A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 51: Into the River Again, Tracing the Clues
"Ah Brother, Instructor Qian said at noon that the steward Lei from the fishery scared away the demon fish."
Bai Qi returned to the house by Erxian Bridge, where his younger brother Bai Ming was eating.
He had steamed half a pot of old rice for himself and cooked three salted fish, eating with great relish.
"Scared away? Couldn’t capture and kill it? It seems that once the demon fish enters the water, even the three martial masters find it hard to deal with."
Bai Qi picked up the water pot, pouring a bowl, and gulped down several mouthfuls.
"Ah Di, I spoke with the shop at the door. The young helper knows you, so if you want to eat anything, just flip the sign, or inform the porter or laborer, and they’ll bring it over."
"Fresh fish and rice can’t nurture strong Qi Blood, we still need more nutrients."
Bai Ming puffed up his cheeks, shaking his head:
"Why spend that money? The expenses for your training aren’t small. The fish stall hasn’t opened yet; we must keep things tight at home."
"Besides, I have a small appetite; I can’t eat much. By the way, Ah Brother, these days I’ve earned a hundred coins. The instructor praised my good copying and told me to go to another place tomorrow."
Bai Qi nodded, noted his younger brother’s red wrists:
"Later, boiling some hot water, use a coarse towel to massage, don’t overstrain yourself."
"Work within your limits; our family isn’t lacking tens of hundreds of coins."
He didn’t mind his younger brother going out to work. Large families have many books, and helping with transcription and writing also counts as reading through various books, increasing knowledge, which is beneficial.
It is said that before the era declined, when the seeds of study grew vigorously, many people copied books for free just to see more volumes.
Bai Ming responded agreeably, his face obedient, combined with his small frame, appearing quite weak.
"Eat more vegetables and meat for good nourishment. Once your Qi Blood is replenished, I’ll teach you the stance training."
Bai Qi cared for his younger brother:
"No headaches lately? Any discomfort anywhere?"
Previously, Lin the Sixth from Chai Market planned to buy Ah Di Bai Ming to enter the mansion as a scholar’s attendant, but the claim of epilepsy deterred him.
This is not entirely wrong.
Since his arrival in this world, Bai Qi has seen his younger brother have two seizures, which start suddenly with overwhelming headaches and vacant, unfocused eyes.
Even with vigorous shaking or slapping of the body, it’s hard to awake him, often lasting half the stick of incense until he slowly calms down.
The most severe times also involve loss of control over limbs, causing convulsions and shaking.
This is similar to the "epilepsy" that Bai Qi knew in his past life.
This condition is supposedly congenital, and some years ago, when the family wealth had not declined, Father had brought in a physician, but no signs were identified, being classified as "epilepsy," treated with calming herbal concoctions.
Bai Ming finished his rice, wiped his mouth, and smiled:
"I’ve been sleeping peacefully lately, no nightmares, no headaches. Since Ah Brother taught me writing and reading, I’ve felt much more at ease."
Bai Qi breathed a sigh of relief:
"I’ve been staying at the Tongwen Hall these days, convenient for training, told Brother Shui specifically to look after you. No issues, right?"
Bai Ming, packing up the bowls, answered:
"Brother Shui wanted me to move to his East Market Shop, staying with him and Old Liang for a while. I thought if Ah Brother comes by for anything, someone should be here, especially since we just moved, the stove hasn’t even warmed up yet; leaving home cold didn’t seem right, so I didn’t agree."
His nature isn’t lively; he finds it hard to get close to strangers, preferring to stay with his brother.
"Elder Liang also worried Yang Meng might come for trouble; the fishery guard is mixed, using the guise of eradicating water thieves, hardly better than bandits, familiar with kidnapping and extorting money.
Luckily, I have already apprenticed under Instructor Ning, considering half the matter settled, will remove this thorn once my skills mature."
Bai Qi grasped the package taken from the side room, swapped his valuable clothes from Tongwen Hall for neatly folded ones, and changed into short-lantern trousers with a brown coarse-cloth robe.
"Ah Brother going to the river? It’s cold, take me along; if something unforeseen happens, at least there’s someone to call for help or lend a hand."
Seeing Bai Qi wearing straw sandals, carrying a fish basket and cage, Bai Ming hurriedly put down his work.
"Your brother, after entering muscle training, my physique is resilient against the cold Black Water River."
Bai Qi chuckled; with fishing skills blended with the Eight Paragraph Exercise, even without passing barriers, there’d be no issues.
"If Ah Di truly wants to share, eat more at meals, try to grow taller. When Qi Blood is ample, join me in diligent training, then I’ll transfer the fish stall management to you, appointing you as deputy head."
Bai Ming’s small face showed a bit of disappointment, murmured:
"Okay, Ah Brother, by the way, Old Liang told me the young master of the fishery sent gifts to him, and people are also coming from Chai Market and the kiln, inviting you for celebratory drinks."
Bai Qi was slightly startled; then he understood and reflected:
"Apprenticing under a reputable and skilled master does indeed bring many benefits."
Poor in crowded markets no one asks, wealthy in deep mountains distant relatives appear, so it is.
Although he hasn’t truly made his mark yet, being personally apprenticed by Ninghai Zen means he’s got one foot inside the door of Tongwen Hall, and his future is bound to be promising.
In addition, given the reputation and face of being an Instructor, the Fishery, Chai Market, and Kiln Market are sure to pull him in, betting on his success in advance.
Who knows, one day Bai Qi, a humble Fisherman, might leap over the dragon gate and achieve greatness.
It’s never wrong to forge some connections.
"Jianghu isn’t about fighting and killing; it’s about human relationships... this saying is indeed insightful."
Bai Qi’s lips curled slightly, yet his heart remained undisturbed.
He cast aside these temptations of fame and fortune, and set sail on his own to the river to fish.
...
...
Dark clouds covered the moon, and the small boat drifted alone on the river surface, turning back and forth.
Splash!
Water splashed everywhere!
Bai Qi, like a big fish wrapped in the waves, suddenly leaped onto the boat, his feet causing its tail end to tip upward, nearly capsizing.
"Haven’t practiced for a while, yet the Eight Segments Technique hasn’t rusted; the progress is quite good!"
Droplets ran down his hair and hung onto his sturdy chest, quickly dried by the heat emanating from his body.
Bai Qi blinked, and ink runes appeared.
[Skill: Eight Segments Technique (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: (733/800)]
[Effect: River diving, water combat like a dragon]
He practiced each action like water treading, wave resisting, diving, and holding himself several times, getting his muscles fully warmed up like a big furnace, not feeling cold at all.
"I’ve marked all the bigger fish nests, and in a few days, I’ll have Uncle Changshun bring people here to cast nets according to my instructions.
Sadly, it’s said that Wang Laizi has a secret bait mixing skill that can gather fish... If I could get hold of it, the stall’s business would be stable for a long time."
Bai Qi sat on the boat and exhaled a breath of warm air, silently noting down two or three hidden water areas.
Doing business upon opening, getting a good start is very important.
He hopes that when the fish stall opens in a few days, they can have a big catch of five to six hundred pounds, maybe even some treasured fish to boost the reputation.
This way, he can quickly establish his name, letting Black River County’s restaurants and Great Martial Arts Hall know that Bai’s Fish Stall is at the East Market Pier!
"... Where did that Golden Rainbow Trout go?"
Bai Qi is constantly thinking about that dozen or so pounds of treasured fish; if caught with a big net, even the Broken Blade Sect and Divine Hand Sect would be shaken, rushing to offer high prices to grab it.
His chest rose and fell as he slowed his breathing, pondering whether he should go to Mihun Bay.
To catch some Seven-star Spot, Tiger Head Barb, Horned Pompano to add some income, making up for the recent expenditure that flows like water, nearly sitting and eating through his savings. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
[Skill: Fishing (Proficient)]
[Progress: (34/800)]
[Effect: Sailing with wind and rain, setting sail down the river, creating water patterns, protecting oneself]
"Recently going down the river too little, the fishing skill progress has been slow.
Tonight’s effort must be diligent, only then might the day of great accomplishment and perfection come."
Bai Qi touched his forehead, carefully rubbing the long inverted lines that appear when encountering water.
Now he traverses the great river freely, aside from relying on the Eight Segments Technique, he more so depends on the protection of water patterns, enabling him to dive deeply without needing to breathe.
"With the Evil-Breaking Spirit Eye in the Sea-Driving Skill, catching big fish is just a piece of cake!"
Bai Qi stood up and rubbed his muscles, ensuring they’re fully stretched, then jumped into the river.
His eyes were soaked in water, reflecting various colors, hazy and interwoven.
He didn’t rush to act, but swam further and deeper, searching for suitable targets.
"This one’s not big, barely counts as a small fry, I’ll spare you.
That three-pounder... forget it, anything under five pounds isn’t worth my time! That’s the confidence of a top-notch fisherman!"
Bai Qi swam fast like wrapped in water waves, moving swiftly and smoothly, truly like a fish turned spirit.
After half a stick of incense, as he prepared to surface for air, an extremely conspicuous red glow suddenly passed by.
"Just like when picking up Wang Laizi’s Ghost Pattern Fish, very dazzling! Could it be... the Demon Fish that got away?"
