Chapter 319: Praying For Rain
Two hours later, when the morning sky had already brightened and the sunlight shone down on the world, the war prisoners, refugees, and common people had already gathered outside the southern city wall.
Looking down at the densely packed people from the watchtower, Bai Hanyun finally saw with her own eyes the real number of people whom she had been feeding in the past month.
Standing by the watchtower’s low stone wall, Bai Hanyun thought, ’This is crazy. I never realized that more than one hundred thousand people are so many.’
Recalling the number of the Yuezhi Tribe’s soldiers that Feng Xiyan told her the first time he sent her a prayer, Bai Hanyun’s heart trembled.
’At that time, how desperate and hopeless was he to send me such a prayer? Fortunately, I found the antique mirror, which can help Feng Xiyan. Otherwise, he and the common people living here will all be slaughtered by the Yuezhi Tribe.’
Clenching her sweaty palms tightly, Bai Hanyun let out a shaky breath when she imagined Feng Xiyan’s body covered with blood.
’Now that I’m here, I can’t let Feng Xiyan die. As long as he is here, these people will be fine. Protecting him is equal to protecting all of these people.’
As Bai Hanyun silently made a decision, determination flickered in her eyes.
At the same time, Feng Xiyan and the generals noticed that everyone had arrived. Dismounting his warhorse, Feng Xiyan walked up to the high podium they had built last night.
Turning to the crowd below, he calmly said, "Two days ago, this general had received a message from Heaven to pray for rain. With the blessing of Heaven, the drought will be ended, and people will be saved."
When Feng Xiyan’s words echoed in the silent surroundings, the common people and refugees cheered, while new refugees and the war prisoners sneered in disbelief and murmured amongst themselves.
Seeing that less than half of the people believed his words, Feng Xiyan didn’t feel anxious. He calmly took three incense sticks, lit them with the candle’s flame, and stood behind the altar.
Facing the sky, Feng Xiyan bowed three times, then placed the incense sticks in the incense burner.
When Bai Hanyun and the others saw this from the watchtower, Bai Hanyun quickly said, "Quick, Feng Wu. Load the bullet."
"Yes, Fairy Bai." Accepting the order, Feng Wu motioned to the four shadow guards.
At his signal, the four of them pushed the heavy Artificial Rain Cannon into position and loaded the bullet. Once finished, they stood to the side.
"Fairy Bai, it’s ready." Feng Wu calmly reported.
Bai Hanyun walked to the Artificial Rain Cannon, adjusted it to face the sky above, and said, "Feng Wu, give me the lighter."
Feng Wu took out the lighter from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Opening the bamboo lid, Bai Hanyun gently blew on it twice until the fire ignited. Without looking at the others, she said, "Everyone, cover your ears."
As they covered their ears, Bai Hanyun lit the fuse and quickly retreated. Standing at the corner, she covered her eyes while she watched the fuse burn at a rapid pace.
A few seconds later, a deafening blast shook the surroundings, startling everyone below.
Boom!
Moments later, the Artificial Rain Cannon’s bullet exploded in the sky, releasing another thunderous roar that spread across the city, filling the crowds with fear and anxiety.
Boom!
Bai Hanyun closed the bamboo lid, returned the fire lighter to Feng Wu, and walked to the low wall, staring at the sky.
She didn’t wait for long before the sky began to change, and a gust of wind came. As black clouds gathered, Bai Hanyun’s eyes lit up.
"It’s working!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Turning to Gui Ying, Bai Hanyun said, "Gui Ying, it’s our turn."
Gui Ying lowered his gaze from the sky and looked at her. With a playful smile on his lips, he asked, "Fairy Bai, are you ready?"
Bai Hanyun put on her veil, tightened it securely, and nodded. "Yes."
Once she was ready, Gui Ying formed a hand seal. A second later, golden lines appeared in the air before him. As they connected, an intricate formation slowly began to take shape.
Swish~! Swish~! Swish~!
A few seconds later, when the formation was complete, Gui Ying tapped its center with his index and middle fingers.
Tap.
The moment his fingertips touched the core of the formation, the golden formation instantly shot into the sky and expanded at an incredible speed.
Whoosh!
Covering the entire Xiqiang City and its surrounding areas, the golden formation began to rotate slowly. Soon, golden mist seeped out from it, flowing downward like a magnificent golden waterfall.
Seeing this, Gui Ying smiled at Bai Hanyun and said, "Fairy Bai, the stage is ready. It’s your turn now."
Taking a deep breath, Bai Hanyun suppressed her fear and said, "I’m ready. Let’s do it."
With that, Gui Ying flipped his hand, and a white jade writing brush with a golden tip appeared in his palm. Channeling his spiritual energy into it, he began to write in the air.
A few seconds later, a complete golden talisman floated before Gui Ying. With a wave of his hand, the golden talisman shrank and shot toward Bai Hanyun.
Whoosh~! Tap!
As the talisman attached itself to Bai Hanyun’s back, Gui Ying formed another hand seal and reassured her, "Don’t be nervous. With this young master here, nothing will happen to you."
Bai Hanyun swallowed and nodded.
Giving her a reassuring smile, Gui Ying snapped his fingers.
Snap!
In that instant, Bai Hanyun’s body turned invisible and began to float into the sky.
Suspended beneath the golden waterfall and the golden formation, her invisible figure shimmered faintly through the golden light, as though Heaven itself was welcoming her.
At first, nobody noticed her or the golden waterfall.
Then, a few seconds later, when the golden waterfall thickened, a trembling voice pierced through the stillness, "L–look up there! It’s a golden cloud! It’s an auspicious sign!"
The moment the words echoed in the silent surroundings, heads turned upward.