Chapter 004: The Flood River Cracks
Inside the Xuanyuan Temple, Su Xuan heard a commotion and rushed to the roof ridge. She saw a wave of reddish-brown water emerging from the long street in the western part of the city, sweeping in with an overwhelming force. Wherever it passed, rooftops collapsed, and the sound echoed through the heavens, as everything was engulfed by the surging waves.
Su Xuan had never done this before, and only after starting did he realize how truly difficult it was. He had to clean the tiles, scrape off the loose plaster, use a hemp knife to fill in the damaged areas, and then apply a green paste with a hemp brush. Only after pressing the tiles down firmly could it be considered proper. He worked for half a day and found it to be several times more difficult than practicing swordsmanship. After finally completing the repairs, his clothes were utterly filthy. He fetched water to wash up, changed his clothes, and returned to the roof ridge to inspect it again. Master Chongyi followed him around for a look and was quite satisfied, tossing over a leather water pouch.
The Real Man Chongyi was also swept away by the flood, but fortunately, he was safe and sound. After some difficulties, he returned to the temple and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that everyone was safe, each sharing what they had witnessed. The situation in the east of the city was relatively better, as it was inhabited by prominent families and wealthy households, with the water only reaching half a person's height. However, the west of the city was a vast expanse of water, with countless casualties.
The sound of the rain is incessant, making it difficult for the Real Man of Chongyi to remain optimistic. "How could we not take precautions? We have long dispatched people to patrol day and night, and have also prepared a considerable amount of sand, stones, and timber to reinforce the embankments. Yet the rain continues unabated, and even the pond in the courtyard is on the verge of overflowing; it is likely to be even worse on the river."
Su Xuan took a sip; the taste was both strong and spicy, making her throat feel exceptionally uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but cough it out
Opposite the Xuanyuan Temple stands a three-story restaurant, half of which is currently submerged underwater. Su Xuan leaped over, severed a wooden pillar, and extended it outside the building, hanging it in mid-air to rescue people. Before long, she had pulled up more than ten individuals from the flood, yet as she looked around, countless others were still struggling in the water, making it impossible to save them all.
The once desolate pond of Xuanyuan Temple is once again filled with water, the branches of the locust tree glistening with rain. That chaotic dance of prayers seems to have moved the deities, and it has indeed rained. Perhaps having been thirsty for too long, the rain falls without pause, continuing for months on end, soaking everything thoroughly. With the prolonged absence of sunshine, clothes remain damp, and the rice and millet have begun to mold, presenting a different kind of discomfort compared to prolonged exposure to the sun.
The Real Man Chongyi said, "You understand but cannot act upon it. I ask you, if the one abducting people is the Elder Ancestor of the Vast Sky, how would you respond?"
This child has his own beliefs, yet he is unaware of the complexities of the world. The master of the Chongyi sect lamented, "While sacrificing oneself to uphold the way is indeed noble, the weak are not necessarily virtuous. In my earlier days, I encountered powerful bullies who, with false money and real contracts, forcibly seized the land of the common people. Not only did they break the legs of the victims, but they also burned their homes, leaving entire families in a state of utter despair. In my anger, I went to reason with them, but the bullies were too powerful and had hired skilled fighters to assist them. I was no match for them, suffered severe injuries, and was chained in the marketplace. Passersby pointed and laughed at me, and the victim, leaning on a crutch, came to curse me, claiming it was because of me that his son was beaten by the bullies. It is laughable that he does not hate the real criminals but instead resents me, who only wished to help." I, in my anger, went to reason with them, but the bullies were too powerful and had hired skilled fighters to assist them. I was no match for them, suffered severe injuries, and was chained in the marketplace. Passersby pointed and laughed at me, and the victim, leaning on a crutch, came to curse me, claiming it was because of me that his son was beaten by the bullies. It is laughable that he does not hate the real criminals but instead resents me, who only wished to help.
Su Xuan replied candidly, "Elder of the Long Sky, I know I am no match for you. However, after years of sword training, if I cannot uphold the beliefs in my heart, and can only show off in front of the weak while submitting to the strong, what is the point of it all"
Su Xuan extended her arm and grabbed a man who was half-drowned from the water. The citizens, who were catching their breath in various places, were all making efforts to rescue him. It was not until night fell and visibility turned completely dark that people finally stopped.
Su Xuan replied earnestly, "Thank you, Master Uncle, for your guidance. I will certainly hone my martial skills diligently, striving to confront tigers with tigers and to meet soldiers with soldiers"
"That is deceiving you; Master still enjoys a little wine during the Double Ninth Festival." Chongyi, unconvinced, sat down on the roof ridge, took out two cups from his bosom, and pulled out a package of oiled paper, revealing fried peanut beans. "You are already a person of the jianghu; once you enter the jianghu, there is no one who does not drink wine."
Knowing it is foolish, knowing it is wrong, even though at one point I felt disheartened, there are still some things that cannot be changed
The Master Chongyi opened the Daoist temple to provide shelter for the disaster victims, instructing his disciples to retrieve some stored rice and flour, and cooked porridge for everyone to share.
The Daoist Master Chongyi ignited the charcoal fire, placed it in the incense burner, and brought it over. "The greatest fear in Jingzhou is the threat of flooding. This area has excellent soil and is rich in resources, truly a land of fish and rice. The city defenses are built solidly and high, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. However, the river bends like intestines, causing sediment to accumulate, raising the riverbed higher and higher, turning it into a suspended river above the ground. Once the levee breaks, the flood will surge down, sweeping across thousands of miles. It is said that Jingzhou is not afraid of war and conflict, but rather fears the dream of the Southern Branch. It is said that decades ago, there was a great flood at night, leaving corpses floating everywhere in its wake." It is said that Jingzhou is not afraid of war and conflict, but rather fears the dream of the Southern Branch. It is said that decades ago, there was a great flood at night, leaving corpses floating everywhere in its wake.
A strong man was caught by a floating board, yet was struck to death by a beam swept by the water; an old woman clung to a tree branch, helplessly watching her family being washed away by the flood, separated from them in an instant; a mother exerted all her strength to lift her child onto the wall, only to be engulfed by the raging waters herself. Su Xuan was surrounded by the sounds of wailing and cries, the world was vast and desolate, and people were like ants, everything felt so powerless
Su Xuan pondered for a moment and filled the empty cup with wine
Such a response left Chongyi Zhenren momentarily speechless. After taking a sip of wine, he said, "One must discern the situation; excessive rigidity leads to breakage, and excessive strength results in humiliation. Even a fledgling eagle, when recklessly battling against a fierce wind, will have its wings broken. How then can it grow into a roc?"
Su Xuan fell silent
A few days later, the rain finally stopped, the dark clouds gradually lightened, and the next day began to show signs of clear weather. People relaxed, everything returned to normal, and the number of people in the market gradually increased
The wine was not particularly enjoyable, yet Su Xuan slowly swallowed it, and between breaths, a warm and spicy sensation began to emerge
The Master Chongyi drank with increasing ease, and after a few cups had passed his throat, he finally spoke, "At the beginning of entering the world, one wishes to act with chivalry and righteousness, which is commendable. However, in this world, there are countless injustices, and numerous skilled individuals in the martial realm. There will always be villains whom you cannot defeat; what then shall you do when that time comes"
Su Xuan had lived there for a period of time and was familiar with the terrain of the city. The Xuanyuan Temple is located in the center of the city, at a moderate elevation. The lowest area is around the Shuijin Gate in the southwest of the city, where many impoverished people reside. Floodwaters enter from this point, and the low, densely packed houses are dilapidated, lacking walls for protection. A sudden rush of water can cause them to collapse instantly, resulting in the most tragic of circumstances.
The Real Man Chongyi also expressed his sentiments, "Heaven plays tricks on people, giving rise to new calamities, and we still do not know what the situation is like on the embankment"
For instance, if you rescued a girl from thieves, but the incident leaked out, causing her reputation to suffer and her family to be criticized, who knows whether her family would blame you for it? Who says that good intentions will always be rewarded? The Master, fearing that he might say too much and dampen the young man's spirit, slowed his tone and said, "It is not my intention to make you cynical, but rather to hope that you understand the need for flexibility. Young people are often impulsive; nothing is worth recklessly risking your life over. In the face of challenges, you should act according to your capabilities."
The Real Man Chongyi, despite knowing that speaking a word would render the previous statement meaningless, still could not help but say, "I will."
Seeing his face turn red, Chong Yi Zhenren found it very amusing and laughed heartily, "Have you never drunk alcohol on the mountain?"
Su Xuan indeed took a risk, and afterwards felt fortunate, "I understand the good intentions of my master uncle"
Su Xuan felt a sudden seriousness, and her breath became sharp
To advise others only to be advised in return, the Immortal Chongyi indulged in a great drunken revelry. In retrospect, it seems rather amusing, yet deep down, there is a warmth, as if even the incessant rain is no longer detestable. However, the situation outside the city worsens day by day; the heavy rain has caused the river to rise continuously, with reports of landslides and destroyed houses pouring in. People have begun to flock to Buddhist temples and Taoist shrines to beseech for the cessation of the rain
"Whether one can withstand it all depends on luck. This city has been flooded countless times; you should remain vigilant. If you hear the sound of the alarm bell, immediately climb to higher ground." After giving this advice, Master Chongyi couldn't help but sigh, "With droughts, locusts, and famine in the front, and floods in the back, this year has truly been fraught with disasters."
Su Xuan noticed the change in his tone, and with a bow, said, "It is better to seek the truth directly than to pursue it through indirect means; wherever the path lies, what does it matter if one is foolish."
The incessant rain has caused considerable damage to many households, and the Xuanmiao Temple has leaked in three rooms. The repairman has been overly busy lately and has not arrived for a long time. The temple had no choice but to undertake the repairs itself. By the time the rain eased slightly after noon, the task was handed over to Su Xuan.
The Real Man Chongyi has not commented on the events of the previous day, and internally feels quite conflicted. On one hand, the matter was handled beautifully, which is very satisfying, almost prompting him to praise it; on the other hand, he worries that this inexperienced newcomer is too bold. If he does not discipline him, he may encounter danger next time if a similar situation arises. "If Chi Xiaoran and Hua Jian Tao see through the scheme and join forces to attack, can you escape? Not only will you be unable to save anyone, but you will also lose your own life in vain"
The Immortal Chongyi looked at the young man and suddenly burst into laughter, "What a person who would rather the world be wrong than himself! Another fool!"
The Master of the Conflict and the Barbarian has fallen silent
Su Xuan noticed the weight of his words and took them to heart, "Are you worried about the riverbank dikes, Master Uncle?"
Suddenly lost in thought, it seemed as if he saw a naturally brave and fearless young tiger, proudly standing and roaring atop the mountains and forests. He felt both admiration and concern, unable to refrain from reproaching, "Once you enter the world, how can you dare to claim to be the strongest? No matter how high one's talent or intelligence may soar, one must still exercise caution and restraint. Those who are adept at preserving life do not encounter fierce tigers, and those who enter the military are not harmed by armor and weapons. Do you understand?"
"The master said, 'The mortal world is like a turbulent wave; who can avoid being swept along? Those who go against the current will inevitably face countless setbacks and difficulties.'" Su Xuan recited each word, her tone calm yet proud, "However, under the Mirror Xuan Sect, we only accept those who swim against the current."
The intoxication of the wine surged within me, a wave of heat enveloping my chest, both sour and tumultuous, leaving me at a loss for words to describe the sensation, and unexpectedly, tears welled up in my eyes
In the afternoon, a sudden dull tremor shook the ground, causing hearts to race, as if an invisible giant beast was growling.
The dam has collapsed— the water gate has fallen— run!
More than half a bag of wine has entered the mouth of Master Chongyi, who came to persuade others, yet at this moment, it seems as if he is pouring out the burdens in his heart.
Su Xuan quietly waited for him to finish laughing, "The matter regarding Shishu was also mentioned to me by Shizu once or twice."
Chong Yi sighed and said, "Master should keep you on the mountain for a few more years. Your skills surpass those of your peers, yet you are still insufficient when facing true villains. Moreover, you are stubborn and reckless, foolishly displaying your bravado."
Su Xuan was wringing out the clothes, which had been hanging in the room for three days. They seemed to have become even more damp than when they were first hung up. Unable to help herself, she murmured, "If only this rain had fallen a few months earlier, it wouldn't have come to this."
"The disciple has learned well." After a long while, Su Xuan asked very slowly, "If tomorrow the master uncle sees a villain bullying the innocent, will he still draw his sword?"
Su Xuan spread the clothes on the smoking rack, and upon hearing this, she couldn't help but feel alarmed, "Does the government have any precautions?"
Su Xuan did not argue with him, revealing a slight smile. At a young age, he already possessed an impressive demeanor, yet he was willing to show humility before his elders, lowering his brow. It made it difficult for anyone to bear to reprimand him further
Crying voices can be heard from all directions, in the dark night, it is unknown how many people are separated from their spouses and children, distanced by the Yellow Springs
Chong Yi was utterly amused and scolded, "A fool who cannot see through things will eventually suffer a great loss."
Fortunately, my master passed by and saved me, allowing me to enter the sect by chance. However, due to that injury to my meridians, my martial arts have made little progress. Although my master never reproaches me, I find it uninteresting and have chosen to guard the Xuanyuan Temple. Master Chongyi rolled up his sleeves, revealing a deep knife scar on his arm, and said, "Not everyone is worth risking one's life to protect. The common people are like sheep, possessing both the weakness and foolishness of sheep. They revere the strong, even if the other party is a vicious wolf. The gratitude and praise they give you are not for upholding justice, but for defeating the strong and proving yourself to be stronger; once you fail, even if you are fighting for them, you will only receive merciless ridicule." Not everyone is worth risking one's life to protect. The common people are like sheep, possessing both the weakness and foolishness of sheep. They revere the strong, even if the other party is a vicious wolf. The gratitude and praise they give you are not for upholding justice, but for defeating the strong and proving yourself to be stronger; once you fail, even if you are fighting for them, you will only receive merciless ridicule.
The horses passing by on the street were startled, causing them to rear up and neigh loudly, which in turn tilted the carriage. The coachman, caught off guard, was thrown to the ground and lay there for a while, unable to get up while clutching his leg. Everyone looked around in panic. Soon, a sharp sound of gongs echoed from the city, each strike more urgent than the last, as someone shouted hoarsely from the city wall, their voice piercing.
After he finished drinking, Su Xuan said, "The words of my master uncle have greatly benefited me. If the good do not receive goodness, it is the fault of the world; if one stands by and does nothing in the face of evil deeds, it is a fault of oneself; I would rather the world be at fault than myself."
The Real Man Chongyi suddenly recalled and said to Su Xuan, "I inquired a bit, and the woman you saved seems to be a member of the Ke family. The Ke family has someone in the court holding a first-rank official position, and they are also a prominent local clan. As long as she remains secluded in the inner residence, it would be impossible for Huajian Tao to sneak in and abduct her. Now that the severe drought has ended, Jingzhou will begin to clear out the influx of outsiders, preventing such disturbances from occurring again"
The Real Man Chongyi had not returned from his outing, and Su Xuan immediately turned back, pulling several young disciples onto the roof, urging the martial arts practitioners among the Taoists to take cover. After ensuring that both those skilled in martial arts and those unskilled had ascended to higher ground, and confirming that the people within the temple were safe, he turned to look at the marketplace. What he saw made his heart sink; outside the temple had become a vast expanse of floodwaters, with countless people struggling to stay afloat.
Su Xuan did not smile, changed her position to kneeling, and solemnly poured a cup of wine, her demeanor unusually respectful. "I toast to my master uncle"
Su Xuan smiled, her eyes clear and proud, "A sword that fears to break is merely a useless tool; a fledgling eagle that fears the wind cannot soar to the heavens. If only the strong can do what they ought to do, then I shall become the strongest person."
Su Xuan helplessly set down the bag, "Shishu, Shizu said that drinking alcohol is not beneficial to cultivation"
Chong Yishu opened his eyes and said, "Not bad, after all, you are my disciple."
Thin wisps of white smoke drifted from the incense burner, floating into the deep, murky sky, while the thick clouds pressed down heavily above. Even Su Xuan felt the weight of it, "Can the city walls really withstand the flood?"
The torrential rain poured down incessantly, cascading like water splashed from black tiles, creating a shimmering curtain of water hanging beneath the eaves
Su Xuan knew that a lecture was inevitable, so she sat cross-legged and replied, "If I truly cannot withstand it, then I can only flee."