Chapter 27: Plotting with a Tiger, the River God Sets the Pieces (Please bookmark, please vote for monthly tickets, please...)

"Oh?"

Young Master Kongxu's expression softened, but his eyes remained fixed intently on the River God statue. "I wonder, how does the Great River God wish to cooperate with me?"

When a Foundation Establishment cultivator's dharma sword could be easily parried by a mere mortal like himself, Master Huang knew his plan was halfway successful.

"The River God Lord hopes that you, Young Master, might deliver a decisive blow from within at the critical moment," Master Huang said with a smile.

A decisive blow from within?

Kongxu gave a half-smile. "You are asking me to defect."

"Do you realize that neither Wen Renjie nor Qiao Xuan are easy people to deal with?"

"Moreover, there is a disciple of the Moon-Grabbing Sect."

"That Xu Xiao is the personal disciple of Elder Konglan of the Moon-Grabbing Sect. If you alert that Purple Mansion expert, neither your River God Lord nor I will be in a good position."

Master Huang laughed. "Rest assured, Young Master. My River God Lord is certainly not someone who can be dealt with by a mere Purple Mansion elder of the Moon-Grabbing Sect."

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Kongxu's eyes. He caught a subtle nuance in Master Huang's words: *a mere Purple Mansion.*

Would a River God of the Purple Mansion realm describe a Purple Mansion expert as "mere"?

Could it be that this River God was not in the Purple Mansion realm?

Connecting this to the annual River God Grand Sacrifice held across the thirteen counties of East County, Kongxu felt he had discovered something.

Kongxu was clever—very clever. Otherwise, he wouldn't have discovered the hidden grotto-heavens of Purple Mansion cultivators to obtain inheritances and resources. If he weren't clever, he wouldn't have reached Foundation Establishment.

Thus, with just one sentence from Master Huang, Kongxu knew that the waters of Qingshan County were far deeper than they appeared on the surface.

But what did that have to do with him?

He was merely a rogue cultivator. No matter how famous he was in Qingzhou, he was still just a minor Foundation Establishment rogue.

In an ordinary county town, a small clan might look up to him.

But before the great clans of the commandery cities, the aristocratic families of the provincial capitals, or the Golden Core sects that dominated entire provinces, what was a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?

It was precisely because he understood his predicament so clearly that Kongxu desired to become a Purple Mansion expert more than anything.

He had a clear self-awareness: he was a rogue cultivator, a hyena willing to risk his life for resources, and a hyena never holds a political stance.

Since the River God had such confidence and could provide so many resources, Kongxu was willing to cooperate.

Once he became a Purple Mansion expert, what would it matter if the River God flooded Qingshan County?

As a dignified Purple Mansion expert, would he be inferior to the lives of hundreds of thousands of mortals?

Thinking of this, Kongxu finally broke into a smile. "This Young Master can cooperate with the Great River God. Furthermore, I can provide the Great River God with a piece of news."

Master Huang's face lit up with joy. "Please, Young Master, speak."

Kongxu thought of that indifferent expression, that constant display of being neither happy nor sad while looking down upon the lofty Jiang Sheng.

Thinking of Jiang Sheng's background, his current Daoist temple, and his massive reputation, the smile at the corners of Kongxu's mouth deepened. "Does the Great River God know that a Taoist from Penglai has appeared in Qingping Mountain?"

"He is a formidable character; his strength is comparable to the Purple Mansion realm."

***

The next day, leaving the Huang family, Young Master Kongxu wore a gentle smile and moved with elegant grace, departing like a refined gentleman wandering through the mortal world.

Meanwhile, in the secret chamber of the Huang family, Master Huang was solemnly reporting the news he had obtained from Kongxu to the River God.

"The Eight Wolves of East County? I have heard of their reputation, but they are merely eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, the strongest being only at the mid-stage. To be so arrogant with such a reputation... it seems they are indeed a bunch of useless trash."

"A Taoist from Penglai defeating eight rogue cultivators of the same rank is normal, especially since he is a sword cultivator; that is nothing to be surprised about. But he is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage—what capability could he possibly have to slay a Purple Mansion expert?"

"The Eight Wolves of East County claimed they could contend with a Purple Mansion expert, and people actually believed them? Ridiculous! A group of ants who have never even opened a Purple Mansion—how could they know the difference between Purple Mansion and Foundation Establishment!"

"Moreover, how could this God's avatar be as simple as an ordinary Purple Mansion! He thinks he can use Foundation Establishment to strike against this God's avatar? His sword is not fast enough!"

Hearing the River God's words, Master Huang naturally offered a round of flattery, but at the same time, he cautiously reminded him, "My Lord, that mere Foundation Establishment cultivator is naturally no match for you."

"However, there have been recent rumors that Jiang Sheng is skilled in fire arts. It is said that the combined magical tools of the Eight Wolves of East County were comparable to a half-step Purple Mansion, and Jiang Sheng only destroyed their tools and killed them by summoning a fire dragon."

"If his fire arts are truly that powerful and he manages to wound your divine body in a desperate counterattack, it would be quite unfortunate."

The River God fell silent for a moment before saying, "There is some truth to that."

"This God belongs to the element of water, while he is skilled in fire; they are naturally antithetical. If his fire arts are indeed formidable, I truly must prepare a response."

"Send someone to investigate and see if this Taoist named Jiang Sheng is truly skilled in fire arts."

Master Huang immediately complied, sending many people to Qingping Town to gather information. He even made a public show of his intentions, stating he would personally visit the Qingxuan Temple to pay his respects to Taoist Jiang.

As a highly prominent local gentry of Qingshan County, Master Huang's actions naturally drew countless eyes toward Qingping Mountain. People only then remembered that there was a powerful Taoist Jiang on that mountain.

During this period, Jiang Sheng had been living in seclusion on Qingping Mountain. Because of various rumors, the petitions of the gentry, and the pleas of the commoners, everyone had been so preoccupied that they had forgotten such a formidable figure existed in Qingshan County.

Now that Master Huang was going to Qingping Mountain to offer incense, everyone naturally wanted to see what this Master Huang intended to do. Did he want to invite Taoist Jiang out of seclusion to stop the County Magistrate?

Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Master Huang actually arrived on the mountain with a group of servants carrying several large chests of gifts.

In the depths of winter, climbing Qingping Mountain was undoubtedly no pleasant task.

But for the sake of the River God Lord's grand plan, Master Huang naturally overcame these difficulties.

Supported by his servants, he struggled halfway up the mountain. Seeing the Taoist temple with its black bricks and green tiles, and watching the wisps of blue smoke drifting from within, Master Huang breathed a long sigh of relief. He had finally arrived at Qingxuan Temple.

The mountains were naturally desolate, and it was the winter season, so the temple lacked any sign of life and appeared incredibly lonely.

There was only a youth dressed in simple Taoist robes, sweeping the snow at the entrance of the temple.

Master Huang stepped forward and smiled. "Little Taoist, Huang Shiren offers his respects."

Tian Ming'an quickly returned the greeting, appearing somewhat reserved. "This humble Taoist returns the respect. May I ask what brings Layman Huang here?"

Huang Shiren put on an air of reverence. "I have heard that Taoist Jiang possesses extraordinary skills and has slain the notorious criminals known as the Eight Wolves of East County. I am deeply impressed! My journey into the mountains today is to pay my respects to Taoist Jiang, representing the gentry of Qingshan County to express our sentiments, and perhaps, to request a talisman."

This speech first flattered Jiang Sheng's strength, then complimented him as the savior of the Qingshan County gentry, and finally pointed out his own small ulterior motive, making it seem exceptionally reasonable.

Huang Shiren's scheming and depth of character were indeed profound.

Hearing this, Tian Ming'an clearly relaxed his guard against Huang Shiren. He said somewhat sheepishly, "Layman Huang may not know, but for these past few days, my master has been in quiet cultivation to nurture his sword, and it is inconvenient to receive guests."

Huang Shiren showed obvious disappointment, but he forced a smile. "Then, would it be alright if I leave these gifts and simply offer three sticks of incense?"

After a moment of hesitation, Tian Ming'an nodded. "That is fine, but it is limited to offering incense in the front hall."

"I shall follow the Little Taoist's arrangements," Huang Shiren behaved very kindly.

"Please, Layman Huang," Tian Ming'an invited him into the temple.

After following Tian Ming'an into the temple, Huang Shiren felt that this place was indeed extraordinary.

The layout secretly aligned with the celestial phenomena and harmonized with the natural flow of mountains and waters, yet it did not feel overwhelming or aggressive; rather, it possessed the essence of a "hidden dragon in a deep pool."

Furthermore, being inside made one feel physically and mentally comfortable, fresh and natural, as if one were in contact with heaven and earth, leaving one feeling refreshed.

As Huang Shiren surveyed the temple, he couldn't help but praise it. "Taoist Jiang's Daoist temple is truly extraordinary. Being here makes one feel the profound mysteries of creation; it is truly a land of the immortals!"

Tian Ming'an was quite pleased with Huang Shiren's flattery, but he maintained a sense of modest pride. "It is merely an ordinary temple; Layman Huang overpraises it. We are almost there. Please, Layman Huang."

Upon reaching the front hall, Huang Shiren looked up and saw the portrait.

In the portrait, the Penglai Patriarch wore ritual robes, with a halo of clear light behind his head. His left hand held a hand seal while his right hand held a Ruyi scepter. Surrounded by immortal cranes and auspicious clouds, he appeared solemn and noble.

When Huang Shiren looked at the portrait, it was as if he had locked eyes with the Penglai Patriarch in the painting. For a moment, Huang Shiren felt as though all his filthy thoughts had been seen through—as if he had been stripped naked and thrown into an icy river in the middle of a blizzard. He shuddered violently.

He instinctively averted his eyes from the portrait. After composing himself, he hurriedly offered three sticks of incense and left the front hall.

Only then did Huang Shiren feel he could breathe again. While suppressing the terror in his heart, he asked as if casually, "Little Taoist, why does this front hall look as though it has been renovated?"

Tian Ming'an clearly showed some anger upon hearing this. "Is it not because of those Eight Wolves of East County?"

"They attempted a sneak attack on my master in the middle of the night, but they were no match for him. In the end, driven to desperation, they summoned a massive serpent dozens of feet long in a final attempt at a death struggle, but they did not expect my master's Daoist arts to be a level higher!"

As he spoke, Tian Ming'an's expression held a hint of pride. "My master directly summoned a Heavenly Dragon and brought down Heavenly Fire to destroy them!"

"It is just a pity that the front hall and the front courtyard were too heavily damaged during the battle, so they had to be renovated."

A flash of joy crossed Huang Shiren's eyes, but his face showed regret. "What a pity that I did not witness such a divine spectacle!"

***

Last night, while getting a massage at Linyuan, I met a good brother. He might have thought Linyuan was handsome and dashing, because not only did he treat Linyuan to drinks, but he also invited Linyuan to get a massage together. Linyuan and he were very much on the same wavelength; you could say they were kindred spirits. We chatted a lot. Before leaving, he said to Linyuan with some regret that it was a pity there was no chance today, otherwise he would have definitely let Linyuan know what true old-fashioned warmth was. At the time, Linyuan hadn't reacted, but thinking about it now, the more he pondered, the more something felt off. Awesome, I've met Nan Tong!

(End of Chapter)