I Went Crazy Killing in the World of Gods and Demons - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Road and Field God?

The winding narrow path beneath Xie Qingling’s feet suddenly transformed into a straight, level road.

This small path seemed endless, stretching straight into the distance with no visible end in sight.

Xie Qingling didn’t know what the Road and Field God wanted, but she knew it was one of the Eight Wax Gods mentioned by Ma Qiaoqiao’s father.

That the Road and Field God had sought her out at this critical moment – regardless of the reason – made Xie Qingling feel she needed to investigate.

Without overthinking, Xie Qingling stepped onto the path it had created.

The moment her foot touched the road, she saw village paths and field trails deconstruct like building blocks, then reassemble section by section into a straight, narrow path just wide enough for one person.

Wherever the path led, the ground remained perfectly level. She no longer needed to detour or climb slopes. The way cleared before her, with both sides making passage unobstructed.

In no time at all, Xie Qingling reached the path’s end.

There stood a temple.

Only broken walls remained of the temple structure, with blue roof tiles shattered across the ground.

Rotten, broken wooden pillars sprouted large clusters of mushrooms, while the untouched stone steps were covered in green moss.

Weeds grew rampant around the site, with tangled vines weaving a blanket of green that obscured most of the foundation.

It looked desolate and lonely.

If not for careful observation, one might miss that any structure had ever stood here.

Xie Qingling recognized this as a temple only when she spotted the altar once used for enshrining divine statues.

The statues had been destroyed, returned to dust, but the altar that once held them remained.

Xie Qingling approached, using her knife to clear away the overgrown weeds on both sides.

Had the Road and Field God brought her here to rebuild the Eight Wax Gods temple?

She brushed away years of accumulated dust from the altar, revealing an inscription carved into the stone:

“Earth returns to its dwelling, water to its channels, insects cause no harm, plants to their marshes. Bountiful years like this soil, yielding harvests by the hundreds.”

[For favorable weather and abundant harvests, folk beliefs worshipped eight agricultural deities. The Eight Wax Sacrifice has a long history, with continuous incense offerings from the people. Who would have thought they would decline to this state, forgotten by all.]

[Two of the Eight Wax Gods, Shui Yong and Fang Shen, have opened their eyes and are watching you.]

[One controls rivers, the other reinforces dams and canals, bringing water and life to fertile fields along their paths.]

[After years of slumber, these two deities discovered the River God had seized their authority – though this river should have no River God. Shui Yong and Fang Shen roar with fury, intending to slay this detestable River God.]

[But now, with their statues destroyed and incense offerings scarce, they lack even the ability to move freely in the mortal realm.]

[Oh Psychic, the two deities cast hopeful gazes upon you, asking if you might find a way to take them away from here.]

With statues and incense offerings, they could recover better, right?

But currently, Xie Qingling had no time to restore these temple statues, nor opportunity to find them incense offerings.

Then let’s try this instead.

Xie Qingling opened the silver case and pulled out an empty shrine from within.

The shrine could summon deities, allowing them to be contained and carried away.

However, this particular shrine was designed for subduing godsits purpose was to imprison deities inside.

Once a deity entered, destroying the shrine would cause the deity to fall into silence and vanish without a trace.

To the gods, this shrine was no different from a flood or a ferocious beast.

[The guardians of mortal order, striving to survive amidst gods and spirits, developed many peculiar weapons. Mortals have always preferred action and excelled at utilizing toolsthis shrine was also their creation.]

[Yet, the shrine was carved with curses capable of causing a deity’s fall, making Shui Yong and Fang Shen hesitate, whispering anxiously among themselves.]

Xie Qingling said, “I cannot help you rebuild your temples or restore your incense offerings now. All I have is this shrine.”

“I came here to slay the River God. If you trust me, step inside. I will not harm youI only seek to borrow your power. Once the River God is slain, I will release you.”

If these two deities still refused, she would have to wait for Ling Fang to arrive and see if he had any solutions.

The shrine was crafted by the Technology Research Department. Xie Qingling only knew how to use it, not how to modify it. She wasn’t a Curse Caster eitheraltering shrines fell outside her expertise.

Just as Xie Qingling was about to give up, the weeds around her suddenly swayed, moving without any wind.

After listening to the rustling sound of grass swaying, two figures appeared inside the shrine she had brought.

The divine forms were blurred, lacking human shapes. They resembled towering, winding city walls with flowing water coiled closely around them.

The shrine space was too small, leaving the two deities somewhat cramped.

Yet, having long coexisted and often being mentioned together, they didn’t mind squeezing inside alongside each other.

[Kind Psychic, the deities sense your sincerity. To bring the wicked to justice, even if they become the fish on the chopping block, they are willing to sacrifice themselves to aid you.]

[Go forth and fight. Seize the River God’s authority, reclaim control of the river. Restore the river to its natural flow, and let the sturdy embankments endure for millennia.]

[The Road and Field God cleared a new path, returning you to the village. He stood atop the hill, watching you depart, awaiting your triumphant return to the temple, seated once more in the hall of glory.]

Before her eyes, the straight, narrow path reappeared. The surrounding trails were dismantled and reassembled, guiding Xie Qingling all the way back to the village.

Seeing the village entrance ahead, Xie Qingling let out a deep sigh and strode forward.

The moment she appeared, a crowd surged around her, encircling her completely.

The Village Chief rushed over, shouting, “Bride, we’ve finally found you! With the grand wedding approaching, everyone is busy preparing for your ceremonyyou mustn’t be absent!”

Xie Qingling had only been missing for a short while, yet the village was already in an uproar, thrown into chaos.

“I just went out for a walk. Of course, I won’t be absent,” Xie Qingling said, brushing the dust off her shoulders.

The Village Chief snorted coldly, neither affirming nor denying her words. He simply raised his voice to the people behind him: “Take the bride away! Treat her well, and don’t let her escape!”

Soon after, two burly men stepped forward and shoved Xie Qingling, pushing her toward the village.

This time, they didn’t let Xie Qingling return to Ma Qiaoqiao’s house. Instead, they locked her inside the ancestral hall.

The hall was bolted shut, and outside stood a guard accompanied by a fierce wolfhound. The man and his dog paced back and forth, clearly wary of Xie Qingling seizing any chance to flee.

Xie Qingling understood their intentions. She said nothing and offered no resistance.

She knew that any move she made now would trigger a chain reaction among the villagers, so she remained still.

She placed her hopes on Shen Huaizhou and Dai Xingyu, waiting for them to bring new information. All she needed to do was stay put and keep the villagers calm.

A day passed like this. Xie Qingling stayed in the ancestral hall, doing little more than eating and sleeping. Occasionally, she contacted Dai Xingyu through her earpiece to check on their progress.

“Nothing yet,” Dai Xingyu reported. “We’ve searched every corner of the Village Chief’s house but found no clues.”

“Try Wang Laodian’s house, but be careful,” Xie Qingling advised. “Wang Laodian has set up an Incense Hall there, worshipping some kind of Spirit. It’s a bit sinister. If necessary… restrain him.”

“Understood.”

They worked late into the night. Just as the village banquet was in full swing, with nearly all the villagers gathered to feast, every household stood empty.

Shen Huaizhou and Dai Xingyu split up, searching house by house, and finally uncovered a clue.

“I found a hiking backpack,” Dai Xingyu said. “It was in a child’s roomhe was using it as a schoolbag. The contents are gone, but the brand and style match Luo Yuancheng’s gear. This bag must have belonged to one of the other three.”

This was troubling news.

Xie Qingling’s heart sank. She checked the time and said, “Note down that household. Let’s call it a day for now and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a tough battle.”

After exchanging updates, the three settled in for the nightXie Qingling in the ancestral hall, Shen Huaizhou and Dai Xingyu back in the woodshed, sleeping on piles of firewood.

The next day, the sun hung high in the sky.

Once again, the village echoed with the lively tune of “A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,” the suona’s melody ringing from one end of the village to the other, filling the air with festive cheer.

Xie Qingling sat in the ancestral hall’s main chairthe seat usually reserved for the Village Chief.

She addressed the people in the hall: “Today, some of my relatives and friends are coming to join the celebration. They’ll be at the village entrance soon. Go welcome them, prepare fine wine and dishes, and treat them well. They’ve traveled a long way and must be tiredthey deserve a proper reception.”

The Village Chief’s face flushed with anger, his wrinkles seeming to writhe and tremble. “You… you’re really…”

He wanted to say she had gone too far, but he held back. Arguing with someone soon to die felt beneath him, so he simply sent someone to wait at the village entrance.

Wait? For Xie Qingling’s so-called friends and family.

Before long, the friends and family actually arrived.

Three people: two men and one woman, two young and one old, all dressed in black, carrying silver cases.

The villagers brought them to the ancestral hall and, as Xie Qingling requested, set up a separate table for them to eat.

Fine wine, good dishes, and excellent meateverything was available.

Ye Anran looked at Xie Qingling, seated high in the main position and dressed in red, feeling a bit bewildered.

Although the chief had mentioned on the way here that Xie Qingling was to become the Bride of the River God, and Ye Anran had mentally prepared herself, she hadn’t expected Xie Qingling to appear so composed and self-possessed, even giving the impression that she was presiding over her own wedding.

She adapted far too quickly!

Xie Qingling sat at their table and whispered to Ling Fang, “Chief, don’t look so grim. I know I acted recklessly again this time. I’ll write a self-criticism when we get back and reflect on my mistakes, alright?”

Ling Fang, however, smiled, appearing very gentle.

He said, “No need to write a self-criticism.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve thought it overif you keep going like this, you probably won’t have much time left in this world. I won’t waste what’s left of your life making you write a self-criticism.” Ling Fang smiled gently, but his voice came out through gritted teeth, as if he were crushing something to pieces. “Make the most of your time and enjoy life while you can. Who knows, one day you might not see the sunrise again.”