Chapter 1280

"Honoured guests, visitors from afar, welcome to the beautiful Yixing County. Mr. Ba Po'er Ben, who was originally to preside over the festivities, is indisposed and unable to attend today, so I, Xiao Zuanshui, am honoured to accompany you all and share this auspicious time."

"At this very moment, it is the fifth quarter of noon, and the solemn River God sacrificial rite has been completed with due ceremony. By the grace of His Majesty the Holy Emperor, who has deigned to appoint him, His Royal Highness the Huai King performs the rites with sincere heart, offering thanks to Heaven and Earth for their virtue in nurturing all things, and praying for favourable weather and timely rain,"

"peace and prosperity in the land."

"Though the sacrificial rites are concluded, the people's celebrations are in full swing."

"More exciting activities are to follow, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the joy and harmony bestowed by the Holy Emperor's boundless grace."

"Next, the screen shifts to our beloved Senior Brother Xu, who will introduce this year's Yixing scenery."

"The deep male voice of Xu Xu faded away."

"Yuantou tidied his collar, stacked the manuscripts, and adjusted the Dragon Ling silk display."

"Well, at last it's my turn—I've been holding back for ages beside you all. The River God Festival comes but once a year, and there's simply too much wonderful content I want to share with everyone. No more talk—let's get straight to the main event. This year's Yixing festivities haven't been reduced compared to last year; on the contrary, new items have been added, the schedule is packed to the brim, so don't miss a thing, everyone."

"First, this morning atop the Wan Gu Ying Chun Tower, the River Li clan's master title contest is underway, having continued through the lunch break and now in full swing. We can see several contestants sharpening their claws and blades, eager and ready; they are expected to determine the preliminary winners before dusk. This iron ore forging is assisted by Lu Wu Ling Forge, Lu Wu Ling Forge—"

"At Shen hour, the Second Heroic Assembly 5v5 tournament commences as scheduled, this year's prize even more splendid, sponsored with fervour by the Xu Sha Gauze. Buy Xu Sha Gauze, come to—most crucially, this year's Dream-Entry Lip Shells have doubled in quantity—everyone has a chance to enter the dream—"

"At Xu hour, as night falls dimly, there will be a fireworks display—tomorrow at noon, moreover, a rare once-in-a-lifetime aquatic-terrestrial joint auction, jointly presented by the renowned Hai Fangzhu, whose name is synonymous with beauty of heart and fish, and the Heavenly Vessel Merchants' Association, offering countless rare treasures, over three thousand items—"

"Of course, besides these grand events, Pingyang Temple, Pingyang Hot Springs, Jiangchuan County, Wutang Peach Blossom Corridor, waters and skies as one—these are all worth visiting, fine sights. Aside from the customary annual Ming Wang Grand Master Sutra Lecture, the new shadow play is now showing; in the plum rain season, at night there is also the special Jiangnan misty rain version."

"Atop Wan Gu Ying Chun Tower, the colourful Dragon Ling silk screen rolls, visible for ten-odd li in all directions, crystal clear, accompanying Senior Brother Xu's voice as it broadcasts the blade-forging contest from the tower's summit."

"The stands form an oval ring, the central square ablaze with roaring flames."

"A thick-skinned, meaty wild boar is hoisted high, its bristles as stiff as steel needles."

"Tal Tal Kai wields a roughly forged iron sword, flourishes two sword flowers, and under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, brings it down—splitting the entire boar's head cleanly in two!"

"Tal Tal Kai praises the weapon, then holds it high, spins in a circle, and lets out a loud shout."

"'One nest Q!'"

"'Roar!'"

"Mountains shout, seas roar—the crowd on the stands rises as one, standing and clapping."

"The River Li who forged the weapon lifts his head, smooths his fur, bows slightly, and accepts the cheers."

""What did that otter just shout?""

""I don't know, but it sounded mighty when he yelled it.""

""Who cares? One nest Q. One nest Q!""

"The other competing River Li, unwilling to yield, fitted handles to their blades and likewise displayed the weapons they had painstakingly forged all morning."

"The view shifted away from the big screen."

"A simple colourful map stood by the roadside, surrounded by newly arrived tourists."

"On the river, pleasure boats filled the stream, river merchants and water beasts lined the banks, plying their small trades."

"Water spiders and wooden shuttles bobbed up and down in succession; tourists stepped ashore, converging into a crowd."

"A golden-haired monkey seized the wine banner and swung to and fro."

"On Mount Pingyang, the golden-haired tiger once again donned its cassock, mountain swine galloped, bats bestowed blessings."

"Moreover, large and small fragments of deep blue stone were scattered throughout the streets and alleys."

"Especially before Wan Gu Ying Chun Tower, there were many such fragments; the old shell-bearers led the way, opening their large shells to guide tourists buying numerous goods, teaching them how to store valuables, and sighing at how convenient it was."

"But the liveliest spot remained the main thoroughfare, where a continuous line of stalls stretched for several li."

"The people of Yu Prefecture these two days must reap their wheat, with no time to spare; yet Yixing, which plants rice, need not—although it is also the busy farming season, without the urgency of wheat harvest, one can still find time. Today, the local villagers nearly all came out primped and proper to do a bit of small business; the Chen Qingjiang family also prepared goods overnight, and early this morning dashed out to fry potatoes."

"Potatoes—back when the Suspended Temple was active, Yang Xu Senior Brother had once brought them out; this unique delicacy and its cultivation method, after several years, have gradually spread widely."

"Though the frying method is somewhat extravagant, buyers are just as numerous; one could say that even if one does not farm, does not fish, and is widowed or solitary, the people of Yixing always have ways to sustain themselves—indeed, even a solitary woman can come to sew 'Ben Po'er Ba'."

"Firewood was stuffed into the stove, the golden-brown potato strips in the oil pot rolled about, were fished out, then placed in a clay bowl where seasoning, chili oil, and sesame oil were added and stirred; whether the answer was paper-wrapped or tube-packed, Adi filled a new bamboo tube, topped it with a handful of scallion and coriander, and handed it to the customer."

Ke Jian took a wooden skewer, buried his head in voracious eating, and with Zong Lianchan, swept through, discussing whether to go later to Ying Chun Tower to see the new Xu Sha gauze, and in the evening to watch the new shadow play.

"E Qi Rui stood in the middle of the road, watching young lovers pass by his side, and drew a deep breath."

"This is the feeling!"

"The air is sweet and fragrant with abundance."

"Vigorous life, all things vying to grow."

"It was not in vain that he brought his family, travelling a thousand li to attend the celebration."

"Without warning, he had left Nanjiang, abandoning all his social ties, facing the strange glances of the Dashun people, still needing to learn the Dashun language, and though his clansmen had their private murmurs, at this moment everyone temporarily forgot their worries, for all came from Tiannan and Beim, no one would find their accents strange, and with money in their pockets, they would only be warmly greeted."

"Liang Qu even arranged dream-entry quotas for all the young disciples in his clan; for a time, in the circle of noble heirs in the capital, he became the object of everyone's envy, going out every few days to attend banquets, thus increasingly dissolving the barriers within that circle."

"How could E Qi Rui fail to understand?"

"Such noble circles, normally impossible to enter unless one possesses a unique ability, making one truly 'a cut above,' in which case they would gladly accept you—not only children, but sometimes even adults would come to ask if there were any spare quotas."

"He took two steps forward and arrived before the couple's small stall."

""Give me one, in a bamboo tube.""

""Sure thing! Bamboo tube packing costs an extra wen, sir—can you accept that?" Adi wiped her sweat, removed a bamboo tube, then scooped out another serving, asking, "Do you want it spicy? Scallions, coriander—yes or no?""

""Yes, please.""

""All right, sir, please wait a moment.""

"All things flourish and thrive."

"Pingyang Temple."

""Facing wind, braving rain to go and return, diligent labour of heart like a swallow—"

"Ancient trees tower to the sky, visitors pray, Buddhist children themselves draw lots, children swing hard, red strings hang on the branches, wooden boards in the wind strike each other."

"The rear courtyard."

"The scent of tea drifts faintly."

The scar-faced yellow-robed monk swept away the dust, and the old monk turned the scripture pages, preparing today's lecture content.

The Free Martial Saint naturally could not move at will, but taking advantage of the River God celebration, inviting the old monk to lecture had almost become a convention; the imperial court approved it very quickly, and Hanging Temple was even more delighted to see it succeed, and cooperated with Liang Qu to make a pile of "cultural creative" products.

Standing atop Mount Pingyang, Liang Qu looked at the surging crowds below the mountain and unconsciously grinned.

It was precisely this kind of bustle that gave a trance-like feeling of home.

Two years of construction, everything steadily improving, finances growing ever healthier, gradually recovering; especially today's celebration attendees, after the previous year's fermentation and brewing, the number directly exploded.

Twenty points of Favor!

He clearly remembered, last year's Yixing Grand Sacrifice, the Favor harvested was only 9.1; this year it directly doubled!

The third year, the fourth year?

There remained twelve more sacrificial activities; the specific effects might not match the territory's leading one in Yixing, but all stacked together, there should be one hundred and fifty Favor.

Chatted idly a bit with the old monk.

Once again clearing the dense plum-rain moisture to avoid rain ruining the tourists' mood, Liang Qu rose and went to each department to check the situation, ensuring the event ran without hindrance, and finally rushed to Jiangchuan County together with Eying — not to watch the new shadow puppetry.

"Drip."

Water droplets slid down the stone pillar and fell, striking the pool and rippling out rings of waves.

In the underwater cavern, chains hit the ground with a scraping sound.

Seven prisoners stumbled along, dragged out by Quan Guangqin and Quan Yuxuan.

"Clan Chief Quan, is it them?"

"Yes, Your Highness, it is them!" Quan Linghan gritted his teeth, "They intended to abduct and sell my Jiao children; fortunately two Martial Hall disciples discovered them in time and delayed and obstructed them, only then did the villains not succeed."

"Your Highness, spare our lives, we'll never dare again! We know we were wrong, we know we were wrong."

"Your Highness, spare us, spare us."

Wails echoed in the cavern; the prisoners knelt with hoarse voices, wanting to hug Liang Qu's calves to beg for mercy, but were yanked back by the iron chains on their necks and fell to the ground.

These seven people, hair disheveled, wrists, ankles, necks, and parts of their bodies covered in festering, pus-oozing scars — but not inflicted by others. As Four-Pass or even Galloping Horse Martial Masters, their bodies were clearly weakened to a certain degree; after falling they lay unable to rise for a long time.

Liang Qu scanned the cavern; the whole cavern was cold and damp, and he looked at Quan Guangqin.

Quan Guangqin explained: "Your Highness, this is an underground water prison we specially built for these villains; every day after high tide, the Jianghuai water backflows into the cavern. Barely three inches of space left at the top; if wind raises waves, there's not even a bit."

"They must drag heavy chains and swim upward with all their strength to ensure breathing; the counterweights are customized according to their strength, ensuring that at low tide they are exhausted but won't easily drown."

"Around the edges we also inserted jagged sharp stones, because often in the middle of the night when strength fails, in a daze, they bump into them and get scraped; the bound wrists, ankles, and necks wrapped in iron chains soak in water constantly, constantly festering. Locked up for two months, originally twelve people, but five couldn't endure the torture and committed suicide."

Liang Qu's eyes lit up: "Good idea, creative."

The prisoners instantly lost all hope, staring blankly and foolishly, wailing loudly.

Liang Qu remained unmoved.

These people, didn't they know who the Jiao were under? Did they not know the consequences of being caught?

They knew very clearly; they just harbored a fluke mentality — this is also the fundamental reason most people take desperate risks: not whether the punishment is severe, but the feeling they simply won't be caught, so severe law cannot deter them; now that they are caught, naturally they must accept the bet and bear the consequences.

Back then it was agreed to come to Jianghuai and guarantee the Jiao would meet no harm; under my very nose they come to abduct Jiao — a naked slap to his face.

"Reported to the imperial court?"

Long Eying nodded: "The imperial court gave permission, letting us handle it ourselves."

Liang Qu nodded; these few weren't territory registered households, though he could execute first and report later, reporting to the imperial court would never be wrong.

"The water prison method is good; keep locking them like this. Now it's June; if they can persist another six months, alive by year's end, then it counts as Heaven's virtue of loving life —"

A sudden turn for the better.

The originally despairing prisoners saw light in their eyes, kowtowed and thanked him.

Quan Yuxuan and Quan Guangqin were instantly puzzled, even displeased, but they suddenly saw Liang Qu deliberately wink at them and immediately understood.

Killing without killing — psychological torture!

Two months, five suicides; the remaining seven persisting another half year would of course prove Heaven's virtue of loving life, but what did that have to do with him, the Huai King? Liang Qu considered himself not a person who liked word games; his words basically counted, but today was an exception.

"What are the names of those two Martial Hall disciples who discovered and stopped them?"

"Zhang Lingchi and Qiao Bai; the Martial Hall side gave each one hundred academic credits, promoted to the highest tier, recorded as this year's outstanding youths; I additionally rewarded each three thousand taels and a permanent free Dream Entry quota."

"Later I'll write two recommendation letters, see if they can bypass the Martial Hall quota and get on this year's Thousand-Mile Worthy Talents list. Tomorrow I return to Huangsha River, taking a batch of Martial Hall disciples; Little Stone follows too; the two of them plus Little Stone, I'll personally teach."

"Good, I'll arrange it."

"Madam is so good, a kiss."

"Just one side?"

"Both sides, both sides."

Leaving the water prison, seeing Eying off, Liang Qu suddenly realized the discord in Sinan's handling of affairs at Huangsha River; although the other party did a decent job, he always felt something was off — the emotional problem lay here.

But after the celebration ends, they can go north together.

"Work, work!"

East Water, sunlight just right, golden light flowing on the riverbed; Pai Xiao Xing stretched its joints, watching clouds roll and unfold, until a figure wandered through the water flow, intruding into the territory it covered — all its swaying joints folded in unison ninety degrees.

"Rise."

Bubbles burst, revealing his form; Liang Qu raised a hand in a virtual lift.

Communicated with the Ze Ding.

【Can consume 68,000 points of Water Marsh Essence to make the Manxing Daluo Net grow.】

【Water Marsh Essence: 2,061,000】

Liang Qu had let Pai Xiao Xing evolve five times, to the Wolf Smoke Peak, i. e., the Great Monster Peak; at that time it was called "Manxing Net"; later, exterminating the Guimu Sect, Pai Xiao Xing devoured the "Net Lord" remains and self-evolved into a Yao Beast, becoming the "Manxing Daluo Net".

Currently it is the seventh evolution prompt; originally it needed 120,000 Essence, reduced to sixty-some thousand.

If not for Liang Qu taking away quite a few "Net Lord" remains to refine Fetal Pearl Pills, it would probably have fully completed the seventh evolution by now.

A thought moved.

Golden cocoon wrapped.

People have侥幸 psychology, so even the harshest punishment will still have someone taking risks; to truly suppress it, the key is to increase the "arrest rate"!

This time the merpeople were abducted, nearly succeeding, Liang Qu realized he must add another layer of insurance to his territory.

Bang!

Golden cocoon shattered.

Pai Xiao Xing showed no major change.

Because its existence was originally quite vast, no difference in body shape could be seen, only the bodily qi became more inwardly gatheredO

Continue!

Today, one step to completion.

【Consumable one million points of Marsh Essence, to make the Manxing Great Net evolve into Manxing Forest Net.】

Boom!

Blue tide collides, again severed at the waist.

【Marsh Essence: 999,300】

Vast golden cocoon envelops Pai Xiao Xing, unique rhythm pulls, qi surges violently.

For a long time.

Golden cocoon collapses, qi surges upward and rises high.

Pai Xiao Xing's color deepens to crimson, like fine blood vessels growing on the earth, moving in unison.

At the center, Liang Qu saw brown spheres tumbling out, suspended in water, like countless surveillance eyeballs, he understood instantly, pointing toward the waterway.

"Encircling Jiangchuan County, within eight hundred li, all brought under control!"

Arthropods sway.

Countless offspring roar forth, diving into the waterways, rushing toward the Southern Waters!

Fish schools startled and flee, brown offspring cling to the riverbed, like brown water plants sprouting, rapidly growing and spreading, each spaced one li apart, interconnected.

A vast earth-net silently envelops the shallow waters near Pingyang, without omission, passing merchant ships,

fishing fishermen, men and women in reed thickets, music from pleasure boats, swimming merpeople beasts————all as clear as patterns on the palm.

Thus endlessly, the local Pai Xiao Xing of Eastern Waters still expands, a deep-spreading net covering over one thousand six hundred li lies coiled here, full surveillance!

Contact information given to Quan Linghan.

"Done!"

Liang Qu doesn't believe, in this state, anyone could still come to disturb the merpeople!

Night falls.

Weather shifts.

Light rain drizzles, damp but not wet.

Cool water vapor follows the nose and mouth into the chest cavity, pedestrians put down their paper umbrellas.

The world is shrouded in light water mist.

—

The curtain atop Yingchun Tower is illuminated by jellyfish in the vat, pale blue ethereal light pours down and flows, drenching the entire blue stone street, extending all the way to the lake surface.

On the lake, black-canopied fishing boats drift, two or three close friends gather around the stove to cook fresh fish, getting roaring drunk.

Monkey fur strands with water droplets, catching peaches thrown by passengers on the boat, squatting at the stall to clean fur cleanly, making way for fingers, Yingchun Tower top, young men and women marveling at the radiant glowing screen, biting into peaches, returning to Wang Fu, behind them fireworks burst in the sky, all light and shadow blur into haze.

June seventh.

Number five returns, in less than three days, unable to wait for the finale, Liang Qu hastily rushes back to the Yellow Sha River to manage flood control and dredge sand, thereafter each day on the territorial celebration day, repeatedly shuttling back and forth, "River Stones" drift unpredictably.

June ninth.

【Offering sacrifice to Huaijiang, river favor degree +15.0412】

June twelfth.

【Offering sacrifice to Huaijiang, river favor degree +12.5749】

People of Yu State reap wheat, Liang Qu receives favor.

Witnessing massive funds invested in development, favor degree rises bit by bit, that kind of hard work for a year finally yielding harvest joy, at this moment, completely identical.

June fifteenth.

【Offering sacrifice to Huaijiang, river favor degree +9.7789】

On this day and night, besides the harvest, there is also an unexpected joy encountered by chance.

"Legless frog, charge!"

The old toad pulls its long whiskers, stands up like a fish.

The blue-faced, swollen-fat fish swings its long tail, splashing waves, charging into the Yellow Sha River!

Ferocious Tooth General, magnificent appearance!

"Liang Qing, done!"