The two men were shocked as they saw three young cultivators in guard armor striding toward them.

At the same time, villagers swarmed around them brandishing shovels, rakes, wooden sticks, and brooms, surrounding them in the blink of an eye.

The two men attempted to use their escape techniques but found their feet stuck in a quagmire, unable to move. Looking down, they broke into a cold sweat. Who would have placed such a hidden formation on a field ridge?

Those farmers watched with vigilant eyes, like a pack of wolves. Where was their earlier casual, leisurely demeanor?

The lead young cultivator spoke gently: “Fellow Daoists, where do you come from? Have you registered in Tian City?”

The two from Hua Wei Sect had never been surrounded by a group of ordinary people before and felt too embarrassed to back down. One angrily replied, “We are wandering cultivators planning to settle in Thousand Canals. Is this how you treat guests here?”

“Wandering cultivators settling in Thousand Canals must first register in Tian City. Have you two registered?”

The Hua Wei spy answered righteously: “We were just heading there when you stopped us here.”

An elder from among the villagers shouted: “Don’t believe their nonsense, Master! I spoke with him this morning, and he couldn’t even tell me when the Harvest Festival is. Does that sound like someone planning to settle here?”

Another older woman sneered: “Since our Thousand Canals became independent, we haven’t had any gold statues. You two came here asking about divine statues—are you suspecting someone in our village is secretly worshipping? What evidence do you have? You can’t just falsely accuse innocent people!”

The crowd declared righteously: “Our village has no forbidden items!”

The young cultivator muttered: “On the way here, I saw you preparing incense and offerings.”

The female cultivator traveling with him seemed unsurprised and quietly reminded him: “In these matters, it’s better to turn a blind eye. Don’t ask—ask and the answer is always no, absolutely not.”

The two from Hua Wei Sect listened in utter confusion, completely baffled—

So did they have them or not?

In other territories, if people failed to make regular offerings to the temples, they would be severely punished.

What was going on in Thousand Canals?

Finally, a childish voice piped up: “They were looking for the official golden statues! Yesterday while I was herding cows, they tried to bribe me with malt candy to show them where to find them!”

Trying to trick a child?

Zhou Xiao Yun coldly smiled, taking out binding talismans and rope: “Tie them up!”

The two struggled and cried out in pain as they were bound securely, like two pigs waiting for slaughter, inwardly lamenting:

“This is bad! We underestimated these country bumpkins!”

This time, Hua Wei Sect had sent two officials from different counties as spies, thinking that their long experience among ordinary people would help them complete the mission successfully.

The two had assumed that in rural areas, farmers would be stupid, ignorant, cowardly, and illiterate.

Who could have imagined that these people would stand united against outsiders, coordinate so tightly, and even six-year-old children would be alert and not easily fooled?

Seeing no way to escape, the two changed their story, crying out: “We are envoys sent by Hua Wei Sect to negotiate! I am Official Zhao from Baolin County, the cousin of Sect Leader Zhao!”

“I am Official Liu from Yanshan County! When armies face each other, envoys should not be harmed. You cannot treat us like this!”

Zhou Xiao Yun frowned slightly: “Hua Wei Sect wants to negotiate with us? Envoys without formal introduction letters, coming and going as they please—what do you take Thousand Canals for? Take them back to the temple!”

The old village head rubbed his hands together eagerly: “With these two fools captured, our village should win the ‘Honorary New Village’ award this year, right? Maybe the Song King himself will receive us at the next Harvest Festival!”

The villagers enthusiastically agreed, creating a lively atmosphere.

How many steps are there to capture suspicious outsiders?

Three steps.

First step: Identify the target without acting rashly. After discovering enemies, stay calm and keep them at ease to avoid alarming them and risking lives.

Second step: Report to the guard without delay. While the enemy is relaxed, immediately bring in the guard squad, giving the enemy no chance to escape or cause trouble.

Third step: Work together to capture the outsider. When the cultivator guards arrive, cooperate as one and bravely strike, capturing the enemy in one move.

The “Thousand Canals Thief-Catching Manual,” written by Editor Ji, featured illustrations and simple, easy-to-understand instructions that were widely distributed.

Villages organized regular study sessions, and the people of Thousand Canals memorized them thoroughly, only regretting their lack of opportunities to practice.

Officials Liu and Zhao listened to the farmers discussing how to catch thieves and turned red with anger.

How could such a thing happen? How dare ordinary people disrespect cultivators?

Moreover, these weren’t wealthy families from Hua Wei City but just common farmers.

Not only had they been reported by farmers, but they were also being treated as trophies, carried on carts like pigs.

“Thanks to these two, we have a chance at the Honorary New Village award this year!”

“Goodness, they’re so heavy! What did they eat to weigh so much?”

Official Zhao couldn’t contain his anger anymore and burst out cursing: “Song Qian Ji is already dead! Don’t you know our Hua Wei Sect’s cultivators sent to Blood River Valley killed him? What Harvest Festival are you still planning to celebrate? Once the war begins, Thousand Canals will immediately become sect territory!”

The field suddenly fell silent, the jubilant atmosphere frozen like ice, with only the hot summer wind rustling the leaves.

The old village head shouted hoarsely: “You’re lying!”

Hatred ignited in countless eyes, spreading like wildfire. Countless angry fists rained down.

Official Liu sensed the danger and wished he could kick his foolish companion to death: “Why say that? Do you want to die… Hey, everyone, don’t hit us! What are you doing? Do you know who I am? Ordinary people harming cultivators will face divine punishment!”

The villagers brandished their hoes, their shouts earth-shaking: “We don’t believe—”

The two completely broke down: “Hua Wei Sect won’t let you get away with this!”

“We are not afraid—”

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhou Xiao Yun coughed lightly, stopping the group from beating:

“That’s enough. Let us take them back to the temple for thorough questioning. Everyone disperse now, don’t listen to rumors, and don’t delay your afternoon farm work.”

The two were thrown into prison and after several interrogations were bruised and swollen, their expressions dejected, their earlier arrogance completely gone.

The temple prison was protected by formations, and the patrol guards delivering meals were well-trained ordinary people carrying fire lances.

At first, they were delighted and attempted to bribe the guards with spirit stones, then tried to reason with them, persuade them emotionally, and incite them to help with a prison break and return together to Hua Wei Sect. Instead, they were lectured by the ordinary guards:

“This Hua Wei True Person you speak of, even if he’s powerful, even if he’s more powerful than the Song King, what does that have to do with us?”

“Cultivators who want respect in Thousand Canals have only one path—contribute to Thousand Canals. Our Minister of Agriculture, Carpenter Liu, is an ordinary person, but he created the curved plow, improved the loom, and promoted four-season greenhouses, and his carpentry is unparalleled in Thousand Canals. Our Minister of Industry can design bridges, pave roads, and manufacture fire lances; our Minister of Education is knowledgeable and advocates education for all, so everyone respects them.”

“In Tian City, there’s a seed field that the Song King personally farms. When he encounters farming techniques he doesn’t understand, he seeks guidance from farming experts. If even the Song King is like this, how dare other cultivators act tyrannically?”

“Can your so-called Number One Hua Wei Sect of the Western Continent do the same?”

After repeated failures and warnings to behave, they gave up and sighed together.

“I never imagined people in Thousand Canals would think this way. Ordinary people no longer revere cultivators. Without visiting Thousand Canals, one would never imagine such an atmosphere.”

“We thought that after Song Qian Ji’s death, our sect could reclaim Thousand Canals as easily as an elephant stepping on ants—no need to step on them, just blow and the ants would fly away.”

“Now it seems more like ants killing an elephant. Look at how united the ant colony is, while the elephant’s four legs don’t obey commands, each with its calculation.”

“Brother, we might not win this war. The Song King of Thousand Canals is truly terrifying.”

…

In the water jar of Song Courtyard, new lotus leaves were just emerging, jade green and graceful.

A plump yellow cat squeezed past the delicate pink hydrangeas by the wall corner, found the shadiest spot under the flower trellis, and curled up for a nap, purring contentedly.

One dream revealed the depth of summer.

Everyone gathered in the flower-filled Song Courtyard to analyze the situation, their expressions varied.

Meng He Ze kept his head down, polishing his sword, occasionally responding to show he was listening.

Wei Zhen Yu watered the flowers with a sprinkler, seemingly absentminded.

Ji Chen claimed he had learned interrogation techniques from Song Qian Ji, so the two spies were his responsibility, and he did not disappoint:

“According to those two, Hua Wei Sect will launch their first attack in three days, riding giant cloud ships to break through Thousand Canals’ formations from the sky.”

“Of the spirit stone mines currently opened in Thousand Canals, Hua Wei Sect will give half to the Zhao family to persuade Elder Zhao to take action. Elder Zhao absorbed Thousand Canals’ spiritual energy years ago to advance to half-step Nascent Soul, and after years in seclusion, he should be just one step away from Nascent Soul—not easy to deal with.”

“After the victory, rewards will be distributed based on contribution. Sects and families that helped in this battle will all have opportunities to take turns occupying Thousand Canals County. So these people are sharpening their knives, impatient to begin.”

“Take turns occupying?” Zhou Xiao Yun said angrily. “Our Thousand Canals has never attacked or plundered others, yet in the end, we’re still surrounded by wolves and jackals.”

Meng He Ze said: “Thousand Canals County doesn’t need to do anything. Its mere existence keeps people awake at night.”

Ji Xing sprawled on the cool stone table, worrying: “What was Thousand Canals like when we first arrived? It was like a rotten fruit that even dogs wouldn’t eat. And now? Thousand Canals is like a fragrant platter of roast lamb—which wolf or tiger wouldn’t want a bite?” She suddenly swallowed and forgot her worries. “Should we have roast lamb for dinner?”

Zhou Xiao Yun patted her head: “Sure, we can afford it.”

Ji Chen muttered: “Didn’t you just eat lunch? What kind of cultivator only thinks about food all day…”

Ji Xing raised her fist: “What did you just say? I didn’t hear clearly!”

Ji Chen quickly covered his head: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“Now rumors are flying outside, all kinds of stories. Some people cry all day, some talk about avenging Master Song, and visiting wandering cultivators are busy leaving Thousand Canals. Should we keep the news of Master Song’s danger secret for now?” Xu Kan Shan asked.

“Hiding news would only cause anxiety and more rumors,” Wei Zhen Yu suddenly spoke up. “Leave this matter to me. I’ll inform everyone.”

Meng He Ze let out a long “Oh”: “You haven’t spoken for so long, I thought you were just here to watch, but I didn’t expect the exiled King Wei to return as Thousand Canals’ administrator again.”

Wei Zhen Yu raised an eyebrow: “Zheng Xian has become quite sharp-tongued since returning from his training.”

“Likewise.”

Since seeing the Three Lives Stone, the three had made rapid progress in cultivation, breaking through consecutive levels.

The techniques practiced in the illusory world, the secret manuals viewed, cultivation insights, and battle experiences—they remembered everything clearly.

But they never mentioned what experiences they had been through.

Meng He Ze and Wei Zhen Yu initially tried to mock each other but found it hurt them as much as their target, so they tacitly stopped attacking each other.

After Song Qian Ji’s disappearance, Wei Zhen Yu brought a team of Northern Desert elites to Thousand Canals, announcing to the public that he was the former Administrator Wei, receiving a warm welcome from Thousand Canals’ residents.

Administrator Wei had established Thousand Canals Town, and his people-friendly image was deeply rooted in people’s hearts. Even after leaving for three years, the people of Thousand Canals still remembered him.

…

Before dawn, the streets were empty, with only a crescent moon hanging in the azure sky.

Meng He Ze and Wei Ping rode two majestic iron-eating beasts toward Tian City Square to meet with Ji Chen, who had been repairing formations all night.

The iron-eating beasts had grown as tall as the roadside houses, moving with elephant-like grandeur, stirring up clouds of dust.

They were originally battle mounts with thick skin, sharp teeth, and fierce fighting abilities. Since Thousand Canals had no wars and never attacked other countries, they had been kept as pets in the bamboo forest. This was their first time on the streets.

The two beasts were excited and restless but sensed the heavy emotions of their riders and dared not make a fuss.

“Have you prepared your speech?” Meng He Ze asked.

“More or less,” Wei Zhen Yu didn’t dare sound too confident, as Song Qian Ji often said he “knew a little.”

Song Qian Ji, always Song Qian Ji. Even now, thinking of him made Wei Zhen Yu fearful.

After the secret realm collapsed, they risked entering it, only to find the lake dried up and the forest turned to charcoal…

For a moment, all hope was lost—life seemed over.

Yet in the center of the desolate ruins bloomed a pale purple flower.

That potato flower was intact and full of vitality.

It had been carefully transplanted after the disaster and left with spiritual energy to nurture it.

This was a signal only those familiar with Song Qian Ji and Song Courtyard would understand.

—”I’m still alive.”

“Although we don’t know where he is now,” Wei Zhen Yu said, “he entrusted Thousand Canals to us because he trusts us. We should trust him too.”

Meng He Ze was somewhat surprised: “Are you comforting me?”

After thinking, he understood. Wei Zhen Yu appeared confident today but was actually under great pressure and uncertain.

Thousand Canals County was primarily agricultural, with farmers making up the majority. In terms of total cultivators and cultivation levels, it was far inferior to the Hua Wei Sect alliance.

The only resource they could use was popular support.

Wei Zhen Yu took a deep breath, letting the cool pre-dawn air fill his lungs: “Many hands make light work. Working together, we will surely overcome this crisis.”

Meng He Ze said: “If he doesn’t return, I will fight for Thousand Canals until death.”

Wei Zhen Yu coldly smiled: “I won’t. I’ll just tend his fields! Pick his flowers! Ride his mounts! Hyah!”

The iron-eating beast roared, its four paws striking the ground as it galloped away.

…

As the sun rose, golden light shone brilliantly.

Atop Tian City, golden wheat banners flew, and twelve great drums thundered.

This was the first time Thousand Canals had beaten drums throughout the city outside of the Harvest Festival.

In the cool morning breeze, tens of thousands gathered anxiously in Tian City Square, seeming to fear some terrible event.

The Ministers of Agriculture, Industry, and Education wore formal attire, standing solemnly before the temple.

The city guards were in full armor, on high alert.

Two black and white, mysteriously imposing iron-eating beasts leaped onto the high steps.

The rumors of recent days were finally confirmed as Wei Zhen Yu’s voice carried through formations to distant places:

“Today I’ve gathered everyone to announce an important matter. Our Song King has been ambushed and harmed by villains, and his fate is now unknown—”

He came straight to the point. The entire city fell silent in shock.

Wei Ping continued smoothly: “When he first came here, he overthrew the temples, smashed all golden statues; drove away corrupt gentry, abolished heavy taxes, and ended exploitation; traveled throughout Thousand Canals, personally reclaiming wasteland. He brought living water from Hongfu County, opened the first canal, and after three years of drought, he communed with heaven and earth to bring the first heavy rain!”

Memories of those difficult years resurfaced, and sobbing sounds emerged from the crowd:

“Master Song, Song King, don’t leave us—”

“I don’t believe it! We make offerings daily, the Song King cannot die young!”

“Our Thousand Canals now has water and fields, bridges and roads, schools and libraries. Every family has food to eat, clothes to wear, and books to read. No one can oppress us again!”

Following Wei Zhen Yu’s description, crying voices merged like ocean waves, reaching the clouds.

Meng He Ze nudged Ji Chen: “Wei Zhen Yu has some skill.”

Ji Chen was busy wiping Ji Xing’s tears.

“Now the Song King’s fate is unknown, but I believe he is still alive and will return! Yet the enemy wants to take this opportunity to conquer our homeland. They are strong and fierce, they are cultivators with magical powers—”

The crying gradually subsided. Countless eyes flickered with angry flames.

Wei Zhen Yu’s voice suddenly rose, like a sword unsheathed: “But we people of Thousand Canals are unyielding. We fear no difficulty, dare to fight heaven, can open mountains when we climb them, and can dig rivers when we bend our backs! We have the most fertile fields in the world, the longest bridge, the most extensive canal system, the best metallurgy techniques, and the most powerful fire lances. These were not gifts bestowed by anyone—they were created by our own hands!”

“Our homes are here, our fields are here. Now, enemies come to steal our land, destroy our homes, and return us to the days of servility and hunger, to make us kneel as dogs again. Do we agree—”

The sea of people surged, voices loud as thunder, anger spreading like wildfire: “We do not agree!”

“Right, we do not agree. For our descendants to live as humans, for us to never again worship temples in this life, we must unite as one and defeat the invaders! Whether they are cultivators or divine immortals or demons, whoever tries to take our homeland, we will fight them to the death!”

The crowd raised their fists, shouting to the heavens: “Fight to the death!”

“Zing!” Wei Zhen Yu drew his long sword!

The sword pointed toward the rising sun, its light dazzling.

“The first generation of unyielding people of Thousand Canals, your achievements will be carved on the honor monument, and your descendants will live better lives in an even more beautiful homeland. Future generations will forever remember this battle and honor you for thousands of years—”

The heart-striking shock and boiling water-like infectiousness made even cultivators shed tears.

An invisible force enveloped the skies of Thousand Canals.

Meng He Ze drew his sword, pointing it to the sky: “We disciples of Song Courtyard have cultivated until today, all receiving Master Song’s kindness. Now that he has been poisoned, should we not go to battle for revenge!”

“To battle! To battle!”

“Protect Thousand Canals, protect the Song King!”

The storm, centered on Tian City, spread rapidly, sweeping across the entire Thousand Canals County.

When Hua Wei Sect’s first attack came that night, hoping to catch Thousand Canals unprepared, they found it ready and impregnable.

Thousand Canals, united as one, with every citizen a soldier!