When Xuan Yi arrived at the source of the commotion, the shore, she could see that Yun He has started to make his move. Tall towers of water, each by his side, was an extremely stunning and powerful view but to humans, it was frightening. The villagers crowded around the shore but put enough distance between them and the towering Yun He for safety as they whispered and pointed their fingers at the sudden appearance of what they think is the water god.
Well, they are not wrong though.
Wearing a pale blue outer robe on top of his pure white inner robe, Yun He looks mystical. There are water lilies embroidered exquisitely on the edges of his outer robe and it sparkles as the sunlight reflects off the breathe-taking material. Yun He is someone who is extremely lazy so he would normally let his hair loose and tie a loose bun with the upper part of his hair but currently, he has to look like a proper water god so he had done up his hair and wore his crown as though he was attending the yearly Imperial Banquet organized and hosted in the heavens. With his good looks and display of power, it was as if an immortal had descended upon the human realm and the humans gathered around him had started kneeling and worshipping him.
Yun He held up his hand and the people quietened but they remained kneeling. There is nothing he can do about that so he helpless sighed before he spoke.
"Greetings, people of this village. I am the Elemental God of Water and I am here today because of the resentment built up within my domain in this area," Yun He voice was not extremely loud. It was at its normal volume as if he was speaking to one person standing in front of him but everyone in the huge crowd could hear him.
The people started whispering after hearing the Water God's words. Resentment? What exactly does that mean? Yun He could hear all of their whispers and he spoke again.
"Recently, nature has claimed this part of the land. The water will rise and devour a few li from the shoreline. This is part of nature and has nothing to do with me. As long as there is the wind, the water, and the earth together, this natural event will occur." There is no point in explaining complicated science to the common folk because they would not understand it. It would save time and effort to just say everything in simple terms where everyone understands.
Seeing the understanding dawning upon the people gathered around, Yun He continued. "This event of the sea reclaiming land is as natural as humans needing to eat, drink and sleep to survive and yet," Yun He narrowed his eyes in anger as he waved his hands and jets of water bought out the ladies that were hidden underwater. Laying them gently onto the ground, Yun He's tone became frosty. He is angry at the despicable acts those evil humans had done and that his element had to bear the blame of something that was not even their fault. Accusing his element is the same as accusing him, the owner.
"Some people used this natural event to commit inhumane acts, pushing the blame onto my domain. I hereby return these ladies back to you as I have no need for sacrifices or wives. No matter how many women you send to my realm, how many offerings you offer, the water will still reclaim the shore. All of you just have to move a few li back and move your fields. Humans have always adapted according to their circumstances created by nature. Trying to stop this is opposing nature, are you brave enough to do that?" Yun He thundered at the crowd from above, his expression tight.
The people shuddered at the Water God's anger and they immediately kowtow to Yun He.
"Forgive our foolishness, Water God!"
"My poor daughter, mother has let you down!"
"We were lied to, it was the village head's idea!"
Yun He's ears perked up at one of the people's words. He gestured at that man who shouted and asked, "did you just say you were lied to and it was the village head's idea?"
The man was dressed as a commoner, not one of the richer ones or one of the elders and he humbly kowtowed before answering. "Yes Water God. This humble man is a shoemaker and has two daughters. The village head recently bought in a priest and they did a ritual to communicate with you. They said you wanted sacrifices and that you have told them who you wanted to take as wives from this village. They said they were acting upon a God's words and nobody dared to fight back."
Xuan Yi could see that her friend is really angry about this. Even though he already found out the truth before the man told him, hearing it again still riles him up.
"Where is your village head?" Yun He asked.
A murmur ran through the crowd as they searched for their village head. After searching for a while, everyone began to realize that their village head and that priest was nowhere to be found. A few moments ago, someone did see both of them standing among the crowd and now they are no longer there. There is only one explanation, they had fled.
After the Water God came personally to expose them, they have run for their lives. How cowardly. Yun He, Xuan Yi, and Lord Ye had long noticed that they had tried to escape but they did nothing. With Yun He around, there is really nothing that they need to do.
"It's a God's duty to protect but sometimes people forget that it is also a God's duty to punish." Yun He stated coldly and with a wave of his hand, a strong rumble shook the ground and startled everyone. Before anyone could process what is happening, a sudden strong jet of water shoots up from underground, smashing one of the abandoned houses into pieces. At the same time, the village head and the priest were shot up by the water and they landed before Yun He, in front of the entire villagers with a loud thump.
"Ugh… my arm…" The priest groaned as he held his right arm tenderly with his left, his face contorted with pain at the potential fracture.
"My back-my back hurts," the village head lay in an unsightly manner and could not move his limbs at all. His eyes widen in panic at the pain and the lack of control of his own body.
"Pain? So even you know what is pain," Yun He snorted as he slowly lowered himself from mid-air. Dispelling the water towers by his side, he stood before the both of them.
"You used my name and spread lies for your own benefit. Do you really think that you will get away with it?" Yun He glared at both of them.
"I- I…" The priest stuttered at the pressure of Yun He's glare. The village head was so frightened that he could not speak as he trembled.
"Pitiful," Yun He eyed both of them.
As if spurred on by a sudden force, the priest sat up from the ground and pointed a finger at Yun He. "Don't you dare look down on me! Don't you dare mock me! Just because you were born with everything, just because you have money, doesn't mean you can look down on me. I had no choice! If I were to get money and power, the only way is to get those is through dirty means. People born with a silver spoon like you won't understand a single thing about what I am feeling!"
Yun He's eyes went colder as the priest ranted. Xuan Yi and Lord Ye had never seen her friend show such a murderous expression. She frowned at the priest's words and mentally sighed. No matter where she goes, people like him would always appear. People who think that they are in the right even when they did something wrong, people, who do not know the meaning of repent. But no matter how angry she is, she cannot execute him. Lord Ye is here to investigate this case which means they will have to be captured alive, bought back to the Imperial Court to be judged. Normally this is not the case but as their actions have slandered and hurt the reputation of the Water God, the brother of the Empress, the consequences have become heavier.
"Indeed I cannot understand you and I do not wish to understand scum like you. You disgust me," Yun He replied in an icy tone. "Both of you shall be punished by the heavens for committing such crimes and for slandering my name. It's a shame that I could not punish you personally, death will be too merciful for either of you." Yun He did not give them any chance to reply before he summoned the servants of the Water Palace.
They looked exactly like humans except for their clothes and the spear they carry with them. Marching forward, the four of them each grabbed one arm of the village head and priest before they headed for the water. Both of them howled in pain and tears could be seen but none of the servants from the Water Palace gave a damn. Pulling them deeper into the water until nobody could see them anymore, Yun He turned to the remaining villagers.
"Take my advice and move your homes further into the land, take back your daughters and never do such foolish things again. Apologies for creating such a commotion, please excuse me." Yun He returned to his normal self and gave a light bow to the villagers before he disappeared under the water as well.
The villagers were stunned as the Water God came and went so quickly that some of them even wanted to pinch themselves to see if it was all a dream. Xuan Yi saluted to Lord Ye and Jiang Ning to bid them farewell before returning to collect her things from the inn. Without looking back, she left the village.