Chapter 11: The Universal Chip of Dreams Come True
After continuously detonating several handprints, Lu Yibei noticed that the River God’s expression was becoming increasingly tense. She estimated that He had completely believed in the abilities she had fabricated, and His gaze, drifting around the large ship’s hull, became more and more audacious.
Although there were not many handprints left on the ship, as long as she could find the River God’s vital point and keep her focus on it, it should be enough to break down His last psychological defense, right?
While Lu Yibei was musing inwardly, she suddenly heard the River God shout.
“Wait, wait! Everything can be discussed; let’s sit down and talk it over!”
The sudden shout startled Lu Yibei, and she nearly reflexively raised her hand to throw a barrage of spell formulas. Once she clarified the content of what the River God had said, she squinted her eyes.
Why was He so agitated all of a sudden?
Could it be that the place I just looked at holds His vital point?
Lu Yibei reflected, recalling the parts she had focused on earlier on the large ship. She then shifted her gaze across those areas, observing the River God’s reactions with composure.
At the entrance to the cabin, the River God wore a serious expression; it wasn’t that.
On the carvings on the right side of the ship, the River God’s expression gradually eased; definitely not that.
At the bow deck, the River God seemed hesitant to speak; it was likely not that either.
The third mast from the left…
Seeing Lu Yibei’s gaze shift away from the mast, the River God was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when He noticed her gaze restlessly roving again, eventually landing back on the mast, causing His unstated heart to leap once more.
“Wait, wait! Can’t we just have a proper talk?”
Lu Yibei looked at the River God, then at the mast, then back at the River God, and after a few back-and-forth glances, she noticed His face changing colors like a malfunctioning traffic light, alternating between pale and flushed, and she finally made a decision in her heart.
It seemed that the mast was this guy’s vital point…
Although there were no handprints on it, does that matter?
Look at who blows up this kind of outrageous ability; it doesn’t matter whether others believe it or not, as long as the River God believes it. If He doubts, let someone ask Him if He dares to try it, just so I can watch for a little longer.
Lu Yibei thought, looking toward the River God with an intensified gaze and haughtily said, “You want to talk, huh? Alright! But before that, shouldn’t you do something else first?”
“Something else?” The River God stuttered, filled with uncertainty.
“Lord Calamity, I think it’s better if you don’t waste time with Him. He came here recklessly and doesn’t show any remorse; he probably thinks you’re easy to bully and might test your bottom line repeatedly in the future!” Xing Yuan shouted.
Upon hearing this, the River God suddenly understood and hurriedly said, “No, no, no! It’s all a misunderstanding!”
Isn’t it just an apology?
As the master of urban legends in a land, the Calamity’s dignity had been offended. As long as He provides a reasonable explanation and a sincere apology, it would be very magnanimous.
Reasonable, that is very reasonable!
The River God thought, bowing slightly toward Lu Yibei, and sincerely said, “Lord Calamity, I sincerely apologize for this offense.”
“However, this offense was a result of the village chief of Baiyanzi Village inviting me in a ghost play, which I…”
Lu Yibei shot a cold glance at the River God and interrupted, “So, what you mean is, you did nothing wrong and it’s all the village chief’s fault?”
While speaking, she looked again at the mast on the large ship.
What on earth is that thing? Is it the core of the urban legend itself?
The River God’s heart thumped, and He quickly said, “No, no! I was wrong too! I was wrong too!”
Isn’t it just admitting fault? That’s easy to say, it won’t cost anything. It’s not admitting fault that would cost something…
“Hmph!” Lu Yibei coldly snorted, “If that’s the case, considering your lack of intention to offend, I can spare you this time, but…”
The word “but” is very subtle; whenever it appears, the situation tends to change. The River God tensed upon hearing it, His throat bobbing anxiously.
At this moment, Lu Yibei said the remaining half of her sentence, “You have to hand over that village chief to me for punishment and then withdraw from the range of Huacheng, never to trespass again.”
At the very least, I need to know what method that village chief used to successfully evade the detection of the Huacheng Barrier and the Earth vein’s aura, bringing the two urban legends into Huacheng.
If this “gap” is not closed up, then with outside urban legends causing chaos every few days, I won’t be able to live my life. Lu Yibei thought.
“This…” The River God looked troubled.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Yibei looked expressionlessly at the River God, her eyes slightly raised, “Are you not satisfied with my decision? Or, like Yuan said, will you still look for opportunities to trespass in the future?”
“Lord Calamity, your mercy leaves me deeply grateful, and I can guarantee that I will withdraw from the range of Huacheng and never trespass again. It’s just that I can’t hand over that village chief.”
“Why?” Lu Yibei frowned.
“He ran off after his wish was fulfilled,” the River God explained, “In fact, He hasn’t even given me the promised sacrifice.”
“It’s because of this that I linger by this river, waiting to retrieve what I deserve. But I never expected that…”
Never expected to be so unlucky, thinking that capturing a beautiful girl and getting a free wife had already stopped the loss, but instead brought in such a sinister big urban legend?
d*mn it! Although I have some doubts about her abilities, I don’t have even a bit of courage to test it. It’s too frustrating.
Suddenly, the River God’s eyes brightened, and He hurriedly looked at Lu Yibei, “However, Lord Calamity, the actor the village chief invited is still on my ship; she may have some clues!”
“Oh?” Lu Yibei squinted her eyes at the River God, silently looking at His mast.
Seeing this, Xing Yuan interjected, “Lord Calamity, I think the River God’s attitude of apologizing is quite good; why don’t you take some compensation from Him and let Him go? Peace and harmony are valued!”
If we keep pressing, there’s no telling they won’t act out of desperation, and it might lead to unforeseen complications. Xing Yuan thought.
Seems to guess what Xing Yuan was thinking, Lu Yibei withdrew her gaze, “Since Yuan helped you plead, you will hand over that actor to me, sign a contract, then offer compensation, and you can leave.”
“Thank you, Lord Calamity, for your mercy.”
The stone that had been weighing on the River God’s heart finally settled, He bowed slightly and spoke, just as the enormous water sphere wrapping the ship began to churn.
Right after, a woman with a fine figure, dressed in light white clothing, and wearing a flower-dan (young female role in Chinese opera) makeup, along with her theatrical costume and luggage, was lifted on a wave of rushing water to the vacant space in front of Lu Yibei.
After sizing the woman up for a moment, Lu Yibei turned around and winked at Xing Yuan, who then approached, performed a spell formula, and controlled the unconscious urban legend actress.
The level of their tacit understanding made Bai Kai feel a pang in his heart.
How long have you both known each other?
Why do you look like close long-time friends?
I’m so angry!
Thus, after Lu Yibei became the Calamity King of Huacheng, the first incident of an external urban legend invasion she encountered ended without triggering large-scale combat.
————
Half an hour later, the surging river had receded, leaving the air still carrying a bit of heat.
Lu Yibei stood on the western platform that had collapsed halfway in Baiyanzi Village, watching the River God, who had returned to His original form, slowly sail into the fog along the winding, narrow river.
From afar, a figure rushed out from the cabin, standing on the deck, raising a stiff arm as if waving goodbye to her. After a brief pause, it silently retreated back into the cabin, disappearing into the thick fog along with the gradually receding large ship.
At this moment, Xing Yuan walked up beside Lu Yibei, praising, “Good acting; you resolved the crisis without triggering combat. Honestly, it’s really a shame you couldn’t sign a contract with the Siye Society.”
“Would you sign that kind of contract?” Lu Yibei pouted.
“…” Xing Yuan was dumbfounded and then chuckled lightly, “That’s true; there are indeed many unreasonable terms, but that’s my job; I hope you understand.”
“Understand.” Lu Yibei nodded.
“However, I’m a bit curious; are you just letting the River God go like that?”
Lu Yibei didn’t directly answer Xing Yuan’s question; she only slightly nodded.
“River God? That’s a fitting title.”
According to the River God’s own account, He was born from the legend of “White Boat, River God Offering Tribute, Red Boat, River God Marrying” in the surrounding area of Huacheng, so it seemed fitting to call Him River God.
“If I don’t let Him go, do you want to fight Him to the d*ath?”
While Lu Yibei was speaking, Xing Yuan discreetly scrutinized her expression. After not seeing anything, she slightly frowned.
“There must be another reason, right? I saw you whispering with the River God for a long time just now.”
“…”
Lu Yibei fell into silence.
She had indeed whispered with the River God for a long time after signing the allied contract; her original intention was to ask Him for Gui Hua.
She thought that the phrase “you’ll d*e if you disembark” was a scare tactic the River God used to intimidate the women in red aboard, forcing them to bond with Him.
However…
————
“Lord Calamity, what Gui Hua said isn’t false. I have no intention to deceive you; honestly, the time my wives come aboard the latest has been over a hundred years.”
“I wouldn’t spend a large amount of spirit energy to prolong their lives if they had not long since perished.”
“Over the years, they have already integrated with my spirit energy. If they are too far away, I fear they won’t survive.” The River God said to Lu Yibei.
“Why do that?” Lu Yibei asked, puzzled, as it seemed quite rare for an urban legend to expend spirit energy to extend human life.
“After all, they are my wives…” The River God replied.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yibei suddenly felt that the River God wasn’t as bad as she had imagined, but then His next words made her want to beat Him to d*ath.
The River God opened His arms as if to embrace something, gently saying, “Regardless of whether they are willing or not, I love each of them!”
Lu Yibei, “…” You dog! It’s really a case of the drought killing the drought and the flood killing the flood!
Amid her cursing thoughts, she glanced at the large ship’s mast and curiously asked, “By the way, what exactly is your mast? Is it important?”
“This…” The River God looked troubled, glancing around shiftily before leaning close to Lu Yibei and quietly whispered a few words.
In the next moment, Lu Yibei’s exquisite little face turned bright red.
“Are you a flasher? Get away! Hurry up and get lost! If you don’t leave, I’ll blow you up!” Lu Yibei shouted, holding her forehead.
As her voice fell, the River God shrank His neck and soared into the air, transforming into a stream of water, merging into the large ship, and fled in embarrassment.
————
So, people live. Sometimes, curiosity doesn’t need to be so heavy!
I™ shouldn’t have asked Him in the first place.
I wonder if seeing such a ghastly thing will cause me to grow needle eyes.
Lu Yibei cursed inwardly, looking at Xing Yuan, and lightly said, “It’s just a minor issue; it won’t harm the safety of Huacheng.”
“Is that so?” Xing Yuan nodded, “That’s good. However, you clearly had the chance to make Him sign a ‘contract of servitude’ just now. That thing is still in your hands, isn’t it?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yibei looked at Xing Yuan, blinking her big watery eyes, “Mom, that thing was forgotten by Him when He left!”
If that thing is signed, won’t it turn into the Siye Society’s watchdog?
Who knows when my identity will be exposed, then I’ll have my membership in the Siye Society stripped and end up on the wanted list, falling into danger.
If I casually make a powerful urban legend sign a ‘contract of servitude,’ wouldn’t that be equivalent to helping the enemy? I’m not stupid! Lu Yibei thought.
Hearing the word “Mom,” a sweet sensation rose in Xing Yuan’s heart, instantly suppressing her desire to expose Lu Yibei, and she shyly smiled, “Um, it’s not that. Let’s talk about the name change later.”
“How is it not that? In my heart, you already are,” Lu Yibei firmly stated.
The method of selling Water Brother became increasingly skilled.
Xing Yuan slightly parted her lips, about to say something to Lu Yibei when Bai Kai approached, having finished dealing with the poisoned unconscious actress.
“Uh, Lord Calamity, the toxins in that guy’s body have been temporarily controlled. It shouldn’t take long; with a one or two-day rest, she should wake up.”
“By the way, what were you two talking about just now?” Bai Kai asked.
This is the key point; I want to hear!
Upon hearing this, Lu Yibei exchanged glances with Xing Yuan and chimed in unison, “Secrets between girls!”
Bai Kai, “???”
Having roamed the dating scene for many years, he suddenly felt that he didn’t quite understand women anymore, and…
Why is Xiao Bei so familiar?
How many times has she hidden this from me?
Lu Ming, you two better watch out; this isn’t what I taught her; she learned it on her own!
————
Late the next night, deep in the underground parking lot of Happy Neighborhood.
In the dark space, a woman dressed in light white clothing was placed on a stone platform, with a light blue beam of light the thickness of a finger piercing through her body, binding her joints.
A thick, cold wind swept through, causing her to wake up suddenly. She opened her eyes wide and saw the scene before her, her pupils constricting.
Gray mist drifted around like pervasive wandering souls and wild ghosts, filling the entire space. Numerous urban legend figures appeared and disappeared in the gray fog, some with bizarre shapes, some horrific and grim, and others eerily mysterious. The faint spirit energy fluctuations made her feel terrified.
Yet these urban legends, which she usually avoided at all costs, were unusually quiet. Occasionally greedy glances were cast her way, but no one made any moves to overstep.
All of this was due to a girl in green.
That girl sat regally on a dragon-horn shaped cypress root sculpture throne, with a pair of eyes tinged with a golden-red gleam casting a cold gaze, exuding an air of superiority.
The one capable of commanding a realm of urban legends should be the newly crowned Calamity King of Huacheng.
But…
Wasn’t I performing a play on the River God’s ship? How did I end up captured here?
The urban legend woman thought, nearly fainting again, just then, the voice of the girl in green floated in.
“Name?”
Lu Yibei softly spoke, feeling a wave of comfort in her heart.
Before it was always others asking me, now it’s finally my turn to ask someone!
“Uh… this…” The urban legend woman opened her mouth and weakly said, “Biesuzhen.”
Good heavens! The first question and she’s already messing with me?
Such a heavy accent; can she really sing? Lu Yibei’s eyebrow twitched slightly, maintaining her composure as she expressionlessly pressed further, “Age?”
“Sixteen…”
What the hell, sixteen! Do you think I’ll believe your nonsense?
Lu Yibei frowned, casting a sidelong glance at the massive blue human head behind her, decorated with sharp white fangs, and coolly said, “Ghost Face, she’s being dishonest! Take her away and serve as dinner for the little ones!”
Upon hearing this, the blue human head opened its gaping mouth and extended a bloody red tongue, licking around its pus-filled lips, scattering a pool of nauseating slime.
“Wait, wait!” Biesuzhen hastily screamed upon seeing this, “Ninety-six, I’m ninety-six!”
Lu Yibei raised a hand to signal the urban legend named Ghost Face to settle down and stepped forward to question, “Where are you from? How did you get here?”
“I came from the Lan Zhe Inn’s custom shop…”
“…” Lu Yibei fell silent for a few seconds, glancing at Ghost Face and coolly said, “Ghost Face, take her down and let her serve as dinner.”
As her words fell, Ghost Face lunged forward, frightening Biesuzhen into a grave expression.
“Lady, please spare me! I truly came from the Lan Zhe Inn’s custom shop! It was that surname Zhang who paid three hundred chips to invite me to sing for him! We took the Giant No. 1 train here.”
“Wait a minute!”
Finally hearing useful information, Lu Yibei’s gaze sharpened, stopping Ghost Face again.
She rose from her throne, walked over to Biesuzhen, and narrowed her eyes, asking, “What is that surname Zhang’s deal? What are the three hundred chips about?”
“Uh…” Biesuzhen looked at Lu Yibei with uncertainty, hesitating to speak.
She hesitated again, worried that if she confessed everything, she would immediately be sent to “dinner.”
“Lady, if I tell you, will you let me go?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yibei slightly frowned, stepped aside, and waved her hand, “Ghost Face, dinner!”
“Wow—!” Ghost Face howled, preparing to pounce on Biesuzhen, its disgusting slime nearly splattering on her face.
“I’ll tell! I’ll tell! That surname Zhang is the village chief of Baiyanzi Village. The chips are the universal chips of the Dream Come True journey! Ah—don’t come here!”
No matter what, it’s a sure d*ath; might as well disclose everything and try my luck, Biesuzhen thought.
“Ghost Face, step back!”
Ghost Face, “…” Will Lord Calamity let me eat or not? I’m so anxious!
Ghost Face reluctantly stepped back, and Lu Yibei approached, “Universal chips? Is it something like this?”
As she spoke, she took out a chip worth “10” and placed it before Biesuzhen.
Biesuzhen glanced at the chip and her eyes lit up, nodding repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes, this is the universal chip of the Dream Come True journey. So you have been there already? Then you still…”
“Fewer words!” Lu Yibei interrupted, “I ask you, where do you board the Giant No. 1 train, and how do you board?”
Biesuzhen originally thought Lu Yibei had already gone on the Dream Come True journey, staring blankly for two seconds before responding, “The Huacheng station should be in that abandoned subway station at the train west entrance. If you want to go, I can guide you.”
“Ghost Face! Take her away!” Lu Yibei said coldly.
Biesuzhen, “!!!”
“Take good care of her…”
Ghost Face, almost completely covering Biesuzhen with its massive mouth, “???”
