I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 123Book 2: : There Was Light

Vol 2 Chapter 123: There Was Light

Heavenly Monument Realm, Half-Mountain City.

Zheng Fa flipped through the Heavenly Merit Points in his Investiture Record.

Ever since his Investiture Record turned golden, his invested territory had expanded fourfold, and his Heaven’s Tribulation Lightning had reaped over a thousand more Heavenly Merit Points.

With what he had saved up before, his total merit points were now close to two thousand.

Zheng Fa was confident that, aside from Xiao Yuying, no one else in the Heavenly Monument Realm could catch up to him.

But now, he was facing a problem—as more and more villains were reduced to ashes, the amount of merit points he could obtain from Heaven’s Tribulation Lightning was decreasing.

If he wanted to accumulate a large number of merit points to exchange for spiritual materials, he would have to rely on Cloud Rain Thunder and Spirit Wood Thunder, or develop the population of his invested territory.

For now, he had no leads on Spirit Wood Thunder, but Cloud Rain Thunder—he had already researched it back in the modern world.

Moving clouds, creating rain, stopping rain—each had its own difficulties.

Moving clouds and creating rain required extreme control over Thunder Techniques. He estimated that only by advancing further in the "Divine Thunder of Shenxiao" would he be able to precisely control rainfall down to the millimeter.

But Stopping Rain Thunder was different—this technique relied on high-energy laser bursts, and its main advantage was brute force.

As long as he had enough spiritual power, he could clear up the skies in an instant!

Zheng Fa opened his Investiture Record and checked the task section—only to find that since it had upgraded to gold, this section had also changed.

The task page had transformed into a map, reflecting the exact shape of his invested territory.

When he tapped on an area with his finger, it displayed the projected cloud, rain, thunder, and lightning conditions for the next month—just like a weather forecast.

The only difference?

This weather forecast depended entirely on his own hands to make it happen…

Zheng Fa was now seriously wondering if this Investiture Record had evolved specifically to mock those below the golden rank—implying that without it, they’d never be able to control Cloud Rain Thunder.

As he was studying the Investiture Record, Xiao Qing suddenly walked in.

Over the past two months, she had been eating well—she had grown nearly two inches taller, and her face had filled out, looking much healthier.

She now appeared to be a graceful young girl of fifteen or sixteen, far more beautiful than when Zheng Fa had first met her.

But at this moment, she was frowning as she slowly approached the deity statue of Zheng Fa, knelt on a meditation cushion, and sincerely bowed before softly asking—

“Lord Thunder God?”

“What is it?”

Zheng Fa’s voice echoed.

Xiao Qing’s face lit up with joy as she quickly said, “Lord Thunder God, I wanted to ask—when will the thunder stop in the river valley down the mountain?”

“…Hmm?”

Zheng Fa swept the area with his divine sense and immediately understood what she meant.

Downstream from Half-Mountain City, there was a river valley with abundant fish and shrimp, which sustained tens of thousands of people in the city.

But for the past half-month, the valley had been bombarded by torrential rain and wild lightning strikes.

“Several people have already been struck dead by lightning. The townspeople don’t dare to go fishing anymore,” Xiao Qing said, her face full of worry. “Now we can only forage mushrooms and dig bamboo shoots in the mountains, but it’s not nearly enough…”

After hearing her concerns, Zheng Fa tapped the river valley on his Investiture Record and found that—according to the schedule—it was supposed to have been mostly sunny for the past two weeks.

Zheng Fa thought for a moment and then told Xiao Qing—

“Tell everyone in the city: three days from now, go to the valley to fish.”

“…Three days?” Xiao Qing was confused.

But Zheng Fa gave no further explanation.

—

Meanwhile, in Half-Mountain City…

“Sister Hong, this is for your family—take it!”

Xiao Qing handed a small bundle of mountain goods to a woman.

The woman, Sister Hong, accepted the cloth pouch, took a look inside, and nodded gratefully before hurrying home.

As soon as she pushed open the door, a series of coughs greeted her.

“Bao’er’s mother, you’re back?”

An elderly woman’s voice—weak and accompanied by coughing—came from inside.

Despite only being around thirty, in Half-Mountain City, such an age was already considered old.

The woman sat in front of a crude weaving loom, coughing as she wove cloth.

“Mother, you’re sick—why aren’t you resting?”

“I’m making clothes for Bao’er.”

The old woman gazed lovingly inside the house, where a toddler, barely one or two years old, was stumbling along the wall as he tried to walk.

“I can do it.”

Sister Hong set down the cloth pouch, took out a clay pot, added water, and dumped all the mountain goods inside.

“…No fish today?”

The old woman, tending to the fire, glanced at the mushrooms and other foraged goods and couldn’t help but ask.

“No. The thunder is too strong—no one dares to go near the river,” Sister Hong sighed. “Mother, bring down that dried fish hanging under the eaves. If we leave it any longer in this weather, it’ll spoil.”

“Why waste it on me? Give it to Bao’er instead!” The old woman, frail and trembling, fetched the dried fish and grumbled, “I told you I could go foraging, but you wouldn’t let me.”

“Mother.”

“You keep watch over my son, raise Bao’er well—when I die, I’ll kneel and thank you in the afterlife,” the old woman muttered endlessly. “I told you I could go…”

“Mother,” Sister Hong interrupted.

“Lord Thunder God said that the elderly should receive extra food. Since you’re home, Bao’er and I get to enjoy your blessings.”

“…That Thunder God meddles in too many affairs…”

Sister Hong stared at the clay pot, speaking softly, “The day you left, the house felt empty.”

“……”

“Even Bao’er was searching everywhere for his grandmother.”

The old woman looked at the child, finally falling silent.

Sister Hong placed the dried fish into the pot, cooking it together with the rest of the meal.

The fish was small, and though she tried to give it to her mother-in-law, the old woman refused to eat it, insisting on giving it to Bao’er instead.

Bao’er, however, didn’t eat it immediately. He stared at the fish in his bowl, hesitating.

Sister Hong didn’t urge him—she just sat by the loom, weaving cloth.

Her thoughts drifted—Bao’er had grown taller again, so she needed to make him new clothes, something a bit bigger, so he could wear them longer.

She glanced at him and saw that he had cuddled up next to his grandmother, who was carefully picking out fish bones for him.

Sister Hong smiled and looked away.

Her stomach grumbled with hunger.

Since no one dared to fish, more people had turned to foraging, but the mountains only had so much food. After half a month, the amount she could gather had dwindled.

Bao’er was growing and needed more food.

Her mother-in-law was sick and needed nourishment.

She could make do with just two bites.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of light footsteps approaching.

Before she could turn around, a piece of fish was stuffed into her mouth.

“Mother… Mother, eat fish!”

Bao’er’s innocent voice rang in her ears.

Sister Hong froze, turning to see her son grinning foolishly at her, as if he had just learned something new.

Then, he cheerfully repeated—

“Mother gave some to Grandma, Grandma gave some to Bao’er, and now Bao’er gives some to Mother!”

Sister Hong slowly chewed the fish in her mouth.

The creaking of the loom in front of her suddenly sounded… as if it was laughing.

Her mother-in-law spoke up unexpectedly.

“There’s still some fabric at home. Once I finish making Bao’er’s clothes, I’ll make a set for Lord Thunder God as well.”

“…Mother?”

“I just don’t know what size Lord Thunder God wears,” the old woman muttered to herself.

—

Three Days Later

Sister Hong was just about to step out the door when she found her mother-in-law standing at the entrance, blocking her way.

“…Mother?”

“I’ll go today.” The old woman insisted, her voice firm. “If something happens to me, it’s no big deal. But Bao’er cannot lose his mother.”

“Your health—”

“I’m fine!”

Her mother-in-law pushed her back inside without giving her a chance to argue.

—

Xiao Qing walked out of the temple.

In Half-Mountain City, there were over ten thousand households.

Today, every single household had sent at least one person.

They all stood gathered before the temple, looking at Xiao Qing with mixed expressions.

Some were doubtful.

Some were skeptical.

Some were anxious.

“Xiao Qing, are you sure we can fish today?”

“What exactly did Lord Thunder God say?”

“…We won’t get struck by lightning, will we?”

Sister Hong’s mother-in-law stood among the crowd, just as uncertain as everyone else.

She understood their concerns—even the Thunderstrike Sect had once claimed the fishing grounds for themselves.

At least this Lord Thunder God was far better than that sect’s leader.

He never demanded offerings. In fact, he even ensured that the elderly received extra food.

But…

That river valley had been ravaged by lightning for half a month now.

And now, this little girl was saying that Lord Thunder God had decreed they should go down and fish?

That was unheard of.

After all, the last deity they had worshiped… ate people.

Her eyes swept the crowd—it was mostly elderly folks like her.

It seemed that everyone was still a bit afraid.

“…Are we sure Lord Thunder God isn’t just sending us down there as sacrifices?” Someone next to her whispered.

“Maybe he doesn’t like offerings. Maybe he likes eating people instead.”

“What are you scared of? If it weren’t for Lord Thunder God, we’d all be dead already.”

“…I just hope he doesn’t prefer the fatter ones.”

“……”

Sister Hong’s mother-in-law froze for a second.

That… actually made some sense.

“Well, I’m not afraid either.” Another person said firmly. “Lord Thunder God struck down the Thunderstrike Sect and avenged my daughter. If he wants a sacrifice… so be it.”

“……”

Sister Hong’s mother-in-law chuckled—and suddenly, she wasn’t afraid anymore.

Xiao Qing simply nodded to the crowd without saying much.

She picked up her fishing net and took the lead.

By now, she carried some authority, and as soon as people saw her walk ahead, they instinctively followed.

—

They hadn’t even reached the river valley yet when thunder rumbled in the distance.

After walking another half a mile, they finally saw it—

Bolts of lightning were striking the riverbanks at random, wild and relentless.

The river itself was filled with floating fish, their lifeless bodies bobbing on the surface, as if electrocuted.

Above them, thick storm clouds loomed ominously, pressing so low that they almost touched the mountainsides.

The crowd froze in place.

All eyes turned toward Xiao Qing.

She set down her fishing net, turned toward the temple, and knelt.

Then, she bowed three times.

Rising to her feet, she raised her hand, palm vertical, and proclaimed—

"By the decree of Lord Thunder God—

For the next three days, the clouds will disperse, the rain will cease, the winds will calm, and the thunder will fade."

The moment her voice fell—

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A massive pillar of light burst forth from the temple.

It illuminated the entire river valley.

—

Sister Hong’s mother-in-law’s vision blurred from the sudden brightness.

When she could see again, the once-dark storm clouds had vanished.

Above them, the sky was clear and blue.

Sunlight cascaded over the river, turning the water’s surface into liquid gold.

Like everyone else, she stared blankly at Xiao Qing…

…Only to realize that, at some point, she had dropped to her knees.

—

"For the next three days, you may fish without fear. This is Lord Thunder God’s blessing."

"Thank you, Lord Thunder God, for your grace!"

The voices began scattered and hesitant…

But they quickly rose into a roaring chorus that echoed all the way back to Half-Mountain City.

—

After a few moments, people stood up.

They exchanged glances, then rushed toward the river.

Sister Hong’s mother-in-law hesitated for a moment.

Then she turned and ran back up the mountain.

She had to bring Bao’er’s mother down with her!

Breathing heavily, she hurried up the path.

Every few steps, she turned back to glance at the river valley.

The golden light shimmering on the water reflected in her eyes.