Chapter 29: The arrow is on the string, it must be released

Dongjun, Qingshan County.

The twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month—only five days remain until the Great Sacrifice to the River God!

Within the county magistrate's office, the four main Foundation Establishment cultivators—Qiao Xuan, Wenren Jie, Young Master Kongxu, and Xu Xiao—had all arrived.

Xu Xiao was the last to arrive.

As he watched Xu Xiao return alone, the disappointment in Zhang Qingyun's eyes became impossible to hide. "Is Daoist Jiang still not appearing?"

Xu Xiao shook his head. "That Daoist boy said Daoist Jiang is in secluded cultivation and will see no one. I couldn't force my way into the Qingxuan Temple, so I had to return."

Hearing this, Young Master Kongxu couldn't help but sneer. "Daoist Jiang is a High Cultivator from Penglai; why would he bother with rogue cultivators like us?"

"If we went to his door to invite him, it would only make us look ill-mannered. To those who don't know better, it would seem as if we are trying to climb social ladders."

The others didn't take his sarcastic remarks to heart; after all, it was normal for Kongxu to be somewhat annoyed after returning so dejectedly without even seeing Jiang Sheng.

Wenren Jie's expression was somewhat grim. "We are to gather everyone and set out tomorrow, and the day after is when we strike. Currently, Daoist Jiang is in seclusion. If he still hasn't shown his face in two days, our plan will have a loophole."

At these words, the expressions of both Qiao Xuan and Xu Xiao darkened.

Indeed, everyone acknowledged Jiang Sheng's strength, making him the most suitable candidate for the primary assault.

In the plan, both Qiao Xuan and Wenren Jie intended to let Jiang Sheng lead the main attack while they provided support from the flanks.

After all, rogue cultivators are most protective of their own lives; they know that without life, nothing else matters, and even a good reputation is useless once dead.

As for Young Master Kongxu, he was even more calculating; his intention was to ambush and betray Jiang Sheng during the siege of the River God to secure his own maximum benefit.

By doing so, he could claim the Purple Mansion treasures, slay his hidden enemy Jiang Sheng, and perhaps even seize Jiang Sheng's cultivation grounds—a triple victory.

Watching these high-and-mighty Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were treated as honored guests anywhere in Dongjun, Zhang Qing felt a faint trace of displeasure in her eyes: *Everyone has their own little schemes. With a great battle approaching, they are still calculating their own small interests without considering the big picture. The mindset of these rogue cultivators is truly wretched.*

Looking at her intelligent best friend, Xu Xiao couldn't help but sigh inwardly. How could she not know that Zhang Qing was actually treating these rogue cultivators as pawns? But how many of these rogue cultivators who reached Foundation Establishment were actually fools?

How could they not know that once a pawn loses its utility, it is discarded? How could they be willing to be discarded?!

Currently, they were united on the surface, but in reality, everyone was holding something in reserve. No one could say for certain how much chance of success their plan to deal with the river demon actually held.

As Xu Xiao thought this, her mind drifted to Jiang Sheng in the Qingping Mountains. Had Daoist Jiang already foreseen all of this, which was why he chose not to come and instead stood outside the chessboard?

Zhang Qing sighed, her beautiful face filled with determination. "Everyone, we have no way back now. The plan must proceed as scheduled."

"On the twenty-seventh of the twelfth month, my daughter and father will personally lead the others to Donghe Town. At that time, the others will draw the attention of the rogue cultivators, and you all only need to find an opportunity to strike."

Qiao Xuan still maintained his appearance of a simple farmer, puffing on his dry tobacco pipe. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "For now, this is the only way."

Wenren Jie also gave a carefree laugh. "In my life, I have slain many powerful enemies, but I have never slain a River God. Since there is such an opportunity, I would like to give it a try."

Seeing that the others had agreed, Young Master Kongxu naturally would not object.

Regardless of whether Jiang Sheng went or not, he intended to betray them. Moreover, though he wouldn't admit it, if Jiang Sheng were absent, he would indeed feel more relaxed, and his chances of success would be higher.

Thus, Young Master Kongxu nodded, putting on a dashing air. "This young master is also unafraid. They are merely demons; could we cultivators not slay them?"

Seeing this, Zhang Qing immediately smiled. "The three of you are truly the famous heroes of Qingzhou! Please rest assured; the things we promised will be paid in half on the twenty-seventh, and the other half will be given after the event, regardless of success or failure."

Zhang Qing knew that people required compensation to risk their lives, so she made a heavy promise.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xuan, Wenren Jie, and Young Master Kongxu were naturally overjoyed. Receiving half the reward in advance was excellent; at the very least, they could flee on the spot if things went south.

Time moved to the twenty-sixth of the twelfth month. A curfew had been implemented in Qingshan County. All gates were controlled by reliable guards to prevent anyone from leaving, and Qi Refinement cultivators were stationed to prevent any cultivators from escaping.

The entire Qingshan County was shrouded in the heavy gloom preceding the great battle. Whether it was gentry, wealthy merchants, or commoners, none were optimistic about Zhang Qingyun's demon-slaying operation.

The matter had been made public before it even began, making a grand spectacle of the intent to slay the River God. How could such an approach succeed?

However, the gentry could not stop Zhang Qingyun's actions. Not only was he the County Magistrate, but he had also won over a large number of cultivators, holding the actual power in Qingshan County.

Therefore, even though no one believed in Zhang Qingyun's plan, they were powerless to stop it and could only watch as events unfolded.

Many gentry members were even weeping in despair with their families, while the ignorant commoners were frantically buying grain. The wealthy merchants hadn't expected they could make another profit from this, but at a time like this, who had the heart to make money?

Of course, not everyone was anxious.

Master Huang, Huang Shiren, was very calm. He showed no fear of the impending catastrophe; instead, he was excitedly reporting news to the River God in his study: "Master, tomorrow the Magistrate will lead those rogue cultivators to Donghe Town."

The River God statue spoke, "Are all those rogue cultivators coming?"

Huang Shiren said, "Except for Jiang Sheng. It is said the Magistrate and that female cultivator from the Moon-Grabbing Sect have gone to invite Jiang Sheng several times, but Jiang Sheng remains in seclusion and sees no one."

The River God statue found this perfectly natural. "This God expected as much! That Daoist from Penglai is no fool; he knows this trip is a one-way journey. Why would he deliberately seek death?"

Huang Shiren quickly flattered him, "Master, you have blessed Qingshan County for decades. The people are all deeply grateful to you. The Magistrate wishes to crusade against you, and the gentry and commoners are all in opposition."

"It is a pity the Magistrate acts against the natural order and ignores the will of the people, insisting on striking a rock with an egg."

"Tomorrow, when he discovers that your divine might cannot be resisted by those mere Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators, he will surely regret it immensely and weep bitterly."

The River God statue said, "This God knows your intentions. When the time comes, after I have slain those ants, I shall flood several towns in Qingshan County. At that time, that rogue Magistrate will naturally be dismissed, and I shall ensure you become the next Magistrate of Qingshan County."

Huang Shiren's eyes filled with pleasant surprise. "If I can become the Magistrate of Qingshan County, I will surely lead all the gentry and commoners to offer sacrifices to you, Master!"

The River God statue fell into silence once more, but Huang Shiren's face was full of anticipation and excitement. "I, too, can become the Magistrate!"

"The Magistrate's daughter is quite clever and beautiful, but her temperament is too arrogant; she has never held me in any regard. But I like that temperament. Once her father becomes a prisoner tomorrow, I wonder if she can still remain so arrogant..."

Meanwhile, in the county magistrate's office, dozens of Qi Refinement rogue cultivators were feasting and drinking.

Wang Tianfang, Li Hao, Han Li, and Qian Ming—the four Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators—had also arrived.

At this moment, the strongest forces in Qingshan County were gathered in this office.

This included the four Foundation Establishment cultivators: the elder Qiao Xuan at the late stage, and the three at the middle stage—the fairy Xu Xiao, Wenren Jie, and Young Master Kongxu—plus the four early-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators like Wang Tianfang.

Additionally, there were over forty Qi Refinement cultivators ranging from the eighth to the fifth level.

With such a force assembled, let alone suppressing Qingshan County, even if Zhang Qingyun lost his mind and went to attack another county, he would have full confidence in taking it.

Zhang Qingyun sat in the seat of honor, watching the rogue cultivators eat and drink to their heart's content. Once everyone had eaten enough, he spoke loudly, "I am deeply grateful to all of you for coming to Qingshan County to join me in this great undertaking."

"The demon in the Taiping River has ravaged Qingshan County for decades, committing countless murders. The people of Qingshan County have suffered greatly!"

"Today we gather to drink this cup of wine. Tomorrow, we march to Donghe Town to slay the demon!"

Upon hearing this, the rogue cultivators' eating and drinking movements all stopped: *Slay the demon tomorrow?*

*Wasn't it said that we wouldn't strike until the day of the Great Sacrifice?*

Most of these rogue cultivators had come to Qingshan County with the intention of eating and drinking for free, waiting for the Great Sacrifice to collect the magistrate's reward before finding an excuse to run.

They weren't foolish enough to actually deal with the demon in the river.

But looking at Zhang Qingyun's current meaning, the plan had clearly been moved forward. How could they run now?

Wang Ping, a fifth-level Qi Refinement cultivator, was just about to stand up and speak when he saw Young Master Kongxu rise and look toward them. "Everyone, tomorrow this young master will personally lead the expedition. There is still time; if anyone has questions, speak up quickly."

While Wang Ping was still hesitating, he saw a eighth-level Qi Refinement cultivator stand up. Wang Ping recognized him; his name was Fang Xi, and he was also a man of martial spirit.

Fang Xi cupped his fists toward Young Master Kongxu. "Young Master Kongxu, I am naturally willing to join you all in crusading against the demon. However, I still have matters in the city that need to be settled. May I be permitted to finish my business before returning?"

Young Master Kongxu nodded with a smile, and then, under everyone's watchful eyes, he suddenly struck!

The Azure Water Dharma Sword traced a ghostly blue light, directly decapitating the unprepared Fang Xi with a single strike!

When Fang Xi's corpse fell heavily to the ground, splashing blood onto the faces of those nearby, they finally realized: they had no way back!

Young Master Kongxu sneered, "Since everyone has arrived, there is no reason to withdraw halfway."

"If anyone else wants to leave, this young master will see them off!"

All the Qi Refinement rogue cultivators made the wise choice.

They were not allowed to dissent. Young Master Kongxu, Wenren Jie, Qiao Xuan, and the four early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators like Wang Tianfang—seven Foundation Establishment cultivators in total—surrounded them.

A group of Qi Refinement cultivators would be slaughtered by a single Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone seven?

Furthermore, although the fairy Xu Xiao from the Moon-Grabbing Sect had not moved, it was clear she would not allow anyone to retreat.

They had already been treated as cannon fodder!