The elderly man seemed not to hear his words and had already stepped forward to grasp the net rope and began pulling back.
The thick hemp rope creaked under the strain, causing Shen Yuan to feel somewhat anxious.
With such a force, could it be that they've netted a Tuo Dragon?
This is really unfortunate; the fishing net might not hold up.
The two of them and the thing in the water struggled for quite a while, gradually pulling the net back.
As the fishing net slowly emerged from the water, the thing caught in the net began to struggle violently. Amid the splashing water, Shen Yuan vaguely saw a hint of bluish-gray.
"It's a Tuo Dragon!"
Boom!
Just as he finished speaking, the net rope in his hand snapped suddenly under the strain.
Watching as the creature rolled and dragged the fishing net away into the distance, Shen Yuan's face looked grim.
This time, it's truly a loss. They didn't catch the fish, and the net is also gone.
Unlike the discouraged Shen Yuan, the old man behind him looked at the struggling Tuo Dragon in the pool, squinting slightly with a faint smile on his lips.
Shen Yuan sighed, took out the twenty taels of silver that hadn't warmed in his pocket, and handed it to the elderly man.
"Sir, please take the money back."
They had agreed upon splitting the catch from this third net.
But now that the fish from the third net was lost, naturally, he couldn't keep the money.
The elderly man didn't take the silver, chuckling, "Young brother, what is this about? It's long been rumored that there's a Tuo Dragon in the Black Water Pool. Today, the old man and young brother almost caught one. Just this experience is interesting enough."
"Besides, young brother lost the fishing net because of this event. I can't take the money."
He waved his hand and then pointed at a few green fish hanging on a tree, "Does young brother still intend to keep his earlier words?"
Shen Yuan was momentarily stunned, then quickly stepped forward and picked out two plump green fish.
"Haha... Thank you very much."
The elderly man took the two green fish, nodding in satisfaction, "Will young brother be coming here to fish again soon?"
Shen Yuan said uncertainly, "We'll see. I need to buy a new fishing net first."
The elderly man nodded, said nothing more, and turned to walk away.
In the distance, the creature caught and tangled in the fishing net was still struggling, its huge movements churning the whole water surface into a splash.
Shen Yuan took one last look, helplessly picked up his catch, and headed towards Jinliu Village.
He hadn't gone far when the old man, who had left, came back. Gazing at the Tuo Dragon still thrashing in the water, he tapped the tip of his toes, surprisingly flying over lightly.
Shen Yuan naturally didn't see this scene.
Returning home, Hu Yufen came forward to greet him, surprised to see the catch in his hands, "Husband, today you caught quite a lot."
Shen Yuan tossed the fish into a wooden tub, sighing, "Don't mention it, I lost the fishing net, too."
He briefly recounted what happened at the Black Water Pool, and Hu Yufen was greatly alarmed.
She had always heard that the Tuo Dragon at the Black Water Pool was fierce and could swallow humans and livestock whole. To think her husband actually netted one today!
"It's good that you're safe. The net can be replaced," said Hu Yufen with some relief, but also with curiosity.
"Who is that generous elderly man?"
Twenty taels of silver is not a small amount.
Hearing this, Shen Yuan was equally curious. Among the wealthy in the surrounding villages, he'd heard of most, but this elderly man was completely unfamiliar.
Thinking it over, he couldn't figure out the old man's origin.
"Never mind that, Master Lu likes fish, I'll take two to him first."
Handing the silver to Hu Yufen, Shen Yuan took the two selected green fish and headed towards Lu Zhiyuan's small courtyard.
At this time, in the small courtyard pavilion, Lu Zhiyuan sat uncharacteristically stern.
Across from him, Ah Nu sat with his head drooping, as if he had done something wrong, occasionally stealing glances at Uncle Ya, hoping for him to intercede.
Uncle Ya quickly shook his head when he saw this.
"A gem of a stone, not hidden even in the deepest mountains, a gentleman embraces simplicity, not dulled by a chaotic world."
"A gentle spirit shown through, shining under the sun and moon, this is cultivation!"
"A calm water that reflects only the surface, the deep pool will reveal the heart of the heavens; those who cultivate must build a nine-foot deep pool to hold the North Star!"
"How can a gentleman roam the world without self-cultivation?"
"Do you recognize your mistake?"
In a stern voice, Ah Nu quickly bowed, "Student recognizes the error, please punish me, Master."
Having said this, he carefully extended his palm.
Seeing this, Lu Zhiyuan picked up the ruler beside him and delivered three strikes to his small hand.
The little guy grimaced in pain but didn't dare to make a sound.
"Go, write down every word I said, and always reflect upon it, remembering it in your heart."
After the punishment, Lu Zhiyuan's tone softened slightly.
Ah Nu quickly bowed, enduring the stinging pain in his palm, and knelt in front of the desk, starting to carefully write down what Lu Zhiyuan had said.
"Master, Uncle Ya."
At this moment, Shen Yuan had already reached the courtyard gate.
Lu Zhiyuan's earlier scolding and punishment had been witnessed by him, and he didn't intervene because he believed only strict teachers can produce good students.
Ah Nu's lively nature indeed needed self-restraint and some changes.
Seeing him arrive, Lu Zhiyuan stood up and saluted in return.
"I caught some fish at Black Water Pool today, and knowing you enjoy fish, I've brought two for you to try." Shen Yuan said, raising the fish in his hand with a smile.
Uncle Ya hurriedly took the two fishes and headed to the kitchen.
Lu Zhiyuan walked out of the pavilion, with Shen Yuan following behind.
The two of them walked outside the courtyard, where Shen Yuan saluted, "Was Ah Nu being naughty and annoying you, Master?"
Lu Zhiyuan sighed lightly, turning to say, "Younger Brother Shen, do you think that I am too strict with Ah Nu?"
Shen Yuan shook his head quickly, "Discipline is Ah Nu's blessing."
"I am just a common man, ignorant of the ways of a gentleman, but I know well that one must be strict with oneself and lenient with others; this is nurturing."
"Master, 'raising without teaching is the father's fault,' it is my failure in teaching him well, please do not be angry."
His answer surprised Lu Zhiyuan a bit.
"Younger Brother Shen, I have lived in Jinliu Village for six years, and among the common people here, rarely have I seen someone like you."
Shen Yuan quickly saluted, "I am also a common person, educated by a village school as a child. In my youth, I was playful and forgot most in a few years."
"Later, by fortune, I met my humble wife. Influenced day and night, I heard some sage philosophies, which now amuse the Master."
He could only attribute everything to Hu Yufen, making up a reason.
After all, her identity as a 'wealthy young lady' was no secret in the village.
Lu Zhiyuan suddenly understood.
After chatting for a while longer, Shen Yuan finally returned home.
After lunch, having nothing to do, Shen Yuan thought about going to the town as soon as possible to buy another fishing net.
Before the weather turns completely cold, he has the chance to fish a few more times.
Yet as he passed by Black Water Pool with his ox cart, a thought suddenly struck him to see if the Tuo Dragon caught in the fishing net had escaped.
He parked the ox cart some distance from Black Water Pool and quietly approached the high slope by the pool. From afar, he noticed several ferocious Tuo Dragons lying on rocks, resting.
Not daring to approach, just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly noticed a fragment of a fishing net hanging from a nearby bush!
Frowning, Shen Yuan recognized at once that the fishing net was his.
He cautiously approached, pulling down the net only to find it stained with fresh blood and a large cut made by a sharp object.
The entire net was in tatters.