37: Traitor

Early the next morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and a thin layer of mist still hung over the river.

Chen Linsheng arrived at the bank of the Clear River again.

By the river in the early morning, many early-rising fishermen and boatmen were already busy.

The wide river surface had rapid currents, and the muddy yellow river water rushed forward, emitting a low rushing sound, creating a considerable momentum.

Looking out, there were several small sandbars and islands in the middle of the river, covered in dense reeds swaying in the wind.

Many boats of various sizes were moored along the bank, ranging from simple sampans to larger covered boats, forming a considerable civilian dock.

Several constables from the Water Patrol Division, dressed in uniform blue official attire and carrying sabers at their waists, were patrolling the dock with serious expressions, inspecting the passing vessels.

Chen Linsheng did not linger. He found a quiet, uninhabited section of the river, stretched his muscles and bones, took a deep breath, and dove headfirst into the icy river water.

The initial coldness of the water invigorated him. He immediately began moving his body, swimming toward the deeper part of the river center.

The Skill of Aptitude for Water (Initiate) allowed him to swim quite smoothly, but he still felt considerable resistance in the rapid river currents.

He constantly adjusted his breathing and movements, attempting to dive deeper, fighting against the impact of the current, submerging his entire mind in the comprehension and tempering of his Aptitude for Water.

He did not know how long passed—perhaps half an incense stick's time, perhaps a quarter of an hour—when he once again struggled to break through an undercurrent, feeling his body's perception of the water flow become clearer than ever before. Suddenly, the spirit book in his mind violently shook!

[Skill: Aptitude for Water (Minor Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/800)]

[Divine Effect: Underwater Vision, Deep Diving Like a Fish, Walking Through Water. Able to see underwater with open eyes, greatly increased diving depth, and significantly reduced resistance while swimming.]

In that instant, a wave of enlightenment surged into his mind, and a cool sensation came over his eyes. His vision, which had been slightly blurry underwater, suddenly became crystal clear, allowing him to see the suspended particles and the distant swaying aquatic plants.

He felt as if his body had become more "water-friendly."

As his limbs moved, resistance sharply decreased, and his speed abruptly increased. Like a true swimming fish, he broke through the water surface and swiftly swam toward the dense patch of reeds in the center of the river.

In just a moment, he silently submerged himself into the deepest part of the reed thicket.

The reeds were dense here, their roots and stems intertwined, forming a natural aquatic barrier that was extremely concealed.

He found a spot where the roots and stems were relatively solid, stabilized his body, and sat cross-legged in the water, only leaving his mouth and nose exposed.

Immediately, he carefully took the warm jade bottle from his embrace, poured out a Medicinal Pill the size of a longan, which was entirely crystal white and emitted faint traces of cold Qi.

It was the ice muscle pill.

Without the slightest hesitation, he tilted his head back and swallowed the Medicinal Pill.

The Medicinal Pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth. A pure and icy medicinal power immediately spread out, like countless tiny ice snakes, burrowing into his limbs and bones, finally converging on the surface membranes of his body.

Chen Linsheng dared not delay. He immediately circulated the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique, guiding the surging blood and Qi within his body to actively meet that icy medicinal power.

"Hiss..."

It was like the fusion of ice and fire. The warmth of the blood and Qi fiercely collided with the icy coldness of the medicinal power beneath his skin.

A bone-deep sensation of numbness, itching, and stinging emerged, causing fine cold sweat to instantly break out on his forehead, only to be quickly washed away by the cool river water.

He could clearly feel that under this internal and external tempering, his skin was becoming denser and tougher at a slow yet resolute pace... He didn't know how much time passed before the medicinal power was gradually absorbed completely, and the sensation of icy stinging slowly faded.

Chen Linsheng let out a long breath of turbid, cold air, slowly opened his eyes, and a sharp light flashed across his pupils before disappearing.

His consciousness sank into his Sea of Consciousness to check the two newly acquired Martial Skills.

[Martial Skill: Eight Steps Catching Cicada (Initiate)]

[Progress: (200/400)]

[Divine Effect: Stomping Force, Five Steps in an Instant. Master a unique starting acceleration technique. Speed can be increased to one's limit within five steps, used for short sprints.]

[Martial Skill: Startled Swan Spear (Initiate)]

[Progress: (240/600)]

[Divine Effect: A Startled Glance, Body Follows the Spear. Spear thrust speed is significantly increased, and the resultant spear shadow is like a startled swan flashing past. Preliminary mastery of basic footwork that uses the spear momentum to drive the body movement, making sprinting and spear thrusting more coordinated.]

"The progress is good."

Chen Linsheng felt a slight joy in his heart. In this quiet, uninhabited reed thicket, he simply used his finger as a spear, silently practicing the Moves of the Startled Swan Spear among the roots and stems in this small area, experiencing the coordinated feeling of "Body Follows the Spear," while his footwork secretly matched the key acceleration points of Eight Steps Catching Cicada.

After Cultivating for a moment, he felt his blood and Qi calm down, yet his spirit became even more full.

He stopped moving, ready to rest briefly before returning to the shore.

Just then, the Divine Effects of "Listening to the Wind to Discern Position" and Five Senses Clarity, brought by Tracking (Perfection), allowed him to keenly detect faint footsteps and suppressed conversation voices coming from afar, heading toward the reed thicket where he was hiding!

Chen Linsheng’s heart tightened. He immediately gathered all his Qi. The "Breath Concealment Technique" of Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique (Major Achievement) naturally activated, making him seem like a lifeless stone submerged in the water, silently disappearing into the shadows of the dense reeds, his breathing becoming almost imperceptible.

'Two people... Ordinary fishermen would never come to this remote place.'

Thoughts raced through his mind, and an ominous premonition quietly spread.

Soon, two blurry figures arrived at the edge of the reed thicket and stopped behind a patch of reeds. Although their voices were deliberately lowered, they were still clearly discernible to Chen Linsheng's extraordinary hearing.

A slightly hoarse male voice complained, "...Damn it, those Water Patrol Division lackeys have been checking things tighter and tighter lately. Several sources of income have been cut off."

Another voice, slightly sharper and carrying a hint of smugness and mystery, said, "Heh, they won't be cut off for long. I heard a piece of news: the County Office has already set a date. Three days from now, at the hour of Zi (11 PM to 1 AM), they will organize personnel, led by Shi Poyue of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, to launch a surprise attack from Black Fish Bay on our old lair by the marsh, hoping to wipe us out!"

"What?!" The hoarse male voice was startled and angry, unconsciously raising its volume slightly before forcefully suppressing it again. "Is the news reliable? That Shi Poyue fellow is not someone to mess with!"

"Absolutely true! My informant in the yamen said it himself. The Water Patrol Division is already starting to allocate boats and manpower; it's a big Move." The sharp voice affirmed, "Hurry back and report to the Boss so we can prepare early! By then... hehe, let's see if they wipe us out, or if we prepare a big gift for them!"

"Good! I'll head back immediately! Thanks for the tip, brother!"

"Go quickly. Be careful not to be followed."

After their brief conversation, the sound of footsteps quickly faded away, disappearing into the reed marsh.

Hidden in the shadows, Chen Linsheng's heart was churning with shock!

The County Office's plan to suppress the Water Bandits had been leaked three days before the operation! Moreover, the leader and the location of the surprise attack were known perfectly!

This was definitely not a trivial matter!

If the Water Bandits were prepared and set up an ambush, wouldn't Senior Brother and the Water Patrol Division brethren participating in this trip be walking straight into a trap, facing grim prospects?

'I must inform Senior Brother immediately!'

Without the slightest hesitation, he slipped silently into the water like a nimble loach. The Divine Effects of "Deep Diving Like a Fish" and "Walking Through Water" from Aptitude for Water (Minor Achievement) were fully activated, allowing him to stay underwater for longer and swim along the riverbed at extreme speed toward the bank where he had entered.

The journey was silent. Relying on his extraordinary Aptitude for Water and sense of direction, he quickly returned to the quiet riverbank where he had originally entered the water.

Quickly climbing ashore, he found a hidden spot to change into clean clothes. Chen Linsheng suppressed the urgency in his heart, his gaze calm.

Master Zhao Zheng had already departed for the Prefecture City two days ago to procure a batch of rare medicinal herbs for the Martial Arts Hall and visit old friends, so he was not currently at the hall.

This matter concerned the lives of Senior Brother and the many Water Patrol Division brethren who might participate, so he had to immediately inform someone in charge who was trustworthy.

With thoughts racing like lightning, he made his decision.

Instead of returning to the Martial Arts Hall, Chen Linsheng determined his direction. Eight Steps Catching Cicada unconsciously activated under his feet, and his figure moved like the wind, heading straight toward another bustling street in the city.

The place he was going was the Shi Family Carriage and Horse Shop, run by Senior Brother Shi Poyue's family.