Chương 21: The Angler of Blackwater Pond

Perhaps because of the alligator-dragon trouble, Jiang Huanyu did not encounter anyone on this road. When he neared Blackwater Pond, the sun was already hanging high overhead. Jiang Huanyu simply ate one flatbread and drank some water, preparing to properly work hard later. It was already the autumn equinox. Most of the surrounding leaves had turned yellow, yet the shrubs near Blackwater Pond were still extremely lush.

In both his previous life and this life, he was not some botanist, so he could not understand the secret behind it. He could only attribute it to the deep mountains and spiritual land, and that these plants absorbed good nutrients. Carefully approaching Blackwater Pond, Jiang Huanyu chose a place with fewer shrubs and a relatively open view. Without shrubs blocking the way, whether there were alligator-dragons hiding nearby could be seen at a glance, making it relatively safer.

After checking the spot, he immediately put down the fishing net on his shoulder and prepared to begin. But he suddenly caught sight of what seemed to be a figure on a huge rock not far away! Jiang Huanyu frowned and looked carefully. There really was a person there, wearing a brown long robe and a bamboo hat, sitting cross-legged on the huge rock. In front of him was a fishing rod. His exact age could not be seen.

The distance between the two was not too far, but the shrubs around that person were dense, making him difficult to discover. Seeing that the other party was fishing, Jiang Huanyu hesitated for a moment. In the end, he still chose not to cast his net here. Those who could come to Blackwater Pond were all commoners from nearby villages. Since the other party was fishing, the movement from casting a net would be too loud and disturb the fish nearby.

Carrying the fishing net on his shoulder again, Jiang Huanyu was preparing to change to a farther location when the bamboo-hatted figure seemed to discover him as well. He took off the bamboo hat on his head, revealing a full head of silver hair, and said with a smile,"Little brother, just cast your net. There is no need to mind this old man." It was an old man. Although his voice was not loud, it was very clear. Jiang Huanyu slightly cupped his hands.

"Old sir is fishing here. It would naturally be improper for this boy to cast a net."

"There are many alligator-dragons and giant pythons in Blackwater Pond. The shrubs around you are dense, old sir. You should be careful." Whether the old man did not hear his words or for some other reason, he did not continue responding. Jiang Huanyu also did not say anything more. He turned and found another decent place farther away. After confirming that he would not disturb the other party, he began casting the net. The fishing net was swung into a perfect circle and quickly fell into the water.

A moment later, he began pulling it back. Feeling the weight of the fishing net in his hands, a trace of joy appeared on his face. There was something! And it seemed like quite a lot! When the fishing net was pulled out of the water, seven or eight black carp trapped in the net were struggling violently. Each one looked to weigh roughly one to one and a half kilograms. After obtaining the Ninth Grade Bloodline, his strength had increased quite a bit, and he easily lifted the fishing net up.

Greater risk really did bring greater reward. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. The nearby villagers were all afraid of the alligator-dragons and giant pythons of Blackwater Pond and did not dare come here to fish. This had caused the fish in Blackwater Pond to grow more and more numerous. Jiang Huanyu happily took out a hemp rope and strung together the black carp in the net one by one.

"I'll send two to Teacher Lu later." He picked out two larger, brightly colored black carp and strung them separately, thinking this in his heart. As Anu's teacher, Lu Zhiyuan was extremely attentive toward Anu. He had also helped buy Niu Erzhu's farmland, and Uncle Ya had even helped him take care of the fruit trees. His own family could not take out any decent thank-you gift. Since Lu Zhiyuan liked eating fish, he would send two over later.

After hanging the fish on a nearby tree branch, Jiang Huanyu arranged the fishing net and cast another net. When the fishing net was pulled out this time, although the harvest was not as large as the first time, there were still two black carp and four or five half-jin grass carp. After tidying up the catch, Jiang Huanyu was arranging the fishing net when a voice sounded behind him.

"Little brother, your luck is not bad." This sudden voice startled him into a shiver. Turning back, he discovered that it was precisely the fishing old man he had seen earlier.

"This old man walks without making any sound?" Jiang Huanyu secretly complained in his heart, then smiled and said, "Old sir, how is your harvest today?" The old man stroked his snow-white beard and slightly shook his head.

"Until now, not a single fish has bitten the hook." That miserable? Jiang Huanyu was somewhat surprised after hearing this.

"Hehe, there is nothing too surprising about it. The living creatures of Black Dragon Pond all carry dragon energy and are very clever," the old man said as if comforting himself. Jiang Huanyu did not speak. Those who caught nothing always found some excuse for themselves, such as today's weather being bad…

"Little brother, this old man has an unreasonable request." The old man glanced at the fish hanging on the tree and spoke. Was he going to buy fish again? Jiang Huanyu looked at him, somewhat troubled. These fish were meant for the full-month banquet, and the rest would also be sent to Teacher Lu. Even if he wanted to sell some, he would have to gain more first. The old man seemed to see his difficulty and said with a smile, "This old man will pay twenty taels of silver to reserve your third net."

"No matter how much this net catches, it will all belong to this old man. How about it?" Hearing this, Jiang Huanyu frowned slightly. Reserving a net? This was gambling on luck.

"Old sir, this is somewhat improper." It was not that he was worried he would lose out on this third net. Even if this third net had the same harvest as the first, it would not be worth twenty taels of silver. What he was afraid of was that if the catch was too small later, this old man might become unhappy and cause unnecessary trouble.

"Little brother, there is no need to worry." As the old man spoke, he took two ten-tael silver ingots out from his shoulder bag and said, "Even if this third net does not catch a single fish, this old man will not go back on his word." As he spoke, he stuffed the two silver ingots into Jiang Huanyu's hand.

"This…" Jiang Huanyu had originally thought the other party was joking, but weighing the silver in his hand, he became somewhat hesitant.

"Just cast it. But this old man must make it clear in advance. If this third net catches many fish, little brother must not regret it." Hearing him say this, Jiang Huanyu also smiled. The fish of Blackwater Pond were more expensive than those from the Lai River, but with twenty taels of silver, one could buy dozens of kilograms of fish. He did not think he could catch dozens of kilograms of fish with one net.

"As long as old sir is not afraid of losing out."

"How about this? If this net has no harvest, this boy will give old sir one black carp and a few grass carp."

"I cannot let you return empty-handed." Jiang Huanyu thought about it and finally chose a method that would let his conscience pass. Hearing this, a trace of gratified smile appeared on the old man's face.

"Little brother is quite kind-hearted. In that case, begin." Jiang Huanyu nodded slightly. After arranging the fishing net, he suddenly swung it up. It seemed that he truly did not want the old man to lose too much, so this net was cast toward a slightly farther place. Splash! The fishing net fell into the water and quickly sank. The old man's gaze quietly looked at the surface of the water. After a moment, Jiang Huanyu began slowly pulling in the net.

"Eh!?" As soon as he pulled the net rope, he suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise. Then, before he could react, the net rope suddenly stretched tight! A huge force came over, pulling Jiang Huanyu until he staggered and nearly fell into the water!

"This is…" Jiang Huanyu was greatly shocked. He quickly steadied his body and tightly grabbed the net rope, wanting to drag it back. But the thing trapped in the net had terrifying strength, and it forcibly remained in a deadlock without moving at all. Jiang Huanyu tried several times and discovered that he could not shake the other party. He could only quickly wrap the net rope around a nearby tree trunk to prevent himself from being dragged into the water.

Seeing this, the old man behind him revealed a sharp gleam in his eyes. Then he also came forward and grabbed one end of the net rope.

"Little brother, this old man will help you."

"Old sir, it's dangerous. Step back a little!" Jiang Huanyu quickly shouted. Even his body, transformed by the Ninth Grade Bloodline, could not shake the other party. This old man was clearly already of great age. If something happened to him, wouldn't Jiang Huanyu inexplicably get involved in a lawsuit?