Chapter 627 - 401: Lightning Summoning (Part 2)

A lightning rod, in terms of its principle, should be called a conduct-the-lightning rod. However, it attracts lightning to the ground to protect buildings and the safety of people.

But the person who murdered Minister Zhu Shizhong led the lightning into the water flowing around the bedside, electrocuting Zhu Shizhong and Li Muping, who were indulging themselves on the bed.

The person behind this, although unknown, obviously mastered the art of summoning the heavenly lightning. He may not necessarily understand the principle, but he clearly discovered this method. However, this kind of discovery is very likely just some kind of accidental event.

Duan Rong walked back to the center of the hall, looked at Ge, Wang, and Chen, and said, "This matter is thus settled. But we still need to wait for the weather with thunderstorms. I can’t determine the exact date. During this time, I hope Lord Ge can ensure the personal safety of those craftsmen."

Ge Hengtai was slightly taken aback. At this moment, Duan Rong was still making demands of him. Nonetheless, Ge Hengtai, known for his fiery temper, loudly said, "Rest assured! If one of them dies, I’d offer my head to settle the score!"

"Good!" Duan Rong said, "I need to make some preparations, so I’ll take my leave."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he slightly clasped his fist and turned to leave.

Zhu Cheng felt nervous, immediately bowed, and said, "My lords, this subordinate will also take his leave!"

Having said that, Zhu Cheng hurriedly left.

Zhu Peng also bowed to leave, but Chen Shanmeng immediately stopped him, saying, "Take this evidence with you! Always leaving things behind!"

Only then did Zhu Peng take the charred piece of broken wood from Chen Shanmeng’s hand, hurriedly bowed, and quickly followed after Duan Rong.

As Duan Rong had just stepped out of Ge Hengtai’s residence, Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng came chasing after one another.

By this time, the two no longer called Duan Rong "Lord Duan" but directly addressed him as "Brother Duan."

"Can you really summon the heavenly lightning?"

"Give me some truth. Are you fooling them or do you really plan to summon the heavenly lightning?"

Duan Rong suddenly stopped, looked up at the starry sky above the pitch-black heavens, and asked, "It’s still summer now; we shouldn’t have to wait long for thunderstorm weather in Divine Cloud Prefecture, right?"

Suddenly, Zhu Peng said, "Wang Maochun and the others will definitely ask that old Taoist of the Observatory. That old Taoist can know if it will rain the next day just by looking at the stars at night."

"Really?" Duan Rong was quite intrigued.

Duan Rong always felt Zhu Peng was slightly unreliable, so he looked at Zhu Cheng and asked, "Is that old Taoist really that capable?"

Zhu Cheng said, "That old Taoist does have some skills. He can accurately predict great floods and droughts. As for normal rain, he can forecast within a day or two."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong clicked his tongue in slight amazement.

The Jianghu is full of exceptional talents! The person who discovered the way to summon the heavenly lightning, and this old Taoist at the Observatory who can deduce rain by observing Star Formation, both seem quite incredible to Duan Rong.

In the previous world, humans lived in an era of flourishing science. But why is technology advancing while life becomes increasingly burdensome? Isn’t that a sign something went wrong?

Since traveling here, I have seen quite some paranormal individuals. Sometimes, Duan Rong also reflects upon this.

Divine Cloud Prefecture, the capital city, is thriving like a sea of flowers, and the news is equally pounding like turbulent waves.

The Minister being struck dead by lightning was originally a sensational topic.

And now it’s suddenly revealed that someone summoned the heavenly lightning and struck Zhu Shizhong to death!

This news, within just a day, spread through every corner of Divine Cloud Prefecture. People are increasingly discussing a man named Duan Rong, who intends to summon heavenly lightning down! To prove that the Minister Zhu Shizhong’s death was not a natural disaster but a human conspiracy!

Someone murdered Zhu Shizhong!

Such news—it’s hard not to become the hot talk of the town!

Even the storytellers in tea houses have begun recounting this matter.

However, among the stories told by these storytellers, they distinctly divided into two factions: one praising Duan Rong as being divinely skilled, and the other accusing him of being a Jianghu fraudster.

Rumors ran wildly amongst the populace, leaving them undecided.

Seeing rumors rise within Prefecture City, Wang Maochun became a bit anxious, visiting the Observatory two or three times a day.

Fortune smiled, as that night, the old Taoist informed Wang Maochun that there would be a heavy thunderstorm the following afternoon at 3 p.m.

That night, Wang Maochun sent someone to relay this information to the Ministry of Justice, instructing them to inform Duan Rong to make preparations.

At that moment, Duan Rong was fast asleep at the post station when outside a sudden chaos erupted—Zhu Cheng dashed in.

Actually, Duan Rong had already prepared that thing, just waiting for news of a thunderstorm.

Zhu Cheng grabbed Duan Rong as soon as he arrived and told him everything.

Duan Rong, eyes half-closed in sleep, muttered, "At 3 p.m. tomorrow? What’s the rush? I’ll get a good sleep first." With that, he covered himself and continued sleeping.

Zhu Cheng, seeing Duan Rong acting as if nothing was happening, found himself at his wit’s end. He had delivered the message, and seeing Duan Rong sound asleep again, he sighed, thinking he could only try again tomorrow morning.

Afternoon, 15 minutes till 5 p.m. At Wild Lake, ten li southeast of Divine Cloud Prefecture.

This desolate woodland is usually rarely visited and serves as a roost for wild birds.

But today, it’s bustling with noise, surrounded by a huge crowd eager to spectate.

Wang Maochun hadn’t expected so many people to come, summoning one team after another of soldiers to maintain order, finally blocking the mass of people outside.

Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng, looking at the throngs, both paled.

If Duan Rong fails this time, it won’t just be making a fool of a First Grade official; it would be fooling all the citizens of Prefecture City! A single spit from each could drown him!