https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-29-The-Crimson-Light-Spirit-Beast/12618747/
Chapter 30: Unfamiliar Visitor
Chapter 30: Unfamiliar Visitor
That night, Lu Qing finally had a good night's sleep.
The next morning, after an early breakfast, he took Xiao Yan to the river to fish.
This time, he noticed that there were far fewer people by the river, unlike the previous days when there would be a crowd of seven or eight people at each fishing spot.
It made sense, as it was a busy time for farming, and there were still many tasks to be done in the fields. Fishing was merely a pastime and could, at most, occasionally provide a better meal. It couldn't compare to the importance of the crops, which were a farmer's lifeline.
Lu Qing didn't go to the spot where he had caught the mysterious fish before.
It was fine to catch one of those fish occasionally.
But if he kept catching them every few days, even a fool would realize something was amiss.
Moreover, even if he caught one now, he didn't know what to do with it.
He couldn't keep asking Old Doctor Chen to help him sell them.
And as for eating it, he couldn't bring himself to do that.
Ever since he learned the value of the red moon carp, Lu Qing intended to make it a significant source of income.
So, he planned to go fishing for them again after some time had passed or when he had gained a certain level of self-protection.
Lu Qing chose another fishing spot he had discovered the first time he came to the river, the one that had emitted a white light.
After tidying up the spot, Lu Qing began fishing.
Unlike the previous two times, this fishing trip was uneventful.
After an hour, he had caught almost half a bucket of fish of various sizes, the largest being a three-pound grass carp, and the smallest being the tiny silver fish.
Once he had caught enough fish, Lu Qing began to reel in his line.
These fish should be enough to feed the black spirit raccoon for several nights.
After returning home with the fish, Lu Qing waited until Xiao Yan fell asleep that night, and as expected, he heard the familiar scratching at the door.
This time, he didn't panic. He calmly took the fish he had prepared earlier from the kitchen and opened the front door.
As the door opened, he saw the small black beast standing in the middle of the courtyard.
However, this time, its emotions seemed much more stable.
Although its eyes still held a cautious glint, it didn't have the same fur-raised, tense demeanor as the night before.
"I've been expecting you," Lu Qing said with a smile, trying to keep his aura as peaceful and friendly as possible.
Then, he brought out a wooden basin containing fish from behind his back and slowly walked into the courtyard.
The black beast took a few steps back when it saw him, and a slight warning sound escaped its mouth.
Lu Qing immediately stopped, "Don't be nervous, I mean you no harm."
He gently placed the wooden basin on the ground and slowly backed away.
It was only after he had retreated back into the house that the black beast calmed down, its nose twitching a few times before it darted towards the basin and disappeared with the largest fish in its mouth.
Lu Qing wasn't surprised; he quietly waited by the door.
Sure enough, after a while, the beast reappeared in the courtyard and took off with another fish.
The little creature was quite cautious.
Lu Qing smiled; he had no interest in staring at a wild beast eating its meal.
There were plenty of small fish in the bucket, and he didn't know how long it would take for the beast to keep coming back and forth. He didn't want to wait around all night.
Lu Qing closed the door, returned to his room, and finally relaxed.
Now, he had perfectly resolved the situation.
Although he had to give up some fish, it was nothing to him, an avid fisherman who always caught more than he could eat at once.
It wasn't a bad thing to have the black spirit raccoon help consume some of his catch.
It was like having a cat or a dog in the old days to finish up the leftover food and bones.
With a relaxed mind, Lu Qing slept soundly that night.
The next morning, when he went out to the courtyard, he found the wooden basin empty.
The beast had devoured all the fish, over two pounds' worth; it certainly had a big appetite.
Lu Qing washed and put away the basin, then began preparing breakfast.
After eating with Xiao Yan, they set out to visit Old Doctor Chen.
Lu Qing carried over a pound of freshly caught small fish, a treat for the old doctor who had expressed his fondness for them the last time they visited.
As they walked up the mountain path, Lu Qing's face betrayed a hint of anticipation.
Old Doctor Chen had gone to the city yesterday, and he wondered if he had managed to sell the red moon carp.
Chapter 30: An Unfamiliar Visitor
"Although Old Doctor Chen said that the red moon carp is a precious and rare fish that would easily find a buyer, Lu Qing still felt a bit anxious until he saw the silver taels.
When they reached the halfway point on the mountain path, Lu Qing saw that Old Doctor Chen had just finished his morning exercises.
'Grandpa Chen!' Xiao Yan ran over to him.
'Xiao Yan, have you missed me after not seeing me for a day?'
The old doctor picked up the little one.
'Miss~' Xiao Yan answered sweetly.
'Hahahaha...'
'Good morning, Grandpa Chen,' Lu Qing greeted him.
'Hmm, your complexion looks good today. So, that beast hasn't bothered you again?' the old doctor asked.
In his opinion, his medicinal powder was always very effective, and no matter what kind of beast it was, they would retreat upon smelling it.
He had given Lu Qing a large bag of it, so even a tiger or leopard wouldn't dare to come close.
A mere unknown beast should be no exception.
However, at this moment, Lu Qing's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
'Grandpa Chen, it seems like the powder isn't very effective. That beast came to my house both nights.'
'Oh? How is that possible?' Old Doctor Chen was surprised.
'I don't know why, but it seems like that thing isn't afraid of the powder,' Lu Qing replied honestly.
'Then how did you make it retreat?'
The old doctor examined Lu Qing's complexion again, certain that he hadn't misjudged the situation; Lu Qing didn't look like he had stayed up all night.
'I didn't use any special method. I found that the creature seemed to be attracted to the fish in my house, so I threw some fish to it, and it left after eating them,' Lu Qing explained.
'It likes to eat fish?' The old doctor pondered for a moment. 'What does that beast look like? Did you get a good look at it?'
'It's a small black beast, about two feet long, completely black, but its four paws and neck are white. Grandpa Chen, do you know what kind of beast it is?' Lu Qing asked.
'A two-foot-long black beast?' The old doctor thought for a while, then shook his head. 'In my many years of traveling far and wide, I've never seen a beast with such an appearance.'
'You don't recognize it either, Grandpa Chen?' Lu Qing was surprised.
'Now, now, don't say that,' the old doctor laughed. 'This world is vast and boundless, and there are countless creatures. In my decades of travels, the places I've visited are but a tiny fraction of this vast world. It's only natural that there are creatures I don't recognize.'
'You're right, Grandpa Chen,' Lu Qing nodded.
Originally, he had hoped to gain some more information about the black spirit raccoon from the old doctor, but it seemed like that wasn't going to happen.
'However, from what you've said, that small beast seems rather intelligent. Since it has no intention of attacking people and is only looking for food, let's not worry about driving it away for now,' the old doctor suggested.
With his extensive knowledge, he knew that some creatures in this world were quite special.
Based on Lu Qing's description, this black beast was likely one of them.
'I was thinking the same thing. Anyway, we have more fish than we can eat, so it's no trouble to share some with it,' Lu Qing smiled.
Even if he had wanted to drive it away, he wouldn't have dared to!
That little guy was quite formidable!
Xiao Yan, who had been listening to their conversation, finally understood what they were talking about.
Her eyes lit up, and she asked, 'Brother, can I watch you feed that little beast the next time it comes for fish?'
'That might be a bit difficult,' Lu Qing said. 'It seems to only come after you've fallen asleep.'
'Why?' Xiao Yan pouted, looking a little upset. 'Does it dislike me?'
'I don't know about that. Maybe the beast is shy. Once it becomes more familiar with us, it will probably be willing to see you,' Lu Qing tried to reassure her.
'Then, Brother, please become friends with it quickly. I also want to see what the little beast looks like,' Xiao Yan pleaded.
'I'll try my best,' Lu Qing could only nod and agree.
'Right, Grandpa Chen, here's something for you. I caught some small fish yesterday. You mentioned that you wanted to eat them last time, so I hope this is enough,' Lu Qing said as he handed over the fresh small fish he had prepared.
The old doctor took a look and was quite pleased. 'Put them inside. By the way, I also bought the things you asked me to help you with. They're inside the house.'
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
