Chapter 62

Facing Zhang Jian's slightly surprised gaze, Bai Li Ying smiled at this moment.

"Fellow Daoist, you seem not to fully understand a part of the marvels of the State Gods Dao. After each deity receives their divine office, they must swear an oath of sincere allegiance to the State Gods Dao, abide by the State Gods Laws, and must not act recklessly; violators will surely face heavenly punishment!"

"The requirements Fellow Daoist mentioned are merely the most basic content of the State Gods Laws! They are not at all difficult!"

Bai Li Ying smiled lightly and said sincerely: "Of course, Fellow Daoist, your conditions can be proposed otherwise!"

Bai Li Ying did not choose to conceal anything; on the contrary, she directly brought it up.

Firstly, it was indeed admiration for Zhang Jian's character, and also to show goodwill.

Such a 'benevolent-hearted' cultivator can be regarded as a fellow traveler; there is no need to settle everything in one blow.

Better to be more generous.

"That is not necessary!"

Zhang Jian also felt somewhat surprised in his heart; the State Gods Laws were far stricter than he had imagined.

Yet he had some doubts in his heart: if this is so, why did the King of Mian, back then, imprison the Bai Water Dragon Lord for what reason?

In an instant he recalled the rumors of the King of Mian painstakingly refining elixirs on Phoenix Tail Mountain in his later years, and this dragon pearl in his hand.

Zhang Jian's heart suddenly had a guess.

Zhang Jian put down the talisman scripture in his hand and said: "Very well, as long as the Dragon Lord is willing to sincerely swear an oath, guaranteeing favorable weather and rain for a hundred years on both banks of the Bai Water, and of course not to act maliciously against me and the Zhang family, I can naturally exchange the treasure of the Bai Water Dragon Palace!"

Bai Li Ying then could not help but ask: "Then when will Fellow Daoist go with me to the water mansion to meet my father?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian was speechless, shook his head and said: "That water mansion is the domain of the nobility; a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall. If the Dragon Lord wants the dragon pearl, he still needs to come himself!"

Zhang Jian naturally would not foolishly and easily go deep into the water mansion; he does not have underwater skills, and entering the depths of the Bai Water would be nothing short of letting others slaughter him.

"This..."

Bai Li Ying furrowed her brows; the Bai Water Dragon Lord currently needs the dragon pearl to break free from his shackles, so how could he appear in person?

However, Bai Li Ying could also understand Zhang Jian's concerns.

"This matter I will report to my father upon my return, and let my father decide!"

Zhang Jian nodded, then suddenly smiled and said: "Since that is the case, I will also give the princess a piece of news: beware of the two Well Dragon Kings in the deep waters!"

"Well Dragon Kings?"

Bai Li Ying's jade countenance changed, and at the same time her eyes widened in astonishment as she gazed at Zhang Jian, then immediately nodded and said.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist; I will report this to my father!"

Bai Li Ying somewhat understood the seriousness of the matter.

At that moment she directly jumped into the Bai Water Pool.

……

But at this moment, outside the borders of Fengyang Commandery, a major event was taking place that affected the entire situation of Fengyang Commandery.

The territory of ShanYang Commandery, near Feng Gorge

At this time, on the narrow waterway, white mist rose, obscuring the sun and moon. On the bank, the Qing Jade Daoist held a command flag, a set of flag formation enveloped the surrounding mountain peaks, and below were spread countless runes. As he waved his spell with an expressionless face, rolling mist surged with the wind blowing from the valley and swept across the river surface.

And in the reed marshes below the mountain, light boats carrying teams of martial artists suddenly rushed out toward the river center, and shortly after, cries of killing rose from all sides.

Shortly after in the white mist, the sound of firelight explosions came through.

Seeing this scene, another figure beside the Qing Jade Daoist dared not sigh.

"Parting clouds and stirring mist, the arts of the outsiders are indeed vast and profound, impossible to guard against!"

He is quite tall in stature, holding a sword in his hand, dressed in blue clothes, yet possesses a vigorous essence that is contained but not released, yet is extraordinarily terrifying.

The Qing Jade Daoist, upon hearing this, shook his head and said: "When it comes to the arts of killing, we outsiders still have not had the convenience of a general like you!"

"There are still a few formidable figures on that ship; please, General Chao, make a trip!"

Upon hearing this, that figure laughed heartily.

"No problem!"

As the words fell, his figure was seen as if a sharp arrow, directly breaking through the white mist in the river, his vigorous yang blood energy surging straight to the clouds, in ten or so breaths crossing a hundred zhang of river surface, and directly landing on that official ship.

Seeing this scene, the Qing Jade Daoist also could not help but secretly nod.

Such a master at the Grand Master level indeed possesses the power to sweep away thousands of troops.

……

And Zhang Jian remained in secluded cultivation, until a piece of news arrived, forcing him to rush back to the Qi mansion.

Qi Mansion, Main Hall

Qi Yi and Qi Yuan Si had solemn expressions on their faces, their expressions bearing a rare gravity.

Beside them, the Elder Daoist of Xu Void sat to one side, holding his horsetail whisk, and seemed not to care much.

At this moment, seeing Zhang Jian approach, everyone turned their gazes toward him.

"How is the Gu family?"

Striding forward, Zhang Jian directly opened his mouth to inquire.

Previously, Zhang Jian had received news brought by the Qi family.

The Gu family's fleet had been attacked, suffering the loss of a large amount of wealth and goods, as well as skilled hands, and even a left-path Daoist hired by the Gu family who was traveling with the ship was also lost.

Ji Ming died!

He was the left-path Daoist who had fought with Zhang Jian in Fengxi County.

Qi Yuan Si spoke with a heavy voice:

"Among that fleet, aside from a portion of goods transported to Hao Jing, grain—this is merely a loss of some wealth at most; besides that, there was also a batch of tribute items, and the loss of these tribute items means imminent disaster!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian also knew the seriousness of the matter; each year, the Ministry of Household of the court issues a certain tribute list to each commandery and prefecture, which includes all kinds of strange and wonderful tribute items, some purchased, some voluntarily offered by the localities.

Fengyang Commandery also produces some unique delicacies of this region, such as tangerine-red, imperial field rouge rice, jian lotus, imperial tea, and so on; these things cannot be said to be collectible just because one wants to collect them.

Generally, they are fixed in time and quantity.

The major clans of the prefectural city all have certain duties to assist in completing this matter, and the one responsible for it is the Gu clan, which has thus established connections with some officials of the Ministry of Revenue in the imperial court.

Now that the tribute ship has been seized, this is truly a great calamity upon us.

Qi Yi coldly snorted: "This strike truly hit the vital point. I wondered why the prefectural lord had remained inactive all this time, never imagining he would be even more frenzied than expected, daring to set his sights on the tribute ship—truly audacious beyond measure!"

At the end of his words, a hint of sternness appeared in Qi Yi's eyes.

Zhang Jian's gaze shifted slightly as he said: "Where was this ship seized? Did it happen beyond the borders of Fengyang Prefecture?"

Upon hearing Zhang Jian's words, Qi Yuan si faintly understood his meaning, shook his head, and said: "We have already passed Linfeng Gorge—that is the territory of Sanyang Prefecture!"

"Truly flawless!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly.

Qi Yi stroked his beard and said: "Again upon the White Waters, we are truly powerless to reach!"

Both Qi Yi and Qi Yuan si wore solemn expressions.

Now that the three clans have formed an alliance, if the Gu clan falls, the remaining Qi and Yu clans will face greatly increased pressure.

One can imagine that if the tribute cannot be delivered in full, the Gu clan will face the disaster of having their home ransacked.

During this process, the Qi and Yu clans can only do their best to assist, re-collecting the tribute items to see if they can gather enough.

Qi Yuan si looked toward the crowd and said: "Unfortunately, we cannot find any evidence. I do not know if Senior Tianxu, or Ah Yu, you all have any method. If we could gather traces left by the prefectural governor's office when they acted, perhaps this time the governor's office will lose the chicken and gain nothing but rice!"

The Daoist Tianxu heard this and chuckled helplessly.

"You think the White Waters are some ordinary place? The vast, flowing White Waters are sufficient to conceal all traces!"

Qi Yi and Qi Yuan si, upon hearing this, immediately nodded slightly, yet there was no lack of disappointment in their eyes.

Zhang Jian, however, had a flicker in his gaze.

The White Waters lie within the divine jurisdiction of the White Water Dragon Lord; if the White Water Dragon Palace is willing to assist, then perhaps we may yet find even a trace of clues.

His gaze flickered as he prepared to ask the Dragon Maiden upon his return, to see if he could devise some solution.

……

After nightfall, Zhang Jian soon saw the Dragon Maiden again.

Accompanying the Dragon Maiden was still another strange figure.

His form was illusory, yet his entire body radiated a pure, brilliant light like substance, divine dignity, and solemn weight.

"A Yin Spirit?"