Chapter 1358

The sky light floated purple, the golden-feathered rooster flew up to the eaves, crowing at dawn to summon the light.

A splash sounded.

The washing water spread out, its edges rolling with foam as it brushed over the blue bricks, flowing along the cracks into the soil. Chen Zhaoan spat out the mixed taste in his mouth, drew deep breaths of the morning air. He summoned his great-grandson, straightened his posture, leaned on his Huang Huali cane, and sat before the polished copper mirror, wiping away the thin mist with a cloth, then closed his eyes.

Chen Dongrong heated the hot water, grabbed the wooden comb and razor, and ran over to comb Chen Zhaoan's hair and trim his beard.

"Great-grandfather, what if — "

"What if what? You've been saying this for over ten people, hemming and hawing — can't you just speak plainly?"

Chen Dongrong glanced at the old man in the copper mirror, pulled the white hair tangled in the wooden comb, then recalled his father's instructions, gritted his teeth and stamped his foot: "What if we just let it go this time? It's a laborious task, and even Magistrate Xi of Heposuo has been shouting quite well these past two years — "

Chen Zhaoan is already over eighty; this time, the Emperor's southern tour reached Pingyang, saying he wished to view the river god sacrifice of Yixing. The great-grandfather stirred his spirit, insistently petitioning the Prince of Huai to personally preside as the officiant, bathing and burning incense that day.

An elderly person, taking one bath, loses ten days of lifespan; even if they can't bear it, most just wipe themselves with a damp towel. Fortunately, it's summer now — if it were winter, Chen Dongrong wouldn't even dare to think —

Chen Zhaoan's eyes tightly shut: "Is it that I can no longer walk?"

"You can walk — "

"Is it that I can no longer speak?"

"You can speak."

"Is it that my speech is unclear?"

"Your speech is clear."

"I can walk and speak, so why can't I just shout!" Chen Zhaoan opened his eyes, gripped his cane, and stamped the ground hard, creating a small pit in the soil, "All you do is spout nonsense! Will you comb or not? If not, I'll do it myself; if yes, then be quick about it."

" — "

Chen Dongrong sighed, gripped the white hair, and combed from root to tip. Chen Zhaoan gripped his cane tightly, his eyes bright, his spirit soaring, showing no sign of being an octogenarian.

The sunlight gradually rose, spilling over the windowsill.

Long Eying quietly entered the room, bent down, and softly called.

A faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils; Liang Qu turned over, reached out, and wrapped his arms around Eying's waist, pulling her back onto the bed, burying his head in the softness, humming softly.

Long Eying stroked Liang Qu's head: "What's wrong?"

"I feel awful — "

"There's nothing to be done, just bear with it a little longer — the Emperor has promised to seek immortal pills for your husband, just a matter of one or two months."

Long Eying propped herself up on her arm, half-supporting her body.

"Ah — "

Liang Qu let out a long sigh, tightened his hold on the softness in his arms, his head sinking deeper, his hands wandering — touching here, pinching there.

Grasping, grasping his heartbeat, after finishing, he pressed his palm to his thigh; the gaps between his fingers felt soft, fatty flesh, smooth and delicate. Just as he touched there, his cheek slid from his chest down to his abdomen, lightly rubbing, exhaling, making Eying's face flush slightly.

For a long while.

"Alright, alright, that's enough — how can you still be going under the clothes, getting more and more excessive — do you still want to cultivate?

At noon, the river god sacrifice — your husband hasn't gone to see many things."

"Ah, I've lost all feeling, my beloved consort despises me — and rightly so — we've known each other ten years, married seven, the seven-year itch has set in; love ultimately turns to familial affection, it's time — why is there no love that lasts a lifetime?"

"If you keep this up, I'm leaving — you tidy up yourself."

"No, get up, get up! Work. Hey, what a hard life — "

Position fruit matters greatly!

Liang Qu sat up, turning over; Long Eying knelt on the bed, beginning to tie his hair.

The position issue arose from Marquis Wang's pill, prompted by Prince Su's reminder; now it's likely an unstable phase, the root sea has dried up — to be absolutely safe, we certainly can't continue like this.

With such a perfect consort, now I can only indulge my hand addiction.

Liang Qu actually also noticed the difference in the peach that turned into the sun afterward.

Now his qi and blood are vigorous, yet his energy leans somewhat toward the ordinary person's routine of rising with the sun and resting with its set; and given his Celestial Dragon realm, he originally shouldn't have shown signs of losing control — it's merely that he truly believes the Marquis Wang's pill's efficacy is taking effect.

These past few days, he and Eying have been sleeping in separate rooms.

After combing his hair, Long Eying opened her arms; Liang Qu leaned back, waiting for her to embrace his neck, then he naturally supported her buttocks, carrying her to the window, where the bright sunlight streamed through the paper panes.

Such weather is rare during the plum rains of June in Jiangnan, but as long as a Martial Saint wills it, rain need not come — every day can be like this fine weather.

Liang Qu raised his hand to grip the window latch, about to pull open the window.

"Consort, guess — did His Majesty stand on the mountain peak today to watch the sunrise?"

"I guess he did." Long Eying rested her chin on Liang Qu's shoulder, without hesitation: "The first came, the second, third, fourth, fifth — none have ever missed."

"Boring. You should guess he didn't, so I could win."

"Then I guess he didn't."

"Hey!"

The window was flung open with a pull.

Pingyang Mountain stood at the edge of the vision, the holy image towering and majestic, like a lighthouse.

At this very moment.

On the holy image's head, atop the square and proper platform of the crown and tassels, a small figure now leaned forward, gazing down upon Yixing!

"Ha, I won — quick, is there a reward? Is there a reward?"

"Well — a reward that the consort may dress the husband handsomely today?"

"When have I ever not looked handsome? Boring, let's change it."

"Then, a kiss?"

"That's about right, but no sticking out the tongue."

"Huh?"

"Then that wouldn't count as a reward for you? Oh no, don't bite, don't bite — you can stick it out, you can stick it out, I'll take a loss, is that okay? Hiss — why no biting allowed, yet even when allowed, you still bite — "

At the wharf, wooden shuttles broke the water surface one after another, floating on the water; the martial masters on shore swung iron hooks, caught the shuttles, pulled them to the bank, pried open the planks, let the travelers inside disembark, then sent the empty shuttles back out again.

Water spiders came out and jumped back down, with absolutely no time to rest, not even time to eat.

Normally those who take the waterways come and go, but this morning, many came, and almost none left.

Surging crowds pushed against each other, clamorous and noisy.

The martial hall disciples who had just risen early looked at the scene before them, their vision went black, and they all regretted coming to do this hard labor for two credits — so many people at just dawn, what would it be like by noon?

Next time at least four!

"Thriving by the day."

On the Mianliu Platform.

The Sage Emperor stood with hands behind his back, bathing in the river wind, overlooking the wharf, clear-headed and refreshed.

This position was too good.

The cliff face of Pingyang Mountain was granite, yellow-white, and because it faced west looking east, in the early morning when the sun had just risen, the sunlight struck it and reflected, the whole body dazzling, impossible to look at directly.

Only when the sun slowly rose higher and the golden light converged would the true appearance gradually reveal itself.

Every time he looked, he sighed once; the Sage Emperor felt an indescribable ease, like inhaling deeply in winter, then taking a big mouthful of Lingnan lemongrass, the cool sensation clinging to his spine and rushing straight up to the back of his head.

The materialization of all achievements since his enthronement.

A prosperous, young, vigorous dynasty.

Magnificent!

Beautiful!

"Your Majesty, look, Prince Huai is down there waving at you." The Empress smiled lightly, pointing.

The Sage Emperor followed her finger and saw Liang Qu in the courtyard waving, bowing toward the statue; he laughed loudly, waved back, and leaned back slightly: "He comes every morning like this, Empress, believe it or not, this monkey of his surely takes this matter to joke about me with others!"

"True or false?" The Empress was curious, "Did someone tell you?"

"I guessed."

"How can a guess count?"

"If you don't believe me, summon Prince Huai and ask?" Halfway through, the Sage Emperor laughed, shook his head, "Forget it, the noon sacrifice, let him go busy himself with the sacrifice."

There were still two or three hours before the River God sacrifice began; Liang Qu strode out the door, and the shops on both sides of the street had already opened early.

"Ashui, up already? Rare to stay home, you actually got up, didn't sleep a bit longer with your pretty wife?" Adi teased.

"Hey, a superior must be clear in rewards and punishments, with reason and evidence, can't keep rewarding her."

"Haha, look at you being capable, come, taste, just out of the pot, today's new oil."

"That works out, haven't eaten breakfast, extra spicy, everything else the usual."

"Got it."

Adi shook the wooden basin, coating the fries with seasoning, crisp sounds ringing from the collisions; after mixing, she sprinkled scallions and cilantro, poured the lot into a bamboo tube, stuck in wooden skewers, and handed it to Liang Qu — a whole set of movements flowing like clouds and water; just then other customers arrived, and she hurried forward to greet them.

Liang Qu lifted his butt, leaned against the small stall, ate one fry at a time, praising that Adi's cooking tasted better and better, and asked while chewing: "Uncle Chen, how come you set up stall so early today?"

"So many people this year, early stall, early earnings." Chen Qingjiang wiped a wipe of hot sweat, "This business isn't done often, just this one time a year we're diligent."

"Where's Xiao Kui?"

"Went to school, Ashui, you don't have to keep coming to check on us, if there's business go attend to it, receiving the Emperor is more important."

"Oh, right, he's at that age. Fine, then Uncle Chen, Adi, you two stay busy, I have to go handle the sacrifice matters, this year there are especially many people, can't guarantee there won't be troublemakers, if there's any trouble or problem, find Shunzi, he's patrolling this area with his classmates, that's Wen Wen Shi Yun, my disciple, you all know him too, finding him works too, his face is even bigger than mine."

"Know, know, what trouble could we have, go on."

"Alright, leaving then."

Liang Qu lowered his head and shook the bamboo tube, letting the seasoning at the bottom coat more evenly, tilted his head back and poured, eating as he walked.

"Mama, he ate food without paying!"

The boy at the neighboring shop slurped wontons, eyes wide, pointing at Liang Qu.

"He paid, you didn't see."

"He just didn't pay!" The boy insisted.

"Alright, eat your food, why mind so much?"

The boy got slapped once, rubbed his head, pain bringing tears, and secretly memorized Liang Qu's retreating figure.

Must be the legendary bully who oppresses men and tyrannizes women!

End of the Si hour.

All preparations were already complete; the wharf was cleared by martial hall disciples, leaving only the exclusive sacrificial altar.

Wen Wen Shi Yun led He Hanyu to the very front.

——

A large frog, a lotus leaf on its head, poked its head around.

On the Mianliu Platform, the gilded "Shun" character great standard fluttered, flags bristling on both sides like feathers stuck on a hat; inner attendants arranged tables and chairs, the Sage Emperor in front, the Sage Empress next, the five princes left and right, the hundred officials arrayed.

Originally the Sage Emperor would certainly have gone to the wharf to watch, but now with the sacred statue, the Sage Emperor absolutely refused to leave. He specially permitted court officials to also observe from atop the Mianliu, and could even call it sharing joy with the people without disturbing them.

"Elder Chen, how is your health? Still robust? If not, absolutely don't force yourself!"

"Prince Huai, rest assured, it's just that Pingyang has no tigers; if there were tigers, I could kill one in three punches!"

Aqiu!

On Pingyang Mountain, Jin Mao the tiger sneezed violently, seeing tourists coming and going, sneakily extended a claw to scratch his balls.

"Alright, if there's any problem, don't force yourself."

"Prince Huai, rest assured, though I am old, as for this sacrifice matter, I guarantee I'll handle it beautifully for you! However, this year's sacrificial text————"

"That you can rest easy about, the Grand Secretary helped write it since His Majesty came to our Pingyang."

"Then there's absolutely no problem!" Chen Zhaoan swore solemnly; Liang Qu asked repeatedly, then reluctantly set his mind at ease.

Back when he rose to prominence, Chen Zhaoan was already seventy-two or seventy-three; now more than a decade later he is nearly ninety, the grandsons at his side have become great-grandsons, he is rarely seen on ordinary days, so his presence counts as an auspicious sign — his personally coming to officiate the sacrifice is certainly a good thing, pure and unadulterated; the key is just that he doesn't burst a blood vessel mid-chant.

Comparable to an army setting forth, the commander's banner snapping.

At noon, the crowds converged, a dark mass, pitch-black.

The village elders and local strongmen on both sides couldn't help looking toward Pingyang Mountain; faint figures could be seen, trembling all over.

Back when Huaiyin Prefecture suffered disaster, Pingyang withdrew its garrison and became a county; the first time they came to the locality, instead of fighting the local tyrants, they ran into the River God sacrifice; for the sake of Liang Qu's master, Grand Martial Artist Yang Dongxiong, they each contributed money, treating it as a payoff.

Result: year after year passed, the River God sacrifice grew larger and larger, yet the money collected grew less and less; later on, people rushed to deliver it, but the organizers weren't even willing to accept — today —

The Sage Emperor!

Before, just seeing a county magistrate was a remarkable event.

None of them ever imagined that a petty sacrifice in a small fishing village back then would, by today, actually bring the Emperor himself to watch!

Glory to the ancestors, glory to the ancestors indeed.

Why wasn't it them who officiated back then?

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

Thoughts were scattered to nothing by the great mallet.

The drumbeats rose from the drum tower in the center of Bluestone Street.

Slow and measured, measured and heavy, heavy and deep, each strike knocking against the people's chests.

Three drum rolls, on the left and right ears of the drum tower, two big men bare-chested, wielding great mallets, striking in succession.

Three more sounds rang out, three zhang away on Bluestone Street, more big men swung their arms.

One after another, one drum after another, one strike after another, relayed onward.

"Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong! Dong dong dong!"

Dust flew in the street, ripples stirred in the jars, roof pebbles trembled slightly.

The sound reached the wharf.

A man stepped out half a pace; thirty-six bronze horns extended neatly from the drum surfaces, stretching toward the sky.

"Woo~~~~"

Drums stopped.

Horns ceased.

Heaven and earth fell silent.

A moment.

"Pa da."

Cotton thread snapped, copper ball fell onto the iron plate, crisp and clear.

Chen Zhaoan shouted: "The auspicious hour has arrived."

"The auspicious hour has arrived!"

"The auspicious hour has arrived!!"

Liang Qu stood on the wharf; he could see the Sage Emperor, could see Zhang Longxiang, could see Prince Su and Prince Chong; suppressing his excitement, he first bowed deeply to the sacred image, performing the grand rite.

"Brilliant is the Emperor's obedience, matching Heaven and receiving the Mandate. Radiant is the Emperor's light, the world's virtue is solely sage. Great joy and grand delight, protect and bless the myriad surnames."

"Myriad nations come, looking up to the Emperor's power; the King's Way is vast and level, peaceful and upright."

"Long live the Emperor!"

Hualala.

The myriad people knelt in worship, the crowd surged, lunging forward three chi.

"Long live the Emperor!"

The sound waves surged like a flood, rolling in, as if a wind had arisen.

The Sage Emperor sat atop the beaded crown flaps, face slightly flushed, raised his hand in a vacant lift, and said calmly.

"Begin."

The Grand Steward stepped out half a pace: "Convey the Imperial Edict: Begin!"

Liang Qu shouted loudly: "The auspicious hour has arrived!"

"Qiang! Qiang! Qiang!"

Three gong strikes sounded, the great mallets swung, the drums thundered again.

Toe touching the line, Officiant Chen Zhaoan threw away his cane, threw away his support, threw away his aged body; in a trance he seemed twenty years younger, unburdened, one drumbeat one step, along the central axis of the three-zhang sacrificial terrace, he walked slowly to the front of the terrace.

Back to the terrace, facing the crowd.

Chen Zhaoan raised his neck, blue veins bulging, his hoarse yet powerful shout spread through the whole street.

"Bring — the — offerings!"

Hong!

On the beaded-crown platform, banners quivered.

Not an official failed to look left and right, only to see wind and clouds changing all around, a gale rising suddenly, clouds and mist spreading.

In the clear, cloudless deep-blue sky, cotton-white clouds surged and spread from the west, casting large shadows, covering the scorching sunlight.

Thereafter, ten thousand horses galloping!

One jade-white steed after another stepped down and galloped forward; they leapt out of the white mist, manes and yellow wind flying, muscles on their bodies clear as flowing water, strong and powerful, reins on their necks whipping as if dragging the white clouds behind them.

Steeds trod the void without sound; on the ground the drums thundered.

Heaven above, earth below, mutually harmonizing, together forming a fierce, swift descent.

Auspicious clouds spread, enveloping Pingyang Mountain.

The Sage Emperor extended his hand; from beside him the steed of the attending scholar-official twisted slightly, its form dispersing a little, then reassembling ahead, leaving only a few strands of pale drifting cloud at his fingertips.

Fine steeds gallop, within reach!

Amid the white mist, Liang Qu, who had arrived at the summit at some unknown time, strode out and dropped to one knee.

"Your, Majesty, this minister, respectfully requests to sacrifice to the River!"

"Granted."

"Thanks, Your Majesty!"

Clamor.

Drifting clouds gathered beneath Liang Qu, transforming into a war chariot.

The chariot rumbled on, splitting the white clouds, grinding out two vertical cloud tracks; Liang Qu stood within the chariot, reins in hand, guiding ten thousand heavenly steeds, and behind the steeds, colossal beasts from below leapt out with a boom from the rear hill of Pingyang!

An ox-beast as majestic as a small hill, a great fish with a forehead towering like the God of Longevity, a sheep-beast bearing the visage of a long-lived elder, its long hair fluttering.

Liang Qu raised his long whip and shouted with all his might: "Vanguard for the King!"

The Yixing townspeople shouted: "Vanguard for the King!"

Su Guishan's eyelid twitched.

Again!

How does this kid know so much?

Master Yang doesn't seem like that kind of person either.

The chariot drove from west to east, aligning with the bluestone street.

Liang Qu flicked the reins; the ten thousand steeds dove, then soared upward at the lowest point, tracing an arc; the colossal beasts turned in a sweeping arc, brushing past overhead, stirring the visitors' hair.

Above the nine heavens.

The little mirage dragon puffed its cheeks, spraying mist with all its might, even its tail straining hard.

White clouds hung down, rushing from Pingyang Mountain to the wharf; ahead, the war steeds dispersed into a white waterfall, spreading and growing over the great marsh, winding and converging, forming a Dragon Gate framework.

Atop the Dragon Gate, bas-reliefs surged forth, steeds still galloping upon them.

Living bas-reliefs, a living Dragon Gate arch!

On the great beam, iron chains dropped, constantly swaying, tightening, pulling taut, hoisting the struggling nether-beasts upside down, their shrieks miserable.

The Dragon Gate arch stood over a hundred zhang tall, directly facing Pingyang Mountain.

The scenery here is uniquely fine!

"Roar!"

The great yaoguai roared, the Zhaopan buzzing.

Liang Qu moved his hand; the chariot beneath him transformed into three azure-green sharp blades, suspended above the Dragon Gate arch.

Chen Zhaoan's face was red as blood; he shouted again: "Stab!"

A wave of cries; Liang Qu swung his arm and chopped, the sharp blades sinking into the neck, billowing white smoke gushing out, spilling onto the bluestone street like cow's milk.

People's lower legs were wrapped in white smoke, trouser legs fluttering, as if in a fairyland.

Liang Qu took a deep breath, only awaiting that final command, also the grasp for favor, the most crucial single orchid!

Chen Zhaoan panted heavily, shouted several times, dizzy and blurred, yet he still persevered, took a deep breath, held it forcefully, threw his head back and roared.

"Chief Officiant, proceed!"

Clang! Clang! Clang.....

Nine gong strikes rang out.

The musicians raised their bronze horns once more, the calamity-ox hide drums driving the dust.

The wharf reflected sunlight, a vast white expanse.

Liang Qu narrowed his eyes, feeling the myriad gazes behind him, ascended the steps, lit incense and inserted it.

"Majestic Huaijiang, vast and mighty, you————"

"Sacrifice!"

The wine cup raised high, pearls of light glimmering, wine scattered into the Great River.

The Marsh Cauldron trembled, radiance erupting.

【Sacrificed to Huaijiang, utmost orthodox principle, heaven and earth resonate, River Favor +286.7841】

【Rule Huaijiang, seized Favor 5.4】

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