Chapter 134: Downpour

"A group? Free performance, what does that mean?"

Si Linghua seemed unable to understand Yu Lin's words; her big eyes were full of doubt.

But they didn't wait for Yu Lin to explain in detail.

Boom—!

A bolt of lightning split the horizon, thunderous roars echoing between the valleys. Bean-sized raindrops fell without warning, instantly turning into a torrential downpour.

"It's raining!"

"Go home quickly!"

The originally noisy scene instantly fell into chaos.

Those who had lost their bets shifted their eyes, taking advantage of the chaos to squeeze into the winning crowd, frantically grabbing back their animal hides and shell money.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" the middle-aged man shouted, jumping in frustration, but the rain was too heavy; he and his companions couldn't stop them.

In an instant, the two piles of bets were completely snatched away.

"Ah, I wasted my efforts this time!" the middle-aged man wanted to cry but had no tears, only able to clutch the empty wooden board and stand dazed in the rain.

The rain grew heavier; the dense curtain of rain made it impossible to see faces even a few steps away.

The originally tense warriors of the two tribes now clutched their heads and ran home, no longer thinking about fighting.

After all, it was just an act!

Jiang Li and Yi Qi Chi exchanged a glance, tacitly each leading their people to retreat.

Getting sick from being drenched in the rain is no pleasant experience.

This meticulously planned "showdown" was thus ruined by a downpour.

"Yu Lin, we should also……ah?"

Si Linghua turned her head to look at Yu Lin, about to tell him to hurry, but upon seeing his condition, the words on her lips changed.

She widened her eyes, seeing that Yu Lin seemed to have an invisible barrier around him; the bean-sized raindrops sliding off it left not even a speck of moisture on his clothes.

She darted to Yu Lin's side in a single leap, and indeed not a single drop of rain touched her.

The boy's eyes shone as he gazed at the barrier: "Amazing! Yu Lin, can you teach this to Wen Ming?"

He knew Yu Lin wouldn't teach him, but Da Yu would, so Da Yu's teachings would be his!

Yu Lin shook his head: "I can't teach it."

Indeed, it can't be taught; this is neither witchcraft nor magic, but the water-repellent property inherent in his clothing.

Without further explanation to Si Linghua, he grabbed her arm, and in the next moment they leapt into the treetops, rain forming a misty water curtain outside the shield.

After a few leaps, they had already returned to Da Yu's dwelling.

Inside, Da Yu was applying a dark green ointment to his arms, the medicinal fragrance filling the whole room.

Seeing them return, he looked up with a smile: "How did it go? Who won today?"

Si Linghua waved her hand: "Don't mention it—I lost two animal hides."

"But Yu Lin said they were just acting! From now on I'll never bet again!"

Da Yu's hand paused, his gaze turning to Yu Lin:

"Acting?"

Yu Lin replied casually: "The two tribal chiefs coordinated perfectly; the outcome was decided long ago."

"No wonder……" Da Yu mused:

"One fight is enough; they have to fight every so often, yet nobody dies."

"So there's profit to be made……"

"But it's fine; as long as we don't bet, watching them play is still enjoyable."

He shook his head, saying no more.

Instead, after applying the ointment, he gazed at the heavy rain outside, lost in thought.

The rain poured all night, as if it would never cease.

Rainwater streamed down the eaves into a water curtain, pooling before the door into a murky puddle.

The entire tribe was shrouded in the rain curtain.

Da Yu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Whenever he closed his eyes, the sound of surging river water echoed in his ears—not the usual rainy season, but like countless wild beasts roaring in the distance.

His mind kept replaying the water-control knowledge he had studied these days……

Heavy rain—if the soil cannot absorb it or discharge it, causing river levels to rise……it could very well trigger a flood.

I hope it doesn't come to that.

Da Yu thought.

After who knows how long, drowsiness crept over him, and he gradually drifted into sleep.

Until the next day.

The downpour showed no sign of weakening; yesterday's intensity was today's as well.

Several figures hurried through the rain curtain, stepping on mud to arrive at Da Yu's door.

Leading them, Si Ping shoved the door open, rainwater from his straw coat splattering onto the floor with a patter.

Inside, Da Yu was practicing a strange posture under Yu Lin's guidance, arms curved as if embracing a round moon, faint airflow swirling around his body.

Seeing the crowd burst in, he quickly withdrew his posture, about to smile and ask how they had come—

"Wen Ming, quickly take the Self-Expanding Soil!" Si Ping's voice carried unprecedented urgency:

"The western dam has burst; the Flood Dragon Clan is about to be submerged!"

"Good!" Da Yu's smile froze instantly.

He turned and rushed into the inner room without a word, presenting an ancient pottery jar.

Si Chong Shan had already brought the raincoat; with his sturdy arms he helped Da Yu tie it in a few moves.

"Go!" Si Chong Shan gave a low shout and led the charge into the rain curtain.

Da Yu held the pottery jar tightly to his chest, closely following behind.

Si Ping, being old, did not go with them; he merely stood in place, his withered hands gripping the doorframe, calling out: "Be careful! Though the Self-Expanding Soil can control water, ……"

His words were drowned out by the thunder.

Until Yu Lin passed him and also walked out of the rain curtain.

The group vanished completely.

Outside the Esteemed Tribe.

In the rain curtain, the group struggled forward.

The flood had already risen past their ankles; each step felt like a struggle against the earth.

In the distance came faint cries—those of the Flood Dragon Clan people trapped by the flood.

Si Chong Shan suddenly stopped and pointed ahead.

"Look!"

Da Yu looked up; through the rain screen he saw the western dam torn open in a huge gap, turbid floodwater pouring down like a beast.

That was merely a minor tributary of the Yellow River, yet it had such power—if it were the true Yellow River………

Da Yu pressed his lips, his grip on the pottery jar tightening, not knowing what to say.

"Wen Ming, what are you hesitating about?"

Yu Lin raised his hand, patted his shoulder, and pointed ahead to the Flood Dragon Clan leader Yi Qi Chi, who clung to a tree branch, and his clansmen.

His voice sounded in Da Yu's ear:

"It's time to control the waters."