The Importance of Postnatal Education

Although the Imperial Guards understood, they still found it hard to accept.

Whether it was the River God or not was irrelevant.

Why could a five-to-six-meter-long carp make such an adorable sound?

Li Yu let out a loli voice, "Esteemed sir, you're here for those wild wolves, aren't you?"

Shen Qing nodded.

"I've seen those wolves too. They're just a bunch of creatures without sentience, probably escaped from Bailu Marsh."

"Oh, right. Yesterday, I also heard a tiger roar."

Lin Zikai suddenly spoke up, "Judging by your tone, you seem to look down on these wolves. Why don't you just come ashore and stomp them to death?"

Li Yu rolled her eyes at Lin Zikai, and everyone clearly felt a sense of disdain.

"Sigh, saying that makes me sound ignorant."

"It's just that I'm a carp. Here in the Red Date River, I can barely be called the King of Carps. But what can I do once I'm on land? I can only flail about a bit."

"It's a shame I'm looked down upon by all of you, unlike other River Gods who have hands and feet."

Li Yu spoke with a pitiful tone, yet there was a peculiar undertone to it.

Shen Qing couldn't help himself, "Who taught you to talk like that?"

"Born in this remote place, who would teach me to talk? It's just that where the river flows, there are storytellers. I love listening to 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' and I feel great sympathy for Sister Daiyu."

Shen Qing fell silent for a moment. At this moment, Shen Qing's belief in nurture over nature reached its peak. All this talk of innate humanity was utter nonsense.

Look at that, a perfectly normal carp listening to 'Dream of the Red Chamber' turned into a master of Yin-Yang philosophy.

Shen Qing continued to ask, "Do you know where those wolves went after crossing the river?"

"Although I can't go ashore, I can guess a thing or two. When those wolves crossed the river, there was a scent of osmanthus. Ten li northwest of here after crossing the river, there's an osmanthus grove. Those wolves are probably around there."

Shen Qing nodded. This was a clear target, saving a lot of effort.

Seeing Shen Qing remain silent, Li Yu spoke, "Does Your Excellency need to cross the river? You can ride on me."

Shen Qing waved his hand and stepped onto the river's surface. True Qi gathered beneath his feet, allowing Shen Qing to stand steadily on the water.

This caused a flicker of light in Li Yu's large eyes. It was normal for someone in the Xiantian Realm to walk on water, but Shen Qing's ability to stand so steadily was different. She had never seen such control among those in the Xiantian Realm.

As a golden carp, her intuition in certain aspects far surpassed other ferocious beasts. She could instinctively feel Shen Qing's power.

But now, it seemed she had underestimated Shen Qing's strength.

Furthermore, her listening to 'Dream of the Red Chamber' wasn't just about Yin-Yang philosophy; she had also learned a bit about strategy.

Ordinary officials had no knowledge of River Gods; those below the fifth rank were unaware.

Since Shen Qing knew and appeared so calm when meeting her, she deduced that Shen Qing must be from a powerful and influential family.

Powerful, and with powerful backing.

She also wanted to forge a good connection.

Who said carps couldn't improve? She wanted to improve too!

Shen Qing walked across the rippling river surface as if walking on flat ground, slowly heading to the other side.

"You all figure out how to cross the river yourselves. I'll wait for you in the osmanthus grove."

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

Three figures appeared outside the osmanthus grove: one man and two women, all dressed in identical white robes.

The man held a wine pot, laughing and chatting as he walked. The two women also held various pastries. The trio looked more like they were out for a leisurely stroll.

The man, Liu Wen, turned to the two women and smiled.

"How is it, Junior Sister Hui, Junior Sister Lian? Isn't it much more fun out here than in the Qingshan Sect?"

Liu Hui took a bite of osmanthus cake. "It's certainly more interesting than the sect, but we should head back soon. Once we cross the Red Date River, we'll be very close to Bailu Marsh."

Lin Lian'er, who was less than 1.6 meters tall, swung her arm and said coquettishly, "Senior Sister Liu, I finally got to come out. Don't rush back so soon."

"There won't be any danger! Besides, Senior Brother Liu is with us. Senior Brother Liu will definitely protect us, won't you, Senior Brother Liu?"

Liu Wen puffed up with pride at this. He thumped his chest.

"Naturally."

Lin Lian'er smiled charmingly. "Senior Brother, where are those wolves you mentioned? Do you think I can catch a wolf cub to take back? Senior Sister and the others will be so envious."

Liu Wen tilted his chin and pointed towards the osmanthus grove ahead. "They're right there. These wolves have been in this osmanthus grove for several days. Don't worry, Junior Sister Lin. If there are any wolf cubs, I'll definitely get one for you."

"Stop," Liu Hui suddenly said, halting their steps.

"What? What is it? Did you see a wolf?" Lin Lian'er's voice was tinged with excitement.

Liu Hui shook her head. "It looks like there's someone ahead."

"It's the Imperial Guards!"

Liu Hui craned her neck upon hearing "Imperial Guards," her eyes full of curiosity. "Imperial Guards? Let me see."

"Are they the Imperial Guards? They don't look that special. They're not like the three heads and six arms Dad described."

Liu Hui had no intention of going further. "Let's step back. We'll wait until they've left."

"Are they that scary?" Lin Lian'er asked, full of defiance. "Aren't they all just people? Are Imperial Guards somehow superior?"

"Junior Sister, you haven't been down the mountain much, so you haven't heard their reputation," Liu Hui said, her eyes full of apprehension. "It's said, 'The Emperor's cavalry pass through Zhuque Alley at night, the Imperial Prison locks the Big Dipper.' That's about them."

"Moreover, recently a Centurion arrived in Luoshui City. He came from Baiyun County and, in less than a month, wiped out no less than five families and sects. He's earned the title 'World-Crossing Yama'."

"I saw Shen Qing from afar in Luoshui City a few days ago. His killing intent was overwhelming; he's no ordinary person."

Liu Wen chuckled beside them. "Junior Sister Liu, I think you're just boosting their morale and crushing our own. What Zhuque Alley, what World-Crossing Yama, are all just rumors."

"Besides, even if that Shen Qing is truly that terrifying, he's not among these Imperial Guards here. The leader of this group is just a Lieutenant Official."

Lin Lian'er quickly nodded. "Exactly, exactly! Our Senior Brother is also famous in the Yongning Commandery martial arts world. He's the 'Stone Crusher Hand'."

Liu Wen couldn't help but straighten his chest. Suddenly, his eyes darted around, and he mischievously said to Lin Lian'er.

"Junior Sister, what do you say to such a fine night? Watching wild wolves is too boring. Want to play something exciting?"

Lin Lian'er's interest was immediately piqued. "How do we play?"

Liu Wen took out three sets of night-vision suits from his bag.

Liu Hui immediately understood what the two were planning and gasped. "Are you crazy? You're going to attack Imperial Guards?"

Liu Wen put on his mask and smiled. "These Imperial Guards are too arrogant. I'm just going to teach them a lesson, not kill them."

Liu Hui wanted to say more, but Liu Wen interrupted. "Junior Sister Liu, if you want to join, put on the clothes. If not, just stay quiet."

The scholar and his companions arrived, dripping wet, outside the osmanthus grove.

"This carp is too uncooperative. It didn't even ask if we wanted a ride across the river before leaving," Lin Zikai said, patting his ear to drain the water, his tone full of complaint.

The scholar chuckled. "You still want it to carry you? The Master said that any fierce beast capable of serving as the River God must at least be in the Xiantian Realm, and they're also a seventh-rank official appointed by the court."

"Do you want a seventh-rank official to carry you, or a Xiantian Realm expert?"

"How thick-skinned can you be?"

Laughter erupted from the group.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through, and a faint snapping sound echoed in the woods. Pang Xiyuan abruptly turned his head.

"Who's there! Come out!"

The scholar and the others immediately stopped smiling, drew the hand crossbows from their waists, and aimed them into the darkness of the woods.

Liu Wen and Lin Lian'er emerged from behind the trees, their faces masked.

"Dogs of the court, you're quite alert."

Pang Xiyuan's expression turned cold. He tapped his fingers, and the hand crossbows of Black Dog and the others immediately fired.

As the crossbow bolts were shot, Pang Xiyuan drew the blade at his waist and charged at Liu Wen.

Black Dog and the others fired three rounds of crossbow bolts before drawing their weapons and charging forward.

Lin Lian'er suddenly unfurled an iron fan, blocking the crossbow bolts.

"A fine 'dog of the court'? Attacking with killing moves the moment we meet. It seems I must teach you a good lesson today, to let you know there's always someone better!"

After dodging, Liu Wen coldly snorted and attacked Pang Xiyuan with claw-like fingers.

The clash of blades and claws erupted with fierce sparks. Liu Wen's nickname, "Stone Crusher Hand," came from his hand techniques; his fingers could easily crush rocks.

However, Pang Xiyuan was an Imperial Guard. Although his realm was lower, his combat experience was evident. He managed to land a cut on Liu Wen's leg, despite being six minor realms behind.

Liu Wen cried out in pain, a trace of blood appearing in his eyes. He used his signature technique, batting away Pang Xiyuan's blade with one claw, then lunging with the other towards Pang Xiyuan's head.

If he had landed the blow, Pang Xiyuan would have been dead or severely injured.

Just then, a palm strike came, knocking away Liu Wen's claw.

Liu Hui, wearing a night-vision suit, blocked Pang Xiyuan.

Liu Wen's tone was full of displeasure. "What are you doing?"

Liu Hui's voice was cold. "What are you doing?"

A fierce glint appeared in Liu Wen's eyes. "Of course, I'm killing them! Let those Imperial Guards know that they can't just meddle in the affairs of the martial world..."

Gradually, the ferocity in Liu Wen's eyes faded, and his voice grew smaller. He seemed to feel a ferocious beast behind him, a chilling aura pressing against his spine, but he dared not turn around.

"Senior Sister... behind me..."

Shen Qing slowly emerged from the darkness, the clear moonlight illuminating his face.

Liu Hui stumbled back several steps, collapsing onto the ground, her voice trembling uncontrollably.

"World-Crossing... Yama..."

"Shen Qing!"