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

Chapter 135 I said, no

Outside Rongyuan Orphanage.

A group of thugs stood with their hands on their hips, each wearing a melon-shaped hat, glaring menacingly, blocking the door.

The leader was tall and thin, about fifty years old, with snow-white eyebrows that hung down long, giving him a rather refined appearance. However, he was completely deaf, leaving only two deep, dark holes, which sent chills down one's spine.

Inside the orphanage, the faint cries of children could be heard.

"Third Master Owl, what's the matter with you? Our orphanage hasn't offended any of the brothers, why block the door?"

The male manager of the orphanage rubbed his hands together, sweat beading on his forehead, and begged for mercy repeatedly.

Speaking of this Third Master Owl, he is a household name throughout Wuqing County.

He is the chief of the Fish Pot Group, one of the four major fishing groups. All the fish, shrimp, crabs, and even the precious fish caught from the river in Wuqing County must first be weighed by the Fish Pot Group. Third Master Owl has eyes.

Only after he gives his approval can these fish be transferred to the fish market in Sakano-tsudo and various fish shops in the prefecture for sale.

I am not only a master at slaying two thieves, but especially those ears. Back then, when I was fighting with other gangs for territory, I accidentally offended a powerful person and lost the fight. As a result, my ears were cut off and thrown to the dogs to eat.

Instead of feeling ashamed, Third Master Owl took pride in it, and the thugs in the underworld regarded it as a feat of merit and honor, all showing him great respect.

The reason for this is that the important person is Lu Jing, who is currently working at the Liangjiang Military Academy!

Who is Lu Lingban?

He was a leading figure in the Liangjiang Military Academy, having killed four traitors, and was also the head of the Wuqing Sticky Pole Office!
To be able to survive under the command of the road chief, only to lose a pair of ears, wouldn't that make Third Master Owl tremble?

Third Master Owl smiled and looked at the male steward in front of him, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"Your name……"

"If you don't mind, Third Master Owl, you can call me Zhou Daquan."

"Oh, Xiao Zhou..."

Third Master Owl laughed and said, "I've come to bestow upon you a great fortune."

"Huh? Fortune?"

Zhou Daquan was puzzled and felt uneasy.

This group of scoundrels are all experts at taking advantage, cheating, and swindling, but I've never heard of them ever giving anyone a benefit.

"Your Rongyuan Orphanage is already struggling financially, and these days you've been sending in so many orphans and disabled children. Tell me, even if you two have the heart of bodhisattvas, how long can you keep this up?"

There was no trace of roguishness about Third Master Owl; he spoke in a kind voice.

"It just so happens that my sixtieth birthday is approaching, and I don't have any children. I don't mind, I'm willing to take in the children from your orphanage as my godson and goddaughter. I'll take care of their food, clothing and daily necessities. If they have the aptitude for martial arts, I'll pay for their training. How about it?"

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Daquan immediately became hesitant and unsure of what to do.

I was both tempted and conflicted.

"Third Master, please wait a moment while I go ask my wife."

Zhou Daquan has never had his own opinions; his wife has to make the decisions on important matters.

He hurriedly returned, and soon came out with a female steward.

Upon hearing what Third Master Owl said, the female steward felt a chill run down her spine.

The female manager forced a smile and said, "Third Master, the children in our orphanage are all freaks with bald spots on their heads, pimples all over their bodies, and they even walk with a limp. How can they be worthy of being your adopted sons and daughters? Third Master, you should find someone else..."

What are you?!

Beside Master Xiao, a man dressed in blue and black robes, with a square gait, suddenly flew into a rage and jumped out.

"Third Master is giving you face, don't be ungrateful!"

"Xiao Hai, don't be rude... We need to be reasonable and considerate now. We can't resort to violence over a single disagreement, understand?"

Xiao Hai stood still, bowing and scraping, and said, "It's Third Master!"

These two, one plays the good cop, the other the bad cop.

The couple, Zhou Daquan and his wife, were so frightened that they turned pale. They pleaded and begged for mercy, but to no avail.

Finally, Zhou Daquan became a little anxious and blurted out,

"Third Master, there are also kind-hearted people protecting us outside our Rongyuan Orphanage, like Chen Shun'an from Shuiwozi—!!"

The female manager covered Zhou Daquan's mouth, pinched his flesh hard, and scolded, "Shut up, you idiot!"

In the eyes of the female manager, although Master Chen was a second-rate martial artist, he had the backing of Shuiwozi.

But given their strength and advanced age, how could they allow the chief of the Fish Pot Gang to hesitate to act rashly?

It would have been better if you hadn't mentioned Master Chen. Not only did you harm Master Chen, but you also displeased Third Master Owl, adding fuel to the fire.

After all, things like the Three Refinements of Martial Body and the new elites of Wuqing County are too far removed from these ordinary people and grassroots martial artists. They don't understand them and don't care about them.

"Chen Shunan?"

Upon hearing this, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Third Master Owl's eyes, and he said with a half-smile,
“I will talk to him. We’re all brothers in the underworld, colleagues from the Wuqing Sticky Pole Office. It’ll be fine after a talk.”

After saying that, Third Master Owl waved his hand, and immediately some servants invited Zhou Daquan and his wife into the house.

pat!

pat!

Several rotten eggs and clumps of mud flew out of the house, hitting the potter and the stove, filling the air with a foul stench and leaving them covered in filth.
Several pairs of eyes, though clear, were now filled with a fierce look as they hid behind the window and door, glaring at the group of pot-pot makers.

"court death!!"

These guys glared, twisted their lips, and glared menacingly. They rolled up their sleeves and were about to rush in and beat someone up.

"No rudeness!"

Third Master Owl scolded,

"They're just children, how can they be so rude? Go wash yourselves in the pond..."

"Yes, yes, Third Master is right to reprimand you."

The group shuddered, immediately stopped what they were doing, and repeatedly agreed.

When Third Master Owl arrived outside the orphanage, a tent had already been set up with a grand chair, and the table was laden with fruits, snacks, books, and a water pipe. The group of servants surrounded Third Master Owl and helped him to his seat.

The entire street was cleared out, and no one was allowed to pass by; it was an extremely grand affair.

Thick clouds obscured the sun today, so no sunlight could be seen.

Xiao Hai, however, was still holding the umbrella for Third Master Xiao, and asked in a low voice,

"Third Master, will Chen Shunan agree?"

Third Master Owl held the teacup lid, gently blew away the foam, and smiled calmly.
"He's after fame, and so am I. We're a perfect match, so why can't we?"

Owl Master naturally knew the details of Chen Shunan's donations of sweet water to the orphanage and his multiple donations to the orphanage in his own name.

In his view, Chen Shunan did this simply for the sake of 'reputation'.

He was paving the way for his future promotion.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, all influential figures in Wuqing County with some background are vying for this spot.

Reputation is also an important performance indicator, and many people are already trying to gain a good reputation.

Chen Shunan, by sheer luck, gained the upper hand ahead of time.

However, with only a few months left until the end of the year, Chen Shunan's hopes of breaking through to the first-class realm within this timeframe were already slim.

Even if one truly becomes a master of the true meaning, one's foundation is still shallow and one's foundation is insufficient, making it extremely difficult to earn a spot in the year-end celebrations.

And Chen Shunan must understand these principles as well.

They wouldn't offend or reject themselves just for the sake of a mere orphanage.

Besides, Chen Shunan could have continued to send his sweet water and get closer to these children.

Third Master Owl didn't want to interfere; on the contrary, he was happy with it.

"These virtuous sons and grandsons, after a few years of training, will become the core of my gang. Whether they are used as ruthless fighters or to do opium business, they are the best choice."

Third Master Owl sipped his tea in silence, a hint of calculation flashing in his eyes.

After an incense stick had burned, footsteps could be heard from the street corner.

Chen Shunan and Li Shicheng arrived side by side, followed by several members of Wanlong Rice Mill, pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with rice and flour.

"This is……"

Upon seeing this scene, Chen Shunan frowned.

Upon seeing the person approaching, Xiao Hai dusted himself off and immediately went to greet them with a forced smile.

"Brother Chen, you've finally arrived! Our Third Master has been waiting for you for a long time. Come quickly, come with me."

Without saying a word, Xiao Hai reached out and grabbed Chen Shunan's arm, intending to bring him to Third Master Xiao.

As for Li Shicheng, he has been out of the public eye in Wuqing County for many years, and a few years ago he was terminally ill and just skin and bones.

Therefore, at this moment, even Owl Master San did not recognize him.

However, when Xiao Hai reached out, it was as if he had hit a wall of iron. A piercing pain shot up his wrist along his radius bone, and his whole hand seemed to shatter.

"Ouch!" Xiao Hai cried out in pain and staggered back.

Li Shicheng stepped in front of Chen Shunan, gently patting the chest that Xiao Hai had touched. His expression was displeased, his eyes cold, and he said in a chilling voice.
"Who do you think you are, daring to call me 'Brother Chen'?"

"Um?!"

Owl Master stood up abruptly, looking at Li Shicheng with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes.

He observed carefully for a moment, then seemed to remember something, and hesitated before speaking.
"Could it be the Li family of the Golden Serpent, the head of the Li family?"

Li Shicheng glanced at Third Master Owl indifferently.
“Old Owl? I remember you were still holding a knife for the old chief back when he was still alive. Now you’ve become more and more respectable.”

"Bastard!"

"Where did this madman come from!"

"Damn it, we're the ones who always bully others, but now we're the ones being bullied! Brothers, grab your weapons!"

The group of men were enraged, drawing their swords and brandishing their weapons, their faces contorted with hostility.

Even Li Shicheng's Chen Shunan was dumbfounded, as if he were seeing Li Shicheng for the first time.

Brother Shicheng, aren't you being a bit too arrogant?!

"stop."

Third Master Owl gestured with his palm down, then quickly took a few steps down the steps, cupped his hands, and said...

"As expected of Patriarch Li. I heard a few days ago that Patriarch Li was in better health, but I thought it was just hearsay. Now that I see it, it is indeed true. Congratulations, Patriarch."

Third Master Owl looked somewhat melancholy and said,
"Back then, the head of the Li family was a chivalrous and righteous man who made a great name for himself in the martial arts world of the north. He was even a role model for us for a time. If it weren't for the accident, Wuqing County would probably have another master who could kill more than four thieves today."

"You're too kind. May I ask what brings you here today, Third Master Owl?"

As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face. With Owl Master's courteous treatment and boastful words, Li Shicheng could no longer maintain his airs of a seasoned veteran.

"Is such that……"

Third Master Owl quickly explained his purpose and invited Chen Shunan and Li Shicheng to sit down, personally pouring tea and water for them.

The group of pot-pot enthusiasts watched in disbelief.

When did Third Master Owl treat others with such courtesy?

Is Li Shicheng really that amazing?

"Regarding the orphanage, I wonder if Brother Chen could cooperate on this matter. I will only select children who meet my standards and will not take more than necessary. I am also willing to cover half of the orphanage's expenses in the future." Third Master Owl said with a smile. "Of course, whether Brother Chen is willing or not, it will not harm our harmony. We are all working in the same office, so we should take care of each other in the future."

"Of course not."

"Hahaha...Really? That's great! I'll go pick one out right away...Hmm?"

Third Master Owl realized something was wrong halfway through his sentence, his smile froze, and he wondered if he had misheard, so he asked again.
"What did Brother Chen just say?"

Chen Shunan didn't even glance at the tea in front of him, and said calmly,
"I said, no."

(End of this chapter)