"That's true."
Feng Bingwen immediately understood.
This is equivalent to asking a cultivator who is about to undergo tribulation and become an immortal, "Is it possible not to become an immortal?"
The answer is, of course, no.
A thousand years of cultivation, all for the sake of becoming an immortal.
The danger of a dragon traversing water is no less than that of a cultivator undergoing tribulation.
Although in theory there is no limit to the number of times one can transform into a dragon by walking on water and transcend tribulations to become an immortal, in reality, it is considered a stroke of luck to survive even if one fails to overcome the tribulation, let alone attempt a second or third time.
The Dragon King of Xuanting Lake's journey through the water is inevitable. Unless he is killed, the journey will not be stopped by anything, even if it causes widespread flooding, widespread suffering, and immeasurable evil karma. If he cannot travel through the water and successfully transforms into a dragon, the dragon will most likely perish.
As for slaying a true dragon's son, that goes without saying; the consequences would be something the Great Gan Dynasty could not and was unwilling to bear.
In contrast, the Daqian Dynasty was more willing to go to great lengths to relocate the residents on both banks of the river that the dragon king would pass through, in order to minimize losses.
The fact that this Dragon King was able to notify the government just before the water was about to be set sail, and even postpone the sailing time, was his last act of mercy and forbearance.
Xuan Ting Shui Jun has already done his best. Feng Bingwen, who has one foot in the cultivation world, cannot criticize this dragon lord. He can't expect this dragon lord to give up his lifelong cultivation.
"Unfortunately, the Xuan Ting Water Lord can only suppress it for three days. After three days, no matter how many people the government can relocate, it will start to move by water, starting from Xuan Ting Lake, entering the Yunmeng Great Swamp, crossing the Qingjiang River, and finally going straight into the East Sea."
"Three days? How many people can that relocate?"
Feng Bingwen's expression changed. The Dragon King's route along the waterways had at least tens of millions of residents living on both banks, because people live near water, and dense waterways are bound to be densely populated.
Even with the mobilization capabilities of the Great Gan Dynasty, and even with the help of ghosts and gods, he couldn't imagine how to relocate such a large number of people in just three days; it was simply impossible.
Even in the Great Gan Dynasty, which is currently at its peak and where the credibility and rule of the government have reached their zenith, the limitations on transportation still exist.
The heavy rains had turned even the main roads into muddy tracks, let alone the smaller paths. It was impossible to relocate millions of people in just three days.
"The time was too short."
"It is indeed too short, but there is nothing that can be done. That Dragon Lord can only endure it for three days."
Lightning has already begun to strike Xuan Ting Lake. If this drags on any longer, the Dragon Lord might be struck dead by heavenly lightning halfway through his journey across the water.
"..."
Feng Bingwen remained silent, but he quickly realized something important and was immediately struck by a realization.
"Your Majesty, since the people along the banks of the river will be relocated wherever this water deity travels, why hasn't it started in Qingshan County yet? Haven't you appeared in the dreams of the local county magistrate yet?"
"The people of Qingshan County are not among the prefectures to be relocated according to the imperial court's plan!"
After a moment of silence, the City God revealed a piece of news that filled Feng Bingwen with shock and anger.
"What? Why? The people of Qingshan County are also within the affected area of this dragon god's flood, why aren't they relocated?"
"The government cannot withstand this!"
The City God's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible helplessness.
"According to the waterway route that Xuan Tinglongjun proactively informed us of, the government needs to relocate nearly ten million people from both banks of the river, and this is after trying to reduce the number as much as possible."
If all the prefectures affected by the flood were included, the number would double, and the government simply couldn't relocate that many people.
Even if they are forcibly relocated, problems will arise in the subsequent resettlement. If something goes wrong, the outcome might be worse than not relocating at all.
"Therefore, Qingshan County was abandoned!"
"Qingshan County will only be affected and will not be directly impacted by the flood caused by the Dragon King's departure. Therefore, the imperial court will not send anyone or provide any financial or material resources. All matters will be decided by Qingshan County itself."
"Self-rescue?"
Even with the appearance of a white dragon, Feng Bingwen's expression was not very good.
He could understand the government's difficulties, prioritizing the relocation of people directly affected by the flood, and allowing those affected to fend for themselves. However, understanding did not mean he could accept it.
"Please don't do that. The court has its own difficulties. After all, time is too tight. We can only prioritize evacuating people from the most severely affected areas. The court can't afford to take care of prefectures like Qingshan County right now."
"I see."
Feng Bingwen processed this rather heavy news, while the City God, seemingly finding the atmosphere too oppressive, delivered what could be considered good news.
"There is also good news: all supplies in Qingshan County can be handled by themselves, without the need to support other regions."
"What's this?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Bingwen was speechless. It dawned on him that the prefectures outside the affected area of the flood had probably already begun to be mobilized, with their manpower and resources being drawn from the imperial court. To expect the local prefectures to be able to cope with such a disaster was wishful thinking.
"As for cultivators like yourself, you are also within the scope of your own decision-making. You can stay in this county to help with flood control. If the Demon Suppression Bureau sends someone to invite you to go elsewhere, you can refuse on that basis."
"Cultivators can be mobilized too?!"
Feng Bingwen's eyes flickered, and hope rose in them. If the cultivation sects within the Great Gan territory also obeyed the imperial court's orders and participated in disaster relief, then transferring millions of disaster victims within three days would probably not be an impossible task.
Well, that's just a guess. Feng Bingwen had only seen some weak, low-level cultivators before. He hadn't seen a single cultivator from a prestigious sect.
As for those powerful cultivators who can command the wind and rain, he has only seen his master so far. But although he has seen him, he has never seen his master use his supernatural powers. He just finds him unfathomable.
“If cultivators like you are mobilized, it won’t be to participate in the relocation of disaster victims. That would be a complete waste of your talents. Once mobilized, you will inevitably be to deal with the demons that have emerged due to the disaster.”
"demon?"
Feng Bingwen noticed the subtle warning in the City God's tone.
"They are not the minor demons and monsters you deal with on a daily basis, but rather the demons that lurk in the mountains and fields when humanity is prosperous, and begin to stir up trouble and devour people to cultivate themselves once the world becomes chaotic."
The calamity caused by the Dragon King's rampage through water, leading to chaos in humanity, though only temporarily, will inevitably tempt these demons to seize the opportunity to abduct mortals, devour their flesh and souls for sustenance.
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