[To Become a River of Stars] Dong Xiange - Chapter 38
“That Taoist isn’t sacrificing to the river god. He’s using human lives to form arrays and refine elixirs!” Shiliu’s eyes lit up.
That was why he bypassed the magistrate to collect various alchemical materials and why he was so particular about the children’s birth dates—they were all meant to anchor the array.
“So, what are we waiting for? Let’s just capture that Taoist and the magistrate and confront them!”
She looked at Li Xuanci with shining eyes, forgetting how he had bullied her just moments ago, now seeing him as the righteous judge descending from the heavens in storybooks. Truly, she remembered the food but forgot the beating.
Unfortunately, Li Xuanci was no righteous judge descending from the heavens. If he were to descend, it would only be as the King of Hell coming to claim lives.
He lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, the corner of his eye lifting slightly as he glanced at Shiliu. Seeing her like an eager rabbit muttering with its three-lip mouth, he didn’t hesitate to pour cold water on her enthusiasm.
“No rush.” He finished the tea on the table.
How could there be no rush? Shiliu didn’t understand, sitting on the stool and watching him.
After a while, it gradually dawned on her. The jade inlaid in the stool beneath her felt icy and unsettling.
“You want to wait until something happens, then intervene with justified authority?”
Her voice remained calm, but her eyes lowered to her humble cotton shoes. Beside them were Li Xuanci’s black boots, made of layered silk with embroidered patterns.
They must be very expensive. She had never worn anything that costly.
But those who tread in such expensive boots seemed to have equally hard hearts.
The moment Shiliu fell silent, Li Xuanci noticed. A smile touched his eyes, peach-blossom-like yet cold, as he mocked her.
“I didn’t realize you were such a compassionate do-gooder.”
Shiliu should have said nothing, silently enduring the sarcasm. It wasn’t the first time he’d mocked her, after all, and he now held her secret, and she already knew he was a villain.
But despite all these reasons, after holding back for a moment, Shiliu still couldn’t resist.
“I thought you were openly wicked, but it turns out you’re just like any other villain.” She lowered her head, speaking stubbornly.
Li Xuanci lifted his hand and gripped her chin, forcing the stubborn mule to look at him. Even then, her eyes darted sideways, making her look comically cross-eyed and twisted.
This laughable person dared to say he wasn’t open.
“What, if things don’t go your way, that means I’m not open?” His eyes captured her face, not missing any change in expression.
Shiliu should have phrased it more diplomatically, but she truly wasn’t good at beating around the bush. So, under pressure, she could only spill everything straightforwardly.
“If you wait, it’s only so these children fill the water ghosts’ bellies. Once it escalates, you can clean it all up in one go. That way, no one can fault you or suspect you.”
Her chin reddened from his grip, and her speech was somewhat comically slurred, but her eyes remained stubbornly unwilling to meet Li Xuanci’s.
Tongzi County was less than a hundred li from where Li Xuanci resided. He couldn’t allow such events in his domain—that would be incompetence.
But if he exposed the matter before anything happened, it would show he controlled these areas too deeply, aware of the slightest movement.
The former would allow the court to punish him for incompetence; the latter would make the Emperor suspect his intentions.
Therefore, the best approach was to wait quietly until public outrage boiled over, then intervene just before things spiraled out of control, wrapping everything up neatly.
The corrupt official would be punished, grievances would be redressed, public anger would subside, and Li Xuanci, the Prince of Ding, would remain the “only knows how to kill” yet reassuringly simple-minded brute.
Li Xuanci’s fingers loosened slightly, brushing over the red marks he had left on Shiliu’s chin. His voice softened as he coaxed, “If you want to be charitable, that’s not impossible.”
“But,” he leaned closer, speaking in a light tone, “if you cause me trouble, you’ll have to repay it on their behalf.”
Shiliu shivered. The price Li Xuanci spoke of wouldn’t be as simple as her master making her copy texts or sweep the grounds for a poor horse stance, or getting a flick on the forehead for stealing pastries her senior brother brought from down the mountain.
Her master always said that upon entering the Taoist path, one must save people from suffering—it was an undeniable duty.
But, Master, this villain is so wicked, detestable, and clever. Shiliu is truly terrified.
Li Xuanci watched as Shiliu clammed up. He seemed to be understanding more and more the emotions behind the little Taoist’s cold expression, almost able to see her mind tangling into a muddled mess.
It was like watching a rabbit already trapped in a snare, pointlessly hesitating and looking around.
Completely unaware that he had long since cut off all escape routes.
“Speechless now? When it’s your turn, everything becomes difficult?” Li Xuanci chuckled lightly, adding fuel to the fire.
“Charity spoken is always the easiest to give,” he jabbed again, “and also the cheapest.”
Provoked by his words, Shiliu’s indignation surged, turning her head into a boiling kettle ready to whistle uncontrollably.
She already owed so much anyway, her future was uncertain regardless, and with more lice, one feels less itching; with more debt, one worries less.
“I promise you, I’ll repay the debt. Just don’t go back on your word.”
Fallen into the trap.
Li Xuanci looked satisfied as his prey stepped into the snare. The corners of his lips curled as he replied, “Naturally. But you can’t go back on your word either. Can you do that?”
Shiliu had many flaws, but she didn’t lie. She obediently nodded, patting her chest in assurance. “My master taught me to keep my promises.”
“Alright, go back now.” Li Xuanci released her chin, waving his hand to dismiss her.
But just as Shiliu was about to leave, Li Xuanci called out to her leisurely and said, “By the way, I had already changed my mind and decided to act during the river sacrifice.”
His eyes turned toward the stunned Shiliu. “But since you’re so kind-hearted, I’ll follow your good example.”
“Don’t forget the debt you promised. I told you—no going back on your word.” Li Xuanci looked at his prey, genuine triumph and pleasure shining in his eyes.