Chapter 433: Won

Chen Wen naturally harbored extreme caution toward this suddenly arriving stranger of remarkable bearing.

He had once traveled abroad in his youth, even taking the imperial examinations; though he failed, his outlook far surpassed that of ordinary villagers.

He had heard of cultivators who refine Qi, capable of soaring on clouds, driving away demons and subduing monsters.

The young master before him wore seemingly ordinary cloth that subtly shimmered, exuded an aloof aura, roamed the world alone, and cradled a Nine-Tailed White Fox in his arms… all of this pointed to one possibility.

He was likely the legendary Qi‑refining cultivator, perhaps even a highly advanced enlightened real person!

Then the question arose.

Why would such a master suddenly appear in their small village, plagued by demonic calamities and shrouded in gloom?

Was it mere coincidence, or… a connection with the Inspiration King? Enemy or friend?

Chen Wen's thoughts shifted rapidly, yet he strained to maintain composure and courtesy.

In response to Chen Wen's almost written‑on‑face caution and probing, Yu Lin merely smiled calmly, as if seeing through his mind: "So it is Village Chief Chen."

"No need to worry so much."

"My surname is Yu, given name Lin; I travel the four corners, passed through here, and from afar sensed an unusual demonic aura lingering, so I came intentionally to investigate."

"If convenient, could Village Chief Chen elaborate on what has transpired here? Why do the villagers all wear worried expressions? And what of the Inspiration Temple by the river? Perhaps… I can lend a modest hand and help."

Chen Wen heard this and felt a slight tremor in his heart.

The other's blunt claim of "smelling demonic qi" clearly indicated he had spotted a clue.

Yet he still needed confirmation, probing: "Mr. Yu… your arrival in our humble village, is it truly to… exterminate demons?"

Yu Lin did not answer directly, but lightly retorted, his gaze calmly fixed on Chen Wen:

"Village Chief Chen, could it be that you think there is some rare treasure in your village that even moves my heart, worthy of my special journey here?"

Chen Wen: "…"

He was instantly at a loss for words.

He knew the state of his own village better than anyone.

Generations of farming and fishing made grain and fish the only valuables, with occasional ancestral heirlooms that were far from the treasures of ordinary eyes.

If there were indeed any treasure that could tempt such seemingly celestial beings, it would likely already have been seized by the immensely powerful Inspiration King, leaving nothing for mortals like them.

Thinking this, Chen Wen's doubts instantly faded for the most part, replaced by a hint of shame and rising hope.

He hurriedly bowed to Yu Lin in apology, his demeanor much more respectful:

"I have measured a gentleman's mind with a petty heart; Mr. Yu, do not blame me."

He stepped aside to clear the way, making a "please" gesture:

"This is not a place for conversation; please, Mr. Yu, step into my humble abode, and allow me, Chen, to explain the details slowly."

Then he turned and instructed Chen Li and the other children who were still watching nearby:

"You all, go play elsewhere. Remember to return home on time; don't linger outside too long, especially stay away from the riverbank, understand?"

"Got it!" Chen Li replied, and the other children nodded.

"Go."

Though curious, the children obediently turned and ran to a nearby corner, sharing the sweetness of candy, occasionally glancing this way.

Chen Li bit a candy, watching Chen Wen and Yu Lin walk away, drifting in thought:

"If I could have these beautiful, tasty candies every day… even if it meant I could live a good life forever, I'd be willing!"

Chen Wen led Yu Lin along the village's dirt path toward his family's relatively fine blue‑brick courtyard.

Upon entering the Chen household's courtyard, they saw a woman still retaining grace, her simple attire neatly arranged, drying fish under the eaves with a girl of about nine or ten.

The girl's skin was fair, her brows and eyes delicate, already showing hints of a maiden, obediently assisting her mother.

Seeing Chen Wen return, the woman's face broke into a gentle smile, the girl chirped "Father," about to speak, but Chen Wen cut her off:

"Wife, go boil some water, brew a pot of tea, and fetch some of the preserved fruits and candied treats stored at home."

"I have important matters to discuss with Mr. Yu; do not let anyone disturb us."

The woman, hearing this, immediately restrained her smile, her gaze flicking quickly over Yu Lin and the White Fox in his arms, a flash of astonishment in her eyes, yet she asked nothing further, replying respectfully: "Very well."

She pulled the curious girl beside her who was eyeing Yu Lin, and whispered:

"Xiao Ling, come with mother, don't disturb your father and the guest while they discuss serious matters."

The girl named Xiao Ling obediently nodded, then stole a glance at Yu Lin before following her mother toward the kitchen.

Chen Wen led Yu Lin into his study.

The study was modest but bright and tidy; the wall‑mounted bookshelf held many books, mostly common classics and agricultural manuals, yet revealing the owner's distinction from ordinary farmers.

The two sat at the table by the window.

Soon, the woman entered carrying a tray with a pot of hot water, two coarse porcelain bowls, and a small dish of preserved fruit.

She set the items down deftly, gave Yu Lin a slight nod, then slipped out and thoughtfully closed the door.

The study fell silent, leaving only faint chicken clucks, dog barks outside the window, and the distant low murmur of the Heaven‑Reaching River.

Chen Wen inhaled deeply, looked at Yu Lin, and said gravely: "Where would you like me to begin?"

Yu Lin's gaze turned toward the Inspiration Temple outside the window: "When did it arrive at the Heaven‑Reaching River?"

Hearing this, Chen Wen offered no concealment and said:

"Eight years ago… no, counting this year, it's already the ninth year."

"That autumn, the Heaven‑Reaching River surged suddenly, turbid waves crashing, destroying many fields and houses."

"When everyone was panicking, a shrine abruptly appeared; its deity proclaimed itself the Inspiration King, governing this stretch of water, capable of summoning clouds, bringing rain, and overturning rivers and seas."

Chen Wen paused, his tone growing heavier, laced with uncontainable anger: "It declared that Chen Family Village must, each year at the end of autumn and beginning of winter, sacrifice a pair of youths—a boy and a girl—into the river as offerings to it!"

"Only then can we ensure favorable winds and rain, abundant fish and shrimp, with no drought or flood."

"But if we fail to send…"

It will unleash its divine power, raise raging winds and huge waves, and drown fields and houses!

He says this, his chest heaving violently, the blue veins on his forehead becoming visible, clearly showing his unbearable anger.

"Since then, who dares to defy? We have no choice... we have no choice but to take turns offering worship."

"Each year at the appointed time, each household draws lots to decide which two families... sacrifice a child... placed on a Red Lacquer Wooden Tray, drums and gongs sounding... taken to the Inspiration Temple, thrown into the river... claimed to be 'offered for the Great King to enjoy'..."

His teeth grind together with a clacking sound, as if the words are being forced out from between his teeth:

"Eight years! A full eight years! Sixteen living children! The oldest no more than twelve, the youngest only six!"

"Just like that... just like that they were devoured by that monster! Not even a Bone could be spat out! We, the parents... watch helplessly, unable to act!"

Chen Wen's eyes are already reddened, but he holds back tears, and the grief, anger, guilt and despair suppressed for years nearly burst through his refined exterior.

Especially when he thinks that his own daughter might one day be drawn...

He leaps up from his chair, walks to Yu Lin's side, and with a "Thump" he collapses to his knees, bowing deeply toward Yu Lin, his forehead striking the ground heavily:

"Mr. Yu! You are a master! You can see the demonic aura, surely you have means to subdue demons! I, Chen... I, representing over three hundred households of Chen Family Village, beg you!"

He lifts his head, tears blurring his eyes, his voice choked:

"If you have a way to save my Chen Family Village, to save these suffering villagers and children... I, Chen Wen, am willing to exhaust all my family wealth, to become a beast of burden, to repay your great kindness!"

"All I ask... all I ask is that the man‑eating demon be eliminated, so the children... can grow up safely!"

Yu Lin looks at him, simply raises his hand to help him up: "Stand up."

"Since I have seen it, I will not ignore it."