“In that case, why insist on divine aid?”
Looking at the confident expression on Liu Che’s face, Qingnu asked in return. She stood up and waved her hand, telling him, “Little Liu Che, remember this. Gods do not save men; men must save themselves! Besides, hasn’t the help I bestowed already been by your side?”
“Wei Qing has studied Han Xin’s art of war since childhood and has even formed his own school! With him, the Great Han possesses a sharp arrow to hunt the Xiongnu!”
At these words, Wei Qing lowered his head, his expression a bit awkward and shy.
“Master, you overpraise me!”
In both war games and strategic planning, he had never won against Qingnu even once!
As such, how could he be called a sharp arrow?
Liu Che glanced at Wei Qing and said, “I am naturally aware of Zhongqing’s capabilities! But… if gods should not help men, then why did the Immortal Maiden help Emperor Gao break through the siege back then?”
After he asked this, the hall fell silent.
Hongluan rolled her eyes.
Qingnu stared at him for a good while before saying, “Are you a walking encyclopedia of questions?”
“What is an encyclopedia of questions?” Liu Che asked again.
Qingnu took a deep breath, having no intention of answering him. She turned to leave.
Seeing her departure, Liu Che took a few steps forward.
Before he could speak, Qingnu turned and pointed a finger at him, snapping, “Shut up! Don’t ask!”
Hearing this, Liu Che stopped in his tracks immediately, not daring to move another inch.
Qingnu continued, “I gave you the Great General, and I placed the dozens of states of the Western Regions before you. Why do you have so many questions? Are you the emperor, or am I?”
If the gods were to do everything, what would be the point of men?
Liu Che gave a sheepish smile and said, “I only wanted to say… I have already ordered the preparation of meat. Would the Immortal Maiden…”
Before he could finish, he saw Qingnu return to her seat.
“Little Liu Che, let me see your sincerity!” Qingnu tapped the table, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Hongluan, however, kept ruffling Qingnu’s hair, scolding her, “Silly snake! Can’t you fix that gluttonous habit of yours?”
Qingnu gave a mischievous grin. “It’s being offered freely, why refuse?”
The meat prepared by the imperial chefs was naturally far more delicious than anything Qingnu threw together herself.
She cleared the entire table of meat in one fell swoop!
Liu Che and Wei Qing were left with only a few vegetable dishes.
After satisfying her hunger, Qingnu stretched and said, “Little Liu Che, this meal was quite good!”
Liu Che replied, “It is enough that the Immortal Maiden is satisfied.”
Seeing Liu Che watching her with burning eyes, Qingnu added, “I won’t eat your meal for nothing! Regarding the states of the Western Regions, I will speak with them and have them form an alliance with the Great Han. I have paved the road for you; how you walk it is up to you.”
Though the states of the Western Regions believed in the Heavenly Maiden, she could only influence them. What truly dictated their attitude would still be interests!
Liu Che knew this was Qingnu’s final line. He no longer pressed for more and bowed in gratitude. “I thank the Immortal Maiden!”
He decided that upon his return, he would add a line to his final edict: Our Lady the Jade Maiden loves meat. Provided there is enough meat, anything can be discussed!
After Qingnu greeted the envoys from the Western Regions, she flew back toward Mt. Tai.
She looked down upon the earth from the sky and saw the surging waters of the Yellow River.
“Is the Yellow River water so plentiful this year?” Qingnu murmured to herself.
Hongluan, clinging to her jiao horns, shouted, “Silly snake, why do you care if the water is plenty or not? Fly slower! I’m about to lose my grip!”
Hearing her cry, Qingnu said, “Sister Bird, can’t you fly as well?”
“Not as fast as you!” Hongluan yelled.
After returning to Mt. Tai, Qingnu still felt that the Yellow River was unusual this year.
She stood atop Jade Emperor Peak, gazing at the vast Yellow River coming from the west. Its waters surged, crowding into the riverbed. With the sheer amount of silt at the bottom, the channel could finally no longer bear the weight of the torrential waters.
The Yellow River breached its banks, its waters reaching for the heavens!
“Not good!” Qingnu’s pupils constricted.
She had witnessed Yu the Great lead the Huaxia tribes in taming the waters for decades and had once helped him scout the depths of the rivers. Seeing the Yellow River flooding now, she couldn’t help but recall the time of King Yu, when the floodwaters were vast and destructive, reaching the hills and drowning the mountains!
“I can’t just watch! I have to go!”
However, just as Qingnu was about to move, Hongluan suddenly transformed into her human form and grabbed her sleeve.
“Silly snake, this is a natural disaster. Can you stop it?”
“If I let it continue, many innocent people will die!” Qingnu said, trying to break free from Hongluan’s grip. But Hongluan held on tight, asking, “Have you forgotten what happened the last time you defied destiny?”
“Falling into a slumber is one thing, but if you suffer the lightning tribulation again and can’t survive it, what then?”
Qingnu looked deeply at Hongluan and said, “My providence is already linked to this land! If the Heavens punish me for stopping a disaster, then these godforsaken Heavens deserve to die!”
With that, she broke free from Hongluan.
A flash of azure light erupted as her jiao-snake form soared into the sky!
The dark-green jiao-snake swam through the clouds over the Central Plains. She saw those who had no time to escape the floodwaters.
A frost swept past, and towering walls of ice rose on both banks of the Yellow River to block the flood.
She knew the principle that it was better to divert than to block, but the momentum of the natural disaster was like thunder—majestic and boundless! There was simply no time to divert it!
Even for Qingnu, in the face of such a catastrophe, she could only slow the spread of the flood, buying time for the people of the Central Plains to flee. The Yellow River was too heavy, its waters crashing down with the force of ten thousand tons.
The ice walls cracked inch by inch, and she repaired them inch by inch.
The people on the ground saw the faint silhouette of the dark-green jiao-snake in the mist of the sky, witnessing her saving the world.
Her body moved like a swimming dragon, winding like the nine bends of the Yellow River.
“Is that the God of the Yellow River?” someone asked.
If not, why would she save them? If so, why the great flood?
Hebo, Hebo, why are you so angry?
Gradually, Qingnu’s strength failed. The Yellow River remained unstoppable. The ice walls shattered, no longer able to be mended.
Her body fell from the sky, shifting back into human form.
From the distant horizon, an azure-red figure flew toward her. Hongluan caught Qingnu in her arms, crying out through her scolding, “Silly snake!”
“Sister Bird, I’m so tired…” Qingnu clutched Hongluan’s sleeve and murmured before drifting into sleep.
Hongluan brought her to the ground, looking at the vast, surging waters of the Yellow River. Her gaze gradually became solemn.
She exhaled a soft breath. This wisp of air drifted upward, transforming into countless small blue birds that flew in every direction.
The Qingniao would diligently look out for the people.
They would lead the commoners of the Central Plains to seek refuge at the foot of the Mt. Tai range!
By the time Qingnu woke up, several months had passed.
She opened her eyes and saw the familiar bed curtains. Rubbing her head, she propped herself up. Hongluan, hearing the movement, quickly stood up and rushed to the bedside. Before Qingnu could speak, she said, “The flood hasn’t receded yet, but don’t worry, the people are mostly safe.”
“I have led them to take refuge below the Mt. Tai range. Tiying is looking after them.”
Hearing this, Qingnu hugged Hongluan directly, closing her eyes. “Sister Bird! Thank you!”
Hongluan poked Qingnu’s forehead and scolded, “Silly snake! Next time you act, think carefully. Is the Yellow River something you can just block whenever you want?”
“How long has it even been since you became the Jade Maiden of Mt. Tai?”
Qingnu rubbed her head and didn’t argue with Hongluan, merely saying, “I’ll be careful next time.”
Rate on N.U.
