Lin Zhao did not recognize Yi Shi Cang Liang, nor did he understand what NPCs and adventurers meant. However, Lin Zhao subconsciously felt that this person was useful! He possessed something that Yi Shi Cang Liang could not attain, and Yi Shi Cang Liang, in turn, possessed something that Lin Zhao could not. It was less about possessions and more about the limitations of heavenly rules. Lin Zhao could vaguely sense these limitations, but the feeling was too ethereal for him to articulate.
...
"Speak!"
Yi Shi Cang Liang nodded repeatedly, his face full of eagerness. He smiled and said, "Little brother, as long as you can help me find the Flood Dragon Pearl, I will do my best to fulfill any condition. I'll even give you all the gold coins in my inventory!"
Lin Zhao smiled and pointed into the distance. "Look over there, there's a bridge."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Yi Shi Cang Liang, an uncle of considerable age, plopped down beside Lin Zhao, gazing at a distant bridge. His attitude was one of sincere devotion, as if he were a devout follower of Lin Zhao.
After watching for a while, he felt unnerved, like a fool, and asked, "So what about the bridge?"
"It's just a bridge."
Lin Zhao found his slight impatience amusing. "That's a Suspended Sword Bridge. Beneath every Suspended Sword Bridge, there are flood dragons that swim through the waters. Some flood dragons succeed, while others fail. The failed ones are slain by the suspended swords beneath the bridge. As for the flood dragon pearls, you understand, they fall into the water and are swallowed by large fish. The bigger the fish, the greater the chance it swallows a flood dragon pearl."
"So that's how it is..."
Yi Shi Cang Liang was astonished. Amidst his surprise, he couldn't help but turn away and gloat inwardly. He muttered to himself, "Damn it, Su Xinghe, that idiot, acts so high and mighty every day. He really thinks he's the number one in the world once the game opens. Now look at him, he can't even handle a simple flood dragon pearl quest. In the end, he still has to rely on old Yi Shi Cang Liang?"
As he spoke, he glanced back at Lin Zhao, chuckling to himself, "This NPC seems to be extremely simple-minded... Flood dragon pearls are definitely valuable items. Why is he here fishing all day for a meager portion of food, starving one moment and feasting the next? Since he knows the flood dragon pearls are in the bellies of large fish, why isn't he diving into the river to catch them? If he found just one flood dragon pearl, would he still need to fish?"
Lin Zhao glanced at him, utterly speechless. This person must have been kicked in the head by Lu Xun's donkey while wandering in the town a few days ago. Otherwise, why would he be so sure that Lin Zhao wouldn't "hear" his mutterings?
"Little brother!"
Yi Shi Cang Liang turned back again, a sheepish grin on his face. "Are you sure that catching big fish in the river will yield a flood dragon pearl?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao nodded. "However, as a reward for telling you this top-secret information, after you catch a big fish and confirm it doesn't have a flood dragon pearl, you'll dry it for me, okay?"
"Of course, it's a trivial matter!"
...
Yi Shi Cang Liang slowly stood up, his expression serious. He reached behind him and drew a battle axe wreathed in flames, smiling. "As a level 40 promoted berserker, catching a few fish is as easy as catching a turtle in a jar!"
With that, he nodded to Lin Zhao. "Little brother, please wait. I'm heading in now!"
The level 40 berserker suddenly leaped from the bridge, sending up a splash several meters high. Immediately, Yi Shi Cang Liang, submerged in the water, paddled with all his might. Although his movements were hindered, he had a clear vision with his eyes open. Gripping his battle axe, he moved forward, roaring with laughter, "Big fish, here I come!"
"Swish!"
Amidst the splashing water, he unleashed the berserker's Whirlwind Slash. Instantly, a grass carp weighing at least three catties was cleaved in two. He picked up the fish and tossed it towards the bank. He then swam further away and charged at a catfish weighing a little over a catty, using his Provoke skill. Soon after, a large catfish, stunned by the axe, was tossed onto the shore.
"Wow..."
Xiao Shi Tou watched from a distance, looking envious. "Brother Lin Zhao, can I go and pick up the fish?"
"No!"
Lin Zhao shook his head decisively. He could see clearly from the bridge that Yi Shi Cang Liang glanced over every time he threw a fish ashore, just to make sure Lin Zhao hadn't gotten to the flood dragon pearl first. Since this middle-aged man was wary of him, Lin Zhao saw no reason to provoke him and decided to let him confirm for himself in the end.
The bottom of Baiyu Stream was teeming with fish and shrimp, so Lin Zhao wasn't worried that the berserker would catch them all.
...
By dusk, Yi Shi Cang Liang was perhaps tired. On the bank, there were already twenty to thirty large fish, their total weight undoubtedly exceeding fifty jin. For Lin Zhao, this was a considerable harvest. Just then, Xiao Jiu Er, who had just finished class at the study hall, came skipping and happily shouting "Brother Lin Zhao!"
Lin Zhao offered a gentle smile.
At this moment, Yi Shi Cang Liang also surfaced, taking a deep breath. He said to Lin Zhao on the bridge, "Little brother, my stamina is almost depleted. That's enough for today. I'll check if there are any flood dragon pearls."
"Please, feel free."
Lin Zhao, with Xiao Shi Tou and Xiao Jiu Er, walked over. Carrying the fish creel, he said with a smile, "You confirm each one, and I'll take it."
"Deal!"
Yi Shi Cang Liang directly used his battle axe to kill the fish. After opening their bellies and confirming the absence of flood dragon pearls, he tossed them to Lin Zhao. Lin Zhao accepted them all. Before long, over twenty large fish filled the creel. Those that couldn't fit were strung with willow branches and carried by the two children. However, not a single flood dragon pearl was found, which was, of course, within Lin Zhao's expectations.
"What's going on?"
Yi Shi Cang Liang's enthusiasm instantly waned, like a frost-bitten eggplant. "Why aren't there any flood dragon pearls? Little brother, did you make a mistake somewhere?"
"Flood dragon pearls are rare!"
Lin Zhao smiled. "And there are so many large fish in Baiyu Stream, how can you be sure that the flood dragon pearls were swallowed by the fish we caught?"
"That's true."
Yi Shi Cang Liang said, "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, it's time to pack up and go home."
"Damn it..."
Yi Shi Cang Liang blinked and muttered to himself, "This is not good. With an NPC around, perhaps the conditions can be met to find a flood dragon pearl. Without the NPC, this kid looks foolish, there might still be a chance."
So, he asked, "Will you come again tomorrow? Shall we continue our agreement to search for flood dragon pearls here?"
Exactly as planned!
Lin Zhao smiled. "Of course, I'll be here first thing tomorrow morning. How about you?"
"Yes, my stamina bar should be mostly full by tomorrow morning. So, tomorrow morning it is. See you then."
"Alright, see you then."
Lin Zhao left Baiyu Stream with the two children. Behind him, Yi Shi Cang Liang looked ambitious. He watched the boy's receding back and chuckled, "A silly boy, a simple-minded kid who practices boxing, and a little girl who studies. Tsk tsk, this little girl is actually quite good-looking, a beauty in the making. If this game system allowed in-game marriage, I, Yi Shi Cang Liang, with my eloquent words and unremarkable appearance, if I could marry an NPC wife in the game and have someone to care for me day and night, who the hell would log off?"
Lin Zhao heard everything and muttered inwardly, "This pervert, it would be a crime against nature not to tease you for a few more days!"
...
That evening, back home.
Lin Zhao cooked a large basin of braised fish, followed by a pot of stewed wild boar with potatoes, and a large pot of rice. Just as everything was ready, Lu Xun happened to return, leading his donkey. He smiled and said, "It's better to arrive early than on time. Heh heh heh, I managed to catch it just in time."
Lin Zhao looked at him. "Lu Xun, why do you lead this donkey around every day, but I've never seen you ride it? Could it be that that little brat Zhang Liucheng was right, and this donkey is your father?!"
Lu Xun burst into laughter. "I wish my father were still alive. Even if it were just a donkey, at least I'd have a chance to witness my son's swordplay, which is truly unparalleled and eternally brilliant!"
"Alright, enough bragging."
Lin Zhao said, "Tie up the donkey. Dinner's ready."
"Coming, coming."
As usual, they all dug in like hungry wolves.
...
The next day, Lin Zhao woke up early and, with Xiao Shi Tou, practiced boxing again. After more than ten rounds, he was drenched in sweat. Carrying the fish creel, he took Xiao Jiu Er to the study hall and then headed straight for the small stone bridge. When he arrived, the middle-aged man was already there, sitting at the head of the bridge, looking expectant. Upon seeing Lin Zhao, he immediately smiled. "Little brother, can we start?"
"Let's start!"
Lin Zhao nodded.
Yi Shi Cang Liang again went into the water to catch fish.
Lin Zhao and Xiao Shi Tou watched from the bridge, both thinking that the middle-aged man's mind was a bit peculiar.
Not long after, a person clad in armor, riding a warhorse, with a long sword strapped to his back, walked over and stood by the river. He smiled and said, "Yo, has the sun risen from the west today? Our dignified leader of the Cang Long Guild is catching fish in the water. Tsk tsk, is he trying to improve his diet in the game, or what?"
Yi Shi Cang Liang surfaced from the water and smiled. "Yo, it's Sword Emperor! Tsk tsk, why are you in the small town instead of killing monsters and leveling up in the northern mountains?"
"The flood dragon pearl quest!"
Sword Emperor smiled slightly. "Who wouldn't be tempted by a quest that rewards a level 40 gold-grade weapon for your own class? But Guild Leader Cang Liang is still amazing... My guild name is 'Lin Yuan Xian Yu' (Abyssal Envy of Fish), and I haven't even taken action yet, but Guild Leader Cang Liang is already so formidable. My goodness, he's actually catching fish in the water! It truly puts us to shame!"
Yi Shi Cang Liang said sheepishly, "Guild Leader Sword Emperor's mockery is well-deserved. Consider me a diligent bird that flies early and a wise fool. I still need to catch fish, so Guild Leader Sword Emperor, are you joining, or... are you going to get lost immediately and stop chattering?"
Sword Emperor burst into laughter. "Are you getting anxious? I'm leaving, I'm leaving. I still have plenty of serious business to attend to. Guild Leader Cang Liang, continue catching fish here!"
With that, the man named Sword Emperor mounted his horse and rode away.
...
Lin Zhao frowned, watching Sword Emperor's retreating figure. The town had been attracting strange people lately, one stranger than the other. However, those two women were truly beautiful, especially the one named Shen Xingchen. Her pair of large, watery eyes could captivate the soul. Could they be demonesses sent by the demons from the northern mountains? Perhaps even great demons from the upper five realms? If so, it would be quite troublesome.
At this very moment, outside the northern mountains.
Shen Xingchen, enveloped in spiritual energy and unleashing a powerful Flame Strike with her staff, suddenly sneezed. She was a little puzzled. How could one sneeze in the game?
"What's wrong, Xingchen?" Su Xinghe, who was tanking the monsters in the front, turned around.
"It's nothing."
Shen Xingchen smiled faintly and said, "The attributes of these demon soldiers are very strong. Senior, don't get distracted. If you get instantly killed later, I won't be responsible."
"Haha, don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"
Su Xinghe chuckled. "By the way, Xingchen, I'll be escorting a batch of supplies for the group next week. I might pass through your city. How about... I stop by and see you, perhaps for a meal? I heard that there's a good restaurant called Deyue Lou in the central district of your city."
"No need to trouble yourself."
Shen Xingchen shook her head. "Senior, you're already busy with work, and now you have to make time for games. There's no need to come over. Besides, my family is very strict. If I go out to meet a stranger, my father will interrogate me endlessly. It's always so annoying, so I'd rather just stay home."
"Oh, is that so..."
Su Xinghe smiled, masking his embarrassment. "It's alright, it's alright. Perhaps another time."
"Mm."