CHAPTER 411: CHAPTER 362: THE LAST RESORT

An hour later, the scorching sun blazed like fire, leaving the entire Yanyue City exposed under its searing heat, with even the green leaves at the treetops curling as if they might burst into flames.

Yet, in this sweltering weather, almost all the commoners lined up, standing under the blazing sun.

Instead of complaining, each had a beaming smile, filled with hope as they gazed forward.

And ahead of them was the entrance of a small, nameless temple.

A grain transport cart was parked under a large tree outside the temple, with a wooden table set beneath it. Mu Xian, accompanied by a few subordinates, sat there, pulling bags of grain off the cart. After opening them, he used a wooden scoop to scoop out the grain, which the person at the front of the line immediately received in their rice bag, leaving joyfully thereafter.

Next in line, another person eagerly awaited their turn to receive grain in their rice bag.

Mu Xian kept shouting, "The new emperor has ascended the throne, granting amnesty to the world. The Second Young Master Yu Wen has specially come to Yanyue City to distribute rice for three days. Regardless of whether you are a monk or a layperson, young or old, everyone can receive a bag of rice. Please don’t crowd or fight; there’s enough for everyone."

The crowd was filled with gratitude, loudly cheering Yu Wenye’s name in unison.

Even the monks joined in, saying, "When we return, we must burn incense daily and pray for the Second Young Master Yu Wen, wishing him long life, health, and fortune, and to turn bad luck into good."

Mu Xian smiled and said, "Thank you, everyone."

Listening to the lively scene outside the wall and the voices praising him, Shang Ruyi took a deep breath and then turned to the person beside her: "Is this what you wanted to do?"

"..."

"Do you plan to distribute rice in Yanyue City for three days?"

Standing similarly beneath the wall, arms behind his back, listening to the sounds outside, Yu Wenye seemed calm and indifferent, as if the praises from people’s mouths were not directed at him. He just nodded lightly: "Yes."

Shang Ruyi’s eyes flashed as she looked at him.

It seemed she wanted to say something but hesitated for a while without speaking. But it was Shen Wuzheng, standing beside her, who also listened to the sounds outside and after a while, casually said, "This time, you acted quite swiftly."

Yu Wenye looked at him, with a faint smile, said, "The matters here can’t always trouble our elder brother."

The two exchanged a glance.

Though they didn’t say a word, nor was there any unpleasant atmosphere, Shang Ruyi seemingly sensed a sharp edge in their eyes.

She could feel that the air between these two was somewhat peculiar.

Previously, concerning the matter with the Left General’s Tomb that led to internal strife among the Wanggang Village people, Yu Wenye had just thought about it when Shen Wuzheng had already acted. It was as if Yu Wenye lost by half a step; yet this time, distributing rice in Yanyue City was prearranged by Yu Wenye, achieving a lead over Shen Wuzheng by half a step.

It feels like a non-oppositional rivalry, but inevitably tinged with latent hostility.

Feeling a slight headache, Shang Ruyi instinctively raised her hand to rub her forehead.

Shen Wuzheng immediately said, "Little sister, are you feeling unwell?"

Yu Wenye also lowered his gaze towards her, slightly frowning, and said, "Is it too hot to stand here? Your health is already frail, better to go back and rest."

Shang Ruyi looked up at them but shook her head.

She merely said, "Isn’t there more to your distribution than just winning people’s hearts?"

Yu Wenye slightly curled his lips.

Shang Ruyi said, "Is it still about Wanggang Village?"

Yu Wenye nodded slightly.

Shang Ruyi said, "But haven’t we already achieved our goal?"

Though Yu Wenye and Shen Wuzheng ascended the mountain and brought back only one Shantong’er, given the current situation, among the Nine Great Households of Wanggang Village, Shen Wuzheng’s strategy had killed two, Wang Quyi and Wang Quren brothers perished at Xiao Yuansui’s hands, and Shantong’er also left Wanggang Village. It could be said that the elite forces of Wanggang Village were significantly diminished.

And their mountain trip yesterday wasn’t just to bring back a Ninth Master.

Shang Ruyi listened to Shantong’er recounting the words they exchanged on the mountain—if viewed from Xiao Yuansui’s perspective, calling them "sinister" wouldn’t be excessive. Each sentence and word of those remarks planted unseen explosives in the hearts of the people in the village, and the fuse was already lit.

Shang Ruyi could almost be sure; they need not go to Wanggang Village anymore; just from the fact that Xiao Yuansui hasn’t come down the mountain to trouble them shows he’s already overwhelmed, and it won’t be long before internal strife emerges again within Wanggang Village.