He changed Tiwat

Ningguang was furious: "You took my sister's kickback and you're still siding with her! Xiao Han, you heartless bastard!"

Secretary Han: "Ahem, I have a conscience... I just don't use it often."

(The curtain rises, the small theater opens, the end.)

Chapter 115 Fishing Alone in the Snowy River [4k]

In the northwest corner of Dihua Island sits a surging waterfall, and not far away stands the towering Wangshu Inn. Ascending the freight elevator pulled by the waterwheel, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Liyue's scenery from any height.

Dihua Isle is crisscrossed by waterways and winding paths. Influenced by the course of the Bishui River, many shallow shoals have been formed here, with the shallowest water only reaching a person's calves. The shoals are covered with drifting reeds, hence the name Dihua Isle (Reed Isle).

Normally, these shallow beaches are hidden by the swaying reeds, like a veiled dancer from Mount Sumeru. Only when a gentle breeze blows away the reeds can her peerless beauty be revealed.

For travelers traversing between Liyue and Mondstadt, Dihua Marsh is an essential stop. Passing travelers often choose to rest here and admire the scenery. On the last day of this expedition, Han Fulai had already made plans to visit the sights of Dihua Marsh.

The three of them walked to the riverbank of Dihua Island. Looking at the rustling reeds and listening to the chorus of frogs, Han Fulai couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Han Fulai actually had a bit of ulterior motive in making this plan—since he transmigrated to Liyue, he has almost always lived the life of a corporate slave, either working overtime or on his way to work overtime.

It's been four months since he transmigrated here. Looking back, he hasn't had much of a chance to travel and enjoy the scenery. He finally transmigrated to such a beautiful new world, but he's acting like he's on a business trip. Come to think of it, he was summoned to the Teyvat continent by Gan Yu... He really is just a business trip after transmigrating here.

...Actually, even this inspection trip was a business trip. This time for sightseeing was squeezed out of his schedule... When will he ever have a real chance to give himself a vacation!

So this trip has to be a fully-funded vacation!

The three of them traveled along the way, stopping frequently. Han Fulai acted as a guide for the two women based on the records he had read in the Liyue history books. They chatted and laughed, enjoying a leisurely and rustic atmosphere.

Being able to find a chance to enjoy the spring scenery at the end of this expedition trip was a pleasant surprise even for the workaholic Keqing. She was captivated by the beautiful scenery and wished she could stay there for a few more days.

The water is shallow here, and the underwater path is clearly visible, stretching towards a small island in the middle of the river.

Ke Qing, caught up in the moment, couldn't resist lightly touching the ground with her toes and, imitating the famous "water ballet" of Fontainebleau, stepped into the clear water, creating ripples all the way towards the small island.

Shen He and Han Fulai, seeing Ke Qing's girlish state, exchanged a smile and followed closely behind.

The island is shaded by green trees, lush with aquatic plants, and home to water birds. On the back side of the island, a fisherman wearing a straw hat sits on a swaying sampan, intently fishing, seemingly oblivious to the world around him.

When Han Fulai saw the picturesque scenery of Huazhou, not only were there verdant mountains and clear waters, but also fishermen fishing amidst the picturesque landscape. Inspired, he spontaneously composed a poem:

"The scenery of Huazhou is unique, and the feelings are like those of Wangshu in spring."

"The clouds roll down the mountain corner, and the water glistens over the broken stones."

"I followed the ways of Huang-Lao in my life, and in my prime I lived a solitary life in seclusion."

"I shall return to lie on the vast sea, what is there to value in my life..."

This is Song Zhiwen's "Autumn Day in Shian" from the Tang Dynasty. Originally, it described the scenery of Guilin and used it to express the poet's desire to live a secluded life. Han Fulai made some minor modifications to better suit the scene before him. At this moment, there are mountains and water, and even a fisherman who seems like a hermit, which perfectly describes the scene before him.

Ke Qing knew he loved reciting poetry, and hearing the hint of reclusion in his words, she knew it wasn't his own work, so she just smiled.

Shen He didn't understand poetry, let alone appreciate it, but he could still applaud in support. However, Shen He's expressionless clapping made Han Fulai feel quite awkward.

But the fisherman suddenly exclaimed, "What a fine poem!"

Han Fulai saw that the fisherman's face was full of thought, his cheeks weathered, and he looked quite old. Considering that all the fishermen in Liyue were extraordinary, and that this fisherman, being knowledgeable in poetry, might have other side jobs, Han Fulai immediately bowed respectfully and said, "My name is Han Fulai. I came here today with a friend for a spring outing, and we didn't expect to disturb you. Please forgive us. May I ask your name?"

The fisherman smiled slightly and replied, "I'm just an ordinary angler, and I've already lost my name. If you must call me... 'An old man in a straw hat and raincoat, fishing alone on a snowy river.' Just call me Jiang Xue."

Han Fulai's expression froze. These two lines were from a poem by the Chinese poet Liu Zongyuan. Zhongli and Xingqiu had only casually recited a couple of lines of ancient Chinese poetry because his fellow countryman from ancient China was a skilled copyist. But how did this fisherman, who called himself "Jiang Xue," know this poem? Was it related to Zhongli, or to the ancient Chinese school of thought?

Moreover, in his memory, there was a freeloader at Wangshu Inn whose name also seemed to be Jiang Xue... Is this the one in front of him?

Just as he was wondering about this, Jiang Xue said again, "You seem to be in trouble."

Am I in trouble? What trouble?

Han Fulai looked around in confusion, only to find the wind and water calm.

Jiang Xue seemed unwilling to explain, but simply added, "The elemental aura emanating from those two young ladies over there is quite good; they might be able to help you resolve your troubles."

Just then, Shen He suddenly let out a low shout, and instantly grasped the Disaster Relief Spear in his hand, pointing it towards the east.

"A demon." Shen He only uttered these two words.

As soon as she finished speaking, a group of Hilichurls suddenly sprang out from the eastern shore, wielding short swords, clubs, and shields, shouting in broken Hilichurls, as they waded across the water toward the island.

Why are the Hilichurls here? Han Fulai was startled.

This is Dihua Island! Dihua Island, watched over day and night by the Great Sage Xiao who vanquishes demons!

Logically, the monsters of Dihua Island should have been wiped out by this immortal yaksha long ago. How could a Hilichurl be able to live under Xiao's nose and even actively attack humans?

What surprised him even more was that Jiang Xue had sensed the appearance of the demons earlier than Shen He, who was a disciple of an immortal!

Could it be that Jiang Xue's strength is even greater than Shen He's?

At the same time, Ke Qing also took out her Dragon Roar from the Box.

"Mr. Han, please stay here and protect the people. Shen He, let's go!" Ke Qing said, and rushed out first.

Shen He glanced at Han Fulai, who nodded slightly. Shen He immediately followed with his gun.

Jiang Xue seemed completely unconcerned, turning back to stare silently at his fishing rod, as if nothing could distract him from fishing.

Ah Qing, all the fishermen in Liyue are wolves in sheep's clothing... Why does this person need my protection?

Despite his thoughts, Han Fulai's hands moved swiftly. After all, it was a task assigned by his superior, and it was just a few Hilichurls; his presence or absence wouldn't make much difference. A flash of the Eye of God at Han Fulai's waist revealed the Emperor's bestowed black-tasseled spear already in his hand.

Compared to the Hilichurls, Han Fulai focused more of his attention on Jiang Xue. This Jiang Xue, whose origins were unknown, was the person he should be more wary of.

Meanwhile, Keqing and Shenhe had already engaged in combat with the group of Hilichurls.

A Grass Hilichurl Shaman was also with them. Seeing Keqing and Shenhe rushing over, the Grass Hilichurl Shaman muttered an incomprehensible incantation, raised his staff, and several vines instantly sprouted from the ground, blocking their path with thorns and poisonous tendrils.

The Hilichurls appeared well-trained and coordinated. Hilichurls wielding shields charged forward for melee combat, while those with bows and arrows stood behind the vines to provide ranged support for their companions. The grass Hilichurl Shaman stood further away, gesturing wildly—the vines glowing with green grass elemental light as it moved.

A circular area radiates from the vines at its center—this is the Grass Hilichurl Shaman's "Grass Domain." Within this Grass Domain, enemies afflicted by the Grass element are continuously afflicted by the poisonous gas of the vines, while Hilichurls within the domain receive a buff and continuously recover their stamina.

The most terrifying thing is that those Hilichurl archers are carrying fire arrows. Once the fire arrows are launched and land in this "grassland," they will instantly ignite large areas of land.

Using vanguards and obstacles to hold off enemies, then finishing them off with area-of-effect attacks, even at the cost of sacrificing the vanguards to perish together with enemies within the area—this can practically be called "military strategy."

Compared to the wandering Hilichurls on Guili Plains, this group of Hilichurls in front of them could be described as the "regular army" of Hilichurls.

Ordinary adventurers might suffer greatly at their hands, but their opponents are Keqing and Shenhe.

Keqing tossed aside her hairpin and gave a soft shout: "Go!"

In the blink of an eye, Thunder Wedge appeared above the Grass Hill Shaman's head.

Shen He abruptly stopped, her hands forming a hand seal, conjuring an ice talisman out of thin air. With a whirlwind, she uttered, "Show!"

A white ice golem appeared out of thin air and charged straight at the Hilichurl archer.

The Hilichurl archer fired a fire arrow, but the Lucid Golem in mid-air reached out and extinguished it. The Lucid Golem continued its momentum, punching the Hilichurl archer several meters away, sending him crashing into the water.

The archer struggled for a moment before sinking to the bottom of the water.

At the same time, Keqing's figure appeared above the Grass Hitman Shaman's head with the Lightning Wedge.

"Sword out! Shadow follows!" The longsword flashed, and the dragon's roar from its sheath slashed towards the Grass Hill Shaman's forehead.

Seeing that things were going badly, the Grass Hill Shaman hurriedly raised his staff above his head, managing to block Keqing's sword—but he couldn't block the lightning on the sword.

With a "sizzle," the Grass Hill Shaman emitted a burnt smell and staggered backward. The "Grass Domain," now devoid of the shaman's elemental protection, immediately dissipated.

Several melee Hilichurls wielded short swords and clubs as they attacked Shen He. Shen He's Disaster Relief Spear moved like a silver snake spitting its tongue, and with two swift thrusts, he deflected the Hilichurls' attacks.

She took seven steps in quick succession, forming the shape of the North Star. Her spear, the Disaster-Suppressing Spear, moved swiftly, unleashing a single strike with each step. In an instant, the Hilichurls were all sent flying into the air like baseballs—Flowing Sky Spear Technique: Stepping on the Star to Capture the Battle!

As if she had planned this with Shen He beforehand, Ke Qing's Eye of God at her waist shone brightly at that moment, and the longsword in her hand shone with a brilliant purple light.

"The light of the sword is like mine, cutting off everything!"

The sword roams the heavenly streets, swift as lightning, reaching everywhere. This is the ultimate essence of the Cloud-Coming Sword Technique; with the power of a single move, even demons are beheaded!

If Han Fulai were simply a spectator, he would probably be applauding right now, but he didn't have the leisure to do so, because while Shen He and Ke Qing were dealing with the group of Hilichurls, Jiang Xue uttered two more words—

"coming."

What's coming? Han Fulai didn't have time to ask the question because he heard a sharp voice shouting behind him: "Ika yaya!"

When he came to his senses, he was shocked to see two Hilichurl thugs charging at him with shields that were more than two meters tall.

Behind the Hilichurl thug, a Deep Abyss mage, enveloped in a water shield, floated by.

When did this Abyss Mage appear? And how did these two Hilichurl thugs come about?

Without time to think, Han Fulai instinctively recited his life-saving eight-character mantra: "Rock, the six directions draw it into the bone!"

As his proficiency increased, the steps required to activate the Jade Shield became shorter and shorter. Han Fulai believed that with more practice, he would be able to create the Jade Shield with a dashing shout of "As Solid as a Rock".

He thrust his guns forward with both hands, and with that movement, a golden barrier opened up. Two towering Hilichurls crashed into the Jade Shield with two muffled thuds, and the force of the recoil even cracked the giant shields in their hands.

At that moment, the Abyss Mage suddenly disappeared from his sight.

Is this guy planning to bypass me and attack Jiang Xue?

Han Fulai's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly turned around, only to see the Water Abyss Mage appear in front of him from the void.

Jiang Xue, however, remained unmoved, staring at the water.

The Abyss Mage brandished his staff, and four enormous water bubbles suddenly appeared around him, blocking his path. At the same time, his staff once again shimmered with the light of water elements, seemingly preparing for another attack, aimed at Han Fulai as well.

Huh? Jiang Xue wasn't among this guy's targets?

why?

Han Fulai suddenly remembered what Jiang Xue had said before—"You seem to be in trouble."

He wasn't saying "we" or "you all," but "you."

Is the Abyss Mage targeting only him?

Or rather, these monsters are all after him?

Could this be—an assassination attempt targeting him?!

Who wants to assassinate him? And who can command these monsters to assassinate him?

Furthermore, how did Jiang Xue know all this?

There are as many questions as there are mountains.

But for now, we still need to deal with these monsters!

A water cannon materialized at the tip of the Abyss Mage's staff and attacked Han Fulai. At the same time, it roared in words Han Fulai couldn't understand, seemingly giving orders to the two Hilichurl thugs.

Upon hearing the Water Abyss Mage's command, the two Hilichurl thugs threw away their shields, took the large axes off their backs, raised them high, and swung them at Han Fulai.

But the jade shield remained as solid as Mount Tai.

With the power of the demon god's remnants, the Jade Shield is not something that mere Hilichurl thugs and Abyssal Mage can break through.

At that moment, Shen He and Ke Qing had just finished their battle and were rushing towards him.

Han Fulai twirled his black-tasseled spear, making it spin like a windmill, and passed it from his left hand behind his back to his right hand, performing a set of fancy spear movements—these movements were meaningless, mainly for the sake of looking cool, since Shen He and Ke Qing were both watching him.

And he uttered a long, clear chant:

"Washing oneself with ice and snow, adorned with rosy clouds and crowned with cloud, gazing afar at a mere hair's breadth; sending voices to the jade mirror, stirring the stars, riding phoenixes and luan birds across the land."

Snow began to fall around him!

Chapter 116 There are no weak powers, only ignorant demons.

The first to sense that something was wrong were the two horde members.

These two Hilichurls, along with the group of Hilichurls from before, were summoned from a nearby place by the Water Abyss Mage's summoning magic—this nearby place is east of the Reed Marsh, Mondstadt, or more precisely, near the Dragonspine Mountains.

The area around Dragonridge is covered in snow and ice year-round, so these Mondstadt hillocks have naturally seen snow before.

So these two Hilichurls roared, and if we were to translate what they were yelling, it would probably be something like, "This is not snow."

—Yes, the “snow” that Han Fulai created was not snow.

As the saying goes, "What does the falling snow resemble? It's somewhat like scattering salt in the air."

These white crystalline powders fluttering in the air are salt.

Of course, this is not table salt, but a type of salt that is slightly corrosive and can cause irritation and itching when sprinkled on the skin.

This salt is scientifically known as sodium acetate.

“Nimesila!” the Abyss Mage cried out.

This is the highest form of respect for an enemy in the Hilichurls, equivalent to greeting the enemy's entire family and extending heartfelt condolences to the enemy's immediate female relatives.