Entering the water

"Zhongshu, it's up to you now!"

The crab demon chiseled the boat, leaving behind a black crab claw as thick as an arm.

To the average person, such an incomplete object is nothing, but for someone skilled in tracking, it is the most direct clue.

In just half a day, the group had already found possible traces of the Water Mansion.

Gongsun Hong's face lit up with a slight smile, feeling that the matter was being resolved far too easily.

He picked up the crab claws from the river and then pulled them to the riverbank.

"There's a lot of meat inside these crab claws," Zhang Changgong whispered.

"Eating this meat will make you dizzy, so don't even think about eating it. Don't even pick it up if someone throws it away," Zhang Xuezhou warned.

"I just like the meat!"

Zhang Changgong grumbled, and Dong Zhongshu, who had grabbed the crab claws, began to chant a spell.

Things are simpler than most people imagine.

Dong Zhongshu estimated that it would take them at least two or three days to make any progress, but he never expected that they would have found a clue in just half a day.

As long as the crab demon originates from the Water Palace, it is the best guide.

Dong Zhongshu was able to identify Zou Bugui, who was hiding in Lingnan, in Chang'an City, so it was obviously extremely easy for him to determine the location of the crab demon.

Only when the tracking and perception abruptly stopped after a long time did a blush appear on his face.

"It's still sixteen miles by water from here. It must have entered the underwater palace, and some kind of formation has blocked my tracking!"

"Great things can be accomplished!"

Gongsun Hong was very happy.

Dong Zhongshu's words practically confirmed the nature of the Water Palace; the remaining task was to dispel the illusions and bring it to light.

The first step was reconnaissance, which was completed in just half a day.

"It's feasible!"

Dong Zhongshu also showed joy on his face. Things were much simpler than he had imagined; it was as if heaven was on his side.

Once the location can be determined, the Water Palace cannot escape, no matter where it is, and various methods will inevitably be devised to break through the illusion.

At this point, it was almost time to send someone to inform the King of Jiangdu.

"Let's go scout out the situation first, and roughly explore to see if we can break through the underwater maze," Dong Zhongshu said. "Ciqing is skilled in underwater techniques, so we'll need to put in a lot of effort. If we can find out how to infiltrate the underwater palace, that will save us a lot of trouble!"

"This is easily resolved!"

Gongsun Hong nodded in agreement.

"The second minister is skilled in water-related arts, possessing abilities such as treading water, entering water, listening intently, and observing—each skill is extremely useful!"

Seeing Zhang Xuezhou's curiosity, Dong Zhongshu offered a few explanations.

"I've spent many years roaming the East China Sea coast, and I've developed some skills for making a living," Hongku. "People laugh at me, calling me a pig farmer in the East China Sea. My skills are fine in the water, but they don't count on land; I get beaten up!"

"Only when everyone has their own strengths can Confucian School flourish in a hundred different ways. The court will surely allow you, Vice Minister, to give full play to your talents," Dong Zhongshu comforted him.

Thank you for your kind words!

Gongsun Hong clasped his hands in thanks.

This made Zhang Xuezhou understand why Gongsun Hong was a great Confucian scholar, but it also made him feel extremely aggrieved, as he was almost bullied to the face by Shen Peigong in Chang'an City.

This was not only because he was less skilled than others, with very few students willing to learn from him, but also because he lacked a sufficient network of connections.

Without the help of Dong Zhongshu, it would be very difficult for Gongsun Hong to gain a foothold, even after the competition among Confucian School had weakened.

For Gongsun Hong, the only advantage he has left is his seniority.

The group exchanged words, leaving the crew to repair the ship and report back to King Jiangdu, while they abandoned ship and headed inland along the coast.

The sixteen-mile waterway is not far; even under normal travel conditions, it only takes an hour.

"That's it!"

When they entered a bay area of Gaoyou Lake, Dong Zhongshu pointed to a cliff about 300 meters away. The water below was almost black, indicating that it was an extremely deep place.

"Judging from the color of the water, it's at least twenty zhang deep there. It wouldn't be easy to dive into a place like that," Gongsun Hong said. "Could that King of Jiangdu really break into the underwater palace?"

"Infiltrating the Water Palace is the King of Jiangdu's business," Dong Zhongshu laughed. "Our only responsibility is to find the Water Palace and prove its existence!"

"That's true!"

Gongsun Hong nodded, agreeing that there was nothing wrong with the matter.

He rolled up his sleeves and stepped into the water. After only a few steps, Gongsun Hong was already standing steadily on the water.

"This isn't water magic, is it?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"This is water treading, a common technique used by fishermen along the coast. Ciqing has practiced it for over twenty years, and this skill is almost a magic," Dong Zhongshu said. "He can walk on the water's surface, and he can also move freely underwater, and he can stay underwater for a quarter of an hour without needing to breathe."

"Sharp!"

"His true skill lies in his ability to engage in genuine underwater combat while employing these techniques, something few others can accomplish," Dong Zhongshu said. "If it comes to underwater combat, there aren't many who could defeat Ciqing."

"Truly remarkable!"

Zhang Xuezhou's first statement was flattery, while the second was the truth.

His skill in the Water Avoidance Technique is similar to that of Gongsun Hong, but Zhang Xuezhou's ability is similar to that of his opponent when he has used the technique. Once he releases the Water Avoidance Technique, it is difficult for him to release other Technique Method. Unless Zhang Xuezhou further advances the Water Avoidance Technique and relies on its passive ability to move in the water, he will be able to cast spells in the water.

In other words, apart from some water monsters and those skilled in water, other cultivators would almost certainly be used as punching bags by Gongsun Hong if they entered the water, making it easy for Gongsun Hong to win the battle.

The two whispered to each other, and then they saw that Gongsun Hong had already waded through the water to the black water below the cliff.

After wandering around for a while, Gongsun Hong landed on the water.

Without even a ripple, Gongsun Hong had already dived underwater.

"Amazing!"

"Great swimmer!"

Following behind Zhang Xuezhou, Lady Yourong and Zhang Changgong exclaimed in amazement, clearly also astonished by Gongsun Hong's abilities in the water.

Even the most aggrieved Gongsun Hong was still a great Confucian scholar, with cultivation reaching the Divine Ability Realm.

For the Lady Yourong and Zhang Changgong, this was a top-tier figure, even far more powerful than the small sect Zhang Changgong had previously studied under.

Ordinary people rarely see the brilliance of Technique Method, and it is also difficult for those skilled in Technique Method to prove their abilities. Even if those skilled in killing slow down their martial arts, they can still leave others completely bewildered. However, Gongsun Hong's abilities are clear to ordinary people.

Thinking back to how Zhang Zhong, Lady Yourong, and Zhang Changgong had dreamed of Realm Entry cultivation and advancing their spiritual path several years ago, Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

Time has passed, and the past seems vivid in our minds, but the people no longer have the same spirit as before, and there is little possibility of cultivating and climbing higher. Even when Zhang Xuezhou pushes them forward, it is difficult.

For most people, striving to live a good life, normalize their lives, or even become wealthy, and raising the next generation may be more realistic.

Even with relatively good circumstances, Zhang Xuezhou struggles to lead people, so he clearly can't lead the people of Zhang Household Village either. Rescuing them and providing them with a safe place to live is perhaps the greatest ability he can currently possess.

He kept thinking about the relevant matters and how to return to Chang'an City as soon as possible to get things done. Just then, Zhang Changgong called out in a low voice.

"That uncle has been infiltrating for so long, could he have drowned?"

"He's been in the water for fifteen minutes and hasn't come out!"

Lady Yourong drew fifteen counting lines on the ground.

The two men's hushed conversation did not affect Dong Zhongshu.

But after another fifteen minutes, even Dong Zhongshu's face changed color.