Slaying God: I, the insane and witty god

The cool night breeze dispelled the last trace of heat remaining in the courtyard.

The handsome young man's words were soft, but they were like a stone thrown into the quiet lake in Lin Qiye's heart, stirring up waves he had never experienced before.

In his eyes that were always calm,

Reflecting her beautiful silhouette outlined by the moonlight and her eyes that were brighter than the stars.

"Start?" Lin Qiye's voice was as low as ever.

It's just a little less cold and hard than usual, and a little more exploratory.

"Yes, start." The handsome young man turned around and met his eyes.

Instead of standing on the steps looking down at him, she walked down and stood on the same bluestone slab with him.

"What we are giving away today is favor, kindness, and bait."

She took two steps, and the hem of her skirt drew an elegant arc in the night.

"The King of Zhenbei is powerful and has deep roots, like a towering tree, entrenched in Jialing City."

"If you want to shake him, confronting him head-on is like hitting a rock with an egg."

"So, sir, you chose to start from the soil under the roots of the tree." Lin Qiye immediately understood her intention.

Those cakes, cloths, and medicinal herbs may seem insignificant,

But it was given to the most easily overlooked and most indispensable person in the city.

They are the old doctors in the clinic, the porters,

It was the well-informed madam of a brothel, or the frustrated clerk in the government office...

They are the soil on which this big tree depends for survival.

"Not bad," the beautiful young lady gave him a look of approval. He was indeed her "walking strategy".

"I don't want them to work for me. That's unrealistic."

"I just want them to remember the good things about me."

“When I want to know something, they are willing to listen to me;”

“When I needed some convenience, they were willing to open a small door for me.”

"This is enough."

She paused, her tone laced with cunning: "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

"What I have to do is quietly drill countless small holes in the bottom of the ship of the Zhenbei King."

"Each hole was so small that he wouldn't even notice it, but by the time he realized water was entering the hull, it was too late."

Lin Qiye's heart trembled slightly.

He looked at the woman in front of him. She was obviously slender with thin shoulders.

But at this moment, it was like a general planning a strategy, unfolding in front of her.

It is a grand chess game with the entire Jialing City as the chessboard.

And he was willing to be the sharpest chess piece in her hand.

"I understand." He replied in a deep voice.

"What do you need me to do next?"

"Next,"

The beautiful young lady suddenly smiled, and the aura of a leader disappeared quietly, and she turned back into the mischievous girl.

"Next, of course, is... rewarding our great hero."

Without saying anything, she pulled Lin Qiye's wrist and walked towards the brightly lit study in the inner palace.

"Come on, accompany me to look at the map. The net has been cast, and we need to plan which line to start with."

Lin Qiye's body stiffened.

Her hand was slightly cool, but very soft, and the delicate touch came from his wrist.

It was like a weak electric current, making his hands, which were covered with calluses from holding knives for years, feel a little at a loss.

He did not struggle, but followed her silently, his steps a little messy which was not the case normally.

At the same time, in the south of Jialing City, deep in an inconspicuous alley.

"Cough cough..."

Zhang Jing, the old doctor of Huichuntang, was sorting the medicinal materials in front of the candlelight.

A coughing fit forced him to stop and pat his back.

His medical skills are well-known in the southern part of the city, but his fees are low.

He specialized in treating the poor people, and therefore they lived a very poor life.

Especially his long-standing cold legs, which would cause him excruciating pain at night.

At this moment, the apprentice came trotting in.

Holding an exquisite food box in his hand, he said, "Master, someone just sent it over. They said it was from the mansion of the beautiful young master and was specifically addressed to you."

"Handsome young man?" Doctor Zhang was stunned. He had no connection with the legendary nobleman, so why would he suddenly send something to him?

He opened the food box in confusion, and a warm medicinal aroma filled his nose.

There was no delicacies in it, but a small can of fine deer antler wine.

There was also a prescription next to it, with beautiful and powerful handwriting. It was an ancient prescription for treating rheumatism and cold arthritis.

Several rare medicinal herbs were circled in red ink and marked next to them as "Already prepared, included with the wine."

At the bottom of the food box, there was a thick envelope containing banknotes that were enough for his food and clothing for half a year.

Doctor Zhang held the jar of warm deer antler wine, and his cloudy old eyes instantly became moist.

What he lacks is not money, but respect.

There is someone who remembers this old man in the alley and his weak old leg.

He pushed the banknote toward the apprentice and said, "Take this... and deliver it to Widow Li on East Street. Her child is still sick."

Then, he carefully put away the prescription and deer antler wine, and bowed deeply in the direction of the beautiful young master's mansion.

Such stories are happening simultaneously in dozens of corners of Jialing City.

There was bright candlelight in the study.

A huge map of Jialing City was spread out on the table.

The handsome young man was holding a wolf-hair brush and was concentrating on circling something on the picture.

Lin Qiye stood aside, watching quietly. He had already opened the small wooden box.

Inside the box, there was a layer of soft velvet, and a crystal clear ice candy man was lying quietly on it.

The sugar figure was carved very lifelike, and it looked like a young man in a suit.

He was holding a long sword, with a stern look on his face, and his expression was surprisingly similar to his.

This is no ordinary sugar man, it is clearly made with great care.

His gaze unconsciously shifted from the sugar man to the handsome young man's face.

In the candlelight, her profile is soft and focused, and her long eyelashes cast a small shadow.

The tip of her nose is upturned, and her lips look particularly serious because they are pursed.

As if he had noticed his gaze, the handsome young man did not turn back.

He just asked softly, "Why, my 'walking strategy' is also staring blankly at the sugar man?"

"...Thank you for your trouble, sir." Lin Qiye closed the wooden box.

He held it in his arms with great care, as if it was not a sugar man but some rare treasure.

"nice! You love it."

The handsome young man chuckled, put down his pen, and pointed to a point on the map.

"Look here, the canal dock in the west of the city. This is one of the biggest money bags of the King of Zhenbei, and it is controlled by his confidant Zhang Biao."

"Today, my 'heartfelt gift' has also been delivered to Zhang Biao's deputy, Liu San."

She raised her head, her eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Liu San is a smart man, and also an ambitious man."

"He won't come to me right away, but a seed will be planted in his heart."

"Our first step is to let this seed... germinate."

She looked at Lin Qiye and said, "I want you to help me find out all the illegal activities of Zhang Biao."

"And all the evidence he used to suppress Liu San."

"Then, find a way to 'accidentally' deliver these things to Liu San."

"Yes." Lin Qiye responded without hesitation.

"Remember," the handsome young man came closer and lowered his voice.

A warm breath brushed past his ears, "What I want is for Liu San to take his place and become ours."

"Instead of overthrowing the Caoyun Wharf, that would alert the King of Zhenbei."

"Use your spear to attack your shield." The same light also ignited in Lin Qiye's eyes.

"Exactly."

The moonlight outside the window is like water, and the candlelight inside the house is flickering.

Two figures stood side by side in front of a huge map.

Their shadows were elongated by the candlelight and intertwined, as if they had already been inseparable.

The night in Jialing City is still peaceful.

But no one knew that beneath this calm, an invisible net had quietly been stretched.

The first ripples began to spread slowly from the most turbid stagnant water at the Caoyun Wharf.

The canal transport port of Jialing City has always been a city that never sleeps.

During the day, thousands of boats raced against each other, the sounds of the boatmen's horns mixed with the clatter of cargo.

It is the noisiest and most vibrant heartbeat of the city.

By night, most of the ships have docked, the noise has faded,

Instead, there is another kind of undercurrent of "liveliness".

At the innermost side of the pier, a three-story river-viewing building is the center of this "bustle".

This is the residence and office of Zhang Biao, the confidant of the King of Zhenbei and the chief of the Grand Canal Transport.

At this moment, the top floor of Wangjiang Tower was brightly lit, and the aroma of wine and meat mixed with the scent of women's powder.

The water vapor on the river was almost made greasy.

Zhang Biao, with a face full of flesh, was shirtless, hugging a charming singer.

He poured a glass of fine wine into her mouth, causing her to laugh wildly.

Under his feet, he stepped on a valuable Western carpet.

Several close associates around were flattering him and reporting on their "profits" for the day.

"Master Biao, the profit from this batch of illegal salt has increased by 20% compared to last month! You are truly a master strategist, and your wealth is growing!"

"Hahaha!" Zhang Biao laughed triumphantly and slapped the singer on her buttocks.

"What's all this strategizing? It's just trampling on those ignorant peasants."

"At this Jialing City dock, I, Zhang Biao, am the king!"

At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing a long blue cloth gown and with an upright figure walked up from the stairs.

He has an elegant face, which is totally out of place with the chaotic atmosphere here.

It was Zhang Biao's deputy, Liu San.

"Master Biao." Liu San bowed and saluted, his voice steady and emotionless.

Zhang Biao glanced at him sideways, snorted, and asked lazily, "What's the matter?"

"That 'process optimization' bullshit again? I'm making enough money, I don't need you telling me how to do things."

"No," Liu San still lowered his head.

"The ships from several grain stores in East City have arrived. According to the rules, we will take 30% of the profits."

"But they said the harvest was bad this year and they wanted to ask Mr. Biao for leniency and only take 20%."

"Bullshit!" Zhang Biao kicked over the low table in front of him, spilling the wine and dishes all over the floor.

"My rules are ironclad! Do you dare to bargain with me?"

"Tell them, if they say one more word of nonsense, we'll take 40% off their commission starting tomorrow! They'll even have to pawn their pants!"

"But Master Biao, these grain stores have always cooperated closely with us. If we force them like this, I'm afraid they will..."

"What's going on?" Zhang Biao stood up suddenly and walked to Liu San.

She slapped his cheek with her big hand like a palm-leaf fan. The force was not strong, but the insult was extremely strong.

"Liu San, just because you've read a few books, you really think you're somebody?"

"Don't forget, I rescued your life from the river."

"I made you my deputy so that you could be my dog, not to plead for those untouchables!"

"Get out of here and do as I say! If you can't, forget about your share of the commission!"

The close associates around him burst into laughter.

Liu San clenched his fists quietly in his sleeves, his nails almost digging into his flesh.

He raised his head, but there was no anger on his face. He just responded calmly: "Yes, Master Biao, I understand."

After saying this, he slowly retreated, his waist slightly bent from beginning to end.

When he turned around, no one saw him.

Returning to his simple room on the first floor of Wangjiang Building, Liu San closed the door, blocking out the obscene sounds and talk outside.

He walked to the basin and washed his cheek, which had been slapped by Zhang Biao, over and over again, as if to wash away the shame.

Moonlight streamed in from the window, illuminating the suppressed anger and resentment in his eyes.

Why?

he asked himself.

In terms of brains, he is a hundred times better than that idiot Zhang Biao;

When it comes to management, what aspect of the daily operations at the dock is not taken care of by him?

But in the end, all the credit went to Zhang Biao, and all he got were leftovers and endless humiliation.

He opened the drawer and an exquisite wooden box lay quietly inside.

This was delivered this afternoon by someone who claimed to be from "The Beautiful Young Master's Mansion".

He opened the wooden box, and found inside was not gold, silver or jewelry, but a fine Duan inkstone and a finely crafted wolf-hair brush.

In the interlayer at the bottom of the box, there was a note with only eight words on it, written in clear and elegant handwriting, so strong that it could be seen through the paper:

“A wise bird chooses its tree, and a wise minister chooses his master.”

He just thought it was ridiculous at the time. A handsome young man? A woman with only beauty wanted to win him over?

But now, touching the cool and smooth inkstone,

Feeling the "appreciation" from a stranger was in stark contrast to the humiliation brought by Zhang Biao's greasy palm just now.

At this moment, those eight words seemed to have turned into an awl, piercing deeply into his heart.

He needed an opportunity. An opportunity to completely crush that idiot Zhang Biao.

On the opposite side of Wangjiang Tower, in the shadow of a warehouse roof.

Lin Qiye was like a falcon blending into the night, quietly overlooking the brightly lit pavilion.

He saw clearly everything that happened on the top floor just now, including the entire process of Liu San being humiliated.

He could even clearly feel the anger that was about to explode in Liu San's body when he went downstairs.

"Use your spear to attack your shield..." He murmured the words of the beautiful young master.

Zhang Biao is a shield, dull but hard.

Liu San is a spear, patient and sharp.

Now, the shield's suppression of the spear has reached its limit.

All it takes is an external force, a gentle push, and the spear will pierce the shield without hesitation.

And he, Lin Qiye, is the one who exerts external force.

He took out a small notebook from his pocket and read it in the dim moonlight.

He quickly wrote down the sentry layout of Wangjiang Tower and the facial features of Zhang Biao's confidants.

And the numbers of several cargo ships that had just docked and were behaving suspiciously.

These are the evidence for overthrowing Zhang Biao and also the token of allegiance for Liu San to take the position.

After doing all this, he glanced at Liu San's lighted room, and a barely visible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Young Master is right, this seed has already begun to sprout.

He moved and disappeared silently into the dark night, as if he had never appeared.

The night wind blew across the river, bringing a slight coolness.

The most crucial thread in the big net of Jialing City has been gently plucked.

Next, just wait for the fish to... hit you.