Chapter 48: The White Dragon Amidst the Waves

Observing the Kun demon, the Free Roaming Technique was created.

This tale is widely circulated among the Demon Suppression Bureau in Dongbin Town.

The Free Roaming Technique is a supreme movement art. Strictly speaking, it cannot be called just a movement technique; this pinnacle martial art is profoundly obscure. Later generations in the Bureau could only glean a superficial understanding of its movement aspects.

Even so, it is regarded as a secret art.

Baili Feihong perused the Bureau’s records. According to the Dongbin Town Annals, the Free Roaming Technique is not merely a movement technique but explicates a highly advanced martial art.

One recalls how the first Warden, after slaying the Kun demon, advanced to the Manifestation Realm.

His manifestation was a Kunpeng.

Later, he created this secret art, which startled even the Bureau’s headquarters.

Yet, the art is so esoteric that apart from the first Warden, no one has truly mastered it.

Nevertheless, contemplating the "Free Roaming Technique" greatly aids the practice of movement arts.

Thus, it is one of the most coveted techniques within the Bureau.

“Please wait a moment. I will fetch a facsimile of the Free Roaming Technique for you.”

Yan Ruyu left the counter.

After a brief wait, Baili Feihong saw Yan Ruyu return from the archive with the copied text.

“Remember, this book is for your own cultivation only. It must not be passed on,” Yan Ruyu instructed.

“Even if it were, others might not be able to learn it,” Baili Feihong replied confidently.

“There are many prodigies in the sects. If such an art fell into their hands, we would lose a secret technique,” Yan Ruyu sighed, mentioning the sects. Compared to the top sects, the court is indeed lacking in certain secret arts.

“Rest assured, Miss Yan. I spent a Grade C merit medal to obtain this secret art—if I fail to learn it, it will pain me greatly,” Baili Feihong said with a smile.

“It’s only a Grade C medal. I believe Warden Baili will earn many more in the future. The Bureau has plenty of treasures. With enough skill and the completion of more missions, resources will never be lacking,” Yan Ruyu confided.

Her family has served the Bureau for generations.

She knows many secrets.

Some things even Warden Gongyang Yan may not know.

To the Bureau, families like the Gongyangs are to be watched.

“I am indeed looking forward to it.”

Baili Feihong tucked the old, yellowed book into his robe.

He turned and walked to the mission hall.

He gazed at the wall, plastered with numerous mission slips.

He had no interest in the apprentice-level missions.

Apprentice missions only grant one-tenth of the reward.

Grade D missions were scarce.

After all, the largest group in Dongbin Bureau is the Grade D wardens.

Grade D missions are highly sought after; one posted, one snatched.

So, he turned his attention to the Grade C mission slips.

[Suppress the Kappa: A monster from the eastern islands, now wandering Dongbin's rivers, often coming ashore to harm young women and infants. Slay it to earn one Grade C merit medal, one hundred gold coins. Strength: equivalent to Bone Refinement Realm. Rank: unrestricted.]

[According to the latest report, this kappa was last seen abducting three infants from Gongping Town.]

“A kappa that crossed the border?”

This slip caught Baili Feihong’s attention.

Only a Bone Refinement-level kappa, yet the reward was generous.

But no one had taken the task.

Dongbin's waterways are extensive; finding the kappa is extremely difficult.

Moreover, even Grade C wardens struggle to confront a kappa in the rivers.

Those lacking in swimming skills are naturally uninterested.

Even if skilled in water, locating the kappa is hard, and once the mission is accepted, it must be completed within the allotted time.

Otherwise, it becomes difficult to accept another mission.

Such is the Bureau’s rule.

No hoarding of tasks.

Except for very special missions, the Bureau assigns specialists to follow up.

“I am investigating the Night Demon, which is actually probing the opium case.”

“Opium smuggling involves the Sakura Nation, the Canal Guild, and Dongbin’s river system.”

“Taking this mission would provide cover for my investigation.”

Baili Feihong reached out and tore the mission slip from the wall.

“Warden Baili, we meet again,” Yan Ruyu said, her expression slightly odd.

“My Grade D merit medal, you have yet to return it, Miss Yan,” Baili Feihong said with a radiant smile.

“Do you think I would covet your Grade D medal?”

“I trust your integrity, Miss Yan, but important people are prone to forgetfulness. By the way, do you have any water-based arts? Also, I’ll take this mission.”

“Suppress the Kappa. Indeed, that hideous foreign monster deserves to have its bones ground to dust,” Yan Ruyu began registering the mission for Baili Feihong.

She also found a water-based technique for him.

“This technique is called ‘White Dragon Amidst the Waves.’ It was created by a naval commander, who exchanged it with the Bureau for a martial art.”

“White Dragon Amidst the Waves can train one’s ability in water. At its peak, one can breathe like a fish and swim like a dragon.”

Yan Ruyu handed Baili Feihong a facsimile of the technique.

“The usual rule...”

“Rest assured, I won’t pass it on,” Baili Feihong replied, taking the water-based martial art, and left.

Watching Baili Feihong’s upright silhouette, Yan Ruyu’s beautiful eyes flashed with light.

Back home.

The first thing Baili Feihong examined was “White Dragon Amidst the Waves,” the water-based technique.

His talent lay in the unity of water and fire.

He did not yet understand what this meant.

But as he practiced the technique, it went exceptionally smoothly.

Compared to the Bureau’s Six Paths Sutra, “White Dragon Amidst the Waves” was simple.

[White Dragon Amidst the Waves: Water-based technique, Initiate (50/200)]

After reading it once, Baili Feihong had nearly memorized it.

He mulled over its mysteries, discovering it taught how to use the pores of the body to mimic the breathing technique of fish gills.

Force is emitted from the pores, producing various subtle energies that propel one through water.

The control of energy was so exquisite that Baili Feihong marveled at it.

The creator of this technique was truly ingenious.

Baili Feihong did not use skill points to perfect it.

He lifted the well cover and leapt into the well.

He could feel the water’s biting cold.

The seemingly still water caressed his skin like tiny hands.

Undercurrents stirred.

Baili Feihong could not suppress the image of Ji Xiaoqian’s alluring figure in his mind.

Until she turned and smiled, opening her mouth wide.

He was not frightened, only filled with pity and regret.

“This girl’s character is not bad.”

Even as a fierce ghost, she could not be cruel.

Seeking vengeance, yet afraid of breaking the law.

Such kindness, but a lifetime of misery.

“There’s an underground river at the bottom of the well.”

“Beneath the river lies a mysterious force that prevents me from leaving this city.”

Baili Feihong recalled Ji Xiaoqian’s words.

He had not taken this information seriously before.

But now, having been dragged into matters by Gongyang Yan, he had no choice but to consider: What is the mysterious force?

The underground river leads to the Bin River, and then to the Eastern Sea.

Is there some unknown evil lurking beneath Dongbin City?

Baili Feihong sank to the bottom of the well. The icy water cleared his mind, banishing distractions, leaving him to focus solely on cultivating “White Dragon Amidst the Waves.”