I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

"How are we supposed to respond to this?"

Although the little beasts that were created could run fast, they were also fast walkers, so they could keep up with the journey day and night.

But this time, the beast can fly!

"Report to His Highness."

"The prince is also in Yongning. With the prince there, we are not needed."

Looking at the desolate and deserted town of Tashan, the leader turned back to glance at the ravaged land and sighed heavily.

"What we need now are the towns and villages that have not been threatened by the disaster."

"We must hold these towns until reinforcements from the imperial court arrive!"

"Here!"

###

【Yongning】

"Bai Yi greets Your Highness."

The tiger, Bai Yi, who had been absent for nearly a month, was so distressed that his tail was losing fur. He had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of reinforcements.

"How is the situation in Yongning?"

The crimson dragon looked haggard; the constant travel back and forth had taken a toll on his already sturdy physique.

But we can't stop yet.

"Your Highness, the situation in Yongning is alright. The rate of the scourge's encroachment has slowed considerably and is expected to stop in places like Tashan and Yuhua. The emotions of the disaster victims have been calmed down. However, the supplies stored by each household will not last much longer. There are also reports from various places of Originium destroying towns and a significant increase in the number of infected."

Bai Yi sighed heavily.

"There are two other areas that were affected by the disaster earlier and more severely than Yongning..."

"Please be patient, Mountain Lord."

Red Dragon is aware of all these difficulties.

"The imperial court has ordered the collection of grain and soldiers from various regions and is rushing to their aid day and night. Grain from two regions will arrive soon, which will relieve the immediate crisis."

“I understand, Your Highness.”

"However, I don't know how long this calamity will last. A few months would be fine, but if it lasts for ten months or even a year... what will become of the imperial court..."

Bai Yi clenched his fist tightly.

If the scorching heat does not subside by autumn, the burden on the three paths will become the greatest burden on the Great Yan.

It's not just about the money for rebuilding in various places and feeding millions of people, but also about the massive population decline...

"Take it easy, take it easy."

Chilong looked at the jade box in his hand, his fingers stroking the clasp.

"It will be resolved. It's not like the Great Yan Dynasty hasn't experienced disasters of this magnitude before."

"It will be resolved."

"Mountain Lord".

"I'm here."

Red Dragon put away the jade box and looked into the distance.

"How well is the Tianji Terrace in Yongning maintained?"

"Old Di... Your Highness, please reconsider!"

Upon hearing the name uttered by Chi Long, Bai Yi was terrified. His entire tiger bristled with anxiety, and he almost forgot his place in the hierarchy.

"Someone has to do it."

Chi Long chuckled and patted Bai Yi on the shoulder.

"His Majesty is young and cannot afford any accidents. Someone has to do this kind of thing."

Forty-five Yongning? Yongning!

【Yongning】

Its name implies that the world will be forever peaceful and tranquil.

The people living in Yongning also live up to this name, enjoying peace and tranquility for generations.

Because natural disasters are rare in this area, many true dragons have visited this place, including the former emperor and the current true dragon, Emperor Yuanxi.

However, natural disasters are rare, but they are not uncommon.

This once-in-a-century calamity has swept across three regions, harming millions of people, and its damage continues to expand. If it does not stop, this disaster may severely damage the vitality of the Great Yan Dynasty.

■

Zhemu did not fly directly into the city, or rather, it had no way to fly into the city.

The area surrounding Yongning was filled with countless refugees, all survivors from various villages and towns, who were gathered in the only remaining intact core area for easy management and treatment.

Therefore, it's impossible to fly directly over with the blindfold covered. Doing so would cause widespread panic and chaos, or create unnecessary and pointless trouble.

"Water...where is the water...I really want to drink water..."

"Dough, little one, come... have some more... little one... this isn't dirt... sweetie..."

"Hungry...so hungry..."

"Mother! Mother! Has anyone seen Mother! Mother!"

"Wife! Don't eat it... You can't eat that dirt..."

"Is there a doctor?! Please save my child...please save her..."

"Nobody has water...nobody has water..."

"..."

During the day, he pressed his straw hat down tightly, trying hard not to look up at the scenes around him.

At this moment, he desperately wished he didn't possess any Originium Arts that could sense emotions, so he wouldn't hear that boundless, ocean-like bitterness, pain, sorrow, and grief.

“Sir…she’s just a child…just a newborn…she can’t even speak yet…”

Bai Zhou tugged at Xi's clothes, her voice trembling and hoarse.

That tiny, newly born life vanished just like that, like a bubble rising from the water's surface.

Suddenly, it shattered and vanished.

"You can't save them."

Xi's eyes seemed calm, yet also filled with sorrow.

"You can't save them."

She had seen it too many times, far too many times.

Natural disasters are never something that human beings can solve.

Da Yan couldn't do it, she couldn't do it, and the little devil couldn't do it either.

"Hurry up and get into the city."

Xi lifted her foot and stepped forward.

but……

"Where are you going! Come back!"

She turned around abruptly, trying to grab him.

But Bai Zhou had already run away.

"Someone! Someone save her!"

The mother was still shouting, her voice already sharp and hoarse from the continuous shouting, sounding like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.

"I...I still have some water here."

Bai Zhou ran towards her with the kettle in hand; there was still a little water left in it.

That was what he left for Xi.

"water?"

"water!"

"There's water!"

Water, like poison, quickly stirred up unrest among the refugees who were already on the verge of death.

Many people, many others who are just as thirsty and lack water, have seen this.

That pot of water was the hope for survival.

"Water! I want to drink water!"

"I need water! Water! My water!"

"Get out of my way! That's mine! That water is mine!"

They went mad, like ants drawn to honey, or like maggots clinging to a bone, swarming frantically toward the pot of water.

The tiny figure was overwhelmed by the swarm of ants before it could even resist, along with the hope that rose in the mother's eyes.

"Water! My water!"

"I got it! Hahaha! It's water! And it's sweet!"

"My water! The water I got is the only water I have!"

Maniacal laughter mingled with the sounds of swallowing.

What they managed to grab might have been water, or it might not have been, but whatever it was, they quenched their thirst, but their hearts were thirstier.

"roll!"