Chapter 21

Xia Youyu smiled again. "The old woman was given a suspended sentence for negligent homicide because of her age. But the village's Paper Mill was thus left standing, openly and legitimately."

"Even though I am my mother's heir, and have the right to reclaim the land-use rights, they refuse to acknowledge it no matter what, like deadbeat debtors."

"I reported it to the higher authorities, but the entire village resisted collectively, so it still could not be forcibly enforced."

"I brought a demolition crew there, and the vicious dogs they kept in the village bit several chunks of flesh off me."

"If that were all, then giving up would only mean I was not determined enough."

"But starting about a year ago, I began... being followed by a Monster Bird every day."

"At first, it merely stared at me, making me feel mentally unsettled. Later, it began chasing me and screeching at me."

"Now, that Monster Bird pecks at my flesh every single day."

As Xia Youyu spoke, he pulled open his shirt. "That Monster Bird pecks nowhere else. It only pecks at my heart."

"Actually... if I had not killed myself today, I probably would not have lived many more days anyway."

"It was only... that I could not accept it."

*

Thus, when Lord Rain God, whose mind was slightly unsettled, descended from his luxurious bed several dozen meters long to the riverbank, what he saw was the Down-and-Out River God sitting in his luxurious chair, looking at that shameless, despicable, pathetically weak human who had opened his clothes with the gaze of someone choosing consorts.

With a hum.

Another Thunderclap rang out in Bicheng's sky.

It struck straight at that bastard's head.

Author's note:

He Qinglan: I'm not targeting anyone. Everyone who jumps into rivers is trash!

Shui Wuyuan: I was only gone for a few hours!!!

Chapter 21

Shui Wuyuan had never imagined that he would return to see such a god-awful scene after merely going home to lie down for a few hours and handle a tiny personal matter.

Under the bright moonlight, what was this Down-and-Out River God trying to do?!

Did he not know that he was sitting in Shui Wuyuan's chair, using Shui Wuyuan's desk, and that even the fish tank for the Black Carp on that desk had been specially made by a master craftsman at Shui Wuyuan's request?!

And yet he still could not withstand a human's seduction. This River God deserved to run dry.

That Thunderclap had nearly struck Xia Youyu's head, but at the critical moment, Lord River God acted and saved his second believer's life.

Xia Youyu, who had pulled open his clothes, turned around and saw the big shot Shui Wuyuan appear out of thin air, standing in midair. He froze for a moment, then felt delight rather than alarm.

This was another being with immense power! That meant he had found the right people and the right path!!

Shui Wuyuan's fury at having his lightning strike intercepted was about to erupt with doubled force, but he quickly noticed the savage wound on Xia Youyu's left chest.

An extremely strong Corrupting Miasma coiled around that wound. It was clearly not something an ordinary human or living creature could have inflicted.

So... ahem, perhaps it was not what he had thought?

"Why are you losing your mind in the middle of the night? Why do you strike anyone you see with lightning?" Blocking that heavenly lightning had consumed a little more of the Spiritual Power He Qinglan had only just accumulated, and his gaze at Shui Wuyuan turned cold.

"Perhaps the reason you were born late back then was because you were not suited to rain at all, but better suited to lightning?"

Because Thunder God had gestated early, this fellow had reluctantly condensed from rain into a Ling.

Hearing the mockery in He Qinglan's words, Shui Wuyuan turned his head away somewhat awkwardly. But Lord Rain God would never admit he was wrong. He was an eternal god!

"How can you blame me? Who told this human not to sleep properly in his own nest in the middle of the night, but instead run to the riverbank and bare his chest like this? What kind of behavior is that?!"

"And aren't you the one who loves cleanliness and beauty most? He has done something so glaring and ugly, so why have you not dragged him into the river and drowned him?" The more Shui Wuyuan spoke, the more reasonable he found himself. At last, he even nodded righteously. "It must be because you do not have enough Spiritual Power."

"It's fine. I'll help you teach him a lesson. I have plenty of Spiritual Power and strength; I do not mind wasting a little rain and lightning."

Thus, Xia Youyu was not struck by lightning, but the little rain cloud still precisely covered his head. With that drizzling rain falling on him, even an elite like Xia Youyu did not know what to say.

He Qinglan pressed at his brow as he looked at Xia Youyu, soaked like a drowned rat.

"Enough. Can't you see how thick the corrupting miasma on him is? Keep messing around, and he'll die."

Shui Wuyuan walked over to He Qinglan then. His chair had been taken by He Qinglan, so he stretched out his long legs and simply sat on that luxurious desk. After glancing sideways at Xia Youyu again, Shui Wuyuan said,

"He really is about to die, but what does that have to do with me?"

He Qinglan nodded. "It has nothing to do with you. So what are you here for?"

Shui Wuyuan: "..."

Just as Lord Rain God wore an unpleasant expression and was about to find something to argue about, Xia Youyu very cleverly opened his mouth.

"You two possess celestial bearing unlike ordinary people at first glance. To keep each other company at night, you must surely be the closest of friends. Since you are friends, then Mr. Shui taking the initiative to help Mr. He is an expression of friendship."

"Therefore, Mr. Shui, it is good that you came."

He Qinglan raised his brows high. He had misjudged him. This Second Potato was not incapable of speaking; previously, he had probably simply not been in the mood to speak properly. Once he let loose, he truly knew how to lay on the flattery.

Shui Wuyuan was clearly pleased by Xia Youyu's words. Even the rain falling from the cloud over Xia Youyu's head became a fine mist.

"You human have some sense after all."

"But don't think you can cozy up to me. Every day, who knows how many people want to throw themselves into my arms. Do you know what happens to them in the end?"

The corner of Shui Wuyuan's mouth curled upward. "They all jump into the sea."

"And besides, I am not his closest friend."

Shui Wuyuan leaned toward He Qinglan, pressing closer. When he lowered his head and met He Qinglan's slightly raised eyes, he said softly,

"He and I are opponents... who must decide who stands above the other."