Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 135 - 135 134 Silent Waiting Additional update for Alliance Hierarch Ni Huan Liu Shui

135: Chapter 134: Silent Waiting [Additional update for Alliance Hierarch Ni Huan Liu Shui] 135: Chapter 134: Silent Waiting [Additional update for Alliance Hierarch Ni Huan Liu Shui] Xiang Zhiwen looked at him with satisfaction, “But you’re right about one thing, no matter where we are, whether it’s the Daoist Sect, Buddhist Sect, Holy Sect, or any other sect, one thing must be made clear, the well-being of these border residents is our bottom line.

“It’s great that you can get this water channel started, and when the warmth of spring thaws the ground, if you’re short on hands, I can even send another one or two senior brothers over.

This is a major affair that can save a lot of people and is far more meaningful than killing a few giant rat demons.”

Hou Niao felt somewhat embarrassed, “It’s only right, projects like this are common in Anhe Country, so I’m quite familiar with this kind of work.”

Xiang Zhiwen had a moment of realization, “So that’s why, with the developed water system and abundant rainfall in Anhe, it seems we found the right person by sending Junior Brother Hou to patrol this area.

If you can make it work here at Little Qian Fort, you’ll have to put some effort into Big Qian Fort as well; you can’t favor one over the other.”

Hou Niao nodded in agreement, “With senior brother’s support, I will not fail my mission.”

Xiang Zhiwen sighed, feeling somewhat bittersweet as he saw his junior brother making waves outside.

He felt trapped in Fang Family’s Castle, while dealing with the unpredictable Fang clan members was frustrating, unable to strike or kill, it was incredibly constraining,

“Regarding Fang Family’s Castle, there are still too many questions unanswered.

They’re not from the Demon Clan, so whatever we do, we have to focus on evidence and refrain from being too simplistic and brute.

If I had known this would happen, I would have preferred that we switch places—you to Fang Family’s Castle, and I would enjoy my freedom at West Mang Mountain.”

Hou Niao was quite humble, “Senior brother is jesting.

The positions are not equivalent; how could we switch?

Senior brother is someone who controls the overall situation, and shouldn’t be troubled with these trivial matters.”

Xiang Zhiwen inwardly nodded, recognizing that Junior Brother Hou was a promising talent, possessing courage and strategy, knowing when to advance and when to retreat—traits that alone would take him further than most.

In Yinling, slaying demons is meritorious, but that’s not extraordinary as anyone can kill demons; the difficulty lies in how to contribute to the welfare of Yinling’s citizens, and that is the long-term plan to benefit Yinling.

Building water infrastructure is a good approach, but in a place like Yinling, there aren’t many suitable places for this method.

After all, not every river or lake is prone to change its course or present difficulties with water extraction.

A very good starting point, and speaking solely of contributions, more meaningful than slaying hundreds or thousands of demons.

Standing up, he patted Hou Niao’s shoulder, “With such thoughts from you, I’m at ease.

Rest assured, I will report your contributions accurately and won’t let a meritorious person be wronged.

In Tianfeng Plain, nothing can escape the eyes of the Capital Commandant’s office, so you needn’t worry about that.”

Although it’s a Cultivation Sect, within the Quanzhen Sect, in Shan Country, one’s position is very important as it is a significant guarantee for obtaining resources for cultivation.

So, building the water infrastructure is very important, but not everyone has this vision.

Xiang Zhiwen left, quite satisfied.

As for the Rat Demon’s Ksitigarbha Palace, it wasn’t built in a day, of course, and it wouldn’t be possible to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

Even if they were rat demons, it’s unlikely they would stay in their holes forever without coming out.

Hou Niao didn’t tell the whole truth, not because he was deliberately being mysterious, but because he also had no full confidence, and many things were not up to him to decide.

But at the very least, ensuring that Little Qian Fort had water access was certain, as for doing anything more, it would depend on the whims of fate.

One thing, however, the information about Suqiu brought by Xiang Zhiwen gave Hou Niao some conjecture.

According to internal news from the Quanzhen Sect, a hundred years ago, Suqiu was just an ordinary rat den.

Although its structure was complex, it was still within the realm of a rat burrow, but around a hundred years ago, Suqiu underwent a transformation.

The rat burrow began to change into an Underground Palace, as if the Rat Demons had all become architects, and it took them decades to turn Suqiu into what it is now.

The specifics are a mystery to the outside world.

Interestingly enough, the White Ribbon River also changed its course a hundred years ago!

The day was quite interesting; in the morning Xiang Zhiwen had left, and in the afternoon another person he had met only once came by,

“Daoist Hou’s undertaking has earned my admiration.

If you pull this off, you’ll be the reborn parents of the Little Qian Fort’s residents, with the right to a spirit shrine and incense offerings!” expressed Daoist Wei Ming with envy.

Hou Niao waved his hand dismissively, “Don’t jinx me.

The power of human faith is too vast and elusive, something a mere mortal like me can hardly bear.”

Seeing that he wasn’t pretending, Wei Ming sighed inwardly at the unpredictability of fate, lamenting how those who desired the power of incense faith couldn’t obtain it, while those who could potentially receive it didn’t believe in it,

“You are not keen on this, yet there are countless cultivators who need the power of incense faith.

What is to be done?”

“The water channel in Little Qian Fort will fulfill the people’s wishes, and the merit is boundless.

I too wish to contribute a part to it.

May I ask if Daoist Hou would accept my involvement?”

“So Daoist Wei is also interested in faith?”

“I just want to give it a try in this area.

After all, having another option means another choice—before reaching Tongxuan, we cultivators should not restrict ourselves to a fixed direction.”

Hou Niao nodded, “Agreed.

Performing charity without purpose is still charity, and with purpose is also charity.

I welcome Daoist Wei’s willingness to join in, the more cultivators like yourself the better.

If all the wandering cultivators in Yinling were like you, what difficulty would there be in constructing this water channel?”

Daoist Wei Ming felt moved, “People with a generous heart like yours are rare in this world today.

I don’t thank you with words, but with actions to come.”

Lord Hou doesn’t mind sharing the incense faith with others, so others will benefit.

But the opportunity is given to you; whether you can seize it is another matter.

Don’t expect others to spoon-feed you.

Wei Ming hesitated for a moment, then declared resolutely, “With Daoist Hou in charge of Little Qian Fort, and with the fort walls for protection, I reckon nothing will go wrong.

Perhaps I should go to White Ribbon River?

It’s wide and open out there, uncovered and exposed; an extra person means extra safety.”

Hou Niao smiled and nodded in approval, “Good.”

Watching Daoist Wei Ming leave with a hint of excitement, Hou Niao felt more at ease.

The Daoist was right; White Ribbon River was quite vulnerable.

To speed up the project and avoid daily travel fatigue or potential encounters with beast herds, the river workers set up tents on a high ground by the river’s bank.

However, camping out meant vulnerabilities in night defense.

The low-rank cultivators like them lacked Divine Sense, relying only on sight and hearing, which made comprehensive vigilance challenging.

What if they were careless and a demon beast snatched someone away at night?

With three people, the situation would be much better, and this Daoist Wei Ming seemed like someone experienced in wandering the wilds.

In Yinling, there were quite a few wandering cultivators like this, but hearing the news of Little Qian Fort’s water channel project, the only one who had come to help was Wei Ming, which was quite rare.

He was worthy of special treatment.