Chapter 137 - 136: Mutual Devotion Between Emperor and Subject
Chapter 137: Chapter 136: Mutual Devotion Between Emperor and Subject
"Mr. Lan?" the driver asked, startled. Thinking he hadn’t made himself clear, he repeated, "The road ahead is blocked! All cars passing through have to detour. If there’s another landslide, we could get into a terrible accident!"
Three seconds later, Gu Qingjin spoke slowly, "It is indeed dangerous. Get out."
The driver froze, utterly confused, but obediently opened the door and stepped out.
Gu Qingjin moved to the driver’s seat. "Head back to Mingjing first. Don’t worry about me," he said indifferently. With that, the car sped off, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.
Only then did the driver snap back to reality. "Mr. Lan!" he shouted helplessly.
He had been driving for Gu Lan for two years now, yet he still couldn’t fathom the man’s mind. Gu Lan had no women by his side, nor did he attend any banquets. No one knew what his hobbies were. Anyone trying to curry favor with him wouldn’t even know where to start a conversation. One thing was certain, however: once Gu Lan made a decision, no one could change it.
His phone suddenly rang. It was Old Sir Gu, calling to ask when they would arrive at the Gu family’s home.
"Old Sir Gu, a flash flood just hit Shisong Village, and several surrounding villages have been submerged," the driver explained, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Rescue operations are underway. We were supposed to take a detour, but Mr. Lan insisted on heading straight there. I have no idea why..."
"What is he going there for?" Old Sir Gu frowned. "He’s not part of the Yunzhou rescue team. Why does he always love walking right into the middle of a mess?"
Among his many children, his youngest son, Gu Lan, was undoubtedly his favorite. Gu Lan had always done him proud, showing exceptional brilliance since childhood. Yet, his temper was too stubborn, and he refused to listen to anyone!
"Mr. Lan has a kind heart," the driver murmured. "The flood happened so suddenly. I’m afraid there will be heavy casualties."
"And what does that have to do with him? Does he think he’s the savior of the world?" Old Sir Gu’s anger remained unquelled. "Forget it. Since he’s already gone, wild horses couldn’t drag him back. You just return first."
"Yes, Old Sir Gu," the driver replied respectfully.
Meanwhile, at Jianghuai High School.
Xu Shuangqiao had left in such a hurry that she forgot an umbrella and was now drenched in rain. She was an alumna of this high school, so Principal Ning still remembered her.
Wiping the water droplets from her face, she said, "Principal Ning, I’m Changying’s older sister. She has something to take care of this afternoon, so I’m here to ask for a leave of absence on her behalf."
"Of course, no problem," Principal Ning agreed readily. "Little Qiao, go to the locker room and change into some dry clothes first. Don’t catch a cold."
After Xu Shuangqiao left, Principal Ning picked up the transcript on his desk.
Jianghuai High School was one of the top three prestigious schools in Jiuzhou. It was never short of students scoring over 700 points. Thus, Shi Changying’s test paper, which scored a mere 289 points, was truly a rare sight. Even Meng Qi’an couldn’t score that low.
However, only Principal Ning knew just how terrifyingly fast Shi Changying’s grades were improving. In just a month and a half, her score had shot up by over two hundred points!
Principal Ning muttered to himself, "As expected of Chengli’s child. Such talent is truly envy-inducing."
At that moment, the students of Class 17, Grade 12 were heading downstairs for their P.E. class on the field. The large screen by the school gates was broadcasting the current news.
"[Breaking News: A flash flood has struck Shisong Village. Our rescue teams have already arrived on the scene. Please be advised, do NOT travel to Shisong Village! We repeat, do NOT travel to Shisong Village!]"
The broadcast switched to live footage of the disaster.
RUMBLE!
A deafening crack echoed from the mountain peak. Rocks and soil gave way, cascading down in a torrential mudslide that instantly swallowed the houses below. The dam was crushed by the falling boulders, causing the river to surge and violently overflow, whipping up terrifying, monstrous waves.
"Such a massive flood?" Song Qingmu gasped in shock. "That makes no sense. There was absolutely no warning."
"My grandmother says that Jiuzhou has nine dragon veins in total, and Yunzhou’s dragon vein is right here in Jianghuai," Lu Mi said, pinching his chin in deep thought. "Back then, when the Hong Clan invaded, they destroyed Ningzhou’s dragon vein, which was how they managed to conquer Jiuzhou!"
"Come on, Liu," Song Qingmu waved a hand dismissively. "Dragon veins and destined luck are all just fabricated urban legends. It’s fine to listen to them as stories, but don’t take them seriously."
Lu Mi bristled. "Then tell me, why did Emperor Chengtian divide the land into Jiuzhou, instead of twelve or eighteen states?"
Song Qingmu was rendered speechless. "I... I’m not Emperor Chengtian! How should I know?"
Lu Mi scoffed coldly. "And here I thought you were his die-hard fan."
"No, it’s more accurate to say he’s my die-hard idol," Song Qingmu corrected him. "Two thousand years have passed. My idol’s bones have long since turned to dust."
Shaoyuan remained silent. Staring at the flood on the screen, he recalled the words Zuo Cheng had spoken all those years ago.
"Your Majesty, nine is the ultimate number. Nine dragon veins, thus, Jiuzhou."
Zuo Cheng had also said, "If these nine dragon veins were to riot simultaneously, it would mean an era of chaos is imminent. The greatest riot of all will occur in one thousand six hundred years."
He had asked, "In one thousand six hundred years? Will Jiuzhou be destroyed?"
Zuo Cheng had sighed softly. "Who knows? I cannot see anything further than that."
Back then, Emperor Chengtian had no idea what would happen sixteen hundred years into the future either. It wasn’t until he arrived two thousand years later in the present era and flipped through the history books from four hundred years prior that he learned of the war that had caused the fall of the Xuan Dynasty.
The Four Barbarians had invaded, and Jiuzhou sank into a century of darkness.
Could this flood truly be connected to Yunzhou’s dragon vein?
Having just come down after changing her clothes, Xu Shuangqiao also saw the news and gasped. "Oh my god, Yingying didn’t sneak off to the scene, did she?"
Shaoyuan abruptly turned around, his eyes dark and intense. "The news just broke. Why would she be at the scene?"
Startled by his gaze, Xu Shuangqiao stammered, "I... I took her to my uncle’s place at noon. He received the earliest notice, and Yingying heard it too. But she probably didn’t actually..."
Shaoyuan didn’t stay to hear the rest of her sentence. Bypassing the sports field entirely, he walked straight out of the school gates.
Meanwhile, at the Jianghuai Branch of Qi Sha.
To ensure a safe pharmaceutical environment, Ning Liuyu had been staying at the Qi Sha Branch for the past two days. Having made significant progress and a breakthrough in her experiments today, she was just preparing to take a short break. However, the moment she opened her door, she saw a group of young people in uniform rushing outside with grim expressions.
Instantly sensing that something was wrong, Ning Liuyu asked, "What’s going on? Did something happen?"
"Miss Ning, there’s been a seismic tremor and a flash flood. They’re short on rescue personnel, so we’re rushing over to help," one of the young men replied rapidly. "Please don’t worry. If you need anything, just contact me, and I’ll have someone deliver it to you."
"A natural disaster?" Ning Liuyu blurted out. "Wait, I’m coming too!"
Forsaking any thought of rest, she immediately grabbed her medical kit and quickly climbed into the car.
She was the Medicine Girl; her solemn duty was to save lives.