Daily News: You promised yourself to be a fisherman, but you've become a martial arts god?

Li Nian put the silver into his pocket and carried the fish basket on his back.

"Young brother, wait a moment. Senior Brother Tang asked me to give you something. Please wait a moment."

Just as Li Nian was about to leave, Xiong Gang suddenly spoke up.

Are you giving me something?

Li Nian lowered her eyebrows, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes.

He knew that Tang Zhengxiong was secretly plotting against him and could not possibly be genuinely kind to him; there must be something wrong with this gift!

Lost in thought, Xiong Gang walked over with a beautifully crafted pole about the length of his arm.

"Take it."

Xiong Gang shoved the pole into Li Nian's hand.

Holding the pole, Li Nian's gaze sharpened.

Long bamboo poles are attached!

This pole is made of fine bamboo and consists of 5 sections joined together, making it easy to store.

A fishing rod is a common accessory for wandering swordsmen, which they carry diagonally at their waist when they go out.

Judging by the quality of this rod, it can pull up a 20-pound fish without breaking it.

The fishing line is made of 10 strands of horsehair and can hold a 20-pound fish without breaking it.

This fishing rod is designed for catching fish weighing less than 20 pounds.

In Qianhu County, this is considered a top-quality fishing rod, and even the cheapest one costs at least three taels of silver!

An ordinary tenant farmer in Qianhu County can't even earn three taels of silver a year!

For an ordinary fisherman like him, this is definitely a luxury fishing gear!

The handle of the rod is engraved with the words "Zhang Family Fishing Tackle Shop".

The Zhang family monopolized almost the entire fish market industry in the county, including fishing gear, docks, and fish sauce workshops...

"Master Xiong, this fishing rod is too expensive, I can't accept it."

Li Nian refused.

He knew that Tang Zhengxiong wasn't truly kind to him; giving him such an expensive fishing rod must mean he had ulterior motives.

"Just accept it as I say."

"We martial artists value external nourishment. At this time of year, few people catch the highly nutritious bluefish. If you catch more and sell them to our martial arts school, it will be a good thing for us."

"Besides, Brother Tang bought this fishing rod three months ago and hasn't caught a single fish yet. Rather than letting it go to waste, I'd rather you use it."

Xiong Gang said casually.

uh-huh?

Tang Zhengxiong was also an air force pilot!

"In that case, I'll accept this fishing rod."

Seeing Xiong Gang's unyielding attitude, Li Nian had no choice but to reluctantly accept it.

If I refuse again, it will inevitably arouse suspicion.

Perhaps Tang Zhengxiong gave him this fishing rod so that he could catch the green water fish sooner.

"May I ask, Master Xiong, when will Senior Brother Tang return? I'd like to thank him in person."

Li Nian asked.

谢？

Thank you, you son of a bitch!

He wanted to know Tang Zhengxiong's whereabouts.

He must be very careful around those who pose a threat to his life.

"Senior Brother Tang has gone to Pinghu County and won't be back for ten days to half a month. I'll be responsible for buying the fish you catch during this time."

Xiong Gang said.

Qianhu County and Pinghu County were both under the jurisdiction of Huize Prefecture. Like Qianhu County, most of the people in Pinghu County were engaged in fishing.

Could Tang Zhengxiong's trip to Pinghu County also be for the treasure fish?

Li Nian pondered to herself.

In any case, Tang Zhengxiong's short absence from Qianhu County is a good thing for him.

Without Tang Zhengxiong's authorization, Tang Zhengxiong's spies would not have dared to harm him before he caught the treasure fish!

Thinking of this, Li Nian breathed a sigh of relief.

Without much thought, Li Nian left with her fish basket on her back and her fishing rod in hand.

No sooner had Li Nian left than a familiar figure emerged from behind a pillar.

It was none other than Zhou Hu, who had taken Li Nian home yesterday!

"Zhou Hu, how's the matter Brother Tang asked you to handle? Did that kid secretly sell the treasure fish to someone else?"

"Reporting to Senior Brother Xiong, the brothers from the Sea Sand Gang are keeping an eye on him, but this kid didn't catch any treasure fish."

Xiong Gang nodded in satisfaction.

"I gave this boy a fishing rod so that he can catch a precious fish as soon as possible."

"The fish we catch with our fishing rods are ours!"

"When you get the fish, remember to kill that kid and his whole family, and take back the fishing rod and all the money."

"The money from our Haoran Martial Arts School isn't something just anyone can take!"

A sinister smile curled at the corners of Xiong Gang's mouth.

"Senior brother is brilliant!"

"By the way, Master just told me to tell the Hai Sha Gang to increase their monthly allowance by 20% this month and thereafter. Go and make that clear to them."

"Okay, senior brother."

...

After leaving Haoran Martial Arts School, Li Nian strolled around the streets for a while. Relying on the reconnaissance skills she learned in her previous life while serving in the army, she shook off Tang Zhengxiong's spies and went to the south of the city.

He's going to Qinyun Martial Arts School.

Join the Qinyun Martial Arts School to gain powerful backing.

Moreover, entering the martial arts school earlier allows for more practice time.

If we can hone our skills to contend with Tang Zhengxiong during his return, we won't need to rely on others, which would be even better!

Qinyun Martial Arts School.

Li Nian stood in front of the door, looking around.

The martial arts school and Haoran Martial Arts School are about the same size, both being large mansions with three courtyards and three entrances.

Unlike Haoran Martial Arts School, Qinyun Martial Arts School is guarded by stone eagles instead of stone lions.

Eagle claws are sharp as hooks, inspiring fear in those who behold them.

Inside the courtyard, dozens of disciples in tight-fitting clothes were practicing.

To Li Nian's surprise, there were nearly ten women among them.

They were agile and their movements were no less than those of the men; they were heroic and pleasing to the eye.

I can't help but reminisce about the days when I trained... no, I mean, conditioned female soldiers.

"Standing and observing are prohibited in front of the martial arts school."

Just then, a woman in a tight-fitting outfit carrying a pointer walked out.

The woman was dressed in a plain white outfit, with arched eyebrows that framed her cold, almond-shaped eyes. Her skin was as white as snow, and she had a slender figure. Despite her stunning beauty, she exuded a coldness that kept people at a distance.

"Excuse me, lady, I wish to see your master. May I ask to inform him?"

Li Nian didn't dare to look too closely and cupped her hands in inquiry.

The woman glanced at him and realized he was an ordinary fisherman. She frowned slightly and said tactfully, "My master is devoted to spiritual cultivation and rarely receives guests. Please understand."

Having lived two lives, Li Nian could certainly see through the woman's intentions.

They simply thought he was unreasonable because he was poor.

Li Nian wasn't angry; it's only human nature.

"Heroine, to be honest, I have news about the Treasure Fish and hope to discuss it in detail with your esteemed master."

Li Nian looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, approached the woman and explained his purpose in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, the woman's expression hardened.

"Do you really have news about the treasure fish?"

The woman sought confirmation.

"You can rest assured, heroine. Even if you gave me ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare to act recklessly here at the Qinyun Martial Arts School."

Li Nian said earnestly.

The woman looked intently into his eyes, and sensing that he wasn't lying, she earnestly said, "Please come into the courtyard to rest, sir, and wait for me a moment!"

After saying this, the woman called over a junior brother and asked him to take Li Nian to rest, while she hurriedly walked towards the inner courtyard.

Li Nian was not surprised by the woman's transformation.

Intelligence reports indicate that Liu Qinyun, the master of Qinyun Martial Arts School, desperately needs the Treasure Fish, which is of great benefit to martial artists. Tang Zhengxiong went to great lengths to set up a trap for him because of the Treasure Fish, so it is understandable that women value the Treasure Fish.

"Master has given his permission. Please come with me."

Not long after, the woman who had just left returned and spoke to Li Nian.

Li Nian didn't say much and followed the woman into the inner courtyard.

Upon arriving at the inner courtyard, we went straight into the main hall.

Inside the main hall, on a rosewood daybed to the side, a person was sitting upright.

Upon seeing this person, Li Nian's heart skipped a beat.

The owner of Qinyun Martial Arts School, Liu Qinyun, is actually a stunningly beautiful young woman who looks to be around thirty years old!

She wore a dark silver outfit with subtle patterns, which accentuated her graceful figure and made her curves stand out.

At this moment, the beautiful woman leaned against the rosewood Luohan bed, with one foot on the bed and the other foot dangling to the ground, her posture unrestrained.

The beautiful woman's face was as white as porcelain and as bright as the moon. Her willow-leaf eyebrows were deliberately drawn with sharp angles, and her long, narrow phoenix eyes had a cold and indifferent look in them. A layer of frost always covered the depths of her eyes, as if she had seen through the mundane affairs of the world and disdained to associate with ordinary people.

Looking into his eyes was like looking into a sword's edge, shattering any evil thoughts one might have.

This woman.

Stunningly beautiful, unrestrained, aloof...it's deadly!

The beautiful woman raised her eyes, her gaze fierce and ruthless.

"Do you have any news about the treasure fish?"