I Went Crazy Killing in the World of Gods and Demons - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

“The City God Temple?” Xie Qingling asked.

Was it the City God Temple she was thinking of? Wasn’t that the underworld’s transit station in the human realm? How did it become the River God?

“No, it’s the Eight Wax Temple.” Ma Qiaoqiao’s father’s gaze grew distant, as if lost in some memory, recalling those distant recollections that hadn’t been mentioned for many years.

All these years, the elders in the village never spoke of it, and he hadn’t known who to tell. He thought that with age, his mind was becoming less sharp, and he should just forget what ought to be forgotten. Who would have thought that upon mentioning it, those memories would come back so vividly?

The sugar figures he ate when going to the temple fair with his mother, the scent of Incense Offerings when making offeringsall remained fresh and unforgettable.

Ma Qiaoqiao’s father took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaling a thick cloud of white smoke before continuing, “We worship the Eight Wax Gods, a total of eight deities. The City God is the seventh among them, the Water Spirit, also known as Shui Yong.”

“The Eight Wax Sacrifice is held every year in the twelfth month, also called the Laba Sacrifice. This is the faith our ancestors have passed down for who knows how many generations. Back then, there was no River God, and human sacrifices weren’t needed. The most troublesome part of each Sacrifice was not being able to get the first incense offering.”

A look of nostalgia appeared on his face, but then, as if remembering something, his dark face turned deathly pale.

He said, “But later… about thirty years ago, when Qiaoqiao hadn’t been born yet, and I was still a green young man. That year, the river, which had always been calm, suddenly flooded.”

“It was huge, terrifying water. In the blink of an eye, it submerged vast fields of crops and washed away houses. The dams and canals we built were useless, completely useless. No matter how many sandbags we used, no matter how many people came, we couldn’t hold back the water.”

“The village was filled with the cries of children and the moans of the elderly. Seeing that life was becoming unsustainable, the adults decided to beg the Water Spirit to protect the poor villagers.”

“We begged and worshipped. Perhaps the Water Spirit truly showed mercy, as the waters receded and returned to how they were before. People were overjoyed, wanting to return to the destroyed village and rebuild their homes. But… but… the great flood came again!”

“It was as if all the water in the entire river was rushing toward us, trying to swallow us all. This time, many people died. Their bodies floated on the water, swollen and bloated.”

“We abandoned our homes, left behind the fertile fields we had cultivated for years, and moved deeper into the mountains. But those who died could never return.”

“Later, someone proposed ‘punishing the gods,’ to discipline these deities who weren’t doing good or proper work.”

“People’s hatred found an outlet. They went up the mountain to punish the gods and smashed the Eight Wax Temple.”

“This was a warning; the villagers wanted the gods to be more dutiful. But no one expected that this act of punishing the gods would completely enrage the Eight Wax Gods. The great flood continued to rage, chasing after us. Wherever we went, the flood seemed to follow.”

“Everyone went to beg the Water Spirit again, but this time, the Water Spirit would no longer answer us.”

“Later, Wang Laodian said, let’s switch our faith to the River God. Since Shui Yong isn’t effective, we should believe in one that is.”

“So we followed Wang Laodian’s instructions and held a sacrifice for the River God, finding a new bride.”

“After sacrificing to the River God, just as Wang Laodian said, the river changed its course, the floodwaters receded, and the flooding stopped. The River God had shown his power, and we reclaimed our homes and land. Everything was developing for the better. Just like that, three peaceful years passed. I married Qiaoqiao’s mother and she gave birth to Qiaoqiao.”

“But who would have thought… who would have thought that three years later, Wang Laodian said the River God wanted a new bride again.”

The expressions of the three women in the room turned grim.

Xie Qingling rested one hand on the table, tapping a finger lightly, lost in thought.

Ma Qiaoqiao’s father said with a pained expression: “Then the sacrifices to the River God began. Every year, every single year, we had to select a new bride from the village!”

“Every child has parents who raised them. Who could bear it? But… but… there was no other way!”

Xie Qingling sneered: “What do you mean no other way? If you truly couldn’t bear it, you should have stopped the sacrifices. The River God’s audacity is half your fault for indulging him.”

“We did stop,” he said. “One year, we ignored Wang Laodian and didn’t provide a new bride for the River God.”

“That year, every newborn child in the village died young.”

Ma Qiaoqiao’s father’s hand trembled as he held his cigarette. “Wang Laodian said that if we defied the River God’s will, even more terrible things would happen. We had no choice but… to continue.”

What a damn sinister deity.

Xie Qingling’s face darkened.

After thinking for a moment, she asked: “Who is Wang Laodian? Why do you all listen to him so obediently?”

Wang Laodian played a crucial role in the River God sacrifices.

Even the Village Chief followed his instructions without question.

And then there were the three little ghosts he carried on his back.

Everything about him was deeply unsettling.

Ma Qiaoqiao’s father said: “They say every village has a Village Guardian.”

“Village Guardians appear mad but not quite mad, foolish but not quite foolish, deranged but not quite deranged. Most of them have some physical defect that makes them different from ordinary people.”

“It’s said that Village Guardians take on disasters and calamities for the village, which is why they become like that. Some also say that Village Guardians have opened their eyes and can see things ordinary people can’t, so they’re consulted for all village affairs, both joyous and mournful.”

“I don’t know the exact details, but everyone fears him and avoids him.”

“That’s all I know,” Ma Qiaoqiao’s father said. “I’ve told you everything I know.”

Xie Qingling stared into his eyes and said slowly: “You haven’t finishedwhere are the other three people? And what exactly happened to the previous bride?”

The wrinkles on Ma Qiaoqiao’s father’s face deepened.

He said: “One month ago, five people did come to our village. Because of the River God’s curse, we rarely have contact with outsiders.”

“We were afraid the River God matter would be exposed and bring disaster, so we only let them stay one night before making them leave.”

“You really let them go?” Xie Qingling didn’t believe it. “Did you kill them? Tell me where the bodies are buried. If you confess, you might get a reduced sentence.”

“No, no! I really don’t know where they are! That bride went willinglythat’s what Wang Laodian said. If you have questions, go ask him!” Ma Qiaoqiao’s father grew nervous and raised his voice. “I didn’t kill anyone! I really didn’t kill anyone!”

If Luo Yuancheng’s corpse hadn’t already been found, Xie Qingling might have thought they’d just gone missing.

But having witnessed Luo Yuancheng’s Corpse Transformation and seen Li Jiao’s bones under the river, it was hard for her to be optimistic.

Xie Qingling said, “Fine, I’ve noted everything you said. After I resolve matters here, specialists will take over. Then no lies or deeds of yours will escape their notice.”

“L-lies? I haven’t lied.” Ma Qiaoqiao’s father denied it, then paused in realization.

Wait.

She said “after resolving matters here”?

Did she plan to deal with the River God?

Was she marrying the River God not to die?

Ma Qiaoqiao’s father understood something and asked, “What do you intend to do?”

Xie Qingling replied, “To slay the god. Haven’t you done it before? Why so surprised?”

Slay the god?

Kill the River God?

Ma Qiaoqiao’s father’s legs went weak.

Their “god-slaying” had only involved destroying the temple and smashing the idol.

But the River God came and went without tracehow could one slay Him?

The entire Ma family began trembling.

This woman was truly insane.

But…

If she could really slay the River God, did that mean they’d never have to offer brides again?

Would their generations of suffering finally end?

Ma Qiaoqiao wiped her tears and said, “I don’t know who you are, but if you can truly slay the god… please tell me how I can help.”

“There is something you can do,” Xie Qingling said. “Prepare lunch for me. I’m hungry. Make it lavish with generous portionsand include meat.”

“…”

She really didn’t seem nervous at all.

The Ma family exchanged glances, swallowing their words and saying nothing more.

“Go prepare food for her.”

They cleared out a room exclusively for Xie Qingling’s use.

About half an hour later, Ma Qiaoqiao brought steaming plates of poached chicken and duck, rice, and vegetablesa complete meal.

“Is this enough?” Ma Qiaoqiao asked.

Since Xie Qingling had emphasized large portions, she’d brought plenty.

“Not yet, bring more,” Xie Qingling said.

Ma Qiaoqiao: “…” How could she eat so much?

No wonder she planned to slay a godher appetite surpassed ordinary people’s.

Soon, Ma Qiaoqiao brought several more meat dishes.

This time, Xie Qingling made no further requests.

Meanwhile, the Village Chief’s envoy arrived.

The Village Chief had his wife deliver a Red Wedding Dress to Xie Qingling.

It was the same stylemandarin ducks playing in water, lotuses blooming together.

Since the village frequently held Sacrifices, these wedding dresses were always on hand. When a bride was needed, they could be arranged immediately.
However, due to the River God’s Sacrifice over the years, the villagers had developed a deep-seated fear of the color red. By the time of actual weddings, no one used red anymore.

The dread came from the bottom of their hearts.

Xie Qingling wasn’t particular about it either. She took the clothes and changed into them.

The bright red garment, embroidered with auspicious patterns, somehow gave off an inexplicably eerie feeling.

After adjusting her clothes, Xie Qingling sat down at the table and began to eat.

She was truly hungry and had grown tired of compressed biscuits and cold, hard buns. So this meal tasted exceptionally delicious, and she ate heartily.

Halfway through her meal, the half-open window was pushed open from the outside.

Shen Huaizhou and Dai Xingyu jumped in through the window one after another.

The rich aroma of meat that wafted over stunned Dai Xingyu for a moment.

When he saw the lavish spread of chicken, duck, fish, and various sumptuous dishes in front of Xie Qingling, Dai Xingyu immediately exclaimed, “How unfair! We were locked up in the woodshed suffering, while you’re here feasting!”

“Just eat! Can’t even eating shut you up?” Xie Qingling stuffed a chicken drumstick into his mouth.

Only then did Dai Xingyu begin to wolf down his food.

Shen Huaizhou also sat at the table, eating while saying, “We knocked out the guards and tied them up. Most of the villagers are now preparing for your wedding banquet.”

“Tell us, what exactly do you plan to do?”