Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Sword Punishes the Dragon Lord
Translator: 549690339
“Scholars who top the list in the Imperial Examination either earned the appreciation of the chief examiner or the favor of the Emperor. However, this year’s Six Dominant Scholar is exceptional compared to those in the past; he is the most unique.”
“I beg for your guidance, sir!”
The Civil Judge was even more confused after hearing this, and he could not help but respond respectfully.
“Have you heard of Cangjiang River?”
Instead of answering, the God of Yongning City asked what seemed like an unrelated question.
“Cangjiang River? Is it the grand river to the southeast of the capital city? At its widest point, it spans a hundred miles and reaches beyond sight!” The Civil Judge thought for a moment before answering.
“Mr. An truly possesses a vast knowledge! ”
“I am flattered by your praise, my lord. That large river is indeed well-known, even I had passed by this river and composed poetry alongside it during my lifetime.”
The Civil Judge replied modestly.
“Composing poetry by the river, Mr. An indeed has an elegant taste. However, in the hundreds of years that you have served me, I have never seen you write a poem!”
“As time goes by, and since entering office and now serving as a judge, I no longer have the ambition and leisure that I used to.”
The Civil Judge replied with a bitter smile.
“Well, that’s true. Time does make us grow old. Since Mr. An is aware of Cangjiang River, do you know who governs it?”
After sighing, the God of Yongning City returned to the original topic.
“From what I’ve heard, it is a Dragon Lord, who is believed to be deeply rooted and extraordinary.”
While somewhat puzzled by the topic the God of Yongning City was discussing, the Civil Judge strained his mind to respond.
Though he himself was a ghost god, he was nothing more than a small county judge, and the deity of Cangjiang River was a higher being who he couldn’t even look up to. He knew nothing about its background or origin.
But its background certainly must be astounding. Otherwise, how could it
control tne large river near tne capital Cityc
“A Dragon Lord? It is nothing more than a malicious flood dragon, occupying a god’s position relying on its powerful heritage!”
The God of Yongning City replied with disdain.
“Sir!”
The Civil Judge looked at the city god with some shock.
Although a city god is not considered lowly, it’s nothing compared to a river dragon god. Even if the Dragon Lord is away from the river, he still possesses world-shaking, ocean-overturning tremendous power.
Discussions were meaningless, as incurring such criticism could lead to disaster!
“There’s no need to panic. That malicious flood dragon has already been beheaded, and he no longer has the power to cause trouble for you and me!”
Looking at the panic-stricken expression of his subordinate, the God of Yongning City immediately reassured him with a smile.
“The Cangjiang Dragon Lord was killed?”
The Civil Judge was stunned. This news could definitely shake the ghost community of Da Jin, yet it was calm, he had never heard of it. Only today did he find out, probably because his status was too low to connect with that level.
“He was killed by a single sword stroke. His manner of death was quite gruesome. A dignified river god ended up in such a condition. He truly deserved more than death.”
The God of Yongning City laughed with some seeming delight.
“Although I’ve heard of the name of Cangjiang Dragon Lord, I don’t quite understand him. What kind of evil deeds did he commit to make you so disgusted, sir? And what made him suffer such a calamity?” The Civil Judge asked respectfully for clarification.
“I’m not very familiar with him either, but I do know that his origin lies overseas. Rumor has it that he is the offspring of a real dragon.”
“I see!”
Upon hearing this, the Civil Judge was enlightened. If this rumor were true, the ability of this Dragon Lord to hold the position of river god would make a lot of sense.
“As for the evil deeds of this brute, I have witnessed them myself!”
The God of Yongning City did not hide his disgust for the Dragon Lord and his satisfaction with his misfortune.
“This brute had a hobby: every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, he would look for ten beautiful girls on both sides of the Cangjiang River, forcefully betroth them, and then marry them into the Dragon Palace on the second day of the second lunar month.”
“Such is the nature of a dragon!”
The Civil Judge responded, not feeling that there was anything wrong with this. After all, the one choosing and marrying the girls was the great river dragon god. It was indeed a celestial fate for both the mortal family chosen by the Dragon Lord and the girl he married.
“Do you think we should tolerate this brute for adhering to human customs and taking ten good girls by force every year?” “Sir, this…
The Civil Judge was at a loss for words.
“No need to explain to me. I understand your thoughts. But if this brute had only done this, I wouldn’t have found it necessary to call for his execution. However, do you know that the girls forced into the Dragon Palace by this brute have never been seen again and this has always been the case without exception?”
“Those girls were…”
The Civil Judge immediately had a guess in his heart and their eyes widened significantly.
“Rumor has it that this brute has a taste for human flesh!”
“How can this be? The officials at court and the noble scholars, do they ignore this? Is the Emperor also turning a blind eye to this? Doesn’t the city god overseeing the capital do anything about it?”
The Civil Judge spoke in disbelief, feeling that some of his beliefs were being challenged.
“It’s only a rumor, without solid evidence. Who among the Emperor or the aristocracy would suggest taking action against a river dragon god? Even if the Dragon Lord is beheaded, who will bear the wrath of the true dragon from overseas?”
The God of Yongning City counter-questioned, and then started laughing.
“Moreover, even if it’s true, it’s just ten women per year. If that can keep the Cangjiang Dragon Lord in check, some people might think it’s a great bargain!”
“This is absurd!”
“Indeed, it is absurd, which is why this malicious flood dragon met its fate!”
“Is it the Six Dominant Scholar of this year’s Imperial Examination?”
At this point in their conversation, the Civil Judge couldn’t help blurting out. If he hadn’t figured it out by this point, he would be too dull. But once the words left his mouth, he felt it was too incredulous and against common sense.
“Late in the first lunar month of this year, a young exam candidate stayed at a villager’s house, and the villager had a daughter who was said to be beautiful. Unfortunately, on the fifteenth of the first lunar month, she was chosen by the malicious flood dragon, who forcibly sent a betrothal letter. The exam candidate learnt about it.”
“On the first day of the second lunar month, the God of Chongshan Prefecture City, along with all the ghost gods under his command, witnessed a young man wielding a three-foot-long green blade by the sea and beheading the dragon. When the sword moved, an overwhelming sense of justice cleansed the four corners of the world and filled the universe. Since then, the position for the
Cangjiang Water God has been left vacant.”
The God of Yongning City slowly spoke, a look of longing in his eyes.
This was something that he had dreamed of doing a thousand times in his lifetime, but unfortunately, even after he died and was sealed as a ghost god, he still couldn’t touch even a single scale of that evil god. Now, a young man under the age of 20 had accomplished what he wanted to do, fulfilling his lifelong wish.
“Thank you Sir City God for clearing up my confusion!”
The Civil Judge, who had come back to his senses after learning about the young man who killed the dragon, quickly bowed deeply.
He now understood why the City God said that this year’s Six Dominant Scholar was different from previous ones. He also knew how the Six Dominant Scholar had earned his designation.
The personal views or preferences of the chief examiner? The profound implications of the examination questions? None of that mattered to this Six Dominant Scholar. He only needed to participate, then answer the questions.
If there were any mistakes, then surely the chief examiner erred, the question was erroneous, and the political views were seriously flawed.
As for the Emperor’s favor during the palace examination? Well, even if a monkey were to sit on the dragon throne, it should also know who this year’s top scholar is!
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