56: The benefits caused by the water monster disaster

Perhaps.

The Demon Suppression Division had already taken action, but the two of them were in the open, while the other experts were in the dark.

Fishing?

Waiting for an opportunity.

Chu Jiang shook his head. Regardless, his current task was to investigate the water monster disaster.

Other matters would naturally be handled by the Demon Suppression Division.

"Your matter, this official has already learned!"

"this official promises here that in a few days, the water monster disaster will end!"

Chu Jiang said calmly.

"Thank you, Lord Chu, Lord Chu is truly a benevolent this official, a Reincarnation of a living Buddha... Our Canglan County is saved."

The fishermen, merchants, and workers on the dock continuously expressed their gratitude, uttering extremely exaggerated praises.

Hearing the promise from the imperial envoy brought much peace to their hearts.

The sooner this disaster was resolved, the sooner they could return to their daily lives.

Canglan County relied on water for its livelihood; without water, survival would become difficult.

After leaving the Lingxi River dock.

"Lord Chu, are we going to solve the water monster disaster now?" Fu Yunxuan asked.

"Water monster disaster?"

"It's hard to say if it's a water monster. Let's keep going and check a few more river areas."

Chu Jiang slowly said. Canglan County used to be peaceful. How could a water monster in Canglong River spread to other river basins so quickly?

Does a water monster have such great capabilities?

"It's not a water monster, but the common people all say it's done by a water monster." Fu Yunxuan frowned slightly.

"What do common people know? They spread rumors easily. Not a single one of them has truly seen the water monster."

Chu Jiang sneered, riding his Wind Steed towards the next river basin.

Everywhere he passed.

Lingxi River, Datong River, Emerald River, Yan River, Yuhua River.

In the major rivers near Canglong River, whether they converged or not, the common people reported that water monsters had appeared.

Moreover, there was a tendency for them to spread outwards.

Linjiang County, located in the Yuhua River basin, was the largest river that converged with the Canglong River. It was also the closest river area to the Canglong River water disaster.

It was the place where Chu Jiang had arranged to meet his contact.

Linjiang County was a large county built on the banks of the Yuhua River, with a population of about 100,000.

The scorching sun hung high, and heat waves rolled.

Many people entered and exited Linjiang County, with a constant flow of carriages and horses. The air was filled with the scent of dry dust.

Two li outside the county town.

A stout figure, with a round head, was pacing back and forth, beads of sweat constantly falling, repeatedly looking into the distance.

Suddenly.

He saw two Unicorn Wind Steeds appear in his sight. A man and a woman, both with extraordinary demeanors, immediately went to greet them.

"Subordinate Xi Fuliu, greetings, Lord Chu!"

Chu Jiang frowned slightly and said, "You are Xi Fuliu?"

The information showed that the contact person was named Xi Fuliu. He had originally thought it was a woman, but it turned out to be a man. Even if it was a man, he should have been thin.

This contrast was truly unexpected.

"Your name really causes misunderstandings. Those who don't know might think it's a graceful woman." Fu Yunxuan said charmingly.

"Hehe..."

Xi Fuliu laughed awkwardly, clearly having experienced such situations many times.

"No more nonsense, Xi Fuliu, tell me all the information you know."

Chu Jiang said in a deep voice.

"This water monster disaster has been going on for nearly a month. It started only in the Canglong River, and later extended to nearby river areas, with an increasingly profound impact."

"Therefore, even some old established forces now dare not travel by water."

"Especially the Canglong River, which has been designated as a restricted area by the government. No one dares to enter."

Xi Fuliu touched his bald head and said with a solemn tone.

Chu Jiang frowned, his gaze sweeping towards the Linjiang County dock a thousand meters away. He saw two or three large ships loaded with goods moored there.

One of the ships was slowly setting sail, heading into the distance, seemingly unafraid of the water monster's threat.

"Then what's going on?" Chu Jiang continued, "This Yuhua River is connected to the Canglong River. Why are they still risking sailing?"

Xi Fuliu coughed and whispered, "Lord Chu, I almost forgot to tell you, although everyone else dares not sail, there is one exception — the Cao Gang!"

"Does the Cao Gang have three heads and six arms, unafraid of river water monsters?" Fu Yunxuan also spoke at this time.

Xi Fuliu replied, "You may not know, but to maintain the flow of goods in the Canglong River basin, the Cao Gang has dispatched a large number of powerful individuals to guard the ships and deal with the water monsters."

"However, using their ships requires paying a certain shipping fee, with a surrender ratio of approximately seventy percent of the cargo's profit."

"Many merchants, to prevent their goods from spoiling, even at a loss, hired the Cao Gang's ships to transport their goods."

"I heard that many of the Cao Gang's experts were attacked and killed by water monsters while transporting these goods, but I don't know if it's true."

Chu Jiang looked at Xi Fuliu and said, "That's interesting. If a cargo ship is attacked and sunk by a powerful water monster, will the Cao Gang compensate?"

"Naturally not. That falls under things beyond human resistance."

"The Cao Gang certainly has a good plan. They collect money, but take no responsibility if something goes wrong." Fu Yunxuan said with a cold tone.

"Even so, many people have to queue up to make a reservation!" Xi Fuliu sighed.

He had been in Canglan County for over ten years and knew how powerful this giant living on the water was, with its tentacles almost everywhere in Canglan.

They had people in the government, business, Jianghu, and all three shades of black, white, and gray.

They controlled water transportation, not only collecting high shipping fees but also colluding with the government to oppress the common people, making them dare not speak out in anger.

"When something is prohibited, it generates enormous profits."

Chu Jiang's gaze was as sharp as a knife. He understood that the Cao Gang was so arrogant precisely because they had seized people's weaknesses.

Canglong River was the largest river in Canglan County, and its cargo volume accounted for three-fifths of the entire county.

But the government only allowed the Cao Gang to sail.

The Cao Gang took this opportunity to monopolize the market and gain huge profits.

"Tonight, I'll meet with this Cao Gang!" A glint flashed in Chu Jiang's eyes.

With that, he moved on his precious steed and galloped towards the county town.

Fu Yunxuan followed closely behind, and Xi Fuliu immediately mounted his horse to follow. The three figures swiftly departed like a gust of wind.

...

Late at night.

Linjiang County dock.

Over a dozen people dressed in Cao Gang uniforms guarded the dock entrance, not allowing anyone to approach.

Upon closer inspection, some of the Cao Gang Disciples even had bloodstains on their clothes.

Chu Jiang made a gesture, signaling Fu Yunxuan not to speak and to observe the situation.

As for Xi Fuliu, he had naturally arranged for him to be in the Linjiang County brothel, pretending they were having fun, to lower their guard.

"Be quick tonight, don't leave any traces."

"Hall Master Jiang, just you watch. After tonight, I'll make sure no one dares to go into the Yuhua River on their own again. Then we'll blame it on the water monster, leaving no evidence of foul play."

Several Cao Gang Disciples assured a Cao Gang leader. This wasn't their first time, and they were already skilled at it.

Large boxes were continuously moved from the dock onto a large ship, which then set sail into the vast night, gradually disappearing from the dock's view.

Chu Jiang's eyes turned cold, and he and Fu Yunxuan vanished into the night.