Save Where You Should, Spend Where You Should

Cui Lang stared fixedly at Cloudwater River. Could there really be a river god?

Or was there some demon lurking beneath the water?

He walked to the water's edge. The river was somewhat murky; he could not see what lay below at all.

Could it be that when his father and the previous owner of this body had drowned, they had encountered this kind of whirlpool?

Many townsfolk who saw the sight knelt by the riverbank, repeatedly kowtowing toward Cloudwater River and muttering things like, "River God, bless us."

The person sitting not far away, registering donations, stood up and shouted, "Everyone saw it—the River God has just revealed his divine power! Those who want the River God's blessing, hurry over and donate money to build the River God Temple."

"The River God, having felt everyone's sincerity, will not only bless you, but your children and grandchildren as well."

Many people who had not originally planned to donate also began opening their purses, tossing silver coins into the box.

Cui Lang walked up to the table. "When will the River God Temple begin construction? Do the county officials know about such a major matter?"

The man glanced at Cui Lang. "We're not asking the county for money. All the funds are pooled by everyone, so why would the county officials refuse?"

"After tomorrow's sacrifice, temple construction will begin."

"Young man, donate a little too. The River God will bless your whole family and surely grant all your wishes."

Cui Lang asked curiously, "Does the River God reveal his divine power often? I remember someone drowned here a few days ago. Did the River God reveal his divine power then as well?"

"Of course. The ones who fell into the water that day were a father and son. If not for the River God revealing his divine power, neither of them could have survived," the man declared with absolute conviction.

"Are you donating or not? If not, move aside. Don't block the others from donating."

He did not even have enough money for himself. He wanted others to donate some to him—where would he get money to give away?

Cui Lang turned and left. It seemed the deaths of the previous owner and his father really were connected to this river god.

On the way home, he could still hear many passersby discussing the river god. It was clear the river god's influence was growing.

He soon returned home. When Cui Ling saw Cui Lang come back, she immediately got up to cook, and Cui Lang followed her into the kitchen.

"Xiao Ling, have you heard of the river god of Cloudwater River?"

Cui Ling blinked. "I think I heard Father mention it before. What is it?"

Cui Lang shook his head. "Nothing. I just heard people talking about a river god on the road. Don't you believe it, though. It's all a scam."

The previous owner's father had mentioned it. It seemed the previous owner and his father had indeed gone to Cloudwater River to worship the river god.

But worshipping took place by the riverbank, so why had only those two fallen into the water?

There would be a sacrifice tomorrow. Perhaps the river god would appear again, and he could go take a look.

After dinner, Cui Lang continued practicing his blade in the courtyard. Only when he felt exhausted did he return to his room, sit cross-legged, and cultivate the Blazing Sun Technique.

Without nourishing essence blood, the Blazing Sun Technique progressed extremely slowly.

Yet he did not give up. Even if the improvement was tiny, as long as he could still improve, he would not slack off.

The next morning, just after breakfast, Cui Lang prepared to head out.

Cui Ling asked in surprise, "Brother, aren't you off for three days? Why are you heading out so early?"

Cui Lang answered vaguely, "Brother Zhao, the veteran constable assigned to train me, is injured. I'm going to visit him. I'm not sure when I'll be back tonight, so don't wait for me to eat."

For ordinary families like theirs, there were only two meals a day, morning and evening. Only wealthy households could afford three meals.

Yet even with only two meals, many families could only fill their stomachs with wild vegetables and the like. They could not even eat their fill, much less support a martial artist who ate like a bottomless pit.

Cui Lang also hoped his little sister could eat three meals a day, but there truly was not much money left at home. Fortunately, Zheng Fengyun had rewarded him with two taels of silver for killing the centipede demon; otherwise, the family could not even afford meat.

Once he received his constable's salary next month, everything would be fine.

Cui Ling immediately said, "Brother, I'll get you some money. You can't visit a sick person empty-handed. You may need to look after one another in the future."

Unable to refuse, Cui Lang took a small piece of broken silver and tucked it into his clothes before heading out.

As he walked toward the city gate, he saw a familiar figure emerge from a building hung with lanterns, one hand rubbing his waist.

"Brother Zhao." Cui Lang waved.

He had merely used visiting Zhao Changshan as an excuse, yet he had actually run into him the moment he left home.

Zhao Changshan quickly lowered the hand rubbing his waist. "Cui Lang, why did you come here so early in the morning?"

"I'm telling you, afternoon is best. Sit in the main hall for the afternoon, enjoy some music and dancing, then pick one you like at night. You'll have fun and save money."

Like a considerate big brother, he passed on his experience to Cui Lang.

Cui Lang said, "...Brother Zhao, I was just passing by."

He was not so desperate for women that he would come to Red Sleeve Pavilion at the crack of dawn.

Judging by Zhao Changshan's condition, he must have spent the night at Red Sleeve Pavilion. Once he spent money, he truly enjoyed himself to the death—even a martial artist at the peak of the Refining Essence Realm had dark circles under his eyes.

"Right, right, passing by. I was passing by too." Zhao Changshan clearly did not believe him, wearing an expression that said he understood perfectly.

"Brother Cui, you haven't eaten breakfast yet, right? I know a wonton stall with amazing flavor. Shall we go try it?"

After laboring all night, Zhao Changshan also wanted some hot wontons to warm his stomach.

Cui Lang understood at once. Zhao Changshan wanted him to treat him to wontons.

You had money to go to Red Sleeve Pavilion, but not enough for wontons?

He really knew how to save where he should save and spend where he should spend.

Perfect. He also wanted someone to accompany him to Cloudwater River. If there was danger, one more person meant one more helping hand.

"Brother Zhao, wontons can be eaten anytime. I heard they're building a temple by Cloudwater River today, and there'll be a free feast. Want to go try it together?"

A free feast?

Zhao Changshan's eyes lit up instantly. He absolutely could not miss such a good thing.

"What temple is it? Which local gentry donated to build it?" Zhao Changshan asked as he followed Cui Lang out of the city.

"The River God Temple. I heard there's a river god in Cloudwater River. Haven't you heard, Brother Zhao?" Cui Lang asked as if casually, while secretly watching Zhao Changshan's expression.

"There's a river god in Cloudwater River? How come I've never heard of it? Sounds like a scam." Zhao Changshan looked utterly unconvinced. "But who cares? As long as there's a feast to eat. Hey, do you think they'll provide liquor?"

Cui Lang shook his head. "No idea. I only heard about it too. I'm just going over to join the excitement."

If there was no feast when they got there, it would not be his fault.

Still, from Zhao Changshan's expression, he seemed genuinely unaware of the river god.

The two chatted as they walked, soon reaching the riverbank.

When Zhao Changshan saw the many offerings laid out in the distance, saliva immediately began to flow from his mouth.

But he quickly sensed that something was off. "Cui Lang, didn't you say there'd be a feast? Why don't I see any tables or benches? What are you looking at?"

Cui Lang looked into the distance, where a woman holding a four- or five-year-old child was repeatedly kowtowing.