Chapter 3: Chen Shun’an Becomes A God
As the saying goes, “People in one line eat the rice of that line,” and pushing a cart to deliver water also has its own intricacies.
Each load of Turbid Water weighs 50 catties. Though inconvenient for drinking and only suitable for washing, it still costs 20 copper coins.
Fresh Water is more expensive, at 40 copper coins per load.
As for Sweet Water, it is no longer something ordinary folk can afford. Describing its cost as more precious than silver is not an exaggeration.
It is said that drinking it long-term can extend life and increase longevity, strengthening the foundation and nourishing vitality.
The Water Station that Chen Shun’an belongs to is just a Turbid Water Well, but the daily account turnover reaches four or five dozen taels of silver!
Upon arriving at an old client’s Courtyard Gate, Chen Shun’an would often shout, “Delivering Blessed Water to your residence~”
Whether it is a grand Courtyard or a rundown household, this shout is sure to be appropriate.
An old client came out and saw Chen Shun’an, asking in surprise why he had not come to deliver water recently.
Chen Shun’an did not say he had gotten into trouble, only that he had returned to his hometown to visit family.
Carrying two loads of Turbid Water through the gate, upon seeing the Old Lady of the client’s household, Chen Shun’an poured the water into the Water Vat while singing a joyful song,
“Upon entering the door, fortune rushes in, heaven adds years as one’s appearance ages, gold flowers and silver Jade Trees planted before the door, an old immortal sits upright in the house!”
This delighted the Old Lady, making her beam with joy.
After pouring the water, this household paid on the spot and even gave a few extra copper coins as a tip.
Of course, if it was a household on a monthly billing plan.
Chen Shun’an would draw a chicken-foot-shaped mark on the brick pillar by the resident’s Courtyard Gate, for easy unified accounting at month’s end.
“Eh? Why isn’t Scholar Ma buying water anymore?”
Arriving at a large courtyard compound, Chen Shun’an called out a few times, but no familiar voice responded.
The large courtyard compound was crammed with several households, chaotic, messy, and stinking.
Chen Shun’an glanced at the open Courtyard Gate; Scholar Ma’s window was open—someone was home.
This Scholar Ma was a Zengguang Student of the Sacred Dynasty’s 951 year, with excellent studies. After imperial assessment, he filled a Lin Student vacancy, but despite many years of examinations, he had not obtained Xiangshi Examination qualification.
He was even unwilling to donate silver to buy a vacant local Director position.
He had a sense of Pure Stream integrity.
Then he nearly starved to death.
Chen Shun’an then heard from others that Scholar Ma had failed the imperial examination again a few days ago and was now desperate, completely without money to buy water.
Chen Shun’an sighed, carried two full buckets of water, and filled the Water Vat at Scholar Ma’s door.
With his legs weak and limp, Chen Shun’an leaned on the Water Cart, panting heavily, and took out a piece of Ginger Candy from his pocket.
Strands of sweetness spread out, and Chen Shun’an recovered some strength.
After resting a moment, Chen Shun’an pushed the cart away.
As for Scholar Ma’s water fee this time, he definitely covered it himself.
The idea for the joyful song that Chen Shun’an sang was his own, but with his empty belly of ink, the final phrasing was polished by Scholar Ma.
He ought to repay with a gushing Yongquan.
……
The sky darkened, and the utterly exhausted Chen Shun’an returned home.
Chen Shun’an had overestimated himself. After getting off work, he took his long robe but was too tired to go to the Teahouse for Clear Tea and tunes; he only wanted to return to his room to rest.
The pot still held warm Dishes.
A large bowl of mixed grain rice, a plate of stir-fried pork slices, a small bowl of chicken and duck scraps, and a dish of sauced cucumber.
Chen Shun’an got off work late, and Wan Niang had already left after preparing the meal.
In this era when lowly folk could only eat oily meat during festivals, Chen Shun’an eating three Dishes was enough to prove the Water Station’s abundant Profit.
Sweeping the Dishes clean, Chen Shun’an felt some strength return to his body.
But a warm flow from his stomach surged to his brain, making him dizzy and increasingly drowsy and fatigued.
After washing up and taking the Gold Foil Cow Bezoar Pill gifted by Instructor Lin, Chen Shun’an walked back to the Bedroom.
The Gold Foil Cow Bezoar Pill’s effect was extraordinary, as expected of a great healing medicine that only Martial Arts practitioners could take.
One bottle had only four pills, yet it cost a full four taels of Silver—nearly Chen Shun’an’s monthly wages.
After taking one pill, Chen Shun’an immediately felt his Qi and Blood heavy as lead, circulating to cleanse all his Acupoints, expelling several strands of Turbid Qi in succession.
That faint yin-chill sensation was also largely dispelled.
Taking advantage of this burst of energy.
Chen Shun’an rummaged under the bed for a thread-bound Martial Arts Manual, preparing to study it through the night in hopes of a flash of insight, finding the Opportunity to step into the He Yu Shu Realm.
The Martial Arts that Chen Shun’an practiced was called 《Ròufēi Xiān》, a local Lightness Skill of Tongzhou.
First, internally cultivate one breath in the Dantian, penetrating both feet’s Yongquan.
If the Qi succeeds, Muscles and Bones become supple, the hundred channels flow smoothly, one becomes as light as a swallow—this counts as the skill entering the body, worthy of being called a Third-rate Warrior.
Then, externally practice thirty-six Leg Techniques, either exquisite or vicious, penetrating the bone Acupoints, allowing snow-treading without trace, free and agile movement—this is the Second-rate Realm.
Finally, uniting internal and external, Qi and Body Unite, Body and Qi Unite, one can be as swift as a flying teal, a crane soaring to the sky, stepping into First-rate.
Even if the rope on the temple’s flagpole breaks, one could bite a new rope, pat up the pole to the dragon head, leap ten-plus zhang into the air, re-tie it, and land unharmed.
Hence it is called ‘Ròufēi Xiān’!
It was the family Martial Arts passed down from his late wife Zhang Shi.
Of course, the Martial Arts Manual in Chen Shun’an’s hands was incomplete, lacking records of the First-rate Realm.
Chen Shun’an suffered flooding in his youth, malnourished. By the time he settled in the capital, his Meridians had set, missing the golden period for Martial Arts Practice.
As the saying goes, children practicing Lightness Skill keep rising upward; adults practicing Lightness Skill always fail.
Thus, even relying on his connection to Zhang Shi and his ruthless willingness to fight, to this day he was only at Third-rate Perfection, with Qi circulating through his body, but left with a Hidden Illness.
Lighting oil and candle, insects chirping thinly under the lamp.
A single bean of flame flickered unsteadily.
Chen Shun’an draped in his long robe, face solemn, looking at the scribbles on the Martial Arts Manual.
From time to time murmuring from his mouth, pondering and reciting the principles.
Suddenly, a long undulating snore abruptly issued from his mouth.
Chen Shun’an pillowed on the Martial Arts Manual and fell soundly asleep, exceptionally sweet.
And in a haze, Chen Shun’an seemed to have a dream, in which a little person spoke something by his ear.
“Ah! This is Brother Chen’s gifted Turbid Water? Gratitude unbounded, gratitude unbounded!”
“Though it is Turbid Water, at this moment in my Ma Mou’s mouth, it is no different from immortal dew and fine brew, incomparably sweet!”
Chen Shun’an vaguely saw the frail Scholar Ma, scooping water to drink on the side while cupping hands in thanks, still muttering something.
Then, the next moment.
The 【Three Officials of Water True Treasure Edict】 in Chen Shun’an’s mind blazed with boundless Divine Light, rapidly unfolding and drawing in Chen Shun’an’s Divine Soul.
“Hm, what is this?”
It was as if pattering fine rain fell on Chen Shun’an’s face.
He looked up in astonishment and found himself in a strange place.
All around was pitch black, like endless long night.
Only the palm-sized spot where he stood faintly showed Mysterious Light.
Black rain fell, soaking the ground black, then trickling into the darkness.
Decrepit, oppressive, silent extinction.
Chen Shun’an seemed to have arrived at a forgotten place that should no longer exist.
Whoosh!
A ray of golden light came from above Chen Shun’an’s head, tearing through the darkness along the way, vaguely forming a human figure.
A grand and vast bell-like voice rang by Chen Shun’an’s ear—
“The Universe has order, all things properly arrayed. Now inspecting the mortal Chen Shun’an of the lower realm, bearing the Essence of Kan and Li, harboring loyal and diligent will, though not entering the Path of Divinity, as a water distributor aiding others, accumulating merit through good deeds.
Specially enfeoffing you as 【Dew-Collecting Water-Distributing Soldier】, granting one Grass Talisman, promoting your Divine Position. Though merely an unranked Grass Head God, you must hold a heart like a mirror.”
The words fell, and a somewhat crude, dull Grass Talisman woven from grass stems landed before Chen Shun’an.
What situation is this?
Water distributor aiding others, accumulating merit through good deeds?
I gave Scholar Ma two buckets of water, activating the Precious Proclamation, and became a god?
Grass Head God it is then, better than nothing.
Chen Shun’an was instantly shocked and delighted, taking the Grass Talisman without hesitation.
The Grass Talisman absorbed Chen Shun’an’s aura, immediately gaining his Divine Name and corresponding Authority—
Water Distribution!
“Many thanks to the Great God for granting the Divine Edict and Enfeoffment, this little god is endlessly grateful!”
Chen Shun’an knelt without a word, fully embodying the ‘little god’ role.
He figured this great god who came for Enfeoffment and granting the edict was his direct superior.
He must manage the relationship well.
But…
Facing Chen Shun’an’s kowtow thanks, there was long no response.
Only the black rain continued, Mysterious Light flashing and dimming.
Seeing this, Chen Shun’an boldly looked up.
Yet he found no human figure above his head.
Only a fine-textured Talisman faintly emitting Mysterious Light.
The Mysterious Light illuminated the darkness above Chen Shun’an’s head.
Allowing Chen Shun’an to see the scene overhead.
Chen Shun’an discovered that the ‘sky’ seemed exceptionally low.
So low that the Talisman emitting Mysterious Light was already at the sky’s end.
And Chen Shun’an needed only to reach out gently to grasp this Talisman.
Most importantly…
The Talisman was blank, without a Divine Name!
It was vacant!
Chen Shun’an had read some Xuanmen Books in his previous life and knew the concept of Talismans.
Edicts inspect and record officials of the Three Realms, control the primal energies, command all ranks—important carriers recording the Divine Names, Authorities of gods and immortals of the ten directions.
In other words, an Edict with a Divine Name counts as a complete Divine Edict!
And now…
Chen Shun’an’s eyes suddenly widened, a bold idea rising in his heart!
He grabbed the overhead Talisman!
Aura absorbed, the Talisman revealed a Divine Name.
Another golden light came from above his head, tearing through the darkness.
A grand voice issued from the golden light—
“The Universe has order, all things properly arrayed. Now inspecting the lower realm Grass Head God Chen Shun’an, originally 【Dew-Collecting Water-Distributing Soldier】, yet Divine Power advanced, with great divine ability touching the heavenly limit, refining Ninth-Rank Dugong Talisman.
Specially enfeoffing you as Ninth-Rank 【Sweet Spring Illuminating Envoy】, granting one Ninth-Rank Dugong Talisman, promoting Divine Position, guarding well spring Acupoints, protecting homes and courtyards…”
The voice had just fallen.
Chen Shun’an looked up, mouth agape in shock, staring at another blindingly radiant Divine Talisman flying from above!
Similarly blank Divine Name, no god appointed!
What is this?
Get on the cart first, pay later—and delayed?
I’ve got ‘great divine ability’ just like that?
This Precious Proclamation has a loophole!!
One can actually usurp Divine Positions?!
A few breaths later.
The Eighth-Rank Dugong Talisman revealed Chen Shun’an’s Divine Name.
A golden light came from above his head.
A voice rang out—
“The Universe has order, all things properly arrayed. Now inspecting the lower realm Ninth-Rank divine official Chen Shun’an, originally 【Sweet Spring Illuminating Envoy】, yet Divine Power advanced…
Specially enfeoffing you as Eighth-Rank 【Ten-Li Smoke-Wave Manifest-Aid True Official】, granting one Eighth-Rank Dugong Talisman, promoting Divine Position, overseeing ten li of river, regulating fish and shrimp breeding, protecting the land from waves…”
Chen Shun’an grabbed the golden light without a word; Seventh-Rank Dugong Talisman revealed Divine Name.
Another golden light came from above.
Another voice rang out.
……
Sixth-Rank.
Grab.
Golden light.
Voice.
…
Fifth-Rank.
Grab.
Golden light.
Voice.
…
In the end, as the First-Rank chief god, honored name 【Taiyi Xuanming】, wielding Chaos Water Source co-eternal with the Dao, Chen Shun’an swallowed, rubbed his rough hands, and tentatively reached for that ancient unadorned drop of black water beyond the nine heavens.
This shattered Heaven and Earth, with black rain linking the nine heavens, all originated from this drop of black water.
Though it appeared Divine Edicts stopped at First-Rank.
Beyond First-Rank, outside these nine heavens, only this black water remained.
But he had come this far.
The instant he touched the black water, Chen Shun’an’s mind buzzed, his Divine Soul shattered, then quickly reformed.
Countless murmuring Dao sounds arose in his heart, carrying boundless Reason and Essence, as if telling Chen Shun’an something.
Chen Shun’an’s eyes showed bewilderment.
He… could not understand.
The murmuring Dao sounds paused, then flowed before his eyes in text form he could comprehend.
【True Name: Chen Shun’an】
【Divine Status: Mínghòng Shàngyuān Shuǐyuán Great Emperor（Shattered）】
【Authority: None】
【Divinity: None】
【Divine Power: 1】
【Wish: 1】
【Deity Descent Form Selectable: Dew-Collecting Water-Distributing Soldier】
Chen Shun’an stared in astonishment at this extremely familiar panel, then glanced at his Divine Status.
Chen Mou, who had never believed in gods his whole life, had become a god himself?
And beyond First-Rank, lord of all waters, 【Mínghòng Shàngyuān Shuǐyuán Great Emperor】!
This 【Three Officials of Water True Treasure Edict】 was actually shattered, with all the recorded water god Talismans vacant!
Thus he had transformed into the big boss of this ‘shell company’!
The entire Precious Proclamation had only him as a living person!
“Where did these gods go? They couldn’t all be dead, right?”
Chen Shun’an’s mood was extremely complex, then he spent some time familiarizing with the panel.
Finally he discovered that he, this newly promoted 【Mínghòng Shàngyuān Shuǐyuán Great Emperor】, had only the Divine Status, not the corresponding Authority.
Even the Divine Status was incomplete!
Divine Status is the manifestation of a rule-based position.
With Divine Status, one gains corresponding Authority, such as Dew-Collecting Water-Distributing, purifying Turbid Water, fish and shrimp breeding, making clouds and rain—these are manifestations of Authority’s power.
And these, Chen Shun’an currently lacked, not yet recovered.
Fortunately, this Precious Proclamation still retained 1 point of Divinity, so Chen Shun’an did not start entirely from scratch.
And that single Wish was provided by Scholar Ma, mottled and turbid, not even qualifying as Incense!
100 wisps of Wish yield 1 Incense; Incense can be used as Divine Power, Manifest Divine Power, build Divine Palace, draw believers—endless wonders.
Chen Shun’an focused his attention on the line 【Deity Descent Form Selectable】.
【Dew-Collecting Water-Distributing Soldier】
【Deity Descent Number Selectable: 1】
【Can expend 1 point Divine Power to select and descend a god, reclaiming Grass Talisman, gaining its Authority】
Reclaiming Grass Talisman, gaining its Authority?!
Chen Shun’an suddenly understood something.
His own shattered 【Mínghòng Shàngyuān Shuǐyuán Great Emperor】 could reclaim the Grass Talisman, Ninth-Rank to Seventh-Rank Dugong Talismans, Sixth-Rank to Third-Rank Three-Cave Talismans, Third-Rank to First-Rank Great Cave Talismans—ten Talismans in total…
Recovering all Authorities belonging to the Water Origin Great Emperor!
Forty-nine-year-old Chen Shun’an’s long-dormant heart suddenly burst with countless passions.
Repairing the Path of Divinity at forty-nine is not too late!
And the first step was Deity Descent, selecting one Grass Head God from the 【Dew-Collecting Water-Distributing Soldier】!
The Bedroom was dim, the lamp wick sputtering.
The Street’s “Braised offal, fried tofu~” hawking abruptly pulled Chen Shun’an back to reality.
Chen Shun’an awoke, looking at the non-illusory Precious Proclamation panel in his vision, then at the 《Ròufēi Xiān》 Martial Arts Manual on the table.
Practice Martial Arts?
I’ve become a god, and you want me to practice Martial Arts?!
Can’t practice a bit!
I am Mínghòng Shàngyuān Shuǐyuán Great Emperor!
Divine Power, Deity Descent, come on!
