Chapter 29: The Divine

With that, Chen Zhiqiang took out three sticks of Qinan incense. This Qinan incense was the finest among all agarwood varieties, capable of releasing a faint, cool, and sweet fragrance even without burning, and worth more than gold itself.

Inside the cabin, Bai Ranhe, upon witnessing this scene, also stood up, his face filled with anticipation.

As Chen Zhiqiang lit the three sticks of Qinan incense, the scent drifted for miles, permeating both banks of the Yellow River and echoing between the towering mountains with its sweet, cool, and rich aroma.

This incense was said to prolong life, and it was clear that the Chen family had spared no expense this time. Even the crowd gathered at the scene benefited from it.

“Roaming souls adrift, where can you remain? Three souls descend swiftly, seven spirits appear in time. By the riverbank, in the wild, temples, and forests, today I call upon the deities—help me break free from this plight!”

When Chen Zhiqiang finished reciting his incantation, I couldn't help but suck in a cold breath. This wasn't a prayer to the gods at all—he was clearly summoning ghosts!

Whoosh!

As soon as Chen Zhiqiang finished, a chilling wind rose over the Yellow River. The once calm waters began to stir with waves, the entire sky dimmed into a heavy gloom, and beyond the lingering fragrance, there came a bone-deep cold.

Wailing!

A terrifying cry, like thunder out of nowhere, resounded from the deep mountains to the west, tearing through the sky. It sounded like a woman’s scream mixed with a child’s crying, echoing endlessly.

It seemed as if something in the west was breaking through a seal, and the mountains reverberated with the sounds of frantic collisions.

Those violent crashes and shrill cries hovered along the banks of the Yellow River, as if they had startled the gods themselves. In an instant, thunder roared in the heavens, and a torrential rainstorm began to pour.

Strange sounds echoed from afar.

I pressed my ear to the deck, listening intently to the distant disturbances—it felt as if something massive was swiftly forming. The next moment, I jumped to my feet and rushed toward the wheelhouse.

“Everyone, run! The wave is coming!” Even from a distance, I could hear the monstrous river wave rising in the west, roaring toward us. I hurried to the ship’s loudspeaker system and, using all my strength, shouted as loudly as I could.

The onlookers on both banks had already sensed a primal terror, and after hearing my warning, they scattered, fleeing further inland.

Minutes later, a towering wave—over ten meters high—charged toward us like a stampede. I looked up as the giant wave crashed down from the sky, slamming into our stranded ship. The geomancers onboard scrambled for cover wherever they could. The Yellow Blind, unable to move quickly, was swept straight into the river by the wave, vanishing without a trace.

Under the force of the crashing water, the ship began to rock back and forth, leveraging the external power. The stranded vessel appeared about to move; inside the cabin, Bai Ranhe trembled with excitement.

But suddenly, I sensed an immense force rising from beneath the ship, halting its movement and anchoring it in place. No matter how the waves battered us, the freighter didn’t budge an inch.

It was the Gray Dragon!

More than half a moment passed before the monstrous wave finally dispersed, leaving the riverbanks and the ship in utter disarray. Luckily, my warning had come in time, or who knows how many lives would have been claimed by the Yellow River that day.

“Is the ship… are we free?” Bai Ranhe emerged from the cabin, his face bright with hope as he gazed at the vessel. But although the ship had straightened slightly, it remained hopelessly stranded. Seeing this, the hope drained from Bai Ranhe’s face, replaced by utter despair.

If even such a tremendous force couldn’t move the freighter, not even the tides of the full moon would avail us now.

Bai Ranhe collapsed onto the deck, mumbling to himself, “It’s the Dragon King of the Yellow River… I was utterly wrong to break our pact. The Dragon King can make me wealthy beyond measure, or leave me with nothing.”

Bai Xiaoli’s expression was equally complex at this moment. She stared blankly at the immobile ship, lost in thought.

But the most astonished were the Chen family grandfather and grandson. The two exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend why such a massive wave had failed to move the ship.

After a brief stunned silence, Chen Yetian quickly regained his composure. He murmured with the man in black behind him for a moment, then helped Bai Ranhe to his feet, saying, “Mr. Bai, don’t worry. I just communicated with the deity—he said the spirit was summoned by my family, but the ship belongs to the Bai family. So, upon realizing this, he withdrew his hand.”

Bai Ranhe’s face lit up with joy, as if seeing a glimmer of hope. He seized Chen Yetian’s hand, desperate and pleading, “Master Chen, how can we break the curse?”

Chen Yetian glanced at Bai Xiaoli, then replied, “The deity said, unless Miss Xiaoli and the Chen family’s young master are married and consummate their union in the ship’s cabin, he cannot help the Bai family.”

By now, Bai Ranhe was completely flustered and, without thinking, agreed, “Fine, fine—my family will do as the deity commands. I’ll make the arrangements at once.” With that, he turned to approach Bai Xiaoli.

When Bai Xiaoli heard that she was to consummate a marriage with Chen Zhiqiang immediately, her eyes reddened with despair and panic.

Having listened to Chen Yetian’s words, I deeply understood one thing: with the right wingman, even a fool can win any heart.

Of course, I couldn’t let my fiancée fall into the tiger’s jaws. With a cold snort, I stepped between Bai Xiaoli and Bai Ranhe. “Nonsense,” I said icily. “Your family’s skills are lacking—if you can’t move the ship, I can.”