Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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The ad sound effects on his phone were still playing, but Mr. Gu no longer had the energy to watch those amazing images. He thought about the boast he had just made to Wei Xi and felt that his career was about to come to an end.
Having worked for so many years and dealt with Taoist and Buddhist associations all over the country more than once or twice, this was the first time in his life he had encountered such a bizarre Taoist temple and Taoist priest.
Seeing his state, Tuan Tuanyi felt something was amiss and secretly whispered to his master, “Master, do you think Mr. Gu will go back on his word?”
Even someone as slow-witted as Wei Xi could sense someone’s predicament. Seeing Mr. Gu so distracted, he immediately thought of Qiu Guokai’s worries and couldn’t help but feel troubled himself.
The world outside the mountains is truly too treacherous; why is it so difficult to open a sect openly and legitimately?
….
With their own thoughts, the group traveled by various means of transportation to reach the Haicheng that Mr. Gu had mentioned. His second apprentice was not there, and Wei Xi was so bored on the plane that he could only sleep the whole time. But as soon as he got off the plane, he felt the urgency of an impending storm outside.
Their plane was the only one taxiing on the tarmac. The sky was overcast, covered with dark clouds, and a howling wind, carrying damp moisture, lashed against their faces. The wind was so strong that it was almost impossible for a thin person to stand steadily. Because of its coastal location, the air in the coastal city was much more humid than in Beijing, making the strong wind feel even more uncomfortable.
As Mr. Gu stepped off the plane, he looked up at the sky, and a hint of fear even showed on his face.
This trip was no small matter, and almost half of the Taoist priests from the Beijing Taoist Association had come. Since returning from Xin’an, Xu Xiaofeng’s body had gradually returned to normal after her resurrection, and almost all their acquaintances, including the old Taoist priest Kuang Zhiming, had come, all with the same solemn expression.
Since they were all in the same profession, Wei Xi greeted them first: “Fellow Daoists, it’s been a long time. Have you found a lawyer yet?”
He remembered hearing them mention before leaving Xin’an that they wanted to crowdfund to find a famous lawyer to exonerate Xuanwu. As a future member of the Beijing Taoist Association who intended to join, Wei Xi, representing the Taicang Sect, also donated a token amount of one thousand yuan. The poor Taoist priests really went all out for their sect’s divine beast this time.
The solemn expressions on everyone’s faces immediately froze at his question. And Mr. Gu, who had intended to inquire about the situation, was also taken aback: “You Taoist priests are hiring lawyers? For whom? Have they committed a crime?”
Taoist priests: “…”
The Taoist priests replied with strange expressions, “Ah, in that cult case in Xin’an, there was a… colleague who made a mistake and was imprisoned.”
Mr. Gu was quite bewildered: “Oh, I see. We know some capable people in the legal field. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need any help.”
The Taoist priests, who were not used to dealing with the legal field, were quite pleased to hear his words, which were like sending charcoal in snowy weather. They immediately began to consult him and also noted down the names of the lawyers Mr. Gu mentioned who were skilled in criminal cases.
Seeing their concern, Mr. Gu couldn’t help but ask after giving his name, “Judging from the attitude of you Taoist priests, the Taoist priest who made the mistake must be no ordinary person, right? Could it be that some major Taoist temple has been implicated?”
Taoist priests: “…”
Alas, this crisis is far more than just a crisis facing a single Taoist temple.
But they didn’t want to say much, after all, family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public. It’s not a glorious thing for the dignified Xuanwu to participate in a cult organization and now be locked up in a detention center wearing a yellow vest and even making the news with his face blurred.
Thinking of this, everyone felt like crying again. As a devout believer, Master Quan wiped his eyes sadly before changing the subject with tears streaming down his face: “It’s a long story, let’s not talk about it. Mr. Gu, after we arrived here, we all cast a divination, but no one could find out the reason. I’m afraid the recent floods near Haicheng are really not to be underestimated.”
….
The “Believe in Science” team, along with local meteorological officials, waited on the tarmac and quickly confirmed his statement.
“Since the end of last month, heavy rainfall has been affecting provinces along the Yellow River from west to east. Starting with Qiuxian, which was the first to experience flooding, cities such as Datong, Tianyi, and Pengbo have also suffered varying degrees of damage. The torrential rain began approaching Haicheng the day before yesterday, and our meteorological bureau detected its intensity increasing significantly almost immediately upon entering the city. As of today, the torrential rain has been falling for a full day and night, causing severe flooding in the city. At this rate, the airport may soon be unable to cope. Nearly 50,000 passengers are already stranded. Mr. Gu, your program team wouldn’t have been able to come here if it weren’t for special permission.”
He answered a phone call, his expression growing even more serious: “What?!”
After hanging up the phone, he weakly pinched the bridge of his nose and added in a somber tone, “Everyone, just now, the bureau’s latest survey report came out. In addition to this wave of heavy rainfall, a new airflow has formed over the sea and is currently approaching our city at a speed of 21 kilometers per hour. Its energy is still increasing, and I’m afraid it will make landfall soon! We cannot rule out the possibility of triggering a tsunami.”
….
The airport was in complete chaos, with announcements circulating that flights were unable to take off due to weather conditions. Stranded passengers were angrily harassing the ground staff, unaware that the airport staff were even more anxious about the severe weather than they were.
The meteorological bureau had already issued an emergency typhoon warning.
The strong wind lashed against the glass walls of the terminal building, producing alarming crashing sounds. Planes on the tarmac swayed helplessly in the wind. As Wei Xi left with the Taoist priests, he overheard many passengers gathered in the terminal waiting to check in, discussing the situation.
“My God, this is so bizarre! It’s not typhoon season, how could a strong typhoon suddenly appear?”
“Yes, this rain in Haicheng is really strange. It was sunny and clear just last week, so where did all this rain come from?”
“Don’t you know? Everyone online is saying that this was brought by a dragon. Isn’t the dragon a mythical beast that can summon wind and rain?”
“Qiuxian was also flooded recently, and someone filmed the shadow of a dragon in the river in their city! Look at the map, isn’t that river in Qiuxian a tributary of the Yellow River?”
“Wait a minute, didn’t the news say it was a rumor? My mom’s WeChat Moments are all sharing that the truth about the Qiuxian flood was a landslide on the reservoir wall. You guys really believe in dragons?”
“…How do you know there’s no dragon? You believe what the news says? Don’t you think about the recent heavy rainfall in various provinces along the Yellow River’s eastward course? Is it really that coincidental and strange? Haicheng happens to be the final point where the Yellow River flows into the sea. I think that dragon has already arrived here!”
Upon hearing those words, which were a mix of nervousness and barely concealed excitement, Wei Xi turned and glanced at the passenger.
Dragon……
Mr. Gu, who was standing nearby, also heard these discussions. Looking at the passengers who were having a lively discussion, he looked worried and said, “Master Wei, you heard it too, right? These kinds of speculations are already rampant online and everyone knows about them. They not only threaten social stability but also give rise to many criminals who use similar names to swindle and cheat. If we don’t stop this trend soon, I’m afraid the consequences will be unimaginable.”
The Meteorological bureau staff also expressed their helplessness: “Heavy rain and typhoons are formed by natural science, and we don’t know why these citizens would be willing to believe these unfounded rumors.”
Upon hearing such socialist words, Mr. Gu could only give a vague reply. Immediately afterward, he received a phone call. After hanging up, he turned around and said in a serious tone, “Everyone, we need to prepare to set off!”
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