Sweet Dew Grand Festival

Half an hour later, an announcement sounded outside the hall, followed by the steady tread of footsteps.

The first to enter was a tall young man, broad-shouldered and broad-backed, about twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He had a wide, open face and sweeping brows, and wore a long robe of cloud-patterned brocade. He strode in with a bold, dashing air.

The man following him was somewhat leaner, about the same age as Feng Xiu. He had handsome, refined features and fair skin, and carried a bamboo-ribbed folding fan.

"Brother Jingming, Brother Wenyuan, please, take the seats of honor."

Seeing the two arrive, Feng Xiu smiled and hurried forward to welcome them. He then called out, "Someone, bring the tea at once."

A maid promptly served chilled sour plum drink, then quietly shut the hall door as she left.

Fan Ling, courtesy name Jingming; Lin Che, courtesy name Wenyuan.

When they were young, all three had studied under Master Jingzhai. Their families also did business together, so it was only natural that they were close.

"Wen Zheng, your face...?"

But at that moment, the two men both froze.

They had not seen him for many days, and Feng Xiu had completely lost his fair, handsome complexion. His skin had darkened, and he looked considerably more rugged.

"Ah, don't ask. This blasted weather's done it." Feng Xiu sighed theatrically.

Lin Che folded his fan. A trace of worry crossed his refined face, and he too let out a soft sigh.

"Brother Wen Zheng, my Lin Family oversees eleven farms of various sizes. The tenant farmers have gathered to petition us several times already, and we've spent plenty of money and grain trying to placate them."

"If we don't find a water source to relieve the crisis, this year's harvest is sure to fail completely. By then, waiving rent and handing out grain won't be enough to calm them."

"He's right. The River Law Bureau has been evasive. My father has approached them several times, and all they say is that the weather is beyond anyone's control. Hmph, a bunch of useless freeloaders."

At Lin Che's words, anger showed on Fan Ling's face. He set his teacup down with a thud and snorted.

"Just say it. Did you call us here today because you have a solution?"

Facing the same crisis, Fan Ling got straight to the point.

"I do, actually. To be honest, I've already sent someone to Yulin Prefecture to invite a Daoist called Yellow Dragon, who's said to be highly accomplished. He should arrive in a few days. I'm planning to set up an altar and pray for rain in White Willow Village."

"Pray for rain?"

Fan Jingming's eyes lit up, but he immediately understood Feng Xiu's intention.

His brows drew together as he carefully considered the plan.

Lin Che pondered for a moment, then a glimmer of understanding flashed in his eyes. "You mean you want to use the rain-praying ceremony to rally the people?"

"Public opinion is like fire. Use it well, and it can carry you forward; use it poorly, and it'll burn you instead." Lin Che slowly waved his fan and nodded.

"We'll have to get the balance right. We need to make the prefectural authorities uneasy, without giving them grounds to accuse us of inciting a revolt."

Fan Ling slapped his thigh. "Exactly. The three families will join forces and invite the local gentry and village elders to attend. Once public opinion boils over, the River Law Bureau will have to give us an answer."

Feng Xiu nodded. For now, this was the only plan he could think of.

Use their influence to put the authorities on the spot and force the River Law Bureau to take a position!

Of course, "force" wasn't quite the right word.

With a feudal dynasty, formidable martial power, and a chaotic age gradually taking shape, Feng Xiu suspected that someone had set their sights on Cloud Province, this juicy prize.

Or rather, on the Golden Ear Wheat.

This crop thrived in ample sunlight and seemed to brim with vital energy. It not only filled the stomach, but when eaten over a long period, it could slowly nourish the bones and sinews. It was a highly prized commodity among martial artists in the inland regions.

Golden Ear Wheat brought in enormous profits. If someone really was trying to choke off Green Rock City's grain supply and force every family to sell their Golden Ear Wheat to them at rock-bottom prices—

Then this grand festival wasn't so much about forcing the authorities' hand as it was about testing the waters.

He wanted to find out who was behind it, whether they would show themselves, and how much power they had.

Could the families face them together?

Once he had a clear answer, they could take measures to prepare.

Whenever something didn't make sense, it paid to think harder about who stood to profit. That was something Feng Xiu had learned firsthand.

Lin Che's tone grew more measured. "Public opinion is like fire. It can carry a boat, but it can also capsize one. We can follow Wen Zheng's idea and rally the people,

build a consensus, and put pressure on the authorities, but we still need to think carefully about the details."

"Exactly. We must strike the right tone with the prefectural authorities. We need to make our presence felt without giving them grounds to accuse us of inciting a revolt."

Fan Ling spoke solemnly. All three had been groomed by powerful families to become their heirs, and they understood well the age-old truth that commoners should not fight the officials.

Still, they belonged to powerful families and had ties binding them to one another. They were no ordinary commoners, and knew how to keep the right balance in dealings with the authorities.

"Since we're praying for rain, why not call it the Sweet Dew Grand Festival?" Feng Xiu suggested.

The three of them then carefully discussed and weighed the details: the scale of the ceremony, the location, the publicity, and how to handle any risks that might arise.

As they discussed the logistics, Fan Ling suddenly spoke up. "Wen Zheng, you're the one spearheading this festival, so you'll naturally be coordinating everything. But how will we divide the manpower, money, and effort among the three families?"

Feng Xiu smiled. "Go ahead, Brother Jingming."

"My Fan Family will cover three-tenths, your Feng Clan four-tenths, and Wenyuan's Lin Family the remaining three-tenths. How does that sound?" Fan Ling fixed his gaze on Feng Xiu. "After all, White Willow Village is on Feng Clan land, and if something happens down the road..."

He left the rest unsaid, but his meaning was clear. A four-tenths share was already enough to make their position plain.

Lin Che waved his fan without speaking, but his eyes were also on Feng Xiu.

Feng Xiu paused. Fan Ling's proposal had genuinely caught him off guard.

He had been extremely close to Fan Ling in his previous life. Fan Ling had even given him some illicit picture books and pamphlets, which Feng Xiu had hidden in the Baihui Chronicles.

After thinking it over, Feng Xiu understood. Friendship was one thing, but once family interests were involved, that affection could naturally be set aside.

Feng Xiu fell silent for a moment, then smiled. "Fine. Let's do that."

"But there's one condition." Feng Xiu's smile faded. "If this succeeds and the River Law Bureau agrees to open the reservoirs and release the water, my Feng Clan's farms must be near the front of the queue."

Fan Ling and Lin Che exchanged a glance, then nodded together. "Deal."

Half an hour later, they had settled the details.

In the end, Feng Xiu would oversee and coordinate the whole affair, while the Fan and Lin Families would provide manpower, money, and effort as agreed, all to make a powerful show of force.

With the main business settled, the other two did not linger. They had preparations to oversee, including the sacrificial animals and vessels, the Daoist scripture troupe, and the drums and ceremonial procession.

Just before they left, Feng Xiu seemed to remember something. He turned to Fan Ling with a smile. "Brother Jingming, I have a personal favor to ask. I've heard the Fan Family's brokerages have the best connections."

"Do you know of any spacious residences in the inner city that might be available for sale? Ideally, a large compound with at least three courtyards, front to back."

Fan Ling raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "What, is Feng Mansion looking to buy more property?"

"Not exactly. I have a distant relative who wants to open an escort agency in the city, but he doesn't have much spare cash. If you could lend him a hand, it would mean a lot to me."

"Easy enough. I'll let you know." Fan Ling readily agreed.

Then the two men got to their feet and left.

After seeing them off, Feng Xiu immediately summoned Uncle Zheng and had him select several sharp, capable stewards from among the family staff to handle the Sweet Dew Grand Festival.

Over the next three days, the weather in Green Rock City remained scorching.

Grain prices had skyrocketed, yet the increasingly intense panic showed no sign of abating.

On top of that, rumors were rife that Tang Reservoir's water supply had been cut off and the dam's sluice gates were damaged.

Just then, word began to spread that the Feng, Fan, and Lin Families would jointly host a grand Sweet Dew Festival to plead on the people's behalf and pray to Heaven for life-giving rain.

With the three men carefully managing the buzz, excitement steadily mounted. The news spread through every street and alley, like an injection of adrenaline into the stifling atmosphere.

Feng Xiu even had people shouting a slogan: "Daoist Yellow Dragon, master of mystic arts! Prays for rain to save the world, brings Heaven's blessings to all!"

Daoist Yellow Dragon probably had no idea that he had become so famous before even arriving in Green Rock City.

All kinds of rumors spread with vivid details: some said he was an immortal reborn, others that he had attained the Way in the mortal world and lived for eight hundred years. The excitement was unprecedented; everyone knew his name.

With public opinion on their side, whether or not he could actually bring rain—

That no longer mattered to the three men.

In the afternoon, inside the training room.

Two figures flashed rapidly past one another. Their fists and feet clashed fiercely, and gusts of force beat against them.

Thanks to taking White Deer Pills day after day, their medicinal power had worked its way into Feng Xiu's bones, sinews, and blood. The vital energy in his body had grown steadily stronger and more condensed; its surging could almost be heard.

Facing Han Che, who trained him every day with treacherous, vicious moves, he could now trade thirty or forty blows without falling behind.

He was no longer shackled to the forms of the Five Force Fist, either. His movements had taken on a hint of fluidity.

"Shhk!"

Han Che thrust a hand like a venomous snake striking, aiming once more for Feng Xiu's eyes. The blow was blindingly fast. Feng Xiu did not retreat in panic. He sank his shoulder, twisted his waist, and raised his left arm like a drawn bow to block.

At the same time, he used a variation of "Weary Tiger Returns to the Forest" and added a "Black Tiger Steals the Heart" thrust.

"Bang!"

Feng Xiu's arm shuddered violently, but his stance held firm. Han Che, on the other hand, felt as if he had struck a tightly stretched stone staff. A powerful surge of vital energy rebounded against him, slightly checking his attack.

A trace of unmistakable surprise flashed in Han Che's eyes. He withdrew his hand and stepped back half a pace, then gave Feng Xiu a careful once-over.

"Young Master Feng," Han Che said, his voice still calm, though his tone had shifted slightly. "Your progress is astonishing. That last move showed your vital energy tightening to protect your body. You've already taken your first steps into the Tough Blood realm."

Feng Xiu smiled faintly. "You're too kind, Brother Han."

[Life: 10]

[Spirit: 3]

[Strength: 3]

[Agility: 2]

[Technique Record: Eight Sections Vajra Skill (Mastered: Life +2, Spirit +2) Cannot be upgraded]

[Five Force Fist (Novice mastery: Strength +2, Agility +1)]

[Synthesis: Not yet mastered; unavailable]

The Eight Sections Vajra Skill in the Technique Record had finally reached its limit. Now that his Life had reached 10 points, even his vital energy had grown more vigorous.

The same was true of the Five Force Fist. It had broken through to the Minor Achievement stage, greatly increasing his strength. That improvement showed in his moves, and even Han Che could not gain the upper hand for the moment.

And after the Vajra Skill reached mastery, the [Synthesis] option below it glowed ever more brightly.