It is said that the inner core of a skilled Water Demon and the eye of a Dragon Fish are essentially Water-Repelling Pearls.
As for the function of the Water-Repelling Pearl...
Ancient texts record that King Yu, in taming the She River, sought the Dragon Vein and placed the Water-Repelling Pearl, thereby the She River dared not flood, winding its way southeast.
Some say that there are different grades of the Water-Repelling Pearl; the weaker ones prevent drowning, while the stronger ones can even part the sea, allowing the bearer to walk as if on dry land amidst roaring waves.
Additionally, some Water-Repelling Pearls can enable a person to dive into the deep sea and enter the Dragon Palace...
Overall, it can be said that the Water-Repelling Pearl is a tool for avoiding and controlling water.
Curious, Xu Qing took the pearl to the riverside. A milky white halo emanated from it, causing the river water to part as if encountering an immovable boulder.
Jumping into the water, Xu Qing seemed like a chick enclosed within an invisible barrier three feet around, moving freely even at the riverbed.
Playing with the Water-Repelling Pearl, Xu Qing found it both useful and seemingly pointless.
Unafraid of water and skilled in the Water Technique, the pearl’s sole benefit was keeping his clothes dry after submerging.
Gazing at the smooth, round pearl in his hand, Xu Qing suddenly had an idea.
Cats fear water and dread having their fur wetted; they are also attracted to round objects.
This would make a perfect toy for Xuan Yu.
Stowing away the Water-Repelling Pearl, Xu Qing returned to the shore. After a moment’s thought, he did not take Shi Quan’s body but instead carried it to Zhao Zhonghe’s sand pit and temporarily covered it with sand.
Zhao Zhonghe was still unconscious. Xu Qing looked around: there was neither a boat nor a single figure in sight on the desolate shore.
From Shi Quan’s memory, he knew the government office’s boat had returned to the pier long ago.
The government official named Xue was indeed skilled at fleeing. When the four of them fell into the water, Xue didn’t hesitate for a moment, as if making a determined decision.
Gazing at the two in the pit, Xu Qing considered that Zhao Zhonghe’s robust physique was of little concern, but Zhao Yuan needed care.
Having faced the Water Monkey together to rescue him, Zhao Yuan had earned his respect.
Xu Qing now faced a dilemma: how to leave after waking the two?
The deserted shore was void of people or boats. He couldn’t possibly accompany the uncle and nephew on foot back to Linhe, could he?
"Damn that Xue official..."
Xu Qing cursed under his breath.
Looking at the snoring Zhao Zhonghe, Xu Qing couldn’t help but remember their past conflicts.
"If not for your service to the common folk, I’d have sent you off to the afterlife."
Grinning, Xu Qing pulled a stick of Enchanting Fragrance from his bundle, planted it in the sand before Zhao Zhonghe, ignited it with Yin Fire, and began to use the Dream Creation Skill.
Today, he would speak to the constable in a dream on behalf of the departed government official, to distinguish loyalty from betrayal and good from evil.
That day, Chief Zhao had a bizarre dream.
He dreamt of sitting alone in the office, perusing case files by lamplight.
Around midnight, a sudden gust of wind inexplicably blew outside.
Zhao Zhonghe heard a faint voice calling, "Constable, Constable Zhao..."
He looked up to see a figure standing outside, drenched, with tears in their eyes, continuously calling out.
At dawn, Chief Zhao woke with a start.
Looking around in bewilderment, he saw a fair-faced young man smiling at him, "You’re awake?"
Shortly after Zhao Zhonghe awoke, Zhao Yuan also stirred.
The three exchanged glances. Xu Qing explained that after falling into the water, the Water Monkey abandoned him, perhaps finding him unlucky, and he drifted to the shore.
He had then wandered along the shore and found the two unconscious.
Zhao Zhonghe harbored no doubts but couldn’t explain how they had both ended up unconscious.
After pondering for a while, Zhao Zhonghe suddenly said to Zhao Yuan, "Ah Yuan, I dreamt last night that Shi Quan, in an attempt to save me, drowned. He appeared in my dream to express his loyalty, saying that we are righteous, while Old Xue is a traitor and a coward who fled at a critical moment.
"He even praised Shopkeeper Xu as an honest and decent man..."
At this point, Zhao Zhonghe chuckled, "This dream can’t be real; Shi Quan feared water and was a poor swimmer. No matter how foolish, he wouldn’t jump in..."
But Zhao Zhonghe suddenly fell silent.
For Xu Qing had slowly risen and pulled a corpse – buried thinly in the soft sand – revealing Shi Quan’s body.