When speaking of the wealthiest place within Qinghe County, many people think of the Qingjiang Aquatic Clan's estate, rather than the Cui Family, the Lin Family, or even the Prefectural Governor's estate. It's because the precious treasures of the entire seven-hundred-mile Qing River are concentrated in the Water Race's estate, whose luxury and splendor are well-known to the world.
Located at the bottom of Qing River, the water estate suppressed the waters for seven-hundred miles. Its clusters of buildings sprawled and undulated, a sight full of rare and precious wonders, glittering with the light of treasures.
In a side hall, a handsome man dressed in a magnificent robe sat in the highest seat, sipping tea with his head bowed.
At the lower end of the hall, an envoy wearing a Bone Tao mask spoke with indignant vehemence, "Young lord, our previous agreement was not like this! We have given so much, why does the Qingjiang Aquatic Clan merely patrol the river's surface?"
The man in the magnificent robe clicked his tongue, "Mmm, this jade tea is indeed fine, rejuvenating the spirit. Envoy, surely you won't refuse a drink?"
The envoy, probably tired from talking, took the fragrant tea beside him and downed it in one gulp, then said, "The Qingjiang water estate has always been known for its reliability. The lord of the estate once promised Zhuang Chenggan with his word, leading his clan into battle and dyeing the Lan River red with blood, a feat that is still praised to this day. Why do you, young lord, go back on your word? Aren't you afraid of tarnishing your father's reputation?"
The Lan River is a great river in Yong Territory, and the envoy was referring to the battle that founded Zhuang Country. Yong Country had advanced by land and water, determined to annihilate Zhuang, but it was the Qing River water estate's lord who led his clan into battle, defeating the Yong navy on the Lan River. Blood had dyed the river red, leaving boats and oars unable to dock. This allowed Emperor Zhuang's ancestor Zhuang Chenggan to rid himself of concerns and go all out in his struggle to establish the country.
The alliance between the Qingjiang water estate and Zhuang Country continued from that moment on, up until the present day.
The man in the magnificent robe gently placed the tea cup back on the desk, and although a smile hung on his face, the atmosphere had changed completely.
"The envoy has reminded me. My father has an alliance with Emperor Zhuang, and if I agree to help you, would that not be betraying my father's trust? That would be unfilial."
"Summon someone." The man in the magnificent robe snapped his fingers on the desk, and a guard appeared. "Send out the order, direct Yu Yong's troops to withdraw three miles, we must not disturb the creatures on the shore."
"Young lord!" The Bone Tao masked envoy stood up angrily.
"Stop your act." The man in the magnificent robe raised a finger in front of him, his expression serene, "The entire military force of Qinghe County is on guard against us, not daring to leave. Whatever you want to do, you can do it at ease. The purpose has been achieved, so don't be so... greedy."
"We had an agreement beforehand, you only needed to make a nominal raid ashore..."
The man in the magnificent robe interrupted him, "To expect us to go ashore, do you think that's possible? The Water Race without water is like the Human Race without land, both lose their foundation. Unless you can truly convince me to make up my mind for a fight against Zhuang Ting, but can you, offer that kind of stake?"
The envoy's expression was hidden behind the Bone Tao mask, indiscernible, but his voice squeezed out through gritted teeth, "What I gave you is an entire Dragon Ball!"
"Indeed, it's a valuable gift." The young lord of Qingjiang water estate smiled, quite satisfied, "But it's only worth me going this far."
Seeing the situation irretrievable, the envoy in the Bone Tao mask left with a flick of his sleeve.
Alone in the side hall, the man in the magnificent robe then scoffed coldly, "Those who hide their heads and show their tails dare to speak to me of trust?"
Just then, an authoritative voice resonated beside his ear, yet the speaker did not show himself, "Song Qingyue, tell me your thoughts."
Song Qingyue, the young lord of Qingjiang water estate, reined in the arrogance in his eyes and straightened his posture, "The alliance between Zhuang Ting and our Qingjiang water estate had lasted for hundreds of years, becoming increasingly arrogant. Now this Zhuang Gaoxian is beyond presumptuous, treating us as if we were his subjects. He even sent a message proposing marriage for his son to Qingzhi, claiming to honor her as Crown Princess Consort, to forge an eternal alliance..."
"I absolutely cannot agree to this. Aunt married into that cold palace for Zhuang Chenggan, toiling and scheming to death! How could I let my sister follow the same path? I was looking for an opportunity to stir things up, to show that Zhuang brat who really commands these seven-hundred miles of water territory. However, we must grasp the right measure, as the Human Race is currently powerful; even toppling Zhuang Ting might not please other monarchs. Thirty thousand Navy patrolling Qing River is just right. And then these Bone Tao people came to my door, offering a Dragon Ball, which indeed was an unexpected delight."
The commanding voice sighed, "Your aunt and Zhuang Chenggan were also mutually in love back then. It wasn't a marriage alliance I wanted... Anyway, let's not talk about that. How have you arranged for Qingzhi?"
Song Qingyue pondered and said, "Now that things have turned ugly with Qinghe County's Prefectural Governor, and with Zhuang Gaoxian being so shameless, Qinghe City is no place to stay. But it's time for Qingzhi to start her education, and my son thinks we should send her to Fenglin City to study for a while before deciding anything further."
That voice asked again, "Why Fenglin City?"
"I can't hide it from father," Song Qingyue said. "Bone Tao has even sent the Dragon Ball this time, they must be planning something huge in Fenglin City, significant enough to shake the Zhuang Region. However, this means that Fenglin City will become the most peaceful place afterward, which is suitable for studying. Secondly, well, it's also a bit of my own cunning plan. If Qingzhi goes to Fenglin City, we can openly send people to protect her. Fenglin City is small; there aren't any influential figures to interfere with us. I'll also take the opportunity to look for traces of Bone Tao and probe their intentions. Bone Tao has been revived from the ashes, and I always feel there's some big secret behind it. Moreover, Bone Tao, being ancient, must have its share of treasures. As evil heretics, we should eradicate them. A single Dragon Ball won't satisfy me."
Regarding Song Qingyue's meticulously calculated thoughts, the commanding voice made no comment, only saying, "I've entrusted you with full authority over the Water Race affairs, so do as you see fit."
"Yes," Song Qingyue nodded and said, "By the way, I've had someone deliver that Dragon Ball to the entrance of your retreat chamber, remember to refine it."
"I've looked at the Dragon Ball already; it contained some tricks, which I have erased. You can use it with peace of mind, it could save you a thousand years of effort. As for me, I'm already a decayed being with no hope of becoming a dragon. Your aunt has been dead for two hundred and seventeen years and three months, and Zhuang Chenggan for nearly two hundred years. Not many old friends are left. I'm still alive, just merely living, that's all. Now I'm just protecting you as you walk this path a bit longer, but however good the Dragon Ball is, it's of no use to me."
The voice sank lower and finally turned into a sigh, disappearing in the side hall.
Song Qingyue leaned back lightly in the high chair, suddenly feeling a loss of interest.
...
The Bone Tao messenger with the white skull mask left the Aquatic Clan mansion and stepped onto a small boat. The boat seemed to be made of bones, and without a bottom, yet it traveled extremely fast through the water. When encountering fish and crabs too slow to dodge, it rolled right over them without leaving a trace of blood or froth.
The bone-bottomed boat quickly surfaced, and as the messenger disembarked on land, it turned back and dived into the water, disappearing without a trace.
The messenger speedily traversed without a word, his quick steps not even stirring dust. He seemed very familiar with the patrol routes of Qinghe County's military forces, easily weaving through their defenses, and soon departed the area to enter a mountain range.
From a distance, the mountain resembled the head of a bull, and up close it was also quite elegant. Arriving in front of a rock face, the messenger did not stop, walking straight through it.
Inside was another world entirely.
Grisly and macabre murals lined both sides of the long corridor that was paved with Qingzhuan tiles.
Upon entering, someone approached and asked, "How did it go?"
The Bone Tao messenger with the white skull mask replied bitterly, "That bastard Song Qingyue swallowed the bait, but only grazed the hook!"
The other said, "That old fox Song Hengjiang is not dead yet, he won't let Song Qingyue act rashly. We never really expected them to genuinely start a fight with Zhuang Ting."
"Even so, it's infuriating. We're talking about a Dragon Ball here! Since the middle ages, they have vanished from the world, each one rarer than the next," sighed the Bone Tao messenger.
"Once our plans in Xiaolin Town are successful, we will have achieved our purpose. There is no need to concern ourselves with these trivial matters. Besides, I'm afraid that little beast will have trouble digesting our Dragon Ball..."
"He thinks he can make a fool of Bone Tao, yet he doesn't know..." The Bone Tao messenger with the white skull mask grew harsher as he spoke, "When the Elder arrives, we will slaughter the Qingjiang Aquatic Clan first! Let the entire seven hundred miles of Qing River become a river of bones!"