Chapter 27: Clear River Water Manor

If one were to ask where the wealthiest place in Clear River Commandery was, many people would think of Clear River Water Manor, not the Cui clan, the Lin clan, or even the commandery governor’s estate. That was because all the treasures and wealth of the seven hundred li of Clear River waters gathered within the Water Manor. Its luxury and splendor were often spoken of by the world.

Located at the bottom of the Clear River, the Water Manor suppressed seven hundred li of waters. Its buildings rose and fell in continuous clusters, filled with rare wonders, precious light, and pearl-like brilliance.

In a side hall, a handsome man wearing ornate robes sat high in the seat of honor, lowering his head to taste tea.

Below him, an envoy wearing a white bone mask spoke in an impassioned voice.

“Young Lord, our previous agreement was not like this! We paid so much, so why are the Clear River water race merely roaming along the river surface?”

The man in ornate robes clicked his tongue softly.

“Mm, this jade tea is indeed good. It nourishes the spirit. Envoy, are you truly not drinking?”

The envoy was probably tired from speaking. He lifted the fragrant tea beside him and drained it in one gulp before continuing, “Clear River Water Manor has always valued trust. Everyone knows this. Back then, for a single promise to Zhuang Chengqian, the Manor Lord led the entire race into war, dyeing the Lan River red. People still praise that deed to this day. Why does the Young Lord now go back on his word? Are you not afraid of damaging His Excellency’s reputation?”

The Lan River was a great river in Yong territory. What the envoy referred to was the founding war of Zhuang Country.

Back then, Yong Country had advanced by both land and water, seeking to destroy Zhuang in one stroke. It was precisely the Manor Lord of Clear River Water Manor who led his entire race into battle and crushed Yong Country’s navy on the Lan River. At that time, blood dyed the Lan River red, and boats and oars could not berth upon it.

Only then was Zhuang Country’s founding ancestor, Zhuang Chengqian, freed of worries behind him, allowing him to fight without restraint and finally establish his country.

The alliance between Clear River Water Manor and Zhuang Country had continued from then until now.

The man in ornate robes gently set his teacup down on the table. Though a smile still hung on his face, the atmosphere had become entirely different.

“Envoy, you have reminded me of something. My father and the Zhuang Emperor have long had an alliance. If I agree to help you, wouldn’t that violate my father’s trust and righteousness? That would be deeply unfilial.”

“Men.”

The ornate-robed man tapped the table with a bent finger, summoning a guard.

“Pass down the order. Have Yu Yong’s division withdraw three li. They are not to disturb the living beings on shore.”

“Young Lord!”

The envoy in the white bone mask rose angrily.

“Stop acting.”

The ornate-robed man raised one finger before him, his expression calm.

“Right now, the armies of the entire Clear River Commandery are guarding against us and dare not leave lightly. Whatever you want to do, you can do calmly. Your goal has already been achieved, so don’t be so… greedy.”

“We agreed beforehand that you only needed to go ashore and harass them casually…”

The ornate-robed man interrupted him.

“You want us to go ashore? Do you think that’s possible? When the water race leaves the water, it’s like your human race leaving the earth. We both lose our foundation. Unless you can truly make me determined to fight the Zhuang court—but can you offer such stakes?”

The envoy’s face was hidden beneath the white bone mask, so his expression could not be seen, but his voice sounded almost squeezed through gritted teeth.

“What I gave you was an entire dragon pearl!”

“It was indeed a precious gift.”

The Young Lord of Clear River Water Manor smiled, and the smile was very satisfied.

“But it is only worth me doing this much.”

Seeing that matters could no longer be reversed, the envoy wearing the white bone mask flicked his sleeve and left.

Only after the side hall was empty did the ornate-robed man sneer.

“A creature who hides his head and shows only his tail dares speak to me of trust?”

At that moment, a dignified voice sounded by his ear, though the owner of the voice did not appear.

“Qingyue, tell me your thoughts.”

Song Qingyue, Young Lord of Clear River Water Manor, restrained the arrogance in his eyes, and even his sitting posture became proper.

“The Zhuang court and our Clear River Water Manor have maintained an alliance for centuries, and they have grown increasingly arrogant. Now this Zhuang Gaoxian is even more absurd. He truly treats us as his subjects. Earlier, he actually sent word asking on behalf of his son to marry Qingzhi, saying in name that she would be honored as crown princess and that our friendship would be forever bound…”

“I absolutely cannot agree to this. Back then, Aunt married that Zhuang Chengqian. Not only did she exhaust herself for him, she was plotted against and died in the cold depths of the palace! How could I allow my little sister to repeat the same mistake? I was just looking for an opportunity to stir things up and let that little Zhuang brat know who truly rules these seven hundred li of waters. But the proportions must also be controlled well. After all, the human race is currently powerful. Even if we overturned the Zhuang court, another country’s ruler might not necessarily be any better. Thirty thousand water troops roaming the Clear River is exactly the right measure. As for these people of the White Bone Path coming to us and offering a dragon pearl, that was truly an unexpected joy.”

The dignified voice sighed.

“Back then, your aunt and Zhuang Chengqian were in love with each other. It was not that I wanted a marriage alliance… Forget it, let’s not speak of this. How do you plan to arrange Qingzhi?”

Song Qingyue pondered and said, “Now that relations with the Clear River commandery governor have become ugly, and that Zhuang Gaoxian is shameless, Clear River City is no longer a good place to stay. But Qingzhi is also at the age to begin learning. This son’s thought is to send her to Maple Forest City to study for a while.”

The voice asked again, “Why Maple Forest City?”

“I cannot hide it from Father.”

Song Qingyue said, “This time, the White Bone Path is even willing to give away a dragon pearl. They must have some enormous movement planned in Maple Forest City, something enough to shake Zhuang territory. But because of that, Maple Forest City will instead become the most peaceful place afterward, perfectly suited for study. Secondly, it is also a little selfish thought of mine. Once Qingzhi goes to Maple Forest City, we can openly send people to protect her. Maple Forest City is small and has no real experts, so it won’t interfere with us. I can take the chance to search for traces of the White Bone Path and probe their bottom. This time, the White Bone Path has risen from the ashes. I keep feeling that there is some great secret behind it. Besides, the White Bone Path has an ancient history after all, so they must have plenty of good things. Heretical demons should be executed by all. One dragon pearl is not enough to satisfy me.”

Regarding Song Qingyue’s exquisite mind that calculated three steps ahead, the dignified voice offered no judgment. It merely said, “The affairs of the Water Manor have long been fully entrusted to you. Handle them as you see fit.”

“Yes.”

Song Qingyue nodded.

“By the way, I have already had someone send that dragon pearl outside your seclusion chamber. Please remember to refine it.”

“I have examined the dragon pearl. There were some tricks hidden inside, but I have erased them. You may safely make use of it. It can spare you a thousand years of effort. As for me, I am already a decayed and diseased body, with no hope of becoming a dragon. Your aunt has been dead for two hundred seventeen years and three months. Zhuang Chengqian has also been dead for nearly two hundred years. Of those old friends from back then, few remain. I am still alive, but only alive. Now I merely protect you for another stretch of road. Though the dragon pearl is good, it is already useless to me.”

The voice grew lower and lower, finally becoming a sigh that vanished inside the side hall.

Song Qingyue leaned lightly back against the high chair and suddenly felt all interest fade.

…

The envoy in the white bone mask left the Water Manor and went directly onto a small boat.

The boat seemed to be made of white bone, yet it had no bottom. Even so, it moved extremely quickly through the water. If it encountered fish or crabs that could not dodge in time, it simply rolled over them, leaving not even a trace of blood foam behind.

The bottomless white bone boat quickly broke through the water’s surface. The envoy went ashore, and it turned back, plunged into the water, and disappeared to parts unknown.

The envoy traveled silently at great speed. Though his steps were swift, his feet did not touch the dust.

He seemed to know the garrison routes of Clear River Commandery’s army like the back of his hand. Moving freely through gaps between patrols, he soon left the area and ascended a mountain.

From afar, the mountain resembled an ox head. Up close, it could also be called beautiful.

The envoy walked to a stone wall and did not stop, crashing straight into it.

Inside was a different world.

Bloody and terrifying murals covered both sides, and the long corridor was paved with blue bricks.

As soon as the envoy entered, someone came forward and asked, “How did it go?”

The man in the white bone mask said hatefully, “That bastard Song Qingyue swallowed the bait, but only brushed lightly against the hook!”

The other person said, “That old thing Song Hengjiang still isn’t dead. He won’t let Song Qingyue act recklessly. We never expected them to truly break with the Zhuang court and fight.”

“Though that’s true, it still feels hateful. That was a dragon pearl! Since the Middle Ancient era, they’ve vanished from the world, each one rarer than the last.”

The man in the white bone mask sighed.

“Once the matter in Little Forest Town succeeds, our goal will already be achieved. These minor branches need not be minded. Besides, that little beast may not be very comfortable after eating our dragon pearl…”

“He thinks he can toy with the White Bone Path, but he doesn’t know…”

At this point, the man in the white bone mask grew vicious.

“When the Dao Child appears, the first thing we will do is slaughter Clear River Water Manor! Let the entire seven hundred li of Clear River become nothing but white bones!”