Chapter 17: Mind Cracks
When Lu Qing and Xiao Yan appeared at the small fishing spot, the villagers still casting their lines froze in stunned silence at the sight of the massive fish slung across Lu Qing’s back.
“L-Lu Qing… what… what’s on your back?” one villager stammered.
“Fish,” Lu Qing panted, his voice strained. He really was exhausted. His body hadn’t fully recovered, and after battling the Green Armor Fish and Red Moon Carp for so long, carrying this much weight was pushing him to his limit.
But his answer only deepened their shock.
Of course they knew it was fish! The question wasn’t what it was—it was how he’d caught something so enormous!
They stared at the fish draped over Lu Qing’s back—nearly as tall as he was, its tail dragging on the ground. Their eyes swam with disbelief.
Good heavens… we’ve never seen anything like this!
Yet, one villager noticed Lu Qing’s fatigue and quickly stepped forward. “Let me help you carry it! You’ve just gotten better—you don’t want to strain yourself again!”
Lu Qing didn’t refuse. He really was at his breaking point. He’d thought he could make it home on his own, but he’d clearly overestimated his strength.
“Thanks, Da An,” he said, setting the fish down and gasping for breath.
“Haha, no need to thank me! I’ve never seen a fish this big before! Just getting to touch it is a blessing—wait, hold on… there’s another one in the bucket!”
Wang Da An’s eyes widened as he looked down. He let out a startled shout.
The others couldn’t hold back. They surged forward, peering into the bucket.
“Seriously? There’s another big one in there!”
“What kind of fish is this? Fire red—never seen anything like it!”
“It’s so beautiful… city gentlemen would love this!”
“Wow, Lu Qing—how did you catch two of these at once?”
Everyone turned to look at Lu Qing.
“How? Just like you all do,” he said, reaching for the fishing rod from Xiao Yan’s shoulder. “I picked a spot upstream. Didn’t expect to get two big ones—just lucky, really.”
“Where exactly did you fish?” one villager asked, eyes suddenly sharp.
The question sparked immediate side-eyeing from the others. The man’s eagerness was obvious—barely disguised, even. He was practically cornering a child.
The man himself realized his mistake and chuckled nervously. “I mean… I’m just curious! Don’t tell me you’re not all wondering the same thing?”
Lu Qing heard the subtext, but he didn’t care. Even if he didn’t tell them, they’d find out soon enough. The signs of his fishing spot were too obvious to hide.
He shrugged. “Just a little further ahead. But I’d advise you not to go there right now.”
“Why not?” the man blurted.
“Because the place is completely wiped out. No fish left—nothing, not even a small one. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come back so fast.”
The villagers nodded slowly. It made sense. Two massive fish? The struggle must’ve been enormous. Of course the rest of the fish would’ve fled.
Still, a few clung to hope. One of them—especially the man who’d asked—had already made up his mind. I’ll sneak over later and check the spot for myself.
Lu Qing didn’t care what they thought. He’d given his warning. If they chose to ignore it, that was their choice.
Besides, even if someone did go there, it wouldn’t matter.
Small fish? He didn’t care. Big fish? They didn’t have the skill to catch them. And even if one bit, their flimsy hemp line wouldn’t survive the pull of a true giant.
After a short rest, Lu Qing felt his strength returning.
“Alright, Xiao Yan and I are heading back. You all keep fishing.”
He reached to lift the Green Armor Fish.
Wang Da An stepped in fast. “Not so fast! I said I’d carry it! You just hold the bucket—I’ll take this one. Wow… this thing’s heavy. Must be close to twenty jin!”
Only when he actually lifted the fish did he realize how massive it really was. He glanced at Lu Qing—this small, wiry boy—still struggling to carry such a beast.
How did he even manage it?
“Thanks, Da An,” Lu Qing said with a grin. “When we get back, I’ll treat you to a full meal of fish!”
“Deal!” Wang Da An beamed. “I’ve never eaten a fish this big in my life!”
As Lu Qing and Xiao Yan walked toward the village, the remaining villagers exchanged glances.
Then one suddenly yelled, “Forget fishing—let’s go back to the village and see the spectacle!”
“Yeah! We’ve been sitting here all morning for a few measly little fish. Better to go watch Lu Qing clean those giants!”
“I haven’t had my fill of those two yet—gotta see them again!”
Before Lu Qing returned, the villagers had been patient. But now, watching him walk away with two monstrous fish—after spending days here for nothing—it was too much.
They’d caught more in two hours than we’ve caught in three days.
Where was the fairness in that?
They tossed their gear aside. No more fishing. The mood was shattered.
Lu Qing and Xiao Yan hadn’t even disappeared down the path when the first few began to jog after them—maybe they’d catch up.
“Lao Zhao, aren’t you coming?” someone called.
Everyone else was packing up, but one man remained—still seated, rod in hand.
“Go ahead. I’ll stay a bit longer. Maybe the fish will bite soon,” said Lao Zhao, the man who’d asked about the fishing spot, with a sheepish smile.
“Fine,” someone said. “But I’ve been fishing here for days—fish are long gone. You saw how Lu Qing looked at this spot before? He practically disgusted it.”
It was true. Before, they’d all dismissed Lu Qing’s fishing skill, assuming his past success was due to the secret—using earthworms as bait.
But now? After seeing those two titanic fish? No one dared doubt him.
They’d all tried before—giant fish biting, lines snapping, rods splitting. Not one had managed to land a single big one.
With their gear packed, the villagers slowly left, one by one.
Only Lao Zhao remained, quietly casting his line.
A few minutes passed. Once he was certain no one could see him, Lao Zhao suddenly sprang to his feet.
“Idiots! Just believing everything that boy says? I don’t believe it for a second—there’s no way the fish are all gone!”
Without hesitation, he grabbed his gear and sprinted in the direction Lu Qing and Xiao Yan had gone.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
