Bargaining with a Tiger, the River God Places His Pieces (Please Bookmark, Vote, and Keep Reading)

Chapter 27: Bargaining with a Tiger, the River God Places His Pieces (Please Bookmark, Vote, and Keep Reading)

"Oh?"

Young Master Kongxu's expression softened, but his eyes remained fixed on the river god's statue. "How exactly does the honored river god wish to cooperate with me?"

When Master Huang found that he, a mere mortal, could easily push aside a Foundation Establishment cultivator's Dharma Sword, he knew his plan had already half succeeded.

"The river god hopes you will turn your weapon against your allies at the crucial moment," Master Huang said with a smile.

Turn his weapon against his allies?

Young Master Kongxu wore an ambiguous smile. "So you want me to switch sides."

"Do you realize that neither Wenren Jie nor Qiao Xuan is easy to deal with?"

"Not to mention the disciple of the Moon-Embracing Sect."

"Xu Xiao is the personal disciple of Elder Konglan of the Moon-Embracing Sect. If that Purple Mansion cultivator gets involved, neither your river god nor I will be in a good position."

Master Huang merely smiled. "Rest assured, young master. A trifling Purple Mansion elder of the Moon-Embracing Sect is certainly no match for our river god."

A gleam flashed through Young Master Kongxu's eyes. He had caught a telling hint in Master Huang's words: a trifling Purple Mansion elder.

Would a river god in the Purple Mansion realm call another Purple Mansion cultivator "trifling"?

Could this river god be beyond the Purple Mansion realm?

Recalling the River God Grand Sacrifice held each year across all thirteen counties of Dongjun, Young Master Kongxu felt he had discovered something.

Young Master Kongxu was clever—extremely clever. Otherwise, he would never have discovered that hidden Purple Mansion cultivator's cave abode and obtained its inheritance and resources. Had he not been clever, he would never have reached Foundation Establishment, either.

Thus, a single sentence from Master Huang told Young Master Kongxu that the waters of Qingshan County ran far deeper than they appeared.

But what did any of that have to do with him?

He was merely a rogue cultivator. However great his reputation in Qing Province, he remained a minor rogue cultivator in the Foundation Establishment realm.

In an ordinary county town, a small lineage might regard him highly.

But before the prominent lineages of commandery cities and the aristocratic clans of provincial capitals, before Golden Core sects that dominated entire provinces, what did a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him amount to?

Precisely because he understood his circumstances, Young Master Kongxu was desperate to reach the Purple Mansion realm.

He knew exactly what he was: a rogue cultivator, a hyena willing to risk his life for resources. And hyenas never took sides.

Since the river god was so confident and could offer so many resources, Young Master Kongxu was willing to cooperate.

Once he reached the Purple Mansion realm, what would it matter if the river god flooded Qingshan County?

Would his life as a dignified Purple Mansion cultivator not outweigh those of several hundred thousand mortals?

With these thoughts, Young Master Kongxu finally smiled. "I can cooperate with the honored river god. Moreover, I have a piece of information to share with him."

Master Huang's face brightened as well. "Please, young master, do tell."

Young Master Kongxu thought of Jiang Sheng's indifferent expression, his constant lack of sorrow or joy, and the way he seemed to stand high above everyone else.

Thinking of Jiang Sheng's origins, his current sanctuary, and his considerable reputation, Young Master Kongxu's smile deepened. "Does the honored river god know that a Daoist from Penglai has taken up residence on Qingping Mountain?"

"He's a formidable one, with strength comparable to a Purple Mansion cultivator."

The following day, Young Master Kongxu left the Huang Family residence with a gentle smile and impeccable manners, drifting away like a graceful young gentleman wandering the mortal world at leisure.

Meanwhile, in the Huang Family's secret chamber, Master Huang solemnly reported to the river god everything he had learned from Young Master Kongxu.

"The Eight Wolves of Dongjun? I have heard of them. They were merely eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, the strongest of them only at the middle stage. A little fame made them arrogant and conceited. Now it seems they truly were a pack of useless fools."

"It is perfectly normal for a Daoist from Penglai to defeat eight rogue cultivators of the same realm. He is also a sword cultivator, so there is nothing surprising about it. But as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, what ability could he possibly have to slay someone in the Purple Mansion realm?"

"The Eight Wolves of Dongjun claimed they could clash head-on with a Purple Mansion cultivator, and people actually believed them? Ridiculous! A swarm of ants who had never opened their Purple Mansions—how could they understand the difference between Purple Mansion and Foundation Establishment?"

"Besides, my avatar is no ordinary Purple Mansion cultivator! If he intends to defy the realms and slay my avatar while still at Foundation Establishment, his sword is not nearly swift enough!"

Naturally, Master Huang offered a string of flattering words upon hearing this, but he also ventured a cautious reminder. "My lord, that mere Foundation Establishment cultivator is certainly no match for you."

"But lately, the rumors all say Jiang Sheng is highly skilled in fire techniques. They say the combined artifacts of the Eight Wolves of Dongjun rivaled a half-step Purple Mansion cultivator, and that Jiang Sheng summoned a fire dragon to destroy their artifacts and kill them."

"If his fire techniques truly are that powerful, and his desperate counterattack damages your divine body, wouldn't that be unfortunate?"

The river god fell silent for a moment before saying, "There is some reason in your words."

"I am aligned with water, while he excels in fire techniques. The two naturally oppose each other. If his fire techniques really are powerful, I will indeed need to prepare a response."

"Send people to investigate whether that Daoist named Jiang Sheng truly is skilled in fire techniques."

Master Huang promptly agreed. He sent numerous people to Qingping Town to gather information and even made a public show of declaring that he would personally visit Qingxuan Temple to pay his respects to Daoist Jiang Sheng.

As a renowned member of Qingshan County's gentry, Master Huang naturally drew countless eyes toward Qingping Mountain with this move. Only then did people remember that the mountain was home to the formidable Daoist Jiang.

Jiang Sheng had been living in seclusion on Qingping Mountain of late. Meanwhile, the rumors, upheavals, and petitions from the gentry and commoners had left everyone in Qingshan County overwhelmed, and they had forgotten that such a powerful figure still lived there.

Now that Master Huang intended to offer incense on Qingping Mountain, everyone naturally wanted to see what he was planning. Could he be hoping to invite Daoist Jiang down the mountain to stop the county magistrate?

Under countless watchful eyes, Master Huang really did take a group of servants up the mountain, carrying several large chests of gifts.

Climbing Qingping Mountain in the bitter cold of the twelfth lunar month was certainly no pleasant task.

But for the sake of the river god's grand plan, Master Huang naturally overcame these difficulties.

Supported by his servants, he struggled all the way up to the mountainside. When he saw the Daoist temple of black brick and blue-gray tile, with wisps of smoke curling from within, Master Huang let out a long breath. At last, he had reached Qingxuan Temple.

The mountain seldom saw visitors even at the best of times. In the depths of winter, Qingxuan Temple showed little sign of life and looked utterly solitary.

Only a youth in plain Daoist robes stood outside its entrance, sweeping away the snow.

Master Huang approached with a smile. "Young Daoist, Huang Shiren offers his greetings."

Tian Ming'an hurriedly returned the greeting, looking somewhat reserved. "My greetings to you as well. May I ask what brings you here, Layman Huang?"

Huang Shiren assumed a reverent expression. "I heard that Daoist Jiang possesses extraordinary abilities and slew those notorious villains, the Eight Wolves of Dongjun. I admire him deeply! I have come into the mountains to pay my respects and offer a small token of appreciation on behalf of Qingshan County's gentry. While I am here, I also hope to ask for a talisman."

He began by praising Jiang Sheng's exceptional strength, then flattered him as the savior of Qingshan County's gentry, and finally mentioned a modest personal request, making the whole thing seem perfectly reasonable.

Huang Shiren's scheming and cunning were far from shallow.

Tian Ming'an clearly lowered his guard after hearing this. Somewhat apologetically, he said, "You may not know this, Layman Huang, but my master has been cultivating in seclusion and nurturing his sword lately. He cannot receive visitors."

Huang Shiren looked visibly disappointed, but forced a smile. "Then might I leave the gifts here, pay my respects, and offer some incense?"

After some hesitation, Tian Ming'an nodded. "You may, but you can only offer incense in the front hall."

"Naturally, I will follow your arrangements, young Daoist." Huang Shiren was the picture of amiability.

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

Following Tian Ming'an inside, Huang Shiren immediately sensed that the temple was indeed extraordinary.

Its layout subtly mirrored the celestial patterns and harmonized with the contours of the mountains and waters. Yet it did not overwhelm with grandeur; it carried the air of a hidden dragon resting in the depths.

Standing within it also soothed his body and mind. Everything felt fresh and natural, as though he were connected to heaven and earth, leaving him clearheaded and invigorated.

Huang Shiren surveyed the temple while praising it incessantly. "Daoist Jiang's sanctuary is truly extraordinary. Merely standing here gives one a profound sense of creation's mysteries. This really is a place for immortals!"

Tian Ming'an was pleased by Huang Shiren's flattery, though he retained a measure of reserve. "It is only an ordinary Daoist temple. You praise it too highly, Layman Huang. The hall is just ahead. Please."

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

The Penglai Patriarch in the portrait wore ritual vestments, a pale, clear halo behind his head. His left hand formed a seal, while his right held a Ruyi. Immortal cranes and auspicious clouds surrounded him, lending him a solemn, pure nobility.

As Huang Shiren looked at the portrait, he seemed to meet the Penglai Patriarch's gaze. For an instant, he felt as though every filthy thought in his belly had been seen through, as though someone had stripped him naked in a world of ice and snow and thrown him into a frozen river. He shuddered violently.

Instinctively averting his eyes from the portrait, he steadied himself, hurriedly offered three sticks of incense, and left the front hall.

Only then did Huang Shiren feel able to breathe again. Suppressing his fear, he asked with feigned casualness, "Young Daoist, why does this front hall look as though it has been renovated?"

Tian Ming'an's expression showed clear anger. "It was all because of the Eight Wolves of Dongjun!"

"They tried to ambush my master late at night, but they were no match for him. Driven into a corner, they finally summoned a giant serpent dozens of zhang long for a desperate last stand. They never expected my master's Daoist arts to be superior!"

As he spoke, pride crept into Tian Ming'an's expression. "My master summoned a Heavenly Dragon directly and brought down heavenly fire to destroy them!"

"Unfortunately, the front hall and courtyard suffered so much damage in the battle that they had to be renovated."

A flicker of delight flashed through Huang Shiren's eyes, but his face showed only regret. "What a pity I did not get to witness such an immortal spectacle!"

Last night, while getting a massage, Lin Yuan met a good fellow. Perhaps because he found Lin Yuan handsome and dashing, he not only bought Lin Yuan a drink but also invited him to get a massage together. Lin Yuan hit it off with him; you could say they were kindred spirits. We talked about all sorts of things. As we parted, he told Lin Yuan rather regretfully that it was a shame there had been no opportunity today, or he would certainly have shown Lin Yuan what it meant to have "an old passage and a warm intestine." Lin Yuan did not catch on at the time, but now, the more he thought about it, the stranger it sounded. Hooray, I met a gay guy!

(End of chapter)