Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 120 Thoughts become tides, capturing energy from the void

Through the clouds and mist, across the towering cliffs, Tianxuan Saintess could vaguely see a figure sitting upright in front of a cold pool at the bottom of a deep valley, wearing a straw raincoat and fishing with a rod.

The fisherman seemed to notice and looked up.

Two gazes met in the void, separated by a sea of ​​clouds.

A few drops of water slid off the edge of the fisherman's straw hat, as if striking an invisible blade, disappearing silently into the mist, which then merged into the sea of ​​clouds.

Master Hong withdrew his gaze, glanced expressionlessly at Guan Sheng and his group hurrying down the mountain path in the distance, and ignored them.

He simply and skillfully lifted the fishing rod and scaled and gutted the carp he had caught.

The carp here has a strong earthy taste and lots of bones. Uncle Hongwu has been eating it for over two months and is thoroughly fed up with it.

He was really craving the sweet rice porridge and braised pork offal he had eaten in Wuqing County that day.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to even make him squat on the ground and eat while carrying the food.

Unfortunately, in these circumstances, it's already a blessing to be able to stutter.

Hong Wuye sat at the bow of the boat, fiddling with an old stove with a small earthenware pot on it. He skillfully put rice and fish into the pot, and in no time, the porridge turned white and tender, emitting a fragrant aroma.

Whoosh!
A figure rushed over and landed in front of the small boat, looking anxious.

"Fifth Master Hong, give the order quickly! We brothers have been gathered in the countryside for a long time, just waiting for your command. We'll rush into Wuqing County, retrieve our brother's body, kill Nie Zheng, and pay for the blood debt with blood. It's better than being stuck in this wretched swamp!"

Hong Wuye ate from the small clay pot without any haste or finesse, only occasionally frowning and smacking his lips, finding it tasteless.

After finishing his meal, he tossed the small clay pot aside and said,
"You're not allowed to go."

The head of the Renzi Hall was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding.

Master Hong Wu repeated, "During this time, stay in the countryside and do not attempt to seize the corpse."

"What?!" The head of the Renzi Hall exclaimed in disbelief.

As early as the second day after the death of the Master of Xinzi Hall, Master Hong Wu sent a message to the Guolu Society members to gather in the countryside outside the county.

The brothers initially thought that Fifth Master Hong was preparing to discuss important matters and join forces to seize the body, which is why they held back.

I never expected it to be this kind of order?
The head of the Renzi Hall looked grim and said, "Red Fifth Brother, that's a brother we grew up with, sharing the same pot and sleeping on the same bed. You're also the godfather of his child..."

Hong Laowu said expressionlessly.

"The living are far more important than the dead. Therefore, you are not allowed to go."

The head of the Renzi Hall remained silent, without uttering a word, yet his attitude was declared in silence.

Master Hong squinted, and his powerful will crashed down like a mountain. The calm surface of the cold pool instantly surged with waves, and the surrounding hazy mist was suddenly dispelled by this terrifying aura, revealing a clear yet oppressive world.

The head of the Renzi Hall grunted and took several steps back, a metallic taste rising in his throat.

"No one is allowed to seize the corpse. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

……

Outside Wuqing County, there is a famous nest.

The west wind swept through the withered grass.

In the cold wind, groups of emaciated couples squatted on the ground, with bewildered children standing in front of them, a straw tag stuck in their hair, trembling slightly in the wind.

The paper is written crookedly with the age and special skills. If it contains words like "strong bones" or "suitable for martial arts", well-dressed people will often stop to ask the price, pinching bones and probing tendons, as if judging livestock.

This place is where people sell their children. People from both inside and outside the county who can't afford to eat or who have fled here will choose to sell their children here.

After all, the county's orphanages were not only facing a shortage of children, but had also become a bloodsucking ground for some underground gangs to harvest and plunder children at will. A perfectly healthy child would go in and come out as a monster.

Some parents are soft-hearted and can't bear to see their children fall into such a state, so they would rather sell their children here, hoping that they might find a good family and have a future as slaves or servants.

What few people know is that the first nest had quietly changed owners two months ago.

Meanwhile, in a low, inconspicuous mud-brick house in Biaoshouwo.

Almost everyone in the entire Guolu Association, except for Hong Wuye, was gathered together.

"Fifth Master Hong, is that really what you're saying?"

Zhou Yiyong's forehead veins bulged, and his tiger-like eyes were wide open as he stared at the head of the Renzi Hall.

The head of the Renzi Hall sighed, his voice hoarse, and could only repeat, "Fifth Master Hong said that no one is allowed to seize the corpse. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

"What utter bullshit! If I give him face, I'll call him Fifth Master. If I don't, what is he anyway? At most, he'll beat me to death, what else can he do?!"

Zhou Yiyong flew into a rage, slammed his fist on the table, and began to curse loudly.

"That's right! Fifth Master Hong is stubbornly insisting on his own way. I suggest holding a tea-throwing ceremony and temporarily dismissing him from his post!"

"Master Xin's body is barely cold, yet he has suffered such humiliation. Let us set off today to give our brother a proper burial!"

"That's right! We're the Gelaohui (a secret society), not the eunuch faction. We wouldn't do something like cutting off our testicles and then swallowing the bitter pill!"

The room was instantly filled with the fury of the crowd, as if boiling water had been poured into it. The shouts and curses nearly lifted the roof off.

"Squeak-"

Just then, the money-stealer pushed open the door and walked in.

Zhou Yiyong glanced at the hand that had been swiping money, and as if remembering something, the anger on his face subsided somewhat. He said in a deep voice,

"Master of the Hall, how is the arrangement for the first residence going?"

Zhou Yiyong only addressed the money-grabber as "Master of the Hall" on special occasions. The money-grabber walked to the table, grabbed a rough porcelain teacup, took a large gulp to moisten his dry lips, and then said,
"Those who intended to move to Sichuan were given a settlement allowance and allowed to secretly head south; those who did not wish to were not forced to."

"After we leave, this hideout will be impossible to hide. But perhaps it will make those people behave a little better in the future, so they won't treat our poor compatriots like pigs and dogs..."

The money-grubber who borrowed 20,000 taels of silver from Zhao Guangxi spent most of it on the head of the brothel.

The authorities swiftly and decisively eliminated the parasites and ringleaders who had previously infiltrated the area.

He forced the remaining thugs to surrender, and then repaired houses, raised children, passed on skills, and taught rudimentary martial arts.

If there are desperate parents who still have a conscience and plead for help, give them some money to help them move their whole family south to Sichuan.

Then, the money collector discovered that 20,000 taels of silver was just a drop in the ocean, enough to save only one place, let alone provide thousands of mansions.
Originally, the money thief planned to borrow some more silver from Zhao Guangxi...

Unfortunately, it was too late.

The group argued incessantly.

In an inconspicuous corner, Bai Manlou sat cross-legged on a futon, a sheathed longsword lying across his lap, and he was wiping the sword with soft deerskin soaked in tung oil.

In just a few days, Bai Manlou's demeanor had changed dramatically; his sword intent was chilling, and his eyes shone with an alarming brightness.

Even the sword in his hand seemed to come alive, resonating with Bai Manlou's breathing and blood circulation.

His strength was so great that he even broke through to the point of slaying two thieves.

The "Zhou Tian Liu Qi Sword" originates from a secret transmission by the sword immortals of Mount Shu and is divided into four realms—

He uses the external Qi sword technique, treating the long sword in his hand as an external object, honing his sword skills, and circulating his energy through the sword.

The Inner Qi Sword of the True Self, turning from the outside in, treats oneself as a sword, resonating with one's own subtle Qi.

The sword and I share the same Qi, our spirits intertwine, and the sword flows endlessly, like lightning and light. With a thought, the sword arrives.

The sword is without self or qi; it transcends self and other beings, and has no concept of lifespan. Grass, trees, bamboo, and stones can all be used as swords.

Previously, Bai Manlou had only just touched the third realm, the Gongwo Liuqi Sword.

After his crushing defeat when he stormed the patrol office last time, he was reborn and has fully comprehended the mysteries of the Flowing Qi Sword.

Unyielding and courageous.

The one who fails to kill Bai Manlou will only become stronger.

He slammed his sword shut, and a clear, melodious sword cry rang out, like a dragon's roar on shallow water, instantly drowning out the noise in the room and bringing a sudden silence.

Bai Manlou said calmly,

"Fifth Master Hong only said that the body must not be taken away, but he didn't say that we must not storm into the county government office and chop up that corrupt official."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this.

That seems to be the case?

Zhou Yiyong's expression changed, and he jumped up, saying...
"That's right, if Red Old Five won't go, we will! Why does that corrupt official Wang Herui have the right to be high and mighty, domineering and bullying his neighbors with a bunch of henchmen!"

If you ask me, why not storm the county government office? Let the money-grubbing guy become the magistrate, Brother Bai become the registrar, and I'll be the assistant magistrate! All of you brothers can be generals, wearing those official robes too!

"That's right, Caishikou is heavily guarded, and that bastard Nie Zheng is there too. Let's strike at the heart of the matter and threaten that corrupt official with his life!"

The man who had been swiping his hand looked around at everyone, lingering briefly on each of their familiar faces.

He paused for a moment, then said, "In that case, let's burn down the Wuqing County government office! But you all must follow my instructions and use your wits, not your reckless courage."

After a while.

One after another, figures, like sparks of fire, gathered and left Biaoshouwo, silently yet swiftly merging towards Wuqing County.

……

"The Guolu Society members have entered the county."

In a dark and secluded chess and tea house near Caishikou.

Lu Jing casually placed a black piece on the crisscrossing chessboard, then suddenly seemed to sense something and looked towards the door.

Opposite him, Nie Zheng, who was intently watching the game, and several other top-tier masters in the teahouse, some sipping tea and others dozing off, all turned serious upon hearing this, their hearts trembling.

It wasn't because of the rebels in the Guolu Society, but because of Lu Jing.

Caishikou is located in the east of Wuqing County, in the middle of Qingfang Street, directly opposite the gate of the East Gate, which is more than 20 li away.

The gate of the East Gate has water ripples on it, and the Grand Canal and Banno Tsutomu are all the way east after you leave the East Gate.

Getting wet is associated with death, so the East Gate was also called the 'Gate of Death' by the people.

But Lu Jing was stationed at Caishikou, which was quite a distance from the gate towers leading into the county from all four directions. The nearest gate was more than 20 li away, while the furthest was 40 or 50 li away.

Even from such a distance, Lu Jing could sense it in his heart, his thoughts rising like a tide, capturing a trace of external energy in the void.

Is this the miraculous power of beheading the traitor first?
Everyone present immediately felt even more awe towards Lu Jing.

Not only were four thieves killed, but the most difficult to kill was the Italian thief.

This is... the potential of a martial arts grandmaster!

"However, they are quite clever."

Lu Jing's gaze shifted slightly, as if piercing through layers of buildings to see certain scenes, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

(End of this chapter)