Chapter 136: Praying for Rain

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Praying for Rain

Ling Qianjun took the two bags of water. Reluctant to leave, he said, "I should head back. Unlike when we were in the woods, it’s very easy for people to notice I’m missing now."

Hua Buwan naturally didn’t dare to delay him. She merely urged, "Act carefully, then."

"I will. Qianfan even promised to help me out. That kid is quite suited for the task." Remembering how eagerly Ling Qianfan had raised his hand earlier, Ling Qianjun couldn’t help but want to laugh.

"That’s good. You will definitely succeed." Hua Buwan also thought of the lively boy. She wondered if he was still as energetic after enduring the past two days.

"I’m going back." Carrying the items, Ling Qianjun quickly stepped through the Any Door.

Seeing Ling Qianjun return, Ling Yunge, Ling Qianfan, and Xu Panqing all secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They had been terrified that the government officers would realize Ling Qianjun wasn’t in his spot. If that had happened, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

On this parched, cracked land, there was not a single trace of green—only a sky full of yellow sand and scorching sunlight. Even the nights were unbearably hot. Lying on the cracked earth, it was so scalding that they simply couldn’t sleep. Their feet were blistered from the heat, and their mouths were so dry that sores had formed. Even the night breeze was hot, leaving their bodies sweltering and their minds agitated.

The prisoners’ bodies were already extremely weak. Their skin was tanned black from the sun, and their lips were cracked and bleeding. Some were so dizzy from the heat that they swayed unsteadily even while kneeling. Right now, however, all the exiled prisoners were kneeling on the ground, begging the heavens for rain.

The drought here was far too severe. They hadn’t seen water in days. If this continued, they would all die. The prisoners’ faces were filled with despair and pleading. Their cracked lips trembled constantly as they let out weak voices: "Heavens above, please let it rain soon. We’re dying of thirst..."

"Heavens above, open your eyes and save us."

"SOB SOB SOB. Heavens above, when will you let it rain?! The people can’t survive much longer!"

The government officers escorting the exiled prisoners had found it equally arduous to trudge along this arid road over the past few days. The scorching heat was unbearable. Every single government officer was utterly exhausted, their lips similarly cracked.

Suddenly, they saw the prisoners dropping to their knees one after another, facing the sky and devoutly praying for rain. Looking at these prisoners, the government officers couldn’t help but feel a surge of helplessness and sympathy. Knowing full well the severity of this drought, they decided to give it a try. They knelt beside them and began muttering along with the prisoners.

In the stillness, only the sound of their prayers echoed through the air. Their eyes were full of longing, hoping that the heavens would hear their pleas, send down sweet rain, and save this parched land and its suffering people.

Time ticked by, minute by minute, yet the sky remained completely unchanged. The government officers began to waver, but the prisoners remained firmly on their knees, praying endlessly.

However, the heavens showed no reaction whatsoever. Not a single drop of rain fell. Everyone’s heart sank to rock bottom.

Many started to wail uncontrollably. Some cursed their parents, some cursed the heavens, and some cursed the Court... Because their throats were parched, their voices were incredibly hoarse, making their shouts sound gravelly and raw. With so many people shouting at once, their hoarse, exhausted cries were enough to deeply shake anyone who heard them.

Clutching her chest, Xu Panqing also knelt down silently. She kowtowed to the sky three times, then clasped her hands together. "I beg the heavens to protect us..."