The fishing net bloomed in the air, moving with a mystical rhythm as it perfectly predicted the Blackfin Pompano's trajectory.
SPLASH!
With a loud splash, the ferocious Blackfin Pompano slammed headfirst into the net, as if delivering itself right to them!
"A catch!"
Su Yu's arms bulged with strength as he held the net rope in a death grip.
But alas, the prized fish was immensely powerful. The waves it created could easily flip a man, let alone tear through this small fishing net.
Just as it seemed the net would be torn open, Qian Wenhao let out a great laugh. His body moved like a swimming dragon, and with a single Swimming Fish Tail, he was there in the blink of an eye.
"Where do you think you're going!"
His body spun once more, cutting through the churning waves as the Fine Iron Fish Spear in his hand precisely struck the Blackfin Pompano's body.
THUD!
Driven mad by the pain, the Blackfin Pompano's horn sliced through the water's surface like lightning. It leaped into the air, taking the net and the embedded fish spear with it, letting out a mournful cry that sounded like a cow's bellow.
In the sunlight, its blood-stained scales shimmered with a menacing, dark light.
"What a beast!"
Qian Wenhao, however, was overjoyed. The fish spear was firmly lodged in the prized fish; it wasn't getting away now.
He raised a hand to catch a second fish spear tossed from the boat. With a flick of his wrist, it shot out like a meteor chasing the moon.
PFFT!
This spear pierced straight through its eye and out the back of its head!
The Blackfin Pompano crashed heavily back into the water, sending up a shower of spray. A great bloom of red blood churned to the surface, gushing out like a spring and dyeing the water crimson.
On the treasure ship, the old fishermen roared with laughter as they cast their nets.
They secured the Blackfin Pompano in the water.
A short while later, the lifeless Blackfin Pompano was hauled aboard the ship.
Qian Wenhao swam back to the ship and gently caressed the black horn. Measuring it, he found it was over a foot long, and joy spread across his face. "Excellent! A foot-long horn means this Blackfin Pompano is at least ten years old!"
A Blackfin Pompano's horn typically grows ten inches every three years. Once it surpasses a foot in length, its value skyrockets. This one was worth at least double their initial estimate—over a hundred taels of Snowflake Silver!
How could he not be delighted? To catch such a prized fish right at the start of the voyage!
He turned his head to look at Su Yu, who was reeling in the net, his eyes full of admiration.
"Su Yu, you've performed a great service by stopping that Blackfin Pompano. When we get back, rest assured, you'll get a handsome reward!"
'I can't believe it. This expansion of the Fishing Team actually netted me some real talent!'
The way everyone else looked at Su Yu changed in an instant.
Envy, jealousy, astonishment...
Not only had this Su Yu made a name for himself, but he was also going to get a reward. His luck was simply off the charts.
Bai Shun's gaze toward Su Yu was filled with a new fighting spirit. He hadn't imagined Su Yu's Net Casting Skill was so masterful that he could even trap such a fast-moving prized fish! 'Still,' he thought, 'there's more to fishing than casting nets. Swimming skill is just as important!'
Gao Xiaoshuang, however, snorted coldly. She still held a grudge against Su Yu for ignoring her earlier, and seeing him in the spotlight again now made her extremely irritated.
Zhou Da immediately sidled up to Gao Xiaoshuang and muttered in a low voice, "Xiaoshuang, he just got lucky this time. His fishing skills are nothing compared to yours. Next time, let's stay closer. My brother and I will back you up, and maybe you'll be the one to net a prized fish."
Gao Xiaoshuang looked at his pudgy face and large ears, feeling a wave of disgust. Still, she nodded, planning to use the two brothers for a while longer before kicking them to the curb once she found new subordinates.
For the next several days, the three treasure ships fished all over the deep waters of the Black Water River.
During that time, they found a school of Red Oil Fish and caught several hundred catties' worth.
These fish had slender bodies with a bright red line of fat running along their backs. Their meat was rich and plump, and eating it would warm the entire body and replenish one's Qi and Blood. They were at their most succulent in the autumn and winter.
Overjoyed, Qian Wenhao had dozens of them cooked on the spot. Su Yu managed to get half a fish, which was so rich the oil dripped from his mouth. As he ate, he felt both his Qi and Blood and his Breakthrough Points increase slightly.
On the seventh day, the lead ship, which carried Qian Qinghong, split off from the other two treasure ships and sailed alone into the deeper parts of the river.
Meanwhile, the ship carrying Su Yu and the others began its return journey.
Fortunately, the return trip was uneventful, and the treasure ship arrived smoothly back at the Black River Crossing Pier.
...
「The Qian Family Compound.」
Qian Wenhao settled everyone's Monthly Allowance on the spot. The standard was one tael of silver per person, but because the haul had been so bountiful, everyone received an additional bonus ranging from several hundred copper coins to several taels.
Su Yu received the largest bonus of all: a full five taels!
In total, he had earned six taels of silver from this one trip.
"Su Yu, your Net Casting Skill is simply divine. Have you considered becoming an official member of the Qian Family Fishing Team?" Qian Wenhao said, his arm slung warmly around Su Yu's shoulders. "If you become an official member, I'll teach you the accompanying Pile Skill for the Fishbone Skill! Your Monthly Allowance will also increase severalfold!"
Su Yu's heart stirred at the offer. He had seen the underwater combat prowess of the Fishbone Skill and was quite envious. 'But I know how these families operate,' he thought. 'They don't just hand out benefits for nothing.'
"Captain Qian, do official members have to sign a Death Contract?"
"Yes, but the Qian Family is generous and fair with its rewards and punishments. Many people would kill for this opportunity."
Su Yu nodded. Judging from his own pay, the Qian Family was indeed fair with its rewards and punishments. It was a good organization.
However, he couldn't get used to the idea of being a family retainer. Besides, his priority was training at the martial arts hall; going out on the boats with the Qian Family was just a way to make money.
So he shook his head and declined, asking if there was any other way to obtain the Pile Skill.
Qian Wenhao shook his head regretfully. He walked Su Yu to the door and whispered, "If you come out on a few more trips and continue to perform this well, I'll speak to the Third Miss about making you an external Tributor. You'd be able to get the accompanying Pile Skill then! But for that to happen, you need to become a Martial Artist first!"
"Then I'll have to thank you for that, Captain Qian!"
After leaving the Qian Family's compound, Su Yu headed straight back to the martial arts hall without any delay.
He checked in with Senior Brother Xu and paid four taels of silver, covering the cost of his Herbal Decoction for the next month as well.
After counting his money, he found he only had a little over two taels of Broken Silver left for emergencies.
"Studying Martial Arts is a real money pit," Su Yu lamented. 'I have to find a steady source of income!' For now, however, training had to be his priority.
...
「In the blink of an eye, another month passed.」
With the help of the Herbal Decoction, Su Yu had spent the entire month focused on his training, finally pushing his progress in the White Ape Six Changes to its peak.
[Su Yu]
[Martial Arts]: White Ape Six Changes (entry-level 799/800)
'The breakthrough is tonight!'
A bright moon hung high in the sky, its gentle light bathing the front courtyard and making it look like a vast, shimmering surface of water.
The apprentices training in the front courtyard had all gone to rest. Only Su Yu remained, still practicing his stances. Staring at the last remaining point he needed for his Skill Level on the panel, he found he could hardly wait for morning.
As he completed the final move, Spiritual Ape Returns to the Cave, the familiar text finally flashed before his eyes.
[Skill Level +1]
[White Ape Six Changes has broken through to the Skillful Realm]
[Martial Arts]: White Ape Six Changes (Skilled 1/1200)
Instantly, a profound understanding flooded Su Yu's mind, followed by a roaring transformation of the Qi and Blood within his body.
A powerful surge of Qi and Blood coursed through him, and immense strength welled up from within his body.
He didn't experience the difficult "Qi and Blood bottleneck" that others always talked about. For Su Yu, the breakthrough happened naturally, as if there were no barrier at all!
'My peerless talent is truly something else!'