Mid-Lane Trade! If I Can Pray for Wealth, I Can Naturally Pray for Water Too!

"You mean... you planned to save the situation by taking a roundabout route—worshipping other water deities to bypass the Dragon King's rain?"

"That's right. The Dragon King isn't the only one in the heavens who can bring rain. Nearby, there's the Rain Master; farther away, there's the River Earl—water gods. As long as someone can resolve Dragon-Tiger County's drought, wouldn't that do?"

Sun Yourong let out a snort of laughter. "I thought you had some brilliant move. That's it? Lu Chen, are you taking an S-rank mission too lightly? Never mind that this method has already been tried to death—surely you don't think praying for rain means praying for it just once? Dragon-Tiger County doesn't dare hope for rain in all four seasons like other places, but surely one rainfall can't be the end of it?"

Her eyes curved with laughter as she repeatedly shook her head. "Let me put it this way. Over the past few years, if there haven't been a thousand spiritualists who went to Dragon-Tiger County to pray for rain, there have been eight hundred. Every last one worshipped the Rain Master. And the result? They all returned empty-handed. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"First, immortals like the Rain Master and River Earl may belong to the same Water Department as the Dragon King, but they're 'of the same rank, yet not of the same fate.' They're merely members of a functional department in the Heavenly Court, while the Dragon King is a regional grand official, guarding one domain. Even if they wanted to bring rain, they wouldn't dare act rashly out of respect for the Dragon King."

She paused, and her tone suddenly carried a touch of teasing.

"The spiritualists who worshipped the Rain Master kept losing battle after battle because they failed to understand one thing: the Heavenly Court has its own worldly rules and personal ties."

"As for the second point, it's also the most crucial one."

"The East Sea Dragon King set down a Dragon King Formation in Dragon-Tiger County. Without dragon blood, no one may gather clouds and spread rain here."

"So if you don't worship the Dragon King, it's useless no matter whom you worship."

"The Dragon King went this far?" Lu Chen's heart sank.

"Now you know how difficult it is, right?" Sun Yourong chuckled.

"But you don't need to take it too seriously. Everything is hard at the beginning—when has anything ever gone smoothly from the start? This mission is nearly impossible, but at least there's no real danger to your life. At worst, you'll lose some money." She glanced at Lu Chen. "Though you're not short on that little bit."

Ever since learning that Lu Chen had accepted this mission, Sun Yourong had concluded that he would not be able to complete it.

The only reason she had accompanied him on this trip was that she did not want to see him charging blindly around Dragon-Tiger County like a headless fly, suffering blow after blow.

He could make one trip, see reality for what it was, and still come and go on the same day.

That would save time.

"Wait, Sister Sun." Lu Chen suddenly realized something. "How do you know so much about this? Didn't you say that even many people in the government office didn't know the inside story? Why do I feel like... you know far too many details?"

"Don't underestimate us. When it comes to this matter, the information held by our Four Great Families is definitely more than what the government office has."

As she spoke, Sun Yourong changed the subject. "Do you know what Dragon-Tiger County is most famous for?"

"No. Just tell me."

"Dragon-Tiger County's greatest specialty is making divine statues. Legend says they possess the bloodline of shamans and priests, with extraordinary talent in communing with spirits and inviting gods. Unfortunately, no flower blooms for a hundred days. They haven't produced any worthwhile talent in nearly a century, so they gradually declined. But a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. The divine statues they make are simply far more effective for blessings and worship than those made elsewhere."

She paused, then continued.

"Our Four Great Families can be considered major customers of theirs. Once, my father came to order divine statues and drank with the local clan chief. After three rounds of wine, the other side revealed the truth about Dragon-Tiger County. Naturally, I learned it as well."

"So that's how it was... I never expected Dragon-Tiger County to have such skills!"

"Don't underestimate it. Before the disaster, the GDP of this one county alone could match half of all Jiangdu City. You can imagine how wealthy it was back then. But now..." Sun Yourong sighed. "Without water, the production of Tengyun Wood, which they use specifically to make divine statues, has plummeted. Last year, its GDP was already at the bottom of the whole city."

"Honestly, from our standpoint, we also hope Dragon-Tiger County's drought can be resolved soon. Otherwise, where will we buy divine statues with effects this good? The statues in temples are replaced once every ten years. After using good ones, going back to inferior ones would be no different from smashing our own signboard."

After hearing this, Lu Chen's heart suddenly sank.

His future goal was to rise among the newly wealthy, open a shrine, and build a temple!

And to establish a temple, he had to make divine statues.

According to Sun Yourong, he would have to deal with Dragon-Tiger County sooner or later.

Yet before his temple had even opened, the supplier was already on the verge of collapse...

How had this mission, after he kept taking it on, turned into a "rigid necessity"?

Lu Chen found it troublesome for a moment.

"Forget it. We'll talk after we get there. Man proposes, Heaven disposes—I refuse to believe there isn't even the slightest turn for the better!"

Sun Yourong looked at him and nodded slightly. "Mm. We'll talk after we get there."

There was no conversation for the rest of the journey.

Only snoring.

By the time Lu Chen woke from his nap, Sun Yourong had already parked the car, pulled the handbrake, and was staring at him with a resentful expression.

"You slept quite soundly, huh?"

Lu Chen rubbed his eyes and gave an awkward smile. "Not bad, not bad."

"Hmph. And you said you didn't want me to come? If I hadn't come, could you have slept so comfortably?" Sun Yourong shot him a coquettish glare. "I don't care. You drive on the way back. Don't tell me you can't—I know you have a license."

Lu Chen: "..."

Sun Yourong stretched, pushed open the door, and got out.

Lu Chen followed her out.

The moment he stepped from the car, a wave of scorching heat rushed over him. The air was so dry it seemed ready to ignite.

"As expected of a place that hasn't seen rain in three years..."

He looked up and saw that they had arrived at the Dragon-Tiger County government office. Even the plaque hanging above it had been bleached until its paint was peeling.

"Are we going straight inside to coordinate with the government office?"

"Mm. Just follow me."

Sun Yourong beckoned.

Very soon, under the effect of Young Miss Sun's face-fruit, a middle-aged man hurried into the hall, extending his hand as he walked.

"Miss Sun, I never expected you to honor us with your presence!"

"Director Tian, long time no see."

Sun Yourong merely nodded slightly without shaking his hand, carrying an aloof and frosty air.

Director Tian was used to it.

"Miss Sun, what brings you here today...?"

Sun Yourong looked at Lu Chen. "Take out your mission document."

Lu Chen handed over the document.

"You're a bounty spiritualist too?" Director Tian looked Lu Chen up and down. "Young man, how old are you? You look younger than my son, yet you came to accept an S-rank mission like this?"

"Director Tian, missions shouldn't have anything to do with age, should they?" Lu Chen smiled.

"That is indeed true. Then which Water Department deity do you worship?" Director Tian asked again.

Just as Lu Chen was about to answer, the other man interrupted him.

"Forget it, you might as well come together. There happens to be a pair of bounty spiritualists who have also arrived at the government office. Secretary Wang and Clan Chief Chen are receiving them in the conference room. Come, let's head over first."

"Director Tian, what sort of people would make Secretary Wang and Clan Chief Chen appear together?" Sun Yourong was somewhat surprised.

"They're two outsiders, nicknamed 'Master Ling Shui.' They're said to be highly accomplished in praying for rain and claim they have a way to bypass the Water Department deities and pray for rain on their own."

"There's such a thing?"

Sun Yourong and Lu Chen exchanged a glance, then followed him.

County government office, conference room.

The instant the door opened, Lu Chen saw four people inside engaged in lively conversation.

"Oh, it's little niece Sun!"

Two of them immediately rose to their feet, their faces full of smiles.

"Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang." Sun Yourong greeted them.

It was clear that she truly was very familiar with the county government office.

"This is...?"

"This is my friend. He also accepted your Dragon-Tiger County mission."

"You're here to pray for rain too?" The middle-aged man called Secretary Wang showed the same surprised expression as Director Tian.

Lu Chen clasped his fists in reply. "Yes. This junior came here under orders."

"Kid, you dare accept an S-rank mission at your age? Which immortal do you worship?"

At that moment, an unfriendly voice rang out.

The speaker was precisely the bounty spiritualist who called himself Master Ling Shui.

Lu Chen was startled to discover that the man was actually a dwarf. A gold ring hung around his neck, and he had no eyebrows on his face, giving his entire appearance a sinister, hostile cast.

The person beside him, who Lu Chen did not know was his wife or not, had fairly delicate features. However, a huge and frightening red birthmark covered nearly half her face.

She was also watching them warily.

Were these two even legitimate?

The moment Lu Chen saw this strange pair, he felt distinctly uncomfortable.

As for the other man's tone—

That was understandable. After all, Lu Chen had appeared out of nowhere.

As fellow competitors, it was only natural that they would be hostile.

Lu Chen did not even bother giving this odd pair a proper look. Instead, he clasped his fists toward Secretary Wang.

"This junior worships Lord God of Wealth!"

The moment his words fell, the conference room went silent for an instant.

Then piercing laughter erupted.

"Hahaha! The sky is falling! Even someone who worships the Wealth God has come to pray for rain! I've lived all these years, and this is the first time I've ever seen such a thing!"

Master Ling Shui laughed so hard he rocked back and forth.

Secretary Wang and Clan Chief Chen were also stunned by the unexpected answer. After exchanging looks, Clan Chief Chen hesitantly asked, "Niece Sun, did your friend... come to the wrong place? Dragon-Tiger County isn't praying for wealth."

For a moment, Sun Yourong did not know how to explain.

But Lu Chen beat her to it, speaking with a smile. "You two, there's an old saying: wealth is water. If I can pray for wealth, I can naturally pray for water."

Oh-ho!

Sun Yourong's eyes lit up. That was well said!

Unexpectedly, after Lu Chen finished speaking, he turned to Master Ling Shui and waved at him amiably.

"Hey. Tsk tsk tsk. I'm talking to you."

The laughter came to an abrupt halt.

Master Ling Shui's expression suddenly froze as he stared at Lu Chen in disbelief.

Lu Chen did not yield in the slightest. His smile only grew gentler. "You're laughing so loudly—what the fuck are you laughing at?"