Chapter 137: A Favor (Humbly Asking for a Vote)

Returning to the academy, Chen Jianchen sought out Wang Fu and asked him to leverage his connections within the government offices to see if he could uncover the identity and background of the knight who had come from the north. Judging by the knight’s attire and demeanor, it was clear he was not traveling incognito on an investigation; if that were the case, there would surely be official paperwork issued.

Customarily, official documents came in duplicate: one copy remained with the individual involved, while the other was sent directly and in advance to the local prefectural office to prepare for reception.

Wang Fu, acquainted with several clerks in the prefectural office and well-informed, believed that if any such documents existed, they would likely have caught wind of them. However, gathering news required patience and prudence; it might take two or three days before any information surfaced.

That night, the east wind was chilly and unpredictable spring rain fell softly once more. After finishing a few calligraphy pieces, Chen Jianchen extinguished his lamp and drifted into sleep. Half-conscious, he heard a voice calling his name. His spirit stirred abruptly, and he materialized, sword at his side: the Hao Ran Yangwu Sword. Clad in a flowing azure robe and scholarly headscarf, he stood tall and commanded, “Who calls?”

Before him appeared a figure in the void—a dignified man, broad-shouldered and stout, dressed in a black robe. He bowed respectfully and said, “River God Ding Yin of the Seventh Section of the Jian River pays respects to you, young master.”

Chen Jianchen raised an eyebrow. “The Seventh River God of the Jian River?”

“That is correct.”

“Does that mean there are many river gods along one river?”

Ding Yin answered honestly, “The Jian River is long. The underworld divides it into eighteen sections, each governed separately.”

“I see… What brings you to me?”

Ding Yin glanced nervously at the Yangwu Sword at Chen’s waist and spoke with deference, “I come to apologize. During the day, I stirred the waters and caused a disturbance. I hope you will not hold it against me.”

Chen Jianchen chuckled, “Could it be that the River God Ding has taken a fancy to my writing brush?”

Ding Yin hastened to deny, “Heavens, no! Your reputation is thunderous; I would never dare harm you.”

Chen frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

Ding Yin smiled awkwardly. “Why ask when you already know?”

Chen thought it over and understood. In the past, he had defeated the local earth deity of Jingyang Village and even the formidable bull-headed and horse-faced emissaries sent by the city god of Jiangzhou, openly defying the city god’s authority. Word had spread through the underworld, and all the spirits had heard of him.

“Then why did you still stir the waves to attack me?”

As he spoke, his right hand gripped the sword’s hilt, a killing aura rising proudly.

Ding Yin hurried to explain, “Please calm yourself. The waves were but a test, no ill will intended.”

A test? Raising such an enormous wave and striking without warning hardly seemed a friendly trial. Chen did not dwell on this but changed the subject. “Why test me?”

Upon hearing Chen’s lack of accusation, Ding wiped his brow and thought, the pressure here was far greater than usual, even more intense than that from the city god himself. He hurried on, “I dare ask for your help with something.”

Chen’s curiosity was piqued. “You want me to assist you?”

“Yes. Rest assured, this favor will not be without reward. Upon completion, I offer you a Water-Repelling Pearl as a token of my gratitude.”

“A Water-Repelling Pearl?”

Ding explained, “This pearl is a spiritual treasure of heaven and earth. After consuming it, no matter the raging river or vast ocean, you may walk upon the waters as if on solid ground, coming and going freely.”

Chen raised an eyebrow. “Is such a thing real?”

Ding laughed softly, “How could I deceive you? This pearl is exceedingly rare. I found it by chance within the shell of a giant softshell turtle as large as a grain measure, deep in my section of the Jian River. The turtle was deceased, and upon examining its body, I discovered this pearl.”

Such a treasure offered as payment meant the matter at hand was serious. Chen asked directly, “Then what exactly do you need me to do?”

Ding Yin lowered his voice. “This task may prove difficult for others, but for you, young master, it will be a mere trifle…”

Chen cut him off, unwilling to indulge flattery. “Please get to the point.”

Ding’s heart quickened. Chen Jianchen was truly extraordinary—unmoved by precious gifts. He came straight to the point: “I ask you to confront the Mountain God of Mount Bijia.”

Chen was momentarily perplexed. A river god asking him to deal with a mountain god? Was there strife within the underworld’s ranks?

Noticing Chen’s doubt, Ding sighed, “I will be frank. The Mountain God Hou Qing has long been a source of unresolvable conflict for me. Simply put, he bullies me relentlessly. Because he is at a higher cultivation level, he imposes rules, demanding a third of the incense offerings I collect each month. My own share is meager, and with his extortion, I often fail to meet quotas for five or six months a year, incurring the city god’s repeated reprimands. Last month, the city god warned that if I fail again, he will remove me from my position and consign me to the ranks of the dead.”

“Wait…”

Chen interrupted. “If Hou Qing is exploiting you, why not report him to the city god?”

Ding smiled bitterly. “That tyrant holds sway over everything. The city god turns a blind eye and refuses to interfere.”

Chen understood. Just as in the mortal realm, the underworld was rife with office politics and rivalry. Complaints to superiors were usually ignored, and it was nearly impossible to bypass one’s immediate overseer to appeal higher up. Ding could not jump directly to the underworld’s administration, as that would be tantamount to filing a formal complaint against his superior.

Thus, Ding had no choice but to seek outside help.

Chen pondered carefully. If he agreed, he would be meddling in underworld affairs, surely angering the city god of Jiangzhou and deepening their enmity. Though Chen bore no affection for the city god, he wished to avoid a complete rupture.

Seeing his hesitation, Ding dropped to his knees and wept, “Master, the world is harsh, and the ghostly realm harsher still. Since taking office, I have caused no trouble, oppressed no good spirits, but simply fulfilled my duties, protecting the local people with what little strength I have. Even when I drink to ease my sorrows, I repay by driving away fish. Now in trouble, I beg for your aid to uphold justice!”

He kowtowed repeatedly.

Moved silently, Chen recalled the old story of the tree demon disguised as an old man lurking atop Mount Bijia. Without further delay, he declared, “Very well, River God Ding. I will help.”

Ding’s joy was boundless. Clenching his teeth, he said, “With your righteousness, I cannot act deceitfully. Tomorrow, meet me again by the river. I will present the Water-Repelling Pearl to you then.”

He bowed deeply and vanished into the void.

Chen awoke suddenly, still in his study chamber. Outside, the rain drizzled softly, but dawn was breaking.

This was no dream.

Lost in thought and now fully awake, Chen washed and dressed. The morning light was dim and the academy silent; most students had yet to rise.

With time to spare, he exercised indoors until sweating freely. When the hour approached, he took an oil-paper umbrella and stepped outside.

“Again asking for leave?” The headmaster’s face darkened, scrutinizing Chen as if to read his thoughts. Repeated absences at the start of term were self-destructive, neglecting studies and sullying one’s reputation among teachers and administrators, risking a damning evaluation for misconduct.

Chen cleared his throat. “There is urgent business. I will return by noon.”

The headmaster sighed and wrote a leave note. “Liu Xian, be careful.”

Chen thanked him and hired a horse-drawn carriage to hasten his journey through the misty morning rain out of Jiangzhou.

The carriage was much faster than walking, reaching the Jian River bank from the previous day within half an hour. To avoid drawing attention, Chen told the driver to wait and went on alone with his umbrella to the spot where the rock stood.

The driver grumbled, “Crazy,” leaning back on the carriage shaft with eyes closed. Early morning, braving wind and rain by the river was madness to him, though he knew scholars fancied such romantic gestures—pretentious and carefree, but really just bored from having too much time.

Chen stood upon the rock, the river breeze billowing his robe and the umbrella’s canopy flapping. Gazing across the majestic expanse, the Jian River in the rain was uniquely enchanting.

Within his spirit, he sensed Ding Yin had given no special signal, but Chen knew that simply standing there meant the river god could see him.

Sure enough, after a short while, ripples appeared not far away. A large fish broke the waves, and in moments it swam beneath the rock, revealing its full form—a nearly one-foot-long koi, blazing red and rare.

With a splash, the red koi leapt onto the rock, opened its mouth, and spat out a small, round, white pearl about the size of a marble.

“Master Chen, this is the Water-Repelling Pearl. As a token, please accept this red koi as well,” the fish spoke in human words before stilling. Its mouth opened and closed, showing it was alive.

Chen accepted the pearl without hesitation and pocketed it for later study. Then he snapped several reeds together to form a rope, threaded it through the koi’s gills, and lifted the heavy fish, which likely weighed over ten pounds.

Returning to the carriage, the driver was stunned to see the huge red koi in hand, speechless.

“That fish must have been stranded. I just found it by the river,” Chen said casually.

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