Chapter 1277: Demon King Moves House, Heavy Industry Strikes (Asking for Monthly Ticket, Two-in-One, 6k)

"With the maiden I roam the nine rivers, the wind surges and the waters raise waves.

Riding a water chariot with a lotus canopy, driving two dragons and yoking hornless dragons————"

Human voices intermingled, buzzing and humming.

Where the benediction faced, a yellow dragon soared into the sky.

The divine dragon arched its body and swung its tail, plunging straight into the cloud layers, dispersing the heavy clouds, ascending to the highest point, its dragon head turning, diving straight down, smashing through the riverbed, crashing into the earth, circling and flipping.

The inner river trembled.

Thousand-zhang great waves surged skyward, flood waves emerged, wave crests crashed down, irrigating wheat fields, sprinkling a bout of pleasant drizzle, half-tide half-dry, steaming away the ever-rising summer heat.

Commoners on both banks raised their hands high, cheering the River God, prostrating and kneeling.

Flood waves, prayers, trembling, wind howling, wheat leaves rustling————all sounds mixed together, magnificent and vast, solemn and sacred, passersby none without awe.

The youth stepped on the wave crest, loose ample robes, clothes fluttering.

Where he passed, whirlpools manifested into giant hands of their own accord, netting mud and sand, throwing them onto both banks, no need for dedicated personnel to handle it, local officials stopped the scrambling, villagers willingly carried away this top-quality river mud.

The riverbed sank bit by bit, the water level fell bit by bit.

Commoners carried loads on shoulder-poles, crowds stretched continuously, digging together, participating together, spectacular beyond measure.

"Huala la."

Ta Ta turned the ship's helm, the golden-haired monkey pulled the tow rope.

The treasure ship changed direction, splitting waves, majestically rolling over the whirlpool.

"Water level dropped three zhang six chi!"

"Here three zhang eight chi!"

"No problem! Can pass. Can pass!"

"Release the men!"

The martial masters drew out measuring rods, red and green signal flags interlaced, letting fishermen resume production.

Sheepskin rafts rose and sank once more.

This time, there were no terrifying waves, no man-swallowing tides.

The glossy single ponytail swayed gently, its end curled up, Si Nan stood at the bow, holding a brush recording, seriously filling in the register pages, witnessing the commoners on both banks go mad, watching once, recording once, marveling once at the extraordinary might.

The Three Kings controlled the waters, King Dingxi and King Longxiang likewise managing the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow Sand River, opening mountains and leveling the river, cutting off bends and straightening courses, summoning quite a few Hunt Tigers and Entering Zhen Xiang to help with the aftermath, more than half the Heposuo personnel were mobilized.

Not only the north, even the two Heposuo of Huai East and Huai West in the south took the field together, assisting in the management, surrounding commoners almost entirely mobilized.

The scale was unprecedentedly vast, the number of people unprecedentedly many, rarely seen in the world, a first in this dynasty, even the previous canal digging did not have this magnitude.

On the contrary, the Huai King and Ape King, facing the most severe elevated riverbeds, were not used at all, almost relying solely on their own power to clear the river channels.

In just three days, four hundred li of riverbed became gentle, dropping several zhang, even several tens of zhang!

The Yellow Sand River, ah, is not some obscure little river.

However wide the river surface, ten-odd li, dozens of li, even over a hundred li, ordinary people fundamentally cannot see the opposite bank at a glance, majestic and terrifying, under one man and one ape, yellow dragons soared into the air at every turn, roaring in the sky.

Si Nan sometimes would waver.

No wonder the commoners were panic-stricken, vying to sacrifice cattle and sheep, even live humans they could bear to offer.

Under boundless mighty power, how tiny mortals are, no different from ants on the Tian Geng.

Unfurled the map.

Following the downstream direction, next is a level plain straight current, even easier to clear.

"Tonight we should be able to push to six hundred li————"

"Ah, night? No banquet anymore?" A snot bubble burst, dragon horns stood erect, the Third Prince groggily lifted his head, rubbed his belly, "Wasn't it said we'd eat a feast at night? I've been hungry for three days, damn it, my belly's hungry flat and you say no food! Quick, you treacherous minister, go stir-fry two dishes for me!"

"Banquet? What banquet?" Si Nan turned his head.

"What do you mean, so you didn't know, scared this Prince a jump." The Third Prince raised a hand to beckon, "Treacherous minister, return!"

The deck was broad, a single reclining chair, the sunlight just right, the Third Prince belly-up, draped over the reclining chair, pointing and directing, ordering about the fat thing behind him that was neither frog nor fish nor something else, in short manifested into human form.

The white mist monster halfway there returned, shaking its two "long whiskers", massaging shoulders and kneading back.

Seeing Chief Clerk Si Nan inquiring.

The Third Prince shifted his bottom down a bit, two claws propping his head, wagging his tail.

"Yeah, three days ago, the demon king in the Yellow Sand River said to invite the Boss, today————" The Third Prince counted on his dragon claws, "One, two, three————is it today?"

"It is today."

"Huai King!"

Si Nan respectfully saluted.

Liang Qu descended onto the deck: "Calculating the time it's about right, prepare to depart, last time Duke Qinghe said to treat me to a meal, you want to come along? Just right to sit together, discuss the water control matters, if the Governor has time, come together."

"I see." Si Nan's expression turned solemn, "This subordinate will return to the government office now, report to the Waterways Governor."

"Good." Liang Qu waved his hand, "Third Prince, you take Si Nan, go fast and return fast."

"Guaranteed to complete the mission! Treacherous minister! Deploy!"

The reclining chair catapulted, the Third Prince spat white mist again.

The original "big frog" massaging shoulders and kneading back rapidly swelled, transforming into a streamlined large fish.

Si Nan leaped onto the large fish's back, like riding a floating cloud, observing front and back: "Third Prince, what you manifested, is it ultimately a frog or a fish?"

"Both."

"Both?" Si Nan pondered slightly, "Could it be a rare species in the Jianghuai?"

"Oh my, just a mere treacherous minister! You needn't mind him, and don't bother with these details." The Third Prince waved a claw, "Sit tight, hold on, preparing for takeoff!"

Floating clouds wrapped Si Nan, scenery on both banks rapidly flew past, the rear drew an arc, one head plunged into the Yellow Sand River, charging into the whirlpool————

"Wuwuwu, why does the Great King want to banquet the Bai Yuan ah, that's a ferocious beast that eats fish without spitting bones, if it goes monkey-mad, we're all done for!"

"Where did you hear that from?"

"What do you mean 'heard'? I experienced it myself!"

"Tell me in detail."

"The year before last, my second aunt's niece married into Jianghuai early on. After marrying there, she had a granddaughter. Word got out that the Jianghuai Flood Dragon Corps was recruiting for the Great Huai Army with excellent benefits, so she went out to work. In the blink of an eye, the Great Huai Army was gone, and she still hasn't returned to this day."

"They say the White Ape caught her, stewed her fish head soup, and even sprinkled a whole handful of scallions on top! Oh dear, such a tiny sprite of just two and a half years old, born as beautiful as a flower, with suitor male fish lining up to the shore. I've never met her, but my poor niece's granddaughter..."

"What? Sprinkled scallions? Is that even a thing?"

"Let me say this: whether true or false, this is indeed dangerous. That White Ape possesses extraordinary strength—even the Flood Dragons flee from it, so it must be top-tier. Plus, it colludes with humanity, damming waters and blocking sands, long since having diverged from our water kin in purpose. As the ancient fish say: 'A noble fish does not climb the perilous lake's shore.'"

The three leading green fish whispered among themselves, speaking with conviction, all believing the king would act unwisely today by risking himself. Suddenly, they saw a treasure ship approaching on the river surface. They hastily stopped their chatter, straightened their robes, and swam forward to greet it.

Two rows of large fish swam, lifting their upper bodies, their fins on both sides flailing into whirlwinds, kicking up spray as they bowed in salute.

"Qing Gong Wan, respectfully welcoming the Huai King and the Ape King's grand carriage!"

Shouts of acclaim rose from behind in unison.

"Qing Gong Wan, respectfully welcoming the Huai King and the Ape King's grand carriage!"

Splish-splash.

The wind sails gathered, iron chains swung, the great anchor dropped, and smashed into the water, sending up spray.

A brief silence.

White mist spread, gathering into steps, paving into the water. A small white dragon swayed slowly downward, two otters flipped several times, looked left and right, inspected the watery surroundings once over, then shifted aside to make way.

"Report to the chief: all clear! No eight-hundred-blade finned fiends!"

Long boots stepped onto the stairs—Liang Qu took the lead, planting his feet on the white jade steps. Without glancing at the guiding green fish, he first surveyed the river scenery. Amid the waiting green fish on both sides, he gave a slight nod and stepped down.

Following behind came the Huai River Governor Qian Bingyi, the Chief Clerk Si Nan, and the Huaijiang Transport Governor Su Gushan, one after another.

A strange familiar face seemed to have slipped into the ranks.

Liang Qu hadn't expected to meet his maternal uncle today—what a coincidence.

This year's governance of the Yellow Sand River has truly mobilized the nation's full strength, with countless human and material resources allocated, especially the river docks. Now, the Huai East River Dock faces no opposition from the Guimu Sect, and water beasts are under the Huai King's control, greatly reducing work pressure. Thus, the second-generation officials naturally go wherever merit lies, following the Ministry of Personnel's process, all listed, and together heading north to support.

Besides, with the 【Vortex Evasion Path】, travel is extremely convenient.

As a result, the Third Prince brought Si Nan to the main office, where he happened to meet the Huai River Governor Su Gushan arriving to hand over duties. Upon hearing he could follow his nephew's grandson to feast in a grand household—

"Hahaha, the Yellow Sand River—waters vast and boundless, depth unfathomable, originating from who knows how many myriad miles away. Or perhaps it is said that Mount Tianshan emerges in the western records, primordial energy coalescing from this very beginning. The earth's foundations rupture, heavenly pillars shatter—thus it surges sideways and backward, flowing day and night without cease—"

Su Gushan chanted slowly, glancing left and right at the two men, then retreated half a step, resembling a clumsy wine tavern waiter, bowing awkwardly: "Governor, Chief Clerk, your excellencies, please come inside."

"Please, Governor Su."

"Please, senior."

"Haha, courtesy, courtesy.

"

The three each modestly descended the stairs.

Further behind.

A half-person-tall fist struck the double pincers, Jin Guang crisscrossing—Awei, the emerald-green "Bu Neng Dong," accompanied by two confidants with round heads, set off on short legs, running down one after another.

Feasting in grand style.

Not a single one may be left behind!

Liang Qu's Ze Ling has not yet advanced, unable to be enhanced, while the water beasts each have significant shortcomings.

All three echelons have now reached the water's surface.

The leading green fish poked its head forward and backward, seeing no one, and tentatively asked: "I don't know—does the Ape King—"

"The Ape King suffers from social anxiety, finds banquets unpleasant, and is busy governing the Yellow Sand River, so he specifically asked me to apologize to Lord Qing Gong on his behalf."

"So—cial?"

"Ah, just means introverted, awkward meeting strange fish, but rest assured—my presence equals the White Ape's, and the White Ape's equals mine. No difference."

The green fish scratched its head, dared not ask further, bowed, and led the way.

"In that case, Your Highness the Huai King and several lords, please proceed this way."

The staircase entered the water, its reflection stretching long and slant.

Ripples spread outward as the group descended step by step into the Yellow Sand River.

Su Gushan couldn't help but feel moved: "In the past, touring the Yellow Sand River was magnificent and grand, with surging, swirling waves—but this is my first time ever coming underwater to attend a banquet."

Liang Qu turned back: "Just the year before last, everyone was celebrating the festival in the Dragon Palace, and now your uncle is making his first underwater banquet appearance this year?"

"Are we only counting what happened within the year?"

"Haha, forgot, forgot." Su Gushan laughed heartily.

The atmosphere was cheerful and relaxed; the guiding green fish eased its tense nerves slightly, focusing on leading the way.

The four entered the water. Liang Qu focused his mind—above each person's head formed a layer of bubble water membrane, preventing sway no matter how they walked, constantly following them.

They sank to the riverbed.

Long boots stepped onto the white jade steps—unlike ordinary riverbed silt, the soles still felt extremely firm and solid.

As expected.

This is the very influence of the demon king's dwelling.

【Mist Flow】, creates beastial rage currents and dark currents; through prolonged stay and residence, it can condense dark water zones near caves, lasting without dispersion.

【Jin Yan】, long-term residence can spawn special mineral veins—Jin Yan ore.

【Corrosive Toxic Spring】, the dwelling gradually turns into a corrosive toxic spring, devouring prey and drawing vitality.

【Water Nurtures Life】, in clean waters, slight absorption of water marsh essence guides the essence to gather, with a chance to attract and nurture treasure fish, to a certain extent preserving their spiritual nature.

When my aquatic beasts were promoted to demon beasts, each already showed related traits. Liang Qu dare not let them linger long in ponds, lest they disturb the environment.

Qinghe Gong, as a demon king, is two major realms above—no need to say more.

The location of its palace is not in the middle of the river, but a large lake on the riverbank, teeming with numerous blue fish and their kin.

This lake was not naturally formed, nor was it originally this large; it resembles an oxbow lake created by river bends, and due to Qinghe Gong's prolonged residence, it gradually became a "great dam," causing the river to shift course and the lake to expand further, with the upstream revealing vast mudflats and marshes inhabited by many amphibians and various treasure beasts, where hunters often drown year-round.

Venturing into the lake's depths, the water quality gradually differs from outside, with lush aquatic plants spreading like a lawn, absorbing silt.

Not to say it's clear, but at least it does not appear turbid.

The ground is flat and orderly, with various cave structures staggered in height, traversed by characteristic fish species of the Yellow Sand River, plus several strange beasts swimming through the water.

Compared to the frog tribe unaltered by A Fei and Fist's transformation, it is slightly inferior to the turtle tribe, yet immense effort has been poured into construction; the only drawback is the excessive altitude and vast area, which has significantly raised the Yellow Sand River's water level!

Liang Qu observed the surroundings in silence.

"Several lords, you have arrived." The guiding blue fish ceased swimming, its fins pointing forward.

The majestic palace rose abruptly from the ground.

On both sides of the road, blue fish lay prostrate.

Before a few people even approached, they could sense an immensely mighty aura rising.

Qinghe Gong!

"When friends come, I rejoice daily; when they have not yet come, I anticipate them daily—"

A long, lingering chant echoed as the king emerged from the hall.

Light flickered, scales trembled.

His entire body covered in scales like molten black jade and celadon, long whiskers swaying like serpents, the mountain-like blue fish king seated upon the throne, his physique towering, his back like a mountain, utterly transcending the concept of "fish," radiating the beauty of power and wildness.

Demon King!

The Huang Long King absent, Qinghe Gong, one of the three leading fish!

Sinan's expression was tense.

The recorded pages had been flipped through extensively; today marked the first direct confrontation with a true demon king, utterly unaware of what negotiation outcome might arise.

Regardless of realm, if one does not release aura, vital essence, and spirit, there is little difference; demon beasts differ only in appearance, yet that alone suffices to provoke an irresistible urge in any creature facing a colossal being—

"Wuhu, what an imposing blue fish king!" The Third Prince spread his arms, mimicking a kite soaring and diving, "But I'm so hungry—where's the food? I want to feast heartily!"

Fist swung sideways, round head bearing fins, Awei opened and closed his mouthparts, "Can't move" he patted his tail.

They, all starved for three days!

Liang Qu bowed: "Your subordinates are troublesome, Qinghe Gong, please do not blame us."

"Hahaha!" The tense atmosphere dissipated as the blue fish king laughed to the heavens, waving his fins, causing everyone to gently rise and enter the side hall, "What blame? Guests are as welcome as home—this is only proper! Huaiwang, everyone, please take your seats! Bring the fish, serve the dishes!"

"Big brother, blue fish king, watch me perform three bites of one fish! Ow-ow-ow-ow."

The three-foot-long Third Prince embraced the thirty-foot-long fish, suddenly swelling to a hundred feet, swallowing it whole, then shrinking back to original size, letting out a light belch.

Liang Qu's aquatic subordinates each revealed their true forms, gulping down treasure fish and treasure plants.

Su Guishan drank wine continuously, loudly enjoying himself, inviting all to raise cups in celebration.

The blue fish king twitched his lips, lifting the wine jar.

These people—have they mistaken something? Shouldn't they be discussing recent events and peaceful coexistence over a meal, rather than truly coming just to eat?

The blue fish demon serving dishes, drenched in sweat, only felt a horde of starving ghosts had arrived.

【Water Essence +30】

Liang Qu took thirty essences with one chopstick, thirty essences with one chopstick—

Everyone focused on eating, except for the Yellow Sand River Governor Qian Bingyi, who wished to discuss proper matters but hesitated to overstep, lest the demon king think Great Shun disrespectful and retaliate.

Finally, the blue fish king could bear it no longer, speaking first: "I've heard the human race intends to regulate the Yellow Sand River, recently dredging water and clearing sand for hundreds of miles, causing tremendous commotion, rare worldwide—I wonder, Huaiwang, what are your upcoming plans?"

Liang Qu set down his chopsticks, getting straight to the point: "The plan, naturally, is to continue dredging sand until reaching the Eastern Sea.

Do not conceal it from Qinghe Gong: now Southern Jiang is in chaos, Northern Court lays down its banners and drums, Great Shun has no further restraints.

Therefore, this Yellow Sand River must be managed—it cannot be left untreated, and within two years, the surface river section must be entirely submerged underground, including Qinghe Gong's nearby river stretch—this is The Most Critical Priority.

The blue fish king's scalp furrowed: "Does Huaiwang mean I must relocate my clan? Abandon centuries of construction, ancestral foundations? Let Great Shun drown the river?"

Upon these words, the serving blue fish all halted, the atmosphere gradually chilling.

Only the aquatic beasts, life unceasing, shining fish without end.

Mid-realm great demons, upper-realm great demons, eating, eating, eating, dredging, dredging, dredging!

The sound of bones cracking and grinding never ceased, the Third Prince clutching a fish head, tearing and biting.

The oppressive atmosphere descended.

Qian Bingyi and Sinan glanced left and right, unable to resist scratching the ground with their toes.

"Of course not." Liang Qu shook his head.

"Oh, I wish to hear the details."

The stagnant atmosphere resumed flow, blue fish demons slowly serving dishes.

"Great Shun has always governed through virtue, governing fish through virtue; the current Majesty is especially wise, having long been friendly with the Dragon Lord, breeding dragon-blood horses, deeply understanding mutual benefit, and will never make things difficult for aquatic beings.

Moreover, when Qinghe Gong established this place centuries ago, Great Shun did not exist; since ancient times, first come, first served—how could we demand relocation? But submerging the river underground is state policy, benefiting the nation above and aquatic beings below, and must be carried out."

"Would relocation still not be required?"

"No!" Liang Qu denied again, "No need to move, no need to move!"

"If not moving, how to submerge the river?"

Clearly, the blue fish king knew well the extent of his clan's territory and its impact on the nearby Yellow Sand River, directly causing the riverbed within dozens, even hundreds of li to rise by dozens of zhang, with future effects extending over a thousand li.

"Of course it can."

Related plans were already clarified with the Bureau of Astronomy in the capital during Liang Qu's time there.

Violence is never the sole solution to problems; many things, once begun, may have resolved the issue at the time, but sow future calamities.

This is a case of learning from past mistakes.

This violent crackdown on the demon king of Shahe means that when the Great Shun faces another major crisis in the future, the demon kings of other regions may react with fear and anger, uniting to attack.

Just as a non-crown prince seizing power by force will be imitated by successors, similar examples include political espionage and assassination—there are far too many such cases, and the "power of role models" will have a negative impact on the entire organizational structure.

Therefore, if a peaceful solution is possible, it should be pursued, striving for mutual benefit and a win-win outcome.

"I wonder if Lord Qinghe has heard of the sunken well?"

"I have never heard of it."

Liang Qu snapped his fingers: "Third Prince!"

No response.

The Third Prince buried his head and ate voraciously.

Liang Qu grabbed the dragon's tail and yanked it over.

"No, big brother! Let go of me—I haven't eaten my fill! I can still eat!" The Third Prince clung desperately to the table corner, stretching and contracting like a rubber band, his body elongating and shortening as he saw the immobile, round-headed fish still feasting, and he burst into tears.

One step ahead, steps ahead; one step behind, steps behind.

Eat less, gain less essence, advance slower, cannot defeat the sycophant minister—

"Then if you finish early, you can just keep eating—eating while working is fine too."

"Oh right, coming, coming."

The small-lipped dragon pulled off the fish head with its two claws, rotated once, and spat out mist.

White mist spread, immediately forming a large tubular object, resembling a chimney.

The tubular object was built of brick and stone; at the bottom lay a patch of earth, where a tiny white figure swung a pickaxe along the inner wall, digging soil, while at the top, a mason applied mortar, laid bricks, and raised the column.

When the tiny white figure below had dug a full circle, the earth vanished, the entire column sank slightly, the person above continued building, the one below kept digging, and this cycle repeated.

A vivid, dynamic simulation.

"This is————" Lord Qinghe vaguely understood.

"This is the construction of the sunken well—digging from below so the well wall sinks naturally, then raising it from above, allowing subsidence without relocation. Many wells in human territories are dug this way."

"What about the quicksand?" the Fish King asked, "If the quicksand doesn't change, does it mean subsidence every few decades?"

"Lord Qinghe, rest assured—Great Shun has naturally considered this. We are tackling both fronts: the quicksand issue is also under treatment."

"In fact, the drop in water level benefits Lord Qinghe as well, since Great Shun will subsequently widen the lake, improving water storage and release."

Liang Qu brought his chopsticks together, saying, "As the saying goes, deep waters make fish joyful, a strong city brings prosperous merchants. I believe this, Your Majesty believes this—humans and water beasts, land and quicksand, we two sides join forces, make a temporary effort, Lord Qinghe keeps his territory, and in the future, prosperity will grow even greater!"

The Third Prince bit through the fish head and shouted loudly.

"Water and land in shared prosperity!"

Crack, crack.

The palace fell silent, save for the sound of water beasts crushing bones and swallowing.

After a while.

"Who could undertake such a massive project?"

"Lord Qinghe need not worry—have you heard of the great Jianghuai enterprise—Fat Fist Heavy Industry?"

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