With a shift of his thoughts, Li Shun’s consciousness descended into the Fangcun space, arriving beside the statue of Threefold Self-Reflection.
“I examine myself thrice each day. If this statue also belongs among the Hundred Schools of Thought, then it must be a great figure of the Confucian path. And one who can alter heaven and earth with a single phrase…”
“Its original realm and status must have been extraordinarily high. Perhaps it was even one of the legendary sages.”
“Among the Hundred Schools, nothing is valued more than the transmission of orthodoxy. What in this world could surpass the direct inheritance of a sage?”
Li Shun stood beside the damaged statue, letting his thoughts wander for a long while.
At length, he let out a faint sigh. “A pity. This statue is still incomplete. And even if I were fortunate enough to fully repair it, there is no guarantee I would truly obtain its memories and inheritance.”
“In the end, I must seek another path. Steady progress is the proper way.”
He shook his head slightly.
“The Hundred Schools are not easy to enter… thinking about it now, I may have underestimated Feng Guan. At the very least, he did grasp some rudimentary methods of the Novelist School.”
“It’s been nearly half a year since he left Lengshan County. I wonder how he’s faring now…”
Li Shun’s path of cultivation had collapsed midway, and the situation in Lengshan County had only worsened instead of improving.
The floodwaters surging down from upstream came in relentless waves, raging without pause for three days and three nights.
After three days, the towering tides had completely swallowed Lengshan County, turning it into a true isolated city beneath the water.
Should the great defensive formation above falter even slightly and collapse, the boundless ocean would come crashing down like the Milky Way overturning, burying every living soul in the city within moments.
With a blade hanging overhead that could fall at any time, the suffocating pressure drove the entire populace of Lengshan County into a state of constant dread.
Arguments and fights broke out endlessly in the streets, growing more frequent by the day, leaving the Black Armored Army soldiers responsible for maintaining order utterly overwhelmed.
Yet in contrast, the county officials of Lengshan County appeared far more at ease.
Within the county yamen:
The Deputy Magistrate Yu Shang stroked his beard and said, “Lord may rest assured. The grain and supplies stored in the county granary remain sufficient. So long as no unexpected incidents occur, they can sustain the entire populace for half a year. With strict rationing, even a full year would not be difficult.”
The Commandant Cheng Yishu added from the side, “The Black Armored Army’s camp also holds a large reserve of military provisions. Even in the worst-case scenario, the brothers can head out to catch fish and other aquatic creatures for sustenance. Starvation is not a concern.”
“It’s just that… who knows when these floodwaters will recede? Being trapped day after day within this underwater barrier is no way to live.”
Cheng Yishu let out a soft sigh.
Magistrate Fang Xun remained calm, his expression steady as he spoke, “Yesterday, I personally went outside the city to investigate. This flood has come fiercely and spread across a vast region. All the surrounding lowlands have been completely submerged. With nowhere to drain, the waters have gathered into a massive lake nearby.”
“Fortunately, it is now the height of summer. Under the blazing sun, the water will evaporate quickly. By my estimation, within two months at most, the flood will naturally recede.”
Yu Shang and Cheng Yishu both revealed expressions of relief upon hearing this. “That is good news.”
Throughout their discussion, the three of them tacitly avoided mentioning reporting the disaster to the imperial court or requesting relief.
After all, although the flood was severe, it had not truly harmed the foundation of Lengshan County.
But if the matter were reported…
No matter what, a charge of negligence and mismanagement would be unavoidable.
Better to simply endure it like this. Once the disaster naturally subsided, they could cover the truth from the heavens and treat it as though nothing had ever happened.
However, events did not unfold as they had hoped.
Indeed, under the scorching sun, the waterline pressing above everyone’s heads was visibly receding day by day.
Yet their living conditions did not improve in the slightest. Instead, they grew increasingly dire.
Countless wild beasts in the mountains had drowned in the great flood. Their corpses piled up by the thousands, soaking in stagnant water.
After being baked under the blazing sun, they gradually fermented into an indescribable, nauseating stench.
This miasma of rotting flesh seeped through the barrier of the city-protecting formation in thin strands, lingering over Lengshan County day and night.
Before long, frail citizens within the city began to suffer from the toxic haze. They contracted strange illnesses, coughing violently without end.
“Sir, perhaps we should activate the purification function of the Radiant Light Formation,” Yu Shang suggested, his expression grim as he addressed Fang Xun.
Seated at the head, Fang Xun kept his eyes half-closed, remaining silent.
He seemed to be deep in thought.
Only after a long while did he slowly speak, “The Radiant Light Formation of Lengshan County has limited overall power. If its purification function is kept active at all times, its defensive capabilities will inevitably be weakened. I am concerned…”
Fang Xun did not voice the rest of his worries.
Yesterday, Wu Kuang had reported that he had finally uncovered traces of Xiong Jin’s nephew.
Fang Xun personally left the city to pursue him, intending to capture him alive.
Yet unexpectedly, the boy still managed to escape.
“I possess mid-stage Spirit Resonance realm. With the enhancement of my official seal, my strength is nearly equivalent to the late stage. That boy is merely at the Mortal Physique realm. There should have been no complications. And yet…”
Fang Xun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the faint pain in his chest.
“Not only is he tough as iron and monstrously strong, but more importantly, he is extremely familiar with the terrain around Lengshan County.”
“First, he set fire to melt the ice. Now, this strange plague. It seems this little thief did not act out of momentary impulse to seek revenge. He has been planning step by step, deliberately targeting me.”
At this thought, a trace of regret quietly surfaced in Fang Xun’s heart.
“Perhaps I should report his whereabouts directly. Even if I cannot claim the full merit, I would still receive a share of the rewards.”
But just as this thought of retreat emerged, an intense unwillingness suddenly surged within him.
“In yesterday’s clash, he was already gravely wounded by me. If I can track him down again, he will have no chance of escape!”
“Such an immense merit should be mine alone!”
“Besides, Lengshan County is currently flooded. If I choose to report this at such a critical moment…”
“…Forget it. I will try one last time!”
After a fierce struggle within his heart, greed ultimately overpowered reason.
“Better to deliberately reveal a flaw and lure the snake out of its hole.”
A sharp glint flashed in Fang Xun’s eyes as he settled on his plan.
In an instant, he adopted a sorrowful and compassionate expression, raising his voice as he declared, “Very well. We shall follow Old Yu’s suggestion and immediately activate the purification function of the Radiant Light Formation at all times. As the magistrate of Lengshan County, how could I stand by and watch my people suffer?”
Yu Shang immediately cupped his hands in respect. “Lord is truly benevolent and wise.”