Chapter 664
"He's a spy from Xuanyin Pavilion." Nangong Wan confirmed, "But he's just a small fry in the Qi Refining Stage."
Fu Shaoping looked solemn: "This means that they have begun to suspect this area. We must be prepared for the worst."
Back in town, they convened a meeting of all disciples and decided to further strengthen defenses and speed up the disciples' cultivation progress. With the crisis approaching, the cultivators in Qingxi Town must grow up quickly.
Five years have passed in a flash, and Qingxi Town is now completely different from what it was before. At the entrance of the town stands a stone tablet with five large characters "Qingxi Xiuzhen Town" inscribed on it. The writing is powerful and has a faint spiritual glow.
The town's buildings were in good order, with the main street paved with smooth bluestone slabs and white-walled and gray-tiled buildings on both sides. There were clinics, schools, medicine shops, talisman shops, and weapon refining workshops, all of which were available, making it look like a small cultivation market.
The most eye-catching is the "Wendao Square" in the center of the town, where dozens of people practice the Five Animals Exercises or sit in meditation every morning. Among them are white-haired old men and children, all of them are full of energy and have rosy complexions.
Fu Shaoping and Nangong Wan stood on the high platform on the north side of the square, looking at the thriving scene before them, feeling filled with emotion.
"I remember when we first came here, Qingxi Town was still a small, closed and backward place." Fu Shaoping said with a smile.
Nangong Wan nodded: "Now it has become the leading cultivation town within a hundred miles. Last year, three small sects sent people here to exchange and learn."
In the past five years, the Qingxi lineage has developed rapidly. Among the core disciples, Ashu and Xiaohe have reached the late stage of Qi Refining, and the other four are also in the middle stage of Qi Refining. What is more gratifying is that they have each found their own development direction - Ashu is proficient in medicine, Xiaohe is good at musical attack, Daniu is on the path of physical training, Liu Qing is an expert in talismans, Zhao Yan is studying the art of investigation and concealment, and Li Yun has become a master in cultivating spiritual plants and insects.
Ordinary residents in the town also benefited greatly. The Qingxi Health Preservation Secrets publicly taught by Fu Shaoping helped most of the townspeople get rid of common diseases and significantly increased their average life expectancy. The basic meditation rules promoted by Nangong Wan greatly improved the mental state of the townspeople, and the whole town presented a positive atmosphere.
"Mr. Fu! Mr. Ruan!" Ah Shu ran over in a hurry. "A group of people came down the mountain, claiming to be envoys from the Yunlan Sect, and wanted to visit our Qingxi lineage."
Fu Shaoping and Nangong Wan looked at each other. Yunlan Sect was the largest righteous sect within a thousand miles, and it had always regarded itself as a famous and upright sect. There must be a reason for the sudden visit.
"Prepare to welcome the guests." Fu Shaoping ordered, "Notify all core disciples to gather in the meeting room."
An hour later, in the meeting hall of Qingxi Town, Fu Shaoping and Nangong Wan sat in the main seats, and six core disciples were on both sides. Opposite them was a white-bearded old man and two young disciples, who were the third elder of Yunlan Sect and his followers.
"I have long heard of the great names of Mr. Fu and Mr. Ruan from Qingxi Town. Today, I see that they are indeed worthy of their reputations." The third elder bowed and said, "Your town has a peaceful atmosphere and the residents are full of energy. It is indeed a model of harmonious coexistence between the cultivation world and the mundane world."
Fu Shaoping responded modestly: "Thank you for the compliment, Third Elder. Qingxi Town is what it is today thanks to the joint efforts of the townspeople."
After the greetings, the third elder stated his purpose: "To be honest, my sect has recently discovered that Xuanyin Pavilion has been active nearby, as if they are looking for something. I heard that your town has some conflicts with Xuanyin Pavilion, so I came to remind you and propose an alliance to fight against the evil cultivators."
Nangong Wan frowned slightly: "Thank you for your kindness, Third Elder. I wonder how much force Xuanyin Pavilion has dispatched this time?"
"According to the spies' report, there are at least two Foundation Establishment Elders and more than ten Qi Refining disciples active nearby." The Third Elder looked solemn, "They seem to be looking for a pair of defected disciples."
Fu Shaoping's heart tightened, knowing that the other party had guessed their identities. Just when the atmosphere was a little awkward, a quick bell suddenly rang outside the meeting room - it was the highest level alarm!
Zhao Yan stood up instantly: "There is an enemy attack! The rhinoceros insects are all restless!"
Everyone quickly came to the watchtower at the entrance of the town, and saw black gas filling the mountains and forests in the distance, and vaguely saw more than a dozen black shadows approaching Qingxi Town.
"They are from Xuanyin Pavilion!" The third elder said in a deep voice, "The black-robed old man leading the group is Yin Shazi, the fifth elder of Xuanyin Pavilion, who is in the middle stage of foundation building!"
Fu Shaoping made a prompt decision: "Activate the town protection formation! All non-combatants immediately enter the underground shelter! Core disciples, take your positions!"
Liu Qing quickly activated the small Zhoutian protection formation, and a light blue light curtain covered the entire town; Daniu led the militia to deploy at various key points; Ashu and Xiaohe organized the elderly, the weak, women and children to evacuate in an orderly manner; Li Yun released all the Lingxi insects to monitor the enemy; Zhao Yan hid in the dark, ready to attack at any time.
Nangong Wan turned to the third elder and said, "Today's incident was caused by the two of us. We dare not implicate Yunlan Sect. You three can leave through the path in the back mountain."
The third elder laughed out loud: "It is our duty to fight against demons and defend the Way. How can we escape from the battlefield? Although my two disciples are not good enough, they have reached the late stage of Qi Refining. I am willing to lend a hand!"
The battle started soon. The Xuanyin Pavilion disciples led by Yin Shazi began to attack the town protection formation.
The heavy rain has lasted for seven days and seven nights.
Fu Shaoping stood on the old embankment of Qingxi Town, with rain dripping down the brim of his military raincoat and gathering into a stream on his angular face. He squinted his eyes and looked at the turbulent river in the distance. The water level was approaching the cordon. As the only retired special forces soldier in the town, he knew better than anyone what this meant.
“Captain Fu!” A young man in an orange life jacket ran up the embankment breathlessly. “The upstream hydrological station has sent us a message that the flood peak will reach us within three hours!”
Fu Shaoping did not answer immediately. He squatted down and measured an almost invisible crack on the embankment with his fingers. The mud and water soaked his gloves, but he seemed not to care. "Notify all residents to evacuate to the high ground behind the mountain immediately." His voice was low and firm, with an unquestionable sense of command.
"But the old mayor said--"
"The old mayor is not a water conservancy expert." Fu Shaoping stood up, rain dripping from his resolute chin, "Do as I say."
At this moment, a sound of an engine came from far away. A muddy off-road vehicle braked suddenly below the embankment, the door opened, and a pair of muddy hiking boots stepped out first. Then, a woman with a high ponytail and a waterproof jacket jumped out of the car and rushed up the embankment in two steps.
“We can’t evacuate!” Her voice was clear and urgent. “The geological structure of the mountain behind is unstable. This amount of rainfall is likely to cause a landslide!”
Fu Shaoping frowned and looked at the uninvited guest. She was about 27 or 28 years old, with mud on her face but it couldn't hide her delicate features, and her eyes were surprisingly bright in the rain.
"Who are you?" Fu Shaoping asked.
"Provincial Geological Survey Institute, Nangong Wan." She took out her work ID and shook it. "Three days ago, we detected abnormal displacement of the mountains around Qingxi Town. I am here to assess the risks." She pointed to the mountains on the west side. "There are already cracks there. If we let the residents go up now, it will be tantamount to sending them to death."
Fu Shaoping's eyes became sharp. "It's more dangerous to stay here. If the water level rises another half meter, the whole town will be submerged."
"But at least most of the buildings in the town are made of brick and concrete and can withstand the impact of floods." Nangong Wan did not give in. "If we go up the mountain, once a landslide occurs, the survival rate is almost zero."
The rain hit the two of them like an invisible barrier. The surrounding rescue team members looked at each other, not knowing who to listen to. Fu Shaoping took a deep breath, and the rain poured into his collar, freezing cold. "Do you have a better plan?"
Nangong Wan's eyes lit up. "Yes. The ancient river channel in the east of the town! I studied the topographic map on the way here. The terrain there is low-lying but the geology is stable. If it can be dredged, it can divert at least 40% of the water."
Fu Shaoping was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly turned around and ordered the rescue team members: "Li Qiang, take two people to check the situation of the ancient river channel. Wang Lei, organize the residents to make preparations for both situations. The elderly and children should be transferred to the school in the center of the town first. It is a three-story building and relatively safe."
His decisiveness made Nangong Wan raise her eyebrows slightly. Fu Shaoping turned to her: "I need exact data and plans, not guesswork."
"Give me two hours." Nangong Wan took out a tablet from her backpack. Although the screen was wet with rain, she quickly pulled up the map. "I need to survey a few points on the spot."
Fu Shaoping nodded: "I'll go with you."
The two walked along the muddy path towards the east of the town, with the rain hitting their faces painfully. Nangong Wan stopped from time to time to hit the rocks with a geological hammer and collect samples. Fu Shaoping observed the surrounding environment vigilantly, ready to deal with possible dangers at any time.
"Have you ever been a soldier?" Nangong Wan suddenly asked, his hands moving non-stop.
"Special Forces, five years." Fu Shaoping replied briefly, "Retired for two years."
Nangong Wan chuckled: "No wonder he is so arbitrary."
Fu Shaoping frowned: "In an emergency, indecision can kill people."
"But wrong decisions can be equally fatal." Nangong Wan stood up and pointed to a depression. "Look here, the rock structure is very stable. It is indeed an ideal flood discharge channel."
Fu Shaoping walked closer to take a look and had to admit that her professional judgment was convincing. "How many people are needed to clear the blockage?"
"At least thirty people, and heavy machinery." Nangong Wan's expression became serious, "But we don't have that much time."
Fu Shaoping looked at the sky which was getting darker and darker. The rain showed no sign of abating. "Let's go back and make a detailed plan first."
When they returned to the town center, the situation had worsened. The flood began to overflow the lowest part of the levee, and the streets were knee-deep in water. Residents were frantically carrying sandbags, and the old mayor stood on a makeshift command platform, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Captain Fu!" The old mayor was so excited when he saw them. "The provincial government called and said the rescue team will arrive tomorrow at the earliest!"
Fu Shaoping's face darkened. Nangong Wan quickly climbed onto the command platform and said loudly: "Everyone! We have found a way to divert the flood, but we need everyone to work together!"
A questioning voice came from the crowd: "Who are you? Why should we believe you?"
"I'm an engineer from the Provincial Institute of Geological Survey!" Nangong Wan's voice was still clear in the rain, "I can explain to everyone--"
"There's no time to explain." Fu Shaoping interrupted her and jumped directly onto the command platform. "Men between 18 and 45 years old, follow me to Zhendong Ancient River Channel! The rest of you continue to reinforce the embankment and transfer supplies!"
His military temperament and unquestionable tone immediately produced an effect. The men stood up and followed Fu Shaoping away. Nangong Wan was stunned for a second, then chased after him.
"You can't do this!" She grabbed Fu Shaoping's arm. "They have the right to know what they are doing!"
Fu Shaoping shook her hand off: "By the time I finish explaining, the town will have been flooded. Sometimes actions are more important than theories."
Nangong Wan bit her lip, the rain flowed down her cheeks, she couldn't tell whether it was rain or tears. "At least let me tell you what to do!" She caught up with the team, "There is a huge rock at the entrance of the ancient river channel, which must be blasted first!"
Fu Shaoping stopped suddenly and said, "Blow it up? There is no explosives here."
Nangong Wan took out a few tubes from his backpack: "I have a micro-blasting device for geological exploration, but it needs to be placed precisely."
Fu Shaoping's expression finally softened. "You should have said this earlier."
The next two hours were like a nightmare. In the storm, Fu Shaoping led the team to clear the river debris, while Nangong Wan installed the blasting device in waist-deep water. Her fingers were frozen purple, but she still meticulously adjusted every detail.
"Everyone retreat!" Nangong Wan warned loudly after the installation was completed. Fu Shaoping directed the crowd to retreat to a safe distance.
The sound of the explosion was drowned out by the sound of rain, but the effect was immediate - the boulders cracked, the flood found a new outlet, roaring into the ancient river channel. The water level began to drop at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The crowd cheered. Nangong Wan was so tired that she could hardly stand. Fu Shaoping held her up. "Good job, expert." He smiled, which was rare.
Nangong Wan smiled weakly: "It seems that the action group and the theorist group can also cooperate."
However, the crisis was far from over. Late at night, when most people were resting in temporary shelters, Fu Shaoping was still patrolling. Suddenly, a hurried call came from the intercom: "Captain Fu! The main flood discharge gate is stuck! The water level is rising again!"
Fu Shaoping rushed to the levee and found Nangong Wan already there. She shone a flashlight on the rusty gate mechanism: "The gear set is stuck with debris and must be cleared manually."
"It's too dangerous." Fu Shaoping shook his head. "The current is too fast and the divers will be washed away."
Nangong Wan checked the equipment and said, "I have a diving certificate, so I can try it."
"No." Fu Shaoping said firmly, "I'll go."
Without waiting for Nangong Wan to object, he had already taken off his coat and tied a safety rope. "I have received underwater combat training." He said briefly, and then jumped into the surging flood.
Nangong Wan tightly grasped the other end of the safety rope, her heart beating like a drum. Five minutes passed, no movement. Ten minutes, still no signal. Just as she was about to pull the rope, the rope suddenly shook violently - this was the danger signal agreed upon by Fu Shaoping. (End of this chapter)