novelhk Chapter 287 Jane Star
Chapter 287 Jane Star
"A long time ago, there lived a river god in the Deep River.
This river god was capricious and often caused floods, destroying houses and submerging fields along the river banks, causing great suffering to the people.
Hu Qing was also attracted by her words and turned around to listen carefully.
"Later, a wandering monk came to the town.
He said the deep-water river god was angry because he had not received tribute.
Only the annual sacrifice of a young child can appease its wrath."
The beauty's voice gradually became low, as if carrying a hint of sadness.
Gu Yang frowned and couldn't help asking, "Sacrificing a child? Is there really anyone who believes such a ridiculous statement?"
The beauty sighed and continued, “At first, no one believed it.
But later, the flood became more and more fierce, destroying most of the houses and causing countless deaths and injuries.
When the people were at their wit's end, they remembered the words of the wandering monk.
So they found a homeless boy, put him on a raft, and pushed him into the deep river."
When Hu Qing heard this, his brows furrowed, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes:
"What then?"
"A wave hit and the raft was instantly overturned. The boy and the raft disappeared into the deep river."
The beauty's voice trembled slightly, "Strangely enough, the flood waters are slowly receding.
From that day on, Shenshui Town enjoyed favorable weather, good governance, and harmonious people until the beginning of the following spring."
After hearing this, Gu Yang couldn't help but sneer: "This kind of ridiculous legend is nothing but the self-consolation of ignorant people."
Hu Qing looked out the window thoughtfully. The night in Shenshui River was still calm.
But he always felt that there seemed to be some unknown secret hidden beneath this calm surface.
"Where did the wandering monk go later?" Hu Qing suddenly asked.
The beauty shook her head: "No one knows, it's like he appeared out of thin air and disappeared out of thin air."
Gu Yang sneered: "It's just a trick to play tricks on you."
Hu Qing withdrew his gaze from the deep river surface, frowned slightly, and seemed to be still thinking about the story he had just heard.
Seeing this, the beauty beside her took a sip of tea and continued:
"Sir, the rituals in Deepwater Town didn't actually end because of the wandering monk's prophecy.
Instead, it became an annual ritual in the town.”
Hu Qing raised his head, his eyes cold. "Sacrificing a child every year? How could such a ridiculous thing go on for so long?"
The beauty nodded and said in a low voice, "Yes. These children are both boys and girls. Most of them are orphans, but many were chosen from the homes of ordinary people by drawing lots.
Although the people in the town hated this kind of sacrifice, they could do nothing about it.
After all, Deepwater Town is located in a remote area, surrounded by monsters and beasts, and ordinary people simply cannot leave the town and survive on their own."
Hearing this, Gu Yang couldn't help but sneer: "Sacrificing a child in exchange for the safety of the whole family? This choice is too cruel."
The beauty sighed, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes: "Young Master is right. But for the people in this town, this is their only choice.
It is much better to sacrifice one child than to have the whole family wiped out.
So, even though they were resentful, they could only accept it silently."
Hu Qing was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What happened next? Has this ritual continued until now?"
The beauty shook her head and continued, “No, this ritual was broken by a young girl decades ago.
Her name is Jian Xing, and she is a cultivator from a nearby sect who came down the mountain to gain experience.
At that time, she was only at the Qi Gathering stage, but she was kind-hearted and hated evil.
When she heard about the rituals in Waterdeep, she was furious and vowed to find the truth behind the Waterdeep River God.
Gu Yang raised his eyebrows, revealing a hint of interest: "Oh? This Miss Jian Xing is quite courageous."
The beauty smiled slightly and continued, “Jian Xing has lived in the town for a year and helped many people.
Not only did she treat illnesses and injuries for the people, she also took the initiative to teach some children the techniques of cultivation.
Gradually, she gained great prestige in the town, especially among the children, who loved her very much."
Hu Qing nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "It seems that this Miss Jian Xing is indeed an extraordinary person."
The beauty continued, “However, the second year’s festival soon arrived.
This time, the chosen sacrifice was a little girl whom Jian Xing had once taught.
When Jian Xing learned about this, she was very unwilling and tried to persuade the girl's family to give up the sacrifice.
But the family had already accepted the incident and was even planning to use the town's subsidy to have more children, completely disregarding the little girl's life."
Hearing this, Gu Yang couldn't help but clench his fists, with a flash of anger in his eyes: "These people are completely inhumane!"
The beauty sighed, a hint of sadness in her voice: “On the day of the ceremony, the girl was tied to a raft and pushed into the deep river.
Despite being stopped by others, Jian Xing resolutely jumped onto the raft and tried to save the girl.
However, a huge wave hit and the raft was instantly overturned. Jian Xing and the girl disappeared into the deep river.
Upon hearing this, Hu Qing frowned and asked in a low voice, "What happened next? How did Jian Xing and that girl become?"
The beauty shook her head, a trace of regret flashing in her eyes: "Sir, don't be anxious, the story is not over yet.
After Jane Xing and the girl disappeared, the people in the town held a funeral for her.
Many people felt sorry for Jane Xing's sacrifice, but some also thought she was too impulsive and shouldn't have risked her life for a child.
Gu Yang snorted coldly, with a hint of disdain in his tone: "These people are really stupid."
The beauty took a sip of tea, gently put down the teacup, and continued with a hint of reminiscence in her eyes:
"Just when everyone thought Jian Xing and the little girl had perished at the bottom of the river, shocking news came from the deep riverbank the next morning—Jian Xing had climbed out of the river, dripping wet."
When Hu Qing and Gu Yang heard this, they couldn't help but hold their breath, staring at the beauty, waiting for what would happen next.
"Jian Xing's body was covered in blood from being scraped against the rocks at the river bottom, and her clothes were tattered from being soaked by the river water.
She held the frail little girl tightly in her arms. Although both of them looked miserable, they were still alive.
The beauty's voice was soft, yet it carried an indescribable power.
Gu Yang couldn't help but ask, "What was the reaction of the people in the town?"
The beauty smiled slightly, with a hint of irony in her eyes: “The people in the town were shocked at first, and then panicked.
They ran to call the mayor, because according to the rules, if the offering did not sink to the bottom of the river, the river god would be angry and the town would be in turmoil.
Hu Qing frowned and whispered, "These people are so ignorant."