My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

79  Chapter 79: The Giant Beast of the Riverbed Turns Again

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Jishi Hall.

"Did you find out?" Zhao Qingmei asked in a solemn voice.

"It's a bit strange that a Second Grade master would lose track of an ordinary person."

Li Fuzhou said in a deep voice, "The layout of Mazi Lane is complex, Huo Zhongyun was somewhat careless, and after entering Mazi Lane, he lost his direction..."

"Lost his direction!?"

Zhao Qingmei burst into laughter upon hearing this, "A master of the Human Sect actually lost his way one day."

The masters of the Human Sect were skilled in investigation and tracking, but to lose their way was simply too ludicrous. Could it be that there's a labyrinth beneath Mazi Lane?

Li Fuzhou frowned and said, "I also find this matter suspicious. Although Huo Zhongyun may not be as cautious as Shui Zhongyue, he is definitely not such a careless person."

There was something eerie about this.

"Deal with it according to the rules of the sect," Zhao Qingmei waved her hand.

"Yes, I understand," he responded.

Li Fuzhou nodded, a knot forming in his heart.

Mazi Lane...

...

Three days later, outside Yu State City, at Qinghe Ferry.

The chilly water flowed slowly, and several boats docked beside the ferry.

"Hurry, the young master said that these goods must be delivered to the designated shops by tonight," a burly man shouted loudly.

At the ferry outside the city, there were many merchant ships, most of which carried contraband of Great Yan. Yu State's waterways were extensive and interconnected, resulting in strict inspections at water checkpoints. Due to the Cao Gang's influence, the Su family had poor relations with the transport officials of Yu State, which meant that most contraband had to be transported by land.

Even so, it wasn't unusual for the Su family's boats to be lost or plundered occasionally.

Don't think that the four great families of Jiangnan Dao can rest easy. In these crisscrossing waterways, even they fear the sudden appearance of evil spirits and expert thieves who loot and then vanish.

Especially recently, as the positions of the Sanhu Gang and the Cao Gang began to intersect, friction emerged between the two powers. Even though both sides were being very restrained, there was still a smell of gunpowder over the water.

Once the situation becomes complicated, it's inevitable that some will be tempted to fish in troubled waters, stir up trouble, and seek benefits—an age-old truth.

Early autumn was already somewhat cold. The boatmen, carrying goods and lined up neatly like ants, also exuded a pungent sweat odor.

"If anyone is not quick enough, watch your skin,"

Upon hearing this, the boatmen all felt a chill down their spine, and silently continued their work without daring to let out a big breath.

Just last month, a boatman damaged a special vase from Green Garden and was beaten to death by an infuriated Guest Elder of the Su family, something they had witnessed with their own eyes.

These boatmen worked exhaustingly for seven hours a day to earn only eighty to a hundred Copper Coins.

At the current market prices, a pound of pork cost twenty-six Copper Coins, a jar of vinegar five Copper Coins, a bolt of brocade a hundred and fifty Copper Coins...

After a day's hard work, boatmen could barely make ends meet for a family of three.

"He Ping, how is your wife?"

While He Ping was carrying goods, a boatman asked next to him.

These past few days, he had stayed home to care for his wife. He originally wanted to take care of her for a few more days, but with little silver left at home, he had to go out and work.

Wiping the sweat with the cloth around his neck, He Ping replied, "I had Doctor An Jing check on her and prescribed some medicine. She should be alright now."

"Doctor An Jing? The one from Jishi Hall by Yu State River? You made the right choice going to him. His herbs are cheaper than other drugstores."

"Yes, not only is Doctor An Jing an excellent physician, but he's also kind-hearted. He didn't even charge me for the medicine."

He Ping then sighed and said, "He was right. If you're sick, you should seek treatment right away. If you skimp on this, it could cost you dearly in the future."

"What are you few over there talking about? Move it, move it!"

Just then, the Guest Elder from the Su family shouted from a distance.

Upon hearing this, He Ping and the others did not dare to speak further and diligently went back to work.

The river water was ice cold, flowing gently from north to south.

At the deep crevices of the riverbed, more than thirty fathoms deep,

there was an abyss so deep, silent, and dark.

A Thousand-year-old Black Python was slumbering, its body massive—over thirty feet in length. With two big flabby lumps on its giant snake head resembling the wings of a great bird.

Just lying there, it exuded a suffocating terror. What horror would it bring upon awakening?

"Gulp!" "Gulp!"

Suddenly, odd noises came from the mouth of the Thousand-year-old Black Python, and the surrounding water crazily surged into its maw.

At that moment, the large lumps on both sides of its head flapped.

"Whush!" "Whush!"

The water on both sides was stirred by the massive flabs, roaring as it was pushed away to the sides, creating ripples upon ripples.

After the flaps thrummed, the python twisted its body, as if awakening from its slumber.

The entire riverbed churned; its massive body hitting the riverbed caused a loud noise, but it was all muffled by the unfathomable depths of the water.

...

...

At the ferry, there was a constant flow of people. Besides the Su family's cargo ships, some passenger boats also moored at the bank.

The autumn sun was warm and pleasant, shining on the glittering river surface.

"Over here, put the goods over here."

"He Ge, where are you headed?"

"To Fa Xi Temple to offer incense. I've always wanted to visit this thousand-year-old temple."

"That's a nice place, it is said to be from the Western Regions..."

"What happened!?"

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"The river... the river water... ah!"

......

Just then, the once calm surface of the river began to tremble wildly, as if to unleash huge waves.

Suddenly, the ships moored at the bank started to rock with the waves, and some people standing on them lost their footing and fell into the river.

"Splash! Splash!"

At the same time, the turbulent waters rushed towards the shore, and those standing by the river were also hit by the unexpected disaster, as they were struck by the waves.

"Quick! Protect the goods!"

The guest elder of the Su family quickly shouted, his body leaping forward as he channeled his inner strength furiously to meet the onslaught of the waves.

The waves surged, and the Cao Gang workers watched in astonishment as the towering waves crashed down. Upon hearing the guest elder's words, they reacted quickly, using their bodies to shield the goods.

"Splash! Splash!"

The giant wave came quickly and left just as fast.

Before long, the river's surface gradually calmed down again, but the port at Qing River was a complete mess, as if a water disaster had just passed.

"Quickly, check if any goods are missing?" the guest elder of the Su family ordered hastily. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Yes!"

The steward and the Cao Gang workers hurriedly checked the goods, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

"What... what exactly happened?"

The guest elder of the Su family said, his heart still racing as he looked at the river's surface, which was gradually returning to calm.

......

A single leaf falls and the whole world feels the autumn; a cold wind blows, and all the trees wither away.

Autumn's chill had arrived, and the air grew colder.

The howling north wind came rustling, sweeping a carpet of dead leaves to the ground.

An Jing held a broom in his hand, sweeping the fallen leaves in front of Jishi Hall.

His cultivation had now reached the peak of Human Flower, and to make any further progress, he had to condense the Earth Flower. Although it was only one step, it seemed it couldn't be accomplished in a short time.

The Earth Book hinted that the opportunity lay in that wisp of nature's spiritual energy. Since it was a green opportunity, it was certainly a treasure beyond the Bodhi Bead, more than sufficient for reaching the Earth Flower stage.

"This nature's spiritual energy, I, Zhou, am determined to obtain it."

An Jing glanced at the direction of Three Temple Mountain and muttered to himself before resuming his humming tune.

"Son-in-law."

Tan Yun came running out, with little Xiao Hei trailing behind her, grunting.

"What's up?"

An Jing asked while continuing to sweep.

Tan Yun said cheerily, "Didn't you say you would accompany Miss Zhao to the night market to buy rouge today? My own rouge is also finished."

"If yours is finished, then buy some," replied An Jing, pausing momentarily in his sweeping.

Lately, that old rascal Li Fuzhou spent two silver coins to enjoy the entertainment district. Since marrying Zhao Qingmei, An Jing had stopped borrowing money and had no spare silver.

"Son-in-law."

Tan Yun's eyes showed a hint of dissatisfaction, "Aren't you going to buy it for me?"

"Tan Yun, how can I, your son-in-law, buy you rouge and powder," An Jing sneaked a peak at the grandeur in front of Tan Yun's chest, pondering, "You've grown up, you can buy it yourself now."

"I don't have money."

"Then why do you think I would have any?"

"Son-in-law, I don't care, I've been helping you with chores at the pharmacy for several months now, and you haven't given me a single silver coin."

Tan Yun huffed, "You are exploiting me, squeezing me dry."

Tan Yun's eyes were large and round; now, with her eyebrows slightly furrowed, she looked inexplicably cute.

An Jing raised an eyebrow, arguing, "Who says? Haven't you eaten all of those? Last night, you devoured three plum cakes in one go, and there are only seven in a box. You eat my food, drink my tea, sleep in my house. I am bound to be eaten out of house and home by you. Clearly, it is you who are exploiting and squeezing me dry..."

If old man Li comes asking for money, I can't settle it, how could I not handle you, a little girl?

No matter what, today's word is 'broke'.

"I don't care; you have to give me money," Tan Yun insisted.

"Don't have it."

At this, Tan Yun's face fell with disappointment, "Son-in-law, that's not fair. Did I work for you for nothing all this time?"

Worked for me for nothing...?

An Jing was taken aback, quickly retorted, "What do you mean 'worked for nothing'? I didn't, you're making things up, talking nonsense, utter nonsense......"

"And all the eating and drinking of mine, doesn't that cost money?"

"Give me silver coins, I don't care, I want the silver. If I don't get it, it's as if I worked for you for free," Tan Yun held out her hand.

"Fine fine fine, I'll give it I'll give it, isn't that okay?"

An Jing, fearing that Tan Yun would utter any more scandalous words, quickly took out two silver coins from his pouch.

"Here you go."

"Just two silver coins!?"

Tan Yun expressed her dissatisfaction, "I have been working for you for almost three months..."

"Look, that's all I have; it's all my worldly possessions," said An Jing, helplessly shaking his pouch.

"Forget it, I'll wait until you have more money," Tan Yun conceded reluctantly and took the two silver coins before she walked towards the back courtyard with a spring in her step.

An Jing let out a deep sigh; Li Fuzhou was squeezing him dry, and now Tan Yun had caught him off guard... it seemed like a wealthy day was far off for him.