Chapter 39: Filial Son

Just solving the drought around Fengyang—how difficult is that?

Zhang Jian thought to himself that with his modest cultivation, he probably couldn't accomplish this.

Zhang Jian suddenly remembered the dragon pearl in his hand.

He had just obtained several very important pieces of information from the mouth of the Dragon King at the bottom of the well.

First, there is a deity in the White Water River.

Second, this Dragon Lord is still trapped by someone; his situation looks dire.

This made Zhang Jian have other thoughts: the mighty Dragon Lord, a deity of a region, why is the dragon trapped in shallow shoals, ending up in such a predicament?

"Sword-Sealing Flood Dragon Diagram?"

In Zhang Jian's mind appeared the water-vein traversal diagram on the floating carving inside the Mian King's tomb.

Since the White Water River has a Dragon Lord, when Mian King built the dam to restrain the river's floods, he must have faced this Dragon Lord.

"Mian King, Sword-Sealing Flood Dragon Diagram, there seems to be a subtle connection between the two..."

At that moment, many fragmented clues appeared in Zhang Jian's mind.

After carefully pondering these fragmented clues, Zhang Jian saw a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps this sudden idea of his might not fail.

The two in the depths of the well were still daydreaming about the future; after all, they still had reservations, but it was clear they intended to compete for the position of White Water River God.

After a moment, a faint voice sounded: 'Elder brother, actually there is another way to contend for the White Water River God position?'

"What are you saying?"

That voice suddenly became solemn.

At this moment, the two voices suddenly stopped.

Zhang Jian was listening intently; at the crucial moment it was suddenly cut off, he immediately frowned, but in his heart he also guessed the meaning of those two in the depths of the well.

The most direct way to contend for the divine office is simply to kill the incumbent.

At the same time, he suddenly felt a bit wary; he did not approach the well to keep listening, but instead pretended nothing was happening.

Then he stepped away.

Not long after he left, an intangible spiritual probe extended from the depths of the well; after seeing nothing unusual, it slowly retracted.

In the depths of the well, a tall, slender figure clad in dark-colored dragon robes let out a soft hum.

He looked at another clan brother with prominent scales and horns and spoke.

"Second brother, how could you say something so rash? If others found out, wouldn't that be inviting disaster?"

Upon hearing that, another tall, slender figure glanced around and smiled: 'Elder brother, you overthink it; this well's dragon palace is just you and me, and we speak the dragon tongue; even if someone heard, what of it? Few in heaven and earth can understand our true dragon speech.'

That figure also had strong spiritual energy flowing around him, with tiny golden flecks deep in his eyes, his eyes narrowed.

Upon hearing that, the Well Dragon King shook his head: 'This matter still needs long-term planning!'

The other figure smiled faintly, knowing his elder brother had been moved.

Although the Well Dragon King wields considerable authority, the well leads to the nether realm, a gateway between yin and yang, extraordinarily mysterious, yet how could it compare to the status of the Great River Dragon Lord on the surface?

Only by controlling the great river can one seize more incense offerings and fortune.

……

In the eastern city of Fengyang Commandery, there is an industry of the Zhang family; the Zhang family placed their experimental site here.

At this moment, outside the courtyard were piled up many loads of gold and silver ingots brought over.

The gold and silver ingots had already been purchased; Zhang Jian promptly looked for an opportunity to prepare ancestral rites.

Of course, this must avoid the ears and eyes of the Qi family.

Otherwise, if it got out, it would inevitably invite criticism.

The persona of a filial son could not be established.

Burning gold and silver ingots during my maternal grandfather's birthday would, if spread, become a laughingstock of Fengyang Commandery.

After setting up the brazier and performing a simple ritual, Zhang Jian lit many gold and silver ingots in the brazier; in the central hall hung a high portrait.

In Zhang Jian's sight, he saw part of the gold and silver ingots in the brazier turn to ash, but nearly a third still would not burn.

This is less than the amount lit last time for the ancestral rites.

But Zhang Jian didn't mind; instead, things looked bright before him, and he knew his idea was fine.

This, however, made his mood great.

Moreover, he could still 'shear wool' from his ancestors, showing he wouldn't be stuck in one place, not needing to be pinned down long-term.

This also reduced many misgivings.

In high spirits, Zhang Jian spent most of the following time staying in this small courtyard.

He focused his attention on his own cultivation.

After entering the spirit-nurturing stage, he gradually could free himself from using talisman paper as a medium to activate spells; this requires long practice.

Zhang Jian didn't forget this.

He dared not be lax.

In this process, Zhang Jian also took the opportunity to replenish the roughly three types of talismans he had consumed.

At Fengniao Mountain, his half-month's accumulation almost completely poured out, his means exhausted.

Now he needs to make some replenishments.

At the same time, Zhang Jian also began cultivating using that dragon pearl in his hand; he had long discovered that this dragon pearl is not beneficial for practicing the Thunder Technique.

It seems to have the effect of amplifying thunder magic.

If using the dragon pearl as a medium to operate the Thunder Technique, it could erupt several times stronger heavenly thunder, but such heavenly thunder is hard to control!

……

Outside Fengyang Commandery

There is a remarkably numinous temple here.

Red Flower Lady Temple

Inside, they enshrine a goddess called Red Flower Lady; this goddess is rumored to have evolved from the family shrine of a kind woman several hundred years ago.

It is indeed very numinous.

Gradually, more and more people from the surrounding area came to offer incense and pray to the deity.

The air is filled with the scent of burning sandalwood; sandalwood groves stretch everywhere, and bronze cauldrons stuffed with sandalwood glitter with sparks and thin smoke.

Beside the temple stands a huge wish‑fulfilling tree, its branches hung with red silk and bamboo divination lots.

Zhan Li, however, had no mind to look at these; he hurried in through the main hall's door.

"Venerable Layman Zhan!"

Upon seeing Zhan Li arrive, a few of the temple's fire‑dwelling Daoists slightly bowed their hands.

At that moment he entered the rear hall and saw a supremely beautiful figure there, brush in hand, writing at a sandalwood table; many sheets of yellow paper lay on it, folded repeatedly into a vivid paper figurine.

These paper figures were vividly lifelike, except that their eyes glowed with a faint red light, making them eerily strange.

Beneath the curtain in the center of the rear hall stood a black eight‑armed goddess statue, her whole body surrounded by crimson fire wheels, appearing exceptionally solemn and reverent.

Zhan Li first paid a respectful bow to the goddess's golden image, then lowered his head and approached the supremely beautiful noblewoman.

"Abbot, my mission has failed; please punish me, Abbot!"

As his words fell, a fierce gust of yin wind burst from the dark temple interior, merging into Zhan Li's body; instantly his countenance changed, his surface spiritual energy surged violently, and he suffered a great loss in an instant.

Yet he endured the myriad‑ant‑gnawing‑heart pain within, cold sweat beading his forehead, without uttering a sound.

Even deep in his heart he secretly let out a sigh of relief!