After he finished speaking, Ye Jisheng glanced at him.
Jian Zhen himself was very excited. People always said he was stupid, but at critical moments he didn’t drop the ball. Of course, he could think of it because he had originally been human. He understood his own people and knew some things about how gods were worshipped in history. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have guessed so easily.
Ye Jisheng said, “Oh? What did you think of?”
Jian Zhen decided to keep one card hidden. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to try it first.”
Ye Jisheng truly didn’t ask further. This man never cared much about matters concerning himself, as if these things had nothing to do with his own life or death.
Jian Zhen yawned. “Let’s sleep first.”
Ye Jisheng responded with a faint “Mm.”
Jian Zhen said, “Lately… you still can’t fall asleep?”
He remembered that long ago, Ye Jisheng had said that gods didn’t need sleep.
Sure enough—
Ye Jisheng said, “I do not require sleep.”
Jian Zhen sat at the bedside. Hearing this, he touched his stomach and reasonably suspected, “Then if our child is also born with a divine body, will it also be unable to sleep?”
Ye Jisheng answered without hesitation, “He will not be the same as me.”
Jian Zhen said, “Didn’t you say gods don’t need to sleep?”
Ye Jisheng sat lazily, speaking in a tone of indifference. “What if he wants to sleep?”
Jian Zhen: “…”
So after all this time, big guy, it’s not that you can’t sleep, you just don’t want to!
Little Grass needed a long moment to digest this information.
Jian Zhen held it in for a long time before finally asking, “Why don’t you want to sleep?”
Ye Jisheng said calmly, “What enjoyment is there in sleeping?”
Jian Zhen thought for a moment, then said with some emotion, “But you often sleep with me.”
Ye Jisheng nodded. “Mm. Sleeping with you is more interesting.”
Jian Zhen: “…”
Suddenly not feeling touched anymore.
While the two were talking, he grew sleepy again and let out a small yawn.
Ye Jisheng walked over, sat at the bedside, and said, “Sleep.”
Jian Zhen realized that although this god didn’t like sleeping at all, at his request, Ye Jisheng had already grown used to it. When they lay down, Ye Jisheng would naturally pull him into his arms, doing nothing else, just holding him like a pillow. Did he treat him like some kind of little figurine?
Forget it.
Having such a warm heater beside him wasn’t bad.
Jian Zhen drifted into sleep with these hazy thoughts.
When he woke the next day, the sun was already high.
After washing up, he found that this residence truly hadn’t been lived in for a long time. He and Ye Jisheng had only just arrived in the town and weren’t familiar with anything, so they planned to go out and walk around the streets to get to know the area.
Yesterday he only knew the town lacked water.
Now, walking through the streets under the blazing sun, he realized how dry this little town truly was.
In the town center, an old man was distributing water brought from afar. A mother received a small bucket. Her lips were already cracked. When she returned to her courtyard, two or three children ran up excitedly, calling, “Mother, Mother…”
The mother stroked the head of her youngest child, who barely reached her knee, and smiled. “Mother brought water back. You must be unbearably thirsty, right?”
The children all looked severely dehydrated, but the youngest girl still held out the bowl of water and said, “Mother, you drink first.”
The mother said, “I’ll drink later. There’s still plenty in the bucket. You drink first.”
Only then did the children cheer and share the bowl of water.
The mother watched them gently. After they drank, she said, “Alright, go to the backyard and take our sheep out to graze. The town chief said they’ll open the altar soon to pray for the Rain Master to bring rain. Our family’s sheep will be offered too. Once we have water again, everything will be fine.”
The children quickly agreed and left.
Jian Zhen watched the mother carefully place the remaining water inside the house. When she came back out, the scorching sun overhead made her sway, about to faint.
“Careful!”
The woman, who nearly collapsed, felt herself supported by a gust of wind. When she regained some clarity, she saw a young man in green walking into the courtyard.
Drops of jade dew fell onto the woman’s lips.
Jian Zhen poured out the water from his jade‑dew flask and bent down slightly to ask, “Madam, are you alright?”
The woman, having tasted water, looked at him in disbelief. Then she looked up and said, “You… who are you?”
Jian Zhen glanced at himself and at Ye Jisheng, who stood lazily not far away. Expecting that big guy to speak was impossible, so he said, “Oh, we just arrived in town yesterday. We’re staying in the south of the city. We came to the street to buy some things and happened to run into you.”
When the woman saw the water jug in his hand, she quickly said somewhat excitedly, “I drank your water?”
Jian Zhen had just been about to say it was only a little.
“Oh dear, I really…” The woman looked somewhat vexed. Her complexion was sallow, her lips cracked and clearly dehydrated, yet there was no joy at taking advantage of others. She only said, “Please wait a moment, you two. I still have some water in my house…”
Jian Zhen hurriedly stopped her and said, “Madam, there’s no need for this. My husband and I merely happened to pass by, and we still have ample stored water at home. I just saw that you still have several children, so keep it for the children.”
The woman was so moved she tried to get up and kowtow. “Thank you, young master, thank you, young master…”
Jian Zhen quickly held her back and asked, “Madam, I’ve just arrived and am a bit curious, has it truly not rained here at all for so long?”
The woman quickly said, “It has rained a little, but the rain comes fast and leaves fast—it’s not enough for the people of our small town to survive. For so long now, the crops in the fields have dried to death, and as for the cattle and sheep, there’s no need to mention them. Our town used to be prosperous, but now many people have already run away. Only the old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled remain here.”
Jian Zhen helped her sit down at the side and said, “It will rain. It won’t stay dry forever.”
The woman murmured, “I hope Heaven opens its eyes. As long as Daoist Priest returns, it will surely rain again…”
Jian Zhen frowned slightly and asked, “Daoist Priest?”
“It’s Daoist Priest Shenji.” The woman’s eyes lit up a little. With some hope she said, “As long as our town gathers enough silver and offerings, the Daoist Priest will come set up an altar and perform rituals, and ask Lord Rain Master to bring rain.”
Jian Zhen said instinctively, “What kind of Daoist Priest is this? You’re already like this, and he still demands payment before he’ll come?”
The woman hurriedly grabbed him and said, “Don’t, young master, you mustn’t speak carelessly. If the Daoist Priest were to hear…”
Seeing her sallow and frail body, Jian Zhen felt a bit distressed and could only say, “I understand. Madam, rest well first. There’s still some water left in my bottle. I know you care about the children, but if you’re not here, how will you continue taking care of them? You must take good care of yourself.”
The woman still wanted to decline. Jian Zhen stood up and was just about to leave when, on the road not far away, a child came running back. Not watching the road, he crashed straight into Ye Jisheng.
For a certain instant.
Jian Zhen’s heart leapt into his throat.
The Demon God’s temper was unpredictable; anyone who dared offend or provoke him would not have a good end.
After the child steadied himself and saw the tall, unfamiliar man, he was a little frightened. Ye Jisheng merely shook out his clothes, his eyes sweeping lightly over the child, and said to Jian Zhen, “Finished talking?”
Jian Zhen nodded.
Ye Jisheng said, “Let’s go.”
Jian Zhen quickly agreed. Looking at the thin, ragged child, he gently rubbed his head and said, “Take good care of your mother. It will rain very soon.”
The child received it blankly. He had never seen such a gentle older brother. The person beside him was also tall and handsome. The two of them standing there had an inexplicable aura.
As if…
Heavenly gods had descended to the mortal world.
Jian Zhen and Ye Jisheng walked forward. Only after turning a corner and leaving the farmhouse courtyard did he look toward the Demon God.
Ye Jisheng did not even need to turn back. “What are you looking at me for?”
Jian Zhen said softly, “You actually didn’t get angry.”
Ye Jisheng’s tone was light as he strolled slowly over the cracked earth. “What is there worthy of this Venerable being angry about?”
Jian Zhen pointed to what had just happened. “That child bumped into you and even seemed to wipe the mud from his hands onto your clothes. You didn’t get angry.”
Ye Jisheng glanced sideways at him and let out a snort of laughter, somewhat gloomy. “He is too weak. This Venerable is too lazy to argue with him. In your eyes, am I such a narrow-minded person?”
Oh no, this big boss is angry again.
Jian Zhen obediently said, “No. It’s just that before, anyone who dared offend you seemed to have died very miserably, so…”
Ye Jisheng said, “Those who offend this Venerable, I naturally will not let a single one go.”
Jian Zhen froze for a moment. Perhaps the words were a bit difficult to understand, but he understood them. Every person Ye Jisheng dealt with was not innocent. Others thought he was bloodthirsty merely because their positions were different.
Little Grass suddenly felt that every time he thought he understood Ye Jisheng, he would realize he still did not understand him enough.
Jian Zhen’s brows curved as he smiled and said, “It’s great that you didn’t hold it against that child.”
Ye Jisheng’s tone was indifferent as he walked lazily. “Though this Venerable possesses a divine body, all things in the Three Realms have their right to exist. As long as they do not interfere with my affairs, I have no interest in taking their lives.”
Simply put, Demon God was clear in love and hate. He did not care about life or death, yet he did not delight in indiscriminate killing.
All along.
Jian Zhen had discovered that Ye Jisheng was actually careless or rather, it was not only that he did not care about the myriad things of the world; he cared even less about himself, as if detached from it all.
As the two were talking.
Jian Zhen looked ahead and said in surprise, “The Earth God Temple!”
Truly obtained without any effort, who would have thought that strolling along the road would lead them to find it.
Ye Jisheng followed behind him.
Jian Zhen stepped up the stairs and finally saw the full view of the Earth God Temple. It was a somewhat dilapidated temple to the Earth God, though there were still sparse traces of incense offerings. Behind the temple, withered trees were piled about, and a square well sat in the distance, giving a sense of desolation. It had to be said, this place felt like it could be used to film a horror movie.
Footsteps sounded from behind.
Ye Jisheng stood in the middle of the Earth God Temple, looking at the statue of the Earth God.
Jian Zhen walked over and said, “Is something wrong?”
Ye Jisheng looked at it for a while, then curved his lips thoughtfully and said with a smile, “It seems the situation is more interesting than I thought.”
Jian Zhen: “…”
It would be one thing if someone else said it was interesting.
When the Demon God said something was interesting, why did it feel so chilling?
Little Grass was a bit scared.
The timid Little Grass edged closer to Ye Jisheng and said, “There won’t be ghosts, right?”
Ye Jisheng glanced at him indifferently and said, “There is no aura of the ghost clan here. Even if there were, the one stirring up trouble would only be a human.”
Jian Zhen blinked foolishly. “Ah?”
Ye Jisheng seemed somewhat tired of looking, or perhaps he had grown impatient. He said to Jian Zhen, “Let’s go.”
“We’re leaving just like that?” Jian Zhen followed behind Ye Jisheng and said, “Didn’t you say the Earth God here was suppressed by some kind of feng shui? Aren’t we here to lift his seal?”
Ye Jisheng said, “Did you see that well?”
Jian Zhen nodded. “I saw it.”
“When building a temple, even if it is not on a geomantic treasure land, it still must be open in all directions, gathering the spiritual energy of the land.” Ye Jisheng stopped walking and said, “This temple, there is a well to the south and a mountain to the north. This is a water-vein–severing orientation. Such a formation would never be caused unintentionally by feng shui.”
A frightening guess slowly formed in Jian Zhen’s heart. “You mean… someone did it on purpose?”
Who would deliberately do such a thing?
Ye Jisheng let out a cold laugh. “I told you long ago, compared to demons and ghosts, humans are the most terrifying.”
A chill ran down Jian Zhen’s back. He had thought this was something simple, but who would have imagined that behind it was something so complicated?!
Ye Jisheng turned around. “Let’s go.”
Jian Zhen asked, “Are we really not going to do anything?”
Ye Jisheng glanced sideways at him and sneered. “If it is man-made, you can manage it once but can you manage it forever?”
Jian Zhen suddenly understood what he meant. They could save it once, but if this was truly a scheme set by someone behind the scenes, then what about afterward? It would not be a long-term solution.
The two walked back.
They again ran into the old man pulling an empty flat cart in town.
The old man took the initiative to speak. “You two out for a walk?”
Jian Zhen smiled. “Mm, we just arrived in town and took a look around. Uncle, you’re not busy today?”
The old man replied cheerfully, “Don’t even mention it. The water brought back yesterday has already been distributed to every household. In a few days it’ll be the day Daoist Priest Shenji comes to set up the altar and perform rituals. I need to head back early to prepare the offerings.”
Again, this Daoist Priest Shenji.
Jian Zhen said, “Uncle, is this Daoist Priest Shenji very powerful?”
At that, the old man perked up. “Powerful, powerful, very powerful! After we had drought for half a year, Daoist Priest Shenji came once. He set up an altar and performed rituals, and the very next day it rained. If the Daoist Priest didn’t come once every two or three months, I’m afraid the people of our town wouldn’t have lived long ago.”
Jian Zhen said curiously, “If he’s that powerful, why does he only come once every few months?”
The old man said mysteriously, “Because we need to prepare offerings to worship Lord Rain Master. Otherwise, Lord Rain Master won’t bring rain.”
Jian Zhen felt something was suspicious and said, “Uncle, when that Daoist Priest comes next time, could my husband and I also come take a look?”
The old man was very forthright and laughed. “Of course! Just meet at the east side of the city in three days.”
Jian Zhen quickly thanked him.
After chatting with the old man for a while, they went back. Ye Jisheng was standing in front of a small stall, looking at the various sugar figurines molded there. One of the little sugar figures was lifelike, extremely well made.
Jian Zhen walked over and said, “You like it?”
Who would have thought Demon God also had some childlike innocence.
Ye Jisheng curled his lips and said, “I just find this sugar figurine quite interesting. Its exterior is bright and beautiful, but it is merely flashy on the surface. Inside, it is nothing but a fragile piece of trash.”
Jian Zhen: “…”
Sometimes chatting with a big boss is quite helpless.
But looking at the sugar figurine, Jian Zhen thought again of that Daoist Priest Shenji. He pulled Ye Jisheng aside and quietly repeated what the old man had just said, then concluded, “I think that Daoist Priest probably has a problem.”
Ye Jisheng said indifferently, “Mm.”
Jian Zhen: “? That’s your reaction?”
Ye Jisheng looked completely unconcerned, his handsome profile lazy and charming. “Otherwise?”
Recently Jian Zhen’s little head had been turning quickly. He said enthusiastically, “We came to find a way to repair the divine soul. After walking around all day, we didn’t find anything. I think maybe this Daoist Priest might be a breakthrough. We need to find a way to get close to him and learn more…”
Ye Jisheng said, “Why make it so troublesome? If he has a problem, just kill him.”
Jian Zhen: “…”
Is this what it means to act rather than talk?
The two returned to the residence, and it was already nearly evening.
After spending the whole day outside preoccupied with the Earth God temple and that Daoist Priest, they had almost forgotten about the old steward in the residence.
Unexpectedly—
Just as Jian Zhen and Ye Jisheng stepped back into the residence, the old steward, along with a line of maids and male servants, stood in the courtyard. Everyone said in unison, “Greetings, Master. Greetings, Madam!”
The air fell into silence.
For a moment, Jian Zhen’s mind went blank.
The old steward trembled as he stepped forward from behind and said, “Yesterday Master and Madam arrived suddenly, and there was hardly anyone in the residence. Madam is with child and cannot be without attendants. These are servants this old one specially purchased, please have a look.”
Jian Zhen’s gaze fell on these people.
Though they had changed into uniform coarse cloth garments, one could still see their thin frames and sallow complexions. These children were all very young; the youngest looked no more than fifteen or sixteen.
Thinking he might not accept them, the old steward hurriedly said, “The indenture contracts of these servants are all here. They were very cheap. As long as the master gives them a meal to eat, they do not require wages.”
Sure enough, it was exactly as he had thought.
Jian Zhen looked toward Ye Jisheng. Demon God had always disliked having outsiders in his residence. At this moment his expression was indifferent as well, clearly not very willing to accept them.
Facing the old steward’s earnest gaze,
Jian Zhen gently tugged at Ye Jisheng’s sleeve and whispered, “Let’s keep them. We came here incognito in the first place. If we act too out of place, it might easily arouse suspicion.”
Ye Jisheng let out a light laugh, those eyes seeming able to see through people’s hearts.
Jian Zhen’s pity and reluctance were all taken in by him. Ye Jisheng withdrew his gaze indifferently and, under Little Grass’s worried stare, said to the old steward, “Since they’ve been bought, keep them.”
The old steward let out a sigh of relief.
Jian Zhen also revealed a faint smile.
The old steward said, “Master and Madam have returned late. Have you dined? This old servant will have them serve the dishes.”
Ye Jisheng nodded faintly. “Mm.”
After all, yesterday they could use having already eaten as an excuse. Today the entire town was watching, they could not keep making things up casually. If it were discovered that they did not eat at all, the matter would become serious.
The two went to the main hall.
Before long, young servants brought over steaming dishes.
Jian Zhen looked at the dry flatbread on the table, meatballs made of meat, and some small greens. Even such a simple meal already seemed to be the best things in this small town.
Ye Jisheng removed the water flask from his waist and handed it to him. “Drink some.”
Inside was jade dew.
Jian Zhen took it and drank a couple of mouthfuls, easing some of his fatigue.
Ye Jisheng said, “Is it cold?”
If the jade dew Jian Zhen drank was too cold, he would easily vomit.
After a few sips, Jian Zhen said gently, “It’s a little cold, but I can drink it.”
Ye Jisheng frowned. “Give it to me.”
Afraid he would directly use magic to heat the water, Jian Zhen quickly reminded him, “Just have someone warm it slightly. It doesn’t need to be too hot.”
Only then did Ye Jisheng nod faintly. He personally sealed the jade bottle’s cap and handed it to the old steward. “Warm it slightly before bringing it back. He cannot drink it cold.”
The old steward hurriedly agreed.
The other young servants and maids waiting behind witnessed the scene with their own eyes and privately sighed in admiration. This handsome wealthy merchant from the capital truly doted on his wife, he even personally concerned himself with whether the drink was too cold or too hot. Truly a rare, gentle, and considerate good man.
If the Three Realms heard this thought, their jaws would drop.
After all, no one could associate the word “gentle” with that bloodthirsty Demon God.
After drinking some water and eating a few bites of food, Jian Zhen said to Ye Jisheng, “I’m full.”
Ye Jisheng said to the people behind them, “You may divide these dishes among yourselves. No need to ask again.”
The old steward and the others were overjoyed. After all, the town was currently short of water and food. Being able to eat a full meal was an enormous luxury, truly a happy occasion.
Jian Zhen then returned together with Ye Jisheng.
Walking around town during the day had made him somewhat tired. In Ye Jisheng’s arms, he fell asleep not long after.
When he woke the next day, Ye Jisheng was already properly dressed, sitting on a chair in the room. Seeing him awake, he said, “This Venerable has some matters to handle. I have already set up an array in this residence. Do not go out today. Rest in the manor.”
They had been traveling about, and Jian Zhen was indeed tired.
Hearing the Demon God say this, he had no objections.
Jian Zhen nodded. “Did something happen again on the immortal clan’s side?”
Ye Jisheng smiled with unclear meaning. “What, worried about your Immortal Lord?”
Jian Zhen said irritably, “I’m not.”
In the Three Realms, only the Demon God could stand against the Immortal Lord. And the Demon God had been with him all along, what was there for him to worry about?
Ye Jisheng stood up. “It’s not the immortal clan. Just some small matters. This Venerable will go kill a few people and return shortly.”
Jian Zhen: “…”
Little Grass was shocked.
How could someone combine “small matter” and “killing people” together?
As he was thinking this, Ye Jisheng had already gone out. Jian Zhen did not ask further. Though he did not know who was being killed, he now had trust, he knew Demon God would not kill the innocent indiscriminately.
The sun gradually rose.
After washing up in the bedroom, Jian Zhen went outside and happened to see the steward walking toward him.
The steward had also been hired yesterday. She said enthusiastically, “Master has gone out to handle matters. Does Madam have anything to do? This old servant will handle it for you!”
Jian Zhen said softly, “No.”
The steward took the initiative. “Then shall we have the maids and servants who came yesterday sing opera to relieve Madam’s boredom?”
Jian Zhen grew a little interested and nodded. “All right.”
They were efficient people.
Before long, an opera stage was set up in the rear courtyard of the residence. Unexpectedly, these young servants and maids truly could sing opera. Although Jian Zhen did not quite understand it, listening to the lively sounds was still interesting.
The steward asked proactively, “What does Madam think?”
Jian Zhen nodded. “They sing very well.”
“As long as Madam likes it.” The steward said with a smile, “When there are more people, it’s livelier. If Madam does not mind, you may also choose a few you like and have Master take them in to relieve his boredom. Now that Madam is with child, it’s inconvenient. These maids and servants are all clean. If Madam personally selects them, it would certainly be most appropriate.”
Jian Zhen: “…Ah?”
Little Grass was confused, not even reacting at all.
Relieve whose boredom?
Ye Jisheng’s boredom?
The steward hesitated, thinking Jian Zhen was unhappy, and hurriedly said, “Madam, this old servant is also thinking for your sake. After all, now that you are with child, Master will inevitably have times of loneliness and boredom…”
Jian Zhen was silent for a moment, then said softly, “When he is bored, he has his own ways to relieve it.”
The steward looked puzzled. “What?”
Jian Zhen: “……”
He couldn’t possibly say that when Demon God is bored, he likes to handle a few small matters.
For example…
Killing a few people for fun?
