Chapter 5: A River God Beside the Bed

"Qingping Town lies beneath Qingping Mountain; peace is hard to find within Qingping Town."

Jiang Sheng said these words yesterday. As it turns out, he was correct.

Qingping Town is situated in an ideal location, nestled against mountains and bordered by water. With the natural treasures of Qingping Mountain and the Taiping River at their disposal, the townspeople should have lived without a care. However, a place of such beauty will inevitably invite covetous eyes if it lacks the power to defend itself. This is exactly the situation Qingping Town currently faces.

According to Tian Fugui, the town’s greatest threat is not the ferocious tiger in Qingping Mountain. After all, the mountain spans over a thousand miles, and as long as the mortals stay out, the tiger spirit has no reason to bother them. The Taiping River is a different matter. It is the vital artery connecting Qingping Town to the county seat and serves as the most important hub for the entire region. Whether it is merchants traveling from afar or official imperial edicts, almost everything must pass through this waterway. The prosperity of Qingshan County is inextricably linked to the Taiping River, and the people of Qingping Town depend on it for everything—grain, oil, salt, cloth, and other essential goods. It is the lifeblood of the town and the county, and the only gateway to the outside world.

Yet, to keep the river calm and ensure the continued prosperity of the town and county, a massive grand sacrifice to the River God must be held every year.

Listening to Tian Guofu, Jiang Sheng already had a general idea. "A grand sacrifice to the River God? What do you offer? Livestock?"

Tian Guofu replied in a hollow voice, "If it were only livestock, that would be one thing. Every year, the sacrifice requires living humans—specifically, children under the age of six. We must offer six pairs of boys and girls to the River God annually."

Twelve children under the age of six, sacrificed every year!

A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Sheng’s lowered eyes. "And this River God, does he truly ensure a year of favorable weather and peace?"

Tian Guofu nodded. "As long as the six pairs are sacrificed, the River God stirs up no trouble. The Taiping River remains calm, and the entire county is indeed blessed with favorable conditions."

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly. "I understand."

Tian Guofu looked up at Jiang Sheng, who was walking ahead, with hopeful eyes. "Daoist Jiang, could you help Qingshan County eradicate this great scourge?"

Jiang Sheng chuckled. "Mayor Tian, you really are..." Seeing Tian Guofu’s confusion, he shook his head and smiled. "Mayor Tian, you have miscalculated. It is true that this is a major affair for all of Qingshan County, but what does it have to do with me? I am merely cultivating in these mountains. I have no past grievances or recent conflicts with the River God. Why should I go out of my way to invite trouble? Let us not speak of this matter again."

Seeing that Jiang Sheng was about to leave, Tian Guofu hurriedly called out, "Daoist Jiang, Daoist Jiang! But this year, it is our Qingping Town’s turn to provide those six pairs of children!"

Jiang Sheng paused and turned to look at him. "And yet, how does that concern me?"

Tian Guofu stared at him blankly. This shouldn't be happening. The Daoist was so young; shouldn't he be full of justice and righteousness? Why was the gentle, jade-like Daoist Jiang being so indifferent?

"Mayor Tian, I am grateful that you are building a temple for me. But if you think that is enough to make me risk my life for you, you are mistaken." Jiang Sheng gestured with his hand, and a burst of spiritual energy shot from his fingertips, slicing clean through a massive tree that would take three men to encircle. "If I wished, I could build a temple in these mountains in a single day. Do you understand?"

Tian Guofu looked despondent. "Yes, it was my presumption."

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly. "Since Qingping Town is willing to build the temple, I shall wait for the day of its completion. It is difficult to host you in the wilderness, so forgive me for not keeping you company." With that, Jiang Sheng rode the wind and soared toward the mountain peak.

Tian Guofu remained stunned for a long time after Jiang Sheng’s departure. When the wealthy families of the town hurried over, they found only the mayor standing there in a daze, beside the fallen tree.

"Mayor, how did it go? Did the Daoist agree?" one asked eagerly.

Tian Guofu shook his head, looking lost. "Daoist Jiang... he said this matter has nothing to do with him."

A wealthy merchant grew anxious. "But... we are building him a temple! How can he be like this?"

Tian Guofu pointed to the severed tree. "With a mere wave of his hand, he felled this giant tree. He said he could build a temple in a single day if he wanted to."

Hearing this, the wealthy men were stunned. They had assumed that by building the temple and having the mayor plead their case, the young Daoist would readily agree. How could his attitude be so cold?

A merchant surnamed Wang spat, "It seems this temple was a waste of effort!"

Another merchant surnamed Li added angrily, "Hmph, let's stop building!"

Tian Guofu panicked. "No, we cannot!" Seeing their skeptical looks, he quickly explained, "Daoist Jiang said he expects to see the temple completed. If we stop now, wouldn't we be provoking him? Do not forget, he is the one who slew that evil tiger spirit with a single sword!"

The wealthy men suddenly realized the truth. A mountain breeze blew, and they all broke into a cold sweat, their hands and feet turning icy.

That was right! The Daoist had killed the tiger spirit of Qingping Mountain alone! He was a cultivator with true power!

The men looked at each other, eventually letting out a sigh. "The temple must be built."

"And it must be built well. If we cut corners and provoke the Daoist's wrath, there will be dire consequences."

After more sighs, they fell into silence.

At the peak of Qingping Mountain, Jiang Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, watching the temple under construction halfway down the slope. When Tian Guofu spoke of the six pairs of children sacrificed to the river, anger had indeed stirred within him. But anger would not cloud his judgment. Even if the River God only controlled the Qingshan County section of the river, its power was enough to warrant caution. The river stretched for over a hundred miles; to stir up such turbulence required strength far beyond a Foundation Establishment cultivator—at least that of a Purple Mansion realm cultivator.

If there truly were a Purple Mansion-level water demon in the river, it would be difficult for Jiang Sheng to live in peace. Although humans and demons are not absolute enemies, having such a powerful creature nearby would make it impossible to cultivate with a clear mind.

"One cannot sleep soundly with a beast snoring at the foot of one's bed."