Chen Jie sighed upon hearing this and said, "If the government is so incompetent, what’s the point of having it at all?"
Si Xi bowed with his fist in hand, and Chen Jie said, "According to our plan, begin the flood discharge, and make sure to properly relocate the people in the flood region. I’m about to leave for the Medicine King Treasure, and I’m afraid I might not be able to supervise the flood discharge. From now on, I’ll leave it up to you. Start discharging the flood water and make sure to save those dozen or so villages, understand?"
Hearing this, Si Xi hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes."
Chen Jie responded to this by saying, "Alright, I’m entrusting everything to you. Hu Zi, you’re in charge of assisting Si Xi."
Xiao Hu asked upon hearing this, "Jiu Si, am I not going with you?"
Chen Jie replied, "You don’t need to follow me; you can’t lend a hand with what’s over there."
Just then, Chen Heng came in and said, "The Commandery Princess and her entourage have arrived."
Chen Jie was startled and said, "Wasn’t I supposed to go and see her?"
At that moment, the door was pushed open, and Zhao Ya entered, saying, "No need to follow now. Yelu’s scouts have reported that Ba Tan and his group have already set out. Let’s hurry to the dock."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Let’s go, the boat is ready."
Saying this, Chen Jie immediately set off with Zhao Ya and the others, at which point Zhao Ya remarked, "What about Liu Laoguai? If he doesn’t come, we won’t wait for him."
Chen Jie said, "He should be close to the dock by now. Hu Zi, go and inform him."
Xiao Hu replied, "Yes."
Liu Laoguai was so eager to visit the Medicine King Treasure, and Chen Jie wouldn’t deprive him of this opportunity. And so, Xiao Hu went to find Liu Laoguai.
Meanwhile, at Guild Liu, where Liu Laoguai was, he looked up at the sky and said to Bai Mosheng, "Mr. Bai, I’m entrusting Ah Song to you."
Bai Mosheng was taken aback and looked at Liu Laoguai, saying, "Guild Leader, the journey ahead is fraught with danger. Why risk your life unnecessarily?"
Liu Laoguai answered, "Mr. Bai, I’ve been stuck at the Energy Transformation stage for twenty years without making any progress. If I don’t have a miraculous encounter, my Martial Arts path will end here. I can’t accept that."
Upon hearing this, Bai Mosheng sighed and said, "Guild Leader, I won’t try to dissuade you anymore. Just be careful."
At that moment, Liu Song looked at Liu Laoguai with trepidation and worry written all across his face. Liu Laoguai patted Liu Song’s shoulder and instructed, "While I’m away, listen to Mr. Bai. Didn’t you complain that I never gave you a chance to show your worth? After I leave, all Guild Cao affairs will be in your hands."
"Son, if I return safely, I will abdicate and let you take over. You will then be the leader of Guild Cao."
Hearing this, Bai Mosheng, who was standing beside them, wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth only to swallow his words. Liu Song simply wasn’t captain material.
Liu Laoguai looked at Mr. Bai and said, "Mr. Bai, I know what you’re thinking. If I return safely, I’ll teach Song’er for another ten years; he can take up this position."
"If I don’t make it back, and Song’er isn’t a capable leader, you may take over! Just ensure that he lives a life free from care."
Upon hearing this, Bai Mosheng’s expression shifted as he said, "Why would you say such a thing, Guild Leader? I have no such intentions!"
Liu Laoguai replied, "No harm done, I’m only speaking from my heart. Don’t think I’m speaking recklessly."
After concluding his statement, Liu Laoguai added, "I just hope that, in the future, you can ensure that Song’er lives a life free from want."
Liu Laoguai knew his son too well. Incompetent as he was, if Mr. Bai truly harbored any intentions of seizing power, Song’er certainly wouldn’t be able to keep it. It was better to be liberal and ensure his son a lifetime of prosperity.
Thinking this, Bai Mosheng knelt on one knee, "Guild Leader, if you distrust me to this extent, I can only apologize with death."
Liu Laoguai immediately grabbed Bai Mosheng and said, "Mr. Bai, I’m speaking sincerely. In today’s world, where heroes compete for supremacy, future crises are inevitable. Rather than stubbornly clinging to one’s small foundation, it is better to serve a more powerful leader. My son is not a powerful leader, so if you have any ambitions, just make sure my son has a secure life."
As they spoke, someone outside announced that Xiao Hu had arrived. Liu Laoguai went straight out to meet Chen Xiaohu, who said, "Guild Leader Liu, are you still going to the Medicine King Treasure? Our gang leader has already set off."
Liu Laoguai exclaimed in shock, "Where are they now?"
On hearing this, Liu Laoguai couldn’t say anything further. He could only gallop toward the river on his horse.
Watching Liu Laoguai’s disappearing figure, both Liu Song and Bai Mosheng were full of concern.
Soon he arrived at the riverside, where he was confronted with a torrential river, raging with undercurrents.
Above the river, there was a five-meter-long Meng Chong, a kind of small warship.
At that moment, Zhao Ya and the others had already moved the boat to the shore. Liu Laoguai arrived, and Chen Jie immediately waved, saying, "Old Brother Liu, over here."
Hearing that, Liu Laoguai approached and bowed to Zhao Ya, "Commandery Princess, I was delayed."
Zhao Ya didn’t say much in response, and Chen Jie asked, "Old Brother Liu, with your extensive experience, how should we navigate this turbulent river?"
Liu Laoguai answered, "In this kind of situation, we should go with the current. Once we reach the center of the river, it will be calmer."
Upon this advice, the group immediately pushed the boat into the river and set off downstream.
Chen Jie and Liu Laoguai were in charge of steering the boat, one in the front, one in the back. With his vast experience, Liu Laoguai controlled the direction from the bow while Chen Jie provided propulsion, keeping an eye on the whirlpools at the stern.
And so, the small Meng Chong, built by Chen Jie to withstand the storm, set sail down the river.
They took a wide turn and finally reached the center of the river, where the waters were relatively calm. Just as they were about to breathe a sigh of relief, they saw a large ship approaching from not far away.