Chapter 430: Another Person Falls into the Water

Unlike the old turtle, who was completely respectful towards Jiyuan and Bai Qi, the large green fish couldn't help but occasionally glance at Hu Yun, in addition to looking at Jiyuan and the River God.

Hu Yun, who had become quite familiar with Bai Qi and knew that both Mr. Ji and the River God were easygoing, had already extended his fox face from the bow of the boat, almost touching the water. He even stretched out a paw to gently touch the large green fish's forehead with the soft pad of his front paw.

Jiyuan smiled as he looked at the two aquatic creatures beneath the boat, both of whom had a significant connection to him.

"You both look quite energetic. How have these years treated you? Has your cultivation progressed smoothly?"

Wuchong's two turtle feet trailed in the water, splashing upward, as if bowing respectfully with a slight tremble.

"Sir, I, the old turtle, benefited greatly from your original teachings and from listening to Scholar Yin's recitations and lessons. It cleared the dust from my spiritual platform, which has been immensely beneficial to my cultivation."

Bai Qi chuckled and spoke to Jiyuan.

"This old turtle has been cultivating for a very long time. What he lacked was not demonic power or accumulated spiritual energy, but rather clear guidance for his path and a lucid state of mind. Mr. Ji invested effort in him, so one could say his fortune changed after hundreds of years of cultivation."

As the large green fish couldn't speak, Bai Qi naturally explained on its behalf.

"As for Qingqing, her cultivation has certainly progressed. I'm very fond of her, and I'm the one who gave her that name."

Jiyuan couldn't help but smile knowingly upon hearing this, and even the old turtle Wuchong had a faint smile appear on his shell.

The large green fish was favored by both Mr. Ji and the River God. Had it been the old turtle from years past, he might have felt envy or even a touch of jealousy towards the large green fish. But the current old turtle harbored no such feelings. Besides, who could deny that this outcome was a result of the large green fish's own cultivation, in addition to its profound good fortune?

"Is the large green fish male or female?"

Hu Yun, who was idly dragging his claws through the water, turned to ask Jiyuan and Bai Qi a question. Jiyuan looked at him with amusement.

"You can't tell by smell this time?"

"Sir, how could I possibly smell a fish while it's in the water, unless it transforms into a human...?"

Jiyuan stopped teasing him.

"The large green fish, or rather Qingqing, is a female fish. The saying that many aquatic spirits are female isn't just an empty phrase. A full human transformation is certainly difficult, but a half-human, half-fish form is much simpler. However, such a shortcut in cultivation is not advisable."

By now, the boatman had brought a small table from the cabin to the bow. He also selected three exquisite dishes, along with a wine pot and two wine cups, which perfectly filled the table.

"Mr. Ji, let's take a seat. Those two in the water are like lying comfortably in bed, much more comfortable than us standing."

"Very well."

Jiyuan and Bai Qi sat down one after the other, with Jiyuan at the bow and Bai Qi in a slightly more rear position.

Jiyuan picked up the wine pot from the table and poured a cup. Seeing the liquid was thick and clear, and smelling its rich aroma, he recognized it as "Thousand-Day Spring," a renowned wine from Chunhui Prefecture. Remembering the large green fish's fondness for wine, he addressed it.

"When we first met, I only offered you humble fishermen's rice wine. Today, I offer you this cup of Thousand-Day Spring."

As he spoke, Jiyuan held the cup over the side of the boat and tilted it slightly. The wine slipped into the water and was absorbed by the large green fish. In terms of taste, this Thousand-Day Spring was easily comparable to some immortal or spiritual wines.

Although the wine in the other "Thousand-Measure Pot" was excellent, it merely contained abundant spiritual energy and wasn't particularly unique to those present. Jiyuan felt that Thousand-Day Spring was equally good in taste, so he decided not to bring out the other wine, to avoid inadvertently slighting Bai Qi.

"And you, have a cup as well."

Jiyuan retrieved the wine cup and poured another for the old turtle, who quickly swam to the boat's edge and caught the falling wine.

In fact, the old turtle himself had acquired this wine, but the significance of him bringing it versus Jiyuan now offering it was entirely different.

After these two toasts, Jiyuan paused. He and Bai Qi then picked up their chopsticks to eat and drink, admiring the river's nightscape. The painted boats and multi-story vessels, adorned with red, white, and yellow lanterns, cast vibrant and dazzling reflections upon the water's surface.

Starlight from the heavens reflected on the river's surface. Jiyuan, with a galaxy in his heart and seeing a galaxy in his eyes, fell into a trance as he gazed at the beautiful scenery of Chunmu River.

The people on this small painted boat admired the surrounding night scenery, and the boat itself became part of the view for others. As Jiyuan drank and enjoyed the landscape, the old turtle and the large green fish waited in the water, while Yin Qing quietly conversed with the large green fish. Even Bai Qi, unable to fathom Jiyuan's thoughts, dared not disturb him.

After a long while, Jiyuan finally withdrew his gaze, smiled, and spoke.

"The Chunmu River truly is magnificent. River God Bai, you've certainly chosen an excellent place."

Bai Qi drank the wine from his cup and spoke truthfully.

"This is a testament to the Dragon Lord's righteousness. If he wished, he could easily claim both great rivers of Dazhen. His own Dragon Prince has no divine post to aid him, yet the Dragon Lord acknowledged me as the River God. Although I am not considered under his direct command, I hold him in great admiration."

"Elder Ying is indeed a man of great integrity."

Jiyuan concurred, then looked at the old turtle and the large green fish again.

"The Chunmu River, particularly this section, is an exceptionally rare place for your cultivation. Beneath its surface, you are shielded from worldly clamor, while above, you observe the mundane trivialities of the human realm. By day, you are bathed in colorful morning mists and dew; by night, you reflect the glow of lanterns and starlight..."

Jiyuan felt that Chunmu River was peaceful and serene, while Chunhui Prefecture was vibrant and diverse. As he spoke, he looked at the old turtle Wuchong.

"Being too close to the human world, while convenient for learning and indeed vibrant, can also be dazzling and misleading. In the past, this led you to seek shortcuts everywhere, which ultimately harmed your cultivation."

The old turtle nodded slowly.

"Mr. Ji is right. Had I not suffered that backlash back then, I wouldn't have endured such a miserable existence for so many years."

Jiyuan knew the primary reason behind this and chuckled.

"Actually, my visit to Chunmu River this time—besides it being a long time since we last met, and coming to see River God Bai and check on your cultivation—has another very important purpose: to discuss something specific with you."

Jiyuan vividly recalled his last encounter with Young Master Xiao and Miss Hongxiu, and the false River Goddess's "civet cat for prince" scheme.

"The Xiao family you assisted back then, though not at the zenith of their power, remains deeply entrenched and influential in court. And that Young Master Xiao also happened to provoke a demonic creature..."

"Hmm?"

The old turtle instinctively gasped in surprise. He thought that such a calamity should have at least led to the Xiao family's downfall, if not their utter destruction. Then, he fully grasped the latter half of Jiyuan's statement.

"He provoked a demonic creature as well?"

"Exactly. The demon provoked this time was not as benevolent as you were. Its cultivation was also far stronger than yours is now, let alone what it was back then. Let me tell you all the details..."

Over the wine and dishes, Jiyuan adopted the posture of a storyteller like Wang Li, slowly recounting the past events with seven parts of his natural tone and three parts of a storyteller's flair.

Jiyuan didn't directly tell the story of Hongxiu and Young Master Xiao. Instead, he roughly began from the time the old turtle first met the scholar named Xiao, then vaguely covered the intervening century, arriving at the current state of the Xiao family, and recounted the incident involving the cold river longboat, the small boat, and Young Master Xiao.

This narrative style was undoubtedly captivating. Coupled with the compelling storyline, even the large green fish and Hu Yun, who had been playfully bickering ("fish lips against fox mouth") nearby, were quickly engrossed in Jiyuan's tale.

After a long while, as Jiyuan concluded this story—which he couldn't quite call finished—everyone present was lost in their own thoughts.

The first to speak was not the old turtle nor Hu Yun, but rather River God Bai Qi.

"Mr. Ji, that fox demon managed to deceive your discerning eyes and even dared to impersonate Ying Ruoli on the Tongtian River. Clearly, her cultivation and audacity are far from ordinary!"

"River God Bai is right. And that Jade Fox Grotto-Heaven is no ordinary demon's lair; it's a true blessed land beyond the mortal realm, where fox immortals and powerful demons, including a Nine-Tailed Fox, reside."

Hearing this, Bai Qi's expression grew even more serious.

"Hmph, even so, that's far too arrogant."

Although the old turtle Wuchong's expression was unreadable, his entire shell had submerged, leaving only his head above the water. His eyes were narrowly open, and his aura fluctuated erratically.

Jiyuan waited for a moment. Seeing the old turtle remained silent, he exchanged a glance with Bai Qi before speaking.

"If you still harbor resentment, you should go to the Xiao family yourself and resolve it. Since you've embarked on this difficult path of righteous cultivation, it's best to untie this knot in your heart."

Wuchong's neck caused a slight ripple in the water as he nodded, responding with a complex mix of emotions.

"I have noted it!"

Meanwhile, Hu Yun and the large green fish simply regarded it as an incredibly impressive story. Details about the Dragon Lord, fox immortals, and Grotto-Heavens were like listening to heavenly scriptures to them, but this didn't stop them from imagining the scenes, always perceiving it as immensely powerful.

"Plop..."

"Ah... quick, someone! Someone's fallen into the water! Someone's fallen into the water!"

A woman's startled cry from dozens of yards away drew the attention of Jiyuan and the others.

"Splash..."

Water churned at the bow of the small painted boat as the large green fish swayed its body, parting the waves, and dove into the water, heading towards the sound.

"Haha, Qingqing has saved many people on the Chunmu River over the years!"

Witnessing this, Bai Qi smiled and stroked his beard. Jiyuan, however, frowned, though not at the large green fish.

Dozens of yards away, outside a medium-sized painted boat, a man vigorously splashed in the water. He was the one who had fallen in, yet his face showed little sign of panic.

"Shout again! Shout louder! The louder the better! Act more panicked!"

The woman by the boat looked around at the river, wondering with doubt if the rumored River God would truly come to the rescue. But hearing the man in the water, she didn't dare to delay. She quickly cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted loudly.

"Help! Someone's fallen into the water!"