“Forget it, nothing bad should happen,” He Xiuyuan thought.
He Xiuyuan thought about it back and forth, feeling that this matter shouldn't be a big problem, so he immediately followed far behind the crowd to watch.
Soon, He Xiuyuan saw Li Shi and the others arrive at Qixia Creek, then they laid out the offerings one by one, and then lit incense and candles.
Besides that, paper money with gold foil also began to burn.
This kind of paper money is not only used for burning for ancestors, but also for sacrifices and other similar rituals.
After they finished these tasks, they then took out the note He Xiuyuan had given them yesterday and pressed it down with a stone.
This was to indicate that it was an offering to Wu Yun in the river.
After these were done, the offerings were laid out one by one, and then the common people chanted prayers, also calling their children over to let the River God recognize them.
At this moment, Wu Yun, who was in Qixia Creek, was finally able to fall into a rare sleep.
For a water ghost like him, it was extremely difficult to rest during the day because the water was too bone-chillingly cold.
Although he had been in this water for decades, this bone-chilling cold was still not easy to adapt to.
He was extremely tired now, which was why he had finally fallen asleep in the water.
However, at this moment, in his drowsy state, he vaguely perceived countless murmuring voices beginning to drift into his ears.
This instantly dispelled his already shallow sleep.
“Who is making such a loud noise?”
Being woken up so innocently, Wu Yun also felt a surge of anger in his heart at this moment.
But very quickly, the anger in his heart dissipated, replaced by astonishment.
Because at this moment, he saw wisps of smoke coming from the water surface, directly entering the water and arriving beside him.
And as this wisp of smoke came before him and circled around his body, the original bone-chilling coldness disappeared by several degrees at this moment.
Although the coldness was still there, compared to before, it was already a world of difference.
“This is...?”
Wu Yun stared blankly at the smoke in front of him, his eyes filled with an expression of disbelief.
He immediately followed a wisp of smoke to the shore, and then he saw the crowd of common people on the bank.
At this moment, these common people were all kowtowing repeatedly towards the river, and the words they spoke also entered his ears one by one.
“Are they asking me to take care of their children more in the future, so they don’t drown in this water?”
Upon listening carefully, Wu Yun understood clearly.
Looking up again, he saw among the people on the shore a child he had saved yesterday, and also Li Shi.
He hadn't seen the others, but listening to their words, it was the same meaning.
Seeing this scene, Wu Yun finally understood.
“Is this incense and fire?”
“With this incense and fire offering, I have gained some incense and fire, so I no longer have to endure the suffering of drowning.”
Wu Yun's eyes were somewhat dazed at this moment as he raised his hands and looked at them.
He had been in this water for an unknown number of years, but today, he truly felt that the faint pain he used to feel had dissipated from his body at this moment.
As long as these incense and fire offerings continued in the future, he truly would no longer have to suffer this calamity.
Thinking of this, Wu Yun's eyes immediately showed a look of joy.
When he looked up again, he saw He Xiuyuan hiding in the distance.
“It’s him!”
The moment he saw He Xiuyuan, and then looked at the many common people who had come to this place, Wu Yun instantly understood.
These common people who had come to worship must have come because of He Xiuyuan.
Thinking of this, he felt even more grateful for He Xiuyuan's actions.
With this thought, he slowly rose from the water and bowed remotely towards He Xiuyuan.
Although the common people on the shore could not see Wu Yun, He Xiuyuan could see him clearly.
Seeing Wu Yun bow to him, He Xiuyuan also returned a bow to him.
And in He Xiuyuan's sight, he also saw the burning incense smoke continuously pouring into Wu Yun's body.
And his originally soaked clothes began to gradually become clean under the influence of this incense smoke.
Presumably, given some time, he should be able to shed his water ghost body.
He Xiuyuan breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
Although this matter was somewhat different from what he had expected, the result was the same.
After returning the bow, He Xiuyuan stayed for a while longer before returning to Peach Blossom Town.
By Qixia Creek, Wu Yun watched He Xiuyuan leave, then looked at the offerings in front of him.
It had been many years since he had eaten these things, he thought, and with a slight wave of his hand, the creek water rose slightly at this moment, sweeping away all the offerings on the bank.
However, things like the incense and candles remained on the bank.
The common people on the bank were all stunned for a moment when they saw this, then their faces lit up with joy.
The River God in the river truly heard them, otherwise, he would never have accepted their offerings, right?
One must know that the incense and candles were untouched, only the offerings were swept into the creek water; this scene was truly miraculous!
This time, they had indeed worshipped the right River God in the river!
........
On the other side, after He Xiuyuan returned to Peach Blossom Town, he took out some copper coins and bought a few steamed buns.
Once he had the buns, He Xiuyuan counted his remaining money and immediately his face fell.
Oh no, he had very little money left, and if this continued, he might not have money to eat.
Thinking of this, He Xiuyuan couldn't help but rub his head, feeling a bit anxious.
It seemed he had to find a way to earn some money.
He Xiuyuan walked towards the courtyard, biting into a fragrant steamed bun.
Given his status, he could take on some copying jobs, which would earn him some wages, but the pay wasn't much, and it was very time-consuming and laborious.
Otherwise, what about going fishing in Qixia Creek?
If he fished well, the catch could sell for some money, at least enough to get by.
However, the prerequisite was that he could catch fish.
Also, he would have to buy a fishing rod.
He Xiuyuan pondered this matter, and after finishing the bun in his hand, he had unconsciously returned to the front of the courtyard.
Looking at the courtyard gate, He Xiuyuan thought for a moment, then turned and sat down on the stone chair under the Peach Tree.
Leaning against the Peach Tree trunk, he sent some Spiritual Qi to the Peach Tree while enjoying the cool shade there.
Tsk, he hoped this Peach Tree could come back to life.
If so, perhaps he could taste what the peaches, which were originally offerings, tasted like.
He Xiuyuan looked at the Peach Tree behind him, thinking to himself.