Can't Stand This Lousy Jie Sect Anymore

Chapter 162: Disgrace to the Sect


Southern Continent

The dark wilderness lay in silence.

Yet within Linhuan Pass by the southern bank of the lower reaches of Huai River, the place was brightly lit.

Throughout the city, lanterns and colored streamers were everywhere, and many temple priests in white robes strolled leisurely down the streets. At every household they passed, the family would bring out prepared offerings of copper coins, silk, fabric, and jerky.

The temple priests, each with an indifferent expression, jangled bells and beat drums while performing masked dances.

They were servants of the gods, here to accept the people's offerings on behalf of the deities, and naturally had to maintain the gods' aloof bearing. Hence, the money and goods were left to the slaves who followed them to collect.

These slaves of the divine servants were not as courteous, bossily selecting and rejecting items. If dissatisfied with the offerings, some would brazenly burst into a household and drag out two goats that the family was raising...

The scene quickly descended into chaos.

South City.

Inside the main hall of the posthouse.

Watching the tall figure slowly vanish into the air, Wen Zhong also breathed a sigh of relief.

His senior brother had already agreed to help him, so he could finally relax.

He had great confidence in this senior brother.

After all, he had witnessed his senior brother's formidable abilities during the Peach Banquet at Heavenly Court.

He could verbally outmaneuver disciples of the saints of the Western Sect; in combat, he could remain unscathed amidst attacks from several ancient demon gods.

With such a senior brother stepping forward, what would the God of the Huai River amount to? Wouldn't he be defeated with ease?

"Squeak—"

The old door hinge emitted a grating sound, drawing Wen Zhong's gaze.

An old servant, dressed in coarse clothing, quietly pushed open the door and entered. With a worried look on his face, he softly said to Wen Zhong: "Master, we should leave quickly.

I've heard that the Water God's bridal procession is on its way into the city; if we delay, we'll be trapped!"

Wen Zhong waved his hand, smiling and responding: "No need to rush. I have already invited senior brother to come. Once he arrives, he is sure to slay the Water God!"

At those words, instead of joy, a look of concern flashed across the old servant's face as he quietly said: "Master, you shouldn't take any more risks. The people inside Linhuan Pass have almost managed to collect three million copper coins..."

"Collected?"

Wen Zhong's face slightly darkened, "When did this happen?"

"Just..."

The old servant hesitated.

Wen Zhong looked at him and said, "You've been a loyal servant of my Wen Family, and now you serve at my side. There's no need for formalities with me, just speak freely."

The old servant then nodded and whispered, "It started after you, master, were defeated by the Water God. The priests, witches, and diviners of Linhuan Pass began to ask the townspeople to donate money and goods again..."

Hearing this, Wen Zhong understood his meaning and shook his head with a wry smile, "So, this situation has been caused by me."

He wasn't sure how to feel at the moment.

He had initially heard that the lands along the lower Huai River were once prosperous, but for the past hundred years had been afflicted by the marriage demands of the Water God, leaving the people impoverished, displaced, and suffering. Inspired to alleviate their hardship, he traveled from Chaoge, thousands of miles away, to Linhuan Pass on the northern bank of the Huai River. There, he saw the city alive with gongs and drums, lanterns, and streamers, and many wealthy gentry leading the donations, prompting the townspeople both inside and outside the city to follow suit.

Suspecting something was amiss, Wen Zhong sent the old servant accompanying him to inquire and personally visited the homes of the wealthy gentry to investigate, finally uncovering the whole truth.

It turned out that officials and wealthy gentry within Linhuan Pass were extorting money and goods from the people under the guise of offering sacrifices to the Water God, collecting millions of coins every year.

The contributions from the gentry were returned in full, a mere few tens of thousands of coins would go towards the marriage for the Water God, and the rest was split between the priests, witches, and others.

Under their coercion and temptation, the people of Linhuan Pass lived in dire poverty yet dared not speak out for fear of the Water God's wrath.

Though Wen Zhong was born into a wealthy family, he was naturally upright and could not tolerate such injustice. After learning the news, he couldn't contain his anger. Flipping over a table, he mounted his horse and leaped into the sky, intent on slaying the Water God.

But... the Water God was much more formidable than he had anticipated!

Although Wen Zhong had been cultivating in Penglai since a young age, he had yet to ascend to the Immortal Path.

In theory, given his aptitude and having consumed many Purple Patterned Flat Peaches, which only ripen every nine thousand years, he should have already achieved immortality.

Yet, he had never faced his Immortal Formation Tribulation.

After consulting with his master, he learned that he possessed a heart tainted by the Red Dust, and his tribulation was not a typical Heavenly Tribulation but one that required a journey through the mortal world.

Only by comprehending his own heart could he achieve true enlightenment.

Therefore, he took the opportunity during the Peach Banquet to go out and experience the world, and then returned to Chaoge to visit his family.

He wanted to understand the Red Dust and attain immortality.

Unexpectedly, he had not yet achieved immortality and almost became a ghost.

Recalling that "fierce battle" with the Huai River Water God, he couldn't help but give a wry smile.

In that fight, his performance could only be described as "utterly powerless to resist." The Water God hadn't even fought directly; he merely ordered his mount to fight Wen Zhong and defeated him with ease...

Had the Water God not perceived him as "exceptionally attractive" and called off his mount, Wen Zhong might have "perished on the spot."

Such a disgrace to his sect!

Every time he thought about this, Wen Zhong's face flushed with embarrassment.

Thus, when the Water God asked about his sect's origins, he didn't dare to mention them and instead rode off in a sorry state on his horse back to Linhuan Pass.

He did not dare to seek help from his master, the Golden Spirit Saint Mother, because of his humiliating defeat. Furthermore, the demands of the Water God were too embarrassing to utter.

Yet, he never anticipated that his disgraceful retreat would only intensify the Great Priests, Witches, and others in Linhuan Pass to further exploit the people.

"Sigh~"

Wen Zhong sighed deeply and said with a bitter smile, "The current situation is indeed caused by my hands, I overestimated myself! But even so, I will not run away!"

He looked at the old servant and said solemnly, "When my elder brother arrives, he will make that Water God regret it!"

The old servant, full of worry, said, "But the ritual to worship the god is tomorrow morning, can your elder brother make it in time?"

"Time is not really an issue, but…"

Wen Zhong began to hesitate.

Could it be that my elder brother will deliberately hide and watch, waiting for me to be… by that Water God…

"Yuck~"

Although the Saint has always said that my elder brother does things unorthodoxly, he has always taken good care of me, his junior brother. He wouldn't just sit by and watch me embarrass myself, right?

He should... not, right?

Should he?

Not, right?

...

The more Wen Zhong thought about it, the less confident he became.

All night, his heart would not settle.

If it weren't for him having only that one Sound Transmission Treasure Pearl, he would probably have not been able to resist reconfirming with his elder brother.

Daybreak arrived.

The people of Linhuan Pass got up early and congregated at the bank of the Huai River, even the residents from a few nearby cities came to watch.

Worshiping the river god was an important annual event that would determine whether the following year would have favorable weather or natural disasters such as floods and droughts.

The Huai River Temple, situated not far from Linhuan Pass, was lavishly and magnificently built.

Inside the temple, a clay statue painted with gold lacquer was erected, bizarre in appearance; the upper body resembled a human male while the lower half consisted of eight thick and round tentacles.

Before the statue of the god, the golden incense burners were shrouded in an auspicious haze, releasing a wisp of purplish mist.

The incense was booming!

As the fiery sun rose from the horizon, an old temple priest shouted loudly, "The ritual to worship the god begins!"

Groups of young men and women donned in white robes stepped out of the temple in orderly lines, each carrying a wooden tray holding various rare and exotic treasures, walking slowly towards the roaring Huai River.

Countless commoners, led by the rich and influential, respectfully made way, watching as these young men and women approached the water.

However, many aquatic soldiers and demon creatures also emerged on the surging Huai River, frightening many commoners into retreating.

But these members of the Water Clan did not come ashore; they merely floated on the water, looking down at the humans on shore from high above.

Then, a fierce monster, ten zhang long with a human face, a hyena's body, and wings on its back, rose from the water. Sitting upon its back, a tall figure appeared - it was the likeness of the Huai River Water God worshiped in the temple.

With His arrival, all the nobles and commoners on the shore fell to their knees in worship.

In an instant, all people were prostrate on the ground... except for Wen Zhong!

He stood upright among the kneeling crowd, his tall figure standing erect.

The Huai River Water God had greenish skin, slightly protruding fangs at the corners of his mouth, and his gaze fell on Wen Zhong like lightning, unable to help a sneer, "I spared your life the other day, thought you would have fled with your tail between your legs by now?"

Why hasn't my elder brother come yet? Couldn't he really be hiding and enjoying the drama?

Wen Zhong was anxious at heart, yet his expression was cold and stern.

"Evil gods like you receive offerings from the people yet you oppress them, causing calamities in the Human World... this is the path to your demise!"

Before his words fell, a group of witch priests in white robes angrily rebuked:

"How dare you!"

"You dare to slander the Water God, you've got some nerve!"

"Who are you exactly, to act so wildly in front of the Water God!"

"..."

Not only them, but the commoners also cried out in condemnation.

"What are you planning by doing this!"

"Spring planting is near, angering the great Water God will stop the rain from falling."

"Kneel down!"

"Quickly apologize to the great Water God, or else you'll drag us all down with you!"

"You might not fear death, but don't drag us into it!"

...

During the exchange, some commoners rushed forward to seize Wen Zhong.

He had no choice but to take to the air, confronting the Huai River Water God from a distance.

"Hehe~"

The Huai River Water God sneered, looking down at Wen Zhong with contempt, "I allow these people to have good weather and abundant food, what's wrong with enjoying some offerings?

But you… in a heat of the moment want to slay gods, have you ever thought, if I was slain; who would summon the wind and rain, who would manage the water?

Without me, this fertile and wealthy land would be ruined by floods or droughts in just a few years!

Is this what you want to see?"

"This…"

Wen Zhong's face changed slightly, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

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