"Yes,"
Lin Xingchu replied simply, smiling. "Let's go. I've already ordered a table full of delicacies. You've been causing trouble in the Washing Sword River all afternoon, so you must be tired and hungry..."
"I'm fine."
As the young man finished speaking, his stomach rumbled in protest, making him instantly embarrassed.
Lin Xingchu didn't point it out, continuing to lead the way with a smile.
...
In the grand hall, dozens of exquisite dishes were laid out on a large carved table. There were birds from the sky, fish from the water, and beasts from the land, offering a feast for the eyes. Lin Zhao, a "bumpkin" from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, was immediately dazzled.
"Your Highness!"
A maid said, "Since Her Highness is hosting a distinguished guest today, should we invite those River Gods and Mountain Lords?"
"No need."
Lin Xingchu shook her head and smiled. "Today is a family dinner. It's just you and Lin Zhao. You girls... don't just stand there. Get stools, find chopsticks, and sit down with us to drink with Lin Zhao."
The maids looked surprised, then obeyed the order and filled the table. However, they dared not speak loudly, merely keeping them company.
"Lin Zhao!"
Lin Xingchu looked at him and smiled, "Don't be so reserved. Eat whatever you want."
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao nodded. "Thank you, River God!"
"Still calling me River God?"
Lin Xingchu smiled, dimpling, and feigned displeasure. "You and I are from the same lineage. I died after I turned thirty, so there's no need to be so formal. How about... I recognize you as a junior, and you can call me Aunt from now on? And I can call you Little Zhao. What do you think?"
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao was confused. This River God was being unusually enthusiastic. However, the young man could also sense Lin Xingchu's sincerity. Otherwise, why would a River God treat him like this? After all, the Washing Sword River was very long on the map, perhaps the longest river in the Great Shang Dynasty. The status of the Washing Sword River God was imaginable, likely first-rank among many water and mountain deities, even a step higher than that of Lord Su of the Heavenly Pool Mountain.
"What, you don't want to?" Lin Xingchu asked with a smile.
"Not exactly..."
Lin Zhao scratched his head. "It's just that I feel I'm not worthy, and it makes me a bit embarrassed..."
Lin Xingchu chuckled. "What's there to be unworthy of? We're from the Lin family, of the same origin and lineage. Is calling me Aunt too much?"
"Not at all."
Although Lin Zhao found it a bit difficult to speak, he braced himself and called out, "Aunt!"
"Mm, good boy!"
Lin Xingchu smiled softly. "Finally... I have a family member in this world."
Lin Zhao pouted. "From this moment on, Aunt is also my only family member."
"..."
Lin Xingchu pursed her red lips, visibly moved. She didn't know Lin Zhao's past and didn't want to pry into his heart, but from his appearance and eyes, she could tell that the young man had suffered a great deal, and that surviving until now was not easy. She then smiled. "Alright, eat your food. My chefs were famous local chefs in their lives. I had promised them before they died that once they passed, I would bring them here and grant them Yin God positions..."
Lin Zhao laughed heartily and ate and drank with his aunt.
Glass after glass, the young man eventually became drunk, and Lin Xingchu was also tipsy. In reality, how could a River God get drunk? Impossible. She had long attained the Dao of Water; mere alcohol meant nothing to her.
...
Late at night, Lin Xingchu brought Lin Zhao out of the water to look at the moonlight outside.
They floated on a small boat with the river's current.
Lin Zhao sat at the bow, holding a pot of wine from the cave, drinking and gazing at the moonlight, missing his parents, Xiao Jiu'er, Xiao Shitòu, Mr. Qin, Chen Yu, as well as his senior brother and sister, and all the people who were important to him.
Lin Xingchu stood at the stern, radiating golden light.
"Aunt."
Lin Zhao looked at the river and asked, "Why is the Washing Sword River called the Washing Sword River, and why is the killing intent in its waters so heavy?"
"That..."
Lin Xingchu smiled and asked, "Do you really want to know?"
"Yes, I want to know!"
"Then listen carefully. It might be different from the history of the dynasties you've learned."
"Oh!"
Lin Zhao sat up straight, earnestly waiting to hear about the old events from years ago.
...
Lin Xingchu raised her hand, gently pointing at the great river, and smiled. "Long ago, the Purgatory Legion was destroyed by the human commander Ding Mu Chen and his army. Just when humanity thought they had no more enemies, they didn't expect that the Four Tribes were still lurking in the northern extreme depths. When the demon and devil armies rolled south, I, as Star Chu Gong, who guarded the northern border gate of the Xia Dynasty, had to lead my army to fight to the death."
Her eyes drooped slightly with sadness. "Right before this Washing Sword River, I led 800,000 Xia soldiers to fight the demon's main force. We battled fiercely during the day, and at night, we washed the blood and grime from our sword blades in this river. Under the fierce attacks of the demons, my soldiers fell in waves, many drowning in the river. Therefore, this river... holds the heroic souls of 800,000 Xia people, soaked in the blood of countless humans, demons, and devils. That's why it's called the Washing Sword River. This is why the river carries such heavy military killing intent, because it was originally a battlefield."
Lin Zhao frowned. "The general history I read states that the Great Shang Dynasty defeated the Xia's 500,000 cavalry on the main battlefield, after which the Xia Dynasty declined, its territory was encroached upon by the Great Shang, and eventually, the Great Shang unified the world."
"A lie,"
Lin Xingchu pouted, not wanting to refute anything, and merely murmured, "From the moment our Xia Dynasty began the war, our swords were pointed north, never south. Over a million Xia armored soldiers fell in a sea of blood. At that time, the war had completely depleted the Xia Dynasty's national fortune and strength. Famine spread everywhere, and rebellious armies rose up. It was then that the Great Shang rose from the south, incorporating the rebels and capturing an ownerless White Deer City. They even renamed White Deer City to Bai Di City, which became the current capital of the Great Shang."
"I see!"
Lin Zhao suddenly stood up, his youthful spirit ignited. He fiercely threw the empty wine jar he had finished to the water. The jar shattered on the surface with a crackling sound, rolling a long distance.
"Angry?"
Lin Xingchu smiled slightly. "Little Zhao, there is no justice in this world... Is justice truly in people's hearts? How many people has a piece of historical record deceived? Where is justice?"
"And now?"
Lin Zhao's heart was full of youthful fervor, but he truly felt it was meaningless and powerless. He turned to Lin Xingchu and asked, "What about you, Aunt? What sustains you to keep going?"
Lin Xingchu smiled warmly and gently raised her sword, pointing south. "Little Zhao, from the Washing Sword River to the Fusu Great Wall, it's over a thousand miles. Do you know why the demon's main force has never reached the Fusu Great Wall for so many years?"
"Why?"
"Because..."
This River God, once a renowned general, was now full of spirit. As she pointed her sword, the land for a thousand miles seemed to respond. Streaks of bloody light ascended into the sky, forming prohibitions that connected the heavens and earth, scattered like stars, enveloping the entire world.
Lin Xingchu smiled slightly. "Because although the million soldiers of our Xia Dynasty have perished, their souls are immortal. They either guard an ancient battlefield or hide among the mountains and rivers. They slay demons when they meet demons and kill monsters when they encounter monsters. As heroic souls, they are still guarding this world, this homeland!"
Lin Zhao gazed into the distance. His realm as a martial artist of the sixth tier allowed him to sense many presences. His chest surged with enthusiasm, and he felt a greater respect for the fallen Xia Dynasty and more affection for his aunt. So, my aunt was also peerless in this world!
The Washing Sword River had become an indelible mark in the young man's heart.
...
That night, Lin Zhao rested in the River God's mansion.
The next morning, Lin Xingchu escorted him back to his wooden hut. The young man practiced his boxing by the river, absorbing the military offensive energy, and no longer drew talismans. Lin Xingchu stayed nearby, accompanying him. Having finally gained such a nephew, Lin Xingchu was willing to put aside all her duties as a River God to spend more time with him.
Thus, at noon, Lin Xingchu personally roasted a wild boar for Lin Zhao. After much effort, the roasted boar was ready, and the young man sat down to feast, praising his aunt's excellent cooking. Lin Xingchu smiled slightly, then turned and pointed, summoning a local Earth Deity.
"I heard you conspired with the Yellow Bone Fish to harm my Little Zhao?"
The River God's eyes narrowed as she spoke, which was beautiful, but her killing intent was also immense.
The Earth Deity hurriedly kowtowed like pounding garlic. "No, no! This humble god was trying to persuade that evil beast, but the Yellow Bone Fish was too wicked and wouldn't listen. This humble god's realm is low, and I was afraid he would kill me. I beg Your Highness to see the truth!"
"I do see the truth!"
The River God raised her hand and slapped him, sending him rolling for tens of miles. "That's why I know you didn't persuade him even half a word... And you're not coming back?"
The Earth Deity rolled back, and the River God gave him another fierce kick, cracking his golden body.
"Your Highness has a great leg!"
The rolling Earth Deity repeatedly praised.
Lin Xingchu frowned. "Be gone. If you make another mistake next time, I'll destroy you."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The Earth Deity bowed and burrowed into the ground, never daring to show his head again.
...
"Hmm!?"
Lin Xingchu slowly turned, as if sensing something. Immediately, a voice that Lin Zhao found somewhat familiar, soft and pleasant, echoed from afar in the sky.
"Lin Xingchu, eat my sword, Su Fu!"
A beam of sword light came from the north. It was Lord Su of the Heavenly Pool Mountain, who had struck a sword from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. By the time the sword energy reached the Washing Sword River, it had already weakened by more than half.
"Oh?"
Lin Xingchu lifted her snowy leg and stomped the incoming sword energy into the ground with a "bang." She smiled. "After all these years, are you still so angry? It's been hundreds of years. The matter of the Little Spiritual Garden should be let go. I, Lin Xingchu, didn't order its destruction. Are you still being unreasonable?"
The other party said, "Su Fu of Heavenly Pool Mountain welcomes Lord Star Chu to visit the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool anytime!"
Lin Xingchu's lips curled. "Just you wait!"
Lin Zhao stood up with a pork leg in hand. "Actually, Lord Su is quite a decent person. Aunt, give him some face."
"Mm, yes..."
Lin Xingchu turned and smiled. "Since Little Zhao has spoken, I will naturally give him face. Otherwise, he might lose face today. A Star River realm Mountain Lord, I don't know where he got the courage to challenge a twelfth-tier River God."