Clear River Water Manor

If one were to ask about the most prosperous place in Qinghe Prefecture, many would think of the Qing River Water Mansion, not the Cui clan, the Lin clan, or even the prefectural office. For all the treasures and wealth of the seven-hundred-li stretch of the Qing River were gathered within that water mansion, and tales of its lavish luxury were widely known.

Nestled at the bottom of the Qing River, the water mansion governed the entire seven-hundred-li expanse. Its buildings stretched in an unbroken chain, a dazzling display of rare wonders and gleaming pearls.

In a side hall, a handsome man in a splendid robe sat high in the seat of honor, lowering his head to savor a cup of tea.

Below him, a messenger wearing a white bone mask spoke with indignation: "Young Lord, our previous agreement was not like this! We have given so much—why is the Qing River Aquatic Clan merely patrolling the river's surface?"

The robed man smacked his lips. "Mm, this jade-green tea is truly excellent, nourishing the spirit. Messenger, are you sure you won't have some?"

The messenger, perhaps tired from speaking, took the fragrant tea beside him and drained it in one gulp, then said, "The Qing River Water Mansion has always been known for keeping its word. Years ago, the Mansion Lord fought with his entire clan for Zhuang Chenggan's promise, turning the Lan River red with blood—a deed still praised to this day. Why does the Young Lord go back on his word? Are you not afraid of tarnishing your honored father's reputation?"

The Lan River was a major river in the Yong Kingdom. The messenger referred to the founding war of the Zhuang Kingdom. When Yong advanced by both land and water, aiming to annihilate Zhuang in one stroke, the Mansion Lord of the Qing River Water Mansion had committed his entire clan to battle, smashing the Yong navy on the Lan River. Blood dyed the river red, and boats dared not moor there. This resolved the worries of Zhuang Kingdom's Grand Ancestor, Zhuang Chenggan, allowing him to fight with full force and ultimately establish the kingdom.

The alliance between the Qing River Water Mansion and the Zhuang Kingdom had continued ever since, down to the present day.

The robed man set his teacup down gently on the table. Though a smile still hung on his face, the atmosphere had shifted entirely.

"The messenger reminds me of something. My father had a long-standing pact with the Zhuang Emperor. If I agreed to help you, wouldn't that violate my father's integrity? That would be a great unfilial act."

"Guards." The robed man tapped the table with a bent finger and summoned an attendant. "Pass the order: have the Yuyong Division withdraw three li and not disturb the creatures on the shore."

"Young Lord!" The white bone mask messenger rose in fury.

"Stop the act." The robed man raised a finger before his face, his expression calm. "Right now, all the troops in Qinghe Prefecture are on alert against us and dare not move lightly. You can do whatever you want at your leisure. Your goal is already achieved—don't be so... greedy."

"We agreed beforehand that you would merely make a few raids ashore..."

The robed man cut him off: "You want us to go ashore? Do you think that's possible? The aquatic clan out of water is like you humans off the land—both lose their foundation. Unless you can truly make me resolve to go to war with the Zhuang Court. But do you have the capital for that?"

The messenger's face was hidden behind the white bone mask, so his expression was unreadable, but his voice seemed to squeeze through clenched teeth: "What I gave you was an entire Dragon Pearl!"

"Indeed, a precious gift." The Young Lord of the Qing River Water Mansion smiled, a satisfied smile. "But it's only worth this much from me."

Seeing that the matter was beyond salvage, the messenger in the white bone mask swept his sleeve and left.

Alone in the side hall, the robed man let out a cold laugh. "A skulking creature like that dares to talk to me about trust?"

At that moment, a dignified voice sounded in his ear, though its owner did not appear. "Qingyue, tell me your thoughts."

Song Qingyue, the Young Lord of the Qing River Water Mansion, restrained the arrogance in his eyes and sat up straighter. "The Zhuang Court has been allied with our Qing River Water Mansion for centuries and grows increasingly arrogant. This Zhuang Gaoxian is especially clueless, truly treating us as his subjects. Earlier, he sent word, seeking to marry Qingzhi to his son, calling it 'honoring her as Crown Princess for eternal friendship'..."

"I absolutely cannot agree to this. Back then, when Aunt married that Zhuang Chenggan, she gave her all, only to be schemed against and die in that cold, deep palace! How could I let my sister repeat that fate? I was just looking for an opportunity to stir things up, to let that brat named Zhuang know who rules these seven hundred li of water. But the balance must be handled carefully. After all, humans hold the upper hand now; even if we topple the Zhuang Court, other kingdom's rulers might not be any better. Thirty thousand aquatic troops patrolling the Qing River is just right. As for the White Bone Sect coming to us, offering a Dragon Pearl—that was an unexpected boon."

The dignified voice sighed. "Your aunt and Zhuang Chenggan were in love back then. It wasn't that I wanted a marriage alliance... Enough, let's not speak of it. How do you plan to arrange Qingzhi?"

Song Qingyue pondered. "Now that relations with the Qinghe Prefect have soured, and that Zhuang Gaoxian is shameless, Qinghe City is no place for her. But Qingzhi is at the age for schooling. My thought is to send her to Maple Forest City to study for a while."

The voice asked again, "Why Maple Forest City?"

"I can't hide it from Father." Song Qingyue said, "The White Bone Sect went so far as to offer a Dragon Pearl this time, so they must have a major operation in Maple Forest City, enough to shake the Zhuang realm. But that also means Maple Forest City will be the safest place afterward, perfect for study. Secondly, it's a small scheme of mine. With Qingzhi in Maple Forest City, we can openly send people to protect her. Maple Forest City is small, with no great experts to interfere. I'll also take the chance to trace the White Bone Sect's clues and probe their depths. Their resurgence this time feels like it hides some great secret. Besides, the White Bone Sect has a long history—they must have plenty of good things. Evil heretics are for all to slay. One Dragon Pearl isn't enough for me."

The dignified voice made no comment on Song Qingyue's intricate, multi-layered schemes, only saying, "The water mansion's affairs are entirely in your hands. Handle it as you see fit."

"Yes." Song Qingyue nodded. "By the way, I've already had that Dragon Pearl sent outside your seclusion chamber. Please remember to refine it."

"I've examined the Dragon Pearl. There were some tricks inside, which I've erased. Use it as you wish; it can save you a thousand years of effort. As for me, I am already old and ailing, with no hope of becoming a dragon. Your aunt has been dead for two hundred and seventeen years and three months. Zhuang Chenggan died nearly two hundred years ago. Few of the old friends remain. I am still alive, but merely alive. Now I only watch over you a little further. The Dragon Pearl is fine, but it is useless to me."

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

Song Qingyue leaned back gently in his high chair, suddenly feeling a wave of listlessness.

The white bone mask messenger left the water mansion and went straight to a small boat. The boat seemed made of bone, but it was bottomless, yet it moved swiftly through the water. If it encountered fish or crabs too slow to dodge, it simply crushed them, leaving not even a trace of blood.

The Bottomless White Bone Boat quickly broke the surface. The messenger went ashore, and it turned back, diving into the water and disappearing to who knows where.

The messenger hurried on in silence. Though his steps were fast, his feet did not touch the dust. He seemed to know the deployment routes of the Qinghe Prefecture army like the back of his hand, weaving through the gaps in their patrols with ease. Soon, he left the area and ascended a mountain.

From afar, the mountain resembled an ox's head; up close, it was quite scenic. The messenger walked up to a stone wall and, without stopping, charged straight into it.

Inside, it was a different world.

Bloody and horrifying murals lined both sides, and the long corridor was paved with green bricks.

As soon as the messenger entered, someone greeted him, asking, "How did it go?"

The white bone mask man said bitterly, "That bastard Song Qingyue took the bait but only grazed the hook!"

The other said, "Old Song Hengjiang isn't dead yet. He won't let Song Qingyue act recklessly. We never expected them to truly tear things up and go to war with the Zhuang Court."

"Even so, it's infuriating. That was a Dragon Pearl! Extinct since the Middle Ages, each one rarer than the last." The white bone mask man sighed.

"Once the Small Forest Town matter is done, our goal is achieved. Don't bother with these trivial details. Besides, our Dragon Pearl—I'm afraid that little beast might find it a bit hard to digest..."

"He thinks he can toy with the White Bone Sect, but he doesn't know..." The white bone mask man's voice turned fierce. "When the Sect Heir appears, the first thing we'll do is slaughter the Qing River Water Mansion! Turn the entire seven hundred li of the Qing River into white bones!"

I've already received the contract notice, and aside from Dawn, a long-form work that couldn't be published due to censorship, I have no history of starting stories and leaving them unfinished. So rest assured and keep following the updates. Throw your collections and recommendations at me. This story will definitely be completed.

Also, I hear that reading for over ten minutes allows you to invest in this book, and if the number of investors exceeds one hundred, there will be a small-scale promotion... What are you waiting for?