The heavens and earth conceal profound mysteries, while fields hide dragon palaces.
There is magic in the mundane, its truths spoken without words.
...
Chen Jichuan entered the waters, pushed open the palace gate, climbed ninety-nine steps, and arrived at the grand hall. The civil and military officials he had seen before had all vanished, as had the silver-bearded elder.
The hall was empty.
Desolate and silent.
"The scenes in the hall just now—were they fabrications of a spell, or did such grandeur truly exist in this Water Mansion many years ago?"
Chen Jichuan looked around, recalling the rows of civil and military officials and the sight of the Yellow Luo Umbrella, pondering silently.
If it was the former, then so be it.
But if it was the latter, then the former glory of the Lishui Water Mansion must have been truly remarkable. Yet, for some reason, this grand place had fallen into such decay, now standing empty and abandoned.
"A great enemy invaded?"
