Chapter 1293: Leaning Toward Tiger Mountain (Two-in-One)

"Wu wu wu, guai guai!"

Hands, furred claws, and furred webbed feet all gripped the railing.

Wen Wen Shi Yun, the river otters, and the monkey troop ran to the edge, poked their heads out, and stared wide-eyed.

Auspicious clouds surged vast and mighty, like spilled milk spreading across the river surface, undulating continuously; the surging tidal crests they whipped up all converged beneath the treasure ship. Everyone felt only a gentle sway beneath their feet, a sinking in their calves, and the riverbank ahead rapidly lowered in height — from looking up, to looking level, to looking down — trees, houses, the sallow earth —

The scenery on both sides kept shrinking; the river surface, a hundred li wide, narrowed and lengthened, connecting to the blue sky.

Whale cries rose and fell, ethereal and resonant.

The treasure ship left the water surface, hovering in midair.

The cloud whales emerged one after another from the sea of clouds, with Yun Bo at the fore, like a figurehead protruding the upper half of a giant's body, their waists down merging seamlessly with the white clouds; they lowered their heads, both hands bracing the dragon keel left and right, lifting the Creation Treasure Ship; conical blast waves erupted in three layers, the treasure ship howled across the sky, leaving behind suspended condensed water droplets in the air.

Clouds rise from the mountains; frost and frost become mist.

The commoners of Yuzhou gasped in awe, craning their necks, arching their backs.

Cloud-gazing giants jointly upheld the treasure ship, traversing the sky, vast and mighty, heading east!

White clouds, a thousand years, empty and leisurely.

The earth's scenery changed myriad times, light and shadow blurring.

Wen Wen Shi Yun shuttled left and right on the deck, running back and forth, overjoyed; Liang Qu crossed his arms: "What are you so excited about? It's not like you haven't ridden in my White Jade Palace before; I didn't see you this excited then."

"It's not the same, Master."

Wen Wen Shi Yun stood on the broad deck; with the cloud whales supporting, he felt no gang wind at all, even steadier than on the Yellow Shahe; looking around, the sky was a deep blue, he only felt heaven vast, earth broad, vision limitless; he spread his arms, "Outsiders looking at the White Jade Palace and other Martial Saints' mounts might think they're different, but we're inside. Inside, honestly, the White Jade Palace and other mounts have no big difference; the windows are all the same size.

Now the ship has a deck, wide enough to run horses, the scenery is much better, and I feel, even from the outside, with cloud whales carrying the ship now, it's also a bit more imposing than Master's White Jade Palace —"

"What nonsense! You brat have no eye for quality at all." The Third Prince refused to accept it, mimicking Liang Qu crossing his claws over his chest, "I can also conjure cloud whales, whatever you want I can conjure; a hundred flood dragons coming out to carry it would work too, greater in number, larger in size, no less imposing than now."

"That's not the same." Wen Wen Shi Yun wagged his index finger, "What you conjure, no matter how powerful, is still fake; others can't tell so they think it's the same, but the rider knows real from fake and the feeling is different; cloud whales are imposing because the Whale Emperor invited them — this is an extra share of face —"

Liang Qu's eyebrow shot up.

Wen Wen Shi Yun developed a premonition; a mere Fourth Gate, yet he had comprehended the "Heart's Blood Surge" that only a Tiger-Hunting Grand Martial Master possesses.

In a flash, infinite inspiration erupted; Wen Wen Shi Yun threw himself forward, lunging to hug Liang Qu's thigh: "Master, I was wrong, I was truly wrong, the White Jade Palace is imposing, the White Jade Palace is the best in the world, please don't expel me from the sect! Grandmaster, Grandmistress, Master's Wife, Martial Uncle, Martial Aunt, quickly persuade my Master!"

"Hahaha!"

Su Guishan, Ke Wenbin, Xu Zishuai, Xiang Changsong laughed uproariously, slapping their thighs.

Xu Yuelong, Ran Zhongzhi, Yu Dun, Lu Gang, Hu Qi and the others couldn't help laughing either.

Yang Dongxiong kept a straight face: "Don't go putting this sort of thing on your lips at every turn."

"No, Master, this brat is slippery as an eel, who knows who he learned it from, slandering my innocence! You must never believe him!" Liang Qu curled his middle finger, knuckle rapping hard on Wen Wen Shi Yun's forehead.

"Who knows who he learned it from?" Xu Yuelong shook his head, "I'd say otherwise."

"Wu Sheng, spare my life! You must hold back, don't knock your disciple's head to pieces, or no one will support you in your old age." Wen Wen Shi Yun clutched his head with both hands, protecting his skull.

"Rest a hundred hearts; your Master has the Vajra Indestructible Divine Ability, I can't knock it to pieces!"

The Dragon-Tiger Golden Body pointed at the ground and it became steel, enveloping Wen Wen Shi Yun. Liang Qu struck heavily, bang bang resounding, the entire treasure ship trembling.

"Ow ow ow, hiss — alas, my life is at an end!"

"Alright alright, in all the world only your White Jade Palace is the most imposing, only your White Jade Palace has the most face; why make things hard on little Stone?" Madam Xu pulled Wen Wen Shi Yun away, patted his forehead, "A child speaks a few true words and it's not allowed."

Wen Wen Shi Yun nodded repeatedly: "Now the Huai King's territory spans a thousand li, thirteen cities; river and Huai water beasts none fail to fear the King; within the four borders none fail to have requests of the King: from this we see, the King's blindness is extreme."

Liang Qu glanced over, finding Wen Wen Shi Yun who had found a "backer"; the kid shrank his neck under the gaze; Liang Qu counted on his fingers: "Two years ago it counted; this New Year's fifteenth, turning sixteen soon, how is he still a child?"

"How is he not? You're a child too!" Madam Xu glared, finger circling, pointing at each person one by one, "Each and every one, as long as I live, you're all children."

Liang Qu's eyes widened: "Then wouldn't I have to be a child for thousands of years?"

Madam Xu lost her composure laughing: "Talking nonsense again; still not a child?"

"Wait." Xu Zishuai stroked his chin, "By that logic, Grandpa Xu is also alive, so Madam Master is also a child."

"I don't count anyway."

"Unfair, where is there such reasoning —"

"Xiliuliu, aha."

The old toad lay alone in the rattan chair, his big butt firmly wedged; behind him monkeys massaged his shoulders; a river otter handed over juice; a green reed tube inserted into the orange juice, he sucked a mouthful, grabbed a handful of dried fried fish, watched clouds rise and fall, clouds gather and disperse, sighed long and short, unmoved by worldly disturbances.

Comfortable —

Liang Qu withdrew his gaze, slightly relieved.

The old toad is the ballast stone; the quieter, the safer.

As Eying said, since we pursue stimulation, naturally we see it through to the end.

Since the old toad divined great auspiciousness, and Wen Wen Shi Yun is brought along, bringing two more is the same; removing the subordinate water beasts, directly "full army sortie"!

Xu Yuelong, Xiang Fang Su and the others all requested leave.

This banquet, Fatty Fish originally shouldn't be absent, but he had to guard against a Southern Frontier "sneak attack", and because of the flood dragons and Whale Emperor's relations needed to avoid taboo, he could only stay in the Yellow Shahe.

Liang Qu walked to the ship's bow.

"Yun Bo, roughly when will we reach Cloud Heaven Palace?"

"The Huai King was previously in Yuzhou; Cloud Heaven Palace lies to the southeast; if it were Pingyang it would be closer; now it needs two days' time, roughly arriving midday the day after tomorrow; if the Huai King feels it's too slow, we can increase speed somewhat, only possibly flying too fast to appreciate the scenery along the way."

"Then forget it; hard to get leave to come out, let's just fly slowly like this."

"The journey is long; we specially brought some East Sea specialties for the Huai King."

"Oh?"

Liang Qu's gaze shifted; he saw white clouds faint and misty, auspicious clouds supporting.

Over a hundred treasure fish swam in the void, of several varieties.

Yun Bo introduced them one by one: "Those with a deep blue stripe on the body flank are the Shi Bo Herring; the fish meat salted and fermented yields a unique salty-savory flavor, able to greatly enhance the richness of soups and stews," this fish paired with wine, even more gives a "time slowing" experience, a moment's joy extended manifold.

Body color changes with the tides; high tide deep blue, low tide gray-brown is the Tide-Lock Grouper; the swim bladder specially sun-dried can be made into a "Lock-Fresh Pouch". Able to greatly slow the decay rate of stored items, and enhance its own deliciousness; effect lasts one tidal cycle.

The slender, knife-like ones are salt-bone knife fish, their skeletal surfaces often exuding fine salt frost. The bone powder ground from their main spine is a top-tier umami essence. Just sprinkle a little when cooking, and the ingredient's inherent umami will multiply several times, with a lingering aftertaste — wait — wait —

While Yun Bo was introducing them, he suddenly noticed something, felt a bit surprised, and recounted them.

"Yun Xiao, how many did you bring?"

Another Yun giant surfaced upon hearing the voice, somewhat slimmer than Yun Bo: "Nine kinds, one hundred eighty — what's wrong?"

"There are only one hundred twenty-seven here."

"Impossible." Yun Xiao frowned. "I didn't sneak any — it's one hundred eighty, nine kinds."

"Then why are they missing? Even down to only eight kinds, where's the most precious 'Diaoyu Bait'?"

"Yun Bo, are you doubting me?" Yun Xiao flared up.

"Cough, cough, both of you, don't argue, don't argue — there must be some misunderstanding, no need to harm harmony over nothing." Liang Qu glanced at the old toad drinking orange juice nonchalantly, stopping the two Yun giants' dispute: "One hundred eighty treasure fish — I've already accepted your goodwill."

"I'll settle this with you later!" Yun Bo hissed low.

"It wasn't me!" Yun Xiao exploded in rage.

"Hmph!" Yun Bo ignored him, continuing to introduce Liang Qu to medium and even high-grade treasure fish.

The minor quarrel drew attention; Otter Otter Kai appeared at some point, sharpening his knife with a swish, eyes fixed on the sky-full of treasure fish. The Third Prince drooled even more, dragon claw rubbing, then swiping across the nearby Monkey King, who flared up, bared his canine teeth, turned his head, and looked at the Third Prince.

"Huh?" The Third Prince lowered his head.

The Monkey King puffed his cheeks, retracted his canine teeth.

Endure!

"Say, big brother, why are all your treasure fish edible?" Xu Zeshuai asked curiously.

"His Majesty enjoys wandering and also enjoys local delicacies, though such hearty feasts are rare. The Pingyang banquet remains fresh in memory."

"This was meant to entertain guests — how could I possibly — "

"No matter, I implore King Huai to accept them; otherwise, His Majesty will surely blame me, thinking the hospitality inadequate. Moreover, these hundred treasure fish are merely appetizers. When we reach Yun Tian Palace, there will be even more — two top-grade rare treasure fish from the Eastern Sea, though not matching Phoenix Immortal or Meng Bai Huo, they are still excellent."

"Well then, refusing would be impolite, Otter Otter Kai."

Otter Jiang had long been eyeing them covetously; upon receiving the order, they surged forward and seized the treasure fish. Under the urging of Wen Shi Yun, they first prepared a few to taste.

Old thing, quite willing to spend the bait.

Liang Qu pondered.

All day spent baiting and fishing, never expecting one day to be baited by a whale.

Top-grade treasure fish, known throughout Jianghuai, equivalent to naturally produced great elixirs — taking out two at once to entertain guests made Liang Qu's heart bleed, though useless against the Whale Emperor, just a small snack.

"For this trip to Yun Tian Palace, am I the only one?"

"No, besides King Huai, there's also the Merfolk King, the Ray King, and others. His Majesty often wanders abroad; this year he planned to invite King Huai, so Binghuo hasn't returned yet, only arriving in winter. Many demon kings take this opportunity to pay visits, and to hold the Sea Merchants' Assembly."

Merfolk King, Ray King!

Liang Qu clearly remembers: it was the latter who entered the Sea Abyss Palace, seized the original ecological niche of the Sea Warden, formed a new sea merchants' guild, and has never come to Jianghuai to seek Bai Yuan.

Nowadays, the Great Shun has actually severed the sea merchants' bulk trade, even less than before when they occasionally visited — only because the Sea Warden came to Jianghuai and continued exchanges, thus causing no impact on Pingyang.

"I used to talk with the Sea Warden; she said the Eight-Armed King is not under the Whale Emperor, merely offering tribute yearly. Also, I recall Yun Bo saying earlier that if needed, the Whale Emperor can dispatch demon kings to assist in flood control."

"Does King Huai need assistance?"

"No, I just wanted to ask: if the Merfolk King and Eight-Armed King are insufficient, what kind of demon king could become the Whale Emperor's subordinate?"

A moment of silence, then sudden laughter.

Not only Yun Bo, but the cloud whales beneath the boat all burst into laughter.

Yun Bo's tone carried a hint of pride: "All of them! And yet, none of them!"

"What do you mean?"

"King Huai may not know: demonkind differs from humankind, with myriad kinds, thus different territories are mostly occupied by different species and demon kings. His Majesty never recruits other demon kings as subordinates — so all are not.

But within the Eastern Sea, South Sea, and even North Sea, once a command is issued, demon kings and great demons — none fail to obey! Hence, all are! Only His Majesty is magnanimous, always fair in trade, never letting other demons suffer loss — just like this flood control: find two suitable demon kings, give them treasure fish, naturally — "

Liang Qu was speechless.

He had long known countless times the difference between the furnace and the Yao Long, yet still underestimated the very meaning of the furnace's existence.

As a subject of Great Shun, he need not obey the orders of the Nanjiang Martial Immortal, but as a demon beast, within his own kind, lacking a furnace means he must obey the Whale Emperor! Even if Liang Qu, the Nanjiang Martial Immortal truly demanded something trivial and harmless, he would still have to comply.

The furnace commanding the Yao Long is as natural and justified as a sovereign commanding ministers, a father educating his son.

The Yun giants melted away, returning to the boat's bottom.

Liang Qu gazed at the shifting earth, turned, and went back indoors.

He has a cultivation practice that must be completed before reaching the Eastern Sea —

The next day.

Wen Shi Yun stood in post, practicing fists; Otter Otter Kai ran over to tell Liang Qu the treasure fish were missing a few, suspecting the Monkey King stole them. The Monkey King leapt up and down, shouting; Su Guishan crushed the spine of the salt-bone knife fish, sprinkled it into the noodle meat sauce, took a big bite, praised it loudly, and recommended it to Yang Dongxiong.

"The surface has turned into the sea." Long Yao pointed with her finger.

Su Guishan brought his bowl to the boat's edge: "Indeed it is."

"It feels no different from the Jianghuai Marshes." Ko Wenbin pulled Su Xiaoran's small hand as he looked around.

"Visually, indeed no difference — just a size difference, and truly speaking, bigger isn't necessarily better; the inside might be hollow." Su Guishan took a big mouthful of noodles.

"Hollow?"

"The Boundless Sea is lifeless precisely because it's too vast — between heaven and earth, only where water and land meet does spiritual energy flourish most. Thus, the coastal fringe, the Jianghuai Marshes — this is living water. The Boundless Sea is too vast, vast to the point of utter inner stillness, no exchange at all — no grass grows, no grass means no fish."

"Isn't it said that immortals descend with heavenly punishment?" Ko Wenbin asked.

"You're lucky you're from Heposuo." Su Guishan swept the bowl clean, "The Ministry of Works figured this out — read more of their books, less of those weird tales."

"

"

"Up ahead is Qiujin — another two ke." Yun Bo suddenly spoke up to remind.

Liang Qu's expression shifted.

Qiushu State!

The origin site of the Guimu Sect's death-and-resurrection ritual! Also one of the "human resources" Nanjiang plans to excavate.

"When we arrived in November, we happened to see the Dashun fleet set sail; they should now be above Qiushu, and will continue southward afterward—Huai Wang might possibly sense the 'Stone in the River'."

Liang Qu nodded.

"Oh?"

Everyone grew curious.

Qiushu, among the overseas states, is the most powerful.

Wen Wen Shi Yun leaned against the ship's rail, her head shoved into the gap between the balusters.

The weather today is fine.

The sea is deep blue, sparkling, the sea breeze damp.

Soon after.

A mighty fleet appeared on the horizon.

Tower ships, wing ships, horse ships, seated ships, war vessels—stretching and undulating, five tower ships formed the core, nearly as tall as high-rises, seven fine horses galloped across the decks, charging forward.

The gilded "Shun" banner fluttered wildly, tens of thousands of Jiang Tun leapt from the water, crossing left and right, spraying droplets, waterbirds folding their wings and landing on the masts.

Normally, only near land can waterbirds be seen, but this fleet is so enormous, so vast that it itself is moving land!

Martial Hall disciples and Wen Wen Shi Yun's classmates all stared dumbfounded, seeing an ocean-going fleet fully unfurled for the first time.

Beyond the fleet, true land emerged—fishing boats neared the harbor, layers of waves crashed against the black reefs, leaving white foam.

"Ships! Ships in the sky!"

Prince Bohai raised his head, gazing at the treasure ships roaring past the horizon, causing turmoil among the troops, and ordered to maintain order.

"That is our Huai Wang of Dashun—no need to panic,"

"It is our Huai Wang—no need to panic, furl the sails in order, dock, dock!"

"Drop anchor, signal with flags, bring the ships alongside."

Armored soldiers ran to and fro.

In Qiushu, villagers in coarse hemp clothing emerged from their huts, squinting in the sunlight with astonishment, crawling and kneeling on the ground.

On the sea, in the sky—treasure ships simultaneously.

"A great state! Shun! The bearing of a great state! The bearing of a great state!"

"Divine spirits! Divine spirits!"

"Heavenly Dynasty exalted ones, we reverently welcome the Heavenly Dynasty exalted ones!"

The treasure ship passed over the ocean-going fleet, the sea reverted to land, and the villagers knelt.

Verdant Qingshan rose and fell, the weather sometimes dry, sometimes stormy.

"Six fallen dragons—"

Liang Qu sensed and found six "River Stones," but according to records, Qiushu has only three Martial Saints; the remaining three "River Stones" belong to the demon kings.

Indeed, they belong to a considerable force.

Plus two more who could rival the prosperity of Jianghuai—

"Snow Mountain!"

"Over there, over there—is that a Kun?"

"What a dense forest—so Qiushu is this big? Huh, what a huge fox!"

"Pa!"

"You brat, stop pointing wildly—that damn thing is a demon king—"

This mission's goal is Yun Tian Palace; we'll take a slight detour, view some scenic spots, linger little—the treasure ship shrouded by the Yun Whale signifies something self-evident; under the gaze of many Qiushu Martial Saints, the young prince and the demon king, we crossed eastward, unaware that at this very moment, a Jiang Tun had mixed into the fleet.

On the third morning, Long Eying personally put Liang Qu's boots on him, fastened his ornaments.

Dressed in formal attire.

The Yun Whale turned its cloud fins, dove downward, the treasure ship pierced the cloud layer, vision suddenly cleared, rippling light flashed swiftly, blurring into a patch of bright brilliance.

The Eastern Sea is boundless, clouds and mist entwined.

The immortal palace spans heaven and earth, sea creatures sway their long tails, drawing out beautiful crystalline water lines.

In the ocean, merchant fish convoys stretch for miles.

The Shark King, the Ray King planted their feet, silently gazing at the treasure ship descending from the horizon, clearly knowing who approaches.

Dashun Huai Wang!

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