All fourteen members of the Special Operations Department were present.

Everyone lowered their heads, feeling deeply ashamed.

Zhao Qingfeng said in a heavy tone, "I know I made a mistake. I will take full responsibility for all the mistakes. They were all following my orders, and they are all innocent."

Zhao Qingfeng was unaware of Liu Xue's identity, but their ability to mobilize the central government to put pressure on them proved their exceptional capabilities.

Following this incident, the Special Affairs Department of S Province will certainly be punished.

"You don't need to tell us about your apology. Someone will come to listen when the time comes. Right now, our priority is the snake-eliminating plan. Time is of the essence, so I'll keep it brief."

Liu Xue didn't even want to look at Zhao Qingfeng; she looked down on him from the bottom of her heart.

If they hadn't dealt with the Shi and Bo families and set up the Seven Inch Formation, the Special Affairs Department wouldn't have been so accommodating.

So she didn't want to hear a single word of what Zhao Qingfeng wanted to say.

After a sharp glance, she said, "Immediately compile all the major records of floods and plagues in the province over the past century, then compile a morning report on the Black Serpent's evil deeds and publish it on the front page, in taverns, and have people spread the word!"

"Within three days, I want the people of S Province to know the story of Black Snake's self-directed evil deeds and subsequent divine retribution. The rain is getting heavier and heavier. Zhao Qingfeng, do you know how much trouble you have caused?"

"Make urgent contact with all departments of the armed forces to prepare for flood control and disaster relief, and notify residents to move to higher ground."

Liu Xue stared coldly at Zhao Qingfeng, issuing orders to cooperate while condemning him.

Zhao Qingfeng felt as if his neck weighed a ton, and the crackling thunder and rain outside pounded against his heart, making him realize the enormity of his sins.

He nodded solemnly: "Yes, we will definitely do it."

If only we had reported it promptly when we first noticed something unusual about Tianmen Mountain.

Unfortunately, a mistake is a mistake.

"We want to see the vice governor."

Liu Xue looked at Zhao Qingfeng and said her last words.

The black serpent has waited for a thousand years; destroying it will not be an easy task.

The black snake deserved its fate, but the people were innocent.

But all they can do now is try their best to minimize potential casualties.

These arrangements were all made in a planned manner.

Zhao Qingfeng nodded and led his men down.

The rain outside was getting heavier, and the sky was shrouded in fog.

Such weather made even the underground rats seem to sense the danger and run out.

The rats scurrying around in the streets made people feel uneasy.

The government was mobilized during such heavy rain.

People in low-lying areas were moved to higher ground.

Armed personnel are on guard in all areas.

During such a depressing time, several stories gradually began to circulate.

People couldn't go out because of the heavy rain, so those who were close friends gathered together for a meal and some drinks.

He then proceeded to talk about the historical anecdotes he had heard.

"Hey, have you guys seen the newspapers these past few days? I heard what they said is true..."

"No way, so all that talk about the Black Dragon controlling the floods was a lie? It was the one that brought us the floods, and it even managed to cover it up and try to get promoted to a dragon. It got all the benefits..."

"That's right. Many people have been torn apart by floods and plagues, their families broken apart and their lives destroyed. As a result, people even built temples for it out of gratitude. It's really a sin. Heaven has opened its eyes and must punish it."

"So everyone used to say that snakes they saw during floods were dragons, which fueled the evil spirits. Didn't that make them all harmful people? No wonder some families who were doing well ended up worse off after believing in that black dragon. It seems they were getting their comeuppance..."

"Shh, don't talk nonsense. The weather's been really strange lately, and it's making me uneasy..."

People discussed it with trepidation.

Whether or not one believes what the newspapers say, only they themselves know the truth.

But no matter what, they would hesitate if they saw the black snake's figure in the murky river and blurted out that it was a dragon.

As the heavy rain poured down, the river water became extremely murky, and the water level continued to rise.

In low-lying areas, the first floor has already been flooded, but the heavy rain has not stopped and the water level is still rising, which will continue to flood the second, third and even fourth floors.

Just two days later, the floodwaters had submerged the fourth floor of the low-lying area, and the flooded area was rapidly expanding.

At this time, all the men of the Wu family and clan came.

Wu Pinggui's body has not yet been buried.

Wu Wei's hair had turned mostly white, and he had taken on the heavy responsibility that Wu Pinggui had borne.

During the torrential rain, he organized his people to evacuate to the mountains and set up temporary shelters for them.

Wu Lan is in good health and is helping him settle in and care for everyone.

Wu Laicai rushed into the Wu family home carrying the dying Wu Fuyou, and knelt down in the pouring rain, kowtowing and pleading, "Clan leader, please save my son, please save my son..."

Wu Laicai's hair has turned almost completely white.

His son was dying, but no one could save him.

Wu Pinggui refused to budge, Wu Wei was heartless, and the villagers stood by and watched without offering any help—he was filled with resentment.

"If I had a way, I would have saved them, but I couldn't. I'm sorry!"

Wu Wei's eyes were filled with sorrow, and all he could say to Wu Laicai's pleas for help was an apology.

Wu Laicai was destined to be childless, but he believed in the black snake and had a son.

But whether this child can be kept or not, nobody knows.

Wu Fuyou's face was pale, and he remained motionless in the rain, his chest rising and falling only once after a long while.

Wu Wei couldn't bear to watch any longer. His father had died because of this, how could he possibly change his mind at this crucial moment?

Wu Lan held an umbrella to shelter Wu Fuyou and Wu Laicai from the rain.

Wu Laicai looked at her, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He suddenly lunged forward, grabbed Wu Lan, and held her by the neck. He said viciously, "If you don't agree to my demands, I'll kill your daughter!"

"Are you crazy? Let go of Lanlan! If you want to kill someone, come at me!"

Wu Wei was startled, and then became anxious. He never expected Wu Laicai to be so heartless as to target Wu Lan.

He looked at Wu Laicai as if he didn't recognize him.

Wu Laicai was breathing heavily; his time was running out.

He stared at Wu Wei and spoke again: "Send my son to the Dragon Vein to be nourished. As long as you are willing to send him in, I will not blame you whether he can live or not. I will give you my life even if the Wu family wants it. Clan leader, I beg you!"

"Nephew, Fuyou is my life, my only hope! I beg you, I really beg you to help me. I don't want you to admit that the black snake is a dragon, but could you please send my son to the dragon vein to nourish his body? Maybe he can live! He's a human!"

Wu Laicai pleaded desperately, but the hand gripping Wu Lan's neck did not loosen its grip at all.

If Wu Wei dared to refuse, he would really snap Wu Lan's neck immediately.

Wu Wei was filled with anxiety. His wife was lying in bed, his father had passed away, and his only daughter was under threat.

It's not that they're admitting the black snake is a dragon; they're just sending Wu Fuyou to the dragon vein so that its spiritual energy can nourish his body. Nothing will happen to him.

No, Father said that no one is allowed to set foot in the Dragon Vein. Even if the entire Wu family is wiped out, no one can enter!

Wu Wei was caught in a mental struggle, with two voices arguing in his head.

"dad."

Wu Lan called out weakly.