After the events in Lingdong, relations between the Celestial Court and Dragonkind had once been extremely tense. At least their joint efforts to bring rain and dispel the disaster toward the end had eased things considerably.
Once the Drought Demon was slain, not only did the climate across Lingdong gradually return to normal, but a realization also dawned in Yi Shuyuan's heart:
The End of Heat tribulation was over!
It was already late autumn. The shadow of disaster seemed to have faded, and even the newly appointed Dengzhou Prefect had arrived to take office.
The provinces of Lingdong Circuit had harvested their first crops since the disaster, and many places had even planted late-season crops.
Though Lingdong had suffered a terrible calamity, much of the wealth among its people had, in truth, survived. Trade and transport links with the outside world had long since reopened. Now that the food shortage had greatly improved, production and daily life were back on track.
Outside Dengzhou City, large ships lay moored along the banks of the Datong River, whose waters once again flowed abundantly.
These ships had all come from Zhao Province's port. They were the very fleet Tan Yuanshang had personally brought there. After bringing medicines and helping the people weather the epidemic, Tan Yuanshang had returned home, but the low water level in the Datong River had forced the large ships to remain at Zhao Province's port.
Now the ships were returning to Heaven-Bearing Prefecture by a roundabout water route. The imperial decree summoning Chu Hang to the capital had arrived a few days earlier, so today he would conveniently sail back aboard them and enjoy a comfortable journey for once.
But at this moment, Deng Province's port held more than merchant ships and Chu Hang. Countless local people and constables