were scheming to get close to this area. Mountain and water gods didn't just rely on a single temple and a golden statue to guard a mountain; they always had their own connections with mountain immortals, court officials, and martial artists, along with the networks that extended from them. So it was unstoppable that the new Great Li province, with Piyun Mountain and Dragon Spring Commandery City as its two centers—one on the mountain and one below—was rapidly rising.

The black-clothed young man arrived at the riverbank, used an illusion technique, and walked into the water. In the Embroidery River, which had the "softest" water, he strolled leisurely.

The three rivers had distinct natures. Embroidery River's water was soft and long, with the richest spiritual energy. Chongdan River had swift currents and the fiercest water, the opposite of its name. Yuye River had the shortest course and the most unstable water, with an uneven distribution of spiritual energy. The Water God's mansion was located in the best feng shui spot. Don't underestimate this. If a Golden Core Earth Immortal lacking a place to cultivate happened to choose among the three rivers, they would naturally become a guest elder of Yuye River. In the mountain world, this was called a minor cave heaven worth ten thousand gold.

Embroidery River was a colleague's territory. Unless he was visiting the Water God's mansion, this was technically an intrusion. However, the water spirits patrolling the rivers not only didn't find it strange but smiled and approached him, trying to get close. This wasn't because the new Chongdan River Water God was easygoing, but deliberately to annoy others. The black-clothed Water God didn't stoop to their level and didn't respond harshly. He kept his words brief, saying he was going to the Bun Hill at the confluence of two tributaries. When he was far enough away but not too far, the spirits, clad in armor and holding weapons, burst into loud laughter, mocking this former spirit for being undeserving of his position, relying on connections and crooked paths to luck into a godhood. Compared to their own Embroidery River Water God, who had secured his position through merits in life and after death, this wagging-tail carp was nothing.

The black-clothed Water God arrived at the small Earth Deity temple on an isolated island in the middle of the river. The crab soldiers and shrimp generals of Yuye River and Embroidery River all despised this place. The city god of the commandery and county on the shore didn't want anything to do with it either. Bun Hill's Earth Deity, the lowliest one on the national mountain-water registry, was like a stone in a latrine—hard and stinking.

The small temple's incense offerings were still meager, its survival precarious. The local people didn't like to burn incense here; they had to take a ferry to reach the island to pay respects—too much trouble. Besides, in the three-river area now, there were many god temples. Who wouldn't pray to whichever god they wanted? Which god had a higher rank than this tiny Earth Deity?

The black-clothed young man stepped over the threshold. A squat, slovenly man sat on the god platform. A vermilion-clad incense boy was wailing in the old brass censer, sitting in it, slapping his hands, covered in incense ash, loudly complaining, interspersed with grumbling about his master's lack of ambition and progress. The black-clothed Water God was used to this. It was already strange that an Earth Deity temple could give birth to an incense spirit. This vermilion-clad boy was bold and shameless, with no sense of propriety. On days when he had nothing to do, he liked to wander around. If he was bullied by his counterparts at the city god temples, he would take out his anger on his master. His catchphrase was that in the next life, he would find a better censer to reincarnate into. He was a local oddity.

Even knowing that a River Water God had deigned to visit, the man didn't even lift his eyelids.

But the palm-sized vermilion-clad boy quickly jumped up, put his hands on the edge of the censer, and shouted, "Water God, what brings you to think of us two wretches today? Sit, sit, sit. Make yourself at home. Small place, bad incense—no fruit plate or cup of tea to offer. How remiss of us, how remiss..."

The man slapped down, pushing the vermilion-clad boy directly into the ash, stopping his annoying chatter.

The black-clothed Water God pulled a broken chair from a distant corner, sat down, glanced at the little fellow peeking out of the censer, and asked with a smile, "Such a big thing, and you didn't even tell the little one who depends on you?"

The man said expressionlessly, "It's not decided yet. Why bother?"

The black-clothed Water God took out his folding fan, tapped it lightly on the armrest, and smiled. "Still, it's a difference between great joy and small joy. You sure have patience."

This man had sat on the cold bench for hundreds of years, never getting promoted. There must be a reason. Otherwise, he should at least have become a county city god. Many of his old acquaintances were doing well now. No wonder the vermilion-clad incense boy always complained about heaven's unfairness, often lying on the temple roof staring into space, waiting for a pie to fall from the sky. The man said casually, "All these years, I haven't even had a warm meal of shit. I haven't said anything. What's a few more days?"

Who would feel comfortable hearing that kind of talk?

The vermilion-clad boy rolled his eyes. Forget it. Joy? Could joy fall on his master's head? In this shabby temple, if they could keep the Earth Deity status, he would go and offer incense at all the mountain god temples, river god temples, and city god temples. He was completely resigned now. As long as he wasn't kicked out of the temple and forced to carry that censer around, that would already be a huge blessing. Nowadays, several city god temples were privately spreading news that after Dragon Spring Commandery was promoted to a province, all gods, big and small, would be reassessed. He had even used the tactic of kowtowing and playing pitiful, but his master still refused to move and attend the night roaming feast hosted by the Northern Great Mountain God. Recently, word was that Bun Hill was doomed. Now he was on tenterhooks every day, wishing he could die together with his master and strive for a better reincarnation in the next life.

The black-clothed Water God said helplessly, "Others you ignore, that's fine. But we've been friends for years. Isn't it fair to say we've shared hardships? The day my temple was completed, you didn't come?"

The man said, "If I came, would you think more of me? It's still the same piss-poor friendship. If I visit to congratulate, I have to bring something. I don't have money. I won't slap my face to look fat."

The vermilion-clad boy was furious. He stood up, hands on his hips, looked up at his master, and yelled, "What's got into you, you stupid oaf? How dare you talk to the Water God like that?! Ungrateful fool! Apologize to the Water God now!"

The man glanced sideways at him.

The vermilion-clad boy looked like he was about to cry. He turned to the black-clothed Water God, straining hard to squeeze out a few tears. "Water God, you're an old acquaintance of my master. Please, I beg you, talk some sense into him. At this rate, I won't even get to eat ash. My fate is bitter..."

The black-clothed Water God joked, "It's not like there aren't city gods inviting you to move. You could go live in their mansions, choose your own censer and plaque—such good fortune. Since you know your fate is bitter, why give up a good life to suffer here without end?"

The vermilion-clad boy slapped his chest hard, but misjudged the force and sprayed a mouthful of ash. After coughing a few times, he declared loudly, "That's called integrity!"

After his big talk, his stomach began to growl. Embarrassed, he started to climb out of the censer—he'd go drink the northwest wind, not bother these two cronies.

But then the man pulled a mountain-water incense stick from his sleeve, rubbed his fingers together to ignite a spark—the cheapest and lowliest kind—and casually tossed it into the censer. The vermilion-clad boy lunged for it, grumbling that even pigs ate better than this, but he quickly sat in the ash, holding the incense stick, gnawing on it like sugarcane, shaking his head, a blissful smile on his face.

The black-clothed Water God laughed heartily, opened his fan, and a cool breeze filled the air, mist spreading, refreshing to the heart.

The man hesitated, then said seriously, "Please pass a message to Wei Po and the Ministry of Rites director you're familiar with. If it's not a provincial city god, just a commandery or county city god, don't bother me. I'll stay here."

The black-clothed Water God frowned. "Is that really necessary?"

The man scratched his head, his expression dazed, looking at the surging river outside the temple. "..."

The black-clothed Water God teased, "You're so familiar with Wei Po. If I remember correctly, you once did him and that poor woman a great favor. Why not tell him yourself?"

The man sneered. "I only did what my conscience dictated. Is that considered a favor? Do I have to demand repayment? Then what difference is there between me and those scrambling for promotions and wealth? This city god business isn't me begging Great Li. I've put my words out there. Whoever they choose, they choose. It's not necessarily good if they choose me, and not necessarily bad if they don't. I'm not making things hard for anyone."

The black-clothed Water God nodded. "Fine. I'll only pass along the message. The rest is up to your luck. If it works out, fine. But I think it's a long shot, difficult. If it doesn't, you'll inevitably suffer under the new provincial city god's petty grudges. He might not even need to act personally; the commandery and county city gods will be eager to show off, finding excuses to bully you."

The man looked completely unconcerned.

After all, the civil and military temples didn't need to be mentioned; they would inevitably enshrine the ancestors of the Yuan and Cao families. As for the other mountain and water gods, they had all been appointed in due course: Dragon Whisker River, Iron Talisman River, Fallen Mountain, Windy Cool Mountain. So the still-vacant two city god seats, plus the provincial city god after the upgrade, these three yet-unrevealed new city gods had become the only remaining sweet buns to negotiate and manipulate. The Yuan and Cao families were determined to occupy one of these positions—they would surely take at least one, only arguing over which prefix, provincial, commandery, or county. No one dared to compete. After all, among the three main generals of Great Li's southern expedition iron cavalry, Cao Ping and Su Gaoshan were a Cao family scion and the Yuan family's spokesperson in the military, respectively. The Yuan family had great favors for Su Gaoshan, who came from a humble military background, and Su Gaoshan still pined for that young lady of the Yuan family, so he was known in Great Li officialdom as half a son-in-law of the Yuan family.

This involved complex official networks, requiring local gods to display their own talents.

The vermilion-clad boy, who had been busy "gnawing sugarcane" to fill his stomach, looked up, dazed, and asked, "What were you two talking about just now?"

The man said grumpily, "Thinking about who your parents are."

The River Water God began to talk about the earlier customer at the bookshop, sharing his guess.

The man's expression turned serious.

The vermilion-clad boy, his stomach full, was in a good mood. He burped and chuckled. "You know what? I just made a friend from Dragon Spring Commandery. Not long ago, I went to play at Red Candle Town, wandered a bit far, and at Chess Piece Mountain, I met two girls—one big, one small—who said they were waiting for someone. One was really pretty, the other... well, I won't lie just because I'm close to her—she wasn't as pretty. But I got along better with her, we hit it off. She insisted on asking where the biggest hornet's nest was. Well, I know that. So I took them to one. It was as big as a well mouth, almost a spirit. Guess what? The two little girls got chased by a whole nest of hornets and stung into two pig heads. Hilarious! Of course, I was heartbroken at the time, shed a few tears. But they were good sports. They didn't blame me for leading the way. They even invited me to visit a place called Fallen Mountain. The one I got along with, a little charcoal, was super cool and impressive. She said she was her master's first disciple. If I go to Fallen Mountain, there'll be good food, good drink, and fun."

The man immediately seized on the key point, frowning. "With your guts, you dare meet strangers?!"

The vermilion-clad boy said sheepishly, "I was hiding underground at the time. That little charcoal poked me out with a bamboo pole, saying if I kept sneaking around, she would use immortal magic to kill me. Later I found out I was tricked—she just saw me but didn't have the power to drag me out. Oh well, no fight, no friendship. You don't know this, but that girl, who looks like a charcoal maid, is well-traveled, of noble status, gifted, rolling in money, and full of martial spirit..."

The vermilion-clad boy looked up with admiration, then suddenly remembered something. He crouched in the ash, fished out a copper coin from the marketplace, and said, "See this? She gave me this as a reward for guiding them. Generous or what? Do you have friends like that?"

The man taunted, "Is it a Lesser Summer coin or a Grain Rain coin? Bring it closer so I can see clearly."

The vermilion-clad boy carefully hid the coin again and rolled his eyes. "She said that as a mountain person who deals with immortal coins all year, giving those was too vulgar. I think she's right!"

The black-clothed Water God fanned himself and smiled. "Makes a lot of sense."

The man couldn't be bothered with this muddle-headed little thing.

---

Night had fallen.

On the banks of Iron Talisman River.

The green-robed swordsman walked alone.

In what was once the Li Zhu Small Cave Heaven, now the Li Zhu Blessed Land, the rules set by the sage Ruan Qiong were still effective.

The wilds are vast, the sky low over the trees; the river is clear, the moon close to man.

Approaching the River God temple.

A woman appeared on the road, holding a golden-tasseled longsword. She looked at the sword on the newcomer's back, her eyes burning with intensity, and asked, "Chen Ping'an, as a swordsman, may I spar with you?"

Chen Ping'an glanced at her. Once a sword-bearing maid in the palace, she was now one of Great Li's highest-ranked River Water Gods. He said a single sentence.

"I'm afraid I might kill you."