Daily Life in the Countryside After Being Reborn
Chapter 123 - 80: Cataclysmic Disaster (Third Watch)

Chapter 123: Chapter 80: Cataclysmic Disaster (Third Watch)

"You see, this brain of mine, I’m so thankful for you, old master," Zhu Shijun’s words were like a wake-up call that brought Jin Dafu back to his senses. With the situation at hand, there was no time to think about those groundless matters. "I’ll head out now and get all the men in the village to help with the evacuation and moving supplies." Jin Dafu couldn’t be bothered by the strong wind and heavy rain outside and made a move to dash out.

"I’ll go with you," Zhu Shijun insisted on not being left behind; after a year and more, he had already formed an inseparable bond with this village.

"Old master..." Jin Da Fu choked, turned his head, and wiped the corners of his eyes. He wanted to refuse, but among the men staying behind in the village, most were over fifty years old. In such a critical situation, one more helping hand could mean less loss. "Alright, let’s go out now."

Both men, donning raincoats, charged out into the curtain of rain. The raincoats were hardly adequate against such weather. Several figures dashed out ahead, "Village chief," it was San Gouzi’s voice, he had just finished covering his own tin cart when he heard the cries of Sister-in-law Wangcai’s children and women.

"San Gouzi, call everyone out, the old master and I will go to Sister-in-law Wangcai’s house to rescue people first. After you find some people, go immediately to Granny Bai’s house to check. After rescuing everyone, gather at the entrance to the village, push out all the wheelbarrows at home, and transfer the rice to the village broadcasting station in a unified manner." Showered by the rain, and with Zhu Shijun standing by his side, Jin Dafu felt more confident and began giving orders methodically.

The village’s broadcasting station was built halfway up the mountainside, on high ground with a solid foundation. Sending the rice there would ensure its safety, and people who had already been evacuated would also be accommodated there.

"Old master, did you leave Xiao Xian alone at home? Should we send him to our house?" San Gouzi knew that Sister-in-law Lian had returned home, and it seemed wrong to leave a child alone at home in such a storm.

Zhu Shijun didn’t say much, even if he did, his voice would be carried away by the wind and rain. He wasn’t worried about Xiao Xian; Miao Village should be safer than the village, as long as Xiao Xian wasn’t walking on the mountain paths, he would be safe.

Under the pitch-black canopy of the sky lay a seemingly endless mountain road. Tiny figures, like ants, staggered through the storm. Xiao Xian dared not breathe heavily; once he took a breath, the rain-laden wind would smack his face and choke his throat, nearly suffocating him.

It was close, just a few more steps. The closer he got to White Dragon Pond, the wilder the wind and rain became. A slight misstep and he could be swept away by the wind into the pond. Standing by the pond, the once tranquil White Dragon Pond had turned into a furious, stormy scene.

The surging waves were capable of swallowing driftwood and flying birds. The water, getting deeper and higher, seemed poised to overflow the bridge and collapse the surrounding mountainsides.

Xiao Xian took a breath. Planting his feet firmly on the banks, he looked out to see mud and water overflowing from the mountain. Further away, towards the direction of the village broadcasting station, there appeared to be points of light flickering like fireflies.

Right in the center of the pond, where the dragon of water rose to the sky, there was a bottomless whirlpool that could swallow everything. The sound that came from the depths of the pond was like a dragon’s chant or a beast’s roar. Xiao Xian looked towards the other side of the mountain, "As long as I find that felled Dragon Tree, the Immortal Liquid can surely regenerate it. With that, the Evil Flood Dragon at the bottom of the pond can be suppressed once again." This was the only thought in Xiao Xian’s mind.

The suspension bridge that led to Leigong Mountain was dangling over the water’s surface, precarious in the tempestuous wind. The bridge, spanning about two hundred meters from Black Mountain to Leigong Mountain, was a distance Xiao Xian could not cross using his Cloud Ascension Technique right now.

The centipede-shaped lightning tore through the sky while the clouds rumbled low like a suppressed human throat, brewing thunder.

With a "whoosh," Xiao Xian tore off a long piece of bark from an ancient camphor tree beside the bank. "Sorry, can’t worry about your face right now," the lightning illuminated her face, and anyone who saw Xiao Xian at this moment would be astonished by the aura radiating from her body, nothing like a young child.

The tree bark, which had just been part of the tree, still carried the scent of camphor wood - tough and strong. Xiao Xian pulled at the bark firmly and, making sure it was secure, walked toward the iron chain bridge.

The single iron chain swayed like a swing; the wooden planks were all flipped and blown away, leaving only that swaying chain in the wind, making its last struggle.

Yezi ran over breathlessly from behind, "Xiao Xian, come back, come back with me." His shouting ceased before it even started. It was too late. Yezi covered his mouth, unable to believe the scene before his eyes, and he dared not make a sound, fearing that any distraction would cause Xiao Xian to fall into the pond.

Thick clouds thundered in the sky, and torrents in the pond met the sky.

Folding the tree bark, Xiao Xian gripped it tightly in her hands. She positioned one foot on a rock by the shore, the wind blowing her body like a reed crossing a river or an arrow cutting through the storm.

The wind raced, and the rain poured, but none of it could stop Xiao Xian’s progress. In a few strides, she was already on the opposite bank. Xiao Xian breathed a sigh of relief and dashed toward the broken Dragon Tree.

"Yezi. You head back to the village right now, tell the villagers to close their doors and windows," a hand appeared on Yezi’s shoulder, it was the pale-faced Red Locust Great Wizard, looking at the whirlpool and at Xiao Xian running up the mountain.

"Granny, I want to help her," Yezi bowed his head, tears swirling in his eyes. Why did Granny and Xiao Xian both tell him to go back? He wanted to help too.

"Go back now, you can’t help here," the Red Locust Great Wizard was wearing a Miao Clan’s long robe, which turned black when the blue fabric got wet.

Yezi hesitated. He was only thirteen years old. How much courage was needed to control the grievances and stubbornness inside? In the end, reason overcame folly, and he turned and ran towards Miao Village.

"Evil Flood Dragon, you actually intend to devour the entire Ge Village?" The Red Locust Great Wizard looked up at the sky, only to see the clouds gather into the shape of a flood dragon, its gaping maw aimed directly at Leigong Mountain, the situation was perilous.

(Spent blood and tears on this. It’s harder to write than I imagined and still need to prepare for the next update at dawn, gritting my teeth, locking myself in the small dark room.) (To be continued... If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to place your recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)