Chapter 438 Praying for Rain
Tang Bugui remained silent; he didn't know what to say at that moment.
Seeing the storybook and the illustrations, his heart felt as if it had been gripped by a knife.
Little girl, how could you be so silly!
He took a deep breath and said to the Emperor and Empress, "This humble general is feeling unwell. Please forgive me, Your Majesty and Your Majesty, and allow me to take my leave!"
The emperor wanted to say a few more words, but the empress grabbed him!
She shook her head at the emperor, looked at Tang Bugui with heartache, and said, "Well, you go ahead. Little Su Bao can stay here for now. I want to talk to her!"
Tang Bugui nodded, clutching the book tightly in both hands, and slowly left.
Little Su Bao looked at her father's appearance, her big eyes filled with anxiety.
But I don't know what to do!
She opened her mouth as if to say something to the Empress, but she didn't know what to say.
Tang Bugui left dejectedly, and as he left, the light in his eyes seemed to fade further and further.
Looking at her father's lonely figure, Xiao Su Bao couldn't help but break free from the Empress's embrace and rush towards her father.
Tang Bugui was slightly lost in thought, looking down at the little dumpling clinging to his leg.
"Daddy, don't be sad... If Daddy is sad, Su Bao is sad too!" Little Su Bao's eyes were red, and she raised her little face, her chubby little face filled with a pleading look.
Tang Bugui was taken aback, then reached out and hugged the little dumpling into his arms.
He held the little baby tightly, tears slowly dripping onto the baby's clothes.
Not a sound was made.
Watching the two leave, the emperor subconsciously stood up, wanting to chase after them.
The empress took the emperor's hand.
In fact, the emperor cared about Tang Bugui even more than the empress; it's just that he had come to enjoy bickering with Tang Bugui.
The emperor sighed and muttered under his breath, "That wretched child, he's such a worry! How could I have been so stupid as not to have discovered this!"
He sighed, a hint of regret in his eyes.
He treated all his children with genuine kindness, unlike any emperor before him, even though he had other concubines.
Only the Empress had children.
Even if the other concubines knew this, they dared not lay a hand on the Empress.
The concubines all knew that if they harmed the Empress, their entire clan might not be spared.
After the emperor ascended the throne, some of his concubines tried to harm the empress.
However, before he could succeed, he was killed overnight by the emperor's orders.
Their emperor was bad at martial arts, but had a terrible temper.
He has the potential to be a tyrant!
"Wife, do you think if I hadn't let him go back then... he wouldn't be like this, right... right? Did I ruin him?" The emperor looked at the empress and asked in a low voice.
The Empress was silent for a moment, then looked at her husband and said softly, "Your Majesty, there are no 'what ifs' in this world. Besides, at that time he was a general of the Great Shang Kingdom. In addition to himself, he also had the border to guard!"
"You're right. Even if I had to do it all over again... I would still make the same choice," the emperor said quietly, clenching his fist.
Tang Bugui was unaware of the conversation between the Emperor and Empress. He carried Xiao Su Bao out of the Emperor and Empress's courtyard.
They watched the black ash billowing from the sky and the distant volcano, and for a moment, they fell silent.
Little Su Bao hugged her father with worry in her eyes. The little dumpling could tell that her father was not in a good state.
He was surrounded by a suffocating aura of menace.
Little Su Bao heard from her master that this malevolent aura was because her father had killed too many people...
Little Su Bao held Tang Bugui tightly in her little hands, constantly driving away the evil energy.
She noticed that her father had an unusually strong aura of malevolence around his head, as if it had all gathered there.
The little dumpling got anxious and kept touching Tang Bugui's face with its tiny hands.
Tang Bugui, who was in a bad mood, felt his daughter's slightly rough hands and his heart softened for some reason.
"Daddy, don't be afraid, Su Bao will protect you, Su Bao will stay with you..." Little Su Bao said in a soft, babyish voice.
Tang Bugui looked at Xiao Su Bao with a tender look in his eyes.
Slowly, Tang Bugui finally smiled, a smile tinged with something inexplicable.
He happened to see one of the pictures, and he saw himself standing with Lan Shuyu and Xiao Subao.
At least in the end of the story, their family was reunited.
It's not the last day yet; what if the couple has another chance to see each other?
"Okay, let's go back!" Tang Bugui carried Xiao Su Bao back to the Tang family home.
They caught a glimpse of the disheveled Qian family.
Tang Bugui paused, looked at the little dumpling in his arms, and then at them.
A slight warmth filled my heart.
Regardless, the Qian family really cares about Su Bao.
That alone is enough.
In fact, apart from the Tang family, most of the villagers are now trying to see if they can stop the fire from spreading.
However, neither they nor Fulin could think of a better solution.
Volcanic eruptions are beyond human control.
Fortunately, the volcano was deep in the mountains, so even if it erupted, the surrounding area would only feel hot.
It won't burn over anytime soon.
"Oh no! All the animals on the mountain have fled down!"
I don't know who shouted it!
The village instantly erupted into chaos, everyone's expressions changed drastically, and their gazes involuntarily turned to the distance.
Sure enough, we saw pheasants and rabbits running down the mountain one after another, as if they were free.
Several wild animals crashed directly into the villagers' houses.
The expressions on everyone's faces became extremely complicated. Under normal circumstances, it would be fine, but now...
"Village chief, what do we do now!" Su Daya's father said, puffing on his pipe, his eyes filled with frustration.
They've gotten used to living here all these years, but now...
Looking at the wildfire in the distance, everyone was at a loss.
What if the fire spreads over here?
"I've already sent people out to check, and the road out is full of rocks. Even if we wanted to leave, we couldn't get out for the time being!" Tang Cheng sighed, his brows furrowed.
He had actually considered having the villagers leave temporarily so that they wouldn't be trapped in the mountains.
Unfortunately, the meteorite that fell from the sky disrupted his plans.
"I've already had the water brought over!" Just then, Zhao Ziyun arrived, looking travel-worn and clearly exhausted.
He glanced around the room and felt a little disappointed when he didn't see Xiao Su Bao.
However, the most important thing right now is not that, but how to save the people from their suffering.
"Water!" Some of the people, unaware that Zhao Ziyun had brought back water, looked at him with suspicion.
“Jixiang Village is not short of water. Although the flash flood washed away the village before, it left some pools of water there, which is enough for us to use for now. In addition, I had someone bring a lot of water before, and we can get some over the next few days!”
He spoke as he walked inside.
Tang Cheng glanced at him and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. At such a young age, he was already so thoughtful. He was destined for a bright future!
The group discussed the matter again.
Just then, Tang Bugui arrived, this time carrying Xiao Su Bao.
The moment everyone saw Xiao Su Bao, their eyes lit up.
"Su Bao!" Zhao Ziyun quickly walked over, and his eyes lit up when he saw the little dumpling.
"Brother Zhao Yun!" The little dumpling smiled at Zhao Ziyun.
Zhao Ziyun looked at the sweet-smiling little dumpling and smiled along with her.
"Don't worry! Nothing will happen!" Zhao Ziyun said to Xiao Su Bao with a smile.
In his dream, this little darling told him about this.
The volcano erupted for a day, but because of the distance, no one was actually injured.
But the volcano burned for a full ten days.
These ten days have almost burned away all the water sources in the entire mountain!
Therefore, this area will soon face an exceptionally severe drought.
This is why Zhao Ziyun had water brought back in advance.
Moreover, according to what Xiao Su Bao told him in his dream, the remaining people in Zhao Family Village would all die in the drought!
Zhao Ziyun didn't want this to happen.
To others, Jixiang Village is just Zhao Family Village, but to him it's different.
The current Jixiang Village was built by him.
Just then, a voice came.
"Don't go up the mountain for the time being. It's best to raise the walls of your houses a bit!"
Tang Bugui spoke up at this moment.
Today they were just some small animals. If they were wild beasts from the mountains, some houses in the village might not have been able to withstand them.
Tang Cheng nodded, his expression becoming very serious.
"Everyone must be careful and not let our guard down!" Tang Cheng said solemnly, then turned to look at Zhao Ziyun.
"Village Chief Zhao, I appreciate your kindness in delivering water. From now on, let's just wipe the slate clean between Jixiang Village and our Tangjia Village!"
Tang Cheng was almost killed by the old village chief, but now Zhao Ziyun has indirectly saved even more people in their village.
He will remember this kindness, and he will never forget it.
"Thank you!" Zhao Sanpao stood behind Zhao Ziyun, his eyes slightly changing, and bowed to Tang Cheng.
Tang Datou glanced at Zhao Sanpao and smiled slightly. This young man is not bad.
He thought of something and secretly glanced at Wang Mingtian and the nameless old Taoist in the corner.
Both of these guys are capable, especially Wang Mingtian. As the eldest member of the Tang family, Tang Datou has met this guy before.
Wang Mingtian looked exactly like this back then, except his eyes were blue!
Although decades have passed, he still remembers it very clearly.
After all, if Wang Mingyang hadn't insisted that they move back then, the Tang family might not have ended up here!
Wang Mingtian seemed to sense something and turned his head to give Tang Datou a faint glance.
Wang Mingtian paused when he saw this guy.
However, they quickly pretended that nothing had happened.
Little Su Bao sensed something keenly and her eyes lit up when she saw Wang Mingtian.
"Master... Grandpa Wuming!" The little dumpling rushed towards the two of them.
The nameless old Taoist priest subconsciously reached out to pick up the little baby, but was bumped aside by someone's butt.
Wang Mingtian reached out and hugged Xiao Su Bao.
His face, which he rarely smiled at before, was now beaming with joy.
An unnamed old Taoist priest...
I was here first, you bastard!
He glared at Wang Mingtian, but didn't dare to snatch it, after all, Wang Mingtian was still his elder!
"Master, Grandpa Wuming, could you please pray for rain?" Little Su Bao asked in her childish voice, looking at her master and the old Taoist priest Wuming.
She had heard that Taoist priests could pray for rain, and since Grandpa Wuming and his master were so powerful, they should be able to do it too!
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look, their gazes falling on the two people dressed in Taoist robes.
Wang Mingtian...
An unnamed old Taoist priest...
The two of them glanced at the innocent-looking little dumpling and finally couldn't help but roll their eyes together.
I don't know if this little girl did it unintentionally or on purpose.
They also wanted to pray for rain, but... the karmic consequences were too great!
We can't take it!
I really can't take it anymore!
Wang Mingtian looked at Xiao Subao, paused, and said, "Master is old, getting on in years, and in poor health. This kind of thing should be left to the younger generation. Wuming... you do it!"
The nameless old Taoist priest was so aggrieved that his whole face turned red!
His cultivation level is not as high as this old man's, nor is his seniority!
How could this old man have the nerve to do that!
"I..." The nameless old Taoist was about to say something when he saw what was on Xiao Su Bao's head!
He paused, then his eyes lit up instantly.
"Well, praying for rain isn't impossible, but it's just a little troublesome!"
The nameless old Taoist chuckled and reached out to pat Little Su Bao's head.
The little green turtle hiding inside the little dumpling's bun was caught.
"Grandpa Wuming, what are you doing holding Little Green?" Little Su Bao looked at the old Taoist priest in confusion.
Before the nameless old Taoist could say anything, Little Green turned its head and bit the old Taoist's thumb hard.
Even though it was biting so hard that blood was being drawn, it still wouldn't let go.
The nameless old Taoist's lips twitched, and he glared at the little green turtle with annoyance.
The little thing, however, was not to be outdone and bit his finger hard.
Seeing this, Xiao Su Bao became anxious and quickly reached out to pinch Xiao Lü.
"Little Green, stop making a scene!"
Little Su Bao couldn't believe how long she had stretched her neck. She even wondered if Little Green would get her clothes ripped off by the nameless grandpa!
The little green turtle seemed to understand what Little Su Bao said. The moment the little dumpling pinched it, the little green turtle let go and immediately became very obedient.
Its eyes, barely bigger than sesame seeds, glanced at Little Crispy Baby, then it shrank back!
"Pfft..." Wang Mingtian narrowed his eyes and smiled brightly.
The nameless old Taoist priest clenched his fingers and glared angrily at the old scoundrel.
Only then did he look at Xiao Su Bao.
"Lend me this thing for a couple of days, and I'll try to pray for rain!" The nameless old Taoist chuckled, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
Little Su Bao was taken aback and looked at the nameless grandfather with suspicion.
Can playing with turtles make it rain?
The little dumpling knew all at once, but...
"Okay, but Little Green is a little shy, Grandpa Wuming, please be gentle with it!" Little Su Bao handed Little Green to the old Taoist priest and tapped Little Green's head.
She said to Little Green, "Little Green, be good, don't be irritable. After Grandpa Wuming plays with you, he can pray for rain. When you go home, I'll give you something delicious to eat, okay?"
Little Green stuck its head out and glanced at Little Crispy Baby, then turned to look at the nameless old Taoist priest, clearly not very willing.
This time, however, Xiao Su Bao gave Xiao Lü away very readily.
The nameless old Taoist priest took Little Green and went home to prepare. As for Wang Mingtian, he looked at his good disciple and sighed.
"Girl, would you like to learn how to pray for rain? I can have that old man teach you!"
Little Su Bao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Yes!"
A scene she had witnessed long ago flashed through her mind, and her eyes grew even brighter.
"Su Bao wants to learn, Su Bao is scared..." She wanted to say the words, but she couldn't get them out.
Wang Mingtian seemed to have noticed something, and he gently tapped Xiao Su Bao's little head.
"If you want to learn, that's fine!" Wang Mingtian carried Xiao Su Bao and walked outside.
Tang Bugui glanced at him, thought for a moment, and followed him.
Before long, they saw the nameless old Taoist priest who had changed his clothes.
The old Taoist priest had a serious expression and exuded a mysterious aura.
An altar was placed in front of him, with candles and an incense burner on it.
"Su Bao!" The nameless old Taoist suddenly turned his head to look at little Su Bao.
The little dumpling immediately straightened up, and its face became serious.
Just then, the old Taoist priest said, "Come and offer incense!"
Little Su Bao was confused, so she turned to look at her master.
Wang Mingtian did not stop him; he carried Xiao Su Bao to the incense burner.
Xiao Su Bao pulled out three incense sticks.
It was her first time burning incense, and she seemed a little clumsy.
But no one urged them on; instead, they looked at Xiao Su Bao intently.
Zhao Ziyun clenched his fists, as if everything now was different from what he had dreamed of.
He frowned slightly, a hint of unease creeping into his heart.
Just then, Xiao Su Bao lit the three incense sticks.
Just then, the nameless old Taoist sat cross-legged, a faint light flashing in his eyes, and silently chanted, "Five Dragon Lords, by the command of the Supreme Deity..."
Acting on behalf of Heaven to save all living beings
Prolonged drought, metal does not counteract the fire.
I write down the talismanic command, summoning the clouds and dragons.
Swiftly display your divine power, and let the rain nourish your entire body.
Establish crops and seedlings to ensure good harvest
"Hurry, hurry, as the law commands!"
At the same time, he made a hand seal with his hands, his eyes solemn.
Little Su Bao watched the nameless old Taoist's technique closely, and her little hands couldn't help but start kneading along.
He was just a step behind the nameless old Taoist priest.
Just then, a breeze swept through the sweltering air, and slowly, the wind and clouds began to shift.
Everyone gasped, their eyes gleaming with a strange light.
Is it really possible to summon rain?
On the altar, in the small fish tank, a dark blue hue flashed across the little green turtle's body.
The sky changed so drastically that no one noticed this anomaly.
"Offer incense!" The nameless old Taoist suddenly opened his eyes and said to Little Su Bao.
The little dumpling's hand gestures have also ended.
Almost simultaneously, lightning flashed and thunder roared in the sky, and something seemed to be howling, about to fall.
At that moment, the Azure Dragon jade pendant among the four jade pendants began to feel warm.
I don't know if it was just my imagination, but it seemed as if I heard the roar of a dragon and the howl of a tiger flash by.
Little Su Bao realized what was happening and quickly inserted the three incense sticks in her hand into the incense burner.
The moment the incense was set, the three wisps of blue smoke rose straight up.
Despite the strong winds blowing all around, the smoke just wouldn't dissipate.
Everyone knelt down, and no one dared to stand anymore.
Even though they were princes, the second prince and the others knelt down at this moment.
Only Wang Mingtian stood there holding Xiao Su Bao.
Just then, large raindrops began to fall, one after another, as if they were free.
The people looked up abruptly, their hearts filled with horror at the sight.
At the site of the volcanic eruption, the rain fell particularly heavily, and in an instant, the flames evaporated the water vapor, turning the entire volcano into a misty fog.
Zhao Ziyun was shocked. He wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know what to say.
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