Late March.
Liang Residence pavilion.
Drowning Karma dissipated
Drowning Karma accumulated: thirty-nine
"One point dissipated every three days."
Liang Qu communed with the Ze Cauldron, silently keeping an extra mind's eye.
Bai Xingwen had taken the bait. It was like a neatly knitted sweater with a loose thread showing; the situation in Hantai Prefecture had already been opened up, so there was naturally no need to keep accumulating Drowning Karma...
"Splash, splash."
The sound of water pulled him from his thoughts.
Ta Ta Kai draped a wet towel over the handle of the bronze kettle and poured tea for them one by one. Long Binglin, Long E Ying, Long Yanrui, and all the Water Beasts had gathered in the courtyard.
The Golden Haired Tiger shifted its buttocks and pinched up a tiny teacup with its sharp claws. Seeing this, the Little Mirage Dragon breathed out mist, creating a huge cup three feet across. Ta Ta Kai thought for a moment, grabbed a large handful of tea leaves, and poured the entire kettle of water into it.
Liang Qu sat facing south from the north, seeking counsel from the gathered heroes.
"Now that things have come to this, that brat has come knocking at our door. What excuse should we find?"
Long Yanrui thought briefly and straightened in his seat. "As Elder says, the grandson of the Bai Clan's old patriarch does indeed require an excuse, evidence left behind. Why don't we..."
"Evidence? What evidence?" Liang Qu glanced sideways. "Bai Xingwen could be killed once he was killed. With his shifty eyes and thieving look, he offended my wife, the princess of the Dragon Man Tribe. He had earned his death. What excuse do we need?
"The Sacred Emperor once personally praised me for building bridges and water canals. This official