Gong Gong Sees the News, This Dyke Is an Eyesore

The morning light was faint, and the room was quiet. This quiet was relative, limited to the absence of Gong Gong's "thump-thump" as he smashed the rock garden, and the "symphony" of pots and pans from Jumang's kitchen. Lin Fan savored this rare peace, curled up on the living room sofa, laptop in hand, dealing with some backlog of trivial matters. He felt that life was peaceful and good, just like this.

However, the gears of fate always turned quietly when people were most relaxed, accompanied by... the "click" of a remote control button.

Gong Gong, the Water God, wearing a tight-fitting vest that revealed his bronze, muscular arms, sprawled carelessly across the most spacious single sofa in the living room. He had clearly just finished his morning workout, still radiating steam like a human boiler. He listlessly flicked through TV channels with the remote, with no particular aim. The sports channel (boxing matches, which he watched with great interest but found too many rules), the agriculture channel (farming, which held no interest for him), the animation channel (Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, which he watched with a furrowed brow, dissatisfied with the wolf's weakness)... The screen flickered rapidly.

Lin Fan's eyelids twitched, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart. It always felt like trouble would brew when the great god Gong Gong actively engaged with modern technology, especially television news with its rapid information dissemination. He prayed silently, hoping that today's morning news would be filled with gossip or economic updates.

Unfortunately, heaven did not grant his wishes, especially Lin Fan's.

"...This is the station's report," the TV screen froze on the local news channel, where a stern-faced anchor was broadcasting, "For days, heavy rainfall has poured down in the upper regions, and the water level of the Qinglan River has continued to rise, exceeding the alert level. The city's key water conservancy project, the 'Qinglan Water Conservancy Hub' located at the exit of Qinglan Gorge, is facing a severe test. This hub, completed five years ago, integrates flood control, power generation, and navigation. This will be its first test against a super-flood since its construction. Experts say the main structure of the dam is solid, but some auxiliary dikes, especially the 'Guiding Dyke' downstream used to guide water flow, may have certain hidden dangers due to the original construction standards and long-term water erosion. The flood control headquarters has strengthened patrols and formulated an emergency plan..."

The screen switched to an aerial view. The muddy river water, like an angry yellow dragon, rushed and roared through Qinglan Gorge. The majestic main dam stood like a giant in the river, but not far downstream, a relatively low, arc-shaped dike—the "Guiding Dyke" mentioned in the news—appeared somewhat flimsy under the impact of the surging water. The camera zoomed in, and one could even see some subtle damage and traces of water erosion on the dike's surface.

The news anchor's voice remained steady but carried a hint of gravity: "Currently, flood control personnel are reinforcing the Guiding Dyke, but the current is swift, making the work extremely difficult. The city has activated a Level III flood control emergency response, and residents in some low-lying areas downstream have begun orderly evacuation..."

Lin Fan was thinking about how powerful the flood was and hoped there would be no casualties, when he was suddenly startled by a deeply dissatisfied, even angry, low growl from beside him.

"Hmph!"

Lin Fan shivered and turned to look. Gong Gong, who had been lounging on the sofa, was now sitting upright. His thick eyebrows were knitted, his tiger-like eyes wide open, staring intently at the precarious "Guiding Dyke" on the TV screen, appearing vulnerable in the floodwaters. His chest rose and fell slightly, and the steam emanating from him seemed to carry a fiery temper.

"This dike..." Gong Gong's voice rumbled like muffled thunder in the living room, "Who designed it? Who built it?!"

"Huh?" Lin Fan didn't react immediately.

"It's crooked! The foundation is unstable! The angle against the water is completely wrong! It's simply... ridiculous!" Gong Gong pointed at the TV screen, his tone filled with the heartache and anger of a professional seeing the work of an amateur, "With such water flow, guidance should be the priority, using the momentum to guide it! But this dike, it's trying to resist the water flow head-on! It seems strong, but it's a path to destruction! Look at the base, it's already been hollowed out a bit. If this continues, it won't need a devastating flood; it will collapse from within by the power of the water itself!"

Lin Fan opened his mouth, wanting to say that this was modern water conservancy engineering, designed by experts, and it must have scientific reasoning. But seeing Gong Gong's agitated expression, as if his own child had been bullied, he swallowed his words. This was the Water God of the Primordial Era, in charge of all the waters under heaven. When it came to understanding and controlling "water," the person before him was an ancestral-level expert. If he said the dike had problems, then it was probably... truly problematic.

"Great God Gong Gong, please... please don't get agitated," Lin Fan tried to appease him, "The news also said that the experts know about the hidden dangers and are reinforcing it..."

"Reinforcing?" Gong Gong scoffed dismissively, "Those mortals in the picture, throwing a few sandbags, driving a few wooden stakes? It's like trying to quench a burning cart with a cup of water! They don't understand water at all! Without understanding the fundamental nature of water, they try to forcefully restrain it with human power. How ignorant! Such a dike is a disaster waiting to happen! Once it breaks, the downstream will suffer immensely!"

His voice grew louder and more agitated, and the majestic aura of an ancient god emanated uncontrollably from him. The air in the living room seemed to become thick and heavy, the windowpanes emitted a faint "humming" sound, and even the light seemed to dim slightly. Lin Fan felt a pang of fear, as if he were standing on the edge of an erupting volcano.

"No!" Gong Gong suddenly stood up, his imposing figure like a small mountain, "I cannot stand by and watch! Such shoddy work is an eyesore and will cause endless harm! I'll be back soon; I'll get rid of this source of disaster for them!"

With that, he strode towards the door. His posture clearly indicated he was going to the Qinglan Gorge, miles away, to personally dismantle the "unsightly" Guiding Dyke!

Lin Fan's soul was scattered! This was unbearable! If Gong Gong really went and smashed the dike of the water conservancy hub, let alone the greater disaster it might cause, the act itself would be enough to shock the world and expose all of them, the great figures from the Primordial Era, under the spotlight. The trouble would be immense!

"Great God Gong Gong! No! Absolutely not!" Lin Fan lunged forward, disregarding that Gong Gong was capable of toppling Mount Buzhou. He tightly grabbed one of Gong Gong's arms (it felt like grabbing a red-hot steel rod), "You can't do this! That's modern engineering! Protected by law! You can't just tear it down because you want to!"

"Let go!" Gong Gong flung his arm, and Lin Fan felt an irresistible force surge, about to send him flying like a leaf.

Just then, a calm, unruffled voice rang out, carrying a cool dao rhythm that instantly soothed the agitated atmosphere in the living room.

"Gong Gong, calm yourself."

Taishang Laojun appeared at the top of the stairs, looking as serene as ever, still holding his purple clay teacup. He walked down slowly, his gaze sweeping across the TV screen and then landing on Gong Gong.

"This dike concerns the lives of countless mortals in this world. How can you destroy it simply because you find it displeasing? If you act, can you bear the immense karma?"

Laozi's voice was not loud, but it was like a divine needle stabilizing the sea, causing the agitated Gong Gong to pause. He might disregard Lin Fan's words, but he held a degree of apprehension towards Laojun, who was also a Sage, especially the Taiqing Sage who governed karma and practiced non-action.

"But Daoist Laojun!" Gong Gong said, his neck stiff, pointing at the TV, "You saw it too! That dike is clearly just for show! Looks good but is useless! If it remains, it will cause great trouble sooner or later! I am preventing trouble before it happens! I am removing a scourge for the downstream inhabitants!"

"Even if it truly has hidden dangers, it should be dealt with by the people of this world," Laojun said calmly, "You and I are guests in this world. Guests follow the host's customs; it is not appropriate to interfere in such major matters concerning national economy and people's livelihood. This is the rule."

"Rule? When have I ever..." Gong Gong started to argue.

"Gong Gong!" Another voice chimed in, with a hint of amusement. Master Tongtian leaned on the railing on the second floor, clearly having come out to watch the commotion. "Why are you arguing with a pile of stones and mud? It's beneath your dignity. Besides, when you managed the floods in the Primordial Era, didn't you also cause endless floods by blocking and diverting, which eventually led to..."

"Tongtian! Shut up!" Gong Gong looked up sharply, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and glared at Master Tongtian. His failure to manage the floods with other Ancestral Witches and great divine powers, which led to many disputes and even the collision with Mount Buzhou, was a past he preferred not to dwell on. Being exposed by Tongtian at this moment made him even more furious. "How dare you criticize my water management?!"

"Oh? Is that not true?" Master Tongtian said with a smile, as if relishing the chaos, "Then tell me, if you went there, how would you 'resolve' that source of disaster? Would you smash into it like you did with Mount Buzhou back then?"

"You!!!" Gong Gong trembled with rage, blue light flashing from his body. Water vapor began to condense around him, and the temperature in the living room suddenly dropped. Frost began to form on the rim of the water glass on the coffee table.

Seeing that the two Sages were about to engage in a physical fight in the living room, Lin Fan felt his vision go black. One wanted to tear down the dike, and the other was fanning the flames. This was unbearable!

"Enough."

Laojun spoke again, his voice still calm but with undeniable authority. He glanced at Gong Gong and Tongtian, and the agitated energy emanating from them was immediately suppressed. Tongtian pouted and stopped talking. Gong Gong, though still indignant, no longer tried to rush out.

"This matter needs to be discussed further," Laojun walked to the sofa and sat down, gesturing for Lin Fan and Gong Gong to sit as well. Lin Fan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his back soaked with cold sweat.

"Daoist Gong Gong's concern about the flood is understandable," Laojun first affirmed Gong Gong's starting point, which slightly improved his expression, "However, one must not act rashly. You find the dike displeasing and believe it has hidden dangers; this is your professional judgment. But how to deal with it requires a proper method."

"Does Daoist Laojun have any brilliant ideas?" Gong Gong asked in a low voice, still holding a grudge.

Laojun pondered for a moment and looked at Lin Fan, "Little Lin, can you use the means of this world, such as the 'internet,' to investigate more information about this dike? For example, who designed it, were there any disputes during its construction, and what are the specific reinforcement plans of those 'experts' now?"

Lin Fan immediately understood. This was about knowing oneself and the enemy! He quickly nodded, "Yes, yes! I'll check right away!"

He picked up his laptop and his fingers flew across the keyboard. He searched for keywords like "Qinglan Water Conservancy Hub Guiding Dyke Design," "Guiding Dyke Hidden Dangers Disputes," etc. Soon, a large amount of information emerged.

Just as Gong Gong had sensed, this "Guiding Dyke" had been controversial from the beginning of its design. An old water conservancy expert named Yan Shouren had strongly opposed the design plan, believing it pursued power generation and navigation benefits too aggressively while neglecting the complexity of water flow during flood season, predicting it might become a weak link when facing super-floods. However, the mainstream opinion at the time favored a more radical design, and Elder Yan's opinion was not adopted. Now, Elder Yan's prediction seemed to be coming true step by step.

The current reinforcement plans proposed by the experts mainly involved throwing large rocks and concrete blocks on the outer side of the dike and filling sandbags on the inner side, attempting to enhance its resistance to erosion. But to Lin Fan, an outsider, it all seemed like a "treat the head for a headache, treat the feet for sore feet" approach.

Gong Gong leaned over to look at the information on the screen, especially when he saw Yan Shouren's opposition from back then. He was so angry that he slapped his thigh, "See! See! There are discerning people in this world too! Unfortunately, their voices are weak! If those fools had listened to this person earlier, they wouldn't be in such a panic today, doing such perfunctory work!"

He then looked at the reinforcement plan and scoffed, "Nonsense! Utter nonsense! This kind of reinforcement is like putting a medicinal plaster on someone with severe internal injuries! The power of water is pervasive. This kind of brute force will only change the local flow field and accelerate the damage to other parts!"

Master Tongtian had also ambled down at some point and was standing behind the sofa, looking at the screen and clicking his tongue, "The disputes of mortals are also interesting. However, this dike does look awkward." This time, he was unusually on the same side as Gong Gong.

Laojun slowly sipped his tea and said, "Since this is the case, Daoist Gong Gong, what do you intend to do? Still go and smash it with a punch?"

Gong Gong opened his mouth but said nothing. After the earlier commotion, he had calmed down considerably, knowing that directly demolishing the dam was impossible due to the immense karma involved. Besides... it was indeed a bit reckless. But looking at the precarious dam on the screen and the evacuating civilians in the news reports, he felt an overwhelming sense of frustration and helplessness. It was like a master craftsman seeing a shoddy, potentially dangerous piece of work before him, only to be told he couldn't touch it – that feeling was agonizing.

Lin Fan watched Gong Gong's restless, uncomfortable demeanor and then glanced at Laozi's calm eyes. A sudden thought struck him, and a bold idea emerged.

"Great God Gong Gong," Lin Fan began cautiously, "do you think this would work? Since you believe the current reinforcement plan is inadequate, could you... propose a better, more effective one?"

"Hmm?" Gong Gong blinked, looking at Lin Fan.

A barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in Laozi's eyes.

Lin Fan continued, "I mean, you could present your correct reinforcement or... or modification plan that aligns with the 'way of water.' We could find a way to anonymously submit it to the flood control experts, or... or directly to Mr. Yan Shouren, who previously raised objections? If they adopt it, wouldn't that solve the problem while avoiding the trouble caused by your direct intervention?"

This was akin to a national chess master not being allowed to perform surgery on the street but being able to provide a treatment plan.

Gong Gong stroked his chin, lost in thought. He was accustomed to solving problems with brute force; this roundabout method that required "using his brain" felt unfamiliar. But he had to admit, Lin Fan's suggestion seemed... somewhat interesting?

"My plan..." Gong Gong mused, "is naturally a hundred times superior to those fools'! However, the materials and craftsmanship of this world differ from the Primordial Era. I need to consider..."

"That is acceptable," Laozi interjected. "You can articulate the principles. As for how to achieve it with the means of this world, we can brainstorm. Little Lin is familiar with this world and may be able to assist in the conversion."

Master Tongtian also became interested and chimed in, "Oh? Gong Gong is going to give a lecture on the principles of water flow? How novel! I, too, can observe and see if you, the God of Water, are truly worthy of your title." His tone was still teasing, but more out of curiosity.

Gong Gong glared at Tong Tian, but this time, he didn't get angry. His attention was completely captured by this new challenge. How could he articulate the "way of water" in his heart using mortal language and feasible engineering techniques to save the dam that he found "unpleasant to look at" but was vital to countless lives?

This seemed more challenging, and... more interesting, than simply smashing the dam.

"Good!" Gong Gong slammed the coffee table abruptly (this time remembering to restrain his strength, producing only a dull thud). "I shall try! Let you all, and the mortals of this world, witness what true 'water conservancy' is!"

The anger dissipated from his body, replaced by focus and a surge of fighting spirit. He stopped looking at the infuriating news and, with a grand wave of his hand, declared, "Little Lin, bring me paper and brush! Large sheets! And find me some books and diagrams on water conservancy engineering from this world for reference!"

Lin Fan stared at Gong Gong, who had instantly transformed into an "academic" God of Water, and was momentarily stunned before quickly responding, "Coming right up! Immediately!"

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The crisis was temporarily averted, and it seemed he had... opened a new switch in Great God Gong Gong?

However, seeing Gong Gong's eager posture, ready to tackle the task, Lin Fan felt a flicker of worry: would the plan "aligned with the way of water" that this esteemed figure proposed require manipulating mountains and earth veins, or drawing upon the Weak Water from the Nine Heavens? Mr. Yan Shouren would likely faint on the spot if he saw that...

The atmosphere in the villa shifted from tense confrontation to a strangely fervent, almost chaotic, energy. Gong Gong was hunched over the large coffee table in the living room, sketching and writing on the large sheets of paper and engineering diagram manuals Lin Fan had found. He would ponder intently, then gesture excitedly, muttering, "This section must be diverted, not blocked..." "When the water reaches here, its force must be weakened by splitting the flow..." "Foundations! The foundations must be rebuilt!"

Laozi rested nearby with his eyes closed, occasionally opening them to glance at Gong Gong's "masterpiece" without comment.

Master Tongtian, true to his word, had brought a stool and sat not far away, ostensibly to "supervise" but in reality watching with great amusement. He even offered occasional "brilliant insights": "Gong Gong, your lines are all crooked, a disgrace to your skill!" "Why not set up a simplified version of the 'Nine Bends Yellow River Formation' here? Even without spiritual energy, setting it up according to the pattern could be effective." This angered Gong Gong enough to make him want to throw his pen several times.

Nüwa and Jumang were also drawn by the commotion. Nüwa glanced at Gong Gong's diagrams, a blend of abstract and realistic styles, commented, "Lacks aesthetic appeal," and then lost interest. Jumang, however, found the part of Gong Gong's plan that mentioned using the root systems of specific plants to reinforce the embankment intriguing. The two began a discussion on "which spiritual plants (or mundane plants) have the most resilient and water-loving root systems."

Lin Fan rushed between the computer (researching), the printer (printing reference diagrams), and Gong Gong, tasked with trying to translate Gong Gong's mystical concepts like "drawing upon the power of the Celestial River," "dissipating water essence," and "suppressing water with earth virtue" into terms that modern water conservancy engineering might involve, such as "open channel diversion," "stilling basin," and "geotextile for seepage control." Although his translations were often inaccurate, he managed to maintain communication.

The entire villa seemed to have transformed into a command center for an interdisciplinary, inter-dimensional water conservancy task force. And the origin of it all? Simply because the God of Water, Gong Gong, found a dam "unpleasant to look at" while watching the news that morning.

As Lin Fan handed Gong Gong a glass of iced beer, he watched the Primordial water god frown, diligently working like a schoolboy to convert his immense cultivation into diagrams and text understandable to mortals. He couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.

These great beings were truly destructive... but when they shifted their focus to "construction," they seemed quite reliable? Even if the process was still filled with unpredictable fun and danger.

He didn't know what kind of plan Gong Gong would ultimately produce, nor what ripples it would cause when submitted. But at least, the "dam demolition crisis" had been temporarily resolved in an unexpected way.

As for what came next... Lin Fan looked out at the bright sunshine, only hoping that the floodwaters at Qinglan Gorge would hold out until Great God Gong Gong completed his "world-shattering masterpiece," and that Mr. Yan Shouren's heart was strong enough.

The day continued, its morning slowly passing in a state of chaotic energy and delicate balance. And the modern daily lives of the Primordial Era's great figures went on.