Chapter 62: The Three Gods of the Mortal Realm Speak in Dreams, and Demons and Officials Siege Together

    Jiang Liuer first thanked the elders, then said to Shouqing and Hu Yuyu, "That great demon likely has divine backing, hence dares imprison deities. I suspect he might be the mount of some celestial being."

    Shouqing exclaimed, "A divine mount? This..."

    Shouqing was deeply shaken, unable to believe it: "Surely that can't be?"

    Jiang Liuer replied, "This is mere speculation. To uncover the truth, we must find the demon and confront him. Alternatively, we could first rescue the Earth God, Mountain God, and River God... They might know something."

    With that, the trio began searching along the Xiushui Riverbank.

    After ten li, they found nothing.

    Several more li brought them to a River God temple containing a statue.

    The statue appeared ordinary.

    Jiang Liuer was about to leave when inspiration struck. He stopped a canal worker: "Uncle, when was this temple built?"

    The worker answered, "Many years ago, at least a decade."

    "Twelve years?" Jiang Liuer pressed.

    The worker recalled, "Twelve... yes! Twelve years. I was just a teenager then. Floodwaters destroyed the old temple. The new prefect recruited laborers to rebuild it."

    Jiang Liuer asked, "Does the current statue differ from the old one?"

    "Indeed. The old River God had a beard. This one's face is clean-shaven."

    Jiang Liuer forced copper coins into the worker's hand: "Thank you."

    "Aiyo, young master, too kind!"

    The worker left cheerfully.

    Hu Yuyu remarked, "If true, that flood twelve years ago was suspicious. Coinciding with the corrupt Prefect Liu's appointment."

    Jiang Liuer nodded, studying the beardless statue.

    He secretly cast a spirit-detection spell, finding nothing unusual - which was itself alarming.

    The temple lacked divine presence. The statue was mere clay.

    Continuing along the river, they failed to find imprisoned deities even near Jiangzhou's border.

    Perhaps not in Xiushui?

    Searching other rivers yielded no clues. They returned empty-handed.

    ...

    Next day.

    Hu Yuyu awoke shaking Jiang Liuer: "Master! I dreamed of a boulder claiming to be Jiangzhou's Mountain God, imprisoned by chains."

    "I asked his location. He said human voices nearby during lucid moments - likely near settlements."

    "When I asked what voices said, he mentioned rituals and prayers to unknown gods."

    Jiang Liuer realized: "They're imprisoned separately!"

    The trio visited every temple in Jiangzhou.

    Hu Yuyu despaired: "Why no results?"

    Night fell again.

    Forced to retreat.

    In sleep, Jiang Liuer dreamed of a long-bearded man bowing urgently: "Great Immortal! This humble River God finally reached you!"

    Resembling the worker's description, likely the true River God.

    Jiang Liuer helped him up: "You're my elder. No need for bows. Were you imprisoned by a demon?"

    The god lamented: "Yes! He overpowered me instantly."

    "His appearance?"

    The god frowned: "I... can't remember."

    "Memory-altering sorcery," Jiang Liuer sighed. "Your prison location?"

    "Unknown. I hear beasts - perhaps wilderness."

    Jiang Liuer startled.

    Earth God in water, Mountain God in temple, River God in mountains - their domains swapped!

    Suddenly, commotion erupted downstairs.

    Hu Yuyu's ears twitched: "Officials! Searching rooms!"

    Jiang Liuer chuckled: "Probably hunting criminals. Let's..."

    "FOUND THE ACCOMPLICE!"

    Shouqing burst in clutching wanted posters: "We're accused of murder!"

    Chaos ensued as officials stormed in.

    Forced onto rooftops, they fled until Jiang Liuer froze -

    "So you killed Dog Demon. Impressive senses."

    A shrimp demon emerged, aura rivaling Wolf Wuji.

    Crab and clam demons closed in from behind.

    "Leave the vixen to me..."

    ...