Chapter 252 - 178: The Suicidal and Shattered River Water Monarch of Wave River 2
The control of the rivers, crucial to the livelihood of the Human Race, could easily secure the safety of their own essence. Therefore, the position of the River Water Monarch of Wave River has always been safe and secure.
However, this same River Water Monarch, who had managed to coexist peacefully with the people along the banks for hundreds of years, showed irregular behaviour after the absence of the Cangjiang Water Monarch.
Although slightly off, the River Water Monarch has still been fulfilling his duties faithfully, welcoming rain requests from the villages and towns along the banks. However, although it appears regular and orderly, the output of the crops speaks louder.
Despite the favourable weather and climate, the output of crops in South Shao Prefecture, one of the crucial grain-producing regions of Da Jin, has seen a yearly decline. This year’s spring plowing has been going on for a while, yet the rainfall is even less than the previous year.
At first, the Da Jin officials suspected that some officers were filling up their own coffers at the cost of the state, hiding and underreporting crop output and making a profit from it. But after an investigation, they found that the problem did not lie with the officers.
Corrupt officers exist, but they only dare to underreport a small portion of the output, and would absolutely never dare to cause a nearly twenty percent decline in South Shao Prefecture’s grain output.
Moreover, because of the decline in grain output, they don’t even dare to make these small moves out of fear that it might be traced back to them. Nonetheless, these were exposed.
The root of the problem lies in the fields, not them. The generous rainwater from the Wave River has been intercepted by invisible forces. Although the River Monarch has been trying to shower rainfall according to the people’s needs, the amount has decreased greatly compared to previous years.
Considering that the River Monarch’s biological father was killed, it seemed understandable for him to act this way. After all, his own father was killed by the Human Race. Venting a bit of resentment on humanity seemed not too significant
However, the rivers he controls are of great importance to the Human Race. Even minor resentment could impact millions of people.
Although the current crop yield is still considerable, if it continues to decrease like this, it will affect the official grain reserves. If a disaster were to strike, there would not be enough grain relief, resulting in widespread famine.
Local officials have been anxious over the grain problem and even sought help from the gods and spirits. But what could they possibly do about it? Though willing, they were powerless.
Powerful gods and spirits could control weather and cause rain, but they are no match for a Dragon Clan Water Monarch when it comes to this power. It’s simply a losing battle.
The officials and the gods and spirits of South Shao Prefecture had almost given up, since the decline in grain output was still within tolerable limits. They could grit their teeth and hold on.
However, after the Anqing Mansion City Spirit reported the news of Bailang River Water Monarch being beheaded, the spirits in South Shao started to work out a plan. They might not be able to do anything to a Water Monarch, but it didn’t mean that others couldn’t.
Therefore, these gods and spirits pulled strings everywhere, hoping to invite Second Young Master Feng to visit South Shao Prefecture. And if possible, they wanted him to negotiate with the River Water Monarch of Wave River about the rain situation.
The decrease in grain output is a matter that could potentially affect the foundation of the state and the livelihood of the people. If a serving that could feed ten people now only feeds nine, it doesn’t mean it could be divided evenly among ten, going from full to just enough. It implies that at least one person will go hungry and face the risk of having no food at all.
If there are unscrupulous merchants looking to exploit this situation to turn a profit, a human disaster is imminent, and a massive famine is brewing. “Young Master, are you prepared to go to South Shao Prefecture?”
Seeing Feng Qing’an sigh, the attendant butler Zhao, who had been attending to him at the Banquet of Spirits and fully satisfied many curiosities, asked.
Even for a warrior like him, these Water Monarchs and Mountain gods still belonged to the realm of legends, and they were too far away from him.
Those warriors at the Divine Elixir Realm, described in stories, who could fight Jiaolongs in the water and subdue tigers on the mountains, were also something he had only heard of but never seen.
“Yes. We will rest today and set off tomorrow.”
Feng Qing’an made the decision. He didn’t have a specific destination, he just went wherever he ended up. Now that he had been entrusted with a request from the spirits, he didn’t mind going to check things out. After all, it wouldn’t be a problem.
“Young Master, but that’s a Water Monarch!”
Butler Zhao couldn’t help but remind.
“It’s only a Water Monarch. I’ve slain one before, I’ve even tasted it!”
Feng Qing’an remained calm and aloof, casually responding.
At his words, the warriors that followed him looked at each other, all at a loss for what to say. Butler Zhao said nothing further, his eyes filled with reverence as he looked at Feng Qing’an. Clearly, his young master had plans and methods they did not yet comprehend.
“Then I’ll go make arrangements now!”
“Alright, go on.”
Feng Qing’an seemed to be indifferent, until a horse with hooves trampling the snow walked into the hall. His warm green eyes reflected his own figure.
“Young Master, are you really confident that you can handle the River Water
Monarch of Wave River?”
“No certainty at all.”
Feng Qing’an rubbed his brow. Although they were both rivers, Wave River and Bailang River were not comparable. The Bailang River was only a river that ran
through the mountains for hundreds of miles, while the Wave River stretched for thousands of miles without end, with countless worshippers along its banks.
Just from the geographical map, Feng Qing’an knew that compared with his elder brother, the River Water Monarch of Wave River couldn’t even qualify as a bootlicker. They were simply not on the same level.
“Do you still intend to go?”
Sen Miao couldn’t understand it, if Feng Qing’an had a way to deal with River Water Monarch of Wave River, she would be willing to be his mount. Even if she had to travel thousands of miles a day, she would see him all the way to South Shao Prefecture.
“Let’s see. It’s not like we are completely without options. If he goes too far, I might take the opportunity to kill him!”
Although he knew that the River Water Monarch of Wave River was far beyond what he could currently handle, Feng Qing’an still had more than one way to kill him. The question was whether it was worth it and whether he could use it.
“Master, if you wish to kill River Water Monarch of Wave River, please take Sen
Miao with you!”
“Don’t worry, if I need your help, I won’t hesitate to ask!”
Feng Qing’an smiled. Whether the arrival of his real body from the Eastern Dynasty or his withdrawal of the sword that kills gods and slays dragons, Sen Miao was of little use. But of course, he couldn’t actually say that.
“Thanks, Master!”
This Qilin beast didn’t hide its hostility towards the Dragon Clan at all. After all, the River Water Monarch of Wave River was in the same camp as her father’s killer. Although he hadn’t directly contributed, he was a significant part of Hongxi’s background force.
Song-
After Sen Miao left, a slender Golden Scaled Flood Dragon wiggled out from Feng Qing’an’s sleeve, looking at Feng Qing’an with a melodious song full of joy.
Seal of the Ocean Suppression, one of the Nine King’s Weapons of Desolate Sea!
Minglong Armor had been yearning for this. It had never forgotten and now finally the chance has arrived. Its master was originally not planning to confront this Water Monarch, but now the enemy comes knocking by himself.
“Little Glutton!”
Looking at the clearly ambitious Minglong Armor, Feng Qing’an teasingly flicked on its small head, “What is it that you don’t want?”
Song-
“Alright, I got it. I won’t treat you unfairly if there is a chance. Gods adore virtuous people. If the Water Monarch is lacking in virtue, he should lose his divine artifact!”
While speaking, Feng Qing’an glanced at Minglong Armor.
[Fifth Soul Contract: Minglong]
[Race: Spirit Communicating Treasure Armor] [Attributes: Spirit, Dragon, Water, Thunder] [Potential Level: Monarch?Medium]
[Battle Power Level: Commander?Superior]
Engaging with warriors immensely impacted this little guy, not only making its combat strength soar, but even its potential significantly improved.
It was not just the Minglong Armor that had drastically improved, but Black Mountain and Bai Yao, who had been with him for a long time, had also made considerable progress, [First Soul Contract: Black Mountain]
[Race: Wolfdog]
[Attributes: Yao, Beast]
[Potential Level: Monarch.Medium]
[Battle Power Level: CommanderSuperior]
Black Mountain is still repressing its realm, but it’s on the verge of breaking through, and its potential has risen once again. As for Bai Yao, she has completely transformed in the time she has been following him.
[Race: Spirit Wolf]
[Attributes: Spirit, Beast]
[Potential Level: Monarch.lnferior]
[Battle Power Level: Commandersuperior]