Returning to the dock, Liang Qu handed over two coins for the docking fee and sold all his catch to the fish market, earning eighteen coins.
The fish market essentially functioned like a loan service, but instead of money, they lent fishing boats and gear, collecting fish as interest.
For those who didn’t rent their equipment, the prices were fair, saving a lot of time for the fishermen.
It was already midnight, yet there were still shops open along the street.
After all, whether a shop opens depends on if there are customers, and as long as fishermen go out to sea, business will continue.
Liang Qu, feeling hungry, found a small eatery and ordered the usual three dishes: a meat, a vegetable, and some rice.
With no oil, salt, or firewood at home, cooking by himself would mean buying a lot of ingredients, so eating out was more practical.
Everyone was struggling to make a living, and a meal just so happened to cost eighteen coins.
Saving money could wait; getting strong was more important.
Though The Immovable was slow, its presence was intimidating, acting as a blockade.
It was a good helper in catching fish.
The next morning, Liang Qu saw Li Libo selling fish on the street.
"Hey, you're looking good today! How about some fish head soup to perk you up?" Li Libo held a big white bream by the gill.
"Sure."
Li Libo was surprised.
He was just making conversation and didn’t expect actual business.
"Well then, something to celebrate? Tell me, let's enjoy it together."
"I’m afraid it’d scare you. Just that fish will do."
Liang Qu didn’t spell it out.
Even if Li Libo guessed the truth, without proof, he wouldn’t dare spread rumors.
"Wow, big words?" Li Libo said while threading a grass string through the fish's mouth.
"Alright, here's your fish."
Liang Qu handed over ten copper coins.
"That's too much!"
"The extra's for your drink."
"Ha, rich with nowhere to spend, eh?" Li Libo wondered but gladly took the coins.
For several days, Liang Qu followed a typical fisherman's routine, setting out to sea and catching around thirty coins' worth of fish daily.
No one from the Zhao Manor came to bother him, giving him some peace of mind.
Scabby-head Zhang's disappearance stirred no waves; he was a solitary man, and with no trouble caused, no one cared.
Perhaps not until the autumn tax at the season's end would someone notice, but that was at least a month away.
As for Li Libo, he had long forgotten about it, thinking Scabby-head Zhang was merely hiding out to heal.
“Finally, some peace.”
After days of anxiety, Liang Qu could now settle back into his routine, focusing on earning a living.
Aside from dining out to strengthen his body, he relied on Treasured Lotus Roots for sustenance.
He had eaten over ten slices, gaining a total of 1.3 Water Essence, and used it to increase his fusion rate.
Treasure plants for healing were rare, but Liang Qu focused on the present.
The stronger he became, the less likely he’d get injured.
【Cauldron Master: Liang Qu】
【Refined Marsh Spirit: Water Monkey (White) (Fusion Rate: 6.5%)】
【Water Essence: None】
【River Affinity: None】
【Aquatic Beast Command: Grand Marsh Crocodile】
【Evaluation: The Water Monkey Marsh Spirit stems from the great Huai Whirlpool Lord, yet it can barely inspire and is powerless against stronger adversaries.】
The whole process from Water Essence consumption to fusion completion took about an hour.
With 1.5 units of Water Essence, Liang Qu reached a 6.5% fusion rate, able to control water flow up to forty pounds, surpassed ten minutes underwater, and slightly enhanced his physical traits.
The uptake of Water Essence did not diminish the lotus root's natural effects.
Liang Qu’s consumption of the roots, aided by youth, helped restore the energy lost from prolonged hunger.
"I could use another aquatic beast to help fish."
Liang Qu sensed that his mental limits allowed him to command about two to three creatures like The Immovable.
To play it safe, he figured he could command one more water beast of similar strength.
As autumn's chill settled in, the Pig Dragon slowed, struggling to catch fish, preferring to hibernate until spring without Liang Qu's intervention.
Alone, they could catch thirty coins' worth of fish a day without targeting valuable species due to the risk of drawing attention.
But, if he were to catch high-value fish, he'd go for ones like the Tigerhead Grouper, valued in silver.
Rowing towards the lotus-root waters, Liang Qu paddled, signaling the Pig Dragon, which surfaced with water plants clinging to its head, scratching its side.
Stripping off his clothes, armed with a wooden spear, Liang Qu submerged.
The Immovable swam beside him, grass tangling with the current.
Man and beast searched the area together.
The dim water hampered visibility.
In the shallow waters, the riverbed and aquatic plants were visible; further down, it was dark, relying more on perception.
Common fish swam past with no reaction from Liang Qu since today he sought a good helper, keen to avoid the deeper waters known to host unpredictable creatures according to old tales.
After nearly an hour, finding no big, aggressive fish, Liang Qu remained patient.
Fishing, after all, sometimes required nothing more than a chair and a rod by the water all day.
Suddenly, a shadow brushed against his perception zone and disappeared, taking a grass carp along with it!
How fast!
Startled, Liang Qu tightened his grip on the spear, calling for The Immovable's protection.
The vague perception gave away a creature at least two meters long.
The Immovable swiftly dashed around Liang Qu, standing guard against surprise attacks.
He presumed it a chance encounter until the shadow turned, circling back into his perception zone.
Hovering near the outer edge, occasionally creeping within three meters, Liang Qu finally discerned the type—Six-Whiskered Catfish!
A two-meter-long Six-Whiskered Catfish was uncommon.
The species was known for its ferocity, swirling water with its pectoral fins to disorient prey before devouring them whole with its enormous mouth.
Stories told of it swallowing a child whole by Lianshui Dock!
Undoubtedly, the catfish had marked Liang Qu as prey!
This fish was bold, a two-meter fifty-kilogram hunter daring to attack both a man and a crocodile!
Brave, yet gifting an opportunity!
The catfish flipped near the surface with a splash, Liang Qu commanded The Immovable to charge.
The lizard was slow but struck like a dagger, halting the catfish's circling momentum.
The catfish twisted to evade, but The Immovable followed, lashing its iron tail upon the fish's head.
Bleeding, the catfish rammed The Immovable's tender belly to no effect; the lizard seized the moment, gripping a fin.
Liang Qu held his breath, focused intently on the battle.
As the catfish flailed its body, a sudden water current bound its tail—a flawless blockade!
Unbalanced, its tail trapped, The Immovable seized the chance, latching onto the catfish's tail with its jaws!
The catfish thrashed to escape, Liang Qu pierced his hand on a stone, loosing a streak of blood into the water.
Pushing against the current, he lunged toward the fish’s spine, black hair swirling like ink, fingers etching through water, drawing the Aquatic Beast Command glyph!
(End of Chapter)