Sacrifice? Pay money?
Upon hearing that money was involved, Liang Qu couldn't help but frown.
In the old days, fishermen, due to their primitive tools, faced great danger during storms.
To protect themselves and ensure a bountiful catch, they worshipped the legendary sea gods as their protectors and benefactors.
These sacrifices were frequent, roughly twice a year—once in winter or spring, and again on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month.
The winter or spring sacrifice wasn't fixed and often occurred after events like last night's storm.
But to pay money for it...
Liang Qu understood now.
The "River God" Uncle Li mentioned was likely the same great demon he had seen last night.
To ordinary folk, there was no difference—both were powerful beings beyond human control.
He wasn't thrilled about it, but there was no choice.
Even someone as bold as Scabby-head Zhang wouldn't dare skip paying for the River God's sacrifice.
"Uncle Li, how much do we need to pay?" Liang Qu asked.
Li Dakang thought for a moment.
"This time, since no one died, each household with a working man should pay around a hundred coins. That's usually the amount, except for the sixth day of the sixth month, when it's more elaborate and costs a bit more."
Liang Qu breathed a sigh of relief.
He still had three taels of silver left from Master Yang's gift, which was more than enough.
However, he still needed to provide a boat.
Many boats remained on the shore, but not all.
Plenty of people at the dock risked their lives to make a living, undeterred by the so-called River God.
Grateful for Li Dakang's concern, Liang Qu apologized.
"Ah, you stubborn child, what's the harm in waiting a couple of days?" Li Dakang sighed.
"Uncle Li, you might not know, but Brother Liang went out fishing last night during the heavy rain and came back just fine. He probably even saw what that great demon looked like," Lin Songbao chimed in loudly as he approached.
"Songbao! Don't talk nonsense! It's the River God, the River God!" A nearby fisherman, clearly agitated, tried to cover Lin Songbao's mouth, but Lin Songbao dodged and ran off.
"What's the difference? Last year, we saw that huge fish, taller and bigger than a ship, and you called it the River God. And the year before that, the Water Tiger Fish with teeth bigger than a person—you couldn't even wrap your arms around one. Every year it's something new. Since I was born, I've never seen the same thing twice. How can one river have so many River Gods? Wouldn't they fight each other? They're just great demons!"
Li Dakang pounded his chest in frustration.
"No respect, no respect at all!"
Chen Cheng, who had been listening, suddenly asked, "Liang Qu, you went out fishing last night?"
"Yeah," Liang Qu replied without hesitation.
It wasn't a big deal.
Many people must have seen the great demon; otherwise, the news wouldn't have spread so quickly.
"I was pretty close last night. When that 'River God' fell into the water, the waves were huge. If I hadn't held on tight, my boat would have capsized. I came back right after and didn't catch a single fish."
Li Dakang shuddered.
"That was too close, way too close. Thank goodness you were far enough. If you'd been any closer, you might have been eaten!"
Lin Songbao burst out laughing.
"It's not that dramatic. How big is a person compared to a great demon? Eating a person would be like eating a grain of rice. Opening its mouth that wide would be exhausting!"
Li Dakang was visibly uncomfortable.
"Kid, watch your mouth!"
Lin Songbao pretended not to hear, scratching his ear as he moved closer to Liang Qu.
"Brother Liang, I've been waiting for you. If I hadn't seen your boat at the dock, I would've gone to your house to find you."
Brother Liang?
Liang Qu was surprised.
Lin Songbao had never called him that before.
Even when they were haggling over fish prices, he had always called him "Ah Liang," since Lin Songbao was older.
"So you've been waiting for me? What's up?"
"Heh, I wanted to ask if you're free anytime soon. My dad wants to invite you to dinner. How about it? He said you can pick the time and place."
"Did you hear something?"
"I don't know," Lin Songbao scratched his head.
"My dad didn't tell me. He says I can't keep secrets, so he doesn't tell me anything you haven't already shared. But he did say you're making a name for yourself in Pingyang Town and told me to call you 'Brother Liang' when I see you."
Liang Qu pondered this.
Righteous Prosperity City and Pingyang Town were close, but still a dozen miles apart.
The events of that night had been confined, known only to the martial hall apprentices, most of whom lived on-site.
It would take time for the news to spread.
Lin Di, the fish market manager, clearly had his own sources of information.
Lin Songbao pressed, "So, what do you say? Yes or no? I need to let my dad know."
"Tomorrow night, then. Any place is fine. Just let me know once it's decided."
Liang Qu didn't refuse.
He missed his own black canopy boat.
The small fishing boat was too cramped, and without a roof, the cabin flooded every time it rained.
The black canopy boat was far superior.
"Great!"
"I'll head out on the boat now."
"I'll come find you tomorrow morning."
"Alright."
The river was calm, its surface reflecting the light of the stars and moon.
The oars stirred the water, creating a rhythmic splashing sound.
Thud, thud, thud.
The oars struck the water, the dull echoes traveling far across the waves.
Ripples appeared on the surface as the Immovable emerged, its scales glinting with a cold, metallic sheen under the moonlight.
In just a day, the Immovable had grown again, now reaching an astonishing three meters in length.
Swimming alongside the boat, it was a sight that would terrify any fisherman in the Jianghuai region.
No ordinary person would believe it was a Grand Marsh Crocodile.
Yet, at this moment, the Immovable floated calmly, a small crab monster perched on its head, tapping its claws.
The crab monster blew bubbles, its jade-white shell now harder and tinged with a faint green.
The tapping sound had a metallic ring, and its size had increased from fist-sized to slightly larger than a fist.
After seeing a true great demon last night, Liang Qu realized that the crab monster was just a lowly creature in the hierarchy of spirit beasts.
Its offspring must grow rapidly, especially with ample nutrition, or they wouldn't survive in the fiercely competitive deep waters.
Perhaps the crab monster had come to the shallows to lay its eggs in a safer environment.
At this rate, in less than two months, the crab would be useful, no longer just a decorative appendage on the Immovable's head.
It was amusing, really.
Thanks to the Immovable's scaly hide, the crab's legs could easily grip and stay in place, making the two nearly inseparable.
In contrast, the Fatty Catfish's smooth back was too slippery for the crab to cling to.
Splash.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
The Fatty Catfish surfaced, water streaming off its smooth, green back as it lifted its head and shot a jet of water at the crab, knocking it into the water.
Pleased with its prank, the Fatty Catfish rolled over, exposing its white belly as if "laughing," its long whiskers quivering.
The crab, now in the water, swam like a lobster, curling its lower body before leaping onto the Fatty Catfish's snout and pinching its whiskers.
The Fatty Catfish's whiskers were fleshy, and it immediately felt the pain, thrashing wildly in the water.
Already massive, it had surpassed three meters, now reaching three and a third.
Beneath its thick skin lay powerful muscles, giving it explosive strength that made it a fearsome predator in the water.
As it thrashed, it looked like a water dragon, sending splashes everywhere.
Only the Immovable remained unmoved, as calm as a meditating monk.
Seeing the two creatures getting too rowdy and flooding the boat, Liang Qu quickly scolded them, and they settled down.
"Fatty, go catch some fish for me. Try to get the expensive ones—carp, yellowfish, you know the kind."
The Fatty Catfish flicked its whiskers in acknowledgment.
The two creatures' growth had brought increased intelligence.
Now, they could not only identify "special" treasure fish but also recognize valuable species.
As Master Yang's direct disciple, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Liang Qu to return with a catch worth three hundred coins, would it?
(End of Chapter)