Pre-Qin Mythology: Starting with the River God

As the sun and moon alternate, dusk falls, a time of transition between yin and yang. In this late autumn and early winter season, a strong wind rises, and a chill descends. Along with the surging cold air, wisps of fragrance drift into the water, causing the waves to rise and fall, rippling with layers of divine light. Yet, the surrounding boats remain oblivious to this divine light...

Lotus blossoms emerged from the water.

A gentle autumn breeze blew through the mist.

Quan Ming entered by boat and a fairyland appeared before his eyes. It was far away on the horizon and seemed to be a boundless swamp. The swamp was covered with lush stone forests, and pavilions and towers were built on the huge rocks. Immortals danced among the stone forests and guarded the mountain at the very center.

On the mountainside, orchids and fresh flowers spread a jade path on the fragrant breeze, led by silver fish and phoenix carriages.

Shao Siming arrived by carriage.

The gods descended to the mortal realm, landing in the small realm of Quanming's waters.

"I pay my respects to the Junior Master of Fate."

Having seen the divine realm under Shao Siming's rule, Quan Ming had to admit that his own Quan Shui River region was indeed insignificant compared to Shao Siming's. But what could he do when Shao Siming resided in Mengze?

The Yunmeng Marshland was once vast and boundless.

Shao Siming occupies a vast area of ​​Yunmeng Great Marsh, which few immortals and gods can compare to.

"Um……"

This time, Shao Siming brought her retinue with her: a clever little girl holding a jade chime with gold patterns, a gentle woman holding a babbling infant, and a dignified old woman gently waving a peacock feather fan.

Several people stood behind the Lesser Master of Fate, who was leaning against the lotus platform.

Shao Si, dressed in a lotus-leaf-green robe, was peeling a lotus seedpod in her hand. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and grief. She glanced at Quan Ming, who was still quite respectful, and although she did not intend to speak, she still gave a soft "hmm".

She changed her posture, sat up straight, and looked directly at Quan Ming.

This was the first time Quan Ming had heard Shao Siming's voice. It was like a clear spring in an autumn mountain, a babbling brook, and every word she spoke was imbued with the unique loneliness and sorrow of autumn.

"No need for such formalities."

"Today... I've come to visit you, hoping you can lend a helping hand."

Shao Siming spoke politely, and although her expression remained unchanged, Quan Ming could detect a hint of restraint in her voice... This deity should have had very little contact with the outside world, yet she was now showing restraint in front of Quan Ming, a mere narcissist at the first level of the Dao Heaven Realm.

Of course, Quan Ming also saw that Shao Siming did not have the same absolute adherence to class order as Da Siming.

The other party did not care about the number of levels in the Dao Heaven.

What she cared about was that Quan Ming could help her.

Shao Siming hesitated, looking down at the Corpse Domain beneath the Power Water, where black energy and golden light trembled.

With her status, she could easily see that the black mist underwater was the corpse aura of the powerful, while the golden light was the remaining fortune of the powerful state... As long as the powerful do not die, the black mist and golden light will not dissipate, maintaining the existence of this corpse domain.

Even the heavens of Chu could not erase it.

Shao Siming couldn't help but admire in her heart: ...This immortal is indeed very lucky.

Upon seeing Shao Siming's gaze, Quan Ming pointed his finger, and instantly, a hundred black clouds flew out from the Corpse Domain. When the black clouds dispersed, they revealed the remains of a hundred Quan people holding long spears, guarding the Corpse Domain. These remains were the Yin Corpses that Quan Xian had refined using the will of Chu. They all possessed Daoist restrictions and could grow on their own. Later, Quan Ming took them into his own hands to maintain the stability of various places in the water.

It was only today, because of the arrival of the Lesser Master of Fate, that he was able to gather these corpses back.

Leading the group were the eighty-one forbidden Yin Corpses that Dang Zhixian had refined using eighty-one Daoist principles.

He was Quan Ming's deputy.

This time, Quan Ming did not send his deputy to intervene because he did not intend for his corpse to carry Shao Siming's "illness," as he did not want to contract the disease himself.

"This...is not enough."

Shao Siming remained expressionless, simply stating a fact.

These hundred Yin corpses are insufficient to bear the disease of heaven and earth; even if they alleviate the symptoms, they are dispensable.

This caused a hint of disappointment to flash in Shao Siming's eyes. She did not blame Quan Ming for this shortcoming, nor did she think that Quan Ming was playing a trick on her.

"Young Master of Fate, do not despair."

Quan Mingyu steered his small boat closer to Shao Siming's carriage.

at the same time.

hum!

Underwater, amidst the black mist, one after another, the bodies of the sleeping warriors emerged. These bodies were all dressed in the attire of the Quan people, most of them being Quan soldiers in armor. Of course, there were also many Quan people who had died in battle and fallen into the water.

……besides.

Some of these orders were given by Quan Ming a month ago after he obtained the power of the dead. He secretly instructed the Quan people that after a Quan person dies, they should be sacrificed with water so that they can enter the underwater corpse domain and continue to protect the Quan people's clan.

This time, it naturally gained the approval of the powerful.

In particular, the fact that Quan Ming obtained the power of the souls of the Quan Shui system greatly excited the Quan people—they, whether alive or dead, could actually receive the protection of Prince Quan!

……

As she watched the corpses of powerful figures appear, numbering over ten thousand, a flicker of emotion crossed Shao Siming's eyes... a genuine sadness.

She held the power of procreation.

I can't stand seeing death...

But she knew that the cycle of life and death was the natural order, so she composed herself and said to Quan Ming in a serious tone, "What happened today is something I owe you, Quan Ren... Remember, I owe you, Quan Ren, not you, Quan Ming. Of course, you contributed a great deal to this, and I will not forget that... If you need anything, just tell me, and I will take care of it according to our relationship."

Debtor?

Do you also know that he contributed a great deal?

Considering the relationship... what should be done?

Quan Ming nodded.

At this moment, he somewhat admired Shao Siming's temperament; she was objective and reasonable, both compassionate and rational.

"Thank you, Master Xie. Quan Ming does indeed have something to discuss with you."

Shao Siming was not surprised; she stared at Quan Ming.

Quan Ming said frankly: "To be honest, Shao Siming, Quan Ren's return to Chu was for my Dao Tian test, but I am of Quan Ren's origin, which I cannot abandon, and I cannot ignore the Chu aristocratic families. Because of this, although I am needed by the King of Chu, I am unable to integrate into Chu and am feared by Chu politicians... This is the truth."

Shao Siming nodded upon hearing this and continued listening.

Quan Ming continued, "Today, I meet with Shao Siming because of this relationship."

Quan Ming pointed to the water and, like Shao Siming, said with a hint of sorrow, "Who would be willing to exchange the corpses of their own people for an opportunity... But if the Quan people didn't have this opportunity, their fate would probably be even worse than these corpses... At least, they died a quick death and weren't tortured like slaves."

"My only request is that the Lesser Master of Fate come to the direction of Quan and serve as the deity guarding the frontier. Within the bounds of the law, I hope that you can offer some assistance during this battle, so that the people of Quan can gain some opportunities in the war and establish a firm foothold in Chu. I ask for nothing more."

Hearing Quan Ming's straightforward and unreserved "demand," Shao Siming scrutinized him with a critical gaze.

His expression was inscrutable.

That was a surprise she had never shown before.

"The power to return to Chu is what Heaven desires... Your frankness reveals that while you may have personal motives in promoting this matter, you also have a sense of public duty."

Shao Siming pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Mo Ao requested a divine decree from Dao Tian, ​​ordering us high-ranking immortals to go to the borderlands to prevent other countries' immortals from attacking Chu first... Of course, this is the stated reason. We, including you, know that this is to have us act ahead of time, to be the first to break through the immortals' Dao Tian of these small countries in the autumn and winter, thus increasing our chances of winning the war."

"In a few days, around the time of the Beginning of Winter, we will set off."