Chapter 2621: 8: A Small Boat Floats on the Azure Sea, Layers of Tidal Sounds

This village neighbors Le’an to the north, and overlooks Qiaoshan to the south. Not far to the west is Qiuyang County, where the Zhong Xuan Family is located, and to the east is Linzi. It is also Jiang Wang’s first time here.

Before coming here, he had never thought that this place could also hide a Gate of All Demons.

Just as he had not thought that, now in charge of this water village and the Gate of All Demons, was Imperial Court Adviser Song Yao.

The Imperial Court Adviser had just initiated an alliance with the Shuofang Earl’s Mansion through the marriage of his disciple’s daughter, with flirtatious exchanges with the Shuofang Marquis. Yet, the year had not passed, and the joy of the wedding not faded, when the bridge connecting the two political forces had already collapsed...

Although the cooperation between the two political forces would not collapse so easily, Bao Zhongqing’s death undoubtedly made Song Yao, who had personally attended that wedding, very displeased.

Did Bao Zhongqing have to die?

If Bao Zhongqing’s fate was already sealed, then what was the significance of that wedding? What was the significance of Song Yao’s presence?

Was it just to ensure Bao Zhongqing could peacefully have a son?

A disciple’s daughter’s happiness, even someone like Miao Yuzhi’s, wasn’t beyond sacrifice, but was it necessary for Song Yao, the True Man Song, to personally get involved?

For Song Yao, it was a blow to his dignity.

Zhongxuan Sheng had privately concluded that Northern Frontier Count Bao Yi would surely have to make some concessions on family interests to save face. He even pondered whether he might join in, since he also personally mourned as Bao Zhongqing’s ’friend before his demise,’ and thought sharing some meals would be natural...

But in reality, there had been no movement from the Shuofang Earl’s Mansion, and everything was calm on Song Yao’s side as well.

Zhongxuan Sheng speculated that Bao Yi’s solution might be personal and involve secrets at the Dongzhen level... He was indignant for quite a while, calling Bao Yi’s uncle a waste of resources, insisting that the True Man Song was not hard to please.

However, what Jiang Wang least expected was that the prior unfamiliar Song Yao greeted him with the first words discussing the "Changji" of Changji Water Village.

Changji Water Village spans the upper reaches of the Zi River, constructed with wood and stone, supplemented with cast iron, its style majestic and imposing, appearing from afar like a fierce beast with the might to devour the sea.

At that time, Song Yao stood outside the water village’s gate, gazing up at the plaque where the words "Changji," like a dragon or snake, streamed down.

"Marquis Wu’an, do you know who wrote these two characters?" he asked.

Jiang Wang certainly did not know, and honestly replied, "Please forgive my ignorance, Jiang Wang... I’ve come to Changji Water Village for the first time, and heard of its name for the first time."

"Someone from the Blue Stone Palace."

Song Yao’s voice was so calm and easy.

So easy it seemed as if he was teaching Jiang Wang how to read the two characters, "Changji."

But to Jiang Wang, it was like a thunderous explosion.

He looked up at the top of the water village, where vigilant navy guards patrolled back and forth. It appeared as if no one had heard anything, and perhaps they truly heard nothing.

Jiang Wang acted as if he heard nothing either, leaving the small boat, continuing his steps toward the water village.

His guard leader Fang Yuanyou, with a dispatch order from the Political Affairs Hall, had brought a company of two hundred guards, waiting early near the water village. Bai Yuxia had already gone ahead to gather people.

At this moment, outside the water village, upon these vast azure waves, only Song Yao accompanied him.

"Are you surprised?" Song Yao said calmly, using a narrative tone: "Our country’s navy became strong after being organized by that person. Several fierce battles on Jueming Island included him as well. That’s why many people both in the court and civil circles have recognized him. But time has passed, and few remember him now. Back then, the serious errors he committed in the matter of Summer Country, and the series of mishandled responses that followed, caused him to lose everything, and prevented the Majesty from moving to Transcendence earlier... Such is fate."

It must be said, his historical recount was excellent.

But Jiang Wang simply said calmly, "What surprises me is not these facts, but... why does Minister Song share this with me?"

"Oh, just mentioned it casually." Song Yao smiled: "Hope I didn’t scare Marquis Wu’an."

"I’ve also passed by the Blue Stone Palace."

Among the shouts of the water village soldiers and the slow descent of the steel gate’s winch, Jiang Wang said unaffectedly: "It wasn’t frightening."

Bang!

The steel gate engraved with Array Pattern fully descended, forming a bridge parallel to the water.

The huge air wave crashed into the Water Pattern, rippling out circle after circle.