In three years, you guys will definitely be able to tell who's more suitable.

This way, everyone's happy. No problem with that, right?"

The demon ghosts looked at each other. Honestly, there wasn't any issue. Wen Yan was right—no one dared disrespect Wen Yan's decision, but you'd definitely have a problem with your colleague getting promoted over you for no reason.

No one thinks they're any worse than the others.

Let's just set a time and compete against each other. At the end, strength speaks for itself.

"Let me be clear: over these three years, if even a single person drowns in this area, all four of you are eliminated together."

After confirming things with the demons, that clueless grass carp—honest to a fault—immediately swam away to get started as soon as things were set.

Seeing the grass carp ignoring the art of war and getting to work already, the water snake slithered off in a different direction too.

The turtle demon tried to leave, but Wen Yan stopped him, saying he had something to discuss.

Meanwhile, the water ghost dawdled, looking like he wanted to stay and do something, but just hung around.

When Wen Yan glanced his way, seeming about to chat privately with the turtle demon, the festive water ghost awkwardly drifted further away, retreating into the water.

Wen Yan looked at the turtle demon, smiling with narrowed eyes.

"We might run into people here; let's talk underwater. The Scorching Sun Department won't know what we discuss."

Wen Yan stepped straight into the river, walking in until he was completely submerged.

The turtle demon was startled and hurried after him.

Once he caught up, he saw Wen Yan sitting underwater on a big stone. He wasn't wearing an oxygen tank, didn't even hold his breath—he just started talking in the water like it was nothing.

"Looks like you're the one the Dragon King values most. It just so happens I have something I'd like your help to pass on to the Dragon King."

The turtle demon blinked his little eyes and, upon hearing "Dragon King," edged back a bit warily.

"Are you with the Scorching Sun Department?"

"No, I work at the local funeral home—I'm a contracted employee, official staff."

"You practice cultivation?"

"I tried, but unfortunately I have zero talent for it."

"Oh. So, what do you want to say?" The turtle demon relaxed a bit and didn't care anymore why Wen Yan wasn't drowning.

"I'd like to chat with your Dragon King. Could you introduce me?"

The turtle demon hesitated, thinking it over.

"Our Dragon King doesn't like your kind, doesn't want to deal with you.

If I introduce someone out of the blue, I'll get in trouble—if I piss the Dragon King off, I could be doomed.

I really can't just introduce someone to the Dragon King.

Last time I did, the Dragon King was pissed—he literally crushed that nether soul."

"That foreigner who drowned last time?"

"Yeah, that one."

"..." Wen Yan couldn't help but give him a sideways look. This turtle demon was a real piece of work.

Still, even when the King was that furious, he didn't kill the turtle demon. Must mean this turtle demon is valued for real.

"So, did the Dragon King give you permission to meet me?"

"Yeah."

"If the Dragon King allows you to meet with me, and now you introduce me to him—would he really hold it against you?"

"Uh... uh..."

"Relax, of all of you, you're the one I think the most of. I won't screw you over; I really do have serious business to discuss with the Dragon King."

"But I can't just take you there. I have to ask for permission first."

"Go ahead and ask. I'll be back here at the same time tomorrow."

After sending off the turtle demon, Wen Yan lingered in the water a bit longer, glancing to the other side.

"If you've got something to say, hurry up and say it. If you don't, I'm leaving."

The festive water ghost drifted over with a mix of suspicion and nervousness, watching Wen Yan hang out underwater like it was nothing. He could clearly see Wen Yan swallow water, but there was no sign of drowning at all.

"Say it quick, stop hemming and hawing."

"Honestly, I don't care about building a temple or becoming a water god. I just wanted to ask you a favor.

If you can help me with this, I won't try for water god; and as long as I've got time, I'll keep patrolling this area."

"What's the favor? Spit it out."

"Can you get me a set of clothes? I want a change of clothes..." The festive water ghost trailed off, feeling increasingly awkward.

"Uh..." Wen Yan was caught off guard. That was the ask? "What clothes do you want? Just say it. I happen to know a cultivation-practicing friend; I'll ask him to help deliver it to you."

"A Reaper cosplay costume, one from 'Overwatch Butt'. Is that okay? I saw it a month ago on sale for just over two hundred." The festive water ghost looked expectantly.

"..."

Wen Yan really didn't know what to say.

"Well, it's not like you can wear regular clothes anyway. Fine, I'll find someone to put a set together for you."

"Awesome, thanks! If you need anything done, just let me know. I might not be able to do much, but I can at least gather a bit of intel."

"Alright. Let me bring you the clothes first, then we'll talk."

Wen Yan said goodbye to this festive water ghost, who'd probably died only a few years ago, and went looking for Old Xi to ask some questions.

Turns out, the only places in Virtue City that sell ready-made clothing for water ghosts are two funeral goods stores. If you want something custom, you have to find a specialist, and there aren't many with that skill.

Plus, it's even more expensive than clothes for the living.

Wen Yan had been expecting this. Whatever the situation, buying a skin always costs gold. For dead ghosts, it's even rarer—they require special materials and craftsmanship. Being expensive is understandable.

He sent the picture to Old Xi and asked him to find someone to make it, then just waited for news.

Meanwhile, the turtle demon had already returned to King Guilong Temple, most of which now sat beneath the water.

He carefully recounted his earlier run-in, full of real ambition to establish his own temple. After that river dolphin downstream showed up, countless West River water gods were literally turning green with envy.

After much hesitation, he still decided to come back and report to King Guilong, and mentioned Wen Yan wanting to meet the Dragon King too.

Contrary to expectations, the Dragon King didn't fly into a rage—actually, the more the turtle demon recounted, the calmer the Dragon King became.

"You're saying he voluntarily got into the water to talk to you, to avoid the Scorching Sun Department's surveillance, and didn't use any water-repelling Daoist skills?"

"Nope, definitely not. If he'd used any Daoist skill, I'd have sensed it. He was even more at ease in the water than I am."

"What did you say his name was?"

"Wen Yan."

"Last name Wen... can enter water and not drown..."

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