Three Taboos of the Water Trade: Ask Not the Origin, Ask Not the Enemy, No After-Sales Service

Deep within the reed beds by the downstream ferry crossing, a black-canopied boat lay moored.

A dim yellow oil lamp burned in the cabin, its swaying light casting the shadows on the walls into shifting brightness and darkness.

The old treasure-hunting hand in the cabin was surnamed Chen, known by the nickname Water Ghost Chen. Three generations of his family had made their living running the canal and harvesting waterborne treasures.

At that moment, he rolled a water-splitting spike between his fingers as he spoke quietly to his apprentice, Little Seven.

"Those stake-hangers from Profound Yin Hall blocked the entrance to the lower secret chamber half a month ago."

"We lost Second Brother while scouting the ground. We definitely can't chew through them head-on."

Little Seven crouched nearby, polishing a water-repelling pearl with an indignant look on his face.

"We were planning to find people from the Canal Gang and split the choice goods, but who knew that old He Cang would fall so fast? A mere patrol officer wiped them out in one pot."

"Those useless Canal Gang fools were never reliable to begin with."

Water Ghost Chen gave a derisive snort and lightly tapped the deck with his fingertips.

"Bringing in someone from the Demon Suppression Bureau is a risky move, but it's also a good one."

"With an official identity planted there, no matter how overbearing Profound Yin Hall is, they won't dare openly oppose the imperial court."

"Besides, this Molten-Gold Yama can cut down a grandmaster with one sword. He's just the man to ward off evil for us."

He paused, his gaze darkening.

"And besides, we have to settle the score with Profound Yin Hall for what happened to Second Brother back then."

"This time, when the sunken goods pass through the water, we either take the goods or take revenge."

Little Seven nodded, though he still looked uneasy.

"But officials have too many rules. What if they snatch our choice goods?"

"Don't worry. The water trade has three taboos."

Water Ghost Chen looked toward the ferry crossing outside the cabin. The oil lamp made the water-rust-like bluish cast on his face seem even heavier.

"If he understands the trade's rules, good. If he doesn't, we still won't lose out."

"He should be here soon."

When the Consecrated Zhao on the shore saw Xu Jin approaching, he hurried forward to greet him.

"Patrol Officer Xu, he's waiting on the boat. Please, follow me."

Xu Jin gave a slight nod and followed him onto the black-canopied boat.

The moment the cabin curtain was lifted, two auras collided in the cramped space.

Water Ghost Chen wore a glossy black cloth diving suit.

The knuckles of his hands were thick, and two inch-long water-splitting spikes hung at his waist. His face bore the bluish cast of someone who had spent years soaking in cold water, while his gaze was sharp and wild.

He sized Xu Jin up.

He wore a neat, close-fitting suit of black martial attire, with the bronze badge of a Demon Suppression Bureau patrol officer at his waist.

The true energy around him was restrained without being released. He was clearly only a junior at the Comprehending Intent Realm, yet standing there, he was more intimidating than a grandmaster.

Xu Jin swept his eyes over the other man as well.

His gaze paused on the water-splitting spikes for half a second before withdrawing calmly.

"Greetings, Patrol Officer Xu. You look like a straightforward man, so I won't beat around the bush."

Water Ghost Chen skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"How about the two of us join hands and make a trip into the Danding Secret Chamber beneath the Sunk Tomb?"

Xu Jin said nothing, merely nodding slightly to signal him to continue.

Water Ghost Chen bent down and dragged a wooden box from beneath the cabin floor, pushing it before Xu Jin.

The instant the lid opened, a lustrous cold glow flooded the entire cabin.

Inside lay a century-old Cold Marrow Jade the size of a pigeon's egg, its frigid aura condensed without dispersing.

"This Cold Marrow Jade is the deposit."

Water Ghost Chen tapped the edge of the wooden box with his fingertips.

Xu Jin reached out and touched the Cold Marrow Jade. Cool water-attributed spiritual energy spread along his meridians. Its quality was indeed top-grade for a century-old jade, with no adulteration.

He raised his eyes to Water Ghost Chen.

"The Danding Secret Chamber involves Profound Yin Hall. I'll only clear the way, explore the tomb, and eliminate evil creatures. If Profound Yin Hall seeks revenge afterward, I won't handle the aftermath."

He laid out the risks himself, drawing the boundaries of responsibility with perfect clarity.

Water Ghost Chen laughed instead upon hearing this and cupped his hands toward Xu Jin.

"Patrol Officer Xu understands the rules."

"Our water trade has three taboos when hunting treasures: ask not the origin, ask not the enemy, and provide no after-sales service."

"When sunken goods pass through the water, each man entrusts his fate to Heaven."

After saying that, he added another line.

"The entrance to the lower secret chamber is beneath the stone platform in the main burial chamber."

"When we sneaked inside, we saw half an official runner's waist badge. It was likely from the patrol officer who went missing before."

"The place is wicked as hell, and the people from Profound Yin Hall guard it tightly. We can't take it down by ourselves."

Zhou Zheng's clue had indeed sunk into this underwater secret chamber.

Xu Jin closed the wooden box. "We'll meet at the ferry crossing at midnight three days from now."

Xu Jin took the Cold Marrow Jade, turned to lift the curtain, and disembarked. His figure soon vanished into the night.

Only after he had gone far did Little Seven finally let out a long breath, patting his chest and baring his teeth.

"Master, this Xu guy's presence is way too terrifying. I didn't even dare breathe just now."

"He doesn't look that old. How is he more oppressive than those old grandmasters from the martial world?"

Water Ghost Chen said nothing.

He rolled the water-splitting spike between his fingers, his expression several degrees graver than before.

He had spent his whole life running the canal. What ruthless characters had he not seen?

Yet when he met Xu Jin's eyes just now, an inexplicable chill had run down his back.

The rumors were true. Molten-Gold Yama was not a title the jianghu had simply blown out of proportion.

Consecrated Zhao, standing nearby with an appeasing smile, clicked his tongue inwardly.

He had long known that Patrol Officer Xu's methods were ruthless, but only after seeing him in person today did he understand what it meant for a reputation to be well deserved.

Water Ghost Chen had dominated the canal for twenty years, always having the final say.

Yet before Xu Jin today, he had kept his arrogance in check from beginning to end, not even daring to utter a single grandstanding word.

How was this some mere probationary patrol officer?

He was clearly a living Yama.

Forget the treasure hunters on the canal—even those veteran grandmasters from the prefectural capital would likely have to lower their heads by three parts before him.

By the time Xu Jin returned to the patrol officers' station, Wang Lei had already retired for the night.

He did not disturb anyone and went straight into the quiet room in the rear courtyard.

Sitting cross-legged, he took out half of the Danding Inscription Stone Tablet.

His fingertips brushed over its uneven markings as he compared them one by one in his mind with the fragmentary rune scroll he had glimpsed earlier.

Sure enough, they fit together seamlessly. Only the final corner was still missing, leaving him unable to piece together the complete map of the Danding Secret Chamber.

Xu Jin lightly tapped the stone tablet with his fingertips, grumbling inwardly.

So it's another classic puzzle-piece collection game. Gather all the stone tablets to unlock the ultimate dungeon, is that it?

Ancient cultivators really loved this collector's obsession. Instead of putting a perfectly good inheritance directly in the coffin, they just had to break it into pieces and hide them all over the world.