"Fishing in the river, the waves are big.
Losing a life or two is no more than usual."
The fierceness that had filled Bai Qi's chest dissipated, and he suddenly felt his limbs go weak, sitting breathlessly at the bow of the boat.
"First time is unfamiliar, second time becomes familiar, it'll be fine next time."
He took a deep breath, and the warm current swirling in his lower abdomen gradually spread out.
Like a stream flowing through every part of the body, nurturing the tightly tense muscles.
After enough rest, the exhausted Bai Qi plunged into Black Water River again.
After much effort, he managed to haul the bodies of Chen Da and Lao San back onto the canopy boat.
As the saying goes, lifeless and heavy.
Indeed, it's true.
Two drowned corpses, as if lead-filled, were very heavy.
If not for having begun learning the Eight Sections Skills, cultivating Qi Blood and strengthening power.
Previously, malnourished fisherman's boy Bai Ahqi might not have been able to move them.
"As everyone knows, after killing, the most important thing is—'destroy the body and erase traces'."
First, Bai Qi carefully searched around.
Picked two money bags, totaling four hundred and sixty-two cents.
Which was equivalent to a day's catch for him.
Then, he drilled into the bamboo canopy's cabin for another search.
Found nothing but chickens and ducks in a cage.
"Seems being a ruffian doesn't bring much wealth.
To be safe, don't take the chickens and ducks, and the canopy boat shouldn't be taken, lest it leaves behind troubles.
What a pity..."
Bai Qi shook his head, he tied up the three truly dead cold bodies with hemp rope.
Used the fish spear to pierce through them individually, releasing dark red blood.
Then moved ballast stones onto them to ensure they could sink.
Then took up the paddle, maneuvering the canopy boat into the depths of the reed marsh.
Looked around and felt there was no one around.
Bai Qi completely smashed the boat, water gushed in, dragging the whole boat to the riverbed.
A few days later, those corpses were cleaned by ferocious big fish, leaving hardly any trace.
"We who tread the crooked path only seek wealth without harming lives.
The method is somewhat unfamiliar, not quite skilled, but it manages."
On a night with dark moon and high wind, took three lives with his own hands.
Bai Qi was expressionless, as if his heart was as calm as still water.
Except for some nauseous overwhelming feeling, he really felt nothing extra.
Just as said before, why think too much about killing.
Only because this group of ruffians and Wang Laizi had once set their sights on himself and Ah Di.
That alone was enough reason for them to die!
This world, kindness leads to being bullied.
If one wants to stand firm, and settle down.
One must have superb skills!
And a sufficiently strong heart.
Otherwise, how could one withstand the beatings of the storms!
"Old Yu, in the next life, do not be a humble household."
Bai Qi was silent, heart chilled.
Thinking of Old Yu who fished in Black Water River most of his life.
Just because he had no kith or kin, he was killed by the collusion of Wang Laizi and others.
This made him understand further the sinister heart of man, and more determined to practice martial arts and cultivate skills.
To escape the poverty of the humble household!
"Why does misfortune seek out the miserable? Because the world is a vast sea of suffering, how can my small sampan withstand the high winds and rough waves? Naturally, it's the first to be overturned.
The humble household, their fate is like this.
Without some foundation, one dare not make waves."
Bai Qi sighed secretly, diving into the water, swimming towards the shore.
Took considerable effort to eliminate three evil ruffians tonight.
Must have a good meal to replenish.
...
...
In a blink, several days passed again.
Black River County remained quiet and peaceful, the disappearance of a few ruffians didn't stir any ripples.
Of course, except for Wang Laizi, who took a boat to Mihun Bay, keeping watch for Ghost Pattern Fish.
In the outer city's Xinyi Street, inside a foot spa doing brisk business.
"Brother Quan, I truly don't know where Chen Da and the others have gone!
Perhaps they lost track of time drinking and visiting brothels?"
The bald middle-aged man with sores and large yellow scabs bowed and sat down.
He was none other than Fisherman, quite famous along Black Water River, Wang Laizi.
"I've inquired at Zheng Tu's butcher shop; after buying the chickens and ducks you wanted, Chen Da sailed to Mihun Bay.
Then vanished without a trace."
Yangquan, with fleshy face, held a wine bowl, speaking with a somber expression:
"Which flower boat at Black River County, I don't know? I've asked everywhere, haven't seen them!
A few living people disappeared without a trace, could it be the Water Ghosts caught them?"
Wang Laizi scratched his head, smiled bitterly and said:
"That can't be certain, Brother Quan, there really are Water Ghosts in the Black Water River."
Yangquan felt a bit irritated, lacking manpower at the moment.
Losing three capable subordinates made him very unhappy.
"How many Ghost Pattern Fish are still missing?"
Wang Laizi cautiously replied:
"Eleven. They're all being raised in the river, all quality goods!
You know, Brother Quan, Ghost Pattern Fish can't live long away from the Black Water River!
Only the smaller ones do I sell to Fisherman to offer to East Market!"
Yangquan was not very satisfied, glaring fiercely at Wang Laizi:
"Hurry up, Young Master is about to break through the First Training Major Barrier.
I promised with my chest to offer twenty Ghost Pattern Fish.
Don't make me lose face, understand?"
Wang Laizi shuddered violently, seeming well aware of the consequences of angering Yangquan, nodded hurriedly:
"Old Yu's flesh is enough for me to get three more Ghost Pattern Fish... but we need another person."
Yangquan frowned deeply, slammed the wine bowl down and leaned his head forward:
"Isn't your secret bait a bit too sinister? One Old Yu isn't enough?
Where am I supposed to find a person for you to kill!"
Wang Laizi drooped his shoulders, chuckled apologetically:
"When my mother was alive, she said my grandmother used to be a Witch, leaving a few recipes from her early years.
Brother Quan, if it weren't for you urgent need for Ghost Pattern Fish, I wouldn't have taken it out.
Making this soul-damaging money, doing harmful blood deeds!"
Yangquan's eyelid twitched, his fan-sized palm slapped across Wang Laizi's face:
"Giving you face? Haven't you profited enough from the Ghost Pattern Fish deal?
One selling for four to five thousand cents big coins, have I ever taken half a cent?
Ungrateful mutt!"
Yangquan's slap was hard, directly knocking Wang Laizi off the long bench.
Broken teeth mixed with blood, filling his mouth with the taste of iron.
Porters and woodcutters eating at the foot shop noticed the commotion, glanced around wanting to watch the scene.
Seeing it was Yangquan, the vicious wolf, they quickly lowered their heads, fearing to get into trouble.
Covering his visibly swollen cheek, Wang Laizi pleaded:
"Brother Quan, I was just being vulgar, said the wrong thing!
You are magnanimous, don't hold it against me!
I'm also anxious, lacking human blood to bait, using human flesh as lure.
It's hard to hook Ghost Pattern Fish... last time, I mentioned the Bai Brothers, what do you think?"
Yangquan took another gulp of murky wine, coldly refused:
"No way, Lin the Sixth has his eyes on Bai Ahqi's sickly little brother.
And, Bai Ahqi has recently made a name for himself at the East Market Shop, we better not mess with him.
Half the month is gone already, Wang Laizi, if you mess up my business, watch your hide!
Also, if I find out that Chen Da's disappearance is connected to you.
I'll chop off your head and offer it to the River Deity!"
His expression cold and cruel, he threw down the threatening words along with twenty cents big money, and got up to leave.
"Damn it!"
After Yangquan went far, Wang Laizi painfully sat back on the long bench.
Inhaling sharply through his teeth, making "hissing" sounds.
"How am I supposed to know where Chen Da and the others ran off to, maybe they slipped and drowned while relieving themselves!
Eight hundred miles of Black River, someone dies every day! And they're pinning the blame on me!"
He wrapped the half pot of wine Yangquan left, along with a plate of peanuts and several dishes with leaf, carefully tucked them into his chest.
As he left, he casually grabbed half of the big money from the table, muttering:
"Just for a little wine and snacks, no need for so much!"
The helper at the shop pretended not to see, not wanting to get involved with this sticky trouble.
So-called thug, simply despised by humans and dogs.
Like a pile of dung, getting close will make you nauseous.
Chen Da, Wang Laizi, they belong to this kind of people.
Wang Laizi spat out a mouthful of thick blood after leaving the shop:
"Son of a bitch, if not for your father's strength, how could you be so domineering!
Didn't take half a cent from me? Haven't you been making loans under the guise of offering, squeezing out profits from fishermen!
This slap, grandpa will remember!
Once grandpa masters the 'art' from the recipes... there will be a time to deal with you!"
Mumbling along, murmuring back.
Wang Laizi quietly hushed his voice, turned to face his worries.
One Old Yu isn't enough, need to add two more lives in.
Only then can gather twenty Ghost Pattern Fish!
But.
Where else in Black River County can find such good bait?