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墨書 Inktalez
"Perhaps... a few hundred years."
He wore a white robe, surrounded by a silver glow, and replied to me with an indifferent tone.
He was truly handsome, more so than the young masters in the town, and I found myself lost in his gaze.
I still remembered the day we first met; he had pulled me from the river when I was drowning. At that time, I thought he was a ghost. Now it seemed that sometimes ghosts might be better than humans.
"You are the river god of this area, spending every day in the temple. Don't you need to do anything?"
I recalled how the years had been getting worse here; with poor harvests, many villagers often went hungry, and everyone said it was the river god's anger.
"They deserve this," Longyin said expressionlessly.
I was suddenly startled, but thinking of how those people had bullied me and their foolish and barbaric actions, I fell silent.
Life went on steadily; perhaps it was because I was brought here as a sacrifice that others couldn't see him, but I could.
That day, as usual, I went to the back mountain to gather wild fruits but was chased by the villagers.
"You were sacrificed to the river god but didn't die!"
"Someone stop her! The river god's bride has escaped; he will punish our entire village!"
"Kill this demoness! Kill her!"
The strong men of the village grabbed hoes and knives and charged at me. I ran for my life into the deep mountains, barely escaping this calamity.
When I returned to the River God Temple, my body was covered in bruises.
Longyin's expression darkened when he saw me return like this. He said nothing and left with a stern face.
That night, a fierce storm swept through the village, with strong winds and heavy rain. The houses of those who had attacked me were washed away, and there were near fatalities in the village.
After that night, there were many more rumors about the River God Temple circulating in the village.
I asked Longyin if the thunderstorm that night was his way of avenging me.
Longyin told me that no matter what, I would always be considered his wife.
In this world, no one else would protect me; he had to look after me.
As I listened, my eyes stung with pain. I forced a smile, trying to appear happy, but tears fell uncontrollably.
Longyin looked at me, unsure of what to do.
He was enveloped in Celestial Aura, yet he couldn't even wipe my tears away.
From that day on, I made it a point to cook for him every day in various ways.
"You don't need to go through all this trouble just for one meal," I said as I set the bowl in front of him, but he never touched it.
I knew he was a deity and had no need for mortal food, but I didn't mind because it was my intention.
I simply smiled at him and said, "I enjoy it."
Being outgoing by nature, I began to chatter away daily about my life to him.
For example, I encountered some strange events during my childhood. I remember going to the market and selling the Lingzhi mushrooms I had gathered for a good price, and hearing amusing stories in the apothecary.
Longyin was a man of few words, always listening but rarely speaking.
As time passed, he finally began to engage with me.
I learned that Longyin had been here for hundreds of years, watching me grow up. He knew everything I shared, and even many things I was unaware of.
For instance, he knew that my deceased parents were a loving couple, and that a century ago, someone in my village had committed the Heavenly Taboo, which led to the Heavenly Punishment.
"When will it be resolved?" I asked.
"The Causal Cycle," he replied. "Only when the sins are atoned for will it be over."
So it wasn't merely about sacrificing to the River God for favorable weather; it was human greed that had brought about this calamity.
After saying this, Longyin remained expressionless. He had witnessed too much life and death, while I was different.
"Do you wish to help them?" he asked.
I shook my head. "I have no feelings for these people."
If I were to be honest, all that remained was hatred and resentment.
Longyin looked at me with eyes full of pity.
Outside, rumors about the River God Temple grew more rampant. I thought the villagers had learned their lesson and dared not return, allowing me to enjoy a period of calm days with Longyin.
I often feel a sense of disorientation, as if we truly are a married couple, living each day in the rhythm of sunrise and sunset.
But alas, the good times did not last long. That night, the villagers once again crept into the River God Temple under the cover of darkness.
"It’s you! You reckless woman, marrying the River God and still daring to live!"
"The great disaster in our village is all because of her. The families that suffered last time were only spared because they failed to kill her; that’s why the River God became enraged!"
"The chief has calculated it; tonight the River God is absent, and we must kill her! Otherwise, when the River God returns and sees her alive, he will bring calamity upon the entire village!"
They shouted at me in unison: "Kill her! Kill her!"
"Skin her alive, tear her flesh from her bones, and offer her to the River God!"
A wave of fear surged through me as I stepped back, struggling desperately.
"I am Longyin's wife," I told them.
"You must not harm me!"
But no matter how much I pleaded, their eyes were filled with bloodlust.
I had no choice but to scream, "Longyin! Save me!"
Yet upon hearing that unfamiliar name, they became even more frenzied, like demons unleashed. They rampaged through the temple, destroying everything I had arranged; my home was left in ruins, but the statue of the River God remained intact.
I gazed at the cold statue on its pedestal, crying uncontrollably as a deep sense of sorrow washed over me.
I retaliated like a madman, knowing full well that I was outnumbered and no longer trying to reason with them. I pulled out the fuse I had prepared long ago.
I lifted a corner of the River God Temple, revealing several boxes of Black Powder neatly arranged inside.
"That's the stuff!"
"If you dare to come any closer, we'll die together right here!"
The villagers finally grew afraid and hurriedly fled in panic.
I don't know how much time passed, but then I heard a voice beside me. Startled, I turned to see Longyin standing there.
With red-rimmed eyes, I looked at him, unable to speak.
Could I blame him? Yes, but what difference did it make? Gods and humans were never meant to be compared.
"What wife? It's just a joke," he said as he squatted down to look at me. "Are you angry?"
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