Episode 166

  Just then, a flash of lightning was followed by a rumble of thunder. It was early summer in the north, and the air was still chilly. The rain poured down suddenly. Alas, my newly bought coarse linen robe was no match for it, and within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, raindrops were dripping down from it. When the heavy rain came pouring down, the robe was like something pulled out of water, making a gurgling sound as the water flowed nonstop. The clothes made in the countryside are coarse and unrefined. Even the dye used for the coarse cloth is clumsy and unsightly. At this moment, when it encountered the rainwater, the color on top mixed with the rainwater and flowed away. On the ground, a dark blue puddle of water appeared, winding its way slowly before gradually fading away.

  "Good heavens! What a heavy rain, it's as if someone's house has been thrown into a dye vat!"

  Just smile in your heart, narrow your eyes, take a look at the heavy rain, and then ignore it and move forward.

  At midnight, the heavy rain was still pouring down, and suddenly a loud rumbling sound was heard in his ears.

  "What's going on? Why is the ground shaking like this? Could it be that a mountain flood has brought mud and rocks rushing down?"

  Insufficient heart below dark surprise, urgent interval, then want to implement the law to control the wind and go. Suddenly again remembered the mortal body's experience, so he strode forward with big steps. A mountain ridge cut off, on top of which a temple was hidden. Insufficient quickly rushed up, until near the front to observe, it turned out to be a broken and tattered mountain god temple. The temple door was half open, entering inside, saw the roof collapse, lightning flashed, light penetrated through the four walls into the interior, outside all things were gone.

  Not enough to find a dry spot, he searched for a wooden stick and hung his wet clothes on it. In the temple of the mountain god, he carefully recalled his past experiences, understood the difficulties of worldly affairs, and suddenly had an epiphany, achieving complete understanding and clarity without any doubts. This is the state of mind that has passed through the three barriers!

  Then the thunder grew louder and more intense, and before he knew it, he himself walked out of the broken temple, standing naked on the mountain ridge, looking down at the nearby gully.

  Lightning flashed incessantly, one streak after another without any interval. And so the scene in the valley below came into clear view. The valley was directly opposite this mountain ridge and turned to flow from there. In the distant mountains, valleys, and gorges, bright lights and lightning flashes echoed back and forth. That rumbling sound was coming from there! Without looking carefully, a huge wall of mud and water over ten meters high came rushing down, sweeping everything in its path! The brown torrent rushed straight down, with giant boulders several meters in diameter tumbling like eggs in the river. The two sides of the valley were as if cut by a knife, and rocks fell from above, rumbling down and then flowing away with the current. On top of the waves, huge trees and boulders tumbled and churned, only to disappear into the torrent in an instant! The entire mountain valley, gorges, and ravines were filled with half-gorge mud, stones, and water flowing rapidly, with a momentum that shook heaven and earth! Looking at its vastness rushing straight down, it was less than a mile away from the Mountain God Temple. Suddenly, a loud cry rang out:

  "Oh no! This is terrible!"

  He turned into the mountain god's broken temple, picked up his clothes, recited a spell in his mouth, and used all his strength to fly away along the mountain ridge. He had only gone about a hundred feet when suddenly the mountain ridge began to shake violently. Before he could be greatly frightened or turn his head back, he was fleeing forward like flying.

  The mountain where the temple was located had hard and tenacious rocks, which could have blocked the water. However, on its side was a low ditch, which was formed during the construction of the temple, with soil and gravel that couldn't withstand the impact of the mudslide. In just a short moment, there was a loud crash, and the ditch was breached by the muddy water, causing rocks to fly everywhere and sand to splash in all directions, opening up a huge gap. The mountain ridge shook violently, and within half an hour, the ruined temple and the rocks below it crashed into the water with a loud roar and disappeared.

  At that time, he barely escaped to the top of a mountain ridge. Looking back, his inner fear was indescribable! The scene of the temple's destruction was vivid before his eyes, and the terror that followed was difficult to express to others. Thinking about his years of practice, although it seemed futile, he had lived for over a hundred years. But with this flood disaster, there was no chance of survival.

  "Alas! The power of heaven and earth, the force of rules, once born, who dares to speak against it? Nothing can resist the 'Tao'! However, although the 'Tao' is said to be attainable through enlightenment, without innate talent, without a persevering heart, without the opportunity of heavenly timing, how can one succeed? The path of cultivation is like a long and dark night, and moreover, it is fraught with difficulties and obstacles at all times and places. Climbing it, one does not know when to arrive, nor when to rest!"

  Insufficient to observe the majesty of this world, suddenly felt his body was small as dust, his actions were fleeting like a sandpiper. Not having experienced a deep sigh!

  Another three days passed, and they were unable to get down from the mountain ridge. The road ahead was already blocked. There was no choice but to return by the same route.

  The scenes along the way were unbearable, villages and towns were in ruins, houses were destroyed, roads were completely ruined, fields were filled with rocks and debris, and huge boulders as big as houses blocked the way, leaving no usable land. The dead bodies of humans and animals were scattered all over the fields, and the cries of mourning could be heard everywhere. This was because many people had been caught off guard in the middle of the night, and their corpses were left naked. On the high ground by the side of the road, neighbors were helping each other, but everyone's face was pale with worry. Some families living on higher ground brought out food to help those in need, while the officials did not come to offer any assistance.

  As for the small town of Jiaohao, it's not surprising that it's also been hit by mountain floods. The city wall has collapsed, half of the city is destroyed, and the damage is beyond description. The other half of the city is submerged in water, and many houses of poor families have collapsed. The entire small town is empty, with residents following officials to evacuate to higher ground outside the city. There are still some officials maintaining order. A few villagers said:

  "County Master, I've been waiting for grain for three days already. If you don't provide some relief within a day or two, it won't be drowning that kills me, but starvation."

  That old man with a dirty face and head, although he looked disheveled, had bright piercing eyes that said:

  "The officials from the provincial capital have already set out, and several maintenance teams have been organized in this county to go down to the countryside to rescue the villagers. Don't worry, there will be news by tonight."

  Insufficient supplies were also among the refugees in the queue.

  "Old sir, in distant villages, many common people have already suffered greatly, and there are not many refugees left. Why doesn't the county government send troops to rescue them?"

  "This flood is vast and widespread. Even the county town was hit by several mountain floods. Many places in Daxing Mountain have flooded, and the low-lying terrain of our county seat has made it even more disastrous. The thick city walls of over ten zhang were also unable to withstand the floodwaters and collapsed almost completely! In such a disaster, where does the county government have manpower to dispatch? Even if there are people, where can they get food to provide relief?"

  Sighing in vain, no more words were spoken.

  In the past three months, I have been unable to lend a helping hand to rescue disaster victims. Some people built sheds and set up temporary housing for the victims, while others repaired bridges and opened roads to facilitate relief efforts.

  After three months, this place is slightly settled. Insufficient, then continue on.

  Then in winter, he went to a small country, David.

  David, a vassal state of the later Zhao, was a small but wealthy country that did not excel in military affairs. However, its commerce was flourishing and it was a famous commercial port in the northeastern part of the ancient continent. Its capital city was called No Night City, which was indeed a place where night never fell. The city had many merchant households and the people were fond of luxury. They indulged in extravagance and pleasure to an extreme degree.

  Insufficient to enter the city. The whole city is looking for a job, thinking that it will make a living in the world, but everyone hates its ugly face and does not accept it. Later, he begged for a job and became a pianist in a brothel. Insufficient piano was very fond of, because Chang Er was good at playing, so what she played was also good.

  The brothel initially did not accept her, but later was insufficient to play a song, shocked by the wonder, and accepted her.

  The layout of the brothel is nothing more than a large hall at the entrance, with screens facing the door, and behind it is the main hall. The hall is two stories high, surrounded by several layers of wooden buildings on all sides, and the top of the hall is just below the third floor pavilion. Below, colorful lanterns are hung high, and ribbons are wrapped around, which is very bright and luxurious, but also gaudy and vulgar. The side walls are carved with flowers, and the bright red color is matched with light pink silk, on which the ladies are like flowers, swaying gently, their seductive attitude, seemingly revealing and concealing at the same time, really makes one's eyes wide with wonder. Moreover, there is soft music accompanying it, and guests who enter, as soon as they see it, have three parts of lust in their hearts, where can they still move their feet? Even if they have a lot of silver on their bodies, they will definitely spend it all here!

  In the corner of the hall, there is a silk curtain separating the main hall. Usually, playing the piano to please the guests' hearts. The monthly salary of the brothel is only one or two silver coins. However, if you encounter a refined guest listening to the piano, or the lady upstairs summons, then solo facing the guest, playing the score pointed by the guest to serve. At that time, the guest rewards as he pleases, and the amount is not fixed, often far exceeding the monthly salary.

  Although his wonderful performance was appreciated by the young ladies and maids in the mansion, his ugly face often made them keep a distance from him. Since the Tianxi disaster, such situations were not uncommon, so why bother!

  Another year passed, and one day the hall suddenly became lively. Before I could even express my surprise, several maidservants came over.

  "Golden Foot, Third Young Master wants you to play a piece of ancient melody to welcome the noble guest."

  "Why are you sisters like this? What's the joy today? How did you get dressed up in the hall like this?"

  "It was Miss Yuan, the top courtesan of the capital city of Later Zhao, who graciously arrived at this place. The young masters from wealthy families gathered here to behold her beauty and listen to her enchanting voice."

  Insufficient and didn't know this woman, because her reputation is outside, not like having something to wait for.

  At noon, a soft voice said:

  Miss Yuan has arrived!

  In the backyard of this mansion, the third son of the city master, Jin Ruyang, stood respectfully at the door to welcome a stunning beauty. The woman had her hair styled in a high bun, with a delicate and charming face, a pair of large and beautiful eyes that were pure and deep. A small nose was slightly upturned, below which was a small mouth painted red, with a hint of a smile. She nodded slightly, as if responding to something. Her demeanor was elegant and refined, her beauty unmatched by any ordinary person.