Chapter 4: Divine Aspect: Qing Ji
He practiced Ròufēi Xiān all night.
Ròufēi Xiān is profound and extensive, a supreme lightness skill that directly points to Qi and Body Unite.
Worth practicing.
Of course, the main reason was that Chen Shun’an discovered there were no immortals or gods who did not study; even immortals and gods had to diligently cultivate and practice.
With the consumption of 1 point of divine power.
A ‘Grass Talisman’ clearly appeared in Chen Shun’an’s mind, and with just a thought, he could summon it into reality.
【Grass Talisman（1/100）】
【Divine Aspect: Selectable】
【Promotion Conditions: Grass Talisman Perfection, Three Aspects Unite, control any spring well, can be promoted to ninth-rank divine position, obtain Ninth-Rank Dugong Talisman】
The promotion conditions are not easy, and it also requires grasping a spring well?
That would at least require becoming a water station landlord.
Chen Shun’an’s gaze shifted slightly.
“Choose Deity Descent!”
He silently recited in his heart, and the dim Grass Talisman in his mind flowed with radiance, rippling like water waves, differentiating into dozens of vortices.
Behind each vortex, various strange and bizarre divine aspects emerged.
Shrimp Soldier
Crab General
Golden Armored General
Silver Armored General
Clam Maiden
Horse Bridle
…
Along with abilities corresponding to the divine aspects.
“Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals pave the way for the king; Shrimp Soldiers have pointed heads and light bodies, Crab Generals have copper bodies and iron bones.”
“Gold and Silver Generals disrupt formations and engage in combat; Golden Armored General’s Golden Spear never falls, Silver Armored General is weak-bodied and boneless.”
“Clam Maiden carries trays and fans, harbors a Pearl in her belly, can spit sand to nurture pearls, and has some ability to purify turbid water.”
…
Choosing a deity to descend, as the name implies, means Chen Shun’an can use the Grass Talisman to welcome back the ability or authority of a certain Grass Head God.
Since he could only choose one divine aspect at present, Chen Shun’an was extremely cautious.
Logically speaking, choosing ‘Clam Maiden’ as the first divine aspect would be extremely suitable for Chen Shun’an, who was currently pushing a cart to deliver water.
After all, purifying turbid water demonstrates a divine miracle, making it easy to collect incense.
But…
Chen Shun’an, who had been a man for nearly fifty years, had no intention of becoming a statue maiden or rabbit lord for the time being.
Moreover, this ability was too conspicuous, and a slight carelessness could lead to exposure.
Chen Shun’an carefully selected divine aspects again, and then seemed to see something, his eyes lighting up.
Qing Ji!
《Taiping Yulan》 states: The essence of water and stone is named Qing Ji, shaped like a human, wearing a yellow crown, a yellow canopy, riding a pony, fond of swift running, can travel a thousand li in a day. It can also enter water to catch fish.
And the ability of this Qing Ji aspect was also extremely simple—
“Legs Grow Armor and Horses, treading flat ground as if walking, riding the wind on emptiness, even seeming to have Divine Movement!”
Chen Shun’an followed one reason: survive first, then talk about the future.
Moreover, his 《Ròufēi Xiān》 was originally a lightness skill; if he chose Qing Ji to descend, would combining the two cause some special change?!
So he decided to max out his escape skills first!
【Choose Qing Ji Aspect】
【Deity Descent Requires: One two-jin heavy Tiao Bao Fish, lotus leaf, cinnabar, yellow paper】
“It actually requires deity descent materials?”
Chen Shun’an frowned.
Fortunately, these four items were not rare.
Tiao Bao Fish is a type of Precious Fish living in deep waters, covered in thin round scales, appearing in thunder and rain weather; warriors who eat it can strengthen their major tendons.
Wuqing County borders the Grand Canal, with heavy water transport and developed fisheries, so they are naturally not lacking.
It’s just that a two-jin heavy Tiao Bao Fish is slightly rarer, requiring a bit more silver.
Over these years, Chen Shun’an had accumulated some family fortune, with savings of one hundred and twenty taels.
So problems that could be solved with money were not problems!
“Tomorrow on the way delivering water, go to Banye Ferry Crossing, wait for the earliest fishing boat! Gather what’s needed for deity descent!”
……
The next day.
Worthy of the Flying Fortune Auspicious Star, with signs of promotion.
Suitable for all matters.
Chen Shun’an, who had only slept one hour last night, felt slightly fatigued.
He opened his eyes, waited quietly for a few breaths, and awakened his chaotic brain.
Kin brother, as usual, without manners.
Chopping vegetables and lighting the fire sounded from the kitchen.
Chen Shun’an got up to wash, lit dry tobacco, took a hard puff to dispel the fatigue.
“Wan Niang.”
Standing at the kitchen door, Chen Shun’an saw Wan Niang sitting in front of the stove.
Wan Niang had just turned thirty, wearing a short shirt with blue base and white edges; though her appearance was ordinary, due to being pregnant with a daughter, her figure was plump, hips round, chest like gathered peaks.
Flames swirled, Wan Niang sweated profusely, her wet shirt clinging to her skin, outlining a startling curve.
“Bro, you’re up? How’s your body, feeling better?”
Wan Niang’s voice was loud and full of vigor.
“Cough cough… Much better.”
In comparison, Chen Shun’an seemed even more frail from his recent illness.
“Bro, go sit in the hall, dishes will be ready soon! I filled your Gao Sui herbal tea, yesterday’s clothes are washed and hanging in the yard.”
Wan Niang moved nimbly, quickly serving the rice to the table.
A bowl of sesame paste noodles, two palm-sized donkey meat flatbreads.
The rich aroma of sesame paste hit the face.
And those donkey meat flatbreads were from Wan Niang’s earliest batch, bought at the true donkey shop, authentic Cangzhou Hejian flavor.
Chen Shun’an loved this taste.
Home-cooked could never match that flavor!
Chen Shun’an was a warrior and had to work hard, needing meat in every meal; skipping meat made his heart uneasy.
“Another bowl!”
Chen Shun’an ate heartily, pushing forward the empty bowl, grabbing the second donkey meat flatbread.
“Right away!”
Seeing Chen Shun’an’s great appetite, Wan Niang was also happy, quickly adding another bowl of fine noodles and pouring a full spoonful of sesame paste.
Wan Niang placed the bowl in front of Chen Shun’an.
Wan Niang’s wide sleeves were rolled up to her shoulder blades, revealing a pair of wheat-colored bright arms, especially dazzling.
Chen Shun’an couldn’t help but look a bit longer, then quickly withdrew his gaze.
Wan Niang noticed Chen Shun’an’s unusual look; she suddenly grabbed his hand and pressed it to her chest, laughing,
“Bro, if you want to look, just look!”
“Family meat rots in the pot anyway; better you touch it than those Sui Cui thugs outside taking advantage!”
Chen Shun’an lightning-quick withdrew his palm, jumped up, gulped down the noodles holding the bowl rim in three bites.
In his swift movements, nimble as an ape, he grabbed the sun-shading bamboo hat, short tobacco pipe and a few pieces of ginger candy, and dashed out the door, soon disappearing.
Wan Niang stood at the door, teasingly watching Chen Shun’an’s flustered figure, then thought of something, blushed, and secretly spat,
“Looks good but useless!”
……
He had been teased.
Chen Shun’an’s mood was somewhat heavy.
The old thing also had needs in that regard.
But…
Thus, Chen Shun’an’s mood grew even heavier.
By the time he reached Weihang Street, many water carriers were already drawing water at the water station; Chen Shun’an arrived neither too early nor too late.
Passing the ‘Grit Well’, Chen Shun’an gave this turbid water well an extra glance.
The well platform was built with bluestone, and the stone slabs on the well edge had footprints worn in over the years.
The water rippled darkly, four zhang deep, a well from the previous dynasty.
Chen Shun’an hadn’t forgotten that the Grass Talisman’s promotion conditions required owning a spring well.
Whether in the Capital City or the Sacred Dynasty’s various prefectures and counties, spring wells bubbling up from the ground were basically owned, no different from a money tree.
And by Sacred Dynasty law, mineral deposits, salt, iron, water veins, etc., were official monopolies; smuggling salt and iron or privately digging spring eyes was a grave crime exterminating nine generations!
Fortunately, compared to others, Chen Shun’an, with his water station water carrier identity, had a greater chance of occupying a Capital City spring well and becoming a landlord.
It counted as an internal ‘promotion channel’ of the water station.
But it was very difficult.
“Shopkeeper Li.”
Chen Shun’an saw a mild-mannered middle-aged man wearing pince-nez glasses sitting behind the wooden table under the shed, and greeted him.
Shopkeeper Li pushed up his glasses, looked up at the visitor, and smiled,
“Old Chen, yesterday I heard you were back on duty after recovering, and I specially mentioned it to the landlord.
In these nine years, you’ve never missed a shift rain or shine, finally dropped the load once—it’s a good thing! Not an iron body, bound to slip up! Don’t overthink, we’ve got your back at the water station!”
Hearing this, Chen Shun’an showed moved emotion, his tone excited,
“Chen Mou has drifted half his life, thanks to Landlord Zhang and Shopkeeper Li’s care to settle in Wuqing County! Chen Mou didn’t know, truly didn’t know…”
Shopkeeper Li tallied some accounts with a pen, smiled faintly,
“Alright Old Chen, you’re a veteran of our water station, work well! I’ll have an announcement later, wait a bit.”
“Yes yes yes, you carry on.”
Chen Shun’an nodded repeatedly, wrinkles on his face squeezing out humble smiles, stooping as he turned.
But the moment Chen Shun’an turned, his gaze was calm, pupils still as an ancient well.
The humble smile on his face carried habitual hypocrisy.
He didn’t want to earn a ‘workplace old oil strip’ reputation, hated by superiors, disliked by colleagues.
Show loyalty to those above when needed; it costs nothing anyway.
Be slick and buddy up to those below; after all, what’s it worth?
