A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 59: Innate Fishing Saint Body, Secret Bait Displays Its Power
After a full sleep, Bai Qi felt revitalized, and even his pants seemed to stand firmer than usual.
Having consumed the viscous soup brewed with the Demon Pill, his entire body felt enriched with Qi Blood, experiencing a sense of rebirth, unbelievably comfortable, even his breath seemed fragrant.
"Originally, I hoped to pursue both Dao and martial arts, become a Hexagon Warrior, but now I just hate my lack of financial resources... What holds me back isn’t my Spirit Root, but my poverty."
Bai Qi stayed up all night reading, gaining some initial understanding of the Immortal Master Daoist Officials under the rule of the Dragon Court.
Increasingly, he felt that they truly could devour gold mountains and silver seas clean!
Consuming all sorts of rare and precious items worth hundreds of gold, like stalactites, red ochre, and red lead pills, as if they were meals.
Who could afford to sustain such a lifestyle?
"Ah Di has this potential, after all, Spirit Childs like ’Yin-Yang Eye’ are not entirely unique, but also one in a thousand..."
Seeing Bai Ming bring breakfast to the table, Bai Qi had an inexplicable feeling akin to poor parents unable to afford college for their kids in a past life.
"Once we expand and strengthen the Fishery and get involved with business in the County City, maybe I can inquire about cultivation methods."
He slurped down several bites of spicy tofu pudding and stuffed a few meat buns into his stomach, tidied up, and planned to head to East Market Shop.
"Ah Di, when I return this afternoon, transcribe the Secret Technique on the yellow paper for me to review."
Bai Qi instructed.
The Soul-Calling Skill might not show immediate power, but the three bait recipes categorized under Sea-Driving Skill can instantly be put to use.
Fragrant bait that lures big fish, and insect bait specifically for catching large catches.
For the soon-to-open Fishery, they are undoubtedly the pickaxes for digging gold mountains.
"Alright, Brother,"
Bai Ming said with a mouthful of meat buns, cheeks puffed up.
Since Bai Qi advised him to eat more meat for growth last time, his appetite has increased over these two days.
The brothers chatted for a bit before going their separate ways to work.
Early Si hour, Bai Qi stepped into East Market Shop and immediately spotted Liang Sanshui, who had just finished calculating his accounts and looked up.
"Ah Qi! Long time no see, I heard from Dad that you were accepted as an apprentice by the Instructor, joining Tongwen Hall... Wow, this news spread across the docks, and all the Fishermen look up to you!"
Despite not meeting for a while, their bond remained unchanged.
Liang Sanshui had a gracious, sincere nature, always remembering Bai Qi’s gift of the Ghost Pattern Fish which helped him fill the Steward vacancy, his attitude congenial.
"Master Ning has been urging me to practice, I rarely get free time, but today I finally have some, so I came to visit Brother Shui. Look, here’s half a pound of the newly made Poria Cake, I brought it for Elder Liang, I know he likes it."
Bai Qi smiled warmly and kindly, just like the former Fisherman Bai Ahqi.
He hadn’t started getting complacent just because he became a disciple of Ninghai Zen.
Position and status are what others give you, one must always assess oneself accurately, or else it’s easy to stumble.
Liang Sanshui was slightly surprised:
"How did you know my dad likes Poria Cake?"
A familiar voice came from behind the chest-high wooden counter:
"It shows Ah Qi is attentive, noting it down only after seeing me eat it twice. Alas, if you weren’t surnamed Liang, I would’ve sent you off to fish long ago, what a blockhead for a Steward."
"Ah Qi is clever, with so many influential families in Black River County, even Fisheries, Chai Market, the kilns’ Young Masters all hoping to join Tongwen Hall, yet only Ah Qi was chosen... Thinking about it this way, my foresight was not much worse than the Instructor’s."
Liang Sanshui showed no embarrassment; being scolded and disdained by his father had become accustomed, it was their way of interacting as father and son.
"Thanks to Elder Liang’s recommendation, otherwise Bai Ahqi wouldn’t be where he is today.
Bai Qi rounded off the conversation, unwrapped the oil paper package and handed the pastry over.
Poria Cake is a type of snack with a skin as thin as paper, its color snow white, resembling slices of Poria from medicinal herbs, thus the name.
It aids digestion, clears lungs and resolves phlegm, and enhances appetite, making it quite suitable for the elderly.
"I’m grateful you still care for this old man, these old eyes did not misjudge you!"
Liang Laoshu was genuinely moved, what you do when and where yields different effects.
Fisherman Bai Ahqi’s gift of a Silver Sand Carp was merely attempting to curry favor and find opportunities, not really about who owes who.
But now being under Tongwen Hall, half a direct disciple of the Instructor, Bai Qi’s act of carrying a thirty Wen Coins worth of Poria Cake to visit and show concern, was a sincere gesture.
"I heard the Instructor took you to see Yang Meng and lit incense for his son?"
Liang Laoshu chewed the Poria Cake, tasting an extra sweetness.
"Before Master Ning led me into the door, he intended to settle the grudge for me, but unfortunately, Yang Meng decided to act like a turtle and gave no chance."
Bai Qi pulled up a small stool and sat next to Old Liang, peeling figs for him.
The grandfather and grandson were in perfect harmony, making Liang Sanshui tremble inside, hastily fleeing to inspect the stalls.
Ah Qi’s ability to please his father was so great that his own status was declining day by day, soon probably worse than the big yellow dog at the gate.
"Yang Meng has a venomous nature like a snake, and when he can’t win, he backs down obediently.
Fortunately, the Instructor’s influence is overwhelming in martial arts circles, and his reputation needs no words. No matter how fearless one is, they wouldn’t dare to touch anyone from Tongwen Hall."
Liang Laoshu’s wrinkles were smoothing out as Bai Qi adjusted the thick blanket over his legs. The former spoke with a sense of reflection:
"When will your fish stall open? The fishery, Chai Market, and the kiln have all come with gifts and invitations, hoping to treat you to a meal.
Ah Qi, don’t be like me, thinking you’re too skilled to bother with social ties.
If you want to do big business, your connections can’t be too narrow. Interacting with these people won’t hurt."
Bai Qi nodded, thinking that business was just drawing cakes.
In his past life, he was best at this, making them big and round, making others drool with envy.
As for whether they could actually eat it, that depended on their own abilities.
After reminiscing with Elder Liang until noon, Bai Qi had a few more words with Liang Sanshui.
Primarily to inquire about the largest supply channels for the East Market Shop, arranging pricing and profit splits.
"On the surface, the business sells river fish to restaurants and inns, collects treasure fish for the martial arts hall, and also does some odd jobs renting fishing gear.
Privately, they fill in the numbers with humble fishermen, purchase large quantities of saltfish, and resell it to peddlers, making a substantial income.
Just one shop can yield a profit of over one thousand taels a year, not to mention the fishery also monopolizes major inns and ferries, with money flowing into their pockets like water."
Bai Qi thought of the ancient books he read last night, which discussed the layers of cultivation in Daoist arts.
"If the foundations of the three families are pooled together, it might be possible to support one or two Daoist Officials.
In this way, there are also differences among wealthy families.
Some can only cultivate artists and overseas students;
while others can send their children to the Prefecture City, to gain some nobility and become a master."
...
...
Returning to the house by Erxian Bridge, Bai Qi took out a yellow paper that recorded the Sea-Driving Skill, asking his brother Bai Ming to note down two bait-making techniques.
"Rice wine, minced shrimp meat, drenched with salt and vinegar, sugar-glazed earthworm, kneaded into a mud ball.
Then take two pieces of talisman paper, write a blessing spell with cinnabar, and burn it to ashes.
Put them into a clay jar with the mud balls, and take them out the next day. It’s even better if you can apply a drop of essence blood... Is this really mystical fishing bait?"
Bai Qi scanned it once, and following this process, it didn’t seem like making bait, but more like performing a ritual.
"Whatever, as long as it works!"
He muttered silently, quickly bought all the necessary items, and began to experiment step by step.
During this time, his brother Bai Ming volunteered, using a fine needle to prick his finger, squeezing out a red drop of blood.
The next day passed, and that evening.
Bai Qi deliberately didn’t choose a big fish spot, selecting a secluded place, setting up a sampan on the river, and scattering some of the bait.
About half an hour later, the river surface suddenly became noisy, with water splashing, creating a glittering sight.
"Silver Sand Carp, Seven-star Spot, Tiger Head Barb... and a Horned Pompano!"
Bai Qi was dumbfounded, as if he saw a flood of silvery silver rolling in.
The bait’s effect was shockingly outstanding?
He remembered Wang Laizi’s previous fishing trips, only catching a few big fish, at best considered a good haul.
But never had the treasure fish rushed into the net as if money was no object!
"I am indeed the Innate Fishing Saint Body!"
Bai Qi was overjoyed, continuously casting the net, chanting with each catch:
"One medicinal bath obtained! One tonic obtained..."
