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

Chapter 91 Chaos Ceases, Thunderfire Golden Whip

The shadowy figures who had been waiting for their chance to strike seemed to have received a death knell and immediately retreated, disappearing back into the deep darkness.

The silent battle has ended.

San Dezi and Liu Daoba looked at each other in bewilderment.

Is Zheng Shicheng dead?
What happened tonight?

"You two stay here and keep watch, don't wander off. I'll be right back."

Chen Shunan immediately scaled the walls and grabbed a few fleeing figures. After a brief torture, he learned the information he wanted to know.

The Enchanted Bay was blown up.

Literally, to explode
Even though Zheng Shicheng's body was made of copper and iron, it was blown into several pieces. The leader of the Guolu Society found the remains, pieced them together, identified the person, and confirmed that Zheng Shicheng was definitely dead before leaving.

I heard that some prominent figures died at the scene.

But everyone kept quiet and didn't reveal it.

Meanwhile, the Golden Snake Merchant Guild's ship was engulfed in flames.

One was completely destroyed, another was put out of the fire in time but only a charred frame remained, and the third was intact and not seriously damaged.

Now, the air in Bewitching Bay is filled with a strong, almost pungent, 'fresh fragrance'.

The river water gurgled and boiled like a pot, and the black oil lamp rolled around in the boiling water, steaming white smoke upwards.

Those who happened to be nearby, the civilian volunteers who went to help put out the fire, and the government officials were all so overwhelmed by the smell that they were completely disoriented.

Some people say that those are smuggled Fragrant Heart Cleansing Balm.

The river is foaming, poisoning a large number of fish and shrimp. Fishermen on both banks and people who rely on the river for their livelihood will likely suffer for some time.

Chen Shunan was both delighted and surprised to hear this news.

The joy goes without saying.

Surprised?

The Golden Snake Merchant Guild is just a fleet that the Li family temporarily formed a few days ago by selling off their property and real skills, smoothing over various connections, and finding Qian Longtou of the Canal Gang.
How did this get involved with smuggling Xiangmiaoxin Qinggao and Zheng Shicheng?
A sense of melancholy suddenly arose in Chen Shunan's heart, a feeling that human affairs were unpredictable and cause and effect were hard to fathom.

It seems that the Li family has been used.

Chen Shunan sighed.

"Sigh, it seems Mr. Li will have trouble sleeping again..."

Chen Shunan returned to Chaodou Hutong and informed Liu Daoba, San Dezi, and others of the news.

Upon hearing the news, San Dezi and Liu Daoba were shocked and somewhat suspicious.

Chen Ge just said everything was fine after he finished speaking, how come everything is really fine now?
Brother Chen, it seems you had anticipated this all along?
San Dezi and Liu Daoba muttered to themselves.

It must be a coincidence; he was just trying to comfort us.

We were overthinking it.

……

The mountains follow Hirano, and the river flows into the great wasteland.

The divine purple lightning returned to stillness, disassembled into several pieces, repackaged, and quietly placed on the ground.

A group of Guolu heroes stood in the wilderness, raising their heads.

At that moment, the moonlight shone brightly on the ground, and the stars in the sky shone so brightly that it seemed to scorch the heavens.

Although everyone's injuries were different, they all breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

Although the process was bumpy and full of twists and turns, it has finally come to an end.

The man who had been touching the money said in a deep voice, "Everyone, take some time to rest and recuperate. Don't contact each other for now. Just stay in various places around the capital and wait for a reply from the palace. Remember to be frugal with your money, and you'd better find some work to do."

The person who handles money is like a patriarch, patiently and earnestly advising others.

The head of the Yizi Hall said in a muffled voice,
“I’ll clean up the mess. Those bastards who’ve been impersonating my Guolu Society and swaggering around these days should pay the price… Money-grubber, give me another two thousand taels as expenses for gathering information.”

The man with the money in his hand immediately became anxious: "You're going to show off and treat us again! Just pick some meat stalls or small teahouses, and avoid restaurants!"

The head of the Yizi Hall frowned and said, "Don't be so fussy and stingy..."

"So you're not in charge of the household and don't know the value of firewood, rice, oil, and salt? This money is what I worked so hard to earn!"

The two were arguing.

Bai Manlou coughed, spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva, and looked at Xiao Qingchou, saying...
Are you going back to the county?

Xiao Qingchou's face was deathly pale, almost devoid of color. He nodded and said...
"I had to go because someone asked me to."

Bai Manlou and Xiao Qingchou are the only two people in the entire Guolu Society whose fates are related to the Seven Killings.

Only then could one harness this immortal destiny, but also suffer a backlash, resulting in a deficiency of both qi and blood, and an overdraft of lifespan.

Bai Manlou's chart is the "Seven Killings Riding Blade" pattern.

To assassinate the king and kill the emperor is the rage of a common man; success brings honor and glory, failure brings disaster.

Xiao Qingchou is the one who "kills and invites food" according to the rules.

To subdue a tyrant with virtue will bring honor to the scholar if successful, but will bring retribution if unsuccessful.

The two complement each other, yet also check and balance each other.

Bai Manlou said, "Why not ask someone to send his wife and children to Shu so that his family can be reunited? It would be better than them being separated by vast distances."

Xiao Qingchou said, "Alas, we have already implicated others. How can we force innocent people into prostitution and make that innocent child live a life of danger?"

Bai Manlou sneered: "Once you enter the martial world, you are no longer in control of your own destiny. Your womanly compassion will only harm their whole family."

Xiao Qingchou sighed and said, "Let them make their own decision. I will stay in Wuqing County for a while and teach him martial arts, which will also be a way of repaying his kindness."

Bai Manlou said no more. The two tidied themselves up, changed their appearance and clothes, and then prepared to leave.

Suddenly someone remembered Fifth Master Hong and asked,
"Where is Master Hong Wu?"

"Don't worry. Even if we die, Fifth Master Hong will live a good life."

"Alright, let's retreat!"

"Until we meet again, brothers!"

"Damn it, stop saying such unlucky things. When you have free time, drink and grab money."

"Ha ha ha ha!!!"

Gathering is a mass of fire, scattered is a sky full of stars.

The group of Guolu heroes immediately scattered in all directions, their figures gradually merging into the moonlight on the horizon.

Just like when they came.

……

Firecracker debris covered the street, barely exposing an inch of the ground.

Li Dongyang, Dou Dou, Zhang Wangyue, and several other mischievous children squatted at the entrance of the alley, rummaging through the debris and picking up unlit firecrackers.

At this moment, a man in his forties or fifties, wearing a royal blue lined robe and with a kind face, walked towards the alley entrance.

This alerted San Dezi, Liu Daoba, and others.

Chen Shunan was sitting down when he saw the person who had come in, and he couldn't help but squint his eyes.

The man was taken aback when he saw a large crowd gathered at the alley entrance, including two third-rate martial artists and a second-rate expert. He hadn't expected that this place would be a hidden gem.

The man cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, introduced himself, and explained his purpose.

Then he walked up to Li Dongyang, affectionately patted Li Dongyang's head, and said with a smile, "Good boy, call him Uncle Xiao."

As he spoke, the man took out a family letter and a keepsake, and handed them to Li.

Li was overjoyed and wept.

Li Dongyang, still confused, called out "Second Uncle Xiao".

Seeing this, San Dezi, Liu Daoba, and the others lowered their guard and warmly invited Lao Xiao to sit down and have some tea.

Chen Shunan eavesdropped for a while.

It turned out that this man was Li Dongyang's father, a brother he had made on his way south to perform for others, with whom he had a life-or-death bond.

His name was Xiao Jichang, and he was from Sichuan.

A few days ago, Xiao Jichang went to the capital to sell rice, bringing local Sichuan rice to the capital.

I will stay in Kyoto for several months this time. When winter comes, I will buy some pear syrup and Kyoto eight kinds of pastries and transport them to the south to sell.

Xiao Jichang bent down and asked Li Dongyang,

"Young man, your second uncle came in a hurry and forgot to bring you a gift. Tell me, what kind of gift do you want?"

"Second Uncle, don't be so polite! Make yourself at home, and come often!" Li quickly pulled Li Dongyang over.

Xiao Jichang persisted, pressing for answers.

Li Dongyang's eyes darted around, and he suddenly said,
"Second Uncle, I want to see the Thunderfire Golden Whip! Show it to me!"

Xiao Jichang looked confused. San Dezi explained with a smile, and only then did Old Xiao realize what was going on. He smiled awkwardly and said...

"Your second uncle doesn't have such abilities. I'm not a god, how could I conjure something out of thin air? Alright, I have some things to do, I'll come back in a few days."

Li personally escorted Xiao Jizhang to the main street.

Old Xiao cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, then turned and left.

For some reason, Xiao Jichang always felt that the old man surnamed Chen, who was sitting on the cool chair with a smile on his face, was looking at him with a strange gaze.

Staring straight ahead, as if they could see right through him.

"Could he be someone with hidden talents...? Heh, how could that be? I'm just overthinking it..."

Xiao Qingchou was a little puzzled and subconsciously touched his human skin mask.

Seeing Xiao Qingchou leave, Chen Shunan withdrew his gaze, took a sip of tea, and silently sighed in his heart.

"What a coincidence!"

huh~
boom! ! !
Suddenly, with a long, piercing sound, the night sky over Wuqing County was abruptly illuminated.

A firecracker called "Golden Basin Scooping the Moon" shot straight into the sky with a crimson tail and exploded in mid-air.

Not to mention the children, even adults like Wan Niang watched with great interest, and San Dezi and others couldn't help but go out to an open space on the street.

At this moment, there is a bright moon and fireworks above, and a gentle breeze and good friends nearby.

The time is perfect, and her hair has a delicate fragrance.

Chen Shunan rested his head on Wan Niang's soft belly. He hadn't been drinking, but he suddenly felt intoxicated and lightheaded.

Wan Niang was dragged by San Dezi's wife to watch the fireworks. Wan Niang turned around and glanced at Chen Shunan.

Chen Shunan stood up, knocked out his pipe, and laughed.

"You guys go first, I'll go back to my bedroom to get some cigarettes."

……

Xiao Qingchou walked silently through the bustling crowd and soon saw Bai Manlou standing in front of a shop called "Juxingzhai".

Bai Manlou's expression was extremely strange, sometimes struggling, sometimes dazed, sometimes filled with righteous indignation, and sometimes dejected...

He stood there in front of Juxingzhai, his hand gripping the long sword under his sleeve, tightening and loosening repeatedly.

"Bai Xiaoer, what's wrong?"

Xiao Qingchou frowned and asked, then followed Bai Manlou's gaze into Juxingzhai.

Juxingzhai has a very large storefront, consisting of two courtyards with several rooms connected in the middle, which are used as shops and display some bizarre and colorful lamps.

There is a large screen wall that blocks the view of outsiders, but you can still vaguely see that there are side rooms in the backyard, with large communal beds or small kang beds.

The floor or the kang (heated brick bed) was covered with reed mats and various warm fleece blankets, with tobacco pouches placed on them.

The lamps in Taigu burned brightly.

One after another, the corpses, resembling maggots, lay on the beds and kang (heated brick beds)...

He was inhaling and exhaling smoke, his face filled with ecstasy, oblivious to the world around him.

"Old Xiao, should we kill them?"

Bai Manlou turned around in confusion and looked at Xiao Qingchou.

Bai Manlou's voice sounded like a mix of crying and laughing.

"But how can we kill them all? How can we eliminate them all?"

Xiao Qingchou faintly heard a crisp breaking sound.

Bai Manlou's energy was in disarray, and his strength fluctuated wildly.

That's a sign that after one's beliefs are shattered, one's Daoist heart collapses, and one can no longer sustain one's spirit and energy.

Xiao Qingchou looked anxious and said,
"Foolish child! Killing is merely a means, not an end! Overturn the world and rebuild it, puncture the sky and mend it. Killing one person will deter a hundred. Kill Zheng Shicheng, and the other corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants who want to get their hands on the money will have to think twice!"

The once-powerful elixir of life, Hibiscus Ointment, has now been reduced to the common Fragrant Heart-Cleansing Ointment—isn't that the biggest proof of its power?!

Bai Manlou was struggling with his expression.

huh~
bang bang bang! ! !
Suddenly, a particularly dazzling firework exploded in the sky.

A thousand golden stars, ten thousand purple rays.

Like silver snakes slithering across the sky, or the sun rising high in the sky, the lights of Wuqing County paled in comparison.

"Ah! Thunderfire Golden Whip! Mother, she's unleashing the Thunderfire Golden Whip!"

"That's strange. Didn't the old temple keeper say that there wasn't enough saltpeter and gunpowder this year to set off the Thunderfire Golden Whip?"

"Wait a minute, this Thunderfire Golden Whip looks a bit different from previous years' ones. It seems bigger and better looking. Has it been improved?"

The people on the street were talking excitedly, all looking up at the sky, their pupils reflecting the dazzling display of lights.

Bai Manlou stared blankly at the Thunderfire Golden Whip. For some reason, it seemed as if a vast and mighty purple thunder, capable of cleansing away evil thoughts and distractions, was exploding in his ears.

His spirits suddenly lifted.

The confusion in his eyes gradually faded.

"Killing is for the sake of protecting life; severing karma is not about killing people. My way lies in the sword, in wielding the sword, and as for the outcome..."

Bai Manlou stroked the long sword in his hand, seemingly having gained some insight.

And his Dao Heart, which was on the verge of collapse, gradually stabilized.

A moment later, Bai Manlou and Xiao Qingchou, who breathed a sigh of relief, strode away and quickly disappeared from sight.

Just before leaving, Xiao Qingchou turned back and glanced at the Thunderfire Golden Whip in the sky, which was gradually fading and being covered by the remaining fireworks, and was somewhat puzzled.

"They really did unleash the Thunderfire Golden Whip? But the way it exploded, it looks a bit like the Divine Might Purple Thunder Cannon. Oh well, perhaps it was divine protection. It can be considered as fulfilling that kid Li Dongyang's wish."

Yes, that's the wish of many people.

(End of this chapter)