Druid Fairy

Chapter 23 The Power of Celestial Officials
The cicadas chirped incessantly in the summer heat, and the scorching sunlight was so intense that it was hard to open one's eyes.

As soon as Xiao Hei landed in the Li family courtyard, it flapped its wings and jumped around, thinking to Li Pingcan, "It's so hot!"

"Dancing Wind".

A gentle breeze carried Little Black under the eaves. The remaining wind blew and hit our faces, but it brought no coolness. The heat made us restless.

It's so hot this year.

Summer without air conditioning is pure torture.

It is said that ice was stored in ancient times, but the price of one tael of silver per square zhang (3.3 cubic meters) was an unbearable burden for farmers, who preferred to endure the hardship.

"I wonder when the government will perform the ritual to send down the sweet dew?"

It is said that the imperial decree bestows blessings and rain, but it is still necessary to set up an altar, offer sacrifices to six kinds of animals, pray to heaven, earth, mountains and rivers, and choose an auspicious day before the rain and dew can reach all the spirits.

But the government was slow and indifferent, while the farmers were anxious but dared not make a fuss. They could only mutter complaints in their hearts.

Li Pingcan frowned deeply.

To prevent the peach orchard from dying, my father has been fetching water from dawn till dusk these past few days, and his skin has even peeled from the sun.

He was lucky; many villagers suffered from heatstroke and narrowly escaped death.

Finally, evening arrived, the scorching sun hid behind the clouds, and the weather cooled down a bit.

The family sought refuge in the shade of a tree.

Li Pingcan held the mung bean soup his mother had cooked, which had been specially chilled with well water. It was sweet and refreshingly cool. He drank it all in one gulp and finally felt alive again.

Looking again, I saw that my father, my eldest brother, and my second eldest brother were also comfortably squinting their eyes, enjoying this rare coolness.

He secretly increased the intensity of the [Dancing Wind] technique, a refreshing breeze caressing his face and his black hair flying in the wind.

"This gust of wind is really strong."

Li Fang, who was walking towards them, sighed.

Ever since Li Rongzhou saved him from the brink of death, Li Fang had developed an indescribable admiration and gratitude for him. Recalling his past prejudices, he felt extremely guilty and had recently been visiting the Li family frequently, never empty-handed.

This time I brought a bamboo basket of fresh wild mint leaves, which are a rare treat for cooling off in the summer.

Qin smiled and accepted the bowl of mung bean soup for Li Fang. Li Fang held it with both hands and said with a simple smile, "Thank you, sister-in-law!"

"Delicious!" After downing the mung bean soup in one gulp, feeling refreshed and light, Li Fang praised it highly. Then he sighed, "I wonder when the celestial official will send down the sweet rain? Why is he taking so long?"

Although the voice was soft, the resentment in the words was as thick as that of a water ghost.

These days, villagers often gather in small groups, gazing at the scorching sun, secretly mocking the imperial court for its grand gestures but lack of substance, behaving like utterly unruly peasants.

Li Rongzhou just smiled and didn't respond to the question. He knew that loose lips sink ships, even though he had some reservations about it.

Li Pingcan shook his head.

Sigh, can you really expect the government to be efficient?
It's good enough that they can do it!

…………

As the weather grew increasingly hot, public discontent rapidly accumulated and boiled over, reaching its peak.

"The celestial official's carriage is on its way!"

Six white horses trotted and neighed, while eight strong, silver-armored soldiers held domed umbrellas that covered the carriages. A minor official in gray walked proudly beside the carriages, holding a smooth, jade ceremonial tray in his arms.

He swept his arrogant gaze over the villagers of Peach Blossom Village and said condescendingly, "You mortals, why don't you quickly kneel and pay homage to the celestial official!"

Splash!

The vast crowd obediently fell down, as if they had been overwhelmed by the waves and couldn't straighten up.

Li Pingcan was embraced and kowtowed to by Qin Shi. Black crows swept across the sky, and a clear image came from the gray mushroom—there was no one on the carriage.

hiss!
What immense divine power!
The villagers of Peach Blossom Village were not kneeling before the celestial official himself, but rather the celestial official's carriage!
In the past three years, apart from when he was collecting taxes, he had not seen any government officials.

Li Pingcan's eyes flashed with an unusual light, and he quickly realized that this was a gray-robed official acting on behalf of a celestial official, bestowing blessings and favors! And the jade plate in his arms was probably a celestial "treasure"!
The only celestial object I've ever seen with my own eyes since I transmigrated.

'An opportunity? Or... a fatal calamity?'

Li Pingcan exhaled a breath of turbid air. He wasn't so easily swayed by passion. His gaze swept over the eight silver-armored soldiers, each of whom was a master of the Qi and Blood Realm!

The moment the [Thorn Whip] trembles, it will likely be torn to pieces; the tornado created by [Dancing Wind] will also be scattered by the combined force of the weapons.

'The power and resources of a ninth-rank celestial official are truly terrifying.'

Having witnessed the power of the imperial court, he did not dare to challenge its authority. Moreover, being flamboyant, high-profile, or vying for power was not his style.

The gray-clad minor official, seeing the commoners bowing before him, revealed a look of intoxication; power is indeed alluring.

“Peach Blossom Village is loyal to the imperial court, and I also wish to help you with your difficulties. However, this Auspicious Dew Jade Plate urgently needs spiritual energy to replenish itself.”

The old village chief, being shrewd and experienced, quickly offered sacrifices—which, of course, were to be shared by the entire village.

The minor official weighed it but remained unmoved.

The old village chief gritted his teeth and took out a jade pendant with a clear, translucent texture.

The clerk then smiled and said, "Peach Blossom Village is much better than Peach Leaf Village. I will definitely report to the celestial officials and plead for a reduction in taxes and corvée labor for you."

Upon hearing this, the villagers of Peach Blossom Village were all excited and overjoyed, completely forgetting the unbearable heat of the summer. The "troublemakers" who had previously cursed the imperial court had instantly become "obedient citizens"!
Li Pingcan watched coldly, his mood gradually becoming depressed.

This petty official is quite skilled at "manipulating the people": a crucial threat, a boastful comparison to other villages, plus empty promises of favors...

This is blatant psychological manipulation!

He treated people like dogs, exploiting them to the bone. The villagers, whose hard-earned money had been drained, still had to thank this petty official, as he reaped all the benefits.

'If even the celestial officials are like this, one can only imagine the moral character of the immortals above.'

While this may not be the will of the immortals, it is certainly an act of tacit blackmail.

He clenched his fists.

If one were to live as a compliant citizen or a beast of burden, even if one could not become rich and powerful in this life, one could still die peacefully in one's sleep, contributing to the glory of the immortals.

But if he wants to inherit the family business and strive to climb higher, there are countless mountains pressing down on him, and ordinary people will never have a chance to rise above them.

Fortunately, he was the only druid in the world.

'The more this is the case, the more careful I must be; I can't let anyone discover my identity.'

'The road ahead is long and arduous, but there's plenty of time in the future!'

……

The clerk, having been paid to do the job, used a spirit stone to activate the Auspicious Dew Jade Plate. Dark clouds rolled across the sky, intertwined with purple light, and with each rumble of thunder, sweet dew poured down.

After half a month of scorching heat, Peach Blossom Village was finally liberated, and the dried-up stream was revitalized.

Li Pingcan noticed, however, that the rainfall only affected Peach Blossom Village; the rest of the area remained scorching hot, like the sweltering summer heat.

It seems that this magical artifact can control the range and amount of rainfall based on the input of spiritual energy.

"Alright, as you wished." The clerk said indifferently, "I still have to go and bestow rain upon other villages. Sigh, I'm just born to be a busybody."

"Respectfully seeing off the celestial official." The old villager quickly led the villagers in kowtowing.

Watching the celestial official's carriage disappear into the distance, Li Pingcan had an idea and told Xiao Hei to follow at a distance.

Taoye Village.

Having received his satisfactory reward, the celestial official smiled and said to the villagers of Peach Leaf Village:

“Peach Leaf Village is much better than Peach Blossom Village. I will definitely report to the celestial officials and plead for a reduction in taxes and corvée labor on your behalf.”

(End of this chapter)