Chapter 20: Good Deeds Go Unnoticed, Evil Travels Far

At the rural guesthouse, a spring suddenly welled up, and no one knew who had let the news slip. After all, paper cannot wrap fire; the secret was out, and all of Phoenix Village was in an uproar.

Villagers flocked in small groups, eager to see the spectacle for themselves. Some even brought buckets and basins from home, scrambling to fill them with the spring water. The water was sweet, almost like ambrosia, and everyone felt lucky to have a taste.

With the villagers came the village head; soon, the entire population of Phoenix Village was there. In a place where everyone knew each other, it was impossible to turn people away, and Chu Xiaoyu found himself at his wit’s end.

But this was only the beginning.

Phoenix Village was already famous nationwide for the mysterious purple mist that enshrouded it year-round. That was old news. Years ago, a team of researchers had even come to study the composition and origins of the purple haze. The story had made headlines in newspapers and on TV, but despite repeated investigations, the scientists never found any answers, and the matter was left unresolved.

Now, with a sweet spring bubbling up at a humble farmstead, the news spread like wildfire to neighboring villages. What shocked people most was that fruit and vegetables watered with the spring yielded produce much larger and more delicious than usual. Those fortunate enough to taste them were full of praise, claiming that a single bite made life worthwhile.

The water from the spring was rumored to be divine, capable of strengthening the body and even prolonging life. The stories grew ever more fantastical.

Eventually, people from the city arrived as well.

Ordinarily, visitors would be welcome. But these guests came only for the spring, not to dine at the guesthouse. Every day, the place was packed with people coming and going. Chu Xiaoyu was truly miserable.

The situation continued for about a week. Chu Xiaoyu, exasperated by the so-called internet personalities chasing after the latest sensation, finally closed the doors and refused all guests.

At last—peace. The days of chaos subsided. Granting himself a holiday, Chu Xiaoyu returned to his idle ways, staying indoors, sleeping until he woke naturally, then preparing food for himself. Well fed and content, he would slip on his sandals and shorts, sling a hoe over his shoulder, and tend to the fields—digging, weeding, pruning.

A farmer, a spring, a bit of land—life was leisurely and pleasant.

But as the saying goes, good news travels slowly, while bad news spreads far and wide. The tale of the spring, now tinged with the supernatural, soon reached the distant capital of Yanjing.

At the Xuanpai Society in Yanjing, the CD conference room was abuzz with discussion about the spring.

“Bai Feng, Kunbu, it looks like you’ll have to make another trip to Dongdu for the spring matter,” Tang Ao said. “The news has caused quite a stir there. It’s said that with just one night’s watering, plants can grow rapidly, and fruit ripens overnight.”

Tang Ao swept his gaze around the room, face grave. “If it’s true, it might be connected to that mysterious individual we were tracking last time.”

“Chief, is this credible?” a member asked. “Can crops really mature overnight with just one application of water? Are there truly such strange things in the world?”

Tang Ao was at a loss—he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.

While Tang Ao hesitated, Bai Feng spoke up: “According to reports from Dongdu, some villagers took spring water home to water their own fields, but nothing miraculous happened. The crops showed no change.”

“So, are these just rumors?” another member inquired.

Dr. Owen, who had been silent, suddenly said, “Not necessarily. If nothing unusual happened, why would such stories spread? That is the key question.”

Tang Ao was puzzled. “Dr. Owen, what do you mean?”

Dr. Owen continued, “Last time Bai Feng and Kunbu returned from Dongdu, they mentioned that Chu Xiaoyu’s guesthouse was peculiar. I trust your judgment—you are seasoned members of the Xuanpai Society. Let me pose a scenario: suppose the spring is indeed unnatural, but its effects only manifest on Chu Xiaoyu’s land. The moment the water leaves the farm, its power vanishes. Do you think that’s possible?”

His suggestion was both bold and imaginative. The room fell silent; some members were completely baffled.

Dr. Owen’s words seemed almost magical. Could such a strange spring really exist in this world?

Noticing everyone’s stunned expressions, Dr. Owen laughed. “Perhaps my theory is too outlandish, too much of a stretch. Forgive my wild imagination.”

Too much? It was as if a nuclear explosion had gone off in the room—the members were left reeling.

“No, Dr. Owen! If your hypothesis is correct, then this Chu Xiaoyu is no ordinary man. He could very well be the mysterious figure we’ve been searching for,” Tang Ao ventured boldly.

After all, based on the crucial information Bai Feng and Kunbu had brought back, the owner of the farm did seem extraordinary.

Disaster had fallen from the sky on Chu Xiaoyu, like a pie dropping from above and knocking him senseless.

What was this? Trouble comes knocking even when you stay home.

With a splat, a bird dropping landed right on his head.

Chu Xiaoyu: If you’re so capable, why not take me away and dissect me for research? With all your skill, why not fly to the heavens?

PS: Sigh, the collection isn’t growing, and there are no new recommendations. It’s so discouraging... Even a salted fish has its springtime. Dear readers, can you give me some motivation? All the stats are quiet; playing solo is truly frightening...