Shi Luo Ye

Chapter 567 The New River God Candidate

The next day, in the afternoon.

The siege on all the villains by the seven major guilds had been ongoing for a full 30 hours. The forest north of the Wash Sword River had turned into a living hell. Many ghost cultivators had lost 4-8 levels, and numerous were so terrified they didn't dare log in, refusing to come online to break out despite Ding Chunqiu's incessant coaxing in the group chat.

Finally, Tan Xin led the coffin-carrying clan stealthily westward. After spending a fortune in gold coins to bribe the curtain rollers, they entered the Ghost Realm. Meanwhile, Ding Chunqiu found Su Xinghe, Yi Shi Cang Liang, and others. After a lengthy discussion, they were granted leniency. The Xinghe, Cang Long, and Xun Xian guilds decided to leave a gap on the map, allowing Ding Chunqiu to lead tens of thousands of ghost cultivators westward into the Ghost Realm.

The price for this was Ding Chunqiu's public apology on social media and official forums, admitting his past mistakes, his selfishness, and his cruel brutality. This battle had definitively broken the backbone of the "All Villains" faction. Lin Zhao, in particular, patrolling the skies above the forest on his sword, was not just unafraid of one-on-one combat, but also formidable in group fights. Ding Chunqiu himself was solo-killed by him four times alone.

Coupled with the deep-seated animosity from Su Xinghe, Yi Shi Cang Liang, Shu Mei Jian Qing Feng, and others who meticulously hunted Ding Chunqiu with their guild elites, Ding Chunqiu's level had dropped out of the top ten nationally by the time the battle concluded.

In the afternoon.

Lin Zhao returned to the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, while Shen Xingchen and Chen Xue led the Scarlet Moon Knights north again, searching for a suitable leveling spot. Leng Yan led the Sheng Tian forces eastward, looking for a developing map east of Mirror Lake. Everyone was busy with their own pursuits. Though they met infrequently, they all eagerly anticipated their next reunion.

...

Furong Prefecture.

Within a southern forest map, flashes of light flickered through the graveyard. A group from the Prosperous Peony guild had respawned. Ghost King's expression was complex; this was the third time they had been wiped out by the Lin Yuan Xian Yu guild. The command and individual prowess of that dog, Sword Emperor, were too fierce. Even with Prosperous Peony's utmost effort, they couldn't secure this map, which had a chance of dropping celestial artifacts.

"My King."

Fan Wang Zhi Xue frowned. "If it's not working, forget it. Why are we stubbornly clashing with Lin Yuan Xian Yu here?"

"Hmm, I understand."

Ghost King seemed unenthusiastic. "Let's call it a day. Everyone find a map to level up, and we'll decide tomorrow."

"Yes, boss."

The group of Prosperous Peony players nodded, but many logged off directly. They were simply tired and fed up; the efforts of the previous three days had been wasted in a single morning.

Ghost King also logged off.

In the real world, within a luxurious mansion in Sector S of Su City.

Ghost King removed his helmet, lit a cigar with a troubled expression, and walked onto the balcony. Dozens of meters away, a railgun on a terrace gleamed faintly. This cannon, aimed at the shore of Taihu Lake, could not be fired. He had registered it with the Su City Patrol Legion when he purchased it, and any use would be recorded. If he truly fired it at Lin Zhao's villa, the Patrol Legion would not let him off.

"Boss."

From a room nearby, Huang Xiao Xie, with dyed yellow hair, emerged. "If you're really that unhappy... don't log in today. Let's find a new place to have fun. I heard Sector D just opened a new venue. The girls there are incredibly beautiful. Ah Chao went there last time and raved about the quality, plus there are many new faces. Shall I arrange it tonight?"

"No rush."

Ghost King took a drag from his cigarette, his expression weary. "Xiao Xie, do you think this is truly fun for us? Prosperous Peony is considered T1.5 nationally, second only to guilds like Xinghe, Cang Long, and Xun Xian. Yet, who among them respects Prosperous Peony, or me, Jiang Chong? A mere bottom-tier T1 guild like Lin Yuan Xian Yu can dominate us, let alone guilds like Xinghe, Sheng Tian, and Cang Long."

"Boss, don't be disheartened!"

Huang Xiao Xie frowned. "I haven't read much. I've spent these years fighting, chasing girls, and feasting. But I know a saying: 'When times are good, all powers conspire to help; when fortunes fade, heroes cannot act freely.' I think our Prosperous Peony might be facing such a problem right now. We've been truly unlucky lately, otherwise, we wouldn't be failing everywhere we go."

"Among the leaders of our guild, who can we rely on, and who can't?" Ghost King's gaze was deep.

"Well..."

Huang Xiao Xie replied, "Fan Wang Zhi Xue and Bi Yi Jian Zhong, these two are national T1 mages and our strongest. But their personalities are truly... too damn carefree. And they constantly complain about you in the guild, which affects your authority. If you want someone to rely on, I think Fei Long Zai Tian and Luan are worth promoting. Firstly, they are relatively loyal to you, boss. Secondly, they are diligent in their work and have quite good prestige within the guild."

"Understood."

Ghost King exhaled smoke. "I've decided. Tomorrow, I will make plans and head north alone to carve out a path for our brothers. We can't just stay in a mere Furong Prefecture anymore. It's too pathetic."

"You've really decided?" Huang Xiao Xie asked.

"Decided."

Ghost King continued, "Look at the guilds heading north, have any of them suffered? Take the Scarlet Moon Knights, for example. Regardless of whether Lin Zhao is the legendary Lin Baiyi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, under his leadership, they've been progressing through the human faction's storyline. Have they ever lacked flying swords, magical treasures, equipment, or levels? And the Scarlet Moon Knights have the highest average level on the server, all thanks to their storyline progression. As for All Villains, what is Ding Chunqiu? He just knew how to suck up to his master, Tan Xin, and then became successful in the Northern Region. If Ding Chunqiu hadn't been so overconfident and arrogant, and hadn't provoked the major guilds, instead proceeding cautiously, All Villains could have possibly replaced Xinghe as the number one in the nation."

"..."

Huang Xiao Xie gave him a deep look. "Boss, I think you've really grown recently. You've become better. You couldn't have said these things before."

"Are you saying I was shallow before?" Ghost King raised an eyebrow.

Huang Xiao Xie scratched his head. "No... no, nothing like that. I just feel you have more of the awareness of a great guild leader now."

"Understood."

Ghost King looked again towards the direction of the Scarlet Moon Knights' studio. "Have Lin Zhao, Ding Chi, and Lin Xueqiong left the studio recently? Keep an eye on them. If the opportunity arises... even if we can't eliminate them, at least we'll know their every move. Once the chance truly comes, don't let them have an easy time."

"Understood, boss. I'll send people to handle it."

Huang Xiao Xie nodded. "Then I'll go back online."

"Don't leave yet."

Ghost King frowned. "Make arrangements for that venue in Sector D. Let's relax tonight. After having fun tonight, we head north tomorrow!"

...

White Emperor City, the court of the Great Shang Dynasty.

Civil and military officials were arrayed on either side. On the golden steps sat a young emperor, the current emperor of the Great Shang Dynasty, Zhao Jingheng.

Below the golden steps, the foremost civil official was an old man with white hair and beard, Duke Juyang, Lin Yan, the ancestor of the Lin family faction, and one of the most influential figures in court. Standing alongside Lin Yan in the front row of civil officials was a middle-aged man with a potbelly, Prince Jixian, Zhao Qiyang, the emperor's uncle.

Among the military ranks, Grand Marshal Li Chunyang was guarding the north and was not present in court. Therefore, the first row had two first-rank generals: Grand Commander Wen Hao, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him was the Grand Princess Zhao Shutong in armor. Zhao Shutong's position was closer to the golden steps, and it was implicitly understood in court that her status was slightly higher.

After all, she was the current emperor's own sister and a crucial minister who assisted the emperor in his ascension, far surpassing Wen Hao.

"Your Majesty."

Huang Qingning stepped forward respectfully. "The cultivators from the Shan Hai Division who went north to survey the mountains and rivers have returned. The topography of the thousand-li territory from the Fusang Great Wall to the Snow Ridge in the Northern Region has all been recorded. The next step is the investiture ceremony. Once a propitious date is chosen, we can officially invest the mountains and rivers in the Northern Region, opening up an unprecedented situation for the Great Shang Dynasty's territory!"

"Good."

The young emperor Zhao Jingheng smiled and nodded. "Minister Huang, you have worked hard."

At this moment, Duke Juyang Lin Yan stepped forward and said solemnly, "I humbly report to Your Majesty. Among the spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers north of the Fusang Great Wall, that of the Wash Sword River is the most abundant. The Wash Sword River is the longest and broadest major river in the entire human world. The River God of Wash Sword River has always been the leader of all mountain and river deities. In the past, Lin Xingchu, by imperial decree from heaven and earth, became the River God of Wash Sword River. He has indeed done much for the human world over the years. However, in the last great battle in the Northern Region, the demon kings Manyuan and Liu Bai joined forces and shattered Lin Xingchu's divine body. Therefore, the first matter we must consider is the selection of a new River God for Wash Sword River. If this cannot be settled, the investiture of the Northern Region will have to be postponed indefinitely."

"Oh?"

Zhao Jingheng frowned. "Wasn't the report from the Shan Hai Division last time that Lin Xingchu was merely missing, not necessarily truly dead? In this world, is there anyone more suitable than Lin Xingchu to lead the Wash Sword River?"

"Your Majesty."

Zhao Qiyang coughed. "Although Lin Xingchu has made countless contributions to the human race, once a deity's divine body is shattered, there is no possibility of a resurgence."

"Your Majesty!"

Lin Yan said sternly, "This old minister recommends one person who can surely bear this great responsibility. Over a hundred years ago, my esteemed teacher, Chu Jun, then Minister of War, dispatched troops from across the nation to reinforce the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Under Lin Baiyi's command, they won a historic victory. Chu Jun's contributions to the human race are no less than Lin Xingchu's. He is fully qualified to serve as the River God of Wash Sword River."

The young emperor Zhao Jingheng's brow was tightly furrowed.

The Grand Princess Zhao Shutong couldn't help but chuckle. "An old man who merely occupied his position without contributing dares to compete with Lin Xingchu for military merit? Other than writing dispatches for troop movements in the Ministry of War, did he have any actual contribution in the great battle a hundred years ago?"