Lu Wuming did dote on Liu Buli, after all.
Even at such a moment, he was a hundred percent unwilling. But the moment he saw Liu Buli’s fawning expression, all his displeasure vanished instantly.
Fine.
It wasn't the first time his master had made such a capricious arrangement anyway.
He just had to get used to it. Their lives were still long, after all. Why should he get so angry with his master over something so trivial?
With that thought, Lu Wuming tugged at Liu Buli's sleeve and said earnestly, "Master, I've managed to comfort myself again. So, when we get back, I want a reward."
He sounded exceptionally obedient.
He had forcibly suppressed the dissatisfaction on his face. Liu Buli saw it clearly and knew it was all for him.
His joy deepened, and he nodded happily. He reached out and ruffled Lu Wuming's hair, saying, "Alright, if you play with me happily, I'll reward you until you're satisfied when we get back. Master isn't lying to you this time, I promise I'll do as I say."
With his promise, Lu Wuming felt all his grievances and dissatisfaction disappear completely. He was now only looking forward to his reward; nothing else mattered.
After comforting his own "dog," Liu Buli turned his attention back to Shen Muyan. To prevent any discrepancies between the novel's plot and reality, Liu Buli still opened his mouth to confirm, "Xiaoyan, tell me what exactly happened here. Although I have some idea, you've lived here all along, so you should know more than I do."
Naturally, Shen Muyan nodded in agreement.
There were very few residents in Shuicheng, so even though the Shen family wasn't large, with Shen Muzhi's help, they were considered one of the top families in Shuicheng.
Shen Muyan led them around the city, and as before, the land was barren, and the people's lives seemed difficult. In short, it was far from the prosperous and flourishing city Shen Muyan had envisioned.
After a brief tour, Shen Muyan took them to the city walls. Standing at a high vantage point, they could clearly see the river surrounding the city.
Shen Muyan sighed and said, "The location of this city is actually quite good. If bridges could be built, it would be easily accessible in all directions. Connecting with other cities would make it so much better than it is now."
Liu Buli nodded.
He didn't have much insight into this matter. However, listening to Shen Muyan, he felt it made sense.
Looking up, there were indeed traces of bridges that had once spanned the river. However, the bridge had broken in the middle, leaving only a ghastly scar.
Since the situation was not much different from the plot in the novel, Liu Buli felt reassured and asked, "It's a monster in the river, isn't it?"
Shen Muyan nodded.
He pondered his words for a moment before slowly saying, "No one really knows what it is. Because that thing is too enormous, it has never shown its full form. It's not a native here, and no one knows where it came from. But once it arrived, it claimed this place as its territory. It broke all the bridges over the river and made the water very murky. Those who came to inspect it before said that the land here couldn't grow crops, not because of the soil, but because the monster in the water had poisoned the water. So, people living here, if they drink river water for a long time, their lifespan wouldn't be very long."
Hearing this, Liu Buli immediately showed a worried expression.
Shen Muyan understood what he was thinking and quickly waved his hand, saying, "We knew about this when we came, so we've never drunk the water here. My lack of cultivation is due to my own insufficient talent, and it has nothing to do with the monster in the water."
He was truly candid.
Liu Buli couldn't help but find it a little amusing.
He nodded and said, "Then this situation is pretty much what I understood. I also know how to solve it. However, for a while, I might have to trouble you to live somewhere further away. Not just you, but everyone else in the city, if they can be evacuated, it's best to take them all. After all, if the one in the water and I fight, it might affect everyone in this city."
Hearing this, Shen Muyan seemed prepared. He smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about this, Daoist Liu. When I returned, my brother had already warned me about similar things. So, I've already made it clear to the people in the city that as soon as you plan to take action, we will leave immediately and I guarantee we won't cause you any trouble."
Having such a warning meant that You Siqi must have made arrangements in advance.
He had to admit, this great writer was, in some ways, quite reliable.
Liu Buli was very satisfied. He nodded and signaled Shen Muyan to lead the people away now.
However, Shen Muyan hesitated for a moment and did not leave immediately. After thinking, he said earnestly, "Daoist Liu, I know my cultivation is not high, but perhaps if I stay here, I can help in some way? After all, this is Shuicheng's problem, and I'm already very grateful that you're willing to come. I feel uneasy leaving everything to you. So..."
"You staying here will only be a burden. It's better for you to leave directly, as that would be the greatest help to us."
Lu Wuming interrupted Shen Muyan with a dark expression.
From the moment they met, Lu Wuming had maintained a cold and silent demeanor. Shen Muyan had noticed this and had heard from Shen Muzhi, so he knew Lu Wuming was a formidable character and had never intended to provoke him.
Now, with Lu Wuming telling him to scram, and based on the advice from his sister-in-law You Siqi, complying and leaving was the most sensible way to preserve his life.
Shen Muyan could feel Lu Wuming's hostility towards him.
So, even though he felt a little uneasy, for the sake of his own safety, he awkwardly pulled at the corners of his mouth, thanked Liu Buli and the others, and then turned to organize the city's residents, preparing to lead everyone to seek refuge elsewhere.
They had indeed made preparations, so after Shen Muyan's call, less than an hour later, all the people in the city had evacuated.
The town, which had never been associated with prosperity, became even more desolate. The autumn wind blew, carrying a sense of loneliness and bleakness.
Liu Buli looked around, then smiled at Lu Wuming and Yun Xiang behind him, "Now that all the ordinary people are gone, it's time for us to take action. I'll find a way to force the Dragon God out of the water. Don't be too scared when you see it later."