Just the Right Time

That morning

The Water Shrine lay more than ten li from the prefectural city. The villagers could not possibly go to the city market every time, so a small market street had formed not far from the Water Shrine. It had only a dozen or so shops, selling daily necessities.

Business here was not especially brisk. At a stall to the east, three or four people were discussing something.

"Hey, have you heard? Shrine Keeper Sun had a dream last night!"

"Shrine Keeper Sun from the Dragon Maiden Shrine? What dream could he have had that makes you speak so mysteriously about it?"

"If it had been an ordinary dream, it truly would not be worth mentioning. But he dreamed of the Dragon Maiden!"

"No way? The Dragon Maiden? Hurry up and tell us!"

The few of them whispered among themselves in the street. Not far away, a wandering martial artist happened to be passing by. Hearing their words, he stopped and listened carefully.

Within a residence

"Brother Cen, several of us brothers have gone around Shunan Prefecture near the Water Shrine. We did not even need to ask deliberately; we heard about the Dragon Maiden sending a dream and a torrential rain soon arriving. This rumor has spread quite widely."

Listening to the martial artist's report, Cen Rubai nodded and said warmly, "You have all worked hard. Once this matter is done, I'll treat you to wine."

Without another word, he directly tossed over a pouch of silver. The man caught it, weighed it in his hand, and immediately knew it contained twenty taels of silver. A smile appeared on his face at once.

"This is for the brothers' everyday expenses. If it is not enough, just come tell me, Old Zeng. Don't stand on ceremony!"

The man immediately