Chapter 27: Qinghe Water Mansion

If one were to ask where the most prosperous place in Qinghe Prefecture lies, many would think of the Qingjiang Water Palace rather than the Cui clan, the Lin clan, or the Prefect's manor. This is because the treasures and wealth of the entire seven-hundred-mile expanse of the Qingjiang waters are all gathered within the Water Palace, and its extravagance and luxury are frequently spoken of by the world.

Situated at the bottom of the Qingjiang, the Water Palace presides over the seven-hundred-mile waters. Its architectural complexes stretch and undulate, presenting a sight filled with rare wonders and the radiant glow of precious gems.

In a side hall, a handsome man clad in magnificent robes sat high upon his seat, lowering his head to savor his tea.

Below him, an envoy wearing a white bone mask spoke with indignation: "Young Lord, our previous agreement was not this! We have paid so much, yet why are the Qingjiang aquatic tribes merely swimming on the surface of the river?"

The man in the magnificent robes let out a clicking sound with his tongue. "Mmm, this emerald tea is indeed excellent; it nourishes the spirit. Envoy, will you truly not drink?"

Perhaps exhausted from speaking, the envoy picked up the fragrant tea beside him, drained it in one gulp, and continued, "The Qingjiang Water Palace has always been known for its integrity. Years ago, the Palace Lord fought with his entire clan for the sake of a promise made to Zhuang Chengqian, staining the Lan River red—a feat still praised to this day. Why does the Young Lord go back on his word? Are you not afraid of damaging your Sovereign's reputation?"

The Lan River is a great river of the Yong Realm, and the envoy was referring to the founding war of the Zhuang State. When the Yong State advanced by both land and water to annihilate the Zhuang, it was the Palace Lord of the Qinghe Water Palace who fought with his entire clan, crushing the Yong naval forces upon the Lan River. At that time, blood stained the river so heavily that the oars could not even row through it. This resolved the rear concerns of the Zhuang State's founder, Zhuang Chengqian, allowing him to fight with everything he had and ultimately succeed in establishing his nation.

The alliance between the Qingjiang Water Palace and the Zhuang State had continued from then until the present day.

The man in the magnificent robes set his teacup gently on the table. Although a smile remained on his face, the atmosphere had shifted completely.

"The envoy has reminded me. My father and the Emperor of Zhuang had an alliance long ago. If I agree to help you on my end, would that not violate my father's integrity? That would be a great act of filial impiety."

"Guards." The man tapped the table with a finger, and a guard approached. "Pass the order: command Yu Yong's troops to withdraw three miles. Do not disturb the living creatures on the shore."

"Young Lord!" The bone-masked envoy rose in fury.

"Stop the act." The man in the magnificent robes held up a single finger before him, his expression indifferent. "Currently, the armies of the entire Qinghe Prefecture are on alert against us and dare not leave their posts. You may do whatever you wish with composure. Since the objective has been achieved, do not be so... greedy."

"We agreed beforehand! You were only supposed to make a few raids on the shore..."

The man interrupted him: "You think it is possible for us to go ashore? For the aquatic tribes, leaving the water is like the human race leaving the land—we both lose our foundation. Unless you can truly make me determined to fight the Zhuang Court, but do you... have the capital to afford such a thing?"

The envoy's face was hidden beneath the white bone mask, making his expression unreadable, but his voice sounded as if it were being squeezed through his teeth: "What I gave you was an entire Dragon Pearl!"

"It is indeed a precious gift." The Young Lord of the Qingjiang Water Palace smiled, a smile of great satisfaction. "However, it is only worth me going this far."

Seeing that the matter was irreversible, the bone-masked envoy swept his sleeves and departed.

Left alone in the side hall, the man in the magnificent robes let out a cold laugh. "Cowards who hide their heads and tails—how dare you lecture me on reputation?"

At that moment, a majestic voice echoed in his ear, though the owner of the voice did not appear. "Qingyue, tell me your thoughts."

Song Qingyue, the Young Lord of the Qingjiang Water Palace, withdrew the arrogance from his eyes and sat up straight. "The Zhuang Court has been in an alliance with my Qingjiang Water Palace for centuries and has become increasingly arrogant. Now, this Zhuang Gaoxian is utterly senseless, truly treating us as his subjects. He even sent word previously, requesting Qingzhi's hand in marriage for his son, claiming in name that she would be honored as the Crown Princess to eternally bind our friendship..."

"I absolutely cannot agree to this. When my aunt married that Zhuang Chengqian, not only did she pour her heart and soul into it, but she was also schemed against and died in the cold depths of the palace! How could I let my sister follow the same path? I am looking for an opportunity to make a move, to let that brat of the Zhuang clan know who rules these seven-hundred miles of water. But I must handle the nuance carefully; after all, the human race is currently powerful. Even if we topple the Zhuang Court, the monarchs of other nations might not be any better. Having thirty thousand naval troops patrolling the Qingjiang is just the right amount. As for those people from the Bone Path coming to my door to offer a Dragon Pearl, that was truly an unexpected joy."

The majestic voice sighed. "Your aunt and Zhuang Chengqian were also in love back then. It was not that your father sought a political marriage... enough, let us not speak of this. How will you arrange Qingzhi?"

Song Qingyue mused, "The situation with the Qinghe Prefect is currently quite ugly, and that shameless Zhuang Gaoxian makes it difficult to stay in Qinghe City. But Qingzhi is at the age of beginning her education. My intention is to send her to Fenglin City to study for a period of time."

The voice asked again, "Why Fenglin City?"

"I cannot hide it from you, Father," Song Qingyue said. "Since the Bone Path was even willing to send a Dragon Pearl this time, they will surely make a massive move in Fenglin City, enough to shake the Zhuang Realm. However, by doing so, Fenglin City will actually become the most peaceful place in the future, making it perfect for studying. Secondly, it is also a small personal thought of mine: if Qingzhi goes to Fenglin City, we can openly send people to protect her. Fenglin City is small and lacks any great masters, so they won't be able to interfere with us. I can also take the opportunity to look for traces of the Bone Path and test their strength. The Bone Path's sudden resurgence makes me feel there is a great secret involved. Furthermore, the Bone Path has a long history; they must have many good things. Evil cults should be purged by everyone; a single Dragon Pearl will not satisfy me."

The majestic voice did not comment on Song Qingyue's intricate, multi-layered schemes, merely saying, "I have long entrusted the affairs of the Water Palace to you. Handle it as you see fit."

"Yes." Song Qingyue nodded. "By the way, I have sent that Dragon Pearl to the outside of your seclusion chamber. Remember to refine it."

"I have seen the Dragon Pearl; I have already erased some of the methods within it. You may use it with peace of mind; it will save you a thousand years of cultivation. As for me, I am already a body of decay, with no hope of becoming a dragon. Your aunt has been dead for two hundred and seventeen years and three months, and Zhuang Chengqian has been dead for nearly two hundred years. Very few of my old acquaintances remain. I am alive, but merely existing. Now, I am only here to protect you for a little longer. Though the Dragon Pearl is good, it is of no use to me."

The voice grew lower and lower, finally turning into a sigh that vanished within the side hall.

Song Qingyue leaned back lightly into his high chair, suddenly feeling a sense of listlessness.

...

The bone-masked envoy left the Water Palace and boarded a small boat. The boat appeared to be made of white bone and was bottomless, yet it moved extremely fast through the water. If it encountered fish or crabs that could not dodge in time, it would simply crush them, leaving not even a trace of blood.

The bottomless bone boat quickly broke the surface. Once the envoy stepped onto land, the boat turned back, dove into the water, and departed, its destination unknown.

The envoy walked silently. Though his pace was fast, his feet did not touch the dust. He seemed to know the deployment routes of the Qinghe Prefecture army by heart, weaving through the gaps in their defenses with ease. He soon left the area and ascended a mountain.

From a distance, the mountain resembled a bull's head, but up close, it was quite beautiful. The envoy walked up to a stone wall and, without stopping, walked straight into it.

Inside, however, was a different world.

Various bloody and terrifying murals covered both sides, and the long corridor was paved with green bricks.

As soon as the envoy entered, someone approached to ask, "How did it go?"

The bone-masked man said resentfully, "That bastard Song Qingyue swallowed the bait, but he only lightly brushed against the hook!"

The person replied, "That old thing Song Hengjiang is not dead yet; he won't let Song Qingyue act recklessly. We weren't actually counting on them to truly tear with the Zhuang Court and go to war."

"That may be true, but it's still infuriating. That was a Dragon Pearl! They have been extinct in the world since the Middle Ages, and each one is rarer than the last," the bone-masked man sighed.

"Once the matter in Xiaolin Town is settled, our goal will be achieved. There is no need to care about these trivialities. Besides, as for our Dragon Pearl, I'm afraid that little beast won't be able to adapt to it..."

"He thinks he can play with my Bone Path, but he doesn't know..." The bone-masked man grew fierce as he spoke. "When the Daoist Child appears, the first thing we shall do is slaughter the Qingjiang Water Palace! We shall turn the entire seven-hundred-mile Qingjiang into white bones!"