"Could it be some magical technique from the Immortal Family that can create food...?"
This thought had barely emerged when Shen Fang immediately shook his head in denial. Impossible, absolutely impossible! Liu Shuyue isn't the only disciple of the Immortal Family, and every century, a small group emerges. Considering the variations and alternative methods passed down, he had never heard of such a spell existing.
In the end, an Immortal Master is not a deity; they're strong in demon slaying and communicating with heaven and earth, yet in other aspects, they're no different from ordinary people. For instance, an Immortal Master needs to eat, and before each expedition, the local government must prepare food and drinks for them to ensure they work efficiently. If they could create food themselves, why would they need to use towns as a base for their activities?
Moreover, Shen Fang trusted his intuition.
The last time, the Immortal Master loudly reprimanded in the Martial Hall, indirectly proving that she was incapable of solving this problem. Otherwise, the Immortal Master wouldn't need to wait for the refugees to gather here but rather conjure food in the demon-infested west, resolving everything already.
"Husband, County Magistrate, why are your expressions so serious?" A beautiful woman walked into the room, holding a teapot in her hand. "I thought that being able to fill the disaster victims' stomachs was a wonderful thing?"
Shen Fang was momentarily speechless; he couldn't outright say his wife's statement was incorrect, so he feigned impatience, waving his hand to dismiss her, "We are discussing state affairs; what business does a woman have meddling in! Leave the tea here and let him pour it himself."
While his words were stern, his gaze was filled with affection.
After sending his wife away, the atmosphere between them turned somewhat awkward.
Indeed, this is good news wherever it happens, but not in Zhangwei.
If the disaster victims return home well-fed and everyone is happy, the current emperor might not be so pleased.
"I'll go and see for myself when the food is distributed at noon," Shen Fang broke the silence, "This matter can't be solely the doing of the Immortal Master; there might be someone extraordinary helping behind the scenes."
...
...
The water in the large pot boiled and bubbled, sending hot steam wafting out.
"Immortal Master, the water has boiled," someone stepped forward to say.
Liu Shuyue looked at the more than ten queues in front of her and nodded, "Distribute bowls and fetch noodles."
The crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers, akin to a festival.
Everyone approached the pot orderly, receiving their disposable bowls and chopsticks, while around twenty people in charge ladled the boiling water into their bowls with a large scoop.
Only those with bowls filled with boiling water were allowed to collect their portion of noodles.
The noodles were placed in a cart beside the relief platform, with dedicated personnel responsible for distribution.
Each person received one package, treating the elderly, children, young people, and women equally.
Those who weren't full could fill up with relief porridge.
After the first day's taste test, today the disaster victims had become quite proficient at preparing this convenient food. Some, impatient, didn't even wait for the noodles to soak before ripping open the bag and stuffing it directly into their mouths, using the boiled water merely for show. Liu Shuyue did not stop such people; as long as they didn't waste or hoard the food, how they ate was their own freedom.
In an instant, the fragrance filled the open space, making mouths water.
This was not an exaggerated claim; Liu Shuyue saw the soldiers at the city gate staring eagerly, as if the relief food was more tempting than the cornbread they held.
"Immortal Master, you truly are our family's savior!" An elderly person with a child suddenly knelt to the ground, "Let me bow to you!"
Someone immediately pulled him up, "Ah, sir, didn't we say no thanking during meal distribution? It might hold up those behind you. We're all mindful of the Immortal Master's kindness; thank her after you've eaten!"
"Indeed, it's enough to keep this gratitude in your heart, repay it when you have the chance!"
"My very life was given by the Immortal Master; bowing is hardly sufficient. Immortal Master, I am Fu Jiaolu, a hunter; if you need help, just let me know!"
"Oh, come off it, the Immortal Master definitely won't need you."
"Hahaha..." Everyone laughed heartily.
Such scenes occurred constantly — a person would step forward, emotionally expressing their gratitude, only to be stopped by someone maintaining order; the stopper would, in turn, trigger more resonance, until the atmosphere reached a new peak and the next person couldn't resist jumping out from the queue to offer their thanks.
Liu Shuyue neither avoided nor responded to such scenes, simply standing quietly at the front of all the queues, ensuring everyone could see her.
This was the best moment to establish her prestige.
If she hadn't experienced it herself, she would find it hard to imagine that just days ago, these people were hostile and wary of each other, scrutinizing others' food and fearing becoming a target, blind despair and sorrow pervading every corner of the camp.
Chen Xuan was absolutely right; if the disaster victims couldn't be integrated, even with food to distribute, it could turn into a catastrophe.
As the saying goes, without order, chaos ensues. The refugee camp, previously chaotic due to a lack of order, now had a new order imposed on them.
The distribution department, reserves department, organization department, security department... Using historical experience and knowledge, she divided the disaster victims into units, forcing them to cooperate and face the hunger crisis.
To continue reinforcing the rules she established, she had to become the pillar in the hearts of the disaster victims.
Liu Shuyue stood at the forefront to let everyone know, it was she who brought them the lifesaving food, she who spared the people of Qing State from the threat of the famine.
Although this was achieved with the help of the shopkeeper, there was no need to disclose the behind-the-scenes to the crowd — the prestige meant nothing to Chen Xuan, but it could greatly benefit her.
This was not an honor, but a responsibility.
Suddenly, there was some commotion at the front of the line.
"Could the Immortal Master also provide me a relief noodle package?"
A person came through the queue and approached Liu Shuyue, clasping their hands in respect.
Although most of the refugees didn't recognize this person, his conspicuous official robe made them cautious.
"Lord." Liu Shuyue returned the salute, "I'm afraid it's not possible."
"Is he... the Governor?" The people couldn't help but whisper, their eyes reflecting a bit of fear.
"Not even for me?"
"This noodle is meant for disaster victims, and the number is fixed. Giving you an extra package means one less for a disaster victim," Liu Shuyue said gently. "But if the Lord is curious, you can purchase them from them. As long as you're willing to spend money, acquiring the noodles is not difficult."
"Spend money... to buy?" Shen Fang was momentarily stunned.
"Exactly, this way the refugees can use the money to buy food too, isn't that a win-win?" She smiled, "By the way... several shopkeepers have come to buy today already, paying quite a high price. If the Lord is too concerned about appearances to deal directly with the refugees, buying from these shops is an option too."
"Where exactly did these noodles come from?"
Shen Fang didn't want to beat around the bush anymore; he lowered his voice to ask.
Upon seeing these peculiar food packages appear outside the city, he could hardly believe his eyes — having been a government official for so long, he instinctively knew these were not products of Qing State.
Just by soaking them in boiled water, they turn into a bowl of savory soup noodles, this was almost more magical than Magic!
The County Magistrate's judgment was correct.
If Liu Shuyue could endlessly provide such miraculous rations, Qing State's famine would disappear, and the Immortal Master, who saved them from disaster, would naturally become worshipped as a savior, gaining unprecedented fame!
This was exactly contrary to the emperor's expectations.
"It's Immortal Technique," Liu Shuyue said calmly, "I summoned them through Immortal Technique."
"No way!" Shen Fang couldn't help raising his voice, "If you truly had this ability, why didn't you use it after demon slaying? Had you summoned the food from the beginning, Qing State's people wouldn't have suffered, fleeing to here!"
Everyone's gaze turned sharply towards him.
Liu Shuyue's expression remained unchanged, "Naturally, it wasn't possible at that time. The Lord must have heard, all Immortal Techniques follow their own time. The more mysterious the Spell, the more it depends on timing, it requires both the moment and opportunity before it can be successfully cast."
"This..."
"Isn't the Lord pleased, why keep dwelling on whether the Immortal Technique can work? The refugees are fed, the citizens of Zhangwei City sleep peacefully, clearly this is a great thing."
Shen Fang was startled, "Of course I'm pleased—"
"Is that so?" She paused, looking directly into the Governor's eyes, asked word for word, "But why does the Lord seem unable to smile?"
He glanced around at the many scrutinizing eyes, seemingly all waiting for his response. After a moment, he slowly grinned, forcibly making himself smile, "Ha... haha... how could I not, I'm so happy I'm at a loss for what to do! The Immortal Master indeed has remarkable talents, having you to assist the emperor is truly a great piece of luck... hahaha!"