When the Time Is Right, Heaven and Earth Lend Their Strength (Part 2) [Monthly Tickets, Please]

That night, a sharp cry announcing a message shattered the silence.

"Report—"

The ongoing strategy meeting was forced to a halt.

Huang Lie lowered his eyes and asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"

Though the messenger wore a straw rain cape, rainwater still streamed from his hair in an endless trickle. Before long, obvious puddles had formed beneath his feet, showing just how heavy the rain was tonight. He cupped his hands as he reported, his breathing quick and ragged.

"Alliance Leader, this is bad! The Miao River—the Miao River is rising rapidly..." His panic was plain to see.

The moment he spoke, silence fell over the tent.

Huang Lie gripped the armrest of his chair even tighter.

Though he had come from humble beginnings, he had seen and experienced much over the years. No matter the occasion, he always kept his composure. Huang Lie calmly surveyed everyone's expressions, then said without a trace of alarm, "Come. Let's go take a look."

The group donned straw rain capes and headed for the banks of the Miao River.

They heard the thunderous rush of water before they even drew near. Closer still, they saw the river churning violently. The heavens were adding their own strength with fierce winds and downpour, making the Miao River seem especially terrifying tonight. Huang Lie's gaze fell on the temporary water gauge by the bank. The river had already swallowed the level it had marked earlier.

He asked the water official in charge of monitoring the gauge, "How much has it risen?"

The official replied, "One chi and two cun."

At that figure, a vein throbbed fiercely at Huang Lie's temple. The others were just as astonished. "In such a short time..."

The water was rising at a deeply abnormal rate.

Someone thought of