Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 241 Sacrifice to the River, Beheading!
"How many years have you been in Wuqing County?" Chen Shunan suddenly asked, his tone cold and devoid of the enthusiasm he usually displayed when discussing philosophy.

On the bed, Qingchen pulled a corner of the blanket over herself, still somewhat dazed, and said,

"It has been three years since Consort Chen was last seen."

"So in these three years, you never thought of going back to the Guizi Temple in the Taihang Mountains?"

If Chen Shunan's guess is correct, the nunnery in the Taihang Mountains is probably a sacred place, a lineage or sect, somewhat similar to the four major academies, only with vastly different aims and practices.

Perhaps sensing the probing and indifference in Chen Shunan's words, Qingchen regained some composure. She propped herself up with her bare hands, leaning coldly against the couch, revealing a large expanse of skin, and gazed at Chen Shunan, saying...

"Before leaving, the monks at the nunnery instructed that if he did not achieve complete enlightenment and comprehend the Bodhi teachings, he was not allowed to return to the mountain."

Chen Shunan squinted and said, "So, there are many nuns like you who have come down the mountain for various reasons, including your sister?"

“Naturally. My heart is like a lantern, burning brightly inside and out. There is nothing comparable to it, like the rising sun in the east. If I could truly achieve this state of mind, as bright as the rising sun, unchanging and eternal, then it would be a matter of returning to the nunnery after purifying myself.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Shunan's heart stirred.

Could that nunnery be a lineage that involves first entering the world and then leaving it, using worldly affairs to temper one's spiritual heart?
This seems to have been quite common throughout history.

Many beautiful women who bring disaster to the country appear briefly beside certain outstanding figures, witnessing their grand banquets and their subsequent downfall.

Then it vanished quietly, its fragrant soul drifting away without a trace.

Chen Shunan immediately felt a little relieved.

Having a purpose is good.

He wasn't afraid that Qingchen was just a pretty face, nor was he afraid that she had ulterior motives.

He was afraid that she would truly serve him with a pure and abstinent heart from beginning to end.

Picture what?
Is this old man, Chen Shunan, really that old?!

Chen Shunan was quite self-aware.

So, as long as the first thing you do after getting ashore is to cut off your crush, you'll be fine.

Moreover, Chen Shunan made a selfish and even callous decision.

He will not allow Qingchen to cultivate immortality and enter the Dao.

Just keep them like that, like a canary in a cage, providing them with emotional and philosophical value.

Cleaning is complete.

Chen Shunan got dressed and strode out of the grape vineyard.

Immediately, other maids came to fetch water and serve Qingchen.

Chen Shunan turned around, his gaze passing through the grape trellis in the courtyard, and saw Qingchen silently emerging from her bath, then donning plain clothes, sitting upright in front of the bronze mirror, touching up her makeup.

Loading~
"Young master, what's wrong?"

Wan Niang noticed Chen Shun'an's strange attitude towards Qing Chen and couldn't help but ask softly.

Chen Shunan did not answer, and instead called Liu Ma.

"Master, what do you want?"

Do you know martial arts?

"I learned a few finger techniques and was once a third-rate martial artist, but I got old and my energy and blood declined."

"It's alright. Go to the storeroom and get a few Solomon's Seal ginseng roots. I'll teach you lightness skills and the art of throwing needles with hidden weapons."

Chen Shunan said with a deep gaze, "From now on, without my and the eldest mistress's permission, no one, including these maids, is allowed to approach Grape Courtyard. You must personally deliver all three meals a day, understand?"

Aunt Liu was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

"Yes, yes, I understand!"

These city folks, don't they love playing the 'keeping a mistress in a golden house' trick?
Aunt Liu knows everything.

Watching Chen Shunan's departing figure, Liu Ma felt a slight surge of emotion.

Was he being entrusted with an important task and promoted by Master Chen?!
Even though I'm old and my looks have faded, I'm no less attractive than those young girls!
Hidden weapons, flying needles?
If you're going to stab, you should stab hard!

……

The next day.

Two major events occurred in Wuqing County.

One of them is that, with the joint efforts of Wuqing Sticky Pole Office and various forces and martial arts schools in the county, a grand river sacrifice will be held at the Three Crossroads.

They set out three kinds of sacrificial animals and five kinds of livestock, set up a blue stone altar, and invited lamas to perform the ritual.

Of course, anyone with a bit of sense in Wuqing County would know that this was just a way for the Wuqing Sticky Pole Bureau to avoid disturbing the people. They were using livestock to attract the attention of some of the water spirits, and on this day, they were leading their elite troops, riding pigs, to the Funiu Marsh.

The main event is yet to come!
The second thing was that many people were shocked to discover that the number of well-known and skilled martial arts masters in Wuqing County had decreased sharply, as if they had all vanished.

Some experts were even drinking and sparring with their friends one moment, and the next they vanished from their spot, as if they had been abducted by some unseen demon.

The whole county was in a state of panic, and many people went to the government office to demand an explanation. Even in broad daylight, a tense and gloomy atmosphere permeated the streets.

Two major events are looming over Wuqing County, like a storm brewing, one after another, making it hard to breathe.

Fortunately, I heard that the upright and just magistrate of Wuqing County, Kong Qiuhua, who had gone to Beijing to handle official business, has finally returned.

Upon his return, he took charge of the overall situation and even drew elite troops from the state capital to stabilize the somewhat unsettled public sentiment.

It's actually a good thing.

At this moment, at the crossroads.

The turbid waves crashed against the embankment with a deafening roar, carrying piles of unmelted ice across the shallows and heading straight for the farmland on the shore.

A tall altar, about ten feet high, had already been erected. It was built of bluestone, and three kinds of sacrificial animals and five kinds of livestock were placed on it. A thick red felt was laid on the base, and blue, white and red banners were planted all around. The banners were embroidered with the seal script "favorable weather for crops".

The chief officiant was Lu Jing, who slowly walked up to the altar, followed by two local gentry and a lama.

The lama turned the prayer wheel, chanting in a hoarse and grating voice, and then fresh livestock were pushed into the Sancha River.

The turbid waves rolled on, quickly swallowing the livestock, and then large amounts of blood spread from the bottom of the water, flowing downstream towards the Funiu Marsh.

Today we are offering sacrifices to the river, not to river gods or deities.

Although the Holy Dynasty has various temples dedicated to deities such as Huaguang Emperor and the God of Wealth, there is not a single deity truly connected to and intimately linked with the mountains and rivers. Sacrifices are offered only to the deities themselves.

Looking at the sacrificial scene before him, Chen Shunan stood in a tent, wearing a blue silk arrow-shaped robe and python-tooth boots. His waist was bulging, indicating that he had hidden countless hidden weapons and pills.

Fang Cangshi glanced at the time and addressed Chen Shun'an and the True Intent experts in the camp.

"Gentlemen, it's time to set off. I wish you all a triumphant return."

"Haha, warm up a pot of wine for me, I'll drink it when I get back."

"The wind howls, the Yi River is cold, I embark on this journey..."

"Old Shen, stop talking such discouraging things! Come on, let's have a contest today to see who kills the most demons. The loser has to treat the other to a month's worth of meals at Cui Xiang Lou!"

Inside the tent, apart from Chen Shunan, everyone else was a top-tier True Intent Master from Wuqing County.

Liu Qingyi, the head of the Wuguan Battalion; Qiu Chen, a constable in the yamen; Gan Fuquan, the chief instructor of the Liangjiang Military Academy and the president of the Puyang Boxing Society...

Their strength is generally above the level of slaying four thieves, and the forces they come from are mostly related to legitimate circles or the imperial court.

Chen Shunan knew that the true masters who were able to gather here today had all gone through a lot of bribery and underhanded dealings behind the scenes.

In some gangs in the county, there are old guys who have killed four or even five thieves, but they all choose to play dead and cower in fear, hoping that others will stand up for them.

Some people thought that even if Wuqing County was destroyed by the demon tide, they could simply leave their homes and go to Tongzhou City or even the capital to avoid the storm.

I can indulge in luxury, but I won't stand for being beaten to death.

If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.

what?
Am I just tall?

Then I'll kneel down.

Regardless, the experts gathered here now represent almost half of the peak fighting force in the martial arts world of Wuqing County.

If this opportunity to behead him fails, then the only option left is to repeat the events of three hundred years ago, when a dragon swept through the area, causing a great flood that inundated Wuqing County.

Then they silently prayed, hoping that some martial arts master or immortal would intervene to subdue the demon.

"Brother Chen, you are not strong enough. Stay behind us for now. If anything happens, I will lend you a hand."

Upon arriving at a secluded dock heavily guarded by soldiers, a lean, handsome middle-aged man warmly patted Chen Shunan on the shoulder.

This man was named Gan Fuquan. He came from the Puyang Boxing Society, a famous martial arts school in Wuqing County. Forty years ago, he said, "Does the division of boxing into North and South mean the division of the country into North and South?" He was framed by villains. The great hero Gan, who possessed the talent of a martial arts saint, was his grandfather.

He can be considered to have followed in his father's footsteps and built a successful business in Wuqing County.

Upon hearing this, the others looked at him with varying expressions, some kind, some indifferent, and some with mocking eyes.

"Thank you very much, Brother Gan."

Chen Shunan smiled, completely unconcerned that others viewed him as a weakling and offered him well-intentioned protection.

Respecting the elderly and caring for the young is a matter of course!
Even if Gan Fuquan is only one or two years younger than Chen Shunan, he is still younger!
……

Above the river, mist swirls, weaving a pale blue veil across its surface.

Seven or eight True Intent Warriors rode on river dolphins and sped toward the Funiu Marsh.

Lu Jing took the lead, a ring-pommel sword at his waist, his expression grim.

On the backs of these finless porpoises are interconnected chains of various sizes, which contain special mechanisms. If viewed from above, they resemble a net that can be large or small, tight or loose, capable of strangling and killing at will. If they encounter a water monster, they can either trap it and work together to kill it, or block its swimming momentum.

Along the way, although most of the water monsters were attracted by the livestock that were being carried by the river, the occasional ones that slipped through the net were swiftly and decisively killed by the group.

No near misses.

Chen Shunan, hiding at the very back on the dorsal fin of the pig, saw that the time was right and prepared to use his [Water Dividing] ability to manipulate the underwater currents and create a small tsunami whirlpool to scatter the group and make himself 'accidentally' disappear.

Just kidding, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.

It's already quite good that Mr. Chen can communicate with the Yangtze River dolphins and bring you all here.

After all, I am just an old man who has just entered the True Meaning Realm. I am old and frail, with cloudy eyes and white hair. How can I go with you young people to save Wuqing County?
Almost got it!
Although both the Holy Maiden and the lost immortal whom Chen Shunan briefly encountered indicated, either explicitly or implicitly, that the Funiu Marsh was 'harmless' and there seemed to be no great danger.

But even a single fallen red scale contains a blazing, fiery energy that can melt stone and gold, suggesting that the great demon was at least a Qi-gathering immortal.

Why is Chen Shunan so eagerly crowding up to it?

slip away.

However, just as Chen Shunan was adjusting the water flow, he suddenly sensed a strong water-based energy emanating from behind the iceberg not far away.

It seems to be under someone's control, remaining hidden and silent.

"An ambush?!"

Chen Shunan suddenly realized what was happening.

Then, in the next instant, something unexpected happened.

Suddenly, the water ahead seemed to boil, bubbling and spewing huge bubbles, and a strong, fishy stench instantly filled the air. Then, the surface of the water surged upwards and burst open with a deafening roar!

What emerged were several strangely shaped water monsters, their eyes filled with cruelty and bloodlust, riding the waves and charging towards the group.

"Get into formation!"

Lu Jing remained calm and composed. With a single command, a group of True Intent experts immediately formed a chain of deadly traps, spinning left and right, with four heads and eight tails.

With this formation in place, even a great demon comparable to the one who has reached the pinnacle of true understanding can be fought against, and even defeated.

"what!"

Suddenly, a scream rang out.

Then Gan Fuquan was seen clutching his bloodied arm, his eyes wide with rage, as he struck and killed a water demon that had appeared out of nowhere.

But perhaps startled by the sudden appearance of the water monster, his finless porpoise went out of control, whipping its tail and darting to the side, bumping into its companion finless porpoise next to it.

The two finless porpoises got into a ruckus, knocking over several others nearby. Water splashed up instantly on the river surface, and the shouts from the crowd turned into scolding. Some people were busy trying to steady the porpoises, while others were checking the water flow. The group quickly broke into several sections.

Chen Shunan's eyes flickered as he pretended to command the finless porpoise, but to no avail. He could only steer the porpoise towards the rear.

In this way, the water demon attacked and completely scattered everyone!

(End of this chapter)