Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 722 - 703: Seeking Another Way

"Lord County Magistrate is indeed worthy of being an official, having seen the world. Even in such a breathtaking scene, he can still think of composing poems, while other mortals are all kneeling in pious reverence."

The Sword Spirit Qingfeng sat cross-legged, looking up at the sky, and quietly mumbled to his companion, "What do you think that is? Although it emits a sacred light and a terrifying aura, it certainly isn't the Taiyin Star."

"Of course, it's not the Taiyin Star. If the moon fell, this world couldn't withstand its presence and would have collapsed already," the Sword Spirit Bright Moon tilted his head slightly, looking up for a moment before asking, "Don't you feel like the person holding up the 'moon' is very familiar? A little like... Mr. Jiang?"

"Hmm?" Qingfeng immediately stood up on the sword upon hearing this, "It does seem a bit like him, oh! It really is the master! Look at that figure and the magical robe, isn't he stepping on the Dragon Roar Sword? The master is righteous, using such miraculous means to solve the water disaster for the mortals."

"It's a pity, he doesn't often use the sword," Bright Moon paused and added quietly, "nor does he have a dual cultivation partner."

Otherwise, why would we need to seek another master? Following Mr. Jiang directly wouldn't that have been wonderful?

Qingfeng recalled the marvelous taste of flood dragon meat, licked his lips, and sighed lightly, suddenly feeling reluctant to seek another master, thinking that following the master and taking turns to guard with his companion was quite satisfying.

Even without a dual cultivation partner, what's wrong with two swords serving one master? Why not?

The two sword spirits sighed deeply, looking up in reverence and longing, as Jiang Yuan also looked up at the 'moon' he was supporting, marveling at how such a large silver moon-like mirror wasn't heavy at all!

Moreover, holding it like this could maintain stability, unaffected by the impact of the flood, which was truly interesting.

What concept was a diameter of over three hundred meters? Standing in front of the enlarged Heavenly Water Mirror, he appeared unusually small, gripping such a tiny spot with both hands, able to stabilize it without wobbling or falling off, even he found it extraordinary.

As expected of a Divine Artifact, it probably understands people well.

Sword flight with extreme speed flew over the wilderness-turned earth, Jiang Yuan looked down, huh? Isn't this the place where the people of East Lake Port stayed overnight, with Qingfeng and Bright Moon dutifully guarding it, scanning the area...?

Why aren't the common people sleeping, and what are they kneeling to?

In a moment of bewilderment, he looked up at the Heavenly Water Mirror and the 'Water Dragon', realizing belatedly that the commotion seemed rather substantial. But to take back all the water that Zeyang had let loose for two days and nights, he had to take drastic measures.

Swallowing water is a technical task, distinguishing where the riverbeds are and where the expanded water areas formed after dyke breaches, he can't swallow all the existing water in the riverbeds while reclaiming the flood, otherwise, how would the riverbank-dwelling people get water?

Fortunately, with the system, the identification details + map can quickly discern which water should be swallowed entirely and which should be partially reserved. It greatly facilitated solving the water disaster issue without excessive force leading to water scarcity.

"Thank you, Immortal, for taking the flood away for us!"

"Great, when the sun rises tomorrow and shines strongly for two days, the mud all over will be gone."

"It's a pity about the crops in the fields, not a harvest in sight."

"That's enough, thanks to the blessing of the mythical bird, at least the whole family is alive. We live near the ferry, there'll always be a way to survive."

"Praying for the Immortal to bless me with great wealth!"

"Could it be the Water Virtue Star Monarch manifesting? We'll have to ask the Priest to clarify, lest we worship the wrong True God..."

......

The County Magistrate Yue Yongkang personally witnessed the round moon in the sky swiftly crossing the sky, taking away the flooding water and disappearing into the night sky, listening to the murmurs among the people, his brow couldn't help but furrow.

What should be done?

Previously, the people devoutly offered sacrifices to the Fish Demon, honored as the Water Virtue Star Monarch, for the sake of protection. But not only did he fail to protect the believer commoners, he got enraged over failed requests, causing the flood. How can such a monster be worshipped in the future?

But if not worshiped, how would so many people in East Lake Port live steadily?

With autumn approaching, the wilderness will once again change, and if luck doesn't favor them and they cycle into dangerous areas, without powerful protection, the commoners might still face calamity.

Yet he was merely an official appointed by the court, unable to protect the people, and didn't know how to invoke a new Immortal for sacrifices and offerings...

Thinking it over repeatedly, County Magistrate Yue Yongkang discreetly set his gaze on Qingfeng and Bright Moon.

If that Fish Demon can collect incense and offerings under the guise of a god, why can't Mr. Jiang?

With his vast Divine Power, protecting a segment of the populace for peace should not be difficult, right?

The issue is, why would he be willing to take on such a mess? Especially if that vengeful gambling Fish Demon is still around, unwilling to relinquish East Lake Port's offerings, causing a ruckus would also be a significant hassle.

And the mythical bird that saved everyone, who knows what state it's in now.

"Elder Lady Li, I remember you once mentioned that the Water Virtue Star Monarch worshipped at East Lake Port, if it's urgent, there's no need for bathing and incense, just prepare some simple items to pray. Could you try to contact the Water Virtue Star Monarch now?"

Yue Yongkang thought very thoroughly. Since the Fish Demon is indifferent to the lives of the believers and goes back on its word, rather than returning to East Lake Port to face further troubles, he decided to address it now while Mr. Jiang's two children are here.

If that round moon earlier was indeed a spell cast by the Fish Demon, it shows there's still some conscience left. They could ask Mr. Jiang to mediate to avoid future troubles or punishments for the people of East Lake Port;

If it wasn't the Fish Demon who stopped the flood, it would be better to boldly change allegiance and worship Mr. Jiang, asking him to take charge and thoroughly solve the threat for the people.

Elder Lady Li was over seventy and had passed on the ritual methods to her descendants, no longer managing these matters. However, given the severity of the situation, inviting her would offer more assurance.

"Indeed, I can communicate with the deity using simple items. Could Lord County Magistrate instruct someone to prepare three bowls of clean water and find nine stalks of fragrant grass?" The old lady, having been busy half the night without resting, remained very spirited.

The bowls and water were readily available, thanks to Mr. Jiang distributing food with plenty of fine porcelain bowls when setting up camp for rest.

Just washing them and scooping some clean water from a puddle would suffice; and the fragrant grass is a commonly found wild grass that can be easily sourced with careful search.

"Lord County Magistrate, you're troubled over the worship, aren't you?" The old lady sighed, looking towards where the round moon disappeared: "By rights, whenever the Water Virtue Star Monarch frequently manifests and demands new tributes from us, I should be the one to contact Him. However, my descendants, fearing to offend Him, have continuously prayed submissively.

Lord County Magistrate is not a native of East Lake Port and does not understand our worship practices here.

Initially, we at East Lake Port worshiped the Kitchen God.

The village chronicles detail that this place was once merely a gathering point for displaced people. An ancestor of the Cao family received divine instructions in a dream, formalizing the worship and forming a village. But back then, East Lake Port had few people and limited offerings, and the Kitchen God's protection was weak, frequently leaving us prey to monsters from the wilderness.

Later on, the Water Virtue Star Monarch arrived.

According to Him, the so-called Kitchen God was just a little ghost pretending to be an Immortal—He already killed it. He chose the Li family as the new Priest, setting the rules for worship.

The Li family did not have many descendants, and in my generation, all the males were either sick or weak, with none fit for significant responsibilities. For the Li family to continue holding the Priest position, my uncle reluctantly passed the duty to me with much displeasure.

Having read our ancestors' records, I always suspected that the Water Virtue Star Monarch wasn't a True God or a rightful Immortal. However, if He could provide peace and protection, His claims were accepted.

Whenever I contacted Him, I never begged earnestly. Instead, I used the incense and offerings of the people of East Lake Port as bargaining chips.

He needed our incense offerings, and we needed His protection—in essence, it was a transaction that served both parties. Given that He could kill the Kitchen God, naturally, there exist stronger beings capable of vanquishing Him too!

Being more assertive and standing firm, the other party would also weigh the pros and cons. As expected, during my tenure as Priest, He never manifested to intimidate, and when making demands beyond ability, I could directly refuse with justification.

Regrettably, my descendants, having lived a prosperous life, valued their lives and feared too much, worried that angering the Water Virtue Star Monarch would cause flooding, adopting solely a low-profile approach, unexpectedly causing Him to act with impunity."

Hearing this, the County Magistrate couldn't help but feel respect, acknowledging Elder Lady Li as a legendary figure holding the Priest position for sixty years, truly able to see the essence of it as just a transaction.

"May I ask, Madam, if able to contact the Water Virtue Star Monarch, how would you negotiate with Him?"

"Heh, reaching this point, naturally, it's to demand accountability first," the old lady snorted coldly: "As a deity receiving the people's incense, taking all the offerings without fail, and vanishing during floods, some explanation is owed. Let's hear what He has to say. If He's genuinely unable to make it here and sends a divine bird for rescue, that would be understandable.

Clarifying the cause of the flood, then discuss whether and how to continue worship in the future.

Manifesting to intimidate and demanding rare treasures as offerings, if it leads only to a dead end due to our inability, why continue worshiping Him? Going to the wilderness at night spells death, drowning also means death, either way, death is inevitable, so why not seek another path?

Ultimately, even if parting without His protection, the worst would be similar to the displaced, not all of whom perished. We and our port could seek a livelihood, perhaps even find a more powerful Immortal to worship."

She glanced at the two Sword Spirits patrolling on their Flying Swords, lowering her voice: "I consider that Mr. Jiang to be excellent, possessing genuine skills and speaking amicably. Crucially, he treats us mortals as human beings, though whether he'd accept worship is unknown."

Isn't that exactly what was on my mind! Yue Yongkang nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, the village soldiers had prepared the clean water and wild grass, presenting them.

Lighting the grass stalks, a faint aroma wafted, and after observing celestial signs for direction, the old lady faced north, arranged three bowls of clean water, and began to kneel and pray earnestly.

After burning three incense grasses and lighting three more, she continued until all nine grass sticks were consumed, yet the clean water remained still.

"Lord County Magistrate, please keep this quiet to avoid unnecessary panic." She rose and spoke in a very low voice: "I fear the Water Virtue Star Monarch we worship may have departed."

"Departed?" Yue Yongkang didn't react immediately, "Where to?"

The old lady looked troubled and whispered: "Not that kind of departed, but... perhaps, He has perished."