Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 65 Murder for Money, Jianghu Experience

Afterwards, Chen Shunan asked a few more questions.

Scholar Ma was able to explain complex concepts in simple terms and answer questions skillfully.

They did not study the eight-legged essay style, but focused on martial arts and Taoist scriptures for the imperial examinations;
The barrier that stands between the common people and scholars of the Holy Dynasty, influencing and altering their perceptions;

Unaware of their own existence, they are bound by a spiritual connection that is also related to fate and destiny...

The waters of the Holy Dynasty run too deep!
Scholar Ma scooped up a handful of lake water, washed his face, and breathed in the fresh air, saying...

"Brother Shun'an, you are so interested in fortune telling. I have a copy of the Sanming Tonghui, which was written by Wan Jinshi, a great fortune teller from the previous dynasty."

It's practically the pinnacle of the Four Pillars of Destiny theory, and it even has my annotations... Take a look when you get back."

Chen Shunan quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "Then thank you very much, Brother Ma!"

Scholar Ma asked, "This lotus pond is indeed beautiful, but Brother Shun'an, you wouldn't be suggesting that we two old men come here to row a boat and admire the flowers, would you?"

Chen Shunan chuckled and quickly recounted the events at the river goods shop, including his desires and requests.

It simply omits the divine ability to be close to the water larks, replacing it with ambiguous terms like "special feeling" and "instinctive prediction."

The previously listless scholar Ma perked up immediately upon hearing this, his mustache twitching.

"A golden-scaled catfish that enjoys listening to sermons? You want me to read here and lure it out?"

The next moment, Scholar Ma shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum, and said,

“No! If we follow what you say, Brother Shun’an, this fish is clearly blessed by heaven and earth and has received a special opportunity. Even insects and plants should not be harmed, let alone spirits and monsters?”

Chen Shunan said, "Brother Ma only saw the first level, not the second level."

"Oh? What's the explanation?"

"This golden-scaled catfish is in cahoots with the silver fish at the river goods shop, conspiring to cheat people. In time, they will inevitably be discovered and will surely face death. Even the shopkeeper will not be spared!"

Chen Shunan said solemnly,

"If we capture the Golden Scaled Catfish now, it will not only serve as a warning to the Silver Fish and the shopkeeper, but also prevent the Golden Scaled Catfish from killing us in advance!"
Moreover, I have no intention of taking its life; instead, I will send it to the Zhang family as a birthday gift and keep it in the central courtyard.

Since ancient times, there has been a saying: "Orchids and magnolias flourish when graced by a virtuous person, and pearls shine brightly when viewed with discerning eyes." The golden-scaled catfish, nurtured by the noble atmosphere of the Zhang family, might, over time, have a different destiny—wouldn't that be better than struggling in the muddy waters, toiling for a meager meal?

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiucai looked thoughtful, and for a moment he couldn't find a rebuttal to Chen Shunan.

Brother Shun'an's words seem reasonable at first glance, but why do they feel like sophistry?
“If Brother Ma is willing to help, I am willing to cover Brother Ma’s food, writing materials and tuition fees for the next two months.”

"make a deal!"

Ma Xiucai's eyes lit up, and he immediately agreed.

Heaven have mercy! The brilliant scholar Ma, who was once known as a child prodigy, has fallen into a state of hunger and destitution.

Even though he recently took on a job translating Chinese letters, he only asked for the most basic fee.

“Then I’ll trouble Brother Ma to stay here alone. That golden-scaled catfish is quite wary; if I stay here, it probably won’t dare to take the bait. I’ll hide on the shore for now. If you see an extra grass carp blowing bubbles by the side of the boat, use that as a signal…”

Chen Shunan gave a few more instructions, then leaped into the air, his toes lightly touching the lotus seedpod.

The lotus pods nodded, and dew splashed everywhere. He used the water to propel himself up to the shore, which was dozens of feet away.

His figure flickered a few times and then disappeared completely.

Ma Xiucai didn't take it seriously and couldn't tell how good Chen Shunan's lightness skill was.

He lowered the bamboo fish trap along the edge of the boat, shook the lake water off his hands, and then slowly took out a thread-bound book from his pocket.

When the boat reaches the center of the lake, it blends seamlessly with the water and sky.

Scholar Ma sang softly.
"At dawn, no one knows the coolness here; I sit quietly amidst the dewy flowers, gazing at the silvery pond... How wonderful, how wonderful!"

……

The sun was already high in the sky.

Chen Shunan looked around and saw a pine and cypress tree casting a large shadow. He swiftly climbed the tree and hid among the dense branches.

This lotus pond seems to be a scenic spot, especially now that the lotus flowers are in bloom. A sea of ​​pink lotus flowers reflects the morning glow with moisture, like a carpet.

The mountains are supported by a carpet of grass on the water, and the mountains are supported by a carpet of grass underwater. It is truly amazing.

However beautiful the scenery may be, the fishermen living in shantytowns, braving wind and rain to make a living, have no time to row their boats and admire the flowers. They pick the edible lotus pods and dig out the lotus roots early on, then head off to other places to find food.

Therefore, this lotus pond is rarely visited by anyone except for the wealthy young men and women from the county who come to enjoy the flowers and the spring scenery.

"Ok?"

But Chen Shunan had barely lain down when the north wind brought a rusty, bloody smell.

It's very strong; many people have died, and they've only been dead for a short time.

Chen Shunan's gaze sharpened, and he climbed the branches, quickly reaching the top of the pine and cypress trees, where he looked around.

Then they saw several bloody corpses lying haphazardly on the ground in the dense forest. Judging from their attire, they seemed to be mountain people who made a living by gathering herbs and hunting.

Various crates and mountain products were scattered all over the ground.

Beside these corpses stood three figures of varying heights, each holding a broadsword, their faces covered with black cloth, exuding a murderous aura; they were clearly not benevolent.

"Murder and robbery?"

Chen Shunan raised an eyebrow, glanced again in the direction of Lotus Pond, his eyelids drooping, and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

These days, it's perfectly normal for someone to die in the middle of nowhere.

Chen Shunan had no intention of acting as a chivalrous knight-errant.

Unless, of course, blood splatters onto your feet.

"These mountain people, relying on their strength, think they can sell their goods on the black market as soon as they arrive... How naive."

"Hehe, we're lucky! We've been out of business for over a month, and we were just worried about not having any income and having to go back to farming. Finally, we've run into a newbie!"

"Hmm? There's some noise over there... Is someone boating on Lotus Pond?"

The three exchanged a few words in hushed tones. Suddenly, one of the tall, thin men realized something, his inner energy sank down, and he moved with a light, agile gait, arriving outside Lotus Pond.

He looked closely, shook his head, and returned to his original spot.

"He's a poor, bookish scholar who's gone mad from reading too much. He's studying here under the blazing sun... and he even said that nobody knows it's cool here, but it's not filling!"

The man made a few sarcastic remarks, his eyes filled with disdain.

Upon hearing this, the other two companions chuckled a few times, shook their heads, and began packing up their boxes and mountain goods.

For some reason, the three of them suddenly felt a chill in the woods and their necks went cold.

But the next moment, all the strangeness disappeared, as if it had just been an illusion.

On the pine and cypress tree, Chen Shunan bent his fingers and retracted the dart he had been holding back.

"No, it smells!"

As they were collecting the items, one of the burly men, whose nostrils were swollen and whose bridge of the nose gleamed with a dark light, seemed to smell something. His eyes widened in alarm, and he suddenly turned around to look in Chen Shunan's direction.

"With a dog's nose?"

Chen Shunan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

But he didn't move.

What if they're trying to scam me?
Perhaps seeing that Chen Shunan wouldn't give up until he got to the bottom of things, the big-nosed man took out a handful of flying stones from under his sleeve, stretched out his hand, and was about to shoot them out.

Chen Shunan shook his head and was about to lift his foot when he suddenly heard a whooshing sound from his side.

Then a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a ruddy complexion, with a helpless expression, emerged from a low-lying area.

With a push of the ground and a leap, he rose several feet high, like a black bear pouncing on its prey, and appeared in front of the three.

"You have a good sense of smell; you actually found me," the burly man said in a deep voice.

On the pine and cypress tree, Chen Shunan remained indifferent and withdrew his hand once again.

Ha ha……

Chen was experienced in the ways of the world and was several years older than the man. How could he be so easily tricked like that big man?
That's the wisdom of the older generation!

(End of this chapter)