Chapter 135: Chapter 103: Steward (2)

His words were resolute, carrying the finality of one burning their bridges. Yet, they also reeked of a desperate gamble born from jealousy and anxiety.

Zheng Xiuhong rushed to grab his arm. “Brother Ming! Please, calm down! A safe, stable life is what’s important! You’d be walking into almost certain death in the depths of that marsh. It’s not worth risking your life! Besides, even if you don’t reach the Embracing Pill stage, with our current strength, we could move to a small city and still live a life of…”

“I don’t want that kind of life!”

Bai Ming’s patience completely snapped. A furious rage surged through him.

He violently flung Zheng Xiuhong’s hand away, the force of it sending her stumbling backward. Without a second glance, he strode out of the courtyard.

Caught completely off guard, Zheng Xiuhong cried out as she struggled to keep her balance. Tears of shock and hurt welled in her eyes as she stared, stunned, at Bai Ming’s retreating figure.

…..

「Three days later, on the southern shore of Dingbo Lake.」

Nanzhe No. 7 Fishery was similar in scale to Beize No. 3 Fishery, where Chen Qing had been stationed before.

Dozens of fishing ponds of various sizes were scattered across the landscape, connected by a network of aqueducts. The water’s surface shimmered under the afternoon sun.

The air was thick with the smells of mist, fish, and the faint, clean scent of medicinal herbs.

Along the edges of the ponds, a plant with thick leaves and small, light-purple flowers—the Jade Lotus—had been carefully cultivated. It was a low-grade Treasure Medicine used to enrich the water and promote the growth of the Treasure Fish.

At the center of the Fishery stood a compound built from hard ironwood and bluestone. It served as both the Steward’s residence and the Fishery’s operational hub.

In the small square before the compound, six disciples were already standing in formation, waiting.

Chen Qing, dressed in the distinctive, deep-cyan, cloud-patterned Martial Attire of a Cyan Wood Institute Steward, approached at a steady pace.

His calm gaze swept over them.

The man at the head of the group, who looked to be about thirty with a steady gaze, stepped forward and clasped his fist. “Subordinate Zhang Wei, Inner Courtyard Disciple of the Geng Metal Institute, greets Steward Chen! This is the Fishery’s personnel roster and this month’s catch record.”

He presented a ledger with both hands.

Chen Qing accepted it with a slight nod. “Thank you for your hard work.”

His gaze shifted to the remaining five people.

Zhang Wei immediately began the introductions. “This is Li Tie, an Outer Courtyard Disciple who has just reached the Transmutation Force realm.”

“Wang Shuosheng, an Outer Courtyard Disciple at Great Success in Dark Force. He’s responsible for maintaining the aqueducts.”

“Sun Xiaomiao, an Outer Courtyard Disciple at Minor Achievement in Dark Force. He’s in charge of caring for the Jade Lotuses.”

“Old Zhao. He isn’t a Sect disciple, but his family has taken care of the Fishery’s Treasure Fish breeding and feed preparation for generations. He’s the most experienced among us.”

The last person was a pretty young woman of about seventeen or eighteen, also in the uniform of an Outer Courtyard Disciple. She clasped her fist and said, “Disciple Liu He, Outer Courtyard Disciple. I have been assigned by the Sect’s Affairs Department to take care of the Steward’s daily needs.”

Chen Qing’s gaze lingered on Liu He for a second before he nodded, saying nothing more.

He briefly skimmed the roster, quickly getting a clear picture of the situation. The Fishery’s main patrols would be handled by Zhang Wei and Li Tie, in addition to himself as the Steward.

They seemed a little short-staffed at the moment, but he figured more people would be assigned later.

Meanwhile, day-to-day operations depended on Wang Shuosheng, Sun Xiaomiao, and Old Zhao. Liu He was essentially a personal assistant assigned by the Sect.

The structure was clear, and the duties were well-defined.

“Thank you for your hard work, everyone.”

Chen Qing began, “I have just arrived. The future operation of this Fishery will depend on everyone’s dedicated efforts. The old rules still apply, and everyone should continue their duties. However, I have two points to make. First, safety is paramount. Patrols must be conducted with extreme care, paying special attention to any abnormalities in the water or signs of Exotic Beasts. Second, the records of the catch must be clear and accurate.”

“Yes! We will follow the Steward’s orders!” they all responded in unison.

Afterward, accompanied by Zhang Wei and Old Zhao, Chen Qing meticulously inspected the entire Fishery.

He moved slowly, observing every detail.

In the ponds, Treasure Fish of various ages, both fry and adults, hid in the depths. Their scales glinted with different lusters under the clear water.

These Treasure Fish were incredibly fast, darting past in the blink of an eye.

The bottoms of some ponds were lined with fine sand, where plump Spirit Clams could be seen slowly opening and closing their shells, absorbing the Spiritual Qi from the water.

The fields of Jade Lotuses were thriving, emitting a wonderfully refreshing fragrance.

Old Zhao chattered on, “Steward Chen, you see, in this pond are the Three-Striped Carp Seedlings we added last year. They’re growing well. And the Ink Jade Clams at the bottom of that pond over there will be ready for pearl harvesting in another two years. We collect the pistils from the Jade Lotuses for medicine once a month, leaving the roots and stems to regrow…”

“Sigh… The only problem is that Nanze is too close to Qianchuan Marsh, which keeps us on edge. Occasionally, an Exotic Beast is drawn by the aura of the Treasure Fish and comes to probe the Fishery’s perimeter. When the previous Steward was here, an ’Iron Armor Turtle’ broke in. It injured a few disciples, and we couldn’t kill it at all. It took a massive effort just to drive it away. Honestly, the main point of the daily patrols here in Nanze is to guard against those things…”

Chen Qing listened in silence, cross-referencing what Old Zhao said with the records in the Fishery’s official files.

The shadow of Qianchuan Marsh—a perilous region of dense waterways, overgrown islands, and lurking Exotic Beasts—loomed right at the edge of the Nanzhe Fishery.

Chen Qing asked, “If a family comes to make a purchase, how will the fish be caught?”

These Treasure Fish were incredibly fast; catching them would not be easy.

“In response to the Steward,”

Old Zhao replied respectfully, “We’ll use specially made fishing nets. It won’t be a major issue.”

Chen Qing nodded.

At dusk, the molten gold of the setting sun stained the water’s surface a deep crimson.

Chen Qing had just returned to the compound when two men, both dressed as Stewards, arrived together.

The slightly heavier of the two men asked with a smile, “Might you be Steward Chen from the Cyan Wood Institute?”

Chen Qing clasped his fist. “I am. And you are…?”

“I am Wang Hai, Steward of the No. 6 Fishery.” The stout man was all smiles, his demeanor exceptionally friendly.

“Zhao Kang, Steward of the No. 8 Fishery.”

The other man was powerfully built with a profound aura, clearly well-versed in the Embracing Pill Force. He simply offered a steady, clasped-fist greeting.

Chen Qing led the two men into the Steward Hall and had them take a seat. Liu He served them fragrant tea.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep