Chapter 104: Chapter 88: Fishery

“Hahaha, Brother Bai, drink up!”

“Did you hear about yesterday…”

Just then, a racket erupted from the neighboring courtyard.

It seemed that Bai Ming was quite hospitable, or perhaps he just loved a lively atmosphere.

Every few days, Chen Qing could clearly hear the din of clinking glasses and loud chatter from next door.

Fortunately, the Quiet Chamber in his courtyard had excellent soundproofing, so it didn’t affect his Cultivation.

「The next day」

Chen Qing went to the Sect’s Affairs Department.

The notice board was a dazzling array of miscellaneous tasks: gathering herbs, testing pills, sparring, and even looking after Treasure Fish… The rewards varied, but most were time-consuming and laborious for limited returns.

After comparing his options, one particular job caught Chen Qing’s eye.

Guarding Beize No. 3 Fishery.

The Wutai Sect owned twenty to thirty fisheries of various sizes around Dingbo Lake, where they raised precious Treasure Fish.

The job required patrolling the Fishery at night, guarding against theft and ensuring the safety of the Treasure Fish.

The pay was based on strength: a Transmutation Force Martial Artist would receive one hundred taels of silver per month, plus three two-year-old Treasure Fish.

Chen Qing didn’t hesitate and accepted the job on the spot.

Seeing this, the Steward at the Affairs Department gave him a smiling reminder, “Junior Sister Ye has quite a temper. You’d better be careful.”

’A bad temper!?’

Before Chen Qing could ask for details, the Steward had already waved him away.

Beize No. 3 Fishery was located on the edge of the Wutai Sect’s territory, a wide expanse of water crisscrossed by waterways and overgrown with reeds.

Dozens of fishing ponds of varying sizes were scattered like pearls, shimmering under the setting sun.

In the center of the Fishery, a tall watchtower built from sturdy ironwood served as the main patrol post.

When Chen Qing reported for duty, Ye Rong’Er had her back to him, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance.

She was tall, and the signature Profound Black Martial Attire of the Geng Metal Institute outlined her full chest, narrow waist, rounded, perky hips, and long, powerful legs.

Just from her silhouette, one could tell she was a woman who had practiced martial arts for years and was in excellent physical shape.

“Chen Qing? From the Cyan Wood Institute?”

Ye Rong’Er’s voice was crisp. “Remember, this is my operation, and the rules are strict! Get rid of that lazy attitude from your Cyan Wood Institute! Your job is to stand watch at night, so keep your eyes peeled! If anything happens to a single Treasure Fish in this Fishery, you’ll be the only one I hold responsible! Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

Chen Qing cupped his fist, his tone perfectly calm.

He was long past the age of acting on impulse. In his eyes, Ye Rong’Er’s arrogance was nothing more than insignificant noise.

In the days that followed, Chen Qing was punctual and diligent, regardless of the weather.

When he wasn’t at home arduously practicing his Cultivation Technique, he was meticulously patrolling every part of the Fishery, soon memorizing its every corner.

The weather was heavy that day, and a slight breeze carried a damp scent across the water’s surface.

Chen Qing stood at the top of the watchtower, performing his routine surveillance.

Below the tower, a brightly lit cabin served as Ye Rong’Er’s temporary residence.

Nearby were two young disciples, Jiang Wu and Liu Cheng. They had practiced in the Outer Courtyard for over a year and had only reached Great Success in Dark Force. Their aptitude was average, and they were usually responsible for menial chores like serving tea and water.

At that moment, the two were huddled together, talking in low voices.

Jiang Wu whispered, “Brother Liu, I heard that not long ago, Brother Ke from the Kun Earth Institute actually found a ten-year-old Fuling Flower in the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp!”

A ten-year-old Treasure Medicine like that is worth a Hundred Gold Coins.

“The Ten Thousand Poison Swamp!?”

Liu Cheng’s face was a mixture of yearning and fear. “That place is deadly! They say it hides real Heavenly and Earthly Treasures—Treasure Medicines, Exotic Beasts, and maybe even the cave dwellings of ancient masters!”

“But for every ten Assassins and Treasure Hunters who go in, nine never come back out!”

Chen Qing had also heard of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. It was said to be teeming with venomous insects, but it also contained the Seven-Heart Lotus, a Treasure Medicine that could cure a hundred poisons.

This medicine was extremely rare. A five-year-old Seven-Heart Lotus was comparable in value to a common ten-year-old Treasure Medicine, making it priceless.

“That may be true, but as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold.”

Jiang Wu took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with desire. “If I could get lucky and find an aged Treasure Medicine or a rare species of Treasure Fish, I’d be set for life…”

Chen Qing said in a deep voice, “Alright, that’s enough idle talk. Prepare for the night patrol.”

With that, he led the two men down from the tower.

He then led them down the watchtower.

Just as they reached the bottom of the tower, Ye Rong’Er emerged from her cabin.

She had clearly just finished bathing. Her hair was still damp at the tips, and she had changed into a more form-fitting set of casual clothes.

The cool moonlight outlined her graceful figure, adding a touch of hazy beauty.

“Steward Ye.”

Chen Qing cupped his fist in a salute but didn’t stop, intending to lead his men away.

Just then, Ye Rong’Er abruptly turned to Liu Cheng, her pretty face instantly frosting over as she snapped, “Liu Cheng! Where are your eyes wandering?!”

Chen Qing paused, understanding immediately.

’Apparently, Liu Cheng, in his hot-blooded youth, hadn’t been able to control his eyes and had stared at Ye Rong’Er a little too long.’

Liu Cheng flinched, his face draining of color as he scrambled to explain, “Senior Sister Ye! I didn’t! I was just…”

He was incoherent, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.

“Just what? I saw you clearly! Shifty-eyed and crooked-minded!”

Ye Rong’Er gave him no chance to argue. Her figure blurred, and in the blink of an eye, she was standing in front of Liu Cheng.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

The crisp sound of slapping echoed harshly in the quiet night.

Liu Cheng took three vicious slaps to the face. His cheeks swelled and turned red instantly, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he saw stars.

“If I ever catch anyone with crooked thoughts, slacking off and being deceitful, they can get the hell out!”

Ye Rong’Er pulled back her hand and flicked it in disgust, as if she’d touched something filthy. “Chen Qing! Don’t just stand there being an eyesore! Take them to patrol Fishery Seven and Eight! And pull yourselves together!”

…..

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