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

Chapter 164 Ganlin Gambling
The bedroom of the Chen residence.

The brazier was filled with burning charcoal, its warmth spreading far and wide.

Chen Shunan sat upright at his desk, reviewing the accounts.

A bronze incense burner sits on the desk, from which wisps of smoke rise gently.

The smoke trail was as thin as a spider's thread, and the aroma was complex.

First comes the crisp, pungent scent of cypress leaves, followed by a subtle, sweet aroma of herbs, and finally settles into a rich medicinal flavor that seems to penetrate the skin and reach the meridians.

This medicinal fragrance is called "Three-Foot Fragrance," made by Wan Niang herself. It uses cypress seeds as the base and is mixed with medicinal herbs such as Poria cocos and Nardostachys jatamansi.

The drifting wisps of smoke, carried by the cold air seeping in through the window cracks, were inhaled into Chen Shun'an's mouth and nose. When he exhaled again, they formed two billowing white columns that rattled against the window.

He looked up at the window and saw that the world had turned white, and everything had lost its original color.

The snow in the courtyard was over a foot deep, smooth as a piece of plain silk.

This year's severe cold and heavy snow arrived rather early.

It's only September now, and yesterday was just a light, first snowfall.

Today, the place is covered in a blanket of white, and even the pine and cypress trees in the courtyard are bent over by the weight of the snow.

This year, I wonder how many people will not survive this winter.

Chen Shunan recalled the prophecy that Ma Xiucai had made that day.

This year, the canal is frozen over, cutting off water transport, and countless people will likely freeze to death or starve.

Fortunately, Chen Shunan had made preparations in advance and did his best to warn those around him.

Prepare charcoal and store grain; build walls and paper windows.

"Um……"

Suddenly, Chen Shunan paused, his breathing quickened slightly, his body trembled slightly, and then his gaze fell helplessly downwards as he said,

"Have you had enough fun?"

Wan Niang crawled out from under the table, her cheeks flushed red, as if painted with rouge, her slender waist slightly bent, and her silk skirt outlining her full hips.

She deftly gathered her slightly disheveled clothes and wiped her mouth, like a cat that had just stolen some fish, her languid posture revealing a captivating and alluring figure.

Chen Shunan underestimated the effects of the pork belly meat.

It is said that the body of the alligator contains the flesh of the twelve zodiac animals, and people in the south must eat it when they get married.

Pork belly meat is known to have the effects of promoting blood circulation, killing parasites, and removing dampness.

The one from the Black River, perhaps because it often steals pearls, has meat that can make ordinary people's blood boil.

Once one can no longer restrain oneself, one becomes confused and infatuated.

These past few days, Wan Niang has been eating pork and dragon meat, and she's become like dry tinder that's been ignited. She's been pestering and demanding more and more boldly these past few days.

Fortunately, with Chen Shunan's current physical condition, he is not afraid of such wear and tear.

"Wasn't it you who taught me, bro?"

Despite being teased by Chen Shunan, Wan Niang showed little embarrassment and retorted like an old married couple.

Standing so close to Chen Shunan, Wan Niang could smell his warm scent, feel his slightly prickly stubble, and recall his thick, broad hands that had been kneading her skin so freely…

Especially when he saw Chen Shunan, dressed in brocade robes and exuding an air of elegance.

Wan Niang couldn't help but be infatuated and yearning, her eyes filled with deep longing.

Women are naturally drawn to strength.

Ever since Chen Shunan became the manager of Wohujing, Wan Niang has been even more obedient to him. She often stares at him, lost in thought, just like a woman in love.

Wan Niang sometimes even had the urge to stuff her body into the boy's chest and never be separated from him for the rest of her life.

"By the way, sir, Chunhong is going back to her hometown to visit her family in a while."

Wan Niang brought over the Ten Perfect Medicinal Meal and placed a bowl of meat porridge that she had personally cooked aside, her tone cheerful.

"Oh?"

Chen Shunan picked up the dishes with the speed of a whirlwind, yet his movements were slow, deliberate, and unhurried.

No matter what food it is, it melts in your mouth and is chewed like mud.

It tastes delicious and never gets stuck in your teeth.

"Chunhong can still leave the palace? Could it be that she got a purchasing job?" Chen Shunan asked curiously.

Once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. Unless these palace maids get old and become withered flowers, they will rarely have the opportunity to leave the palace in their entire lives.

At most, on the second day of each month, the old eunuch would first act as a bridge to notify the family members. They would find a secluded spot on the south bank of the moat, and talk to each other and pass things through the fence and gate.

"I don't know. The letter didn't say anything. It only mentioned that we were serving a noble lady in the palace and would be leaving the palace together, and would be coming to Wuqing County."

Wan Niang seemed extremely happy, walking with a brisk pace, preparing to go to the market to prepare Chun Hong's favorite snacks and treats in advance.

Chen Shunan stared intently at Wan Niang's retreating figure.

Although Wan Niang had mentioned her relationship with Chen Shun'an in her letter, Chen Shun'an's attitude towards the Chunhong Society was still unclear.

As children grow up, especially after entering the palace and coming into contact with all sorts of people, including royalty and nobility, they inevitably experience a strong sense of alienation from their humble origins and their rapidly expanding horizons.

And this kind of tearing apart can easily distort a person.

Moreover, there was something else on Chen Shunan's mind.

After all this time, Wan Niang's belly still hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy.

It's not that Chen Shunan necessarily has to leave behind bloodlines or have children; it's not that he has some special traditional obsession.

Instead, Wan Niang and Chen Shun'an both had no hidden illnesses and their blood and qi flowed smoothly. Logically speaking, Wan Niang should have been pregnant long ago.

"Could it be that my strength is too great, making it difficult for Wan Niang to conceive? No, even martial arts grandmasters can unite with mortals and have children; there is no reproductive barrier... Could it be related to my divine status?"

Chen Shunan's gaze shifted, his thoughts racing.

Without offspring, there is no weakness.

But this is actually a double-edged sword, especially for an ambitious person who wants to advance in the officialdom or workplace.

You have no children and no bad habits, so what, do you want to be a fearless and incorruptible official?

Do you still want to kill me?
By proactively handing over leverage to superiors, you can gain their trust.

……

We arrived at Nanguan Street. As dawn broke, a long queue had already formed outside Wohu Well. People came from all directions seeking water, just like rushing to a temple to be the first to offer incense.

There was a woodcutter leaning on a cane, and a pale-faced scholar.

Even more extreme, some were carried in by their families using a door panel.

The person on the door panel had sunken eyes, a pale and ashen face, and was as thin as a rake. He exuded a sweet and rotten smell, which was caused by long-term inhalation of the Fragrant Heart Cleansing Ointment.

"Father, this isn't an illness, it's incurable! Just throw me into a mass grave, your unfilial son doesn't want to be a burden to you!"

The smoker coughed a few times, his voice weak.

"What are you saying, kid! Even if I have to sell everything I own, I'll break your addiction!"

The sedan curtain was lifted, and Chen Shunan stepped down slowly.

Niu Dabiao stayed close by, standing silently with his hand on his knife, like an iron tower.

"Manager Chen is here!"

"Master Chen, how much Five-Colored Sweet Dew Water did you sell today?"

Upon seeing Chen Shunan, these people surged toward the small blue sedan chair like a tidal wave.

"Get out of the way!"

"Maintain order, don't panic!"

The seven or eight newly recruited "water sluts," each with a fierce build and eyes like copper bells, shouted their words, instantly silencing the noisy crowd.

Facing a crowd of eager gazes, Chen Shunan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"As usual, the well is haunted and must not be disturbed. Only twenty cups are available each day. Shake the divination tube, and if you are lucky enough to get one, please pay 1 tael of silver per cup."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Xiao respectfully placed a dark purple bamboo skewer container on the table.

The fortune-telling container was old and had a faint glow.

This 'Five-Colored Sweet Dew Water' is naturally the product of Chen Shunan repackaging Ran Yi'an Divine Water.

Use a small wine cup about the size of a thumb to collect the liquid, one cup containing one ounce, but not every cup of Five-Colored Sweet Dew will be effective.

Some of the water is turbid, some is fresh, and some is sweet. Only a very few fortunate individuals, with utmost devotion, can obtain the diluted Ran Yi An Shen Water.

Of course, there are different interpretations regarding what constitutes fate and what qualifies as piety.

The final interpretation rests with Chen Shunan.

“I’m the first one!”

This man has been guarding outside Wohu Well since yesterday evening, sleeping on the ground.

He immediately rushed forward, decisively took out a tael of silver, and handed it to San Dezi, who was temporarily in charge of the money.

San Dezi put the silver into the donation box before handing him the dark purple bamboo tube on the table.

The bamboo skewers collided with each other, making a series of cracking sounds.

Upon arrival, the fortune telling will be completed.

"Again."

The man paused for a moment, then put the wooden stick into the divination tube and quickly shook it again.

With a whoosh, a bamboo skewer emerged.

The interpretation of the divination slip will yield the following results:

"One color, two buckets of murky water."

"Why is it muddy water?!"

The man gripped the wooden stick tightly, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. He instinctively wanted to say something, but upon seeing the menacing Shui San'er nearby, his anger vanished.

He didn't leave, but stood to the side, watching the next person asking for water to see what number he could draw!

Seeing this, Chen Shunan smiled and called over a water boy named Shui San'er, instructing him to quickly fetch water from the gravel well and deliver it to the family's home.

The turbid water, which could originally only be sold for 20 coins, has now skyrocketed in value to 1 tael of silver.

"It must rain five-colored sweet rain, it must be miraculous!"

Then a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion knelt before the table, recited the names of all the gods and Buddhas in the sky, and then shook the divination sticks with trembling hands.

A moment later, the bamboo skewer fell off.

The interpretation of the divination slip will yield the following results:

"Nothing happened."

"Sigh... I guess I wasn't sincere enough. I must come tomorrow to be the first to drink."

The man shook his head with some regret, stood up, and stood aside like the first person, observing the situation of the others.

Chen Shunan watched the water seekers with a smile from beginning to end.

Some are happy, some are sad, and some blame themselves for having gained nothing.

The fortune slips on the container included phrases like "Try again," "Nothing happens," "One color: two buckets of muddy water," "Two colors: two buckets of fresh water," "Three colors: one bucket of ancient well water," and "Four colors: two cups of sweet water"...

And the final 'Five-Colored Sweet Rain' is the genuine Ran Yi An Shen Water.

Of course, it's diluted with water.

"I've won! I've won the Five-Colored Sweet Dew!! My child is saved!"

A hoarse scream tore through the noise.

An elderly man with gray hair and tattered clothes was seen holding a bamboo stick high in both hands, trembling with excitement.

His cheeks were sunken and his eye sockets were dark, clearly the result of long-term malnutrition and worry.

Seeing this, the others couldn't help but swallow hard.

Has the fairy in the well appeared?

Chen Shunan took the bamboo skewer from the other party, carefully examined it, and then nodded.

“The old man’s sincerity moved the well spirit, so I went to fetch water.”

After saying this, Chen Shunan walked to the Crouching Tiger Well under the banyan tree and took out the Gu (a type of ancient Chinese medicine) to scoop water.

He burned cinnabar and yellow paper, chanted incantations and spells in a mystical manner, and even held his fingers together like a brush, hovering them a few inches above the water's surface, drawing in mid-air.

(End of this chapter)