Chapter 120: Dragon Beard Fish, Uninvited Guests, the Black Wolf Gang Arrives

Seeing the fish suddenly jerk the line, Lu Qing wasn’t surprised at all.

In this strange world, fish were always sneaky, and he’d long grown accustomed to their ambush tactics.

What excited him, though, was that this time, he’d hooked a Blood Apricot.

That bait was usually only irresistible to Strange Fish—ordinary fish rarely took interest in it.

Feeling the powerful pull through the rod, Lu Qing was almost certain: this was definitely a Strange Fish.

Besides the massive Green Armor Fish, no common river fish possessed such strength.

Xiao Li, meanwhile, couldn’t stay calm. It darted around in agitation, nearly hopping up and down, as if it wanted to help pull the line itself.

“Xiao Li, don’t panic. The fish won’t get away.”

Lu Qing soothed the little black beast, his grip steady on the fishing rod.

With his current martial arts cultivation, he was no longer the clumsy youth who’d once been dragged off balance by a single fish.

Hearing Lu Qing’s words, Xiao Li finally settled a little, crouching by the bank.

But its eyes remained locked on the water, tail twitching restlessly—betraying its inner turmoil.

Lu Qing began the classic “trolling” technique.

Now a master at the Jin Gu Jing stage, his swordsmanship had reached the Zong ShiJingjie level—perfectly balanced, exquisitely precise, mastering the harmony of strength and gentleness.

Combined with his upgraded fishing rod, this process was effortless.

Before long, a slender, golden-hued fish—its body delicate and long—was hauled from the water.

“Awooo! Awooo! Awooo!”

Xiao Li erupted in excitement, circling Lu Qing’s legs, yipping wildly.

“Brother! This fish is so beautiful!”

From behind the trees, Xiao Yan, who’d been playing by herself, rushed over at the commotion.

“Xiao Li, calm down. Let me check what kind of fish this is before I give it to you.”

Lu Qing carefully removed the hook, weighing the fish in his hand.

It wasn’t heavy—just over two jin—but its strength was undeniable.

Even during the tugging, it had proven stronger than the previous Red Moon Carp.

If his rod hadn’t been upgraded, he might not have managed to land it.

The most striking feature? Long, fleshy tendrils dangling from both corners of its mouth—nearly half the length of its body.

Its scales shimmered with a faint golden sheen, glinting beautifully under the sunlight.

Holding it close, Lu Qing activated his abilities, scanning it carefully.

A faint half-red, half-white aura pulsed from the fish.

> Dragon Beard Fish: Strange Fish

> Covers body in golden scales, possesses immense strength and blinding speed.

> Contains spiritual essence; flesh is tender and nourishing, a true yang tonic.

> Legend says it carries a trace of dragon blood—its flesh and blood are intensely invigorating.

“Dragon Beard Fish?” Lu Qing murmured, eyeing the creature.

According to the note, such fish were supposedly better suited for males.

Would it be safe for Xiao Li to eat?

But seeing the little beast’s eager, pleading eyes, Lu Qing knew he couldn’t refuse.

If he didn’t give it the fish, Xiao Li would probably burst into tears right there.

Still, he trusted Xiao Li’s instincts.

As a rare spirit beast, it could naturally sense what was beneficial—and what was harmful.

If it craved this fish, it must be good for it.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Qing tossed the fish toward Xiao Li.

“Alright, Xiao Li. This one’s yours.”

Xiao Li’s eyes lit up. With a joyful leap, it caught the fish mid-air and dashed to a patch of clean grass, devouring it ravenously.

Each bite made its eyes close in bliss, its tail wagging uncontrollably.

Seeing it so happy, Lu Qing relaxed.

He rehooked two more Blood Apricot baits and cast them back into the water.

Though he knew the odds were slim, he still hoped—just maybe—another Strange Fish would bite.

After a while, Xiao Li finished its feast, licked its paws contentedly, and returned to sit beside Lu Qing, eyes fixed on the water.

Both human and beast shared the same silent wish: one more Strange Fish.

But this time, fate had other plans.

Hours passed. The float remained still.

Lu Qing sighed.

There was only one Strange Fish today.

No more would come.

Yet he’d already figured it out.

The key to attracting Strange Fish was the cluster of Blood Apricot Trees nearby.

As long as those trees remained, Strange Fish would keep appearing—periodically, like clockwork.

So if Xiao Li wanted another, it would have to wait.

He explained this to Xiao Li, who didn’t seem disappointed.

In fact, it looked happy.

Because now, it knew—every few days, it could enjoy its favorite meal again.

Something it’d never dared dream of before.

With that, Lu Qing packed up and led Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to a new fishing spot—a place he’d discovered days earlier.

Farther away, but teeming with fish.

At the new location, Lu Qing went full throttle.

Xiao Li gorged itself until its belly bulged, then finally stopped, satisfied.

Lu Qing emptied the fish into the bucket.

Now free of the constant fish-eating distraction, Lu Qing’s fishing efficiency soared.

Within a short time, the basket held over a dozen fish over two jin each.

Small fish filled nearly half the bucket.

Swish!

Another small fish soared into the air, caught mid-flight, and tossed into the bucket.

A deep sense of contentment washed over Lu Qing.

Lately, he’d been buried in cultivation.

Occasional fishing like this was the perfect release.

True cultivation required balance—neither too tight, nor too loose.

Constant, rigid training could only lead to burnout.

“Awo!”

Just as Lu Qing was lost in the peaceful rhythm of fishing, Xiao Li suddenly appeared before him, voice urgent, eyes serious.

“Someone’s coming?” Lu Qing’s expression sharpened instantly.

Their bond was so deep now that he could read Xiao Li’s emotions from a glance.

If it were villagers, Xiao Li wouldn’t react this way.

Only outsiders—especially dangerous ones—triggered this level of alertness.

A martial cultivator?

Lu Qing’s mind raced.

“Xiao Li, where?”

Xiao Li pointed with a tiny paw.

“Are there many?”

It nodded.

Without hesitation, Lu Qing gave a quick command, then called out:

“Xiao Yan, come here!”

“Wha—what’s wrong, brother?”

Xiao Yan trotted over, full of curiosity.

Xiao Li had already vanished—vanished into invisibility, hidden somewhere unseen.

“Nothing serious. We’re heading home. Pack up.”

Lu Qing ruffled her hair.

“Okay~”

She grinned, obediently gathering her things.

Lu Qing quickly gathered his gear, lifted Xiao Yan, and hurried away.

With Xiao Li’s special senses guiding them, they passed through the village undetected, arriving safely at home.

But instead of bringing Xiao Yan inside, Lu Qing carried her straight to the Half Mountain Small Courtyard.

He informed the Master, then left again with Xiao Li.

The sudden appearance of so many martial cultivators near the village meant trouble.

He had to find out what was going on.

“Xiao Li, can you still sense them?”

Back at his house, Lu Qing strapped on his War Blade, tied a red rope to the Sign Tree at the village’s edge, and asked.

Xiao Li shook its head.

Its sensing range had limits. Beyond a certain distance, it couldn’t detect them.

Lu Qing frowned.

If they weren’t near the village, they weren’t targeting it directly.

Then… what were they after?

Big Market.

The answer flashed in his mind instantly.

Only one place could draw such a large force.

Only one place made sense.

Had Wei Fu Ren and the others been exposed?

He couldn’t be sure—but he knew he had to act fast.

He tightened the strap of his War Blade, eyes fixed on the direction of the Big Market.

Then, with purposeful strides, he marched forward.

Today wasn’t market day. Most villagers stayed home.

So the path was empty.

“Awooo!”

Just as he neared the Big Market, Xiao Li—hidden on his shoulder—suddenly tugged at his hair with its paw.

“You sense them ahead?”

Lu Qing froze.

He hadn’t been wrong.

They were definitely heading for the Big Market.

Which meant… Wei Fu Ren had been compromised.

But why?

Ma Gu was careful. He shouldn’t have slipped up.

With a heavy heart, Lu Qing suppressed his aura completely.

He crept forward, silent as shadow.

With his Zong ShiJingjie control, he could vanish his presence entirely.

Even a Nei Fu Jing cultivator wouldn’t sense him unless standing within three paces.

He moved forward, silent as mist.

Soon, a voice broke the air:

“Master Fang, what wind brings you to my humble little market, with so many companions? A rare honor indeed.”

Lu Qing recognized the voice—Ma Gu.

His pulse quickened.

Maybe things weren’t as bad as he feared.

The voice came from Ma Gu’s estate. Lu Qing crept closer, hiding in the branches of a large tree.

Peering down, he saw the scene below.

Two sides faced off.

One side: Ma Gu, flanked by Xiao Tian and seven or eight of his men.

The other: over twenty figures, nearly half of whom radiated martial energy.

At their front stood a towering man—long limbs, a jagged scar across his cheek, eyes cold and fierce.

The odds were stacked against Ma Gu.

Numerically, and in terms of martial strength.

“Hah!”

The man laughed twice.

“Nothing much. I’m just here to ask a simple question.

Not long ago, my Nine Deputy Leader and several brothers from the Black Wolf Gang vanished—killed in a fire. The entire Kuai Hua Village burned to the ground. No bodies left.

So I ask you, Ma Gu… do you know who did this?”

Black Wolf Gang?!

Lu Qing’s heart thudded.

He fixed his gaze on the man.

A thick, white aura flared from the man’s body.

> Fang De: Nickname “Black Wolf”

> Leader of the Black Wolf Gang. Ruthless, merciless, cowardly toward the weak, bold against the strong.

> Cultivation: Post-Natal Sinew and Bone Stage, Fully Developed.

It was him.

The Black Wolf Gang.

Lu Qing scanned the others.

Every single one bore the mark of the gang.

Not just the leader—but most of the other Deputy Leaders were present.

“Now that’s quite a coincidence,” Lu Qing muttered, a chill creeping through him.

But he didn’t move.

He stayed still, watching.

Why had they come now?

There had to be more to it.

Ma Gu’s expression didn’t waver.

“Come now, Master Fang. I’m just a disgraced son, exiled here after offending the city’s elite. I barely leave the house. I only drink and pass the days.

When Kuai Hua Village burned, I only learned the next day. By the time I sent men to investigate, all that remained was ashes.

I don’t know what happened.

But rumor says… it was the Wei Family.”

“Hmph. Don’t bring the Wei Family into this,” the Black Wolf snarled.

“They’re drowning in their own mess. Soon, they’ll be wiped out—gone from Cang County entirely.”

Ma Gu’s words struck a nerve.

The Black Wolf Gang had once been humiliated by the Yin Yue Wei of the Wei Family—defeated in one move, left broken and humiliated.

Now, Ma Gu was rubbing salt in the wound.

“Say you know nothing of Kuai Hua Village,” the Black Wolf continued, “but two days ago, my men saw women from Kuai Hua Village inside your Ma Family’s cloth workshop. How do you explain that?”

Ma Gu’s face flickered.

But he kept his composure.

“Is that so? I’m afraid I don’t know. The workshop’s affairs are beyond my reach. I’ll have my overseer look into it.”

“Ma Gu, are you really that thick?” The Black Wolf sneered.

“They were in your house. Clearly, your family’s involved.

I suspect you’ve been colluding with the Wei Family.

And I suspect Wei Xinghe’s wife and child are hiding right here—in your very home!”

“Black Wolf! You dare slander us?”

Ma Gu’s voice cracked with fury.

“You think we’re weak? You think we’ll let you smear us like this? You want war?”

“War?” The Black Wolf laughed coldly.

“You have no right to speak of war.

Back then, maybe I’d hesitate. But now? Ask your elders—do they dare face the Black Wolf Gang?”

Ma Gu went rigid.

He knew it was true.

Since the Black Wolf Gang allied with mysterious, powerful cultivators, their strength had exploded.

Fighting back? Impossible.

But he couldn’t let them search the house.

Wei Fu Ren and her child were hidden in a secret chamber.

The Black Wolf Gang were thieves and cutthroats—prone to discovery.

He couldn’t risk them finding the hidden passage.

His mind raced.

Had Wei Fu Ren escaped through the tunnel when she heard the commotion?

The gang had come too suddenly.

No time to flee.

“Then get out of the way,” the Black Wolf sneered, triumphant.

“I know you’re afraid. But don’t worry—I’ll give you a chance to leave peacefully.”

He knew how it worked.

Ma Gu’s family might hold titles, but in private, they looked down on the Black Wolf Gang.

Now, seeing Ma Gu’s helpless fury—powerless to act—filled him with icy satisfaction.

“Brothers!” The Black Wolf roared.

“Search every corner! Leave no stone unturned!”

“Yes, boss!”

The gang members surged forward, ready to storm the estate.

“Wait!”

“Damn it, don’t make me regret giving you a chance!”

Ma Gu stepped forward, desperate.

But the Black Wolf didn’t wait.

With a roar, he exploded forward—his massive fist, like a stone furnace, tearing through the air, aiming straight for Ma Gu’s face.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end