Chapter 46: The Water Ghost Claims a Life

*Gurgle...*

*Gurgle...*

When a person suddenly chokes on water, their first reaction is panic, especially under these circumstances.

This panic leads to a frantic, uncontrolled flailing of limbs.

Chen Jie realized that Ma Liu possessed immense strength; it was far beyond that of an ordinary thug. Even when Chen Jie had first entered the basics of the Taizu Longquan, he might not have possessed such power.

However, Chen Jie was launching a sneak attack. Furthermore, because he was intoxicated and had consumed a highly nourishing chicken soup, his Taizu Longquan had reached the "Proficient" level, resulting in a significant leap in his combat strength.

Consequently, he had already seized the complete upper hand.

He held Ma Liu's head down with one hand, pressing it violently into the water. Ma Liu thrashed against the surface, struggling as if trying to say something.

But Chen Jie didn't want to listen.

Whether it was pleas for mercy or threats, Chen Jie had no interest.

*Today, I simply want your life. Just give it to me.*

*I don't have time to listen to your nonsense.*

*If I'm going to kill, I'm going to kill. I'm not here to negotiate. One must be clear about their objectives, right?*

*Gurgle...*

Ma Liu's struggles grew weaker and weaker, becoming increasingly feeble. Chen Jie watched as Ma Liu's hands transitioned from frantic struggling to light, rhythmic tapping on the water's surface, before finally going still.

The body suddenly grew heavy and sank completely beneath the surface. However, Chen Jie did not let his guard down; he continued to hold Ma Liu's head down.

There were many extraordinary people in this world. Who knew if there was some freak capable of holding their breath for an incredibly long time? Better to hold him down a little longer.

"Third Brother, wait for me a bit. I'm going into the woods to pee."

"Hurry up. I lost quite a bit today; I don't even know how I'm going to explain it to your wife when I get home."

"Ha! Third Brother, are you afraid of your wife?"

"Nonsense! Do you think I'm afraid of my wife? I—"

"Got it, got it! Third Brother, wait for me. I'm going to pee."

...

Just as Chen Jie finished drowning Ma Liu, he heard voices approaching from nearby. They were likely two gamblers who had just finished their game.

At this moment, in the water, Chen Jie was pressing down on Ma Liu, who had already become a river corpse. The moonlight was bright, leaving nothing hidden. Judging by the sound, if they rounded the woods, they would see him in the water.

*Damn, I'm going to be exposed!*

Acting on instinct, Chen Jie dragged the corpse under the large bridge and hid against its base.

At that moment, the two men slowly approached the edge of the small bridge.

"Third Brother, did you hear a splashing sound just now?"

"Where? You're hallucinating."

"No, there was definitely a sound. Could it be a big fish? Should we go down and feel around?"

"Are you crazy? The water is freezing at night. I'm not going. I'm going home; if you want to go, go yourself."

"I... I'm not going either. Someone drowned in this river; it's creepy being alone."

With that, the two men walked away, arms wrapped around their shoulders.

Chen Jie remained leaning against the bridge pier, still holding Ma Liu down.

Ma Liu must be dead. His body had floated up, and Chen Jie had been pressing him down for about twenty minutes. Even if someone had incredible breath control, could they hold it for that long?

To be safe, Chen Jie waited another ten minutes. The icy river water rose past his knees, bone-chillingly cold, but Chen Jie's eyes remained bright, devoid of any post-murder hesitation.

Perhaps it was because this method of killing drew no blood; he remained calm and felt no physiological discomfort.

He waited for a full half-hour to ensure Ma Liu was definitely dead.

Only then did Chen Jie rummage through the body. He found a few pieces of loose silver. After a moment's thought, he decided not to take them, putting them back, but he did reclaim the eight taels of silver he had used as bait.

He released Ma Liu, and the corpse drifted slowly downstream with the current. Watching the receding body, Chen Jie did not rush out. He waited until the corpse was far away before slowly emerging from beneath the bridge.

He climbed ashore, put on his previously removed shoes, and rolled up his pant legs. Although they were a bit wet, it wasn't overly conspicuous.

He checked the time; it was likely nearing midnight.

Just as he was thinking, a *ding* sounded in his mind.

【Today's Intelligence has been updated (Level 1)】

【1. You met Chen Xiaohu today. Intelligence: Following your instructions, Chen Xiaohu put on a performance for Zhang Guihua. This afternoon, the whole village has been spreading news that an outsider found treasure in the back mountains!】

【2. You heard people mention Yu Biao today. Intelligence: Due to the disappearance of the Red-Eyed Golden Pheasant, Yu Biao has sent men to investigate. He will be able to question Daoxian Peach Village tomorrow.】

【3. You heard people mention Yu Biao today. Intelligence: Yu Biao has spent a large sum of money to purchase fishing rights. Near the Mian River, a Bullhorn Pomfret has nested; Yu Biao will attempt to harvest this spiritual fish in a few days.】

【4. You assassinated Ma Liu today. Intelligence: Ma Liu has a hiding place for money under the roots of the large tree in his courtyard. There are five taels of silver there.】

【5. You overheard Li San and Wang Qi talking today. Intelligence: A beggar drowned at Kangle Bridge a year ago. The beggar was a refugee who, due to extreme hunger, dove headfirst into the river while drinking and drowned. People say Kangle Bridge is haunted and that water ghosts come to claim substitutes.】

Chen Jie looked at the intelligence, his mind rapidly analyzing the importance of each piece.

First, the first two points concerned the aftermath of the Red-Eyed Golden Pheasant. It seemed Yu Biao was still unwilling to let it go. But it didn't matter; whether he was willing or not, the fact remained that the chicken was already in his stomach.

Moreover, Xiaohu's efficiency was high; in just one afternoon, the whole village knew about the outsider finding treasure. He shouldn't forget that Auntie Erba played a role in this as well.

In rural villages, there are always one or two women known as "loudspeakers," and Auntie Erba was a master of propaganda—she loved gossip and made it sound more and more supernatural as it spread.

Then there was the third point: Yu Biao had actually found news of another heavenly treasure—a Bullhorn Pomfret!

He had never heard of it, but he could guess its nature from the name. A fish that grew horns must be no ordinary creature. He needed to keep an eye on this; there might be a chance to intercept it again.

The Yu family had done nothing but evil. While one might feel a shred of pity when intercepting others, he felt absolutely nothing for the Yu family.

If they were unlucky, they deserved it!

Then there was the fourth point: Ma Liu actually had private savings. It was a windfall for him.

As for the last point regarding the water ghost at Kangle Bridge, Chen Jie didn't quite believe it. Although this world possessed martial arts, water ghosts? He would believe in special creatures like "water monkeys," but ghosts were something he currently could not comprehend. However, the legend of the water ghost claiming a substitute could certainly be utilized.

Thinking this, Chen Jie turned his gaze toward Ma Liu's corpse, which had drifted far away with the current.

He formulated a closing statement

*At midnight, Ma Liu, a resident of Zhongtao Village, was intoxicated while passing Kangle Bridge. Seeing glimmers of gold in the water, he entered the river to search for treasure. Unexpectedly, as he entered the water, he tripped on a stone. As he tried to climb up, it felt as if someone was pulling him down, preventing him from rising. After struggling for a long time, he drowned!*