Infinite Professions-Chapter 127 - 50: Immortal Fate
The fish market typically operates as a morning market, winding down before noon.
The basket of fish brought by Shen Hex was mostly sold off with people picking the choicest ones, with only a few left over. These he didn’t discard but sighed and put them back into the basket, then went to other stalls.
Even though it’s called a fish market, it’s actually a fair with stalls for firewood, rice, oil, salt, and other daily necessities, catering to the fishermen around the docks. It’s small but complete in all aspects.
Shen Hex strolled around and bought salt, rice, some iron nails, and a bundle of thick rope.
Although it sounds like a lot, it wasn’t much in reality, and it all fit into one fish basket, except for the rope which he had to carry on his back.
After finishing his shopping, Shen Hex didn’t want to linger, so he took his things and was about to leave the market.
But unexpectedly...
"Come over, come over, all of you come over here."
A sound of drums and gongs made everyone stop in their tracks.
Shen Hex halted and looked towards the sound, only to see a group of brawny men escorting a blood-soaked boy to the fish market entrance and hanging him directly on the gate tower.
"Isn’t that the Zhang Family’s boy?"
"How did he end up with the Golden Fish Gang..."
"Could he have committed some offense?"
"Who knows!"
Upon seeing the entire Golden Fish Gang tying up the blood-soaked boy, everyone felt a bit anxious, wanting to leave but not daring to make any rash moves.
"Humph!"
At that moment, Chen San, who had forcibly bought turtles from Shen Hex earlier, approached and whipped the boy heavily with a long whip, leaving another wet and bloody scar.
"This brat, daring to steal our Golden Fish Gang’s martial arts manual, truly doesn’t know his own limits. Today, let everyone see our gang’s rules and discipline."
With that, he lashed the boy with another whip.
Upon hearing this, everyone remained silent.
Only a sharp-faced man next to Chen San said with a laugh, "Well done, Third Master! Your skill is improving with time. This brat dared to steal our Golden Fish Gang’s martial arts. Truly reckless! And that old guy, pah, it was too easy on him..."
While fawning over the big fellows, he also intimidated the others with arrogance, truly embodying the role of a lackey.
Seeing this, the crowd dared not show anger, nor did they dare to speak.
Shen Hex stood among them, also silently watching.
"Watch closely, this is what happens to those who steal our Golden Fish Gang’s martial arts!"
"Don’t say Third Master didn’t warn you, some things aren’t for just anyone to mess with!"
"If anyone dares to steal from our Golden Fish Gang again or tries to hide instead of turning it in, this will be their fate!"
With that, he whipped the boy once more, heavily.
The blood-soaked boy, hanging in mid-air, only let out a muffled groan, too weak even to scream.
"Leave him hanging there, let passersby see what a lesson is!"
"Yes!"
Chen San dropped the whip and left with a group, leaving two gang members guarding the scene.
Upon witnessing this, the crowd dared not say much and hurriedly left with their heads down.
Shen Hex did the same, quickly leaving the fish market and returning to his rundown boat.
In this world, the government offices, gangs, and various local powerful figures impose a severe level of control and scrutiny over ordinary people, to a pathological extent, where even rumors can trigger a bloodshed.
The reason boils down to two words—Immortal Fate!
Based on Old Zhong’s decades of life experience, and Shen Hex’s insights from over a month, it’s certain that in this world, there exists a strange phenomenon known as "Immortal Fate."
Immortal Fate refers to opportunities, often manifesting as rare treasures or exotic beasts appearing in the world.
For some common folk who encounter it, it’s considered Immortal Fate, which enables them to prosper overnight, become rich, or master extraordinary martial arts and transcend ordinary life.
As more such incidents occur, the concept of Immortal Fate has deeply rooted itself in people’s minds, prompting the government offices, gangs, and local powerful figures, even Noble Families, to rigorously regulate and explore Immortal Fate under their jurisdiction, even creating false accusations and wrongful convictions without hesitation, escalating over time.
It’s understandable, for the allure of Immortal Fate is immensely powerful. If true, one can gain immense wealth and the opportunity for longevity overnight; if false, it merely costs the lives of a few mere commoners. The Court not only turns a blind eye but even participates, so who would care?
Ultimately, this leads everyone to jump on this risk-free profitable venture.
Not only are various forces ruthlessly exploiting, but even the ordinary people have developed a system of monitoring and reporting.
For instance, if you’re a fisherman but instead of properly fishing, you’re secretly practicing martial arts, when discovered by other fishermen, some malicious individuals might run to report to the Fish Gang. The gang’s henchmen would then come to search, whether they find anything or not, leading to the inevitable ruin of your family.
The boy just now is an example.
Stealing the Golden Fish Gang’s martial arts manual?
If that boy had such capabilities, why would he still be fishing on the lake?
Most likely, by sheer chance, he came across a martial arts manual and secretly practiced, which caught the eye of a lackey who then reported it to the Golden Fish Gang.
Upon hearing that a fisherman was secretly practicing martial arts, the Golden Fish Gang assumed it must be due to finding some Immortal Fate, immediately sending their men to capture the Zhang Family boy, brutally interrogating him.
Such incidents are not uncommon, and the Golden Fish Gang is particularly ruthless, disregarding the wrongful convictions, and fictitious charges, acting with arbitrary power.
According to Old Zhong’s memory, over the years, more than a dozen families have ended up as such wrongful victims.
