Clang! Clang! Clang.
Nine gongs sounded out, echoing over the wharf, rolling continuously through the air.
On either side of the sacrificial platform, shamans held short staffs, chanting offering songs.
Yet, if one listened carefully, they'd find each note carried a tremble.
First-time listeners might think this was just a unique feature of the song.
The Ritual Overseer glanced at a figure on the side, took a deep breath as his chest heaved, calmed his thoughts, and then shouted in a deep voice.
"Chief Ritualist, proceed!"
The musicians lifted copper horns as the large drums, with faces made from oxhide, thundered under heavy percussion, the deep and sonorous beats echoing along the entire Bluestone Street, hammering at one's heart with a profound resonance.
Liang Qu stood up, moving forward in time with the drums, watched by countless eyes.
He advanced along the central axis of the sacrificial platform, ascending the thirteen steps to stand atop it.
At the center of the five-foot-long offering table, a giant head of a mountain spirit faced the mighty river, its amber eyes dull, with thick black blood at its base.
"Light the incense!"
Liang Qu lit the incense with a coal ember and bent down to insert it into the incense burner.
"Offer the wine!"
Liang Qu accepted the wine jug, filled three cups, and stood firm.
"Recite the eulogy!"
"To the River God above, I, who dwell in Righteous Prosperity City, amidst the waters of the Jianghuai River, express the collective wishes of the people. Together, we honor Your presence with this eulogy."
"When chaos first parted, heaven and earth were born. The sun moves across the sky, rivers flow on the earth. They irrigate the central lands, nurturing all things. Amongst the white mountains and black waters, lies the renowned Huai River."
The great river stretched wide, suddenly stirred by waves.
The vast heavens echoed gently, with a repeated melody lingering.
"Bow!"
[Offering to the Huai River.
River Affinity +0.0001]
Liang Qu remained impassive, bowing deeply.
"Bow again!"
A fierce wind surged from the river, billowing endlessly, causing his long robe and wide sleeves to flutter majestically in the breeze.
The villagers kneeling in worship couldn't help but look up.
Seeing the white robes stained with blood beneath that black cloak was startling, as if beholding a divine being!
Liang Guangtian, mingling at the back of the crowd, bowed repeatedly.
When he stood up, his back was drenched with cold sweat.
The figure on the sacrificial platform seemed as majestic as a god, no longer resembling the hunched figure pleading for food three months earlier.
Suddenly, he felt his nephew was so unfamiliar, so terrifying!
In his fear there was a tinge of regret.
His eyes flickered towards Chen Qingjiang, standing at the forefront of the sacrificial platform.
If he had lent some food earlier, would things be entirely different now?
The sound of firecrackers crackled and popped.
The Ritual Overseer called out, and Liang Qu descended from the platform.
Several men clad in straw raincoats went up onto the platform and began dancing as the drumbeats turned lively.
Once everything was over, everyone collectively heaved a sigh of relief.
The ritual was finally a success, and the appearance of the mountain spirit was not a bad omen.
Chen Zhao'an felt relief wash over him; he was already seventy-two years old, having lived through the entire sixty years since the founding of the Great Shun Dynasty.
While he remembered those early days clearly, never had he experienced such an intense sacrificial ceremony.
A mountain spirit had attacked during the ritual, yet it had been slain and offered to the River God.
Unbelievable.
Truly unbelievable.
Better to live long and experience even more amazing things.
Liang Qu stepped down from the sacrificial platform, and Chen Zhao'an and the other village elders immediately surrounded him.
The ritual might be over, but they had many questions unanswered.
Why had the mountain spirit appeared here?
Was it the same one causing chaos in Peaceful Sun Town, killing Martial Artists there?
Would there be more attacks? Would people be in danger?
Liang Qu waved his hand, pointing to his wounds, "Let me wash up first, then we can talk. Could someone please call for a healer?"
"Oh, sure, sure, of course. Let's all head to my house," Chen Zhao'an quickly offered.
It reminded everyone that Liang Qu was still injured.
One village elder hurriedly guided everyone toward his large courtyard, which was guarded by stone lions and had housed most of the villagers seeking refuge beside the wharf.
Upon entering the courtyard, the elder called for someone to heat water.
Just as he was about to send his son to fetch a doctor, the doctor eagerly stepped forward.
"Young Master Liang, I am right here."
Offering sacrifices to the River God was significant, and everyone not involved in fishing was obliged to attend.
As the doctor of the Righteous Prosperity City Medical Hall, he naturally was present and even had a prime spot near the front row, right behind some wealthy families and artisans.
On the contrary, most fishermen were positioned further back, with only a few standing close to the front.
Liang Qu nodded, partially disrobing to reveal his upper body.
"Please, doctor, take a look."
His most severe wounds were on his chest, shoulder, and right arm, all inflicted by the mountain spirit, and located on his upper body.
The doctor approached, examining thoroughly before exclaiming, "I wonder what materials were used to create your cloak and robes, Young Master Liang."
Liang Qu replied, "The cloak was a gift from my Second Brother, made from bearhound hide, impervious to blades and spears. The robes were from my Eighth Brother, woven with heavenly silkworm silk."
In this battle against the mountain spirit, first, he had achieved the Skin Barrier Breakthrough, boosting his strength and defense significantly.
Next, his fusion rate had soared, enhancing his physical attributes considerably.
His centipede's venom, though slow-acting, played a crucial part, delivering a fatal blow when the beast was trapped.
Lastly, he was equipped with deity-grade gear.
Though inexperienced, he had six divine artifacts.
From bracers to cloak, along with the silk-infused robes and oxhide belt, all had endured countless deadly assaults.
By battle's end, he emerged unscathed, not even a frayed thread marred his attire.
The village elders had never heard of bearhounds or heavenly silkworms, but precisely due to their ignorance, it seemed even more impressive.
They silently marveled at how indeed, being a disciple of Master Yang meant even one's clothing was extraordinary.
"No wonder, no wonder," praised the doctor, clicking his tongue in admiration.
"Though Young Master Liang received fierce protection from his cloak and robes, and his robust physique offers great resilience, his wounds, though deep, are mostly flesh wounds. They do bleed heavily, requiring care to prevent infection. Fortunately, the cold weather reduces the risk of inflammation. Clean the wounds, apply medication, and with two weeks of rest, all should be well."
Liang Qu nodded.
As long as the bones weren't injured, he was relieved; injury to the bones would be truly painful.
He gestured toward Li Libo and Chen Jiechang, "Please also look at my friends, doctor."
"Of course, of course."
The doctor moved to examine them.
Chen Jiechang was mostly fine, aside from some fatigue.
His worst injury was his foot slipping and scraping his hand when he kicked the mountain spirit.
Li Libo, on the other hand, was in a rough shape.
The mountain spirit's swipe had cracked his forearm bone — not broken, but still, they say it takes a hundred days to heal a bone injury.
It might take at least two to three months for recovery.
Li Libo was crestfallen, "What now? How will I practice martial arts?"
Li Libo's father, Li Dakang, shared his son's worry.
Liang Qu chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll speak to my senior brothers. I'll arrange for you to take a leave for three months."
If not for their assistance in handing him weapons during the fight, the mountain spirit would have been far harder to defeat.
Liang Qu naturally wanted to help them out.
"Really? I don't even need three months; it's not broken, two months will do, two months will do."
"I don't mind, it's up to you."
Li Dakang was thrilled, "Thank you so much, Ah Shui."
"No problem, Uncle."
"Doctor, doctor, please check me next, I'm in pain too."
"Of course, I'll get to you soon."
The doctor apologized and returned to treating more injuries.
The courtyard hosted numerous wounded individuals.
The mountain spirit attack had brought chaos; many people fell while fleeing, leading to some getting trampled.
Fortunately, no one had died, though some were severely injured.
A few had jumped into the water in panic, but thanks to Liang Qu and the others concluding their battle swiftly and pulling them out in time, there were no drownings.
These individuals were also brought into the courtyard for care by the village elders.
Once Liang Qu had washed up, cleaned his wounds, and changed into fresh clothes, the doctor returned to apply ointment and bandages.
The village elders gathered again, eager to uncover the answers to their questions.
(End of Chapter)