NOVEL NEXT Chapter 263: First Rain
"Isn't that the Gui Clan's ancestral bronze mirror? How could it be in Feng Xiyan's hands now?" Gui Ying asked in shock and disbelief.
While Feng Xiyan and the generals descended the city wall, Gui Ying glanced at the golden lines floating above his own small mirror.
Noticing that some of the golden lines had vanished, Gui Ying's pupils shrank.
After a moment of shock, he muttered in astonishment, "The destruction of this world… has actually disappeared?"
Looking down at Feng Xiyan and the others leaving through the southern city gate, he whispered, "Could the change in this world's fate be caused not only because Grandfather sent Granduncle to another world, but also because of that bronze mirror in Feng Xiyan's hand?"
After pondering for a moment, Gui Ying shook his head.
"This won't do. This young master must confirm whether that bronze mirror is truly my clan's ancestral treasure or not before making my next move."
Making his decision, Gui Ying snapped his fingers, and the golden lines vanished. Stowing the small mirror back into his spatial ring, Gui Ying disappeared from the rooftop of the watchtower.
Not far outside the southern city gate of Xiqiang City, Feng Xiyan held the bronze mirror and showed it to Bai Hanyun, revealing the surroundings.
"Fairy Bai, this area is farmland owned by the common people and the Feng Army."
After saying that, Feng Xiyan walked toward the nearest farmland. Squatting down, he grabbed a handful of soil and showed it to Bai Hanyun.
"This is the soil used to plant sweet potatoes. Usually, the farmers and workers carry water from the lake or the southern river to irrigate the fields."
While Feng Xiyan explained the daily tasks of the farmers and workers, Bai Hanyun leaned closer to the antique mirror to examine the soil more closely.
After inspecting it for a while, Bai Hanyun said, "Based on the soil conditions, we need at least four times more rain to restore the moisture."
Just as her words fell, something suddenly flashed in the sky. A second later, the long-lost thunder echoed throughout the surroundings.
Groo~! Crack~! Boom!
Raising his head, Feng Xiyan looked at the darkening sky.
Seeing the thick thunderclouds, Bai Hanyun exclaimed, "Look! It's working!"
Before Feng Xiyan could react, she urged, "Feng Xiyan, quickly go back! The first rain after a drought will force the heat out of the soil. If you inhale the air mixed with that heat, you will fall sick!"
Hearing this, Feng Xiyan came back to his senses and quickly ordered, "Everyone, return to the barracks immediately. Don't let anyone go outside when it rains."
The generals clasped their fists and responded in unison, "Yes, Great General."
After sending the generals back, Feng Xiyan activated his lightness skill and returned to the signal tower.
Landing lightly on top, he looked at Feng Wu and the four shadow guards, then instructed, "Feng Wu, bring this Artificial Rain Cannon and the bullets back to my Great General's Mansion. Remember to arrange people to guard them."
Feng Wu clasped his fists and responded, "Yes, Master."
Before leaving, Feng Xiyan added, "Inform our brothers not to go out when it rains. Be careful not to catch a cold."
Feng Wu nodded at his words. "This subordinate understands."
After reminding Feng Wu, Feng Xiyan carried the bronze mirror and returned to the barracks. On his way, he saw the common people cheering and kneeling in the street.
Remembering Bai Hanyun's warning, he said, "Everyone, the first rain after a long drought can make you sick. Please return to your homes."
When the common people heard his words, they bowed and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Great General."
After being abandoned by the imperial court, the only one the common people trusted was Feng Xiyan and his Feng Army. Therefore, when he told them to go home, they obeyed without hesitation.
Watching this scene from afar, Gui Ying fell into deep thought.
Unaware that Gui Ying was following him from afar, Feng Xiyan returned to the barracks. Just as he stepped past the main gate, the first drop of rain after more than two years of drought finally fell.
Drip… Drip… Drip…
Feeling the cold sensation hit his cheek, Feng Xiyan raised his hand to touch it. Looking at the wet fingertips, his eyes flickered.
Before long, more and more raindrops fell from the sky, and soon, heavy rain poured down.
"It's raining!" shouted one of the soldiers.
As his voice was swallowed by the downpour, the others came back to their senses and cheered.
"It's really raining!"
"Thank you, Fairy Bai! Thank you, Heaven!"
While the soldiers cheered and used the rainwater to wash the dirt off their clothes and bodies, Feng Xiyan stood motionlessly with his eyes closed.
Seeing this scene through the surface of the antique mirror, tears slowly welled up in Bai Hanyun's eyes.
For the first time since finding the antique mirror and meeting Feng Xiyan, the realization that she truly could save lives finally seeped into her heart.
Gently rubbing the antique mirror's frame, Bai Hanyun looked out at the bright sky beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows and whispered, "Grandfather, look. It turns out I'm not as useless as they said. I can help many people and save their lives."
While Bai Hanyun recalled those forgotten memories from her dark childhood, Feng Xiyan took a deep breath of the humid air and let out a long sigh.
Opening his eyes, he gazed at the sky and let the rain wash over his face and body. Feeling the long-forgotten cool sensation on his skin, the corner of his lips slowly curved upward.
Seeing the rain grow heavier, Feng Xiyan returned to his tent. After placing the bronze mirror back on the altar, he went to take a hot bath and changed clothes.
Outside his tent, Gui Ying appeared on top of a dead tree without anyone noticing. Watching the soldiers cheering and showering half-naked under the rain, he rolled his eyes.
"Shameless men. With such bad figures, they really dared to show their naked body in public," Gui Ying muttered, though the corner of his lips curved up slightly.