In the global desert, I have a spring of spiritual water.

"Our Master Ma is in the camel cart behind us, and he has prepared quite a few gifts."

"See those camel carts? The things inside are all gifts for your Master Chen!"

Guo Longyuan pointed to the dozen or so camel carts behind him with a smile, but there was a subtle hint of sarcasm in his smile.

It is true that Ma Baoquan, the owner of Daxingzhuang, was in the camel cart, but the so-called gifts were just empty water vats. Their mission was to steal water from Taipingzhuang.

Besides the empty water tanks on the camel cart, Ma Baoquan and Guo Longyuan also brought several spatial treasures, which had been emptied and were just waiting to be filled with water.

However, the spatial treasures they possessed, like the storage bracelet and ring Chen Chuan had, were low-level treasures. The internal space was only one cubic meter, so it couldn't hold much water, but its advantage was that it was easy to carry.

"Master Ma is very kind."

Hu Changhe said politely, but in his heart he was wondering: Could it be that Ma Baoquan knows that our manor lord is a Life Source Master? Otherwise, he would never be so attentive.

It's also possible that Guo Longyuan was lying, and that they had ulterior motives for this trip.

For a moment, Hu Changhe couldn't be sure of the other party's true intentions, so he could only deal with them in a perfunctory manner.

Since the two sides have met and have the same destination, they can only travel together.

"Director Hu, are you going to abandon these two cartloads of water?"

The group began their journey, and seeing that Hu Changhe hadn't sent anyone to drive the camel carts, Guo Longyuan asked him with a suspicious look.

"Don't laugh at me, Director Guo, but the people of Taipingzhuang have been kidnapped by the Hongyu River bandits. These two cartloads of water are for ransom."

There's no point in hiding this; Gezhuang Town is frequently harassed by river bandits, and kidnappings and water robberies happen all the time.

"The Red Feather Water Bandits are not to be trifled with!"

As the head of the Demon Suppression Division of Daxing Village, Guo Longyuan had naturally dealt with many water bandits. The most powerful water bandits in this area were the Red Feather Water Bandits, and even though Guo Longyuan was now a second-level cultivator, he dared not provoke them.

He had originally planned to have the two camel carts driven back to Daxingzhuang, but upon hearing that they were used to exchange hostages with the Red Feather Water Bandits, he abandoned the idea.

"How many people did they kidnap? Why do they need so much water to exchange for them?"

Guo Longyuan estimated that the two full carts contained about 1000 jars of water, which is no small amount in today's era of severe water scarcity.

17 people.

Hu Changhe answered truthfully.

"Does it take so much water to exchange for 17 people?"

Guo Longyuan was somewhat surprised, but then a playful smile appeared on his face: "It seems that Taipingzhuang is not short of water."

"Those 17 people are all members of the demon-suppressing team, my brothers who have risked their lives with me. It's worth it to exchange these 1000 jars of water for their 17 lives."

"Director Hu is a man of great loyalty and integrity. I hope those Red Feather Water Bandits will keep their word and release your people once they receive the water."

Guo Longyuan replied with a smile, but he already had a plan in mind.

If the 17 members of the Demon Suppression Team from Taiping Village are willing to exchange so much water, then if they arrest the纨绔子弟 (playboy surnamed Chen) and the Demon Suppression Division Director Hu Changhe, wouldn't the water from Taiping Village be able to be transported to Daxing Village in a continuous stream?

Guo Longyuan and Ma Baoquan's purpose in coming here was to seize the resources of Taipingzhuang. They didn't care what methods they used, since both Chen Chuan and Taipingzhuang were already "discarded pawns".

So why not make the most of this discarded piece before it becomes completely useless?

Hu Changhe and Guo Longyuan rode side by side for a while. During the journey, Hu Changhe tried several times to get some useful information out of the old fox. However, one thing was certain: Guo Longyuan and Ma Baoquan were definitely not going to visit Chen Chuan, because Guo Longyuan did not mention that Chen Chuan was a Destiny Source Master.

If the people of Daxingzhuang truly submitted because of Chen Chuan's status as a Destiny Source Master, Guo Longyuan would surely have said a few words about it, expressing his feelings or offering praise.

Therefore, Hu Changhe could conclude that the other party's visit was not a simple one. So, while the group was drinking water and resting, he instructed Li Heng to find an opportunity to break away from the group and return to Taipingzhuang at full speed to report the news.

the other side.

The men of the Crimson Flame Hall drove the two camel carts back to their camp.

Feng Yu first had someone check if there was any poison in the water. Although the probability of Taipingzhuang poisoning the water was relatively small, it was still better to be on the safe side.

After confirming that the water was not poisonous, Feng Yu tasted it first, and then prepared to distribute the 1000 jars of water to the brothers in the church for drinking on their journey.

However, after taking a sip of water, his small eyes widened immediately, and he quickly took another big gulp.

Superior quality?

This water actually comes from a top-quality water source?

Feng Yu was shocked and quickly grabbed a jar of water and ran to the council hall.

At this moment, Hong Zhu'er and Wu Qian were sitting around a table looking at a map. The map marked the surrounding villages, towns, counties, and the locations of several demon nests. They were planning a safe and quick migration route.

However, the desert is fraught with danger and uncertainties, so thorough preparations must be made before migrating.

"Master, the water used to ransom people in Taiping Manor is actually of superior quality!"

Feng Yu enthusiastically placed the jar of water he had brought on the table.

"How is that possible!"

"Old Feng, what nonsense are you spouting? In the entire Shanghe Prefecture, only Shanghe City and Sanjiang City each have a superior water source, and those are still under the control of the Chen family. How could Taiping Village possibly have superior quality water!"

Before Hong Zhu'er could speak, Wu Qian was the first to retort.

"It can't be wrong, try it yourself."

Feng Yu pushed the jar of water he had brought towards Wu Qian.

Seeing his certainty, Wu Qian took a sip with some skepticism, and a look of astonishment immediately appeared on his face: "It really is top-quality water."

"Where did Taipingzhuang get this? Besides, even if it has top-quality water, there's no need to use it to ransom people."

Seeing Wu Qian's reaction, Hong Zhu'er silently took out her usual teacup from her storage ring, scooped out half a bowl of water, and drank it down in one gulp.

"It is indeed of superior quality."

Hong Zhu'er's face also showed surprise, and she looked at Feng Yu and asked, "Is it this jar, or all 1000 jars, that are of top quality?"

"I really didn't know that. I tasted it and realized something was wrong, so I came over right away."

"Let's go take a look."

Hong Zhu'er wiped the water stains from the corner of her mouth and strode out of the council hall, followed closely by Feng Yu and Wu Qian.

When they arrived at the two camel carts, Hongzhu ordered her men to open all the water containers and examine them one by one. They discovered that the 1000 jars of water sent by Taipingzhuang were all of superior quality.

"Taipingzhuang actually delivered 1000 jars of top-quality water! Have they gone mad?"

Wu Qian was shocked and puzzled. He could have simply sent 1000 jars of low-quality water, since water of low quality was the norm in this era. If it was medium or high quality, it would have needed to be specified beforehand.

"Among those 17 people, could there be some important figure that Taipingzhuang is afraid we won't release them?"

Feng Yu stroked his chin and guessed.

"Impossible. If there really is some important person involved, their actions would easily arouse our suspicion, and it would be a losing proposition," Wu Qian shook his head.

"What is their purpose in doing this? Is it simply a gesture of goodwill?"

Feng Yu muttered to himself, but even he felt that his reason was untenable.

At this moment, Red Spider said softly, "There's another possibility: Taiping Village has discovered a superior water source, and this is the only source they have!"