Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

The Taki River is named "Taki" because of its rapid currents.

What a turbulent and treacherous place! There must be some evil spirits causing trouble here.

Poems as proof:

The rapids are treacherous, the treacherous rapids are fierce, thunder roars and snow swirls in a furious frenzy. Waves surge like mountains, boats are like mustard seed pods, the waves churn like mountain ranges, masts are like awnings.

Whirlpools surge and swallow boats, hidden reefs lurk and dragons lurk. Merchants who come here lose their souls, and even fishermen watching from afar tremble with fear.

It was the Water God who was constantly worried, and the river works repeatedly reached a dead end.

Deep beneath the water, a demon's abode indeed lurks.

Deep within the mansion, a burly figure clad in dark blue scale armor was wielding a heavy broadsword.

The flashing blades stirred the waters of the entire mansion, causing the beams and pillars to creak faintly.

He had a blue fish head, a wide mouth and gauntlets, protruding fangs, and eyes like copper bells; he was a truly ferocious-looking man.

Poems as proof:

Its indigo-blue head and face resembled a bamboo basket, its wide mouth and fangs like a blood basin. Its iron forehead and bronze eyes gleamed fiercely, and its steel whiskers were thick and hard.

Clad in black armor, its scales cold and sharp, a sash cinching its waist, its veins bulging like dragons. It calls itself king amidst the surging waters, shamelessly devouring child sacrifices.

It was none other than the King of Longshui, a monstrous mandarin fish who had attained enlightenment.

After finishing his swordsmanship, the King of Takizawa stopped and stood still, slamming his broadsword down beside him with a clang, before sitting down on the stone seat with imposing grandeur.

He grabbed the wine jar on the table, tilted his head back and drank it down in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said in a deep voice:

"Men! Bring that useless old man here to me!"

Before long, two fish demons in full armor pushed an old man with white beard and white hair into the hall.

The old man, dressed in the robes of a water god, looked haggard; he was none other than the river god of the Taki River.

King Takizawa glanced at him sideways, slammed the wine jar heavily on the table, and demanded:

"You old man! How are things going with the matter I entrusted to you before?"

Have all the incense offerings from this area within a hundred miles been collected? And in those villages, have the blood offerings of the young boys and girls who have served me been received this month, or have they been short of their allotted portions?

"Tell me immediately, or your old bones will suffer!"

The river god, intimidated by his fierce power, looked distressed and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, please grant me this request. The people are struggling to make a living, and the offerings are already a struggle."

As for the boys and girls... a pair was presented last month, and it is now difficult to find another pair. Some villagers even want to report this to the county town.

This matter, this fact, has angered both Heaven and the people, and has violated the harmony of Heaven.

"This humble god is also helpless, and hopes that Your Majesty will be merciful and not force the issue any further..."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, King Takisui grinned, revealing his sharp white teeth, and his eyes flashed with a fierce light.

"You old fool, how dare you make excuses and stall me like this?"

He slammed his hand on the stone table, making the cups and saucers jump, and shouted:

"It is only natural for me, as the king of this Longshui, to require incense and offerings!"

What difference is there between those two-legged mortals and pigs and sheep? It is their good fortune to serve me!

"As the river god, you are in charge of the waterways of this region. If you can't even handle this small matter properly, what use are you to me?"

King Takiyu paused, stared at the river god whose face was ashen, and grinned maliciously:

"I'm giving you three more days. Double the incense offerings, and prepare a pair of young boys and girls to be sent to the Water Palace. If you dare delay even the slightest..."

He raised his large hand, clenched it in the air, and his knuckles cracked.

"I will first have a good meal of you, old man, and then I will personally go ashore and slaughter all those villages that refuse to obey!"

"Don't blame me for being ruthless then!"

The river god's lips trembled, and he wanted to speak again, but was met with a glare from the King of the Waterfall, a gaze that seemed to devour him.

All words stuck in his throat; he could only lower his head, his shoulders slumped, and remain silent.

King Takizu stared at the River God, his killing intent surging within him several times, but he managed to suppress it.

If it weren't for the fact that this old man held a minor divine position bestowed by the Heavenly Court, which allowed him to barely manage the water veins and gather some water elemental energy—making it somewhat useful to the Longshui River—

He had already killed it and swallowed it whole.

King Takizawa grabbed the wine jar and took another big gulp to suppress his anger, then demanded again:

"I ask you again, in recent days, have any caravans from Qingchi Ridge and Yunmang Mountain attempted to travel through my Longshui River?"

Did you let them pass? Tell the truth!

Upon hearing this, the river god felt even more distressed.

The Lord of Yunmang Mountain, Xuanling Jiaojun, is highly regarded among the mountain and water gods within a radius of ten thousand miles.

In the past, his Taoist teachings were profound and mysterious. He often discussed the Tao and mysteries with the deities of the land, and his profound insights benefited all the spirits.

He never used his power to oppress others or forcefully demand offerings; he was truly a virtuous and genuine cultivator.

Although he has now become a powerful ruler, it is said that he still provides much protection to the creatures under his jurisdiction, as well as to the cultivators and local deities who come and go.

Such a person is respected and loved by the local deities in private; how could they easily make things difficult for his subordinates?

In the past, when Xuan Ling attained the Nascent Soul stage, he invited people from all directions, including the River God of Longshui.

He had seen his true face at a banquet; his magnanimous demeanor and insightful conversation only deepened his respect for him.

Therefore, any merchants or travelers using the name of Qingchi Ridge who wish to take advantage of the Longshui River,

The river god has always been kind to us, calming the undercurrents and guiding us along the way, never leaving us any trouble. This is also because he has the intention of forming good relationships and respecting virtuous people.

However, this smooth-sailing situation came to an abrupt end three years ago when the ferocious mandarin fish spirit seized the water palace and imprisoned him.

The river god truly feared this demon as much as a venomous snake, and hated it to the bone.

This scoundrel is completely ignorant of teachings and only knows how to greedily devour blood offerings and incense offerings, stir up trouble, and plunder the past.

If anything goes wrong, they will stir up waves to flood the fields, or personally go ashore to abduct and devour living people.

Over time, not only caravans but also ordinary fishermen mostly took detours, and the once prosperous Longshui River gradually became desolate.

His connection with the river god and Qingchi Ridge gradually faded due to this obstacle.

Thinking of this, the River God of the Takizawa River felt both resentment and desolation, but dared not show it on his face. He simply lowered his head and replied in a hoarse voice:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, since Your Majesty arrived at Longshui, merchants have been afraid of the treacherous winds and waves. The caravans from Qingchi Ridge have not crossed this river for a long time."

"That's more like it."

King Takizawa grinned widely, a satisfied look on his face, then took another gulp of sake, exhaling the stench of alcohol, and said:

"That Flood Dragon Demon King is also ignorant!"

When your caravans pass by, they don't even bother to offer me a toll. Where in the world is there such a cheap business?

How could I possibly allow him to go?

He shook the enormous fish head, his tone laced with a mixture of mockery and smugness, and said:

"I have often heard that the people of Dongsheng Shenzhou are most respectful of Heaven and Earth and know the rules and regulations."

Now it seems that Xuan Ling's arrogance and rudeness stemmed from his mere reputation for having fought the Bull Demon King a few rounds, demonstrating how unreliable the rumors were.

With that, King Longshui grabbed the large sword lying to the side, casually twirled it, and with a fierce roar of water, grinned maliciously:

Others believe he is highly skilled in martial arts, but I do not!

If I were to witness this, I would let him taste whether my great sword is sharp or not!

He does not mean that.

Upon hearing this, the river god below the steps felt a slight jolt in his heart.

It turns out that this ferocious and savage monster was not a native demon of the Eastern Continent, but rather a creature that had migrated from another continent.