If one were to speak of the most opulent place within Qinghe Prefecture, many would think of the Qingjiang Water Palace rather than the Cui family, the Lin family, or the Prefectural Mansion. This is because all the treasures and wealth from the entire 700 li expanse of the Qingjiang River are gathered within the Water Palace, and its luxurious splendor is often spoken of among people.
The Water Palace, situated at the bottom of the Qingjiang River, suppresses the 700 li of water. The architectural complex stretches and undulates, truly a sight to behold with its abundance of rare and precious items, and its gleaming treasures.
In a side hall, a handsome man dressed in a splendid robe sits high above, sipping tea with his head lowered.
Below him, an envoy wearing a white bone mask speaks with fervor: "Young master, our previous agreement was not like this! We have given so much; why are the Qingjiang River creatures merely wandering on the surface of the river?"
The man in the splendid robe clicks his tongue appreciatively, "Mmm, this Jade Green Tea is indeed excellent, invigorating the spirit. Envoy, truly you will not partake?"
The envoy, perhaps tired from speaking, lifts the fragrant tea beside him and drinks it in one go, continuing, "The Qingjiang Water Palace has always been known for its trustworthiness. When the Lord of the Palace made a promise to Zhuang Chengqian, the entire clan went to war, turning the Lan River red with blood, a tale still celebrated to this day. Why then does the young master go back on his word? Are you not afraid of tarnishing your esteemed father's reputation?"
The Lan River is a major river in the Yong territory, and the envoy speaks of the very battle that established the Zhuang kingdom. The Yong kingdom advanced both by water and land, intent on annihilating Zhuang. It was the Lord of the Qingjiang Water Palace who led the entire clan into battle, shattering the Yong navy on the Lan River. At that time, blood turned the Lan River red, and boats ceased to dock there. This allowed the founding emperor of the Zhuang kingdom, Zhuang Chengqian, to eliminate his concerns and take a bold gamble, ultimately succeeding in establishing his nation.
The alliance between the Qingjiang Water Palace and the Zhuang kingdom has thus continued to this very day.
The man in the splendid robe gently placed his teacup on the table. Although he wore a smile on his face, the atmosphere had changed completely.
"The envoy has reminded me. My father and Emperor Zhuang have long had an alliance. If I agree to help you, wouldn't that go against my father's trustworthiness? That would be a great act of unfilial piety."
"Guard," the man in the splendid robe snapped his fingers on the table, summoning a guard, "Pass the order down. Command Yu Yong's troops to withdraw three li and not to disturb the creatures on the shore."
"Young master!" the envoy in the white bone mask rose in anger.
"Stop the act," the man in the splendid robe extended a finger in front of him, his expression indifferent, "Currently, all the troops in Qinghe Prefecture are on alert against us and dare not leave easily. You can do whatever you want with ease. The goal has been achieved, so don't be so...greedy."
"We had agreed beforehand that you would just casually raid the shore..."
The man in the splendid robe interrupted him, "Do you really think it's possible for us to go ashore? The water clan, without water, is like your human race without land; both lose their foundation. Unless you can truly make me decide to go to war with the Zhuang court, but do you have the means to do so?"
The envoy's face was hidden behind the white bone mask, making his expression invisible, but his voice was almost squeezed out from between his teeth, "What I gave you was an entire dragon pearl!"
"Indeed, a precious gift," the young master of the Qingjiang Water Palace smiled, quite satisfied, "But it's only worth this much from me."
Seeing that the situation was beyond salvage, the envoy in the white bone mask left with a flick of his sleeve.
Alone in the side hall, the man in the splendid robe finally sneered, "A coward who hides his face, how dare you speak to me of trust?"
At that moment, a dignified voice sounded in his ear, but its owner did not reveal himself, "Qingyue, tell me your thoughts."
Song Qingyue, the young master of the Qingjiang Water Palace, the arrogance in his eyes was restrained, and his sitting posture became straighter, "The Zhuang court has had an alliance with our Qingjiang Water Palace for hundreds of years, and they have become increasingly arrogant. Now this Zhuang Gaixian is simply outrageous, treating us as if we were his subjects. He even sent a message, asking for our Qingzhi's hand in marriage for his son, claiming some nonsense about honoring her as the crown princess and forever binding our friendship..."
"I absolutely cannot agree to this. When my aunt married Zhuang Chengqian, she not only devoted herself wholeheartedly but was also schemed against and died in the cold and deep palace! How could I let my sister follow in her footsteps? I was just looking for an opportunity to make a move, to let that young Zhuang fellow know who truly rules the 700 li of water. But I must also grasp the measure well, after all, the human race is now powerful, and even if we overthrow the Zhuang court, the rulers of other countries may not be any better. Thirty thousand naval forces patrolling the Qingjiang River is just right. It was quite unexpected that the people of the White Bone Dao would come to us, offering a dragon pearl."
The dignified voice sighed, "Your aunt and Zhuang Chengqian were truly in love back then. It was not I who wanted to form an alliance through marriage... Let's not speak of this matter. How do you plan to arrange for Qingzhi?"
Song Qingyue pondered, "Now that we have had a falling out with the Qinghe Prefect, and Zhuang Gaixian is shameless, it is not good for us to stay in Qinghe City. But Qingzhi is at the age of enlightenment. My son's idea is to send her to Fenglin City to study for a while."
The voice asked again, "Why Fenglin City?"
"Cannot hide from father," Song Qingyue said, "The White Bone Dao has even offered a dragon pearl this time, they must have some significant moves in Fenglin City, enough to shake the Zhuang territory. But in this way, the future Fenglin City will be the most peaceful, suitable for studying. Secondly, it is also a little son's careful thought, Qingzhi goes to Fenglin City, we can openly send people to protect her. Fenglin City is small, there are no great people, and they will not interfere with us. I will take the opportunity to look for clues of the White Bone Dao and probe their bottom. The White Bone Dao has been rekindled this time, I always feel there is some big secret. Moreover, the White Bone Dao has a long history, there must be many good things. Heretics and evil cults, everyone has the right to exterminate them, a dragon pearl cannot satisfy me."
For Song Qingyue's intricate and calculating mind, the dignified voice made no comment, only saying, "The affairs of the Water Palace have long been fully entrusted to you, you may handle it as you see fit."
"Yes," Song Qingyue nodded, "By the way, I have already had someone deliver the dragon pearl to outside your closed-door meditation room, remember to refine it."
"I have seen the dragon pearl, there are some tricks inside, which I have erased. You can use it with confidence, saving a thousand years of effort. As for me, I am already a decrepit and sickly body, with no hope of becoming a dragon. Your aunt has been dead for two hundred and seventeen years and three months, Zhuang Chengqian has also been dead for nearly two hundred years. Among the old acquaintances of that year, there are few left. I am still alive, merely just living. Now I am only protecting you for a while longer, although the dragon pearl is good, it is useless to me."
The voice grew lower and lower, finally turning into a sigh, disappearing in the side hall.
Song Qingyue leaned back in the high chair, suddenly feeling dispirited.
...
The envoy in the white bone mask left the Water Palace and boarded a small boat. The boat, seemingly made of white bones, had no bottom, but it traveled extremely fast in the water. If it encountered fish or crabs that could not dodge in time, it would simply crush them, without even a drop of blood.
The white bone boat without a bottom quickly emerged from the water. The envoy disembarked, and it turned around and dived back into the water, disappearing who knows where.
The envoy walked swiftly and silently, his steps swift yet dust-free. He seemed to have an intimate knowledge of the deployment routes of the Qinghe Prefecture's troops, navigating the gaps with ease. Soon, he left the area and ascended into a mountain.
From a distance, the mountain resembled an ox's head, but up close, it was quite picturesque. The envoy approached a stone wall and, without hesitation, walked straight through it.
Inside was an entirely different world.
Gory and terrifying murals lined the walls, and the long corridor was paved with blue bricks.
As soon as the envoy entered, someone greeted him, asking, "How did it go?"
The man in the white bone mask replied with a hint of resentment, "Song Qingyue, that scoundrel, took the bait but only lightly nibbled on the hook!"
The other person said, "Old Song Hengjiang is still alive; he won't let Song Qingyue act recklessly. We never really expected them to openly break with the Zhuang court and go to war."
"Even so, it still feels detestable. That was a dragon pearl! They have been extinct since the Middle Ages, each one rarer than the last," the man in the white bone mask sighed.
"Once the matter in Xiaolin Town is settled, our goal will have been achieved. These minor details are not worth worrying about. Besides, our dragon pearl might not be suitable for that young whelp to consume..."
"He thinks he can toy with the White Bone Dao, but he doesn't know..." The man in the white bone mask's voice turned fierce, "When the Daoist child appears in the world, the first thing we will do is to slaughter the Qingjiang Water Palace! Let the entire 700 li of the Qingjiang River become a land of white bones!"
The contract station has already received it, and apart from "Dawn," which could not be published due to review reasons, I have no record of leaving any pits unfilled, so please everyone feel free to follow the updates. Feel free to collect and recommend; just throw them all at me. This story will definitely be finished.
Also, I heard that if you read for more than ten minutes, you can invest in this book, and if there are more than a hundred investors, there will be a small-scale promotion... What are you all waiting for?