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

Chapter 148 Lama, Act with Caution

Chen Shunan himself was not in a hurry to accept the task, but instead strolled around as if he were not paying attention.

In reality, it subtly activates some of the effects of "formlessness and intangibility".

Listen attentively to everything around you, observe carefully the conversations of various small groups, and pay attention to the details and intricacies of the tasks assigned to others.

Planning before acting is the wise way.

"How come two more water monsters came ashore last night? This crossroads is really eerie!"

"Who says otherwise? I haven't seen it happen this frequently anywhere else. Shouldn't underwater monsters stay underwater? Why have they changed their nature?"

"Half of those nine great demons, comparable to true essence, emerged at the crossroads..."

"Forget it, I'll just take any job I can find in the reed marshes to gather herbs. My life is the most important thing..."

Chen Shunan suddenly perked up his ears.

A thought struck him.

The Sancha River holds a treasure!

The water sprites aren't stupid; they get smarter with age. The Grand Canal is wide and its banks are unknown. If they really want to go ashore, they can just find a low-lying puddle.
Why rush here to Sanchahe?
As Chen Shunan looked out, passing through the main entrance of the hall, he could see boats moving back and forth on the river.

One after another, martial artists leaped into the water, diving to retrieve treasures, seemingly searching for something.

Clearly, Chen Shunan is not the only intelligent person in the world.

Many people have thought of this.

They simply chose to keep it a secret, making it an open secret, each hoping to find it quickly and line their own pockets first.

Even the Wuqing Sticky Rod Office built an office here, presumably with the intention of establishing a command center and seeing what kind of treasure it was.

All sorts of information quietly gathered in Chen Shunan's mind. He peeled back the layers and discovered many secrets that were difficult for ordinary people to notice.

Then, Chen Shunan suddenly discovered another strange thing, not too big, not too small.

Jade-faced Duck, where is Zhou Qing?
As Zhao Guangxi's top henchman and the most trusted master of the True Meaning Sect, aside from his recent appearance on the banks of the Jindu River where he slew a powerful demon.

They suddenly vanished without a trace during this period, their whereabouts unknown.

That's why Lin Shouzhou came to take over.

At this crucial juncture, the whereabouts of each true master are of great significance…

As Chen Shunan was thinking, he saw Sun Xiao and the others walk back angrily.

"Hmph! These things, they turn on you and won't let you get away with anything!"

"Something's not right. They were talking just a moment ago, how come they've changed their minds so quickly?"

"What's wrong?" Chen Shunan frowned.

Sun Xiao snorted coldly: "Those bastards are playing me for fools. We had already agreed to act together and registered with the flag officer!"

"Who knew that Peng Lang, Wu Yan and a few others from Mingqing Street would suddenly appear, and after saying something that stirred things up, those bastards' faces immediately changed, and they 'invited' us out."

Mingqing Street was the section of the road next to the gravel well, belonging to the other well pits. The owner of the road was called Guo Guanfu.

The scale of the wells and the number of customers in this area are much more prosperous than those in Zhao Guangxi's area.

Peng Lang, Wu Yan, and the others were all second-rate martial artists with years of experience.

Chen Shunan heard that Jiu Chanhui, one of Guo Guanfu's generals, had also come to the crossroads.

Jiuchan Hui was originally from the Western Regions. It is said that he was a follower of a Tantric lineage and even briefly served as a lama, staying at Xumi Fushou Temple. However, he broke the precepts and was expelled from the temple.

He practiced the "Kasaya Subduing Demon Technique," which allowed him to slay two thieves. I've also heard that he cultivates some unique esoteric Buddhist techniques, making him quite powerful.

The nine major landlords in Wuqing County are actually subtly divided into several factions based on their backgrounds and experiences.

One faction was led by Zhao Guangxi, and these were people who, through their own means, started from scratch and gradually rose from the position of Shui San'er and the shopkeeper to become the boss.

One group consists of people like Liu Ruyue, who have the backing of the Wuqing County government and the imperial court. Their background may not be powerful, but they are influential in Wuqing County.

The water stall business also needs the support of these locals.

Another lineage is the family business, passed down from father to son, generation after generation, guarding the family's livelihood and turning it into a family enterprise.

Guo Guanfu was one of them.

Of course, for someone like Zhao Guanghui, who spent a huge amount of money to buy a position without even a few wells, the other eight employers, though they didn't say it outright, actually looked down on him a little.

Why does a complete novice like me have to get involved?
Big dog owner!
"Wait here, I'll go ask."

Chen Shunan's expression hardened slightly, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he walked up to the group of people who had just extended olive branches, ready to make trouble.

What kind of Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to bully me, Chen?

However, before Chen Shunan could speak, someone, looking as if they had lost their parents, turned pale and repeatedly begged for mercy, bowing their hands.
“Senior Chen, please don’t make things difficult for me. You are destined to become a master of the True Intent Realm sooner or later, so naturally you are not afraid of trouble. I am just a second-rate martial artist, just trying to make a living. How could I dare to get involved in the affairs between you, Master Zhao and Master Guo? Please be merciful and find another job.”

After saying that, the group hurriedly disappeared into the crowd.

Chen Shunan frowned but did not stop him, instead looking around.

Immediately, the other water brigade soldiers in the vicinity scattered as if avoiding a plague, hastily accepting their tasks and running away. Zhao Guanghui's water brigade soldiers, however, stood by with their arms crossed, watching coldly, their faces full of undisguised schadenfreude.

Only the Shui San'ers, who belonged to the same faction, were relatively close. Someone passing by Chen Shun'an paused briefly and whispered...

"Be careful of Guo Guanfu's faction, especially Jiu Chanhui. They might cause you trouble. Hurry up and bring Senior Lin back."

Having said that, he dared not linger and hurriedly left.

Spring River Plumbing Duck Prophet.

Seeing this scene, Chen Shunan felt that the watery place in Wuqing County was about to undergo a major change.

A chill had already been released, affecting Chen Shunan and others.

After that, Chen Shunan took on the task of protecting the Tanka people who were harvesting pearls. The task took half a month and required him to sit in a sampan in the shallow water area at noon and keep an eye on the underwater activity.

Once a water monster is spotted, ring the bell and pull the rope to bring the Tanka people ashore.

You only need to work one hour a day, and there are no restrictions on the rest of the time. You can go home or deliver water by pushing a cart.

There's still money to be made from it.

It's a pretty good job.

After all, the chill of the water pit couldn't cover the sticky pole area in Wuqing, so Chen Shunan, with his status as an inner officer, was naturally able to 'pick up the scraps'.

Sun Xiao and his group, however, were not so lucky. They were assigned jobs that were busy, rewarding, and far from home, and were handled strictly by the book.

After registering the fourth-class merit for killing the water monkey, Chen Shunan and the others stood outside the government office and did not leave immediately, as if they were waiting for something.

Sure enough, just a short while later, Shui San'er from the gravel well rushed over to inform Chen Shun'an and the others of some news—

It is suspected that Guo Guanfu will be appointed as the next head of the winch, and Chen Shunan and others are advised to be cautious in their words and actions, and not to act rashly, so as to get through this turbulent period.

……

"Congratulations, Brother Guo. I didn't expect you to pull such a fast one on Zhao Guangxi. It seems that the position of head of the team is already in your hands."

"Haha, you're too kind, bosses. It was just a little trick. But the official announcement hasn't been made yet, so we can't talk about these things carelessly. Let's drink!"

The night was as dark as ink, and the stars and moon were without light.

Inside the Guo residence, however, the lights were bright, the air was warm and inviting, and people were drinking and chatting.

Guo Guanfu leaned back on the soft couch in the main seat, his pale face flushed with two unnatural red patches due to the effects of alcohol.

He was surrounded by three or five friends, all of whom were prominent local businessmen and gang leaders.

These past few days, the entire Guo residence has been under heavy security, with guards every three steps and sentries every five steps.

Guo Guanfu even recalled all three True Meaning Masters except for Jiu Chanhui, who had been sent to Sanchahe.

The goal is to safely get through these few days after the announcement of the payment, so as to avoid any trouble.

Even when entertaining guests, he does so at his own residence.

As for why we're hosting a banquet at this crucial juncture...

The three great joys in life are: returning home in glory, passing the imperial examination, and the wedding night.

Guo Guanfu has endured most of his life's hardships, and now he's finally achieved some success. Shouldn't he be able to enjoy the limelight?
"Master Guo's appointment to take charge of Guanjing Sword and oversee the Wuqing water transport is truly a popular choice! We will have to rely on Master Guo's guidance in the future!" A wine cellar owner offered a toast with a fawning smile.

"Hehe, no problem, no problem."

Guo Guanfu held his wine cup, looking at the sycophantic crowd, and couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration at having great power in his hands.

Unable to contain their curiosity, someone tentatively asked, "May I ask, Master Guo, what kind of amazing plan did you use to snatch the position of head of the well from Zhao Guangxi?"

After a few cups of Shaoxing wine, Guo Guanfu felt lightheaded and, without hiding it, laughed loudly.

"There's nothing earth-shattering about it, it's nothing more than a honey trap... Zhao Guangxi is delusional, and his brother Zhao Guanghui is blind to his true nature. It's only right that I get this huge advantage! Hahaha..."

Upon hearing this, everyone was puzzled, not expecting that Zhao Guanghui had also gotten involved in this matter.

Then Guo Guanfu, with a hint of pride, began to recount his story.

However, the prostitutes and actors used by Guanghui Money Shop to set traps were basically people that Guanghui Money Shop had extorted and forcibly sold in various prefectures and counties.

In the Fujian region, there is a wild temple called Guzi Temple on Taiwu Mountain.

This nunnery also has a long history, dating back hundreds of years. The nuns inside are well-versed in the doctrines of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and they also receive pilgrims who come up the mountain to burn incense.

When he encountered a scholar, he would compose poems and couplets; when he encountered a martial artist, he would study martial arts manuals at night; and occasionally, if there was a guest who enjoyed romance, he would casually exchange a few witty remarks.

Basically, it's about catering to their preferences; it works on both humans and ghosts.

Before the age of thirty, nuns dressed like ordinary women. Whether you were a slave, a prostitute, or engaged in sexual relations with men, the temple didn't care. You could even run away with a wild man.

However, if one remains in the temple after the age of thirty, one must be ordained as a nun, severing all worldly desires and passions, and inheriting the mantle of the nunnery.

Some time ago, this nunnery offended the local county magistrate.

Just then, the money changer took a liking to several nuns in the nunnery and managed to mediate and resolve the conflict between the nunnery and the county magistrate.

(End of this chapter)