Ch 54: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

Jiang Lin stood in the vast open field, looking up at the sky. The scorching sunlight became gentle in this place, and the fierce wind and snow never invaded this domain belonging to the Sun God. The system was chattering in his ear, explaining the storyline of this world:

In ancient times, various tribes ruled the land. The two most powerful tribes were the Shen Nong tribe, ruled by the Sun God, Yan Emperor Shennong, and the Tu Su tribe, ruled by the Frost God, Ice Emperor Tu Su.

In addition to these, the vast eastern seas, far from the land, were ruled by the Dragon Emperor. The seas were so distant and mysterious that they had no contact with the land.

On land, smaller tribes depended on larger tribes for survival, eventually forming two opposing factions: the Shen Nong faction and the Tu Su faction. The relationship between the two factions was extremely poor.

There were many reasons for this poor relationship: the opposing divine roles of the two supreme rulers, both sides’ desire to become the most powerful tribe on land, and perhaps the simple fact that the sun and frost were inherently incompatible.

From the perspective of many in the Tu Su tribe, their animosity toward the Shen Nong tribe stemmed from one simple reason: jealousy.

The Yan Emperor was the Sun God and also held the role of the Agriculture God. The land showed extra favor to this tribe, and the Shen Nong tribe always enjoyed warm sunlight. They had the warmest climate and the most fertile land. The Yan Emperor himself would go down to the fields to farm and experiment with hundreds of plants, discovering many new edible species for the Shen Nong tribe.

The people of the Shen Nong tribe adored their god. They never had to worry about hunger or harsh weather. Their lives were happy and peaceful.

The Tu Su tribe, however, lived at the other extreme. The Frost God ruled the northernmost part of the continent, where it was snowy and cold year-round, with little vegetation. Although the Frost God was a deity, his followers were mere mortals. As the people of the Frost God, the Tu Su tribe could withstand some degree of cold, but living in an icy wasteland was far from pleasant.

Moreover, the Frost God also held the roles of Destruction and Eternal Night, none of which could bring food or warmth to the Tu Su tribe.

They struggled to grow enough food to feed themselves. To survive, they had to invade, expand, and plunder.

In their plight, they learned of the Shen Nong tribe in the warm south, where the climate was like spring year-round, and the people lacked nothing. They neither needed to fight nor endure the harsh weather. It was both infuriating and enviable.

The Shen Nong tribe, who loved peace and tranquility, despised the Tu Su tribe’s violent and domineering ways. The two tribes grew to hate each other more and more.

As the system recounted this, it noticed that the host seemed lost in thought. It comforted him, “You might not be used to this kind of ancient divine world, but don’t worry. I’ll guide you through the plot and help you avoid any dangers.”

Jiang Lin still didn’t respond, so the system continued.

In this world, Jiang Lin’s body belonged to a person named Jiang, the youngest son of the Yan Emperor. When his mother gave birth to him, the Yan Emperor had just discovered a new crop that could be used both as food and medicine. He named the crop Jiang. To celebrate this discovery, he also named his newborn son Jiang.

Later, when Jiang turned three, the Yan Emperor sensed the power of the Agriculture God within him. This son had inherited the agricultural power of his bloodline!

The Yan Emperor was overjoyed. His older children had all inherited the solar power from his bloodline. They were powerful, brave, and strong, becoming top-tier warriors. However, he had always been worried. While the power of the Sun God was strong and essential for defending the tribe, the power of the Agriculture God was crucial for the well-being and prosperity of the people.

The gods were long-lived, but not immortal. The Yan Emperor had always feared what would happen to the Shen Nong tribe if he ever fell into eternal slumber, leaving them without the protection of an Agriculture God.

Now, he finally had no reason to worry.

Jiang, the youngest son, was different from his strong siblings from birth. He was fair-skinned and delicate, with a slender frame, a beautiful and gentle little prince.

The Yan Emperor cherished him the most. However, as Jiang grew older, he became increasingly dissatisfied with his Agricultural God bloodline. He longed for the powerful physique and strength of his siblings, despising his own frail body and disdaining the gentle power of the Agricultural God. He even refused to cooperate when the Yan Emperor tried to teach him how to harness his divine powers.

Being the youngest, with his closest elder sister Huan nearly a thousand years older than him, the entire family doted on him. The Yan Emperor, having resolved a significant concern with the discovery of Jiang’s powers, and given his own lengthy lifespan, chose not to push him.

Jiang had a sensitive, insecure, and naive personality. He often wandered far from the tribe’s settlement, sitting alone and brooding, sharing his troubles with the open air. Although this place was far, it was still within the Shen Nong tribe’s territory, and if anyone attempted to harm him, the Yan Emperor would naturally sense it.

Over time, the people of the Shen Nong tribe became aware of the little prince’s habits. The people of the Tu Su tribe also learned about this prince who had inherited the power of the Agricultural God, noting that he wasn’t strong in battle and often disappeared to secluded places.

One day, Jiang encountered a stranger named Zi Qi. This man was tall and handsome, possessing the strong physique that Jiang most longed for. Zi Qi claimed to be from a small neighboring tribe that had not yet submitted to the Shen Nong tribe, which was why Jiang did not recognize him.

Zi Qi shared many tales of the outside world with Jiang, describing how in the west, there were giant birds with human heads that could speak and whose wings could fan out strange fires; how in the vast eastern seas, the most powerful dragons could stir up massive waves that could engulf everything in an instant.

Jiang listened, captivated. He lacked the strength and self-protection skills, and as the only inheritor of the Agricultural God’s power, the Yan Emperor forbade him from leaving the Shen Nong tribe’s territory until he was capable of defending himself. Young people are always drawn to the outside world.

He began meeting Zi Qi in the same place every few days. Zi Qi not only told him stories but also brought him small gifts he had never seen before.

Jiang realized that he had fallen for this man. He eagerly anticipated each meeting, and as Zi Qi told his stories, Jiang’s attention gradually shifted from the content of the stories to the man’s face.

Zi Qi had deep-set eyes. When he didn’t smile, they seemed a bit cold, but when he did smile, it was like the warmth of the Shen Nong tribe’s sun. When Jiang described it this way, Zi Qi’s expression seemed to turn cold for a moment. But the next moment, he smiled again, and Jiang thought it must have been his imagination.

Later, Zi Qi mustered the courage to tell Jiang that he liked him, but said that he was of lowly status and unworthy of Jiang. Jiang, absorbed in the joy of having his feelings reciprocated, failed to notice the impatience and disdain in Zi Qi’s eyes as he spoke.

Zi Qi began probing Jiang about matters of the Shen Nong tribe. Although Jiang was naive, he knew that certain things should not be spoken of. Whenever Jiang refused to divulge information, Zi Qi would become impatient, even angry, and Jiang would anxiously try to placate him.

One time, Zi Qi got angry again, and Jiang spent a long time trying to calm him down. Eventually, Zi Qi suggested they visit the eastern seas to see the beautiful mermaids with fish tails, whose tears turned into pearls.

Jiang was conflicted; he wasn’t supposed to leave the tribe. Zi Qi then turned cold. “You still look down on me, don’t you? You don’t believe I can protect you. If you won’t go, then let’s not see each other again!”

In the end, Jiang gave in. He secretly left the Shen Nong tribe and followed Zi Qi to the distant eastern seas. There, he saw the mermaids. They were beautiful, draped in garments as light and lovely as moonlight, standing in the water, singing songs that he couldn’t understand.

Jiang excitedly turned to share his joy with Zi Qi, only to see the man standing far away, looking at him with a cold smile.

“Die, Shen Nong Clan.” He could lip-read those words.

The next moment, the mermaids in the sea vanished, and an overwhelming tidal wave surged towards him, engulfing him completely.

Jiang died.

His soul drifted between heaven and earth.

He witnessed the Yan Emperor’s fury as the god’s solar power evaporated half of the Eastern Sea, yet the Emperor eventually relented, unwilling to cause further harm to innocent lives.

Zi Qi disappeared as if he had never existed.

Later, conflict broke out between the Shen Nong and Tu Su clans, resulting in the Yan Emperor being wounded and falling into a deep sleep.

With the Shen Nong clan no longer under the protection of the Agricultural God, the sunlight remained warm, but the soil lost its fertility, the crops withered, and harvests dwindled significantly.

The people of the Shen Nong clan, who had grown accustomed to divine blessings, began to experience prolonged hunger, internal strife, and division. By the time they eventually unified, the Shen Nong clan had regressed considerably in strength.

Jiang suddenly understood what his father had meant when he held him as a child and said that he was the future of the tribe.

He hated the Eastern Sea, hated Zi Qi, but most of all, he hated himself.

His soul transformed into a divine bird with red feet and a white beak, and every day, he would look back at the tribe he longed for before flying thousands of miles to the Eastern Sea.

He didn’t know who Zi Qi truly was, so he guarded the sea’s edge, hoping to see that man again and warn the tribe to be on guard.

His cries were mournful and sorrowful, and those who saw him named the bird Jingwei.

Jiang Lin remained quietly standing where he was.

He turned, looking out over the fertile plains before him.

The system spoke up, “Jiang has already met that Zi Qi and has begun to fall for him. Today is the day you’re supposed to meet him here.”

Jiang Lin still said nothing.

The system grew concerned. Something seemed off with the host. Could the storyline have been too much?

But the plot was relatively straightforward, nothing too extreme.

It prodded again, “Host? What are you thinking?”

Jiang Lin finally pulled his gaze away from the horizon.

His eyes shone with a bright gleam. “So, System, in this world, I’m the son of Shen Nong?”

The system responded, “That’s correct.”

Jiang Lin’s voice carried a hint of excitement. “And I possess the Agricultural God’s bloodline? With a cultivation halo?”

The system, sensing something unusual but staying truthful, answered, “Yes.”

Jiang Lin gestured grandly towards the vast, expansive land, unable to contain his laughter. “And all this… is my land?”

The system, catching onto his excitement, paused before replying, “Yes.”

“This world is… simply wonderful!” Jiang Lin declared.

The system realized the host’s focus had completely diverged from its expectations. It reminded, “Don’t forget your mission, Host. You’re supposed to meet Zi Qi soon, and you need to avoid your death.”

Jiang Lin thought for a moment and said, “That’s easy enough. I’ll meet him today, cut ties, and then settle down in the Shen Nong clan to farm. With the Yan Emperor around, no one will dare to harm me.”

The more he spoke, the more pleased he became. “Ah, I can finally fulfill my ambitions and dreams in peace.”

“The entire Shen Nong clan’s land will be under the care of Jiang Shen Nong Lin!”

(T/N: “Jiang Shen Nong Lin” is a playful way Jiang Lin refers to himself, combining his name with the title “Shen Nong,” the god of agriculture. It reflects his excitement about inheriting the agricultural god’s bloodline and his enthusiasm for taking control of the fertile lands in the Shen Nong tribe. Essentially, he’s imagining himself as the ultimate farmer, jokingly elevating his status by adopting the title of the god whose powers he now possesses.)