Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 134 - 134 133 Water Conservancy Project Extra for Alliance Hierarch Beiji Xiong2018

134: Chapter 133 Water Conservancy Project [Extra for Alliance Hierarch Beiji Xiong2018] 134: Chapter 133 Water Conservancy Project [Extra for Alliance Hierarch Beiji Xiong2018] Under the strong endorsement of the esteemed official, the construction at the Lesser Fortress finally began.

The commencement was divided into two parts; one was the construction of a large reservoir one mile outside the Lesser Fortress, which would be filled directly once the canal was completed.

Originally, Hou Niao intended for a reservoir just thirty feet on each side, but the enthusiasm of the people from the Lesser Fortress was beyond expectation.

As the project was for their own future, ensuring they no longer suffered from water scarcity and could use clean water without restrictions, their motivation skyrocketed.

The reservoir was quickly expanded to ninety feet on each side, and it was still being subtly enlarged.

Hou Niao could do nothing about this.

The second construction site was located at White Ribbon River, at the bifurcation of the new and old river courses.

Opening the canal from this point would prevent the waterway from becoming stagnant due to the uphill flow.

Simply put, the canal was planned along the old riverbed, which was the only path the water could flow through.

Each of the two construction sites was under the protection of cultivators; Hou Niao was at the Lesser Fortress, while Wang Mian and Fang Yazi were at White Ribbon River.

Since it was winter and no agricultural work was available, many local residents joined the workforce.

Not only people from the Lesser Fortress participated, but also sturdy laborers from the nearby fortresses were recruited, creating a bustling scene.

Gradually, news of the Lesser Fortress’s canal construction spread far and wide, becoming a popular topic of conversation among the neighboring fortresses.

People were eagerly waiting to see the final outcome.

The entire project was divided into three parts, with no significant difference in terms of construction difficulty.

However, the starting phase at the White Ribbon River where the river was to be diverted presented a slightly greater challenge, necessitating considerations to avoid erosion that could cause the riverbanks to collapse.

Hence, the project became more complex, involving the construction of embankments, bell mouths, guide banks, and more.

But when taking external factors into account, the most difficult part would likely be the several-mile canal to be begun after spring.

It required a large workforce and planning for how to protect the construction from demons along the way.

Without guaranteed safety, one couldn’t hope for a peaceful construction process, and progress would be indefinitely delayed.

A variety of demons, upon hearing the news, came snooping around, but they hardly found any vulnerabilities in the human construction efforts.

At White Ribbon River, Wang Mian and Fang Yazi were fully prepared, practically stationed at the river diversion itself, so the demons found little opportunity.

At the Lesser Fortress, Hou Niao’s fame was considerable.

With just a slouch upon the fortress wall, the nearby demons all felt anxious; the battle beneath Yinyue Castle had truly broken the backbones of most of them, and they were not going to recover anytime soon.

Regardless of perspective, the project seemed to have no downside for anyone; it was beneficial for the Lesser Fortress and didn’t affect the demons’ survival.

How could a mere waterway, three feet in width, have any significant impact?

Especially the residents of the Greater Fortress kept a watchful eye on the developments.

Some elders had already contacted Hou Niao, inquiring whether they could do the same.

Hou Niao answered with a smile but no words, meaning, “Let’s first see the outcomes at the Lesser Fortress before discussing anything else?”

Days passed uneventfully, and both construction sites progressed smoothly.

The reservoir in front of the Lesser Fortress was getting larger and deeper by the day since it was fully protected by the esteemed official from any demon disturbances.

Thus, everyone, regardless of age, had joined in the effort!

Even the three sisters-in-law from the Jiang Family couldn’t stay idle, working hard at the pit every day.

The difficulty of accessing water sources had made them long for a day when they could use water as they pleased.

The people’s will was clear, and there was no need for mobilization.

One day, as the esteemed official lounged on the wall, lost in thought with a pot of tea and a bag of pine nuts, a familiar face who had not been seen for a long time appeared before him.

“Hou Junior Brother, you seem to be enjoying yourself,” the visitor remarked.

With a smile, Hou Niao poured tea for the guest, “Senior Brother Xiang, what wind has blown you in?”

Xiang Zhiwen took a sip of the tea, which didn’t taste very good because of the poor water quality, but that was unavoidable.

“You’ve caused such a commotion at the outpost, I thought I’d come and see what kind of medicine you’re selling in your gourd,”

Hou Niao knew what he meant, “I know, this area is not within my patrol range, but isn’t it close to Suqiu?

I thought I’d monitor the movements of the giant rat demon nearby to see if there was anything suspicious.”

Xiang Zhiwen pointed to the bustling scene outside, “And then you just happened to start a major water conservancy project, to benefit mankind?”

Hou Niao spoke earnestly, “Senior brother, junior brother believes that wherever we Quanzhen disciples go, no matter what mission we carry out, there’s one thing we must always keep in mind, and that is to seek the welfare of the people!

Everything else is secondary!

The rat demons seemed to have sensed something and have been holed up in Ksitigarbha Palace without showing themselves lately.

I couldn’t catch even one, and I didn’t want to rashly crawl into rat holes, so I stayed here to overwinter, while also seeing if I could push my realm a little higher?

By the time spring comes and the flowers bloom, and my realm has improved, the rat demons will have let down their guard, and then it won’t be too late for us to follow the trail and uncover the rest.”

Xiang Zhiwen looked at him deeply, “Good, you can control your emotions and not act rashly, now I feel relieved!

I didn’t want to assign this mission to you because Ksitigarbha Palace is no ordinary place; not somewhere one enters lightly.

I don’t even dare to claim I’d emerge whole if I went in.”

Hou Niao was surprised, “Senior brother, after spring, are you saying that even with the power of our Quanzhen Sect in Yinling, we can’t accomplish anything?

Is there some formidable figure hidden in Ksitigarbha Palace that we don’t know about?”

Xiang Zhiwen shook his head, “Junior brother, you are not aware, the control Quanzhen Sect has within Shan Country isn’t as lax as it seems; for instance, in Yinling, as long as no great demons or cultivators with great cultivation appear, the Jin City branch won’t pay much attention.

They leave it to the local to handle and resolve, which is also a method of training the cultivators below.

The master uncle from Miao Gao Town does just that, so it’s not because there are high-level cultivation creatures present.

The danger of Ksitigarbha Palace comes from itself, its underground palace dense like a web, traps, and numerous rat demons hidden within; hence, even though I’ve long been intent on cleaning them out, I’ve never found the right opportunity.”

He sighed, “This is a game!

If the Quanzhen Sect were to summon higher echelons of cultivation power to sweep through Yinling, it would also draw equivalent retaliation.

Moreover, do you really think the fortresses here are equipped to resist a massive onslaught of demons?

There are certain boundaries that exist among the various races, keeping watch over each other, fearing each other, restraining each other, not to be easily broken.

Therefore, when we sent out an alarm to Jin City, they dispatched two Essence Building novices over here; that’s the attitude.”

Hou Niao nodded, “Understood, draw the snake out of its hole, deplete its power…

but it might be impossible to eradicate completely, leading to endless troubles later on.”

Xiang Zhiwen smiled, “It can never be eradicated—you shouldn’t entertain such thoughts.

The world of Jinxiu is vast, filled with countless real great demons.

How can the existence above be severed from below?

Just like you using the Soul Ghosts in West Mang Mountain as a sparring practice, didn’t that provoke the Wandering Souls and specters?

You’ve gone through with it, so strong spirits emerged; you haven’t been involved, because you are just a minor Essence Building cultivator, so there’s no reason for them to relentlessly pursue you.”