novelraw Chapter 840 446: This Man Is Way Too Zealously Kind!
Chapter 840 446: This Man Is Way Too Zealously Kind!
They had seen big engineering projects before; the court always had many of them, often building imperial tombs or imperial gardens. But projects like Duan Yun's, where he excavated an entire river, were rarely heard of.
The key was his intention. If Duan Yun was doing this to enjoy boat rides or some other luxury, asking people to dig a river would seem normal. But since he claimed it was to benefit many people, it appeared rather crazy.
However, the two sisters quickly realized that in the eyes of most people, Duan Yun was already insane.
Because he had done even crazier things before, like not imposing taxes on agriculture on Heroic Land.
This caused a huge uproar, with many sects and aristocratic families harboring grudges, especially with more people fleeing to Wangchun City.
They, the Qingqi Bureau, received many voices urging the court to send troops to annihilate Duan Yun and his Heroic Land.
According to them, Old Demon Duan was undermining the foundation of the world's righteous path. If he continued with his antics, chaos would ensue.
Indeed, the neighboring sects and aristocratic families were the first to struggle since their supply of obedient workers dwindled due to the exodus.
Living conditions became dire for many sects and aristocratic families. For instance, Miss Hong Zhong from the Hong Medicine Sect in Yun State once angrily complained that many fields were left uncultivated due to the dwindling number of enslaved commoners. She had to cut her consumption of top-quality bird's nest soup and tremella from twenty bowls to ten.
She asked the managing farmers what the Red Medicine Sect was doing wrong, making them abandon fertile land. A bold farmer mentioned that the taxes were high and suggested reducing them. He was hanged on a scarecrow later that day.
At this point, Leng Yimeng and Leng Yixue had calmed down completely.
If someone else claimed to excavate a river for the good of common people, their instinct as Goddesses Catcher would suspect a conspiracy, because no sane person would spend shiny silver on something like this. But if it were Duan Yun, everything made sense.
The Bodhi Temple's reputation for charity was spreading across many states, and it remained an oddity in the Martial World.
Upon hearing of Duan Yun's "benevolent deeds," they thought Duan Yun was too radical for a while.
It can only be said that Duan Yun could never be judged by common logic at any time.
Some called him a hero, while others a demon. In the eyes of Leng Yimeng and Leng Yixue, he was much simpler.
He was merely an admirer intrigued by them, yet never confessed his feelings.
Watching Duan Yun gazing at the altered river, the two sisters understood his emotions instantly.
Their expressions turned serious, abandoning any romantic notions, and began investigating.
Upon commencing their investigation, their demeanor changed entirely.
At least in Duan Yun's eyes, the "Goddess Catcher's uniform" they wore became much more striking.
Similar to top-tier swordsmen, who might seem ordinary, once their blades are drawn, they become completely different people.
Leng Yixue and Leng Yimeng quickly dug a hole through the filled earth down to the depths.
The two sisters quickly arrived at the outline of the previously dug hole and sniffed carefully.
Seeing the smoothness and neatness of the hole, their hearts grew heavier.
Along the way, they had heard speculations about the "Rat Phase" and now, seeing the dug-out wall, were even more certain of this person's extraordinary skills.
Indeed, even Duan Yun admitted his tunneling skills were inferior to this person's, indicating the opponent's natural adeptness in this aspect was terrifying.
Honestly, the hole was too large and filled with new soil, and even with the skills of Leng Yimeng and Leng Yixue, it would take a considerable amount of time.
Yet they found clues rather quickly.
Because the soil dug out of the hole had a distinct earthy smell, very different from the freshly filled soil.
But considering much of the new soil came from nearby clay and stones, such a big difference shouldn't exist.
Leng Yixue speculated that this smell might be left by the Rat Phase.
To create so many large holes in such a short time, the Rat Phase must have used a unique technique that altered the soil's scent, thus resulting in the distinctive odor.
The two sisters quickly determined the direction.
"If we dig down from here, we can follow the scent," Leng Yixue said.
Duan Yun nodded, "Very well, you point the direction, and I'll dig the hole!"
At this moment, Shen Ying, Feng Ling'er, and the Murong brothers arrived too.
Upon hearing Duan Yun's plan to tunnel and hunt down the culprit, they were eager to join.
Seeing this, Duan Yun said, "Be cautious of being led away. Let one person come with me, and the rest stay and guard. Signal us with large fireworks if anything happens."
Previously, during unrest around Wangchun City, the Jade Pearl Heroes developed a set of rules.
That is, to set off fireworks in case of issues to facilitate more efficient mutual support.
"I'll go."
"I'll go."
"I'll go!"
Shen Ying, Feng Ling'er, and the Murong brothers spoke in unison.
This time, Feng Ling'er stepped forward first, saying, "I've always been on guard in the past, but this time it has to be me!"
Seeing how strongly Feng Ling'er felt about demon-slaying, Duan Yun didn't hesitate and said, "Red Face Heroine, it's you!"
"Yay!" Feng Ling'er said joyfully.
Feng Ling'er had missed being on the front line of Acting for Heaven multiple times, and Duan Yun knew well she was the most hardworking amongst the Jade Pearl Heroes.
Because for so long, she was managing the City Lord's tasks, burdened with numerous trivial matters.
At this moment, Duan Yun began digging in the direction pointed by Leng Yimeng.
With a thrust of his Huangshan Golden Sword, a Sword Pillar of Qi plowed downwards.
As the Sword Pillar passed, the soil parted like waves, forming a pathway.
A man and three women navigated through, and their speed was not slow.
Especially Leng Yimeng and Leng Yixue, they even felt a bit fast.
Because as Duan Yun tunneled, he intentionally smoothed the bottom edge of the hole, making it as if they were sliding down a slide.
Along the way, Leng Yimeng and Leng Yixue sniffed the soil periodically, adjusting direction.
By this time, even Duan Yun realized the direction was likely correct.
Because even he could smell the earthy scent in the soil becoming stronger.
With a crash, the soil gave way, and water surged towards them.
They had tunneled into the lake.
The four swam out of the tunnel and floated in the lake water.
Duan Yun felt a bit worried.
Because he knew very well, water easily carried away scents, which made tracking difficult.
But the Goddess Catcher sisters didn't disappoint him. After a short pause, they swam in a specific direction.
This lake was vast and deep, easily described as an inland sea.
The water was icy and piercing, the expanse dark and foreboding, as if leading to the Netherworld.
They swam at a good pace and covered considerable distance.
With a splash, as Duan Yun emerged with Leng Yimeng and Leng Yixue from the water, he felt, "Where have we come to? Is this still Heroic Land?"
Because even though Yuzhu Manor was near the lake, and the Jade Pearl Heroes often liked fishing by the lake, Duan Yun, who ventured deep into the Source Palace of the lake to slay a Source Palace Noble, seldom came here.
However, traversing a bamboo grove on the shore, the view ahead suddenly opened.
In front, several manors appeared.
Some of these manors even seemed familiar.
Feng Ling'er was the first to react, saying, "Aren't these the estates on Spring Mountain?"
Spring Mountain is a mountain outside Wangchun City, with a few estates owned by large households who couldn't afford expansive manors in the city, so they built on the mountain instead.
The owners of these estates once lived a life of doing business in the city by day and returning to the mountain to reside afterward.
But considering the inconvenience, these estates became only periodically inhabited, maintaining grandeur yet lacking upkeep.
Leng Yixue quickly hastened her steps, arriving at "Wang Family Manor," pointing inside.
Her expression was very serious.
Duan Yun silently marveled, "Found it so quickly?"