Chapter 27: Qinghe Water Mansion

To speak of the most opulent domain within Qinghe County, many would name the Qingjiang Water Mansion, rather than the esteemed Cui or Lin families, or even the Prefect’s own abode. This is because the amassed treasures and riches of the entire seven hundred *li* of Qingjiang’s waters are enshrined within the Water Mansion, its extravagance and bounty renowned throughout the land.

The Water Mansion, nestled deep beneath the waters of the Qingjiang, holds sway over seven hundred *li* of its expanse. A sprawling complex of structures, it rises and falls like submerged mountains, truly a realm overflowing with treasures and luminous pearls.

In a side chamber, a handsome man in resplendent robes was seated upon a raised platform, his head bowed as he savored a cup of tea.

Below him, an envoy clad in a white bone mask spoke with unconcealed indignation: "Young Master, this was not our agreement! We have paid a heavy price, so why do the Qingjiang water folk merely patrol the river's surface?"

The man in the magnificent robes made a sound of delight, "Ah, this jade tea is truly exquisite, it nourishes the spirit. Envoy, why do you not partake?"

The envoy, perhaps weary from his pronouncements, picked up the fragrant tea beside him and drained it in a single gulp. Then he continued, "The Qingjiang Water Mansion has ever valued trust, this is known to all. In days past, the Mansion Lord gave his word to Zhuang Chengzhen and fought alongside his entire clan, causing the Lan River to run crimson, a feat still lauded by the world. Why does the Young Master now renege on his word? Are you not afraid of damaging your esteemed reputation?"

The Lan River is a mighty waterway within the Yong Kingdom. The envoy’s words harked back to the very founding of the Zhuang Kingdom. The Yong Kingdom had advanced by both water and land, intent on annihilating the fledgling Zhuang Kingdom. It was the Lord of the Qinghe Water Mansion who, leading his entire clan in battle, shattered the Yong Kingdom’s navy on the Lan River. Blood had stained the river crimson, boats and oars entangled, effectively halting the advance. This act had relieved the anxieties of Zhuang Chengzhen, the Taizu of the Zhuang Kingdom, allowing him to fight without restraint and ultimately secure the nation’s founding.

And the covenant between the Qingjiang Water Mansion and the Zhuang Kingdom had endured to this very day.

The man in the opulent robes gently set down his teacup. Though a smile still graced his lips, the atmosphere had completely shifted.

“The envoy reminds me well. My father held a covenant with Emperor Zhuang. If I were to agree to aid you, would I not be acting against my father’s righteousness? This would be an act of grave filial impiety.”

“Come.” The man in the gorgeous robes tapped his fingers upon the table, and a guard appeared. “Issue the command: order the remaining brave troops to withdraw three *li* and not disturb the creatures upon the shore.”

“Young Master!” the white bone mask envoy rose in anger.

“Cease your performance.” The man in the resplendent robes held up a finger before him, his expression one of indifference. “Now, the entire Qinghe County army is on high alert against us, daring not to leave their posts. You may do as you please. Your objective has been achieved, there is no need to be so… greedy.”

“We had agreed beforehand that you would merely harass the shore… casually…”

The man in the splendid robes interrupted him. “Do you truly believe it possible for us to go ashore? The water folk, when separated from water, are like your human race when separated from land; they lose their foundation. Unless you can truly incite me to wage war against the Zhuang court, but can you… afford such a price?”

The envoy’s face was hidden beneath the white bone mask, his expression unseen, but his voice was almost a hiss, squeezed from between his teeth. “I gave you… that was a whole dragon bead!”

“It is indeed a valuable gift.” The Young Master of the Qingjiang Water Mansion smiled, greatly pleased. “But it is only worth me taking this single step.”

Seeing that the matter was irreversible, the envoy wearing the white bone mask flicked his sleeves and departed.

In the side chamber, left alone, the man in the magnificent robes sneered. “A fellow who hides his head and shows his tail, how can he speak of credibility with me?”

At this moment, a majestic voice sounded in his ear, though the speaker remained unseen. “Qingyue, tell me your thoughts.”

Song Qingyue, the Young Master of the Qingjiang Water Mansion, reined in the arrogance in his eyes, his posture becoming upright. “The Zhuang court has been in covenant with my Qingjiang Water Mansion for hundreds of years, and they grow increasingly arrogant. Now this Zhuang Gaoxian is even more ignorant, truly treating us as his subjects. He even spoke earlier, requesting his son to marry Qingzhi, in the name of becoming Crown Princess and forging a lasting friendship…”

“This matter I absolutely cannot agree to. My aunt married that Zhuang Chengzhen in those days, and not only did she pour out her heart and soul, but she was also plotted against and perished in the cold, deep palace! How can I let my sister repeat the same mistakes? I shall seek an opportunity to make a move, to let that Zhuang surname child know who truly holds sway over these seven hundred *li* of waters. But the measure of this must be carefully grasped. After all, the human race is now powerful, and even if we were to overthrow the Zhuang court, the monarchs of other nations may not be any better. Three thousand water troops patrolling the Qingjiang is precisely the right measure. But these people from the White Bone Path came to my door, offering a dragon bead, which is truly an unexpected boon.”

The majestic voice sighed. “Your aunt and Zhuang Chengzhen were also in love in those days. It was not my father who sought the marriage… Forget it, let us not speak of this. How do you intend to arrange for Qingzhi?”

Song Qingyue pondered. “Now that we have fallen out with the Prefect of Qinghe County, and that Zhuang Gaoxian is shameless, it is not wise to remain in Qinghe City. But Qingzhi is at the cusp of enlightenment, and my thought is to send her to Maplewood City to study for a time.”

The voice inquired again. “Why Maplewood City?”

“I cannot conceal anything from my father.” Song Qingyue said. “The White Bone Path is willing to bestow even a dragon bead this time, and there will surely be a significant movement in Maplewood City, enough to shake the entire Zhuang Kingdom. But in this manner, Maplewood City will be the safest place in the future, suitable for quiet study. Secondly, it is also a small personal thought of mine. If Qingzhi goes to Maplewood City, we can openly dispatch protectors. Moreover, Maplewood City is small, with no true experts, and they will not interfere with us. I shall also take this opportunity to search for clues regarding the White Bone Path and probe their depths. The White Bone Path has resurfaced this time, and I feel a great secret is at play. Furthermore, the White Bone Path possesses a long history, and there are bound to be many valuable items. Evil spirits and heretics, everyone must punish them, and a single dragon bead will not satisfy me.”

Of Song Qingyue’s intricate mind, capable of calculating three steps ahead, the majestic voice offered no comment, merely stating: “The affairs of the Water Mansion have long been entirely in your hands, you may handle them as you see fit.”

“Yes.” Song Qingyue nodded, adding, “By the way, I have already sent that dragon bead to be placed outside your seclusion chamber. Remember to refine it.”

“I have seen the dragon bead. There are some methods within, which I have already removed. You may rest assured and use it; it can save you a thousand years of effort. As for me, I am already a decaying and diseased body, with no hope of becoming a dragon. Your aunt has been dead for two hundred and seventeen years and three months, and Zhuang Chengzhen has also been dead for almost two hundred years. Few old friends remain. I am still alive, but merely existing. Now, I only remain to protect you for a little longer. The dragon bead is good, but it is of no use to me.”

The voice grew fainter and fainter, finally dissolving into a sigh that vanished within the side chamber.

And Song Qingyue leaned lightly against the high chair, a sudden sense of weariness washing over him.

…

The white bone mask envoy emerged from the Water Mansion and boarded a small boat. The vessel appeared to be crafted from white bones, yet it had no bottom, and nonetheless traveled with remarkable speed through the water. If it encountered any fish or crabs unable to evade its path, they would simply be crushed, leaving not even a trace of blood.

The white bone bottomless boat swiftly broke the water’s surface, and the envoy went ashore. The boat turned back into the water and vanished, its destination unknown.

The envoy walked silently and quickly, his feet not disturbing the dust. He seemed to know the garrison routes of the Qinghe County army as if by heart, weaving freely through the gaps in their patrols. Soon, he left the area and ascended a mountain.

This mountain, from afar, resembled a bull’s head, and up close, it possessed a certain rugged beauty. The envoy approached a stone wall, and without pausing, he walked directly through it.

Within lay a different world.

All manner of bloody and terrifying murals adorned the walls on either side, and the long passage was paved with blue bricks.

As soon as the envoy entered, someone greeted him and inquired, “How did it go?”

The white bone mask man said hatefully, “Song Qingyue, that bastard, swallowed the bait but merely brushed against the hook!”

The man said, “Song Hengjiang, that old thing, is not yet dead. He will not let Song Qingyue cause any trouble. We did not expect them to truly tear their faces and fight with the Zhuang court.”

“Though that is the case, it still feels hateful. That was a dragon bead! They have been extinct in the world since the Middle Ages, each one rarer than the last.” The white bone mask man sighed.

“Once the matter of Little Lin Town is accomplished, our objective will be achieved. There is no need to concern ourselves with these trivialities. Besides, our dragon bead, I fear that little beast will not find it very palatable…”

“He thought he could toy with my White Bone Path, but he did not know…” The white bone mask man’s voice turned ruthless as he spoke these words. “When the Daoist appears, we shall first slaughter the Qingjiang Water Mansion! Let the entire seven hundred *li* of Qingjiang become naught but white bones!”