【Beginning】
The experience in this realm was reminiscent of Chen Jing-Ciou’s past.^ That day in an inn, Chen Jing-Ciou saw a maiden walking down the wooden stairs. She was a dainty figure, with her skin as fair as white jade, wearing a greenish blue dress. She bowed to Chen Jing-Ciou humbly, as if she was regarding him as some kind of personage.
When he learnt that the girl had volunteered to be the sacrifice, he could not help growing enraged. Back then, Chen Jing-Ciou was new to the martial world. He abhorred evil, deeming them his enemies. He could not stand watching the villagers oppressed by the demonic fish, so he intervened, trying to stop them.
However, people regarded Chen Jing-Ciou as a charlatan. They insisted upon offering the maiden as a sacrifice for the “River God”. Watching the maiden’s fall into the cave, he decisively jumped in as well. He rescued the maiden on the altar and woke her up. Worried, she asked Chen Jing-Ciou to run, as she still imprudently believed that the monster was a God.
Syu Siao-Syue: ...The River God...He will punish us...
Chen Jing-Ciou: So, the villagers choose to sacrifice the lives of innocent girls every year in exchange for temporary peace? Are you sure this is appropriate?
The startled maiden just kept apologizing. At that moment, Jing-Ciou could not have thought that the maiden would later become one of his closest companions. He was still lecturing her like her elder brother when he was knocked to the ground by the demonic fish leaping out of the lake.
Demonic Fish: Ugh! Didn’t I say that I only eat girls, not boys?
Jing-Ciou defeated the “River God” and left the watery cavern with the maiden. But the escaping evil creature went to the village, slaughtering all...
【Before Battles】
Chen Jing-Ciou: You evil monster! If you want to take revenge, do it to me! Why do you have to hurt the innocent?
Demonic Fish: Why would you say they’re innocent? They’ve asked you to fight me; they deserve death as punishment!
【Enemy Dialog】
Demonic Fish: Darn Taoist!
【End】
Syu Siao-Syue: ‘No... Please... Please don’t... Don’t leave me... alone... boo-hoo......’
Old Woman: ‘It’s you! Your presumption brought suffering to the whole village!’
Villager: ‘Give me back my wife! My son!’
Chen Jing-Ciou: ‘I’m sorry, everyone. I — ‘
Villager: ‘Get out! Get out of our village!’
Chen Jing-Ciou turned around to head back on the bridge; but he found nothing underfoot. The river he just saw turned into a bottomless abyss. He lost his step, fell; then woke up in his journey.
Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: What’s wrong, Brother Chen?
Chen Jing-Ciou, Young Last Prince: Nothing. I’ve just fallen into memories of the past.
Lying on Sibuxiang, Chen Jing-Ciou sped through the clouds and mist with Jiang Ziya. After suffering through the vortex of pneuma, Chen Jing-Ciou appeared to fall in and out of trance; sometimes he would even lose consciousness...
Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Maybe it is a bit inappropriate to confine you all, but I need some time to figure out the origin of the anomalies.
Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: If you recklessly decide to leave before that, accidents may happen. It will pain the people who care for you, right?
Chen Jing-Ciou: I am sorry for bringing you trouble. It seems that though this world is not Shangri-la, there are people who are inherently kind.
Jiang Ziya the Celestial General: Still, brother Chen, you had better think about how to deal with the “inherently kind” person waiting for you.