240 Uncle River (1/2)
There were monkey shrieks from both sides of the river bank, as the boat sailed through the mountains.
It took only a day before the surroundings around the boat started to change drastically.
The mountainous ridge became shorter and shorter and finally, it became a flat ground.
Changliu River became wider and wider and could no longer be called a river, for it resembled something more like a channel.
”Where is this?”
Looking at the scenery on both sides, Fang Yuan enquired.
”This is Golden Sun City, and the river we are on is called the Golden Dragon River. We are not far from Golden Dragon Lake now...”
Yu Da chuckled.
”This area doesn't seem to be very peaceful...”
Fang Yuan pointed to the riverbank.
”That is...”
As Yu Da looked over, his expression changed.
There was a group of people crowding around the riverbank. They seemed to be praying and there were occasional crying sounds.
A young lady who was dressed up was being sent into the river on a wooden raft.
The raft was not sturdy. If it were to reach the centre of the river, under the pressure from the surging river, it would surely break apart. By then, the young girl on the raft would likely become a meal for the fishes.
Of course, if her soul was captured in the process, it would be worse.
”Praying to Uncle River?”
Yu Da was pale. ”What a sin... If I knew that something like this would happen, I wouldn't have sailed on this boat. What if we anger the Dragon King?”
He whispered the words 'sin'. If not for Fang Yuan's strong hearing ability, he would have missed out as well.
”Praying to Uncle River?”
Fang Yuan made a shock expression. ”Isn't Uncle River a god? Why do they need to offer him sacrifices? To make matters worse, the worst form of sacrifice, a human being?”
”This practice of Uncle River's Marriage dated back to a long time ago. However, this year's ceremony is already over. It seems like something bad had happened on the river, otherwise they wouldn't resort to this...”
Yu Da sighed.
Helplessly, their boat drifted close to the river bank, allowing them to witness everything clearly.
On the shore, incense were lighted and paper offerings were drifting about in the sky. A few sorceresses were performing a ritual.
As the moment arrived, the young lady was wailing as the raft she was on was being pushed out to the river.
”Let's wait it out. If we continue our journey now, it is disrespectful to Uncle River!”
Witnessing this scene, Yu Da refused to budge.
Not just that, he also started to kowtow on his boat. ”Dragon King, we have no ill intentions, please forgive us! Please forgive us!”
”Really...”
Fang Yuan shook his head and was speechless. Looking at the river surface, he could clearly see the silhouette of the lady on the rafts.
She was around 18. Even with makeup on, she had a childish look on her face. Although she was not crying, her eyes were filled with tears as she looked over to a couple in despair.
”Kacha! Kacha!”
The raft was already built to break down under pressure. Now that it had arrived in the middle of the river, it started to break apart.
A dark shadow was formed directly under the river. It was mysterious-looking which made the young lady shudder in fear.
”Is this offering ceremony an annual thing?”
Witnessing this scene, Fang Yuan gave a look of displeasure.
”Once a year would be the minimum. If there were any natural disasters, they would perform it again... What are you doing?”
Yu Da was explaining casually about the ritual. However, as soon as he saw Fang Yuan leaping into the water, he was stunned.
”What am I doing?”
Fang Yuan smiled.
Fang Yuan's legs were firmly planted onto the water surface and remained unmoved as the waves swept across. ”To save someone, naturally!”
Although he planned to find trouble for the Golden Dragon God, it was still a good thing to save someone.
”Save... save... someone!”
From the moment Yu Da saw Fang Yuan standing on the water surface, he knew that he was someone special. As he was holding in his shock, he stuttered.
He was filled with regret! Just because he wanted to earn some money, he infuriated the Water Gods! How could he ever think of working here next time?
If the heavens would give him another chance, he would surely not do business with Fang Yuan/
Unfortunately, there was no such thing as a second chance.
As Yu Da looked across the water, he could see Fang Yuan strutting towards the raft. ”Young lady... what is your name?”
”I...”
The young lady was stunned. ”I'm Ling'er!”
As a final wave crashed into the raft, it shattered into many pieces.
”Come! Grab hold of my hand!”
Fang Yuan stretched out his hand. ”Do you want to be fed to the fishes?”
”Whoosh!”
At this moment, another wave struck.
Amidst the screaming of the young lady, Fang Yuan could feel an icy cold hand grabbing on to his own arm.
”Very well, it seems that you still want to live!”
Fang Yuan did not bring the girl back to the river bank.
After all, from their stupidity, even if the young lady were to return, she would surely be sent out as sacrifice again.
Furthermore, by saving the young lady, Fang Yuan angered the spirits in the water.
”Whoosh!”
Seeing that their offering was being snatched away in front of their eyes, the shadows under the water were enraged. They started to send tsunamis on the water surface. Suddenly, there was a whirlpool in the middle of the river which slowly grew in size, drawing Fang Yuan in.
”You are as insignificant as a grain of rice, and yet you dare to glitter like a pearl?”
Fang Yuan snickered and flicked his finger.