There Had to Be Something

When Zhang Cigong sank to the bottom of the water, there was a slight disturbance in the camp, but it was quickly suppressed.

Zhang Xuezhou could even sense that Lady Yourong was following behind him, was clenching her fists repeatedly.

How could a group of village hunters possibly contend with a regional lord? It was a losing proposition from the start.

If it weren't for the fact that the people of Zhang Household Village were designated as "drug victims," given Zhang Household Village frequent troublemaking, many of them would have lost their lives long ago.

Those in high positions are unaware of the cruel reality of those at the bottom being powerless to control their own destiny. Zhang Xuezhou's exceptional ability to adapt to survival also allows him to avoid many difficulties, while his extraordinary insight and pseudo-psychological abilities help him thrive.

But many people are not like him. For example, Zhang Cigong in the Beast Taming Sect, was an example. After several years, he not only didn't learn any skills, but he also lost hearing in one ear.

Zhang Xuezhou glanced at the enthusiastic crowd in the distance, only to find everything unfamiliar.

Even Zhang Changgong's face was difficult for Zhang Xuezhou to recognize.

In less than ten years, almost everything had changed.

He squinted, gazing at the puddle below, and after putting aside many other matters, he kept calculating the time it would take for Zhang Changgong to enter the water palace.

His calm and composed demeanor drew repeated glances from the King of Huainan, who found Zhang Xuezhou remarkably composed.

"The matter concerning the Water Mansion should be quite certain. If Zhang Changgong can enter the Water Mansion and return safely, it wouldn't hurt for Qian'er to go in and take a look. However, this child's personality is too impulsive and impatient; he might easily suffer losses in the future, just as the King of Jiangdu said, 'A sword's bones are easily broken'..."

Zhang Xuezhou had his own thoughts, and so did the Prince of King of Huainan.

When Liu Qian, who was not far away, arrived carrying a basin of hot pig's trotters, he could only force a smile.

"King of Jiangdu, it will take some time for the servants to sneak in. Why don't we have some snacks first?" the King of Huainan invited.

"I want to eat dragon's feet!"

King Jiangdu glanced at the braised pig's trotters, which he didn't find appealing, and then declined the invitation.

While the King of Huainan was forcing himself to eat a pig's trotter, he whispered to Dong Zhongshu.

The King of Jiangdu was a very interesting person. He was strong and incredibly powerful, and the retainers in his palace were mostly of the same type. They were all burly and strong men, and there were dozens of them who could lift a hundred jun (a unit of weight).

Everyone is capable of eating, drinking, and fighting; the only problem is that few are good at thinking.

It is very difficult to get someone to admit their lack of intelligence, and there are very few people qualified to persuade the King of Jiangdu.

Even Dong Zhongshu had to admit that these people were a bunch of unreasonable barbarians.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. As long as we guard this entrance, even if there are dragons inside, they won't be able to escape," Dong Zhongshu reassured him.

"Mr. Dong is right!"

The thing the King of Jiangdu disliked most was waiting.

He had been waiting for two days, and if it weren't for the repeated advice from Dong Zhongshu and others, he would have almost overturned the pot against the King of Huainan.

"As soon as that Water Dragon King emerges, I'll capture a green dragon with my left hand and a white dragon with my right, then throw them both into the cauldron to cook. Then I'll invite Mr. Dong to eat the meat," King Jiangdu patted his chest and guaranteed.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

Dong Zhongshu was neither humble nor arrogant.

He only showed a hint of surprise when his gaze occasionally swept over Zhang Xuezhou.

More than a year had passed since they last met. Dong Zhongshu was no longer the same person he used to be, and Zhang Xuezhou had also become somewhat strange, actually running away from Chang'an City and getting involved with the King of Huainan.

Compared to the King of Jiangdu, the King of Huainan was undoubtedly more reserved and profound, making him more difficult to approach.

Dong Zhongshu felt it necessary to communicate with Zhang Xuezhou to see if the other party was using the King of Huainan's cultivation techniques.

He felt that Zhang Xuezhou should not easily try to take advantage of King of Huainan Prince of King of Huainan without fully gaining his trust, lest he end up dead.

Dong Zhongshu's first stop was Shouchun City, where he stayed for half a year before finally choosing to leave.

He vaguely felt that the King of Huainan was not a good person, and that binding him too tightly would inevitably lead to trouble one day.

After several twists and turns, Dong Zhongshu finally chose Jiangdu, which bordered Huainan, and thus became acquainted with the King of Jiangdu.

The King of Jiangdu resides in Jiangdu and is also the top martial artist in Jiangdu.

Not only were the heroes of Jiangdu no match for the King of Jiangdu, but those who dared to challenge him were also rare.

This made the King of Jiangdu rather arrogant and extravagant. He not only acted without restraint, but also frequently tried to challenge various powerful figures.

For example, the King of Jiangdu wanted to fight the King of Huainan, and he almost had "Let's fight and see who's stronger" written all over his face.

After the King of Huainan withdrew, the King of Jiangdu could only focus his attention on the Dragon King hiding in the underwater palace.

It's impossible for a watery place buried with river sand and stones to still have a Dragon King living there, but the King of Jiangdu firmly believed this and even prepared for a fight.

Dong Zhongshu had no choice but to let the King of Jiangdu do as he pleased.

He responded to the King of Jiangdu in a low voice, only to see Zhang Xuezhou's gaze sweep over him as well, paying attention not only to Zhang Changgong who had ventured into the underwater palace, but also focusing more on those behind him.

Behind Zhang Xuezhou were Wang Deli and Gao Yaocai carrying Wan Jin, Lady Yourong looked around to prevent the money from being lost.

Dong Zhongshu couldn't understand why Zhang Xuezhou's attention was focused more on the rear. In Dong Zhongshu's eyes, Zhang Xuezhou was not a person who was overly greedy for money.

"That Dongfang Shuo, I've heard you've been to this underwater palace?"

After pondering for a few seconds, Dong Zhongshu waved to Zhang Xuezhou.

"Hello, Mr. Dong!"

Dong Zhongshu's address sounded unfamiliar, and Zhang Xuezhou's response was not particularly warm, but they still slowly moved closer to each other.

This was somewhat difficult for Lei Bei, who had been obediently following behind the King of Huainan, to understand.

Despite being acquaintances, Lei Bei felt as if the two were complete strangers.

"What's inside?" Dong Zhongshu asked in a low voice.

There are two stonefish that spray water!

"Then what?"

It's gone!

Zhang Xuezhou gave Dong Zhongshu a brief reply, but couldn't help adding a sentence.

"That's true from what I've seen; I haven't found anything else," Zhang Xuezhou added.

"It would be best if there was something inside," Dong Zhongshu said softly, pursing his lips.

"What's up?"

"There has to be some, there absolutely has to be some in there!"

Dong Zhongshu looked around and then reached out to Zhang Xuezhou and pinched his fingers.

The King of Huainan made a grand display, and the King of Jiangdu rode a thousand miles to come.

If the final excavation turns out to be an empty water palace, then someone will inevitably suffer, and Zhang Xuezhou, the instigator, will not escape punishment.

Despite Zhang Xuezhou's presence and the amiable manner of the King of Huainan, even with Zhang Xuezhou's prior explanations, the King of Huainan and his entourage, disappointed by their misfortune, were undoubtedly somewhat furious.

When the King of Jiangdu is angry, he will use his hands rather than his mouth. Slapping Zhang Xuezhou away with a big slap was considered a light punishment.

If the King of Jiangdu wanted to kill Zhang Xuezhou, the King of Huainan and others would certainly stand by and watch without intervening.

If the Water Mansion really has nothing, Dong Zhongshu advised Zhang Xuezhou to flee Huainan as soon as possible and never come back to Huainan, let alone go to Jiangdu.