Just as he entered the courtyard, he heard the low crying of a child coming from the woodshed in the west.
Du Tianle frowned.
Village Head Han saw this and said sheepishly:
“Tianle, you don’t know…”
Du Tianle waved his hand to interrupt and said:
“Village Chief, I know.”
“I specifically came back because of this matter.”
“This Tribute cannot be sent!”
Village Head Han was startled and quickly said:
“Tianle, you don’t know, this Water God…”
Du Tianle waved his hand again to interrupt, slapping his thigh and saying:
“Village Chief, you are confused!”
“What Water God? Isn't it just a Water Demon?”
“You must know, Senior Sister Han is cultivating immortality.”
“We are irreconcilable enemies with the Demon Race!”
“As her father, you are sending your own village children to be eaten by a Water Demon.”
“If the elders of the Qiyun Sect find out, how will they view Senior Sister Han?”
“Will she still be able to hold her head up in the Immortal Sect?”
“Her future will be completely ruined!”
“Aren't you harming her?”
Village Head Han was immediately panicked upon hearing this and quickly asked:
“Then what should be done?”
Du Tianle replied:
“What else can be done? Hurry up and send the child back!”
Village Head Han became anxious upon hearing this and said:
“Send them back?”
“But what about that Water God—no, Water Demon?”
Du Tianle patted his shoulder and smiled:
“Don't worry, Village Chief, Senior Sister already considered this problem.”
“It’s merely a mere Water Demon.”
“Senior Sister asked me to come back precisely to help you solve this problem.”
Saying this, he untied the Cold Iron Longsword from his back and handed it over, saying:
“This Immortal Sword is a treasure Senior Sister begged for from the Immortal Elders in the Sect.”
“It not only cuts iron like mud but also strikes wherever it is aimed. It is called the Ruyi Treasure Sword.”
“A mere Water Demon can be slain with one strike!”
The Old Man took the treasure sword in disbelief, touching and looking at it, scratching his head in agitation.
Seeing this, Du Tianle leaned close to his ear and pretended to be mysterious, saying:
“Village Chief, this treasure has a secret technique—”
“You just need to aim at the enemy and shout, ‘Ruyi Treasure Sword, follow my will,’ and it will fly out of the scabbard to slay the foe.”
The Old Man heard this and, without hesitation, aimed the sword at the grinding stone in the courtyard and shouted:
“Ruyi Treasure Sword, follow my will!”
Du Tianle performed a Sword Art.
The Cold Iron Longsword shot out of the scabbard with a *whoosh*.
With a flash of cold light, the bluestone grinding stone was instantly split in two.
It then circled the courtyard once, leaving afterimages, before flying back into the scabbard.
Seeing this, Old Man Han was so excited he couldn't speak, trembling while clutching the Cold Iron Sword.
Du Tianle chuckled inwardly.
After Old Man Han calmed down, he still asked with concern:
“Tianle, why didn't Juan'er come back herself?”
“Why send such a powerful treasure back through you?”
Du Tianle began to spin a yarn:
“Senior Sister is at a critical juncture in her cultivation. Once successful, her Mana will greatly increase.”
“Achieving the Dao and becoming an Immortal is just around the corner!”
“It truly allows for no slackening whatsoever.”
“Village Chief need not worry; with this treasure sword, all worries are gone.”
“You are Senior Sister’s biological father; would she harm you?”
He paused, then continued temptingly:
“Village Chief, think about it, once you slay the Water Demon.”
“Won't the other people in the village be grateful to you?”
“And won't the people from the neighboring villages be at your beck and call?”
Village Head Han’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he nodded repeatedly.
Du Tianle continued:
“That’s not all. Once this matter is settled.”
“Senior Sister Han will also gain face.”
“Perhaps she can invite a High Immortal with profound cultivation to specifically refine two Immortal Pills for you and your wife.”
“Although it cannot guarantee eternal life.”
“But extending your lifespan wouldn't be easy?”
“Haven't you and Madam always wanted a son to carry on the family line?”
“Perhaps after taking the Immortal Pills, this matter will be resolved!”
These words struck the Village Chief right where it mattered.
His old face broke into a wide smile.
He took Du Tianle’s hand and said:
“Tianle, you are indeed thoughtful.”
“I didn't expect that after a few years apart, you have become so capable.”
The smile on Du Tianle’s face grew even richer.
“I must thank the Village Chief for his strict discipline.”
“And Senior Sister’s diligent nurturing.”
“It is only right that I repay your family now!”
Village Head Han nodded contentedly.
The two chatted for a few more moments.
Finally, he said through gritted teeth with excitement:
“Very well, I will slay that Water Demon tomorrow.”
“It will count as eliminating a menace for the people!”
In his words, there was even a hint of impatience.
……
The subsequent events were simple.
The Village Chief, feeling he had support, naturally did not need to offer the Tribute anymore.
The two children were sent back that very night.
This caused the villagers to exchange bewildered glances.
But due to the Village Chief’s imposing authority, they dared not speak up.
The very next morning.
Village Head Han, who had slept with the Cold Iron Sword all night, was full of vigor as he led the villagers toward the Qing River.
Du Tianle changed into coarse cloth clothes and mixed in with the crowd.
The riverbank near Han Family Village was already crowded with people.
The village chief surnamed Li, who had supervised the situation at Han Family Village yesterday.
Seeing Village Head Han holding a Long Sword but no children.
He became instantly furious:
“You surnamed Han, where is your village’s Tribute?”
Village Head Han gave a cold laugh, contemptuously saying:
“Li Dagou, shut your stinking mouth. What business is it of yours what happens in our Han Family Village?”
“When that Water Demon comes up, I will show you all.”
“Just how sharp the Ruyi Treasure Sword my daughter sent is!”
The village chief surnamed Li was shocked and angry at his arrogance, stammering speechlessly.
The surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar.
People continuously cursed Village Head Han.
This angered him so much that his eyes rolled back, and he immediately wanted to use the Ruyi Treasure Sword in his embrace.
To chop off the heads of these ignorant people.
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control.
Suddenly, the Qing River began to churn without wind.
Two Water Demons suddenly leaped out from the waves.
They had human bodies and fish heads, appearing tall and strangely shaped.
The black fish-headed Water Demon on the left shook the Fish Trident in his hand.
He surveyed the crowd and asked loudly:
“Where is today’s prepared Tribute?”
“Hurry up and bring it here so I can report back to the Commander.”
“If you delay the time, don't blame my Steel Trident for being merciless.”
Village Head Han was, after all, just a Mortal, and he felt a bit nervous facing the demons.
He couldn't help but look behind him.
Du Tianle gave him an encouraging look and whispered:
“Don't worry, Village Chief, I am right behind you. It’s foolproof!”
Village Head Han gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.
“You Water Demons, I, Han, will eliminate a menace for the people today!”
Saying this, he raised the treasure sword and aimed it at the black fish-head, shouting loudly:
“Ruyi Treasure Sword, follow my will!”
The two Water Demons were greatly alarmed upon seeing this and quickly raised the Fish Trident in their hands just in case.
However, nothing happened.
Village Head Han refused to believe it, hurriedly patted the Long Sword, raised it again, and shouted:
“Ruyi Treasure Sword, follow my will!”
The Ruyi Treasure Sword remained still in its scabbard, not moving an inch.
Everyone present, both human and demon, froze.
The scene was extremely awkward…
Bead-sized drops of cold sweat continuously rolled down Village Head Han’s forehead.
The pitiful and helpless Village Head Han turned his head back.
Attempting to find Du Tianle’s figure.
But he could no longer find him anywhere.
At this moment, the black fish-head also reacted.
“A mere crawling insect dares to scare me!”
Feeling he had been tricked, the Water Demon became enraged, sneered, and threw the Steel Trident in his hand.
The massive Steel Trident instantly pierced through Village Head Han’s abdomen.
Nailing him firmly to the ground.
Village Head Han, not yet completely dead, still clutched the Cold Iron Sword tightly.
While spitting blood from his mouth, he laboriously mumbled:
“Ru, yi, Trea, sure Sword, follow…”
Before he could finish the sentence, his head lolled to the side, and he died instantly.
……