Chapter 5: A River God by the Bedside
“Qingping Town at the foot of Qingping Mountain, it is difficult for Qingping Town to be peaceful.”
Jiang Sheng said this yesterday.
Facts proved that Jiang Sheng’s words were correct.
Qingping Town is in an excellent location, backed by mountains and facing water. It can be said that with Qingping Mountain and Taiping River as two natural treasuries, all the people in the town live without worries.
However, a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters will inevitably attract covetousness if there is no power to protect it.
This is the current situation in Qingping Town.
According to Tian Guofu, the biggest threat to Qingping Town is not actually the fierce tigers in Qingping Mountain.
After all, Qingping Mountain stretches for 1,200 li, and that tiger demon freely eats and drinks in this mountain. As long as Mortals do not enter the mountain, there will basically be no danger.
But the Taiping River is different. The Taiping River is the only way for Qingping Town to reach the county seat, and it is also the most important hub in the entire county.
Whether it is merchants traveling north and south, or official documents and laws from the imperial court, they basically all have to pass through this river.
The prosperity of Qingshan County is inseparable from the Taiping River; and the people of Qingping Town are even more inseparable from this river.
Whether it is grain, oil, salt, cloth, or other goods, they basically all need to be transported via the Taiping River.
It can be said that this Taiping River is the source of materials for Qingping Town and even the entire Qingshan County, and it is also the only way to the outside world.
But at present, if one wants the Taiping River to be calm and the entire town and even Qingshan County to continue to be peaceful, a grand River God sacrifice must be held every year.
Listening to Tian Guofu’s words, Jiang Sheng already had a general idea: “River God sacrifice, what is used to sacrifice the River God? Three animals and six beasts?”
Tian Guofu said faintly: “If it were three animals and six beasts, that would be fine. Every year for the River God sacrifice, living people are used, and they are all children under six years old.”
“Every year, six pairs of virgin boys and girls must be sacrificed to the River God.”
Twelve children under six years old are sacrificed every year!
A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Sheng’s lowered eyes: “That River God, can he really ensure a year of favorable weather for you?”
Tian Guofu nodded: “As long as six pairs of virgin boys and girls are sacrificed every year, the River God will not stir up trouble, and the Taiping River will not have big winds and waves. It does indeed ensure favorable weather for the entire county.”
Jiang Sheng nodded slightly: “This Daoist knows.”
Tian Guofu looked at Jiang Sheng, who was walking ahead, with an expectant face: “Jiang Daoren, can you help Qingshan County eliminate this great hidden danger?”
Jiang Sheng laughed: “Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader) ah, you really are—”
Seeing Tian Guofu’s confusion, Jiang Sheng shook his head and laughed: “Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader) ah, you have misunderstood.”
“It’s true that this matter is a major event for your entire Qingshan County, but what does it have to do with me?”
“This Daoist only cultivates in this mountain. I have no past grievances or recent animosity with that River God in the Taiping River, so why must I go and invite trouble upon myself?”
“Regarding this matter, Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader), please do not mention it again.”
Seeing Jiang Sheng about to leave, Tian Guofu quickly said: “Jiang Daoren, Jiang Daoren, but this year, it’s our Qingping Town’s turn to provide those six pairs of virgin boys and girls!”
Jiang Sheng stopped, turned around, and looked at Tian Guofu: “But, what does this matter have to do with this Daoist?”
Tian Guofu looked at Jiang Sheng in a daze. This shouldn’t be, this young Daoist, shouldn’t he be eager to help others at this age?
Why, why is the gentle and jade-like Jiang Daoren so indifferent?!
“Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader), you are building a Daoist temple for this Daoist, and this Daoist is very grateful. But if you expect this to make this Daoist risk his life for you, Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader), you have misunderstood.”
As Jiang Sheng spoke, he waved his hand, and spiritual power shot out from his fingertips, cutting a large tree, three people’s embrace thick, in half at the waist: “If this Daoist is willing, in one day, this Daoist can build a Daoist temple in this mountain. Do you understand, Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader)?”
Tian Guofu was a little dispirited: “Yes, yes, it was I who was presumptuous.”
Jiang Sheng nodded slightly: “Since Qingping Town is willing to build a Daoist temple for this Daoist, then this Daoist will wait for the day the Daoist temple is completed. It is difficult to entertain Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader) in this wilderness, so please excuse this Daoist.”
With that, Jiang Sheng rode the wind and headed straight for the mountain peak.
Tian Guofu watched Jiang Sheng leave for a long time before he recovered. When the wealthy families of Qingping Town rushed over, they only saw Tian Guofu standing there dispiritedly by himself, with a large tree that had been cut down next to him.
“Town Leader, how is it? Did Jiang Daoren agree?” one person asked eagerly.
Tian Guofu shook his head, looking bewildered: “Jiang Daoren, Jiang Daoren said what does this matter have to do with him.”
A wealthy merchant became anxious: “This, this, we even built a Daoist temple for him, this, how could it be like this!”
Tian Guofu pointed to the fallen large tree and said: “Jiang Daoren just now pointed his finger and cut down this large tree, three people’s embrace thick, and he also said that if he was willing, he could build a Daoist temple within one day.”
Upon hearing this, these wealthy individuals were all dumbfounded.
According to their thoughts, they first built a Daoist temple for Jiang Sheng, and then had the Town Leader complain and ask Jiang Sheng for help. That young Jiang Daoren should have readily agreed, so why was his attitude so indifferent?
A wealthy gentry surnamed Wang said unhappily: “It seems this Daoist temple was built for nothing!”
A wealthy merchant surnamed Li also angrily said: “Hmph, we’re not building it anymore!”
Tian Guofu became anxious upon hearing this and quickly said: “No, absolutely not!”
Seeing these gentry cast him confused glances, Tian Guofu quickly explained: “Jiang Daoren said he wants to see the Daoist temple completed. If we really don’t build it, wouldn’t that provoke this Jiang Daoren again? Don’t forget, he alone with one sword cut down that demonic tiger that had become a spirit!”
Upon hearing this, these gentry finally came to their senses.
A gust of mountain wind blew, and these gentry all felt sweat all over their bodies and their hands and feet grew cold!
That’s right!
That Jiang Daoren alone with one sword cut down that demonic tiger that had become a spirit in Qingping Mountain!
Jiang Daoren is a true Cultivator with real ability!
The gentry looked at each other, and finally, only a sigh was left: “This Daoist temple, it must be built.”
“And it must be built well. If we cut corners, I’m afraid that if Jiang Daoren gets angry, more trouble will arise.”
Another sigh, followed by silence.
At the summit of Qingping Mountain, Jiang Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, quietly looking at the Daoist temple being built halfway up the mountain.
When Tian Guofu told him about the River God in the Taiping River eating six pairs of virgin boys and girls under six years old every year, Jiang Sheng’s heart indeed filled with anger.
But anger would not affect Jiang Sheng’s rationality. Even if the River God of the Taiping River could only control this section of the river in Qingshan County, his magic power was enough to be wary of.
The Taiping River in Qingshan County is hundreds of li long. Being able to control hundreds of li of river to stir up trouble, this is not something a Foundation Establishment Cultivator can do; at least it requires a Cultivator who has opened their Purple Mansion.
But if there really is a Purple Mansion Realm water demon in the Taiping River, then it would be difficult for Jiang Sheng to live in peace even if he wanted to.
Although humans and demons are not absolutely opposed, under this Qingping Mountain, in the Taiping River, with a Purple Mansion Realm water demon nearby, how could Jiang Sheng cultivate peacefully?
“It’s hard for others to sleep soundly by one’s bed.”
Today’s update is here, and now the story truly unfolds. Please follow, recommend, and collect.