A majestic city appeared before Zhang Yuan and Mo Huai’an.

This city is nestled against rolling mountains, facing an endless plain, with a river winding by, guarding the main thoroughfare connecting north and south.

Yong’an, the state capital of Yongzhou!

The closer they got to Yong’an City, the more crowded it became. Villages scattered like stars, and fields stretched far and wide.

However, under the severe drought, the situation here was disastrous.

On either side of the main road leading to Yong’an City, refugees displaced by the disaster were everywhere. Many lay on the ground, motionless under the scorching sun, showing no signs of life.

Numerous beggars in tattered clothes knelt by the roadside, holding broken bowls, desperately begging from passing merchants and travelers.

Their lips were cracked and bleeding, and the sounds coming from their throats were like the final cries of dying beasts.

The nearby small river was bone dry, with large cracks in the parched soil.

All the vegetation had withered!

Such scenes weighed heavily on Mo Huai’an’s heart, making him feel deeply frustrated and sorrowful.

His anger was beyond words: "What exactly is the Daqian Court doing?"

Throughout their journey, Mo Huai’an saw no efforts from the Yongzhou Government to address this drought. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Instead, they encountered a grain collection team extorting from the countryside.

Zhang Yuan remarked casually, "This is not our concern, let’s go."

In truth, Zhang Yuan was equally puzzled.

Despite having fallen from its peak, the Daqian Dynasty had not yet reached its end.

The Imperial Court’s strength was still very strong.

Yongzhou is a major state, even if not in the core heartland of Daqian, facing such a significant natural disaster, the court couldn’t possibly be unaware. How could things have deteriorated to such a state of neglect?

Have all the officials of Yongzhou died?

The answer might only be found within Yong’an City.

But Zhang Yuan believed that regardless of the truth, such matters were beyond what he and Mo Huai’an could be involved in.

In fact, Zhang Yuan had already committed an act of "great treason" by slaughtering the grain collection team.

Under normal circumstances, he would be labeled a bandit and traitor, with a bounty for his capture!

Mo Huai’an sighed, shook his reins, and urged his horse to catch up with Zhang Yuan.

The two rode swiftly and soon arrived at the gates of Yong’an City.

Before the city gates, there were two long rows of barriers, with guards spaced every three steps and scouts every five. On the city walls were bed crossbows, and heavily armed soldiers patrolled back and forth, maintaining strict vigilance.

What they were guarding against was the countless refugees and starved people gathered outside the city!

"Halt!"

A troop of soldiers blocked Zhang Yuan and Mo Huai’an’s horses, with one officer sternly saying, "Please dismount and show your credentials!"

Mo Huai’an dismounted first, then took a document from his sleeve and handed it to the officer.

The officer took it, glanced it over, and immediately his expression became serious.

"So it’s the esteemed Celestial Master from Upper Scenic Celestial visiting!"

The officer respectfully saluted Mo Huai’an, "May I ask the purpose of your visit to Yong’an, Celestial Master?"

Evidently worried about offending Mo Huai’an, he quickly added, "This is not prying. Orders from above require us to check the identity and origin of anyone entering Yong’an, so we ask for your understanding!"

Saying this, he bowed deeply in apology.

This officer clearly had a significant understanding of Upper Scenic Celestial, and his respectful and reverent attitude was almost impeccable.

As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. Mo Huai’an was not arrogant or unreasonable, so he explained, "I am here to visit Uncle Fang Hui at Qingfeng Temple."

The officer understood, "So that’s it!"

He straightened up at once, waved to the guards behind him, "Let them pass quickly!"

This officer nodded and bowed at Mo Huai’an again, "Celestial Master, would you like me to guide you? I’ve been to Qingfeng Temple a few times and have met the Abbot Fang."

Mo Huai’an hesitated briefly but then shook his head, "Thank you, that won’t be necessary."

The intention of wanting to curry favor was a bit too obvious, and the young mage didn’t really appreciate it.

The officer bowed, "Celestial Master, I apologize for overstepping, please proceed."

Mo Huai’an took back his document, nodded slightly to the officer, and entered Yong’an City with Zhang Yuan.

Yong’an, as the state capital of Yongzhou, was indeed vastly different from outside the city.

Upon entering, they saw a main street straight as an arrow, with deep ruts on the bluestone road witnessing the city’s long history. Shops lined the streets in neat rows, with flags and signs swaying in the wind.

The steamed bun shops gave off clouds of steam carrying the scent of wheat, while workers unloaded wooden boxes of goods in front of the stores. The streets were bustling, teeming with people, with no sign of refugees or beggars.

Such prosperity and liveliness made Zhang Yuan and Mo Huai’an feel quite surreal.

Could this really be the state capital under severe drought?

If the outside of the city is hell, then inside the city is simply heaven!

The two led their horses along the long street.

Mo Huai’an’s Uncle Fang Hui, who was the Abbot of Qingfeng Temple, was famous in Yong’an City. So Zhang Yuan randomly asked a passerby and learned of its exact location.

The Daoist Temple was located on a mountain in the north of the city. They traversed half of the city before finally arriving at their destination.

Qingfeng Temple was built halfway up the mountain. Climbing the steps to the front of the temple, they saw a Daoist child guarding the gate, and Mo Huai’an handed over his credentials as usual, "I am Mo Huai’an from Upper Scenic Celestial. Is the Abbot Fang available?"

The Daoist child was startled, quickly and respectfully welcoming Mo Huai’an and Zhang Yuan into the temple.

While serving them fragrant tea, they notified the steward of the temple to come and receive them.

The steward arrived quickly. After checking Mo Huai’an’s credentials, he bowed and said, "So it is Senior Brother from Upper Scenic Celestial! Are you here to see the Abbot Fang?"

Mo Huai’an nodded, "Yes."

"It’s quite unfortunate."

The steward smiled wryly, "The Abbot went into closed-door meditation three months ago and has not come out yet!"

In closed-door meditation?

Mo Huai’an was stunned, feeling that the situation had become tricky.

Originally, he came to Yongzhou intending to visit his uncle, whom he hadn’t seen for years. But upon entering the state, he found that there might be a Drought Fiend in Yongzhou, and thus changed his purpose.

With Fang Hui’s status and cultivation, if there were really a Drought Fiend in Yongzhou, he could not possibly be unaware.

Unexpectedly, Fang Hui had gone into meditation three months prior.

And he was Mo Huai’an’s only connection in Yongzhou.

The temple steward, observing the situation, said, "Senior Brother, since you’ve traveled a long way, why not rest at our temple for a few days? If the Abbot comes out of meditation, the trip wouldn’t be in vain."

"Good!"

Mo Huai’an agreed, acknowledging the steward’s advice, "Please excuse the trouble."

The steward was delighted, "It’s my honor to serve a Senior Brother!"

So, under the steward’s arrangement, Mo Huai’an and Zhang Yuan temporarily settled at Qingfeng Temple.

Waiting for Fang Hui to come out of meditation.