I'm just an ornamental fish in the water.

It wasn't until Jiang Li left the government office with the warrant from Luo Shuicheng that she realized what had happened.

The leisurely life I had just prepared for seems to have vanished in the blink of an eye?

Jiang Li gave a helpless bitter smile, but still stepped towards the main gate of the Luoshui Divine Palace.

"The Prime Minister has ordered Liu Qing, the deputy general of the Inspection Office, to select one hundred elite soldiers to investigate the matter of the yellow ox, together with the Wind and Cloud Envoy and Jiang Li."

Jiang Li read out the order in front of the gate of the Luoshui Divine Palace.

"Yes, sir!"

As Liu Qing agreed, a hint of emotion flickered in his eyes as he looked at Jiang Li.

In his opinion, this matter really didn't need to be handled with such caution, but that's how Luo Shuicheng arranged it.

A significant portion of the reason was to avoid hurting Jiang Li's feelings.

As expected, Brother Jiang is now the most favored member of the Luoshui Divine Palace.

Liu Qing sighed inwardly, glanced to the side, and then the inspector quickly headed towards the Cloud and Rain Bureau.

Before long, the Wind Messenger and the Cloud Messenger arrived. "I had hoped to steal a moment of peace, but alas, it's not possible."

The messenger shook his head and sighed.

Just as Jiang Li was about to speak, the Cloud Chaser slapped him on the shoulder and scolded, "What are you spouting nonsense for? If you don't investigate the suspected demon news, you'll be idle forever once the Empress returns."

"I was just saying..."

The Wind Messenger rubbed his shoulders and muttered something, then looked at Jiang Li and smiled, "Brother Jiang, don't overthink it. We're just having a playful argument as husband and wife."

Jiang Li smiled and nodded.

After spending more time with these two envoys, I realized that perhaps due to the unique atmosphere of the Luoshui Divine Palace, these two proper water gods had more of a human touch than a divine one.

"Your Excellencies, the hundred-man squad is assembled."

At this moment, Liu Qing walked over, still fully armored, but no longer carrying a spear; instead, he had a ring sword at his waist.

"Brother Jiang, you're in charge."

The Wind Messenger smiled and shook his head, looking at Jiang Li.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li did not refuse and said, "Then let's set off. Let's see what kind of background that old ox really has."

Jiang Li spoke very softly in the last sentence, and only Liu Qing, who was closer, could hear it.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qing couldn't help but chuckle.

Although Brother Jiang is exceptionally talented, he lacks experience, and he's being far too nervous.

But it's not a big deal; you'll get used to it after seeing it more often.

The group left the Luoshui Divine Palace, but did not walk on the Luoshui River. Instead, the Cloud-Driving Messenger summoned a celestial cloud, and the group ascended onto the cloud.

Jiang Li unfolded the document in her hand, which contained Gong Ji's prayers at the temple.

Above, blessed by the Luoshui Temple, one can directly find Gong Ji's location by following the energy flow above.

"Outside Luoyang City, in Taiping Village."

Jiang Li looked in the direction indicated by the aura and spoke softly.

"That place is not far from the Luo River, and it is surrounded by water but not mountains, so there are many fertile fields."

Liu Qing introduced the place as if it were his own treasure, and then said thoughtfully, "If this place is to nurture rare flowers and herbs that can enlighten ordinary creatures, I'm afraid it will be difficult." The Wind Messenger beside him also said, "In previous years, when it rained around there, I also looked at the feng shui of that place. It is too crowded with people. It is a place where the mortal world gathers, not a place for spiritual beings to nurture true beings."

"Let's go and take a look first."

Listening to the conversation between the two "local bullies," Jiang Li's last bit of hope vanished.

"Alright."

Both the envoy and Liu Qing nodded.

The group rode on the clouds and arrived at Taiping Village in no time.

Jiang Li looked down and saw that it was indeed a place where people gathered.

Because of a tributary stream drawn from the Luo River, irrigating the fields is very convenient, and the surrounding area is full of excellent paddy fields. As a result, there are many more farmers in Taiping Village than in the neighboring villages.

Jiang Li looked at the stream and followed its flow downstream.

But they discovered that at the end of the stream was a dense forest, where the water gathered to form a lake, and because of the flowing water, the water was crystal clear.

It is one of the few places in Taiping Village where feng shui converges.

Jiang Li stared at the pool for a long time before turning to say, "Gong Ji's house is at the foot of the outermost hillside of Taiping Village." "Let's go take a look."

Everyone nodded and, following the guidance of the energy, they quickly found a hillside. The hillside was not high, only about eight or nine zhang (approximately 33-60 meters), and was very gentle.

There was a simple little courtyard at the foot of the hill. Although it was simple, it was clean and tidy, which showed that the owner of the house was a hardworking person.

Jiang Li discovered that once she crossed the hillside, and walked only two or three miles further, she would reach the dense forest and the pool.

Would you consider this an advantage of being in a good position?

"Isn't that Gong Ji? The one next to him seems to be that old ox; it does seem to have some intelligence."

At this moment, the Cloud-Driving Messenger pointed to the spot on the hillside where the shadows were. Everyone looked and saw a simple and honest farm boy leading an old yellow ox, searching for withered grass in the shady and damp place.

"That should be it."

Jiang Li also saw the man and the ox, her eyes fixed on the old yellow ox.

But the old ox just kept its head down, searching for grass roots. It didn't seem to have any intelligence, but its fur was smooth and shiny, making it look very energetic.

"The rule that one must not manifest oneself in public when dealing with matters suspected of being demons should be put on hold."

The messenger glanced at the man and the ox, then said to Jiang Li, "Brother Jiang, my wife and I will go down with you to investigate. Let General Liu stay here. If anything changes, we'll discuss the matter further."

"Alright."

Jiang Li nodded and was about to go down with the two envoys when she suddenly sensed something and abruptly turned her head to look at the sky diagonally above.

A figure in black robes stood there quietly, pointing a finger at Jiang Li.

"Who goes there!"

Jiang Li immediately shouted, and with a thought, he drew upon the water energy of the stream below, instantly unleashing the power of the Huai River.

"Clang!!"

Hundreds of spears, formed from pure water energy, hurtled straight toward the man in black robes!

But the next moment, the man in black robes suddenly vanished, as if he had turned into ashes, disappearing without a trace with a gust of wind.

"Why aren't the three of you making a move?"

Jiang Li looked at Liu Qing and the others with some confusion.

However, for some reason, both Liu Qing and the Wind-Walking Cloud Messenger looked at Jiang Li with even more confusion. "Brother Jiang, who's there?"

The Wind Messenger frowned and looked in the direction where Jiang Li's spell had been unleashed, but he only saw drifting white clouds and no human figure.

"Can't you see it?"

Jiang Li frowned deeply. He was certain that he had seen a black-robed man who had suddenly appeared.

"call……"

Just then, a gust of wind suddenly swept over.

It was just a gentle breeze, yet it swept everyone present into it, and the white clouds beneath their feet instantly collapsed.

Jiang Li had no time to react; it was as if she had been caught in a whirlpool and could only drift with the current.

As the eerie wind swirled around Jiang Li, she soon lost all sense of where the others had gone.

He became delirious and eventually fainted.

To an outsider, this scene would appear as if a gust of wind had blown by, and then all the hundreds of people had vanished without a trace.

Only white clouds remained drifting in the sky. About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn...

With a whoosh, Lady Luoshui appeared, her brows furrowed and her expression somewhat unpleasant.

She looked around but found nothing, yet still said coldly, "You led me around the entire Southern Continent, only to return to the Luo River in the end. Who exactly are you?"

Even though no one was around, a soft, delicate voice answered.

"Want to know? Then let's see if you dare to come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, the white clouds in the sky suddenly gathered and transformed into a portal, within which a hazy divine light flickered.

That divine light was ever-changing, containing the universe within.

"really."

Lady Luoshui's gaze sharpened, as if she had confirmed something, and she said softly, "What I was pursuing earlier was the past you."

The voice rang out again: "Oh, you guessed it. You're too scared to come in? Don't worry, your men are perfectly safe. But don't even think about looking for that little fish; you won't find him."

"Where is Li'er?"

"Find me, and I'll tell you." Upon hearing this, Lady Luoshui's face darkened, and she stepped into the portal.

…………

"Where am I?"

Jiang Li opened her eyes groggily, instinctively wanting to examine her limbs, only to find that she had inexplicably reverted to her original form.

Moreover, it appears to be in a pool of water?

Jiang Li wanted to transform back into human form, but no matter how much magic he used, he couldn't do it.

He was bound by some kind of restriction, confining him to his true form.

What exactly happened?

Jiang Li was bewildered, but then she suddenly heard a noise.

"Brother Ox, why did you bring me here?"