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Chapter 49: Reaching an Agreement
Chapter 49: Reaching an Agreement
"Little one, you wouldn't be eyeing my two Golden Loaches, would you?" Lu Qing said, rubbing his forehead as he noticed the black cub constantly staring in the direction of the kitchen.
He had a hunch, and he was probably right.
The Golden Loaches were kept in the kitchen.
He recalled how the black cub had circled him earlier, sniffing curiously. It must have caught the scent of the loaches on him.
After all, it was only in the evening that he had transferred the two loaches to the water vat, securing them with a wooden board to prevent them from jumping out during the night.
Once tainted with the smell of fish, it was difficult to get rid of the odor quickly.
Unexpectedly, this little creature had such a sensitive nose. With so many fishy smells mixed together, it could still distinguish the scent of the Golden Loaches.
The black cub didn't respond, merely gazing quietly at Lu Qing.
However, from their interactions over the past few days, Lu Qing could understand its intention.
It still wanted to eat those two Golden Loaches.
Lu Qing couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"Little one, let's strike a deal. You can eat as many of these fish as you like, and if it's not enough, I'll get you more. But I'm keeping those two Golden Loaches; is that alright?" Lu Qing negotiated, regardless of whether the black cub could understand his lengthy plea.
However, the black cub either played dumb or genuinely didn't comprehend. It merely blinked and continued to stare fixedly at the direction of the kitchen behind Lu Qing.
"Alright, I understand now. You're determined to eat the Golden Loaches," Lu Qing conceded, realizing that the cub was unwavering in its desire.
Knowing that further negotiation was futile, Lu Qing took a step back. "I can only give you one. I need the other one, so I can't let you have it." Lu Qing held up a finger to emphasize his point.
The black cub gazed at Lu Qing quietly for a moment before finally nodding.
"So, you can understand me after all!" Lu Qing exclaimed upon seeing the cub's response.
He had suspected as much all along but hadn't dared to confirm it. Now, seeing the cub's reaction, he could be sure.
This little rascal had understood him all along and had been pretending to be clueless this whole time!
Hearing Lu Qing's words, the black cub resumed its slightly dopey, calm expression, as if it had no idea what he was talking about.
But Lu Qing wasn't going to fall for its act again.
Thinking about how he had been fooled by a little cub for so long, he felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Turning back to the kitchen, Lu Qing lifted the wooden board covering the water vat and grabbed one of the Golden Loaches. He then returned to the yard.
"I can only give you one. Do you want it?" Lu Qing offered, holding the wriggling Golden Loach in his hand.
The black cub's eyes lit up at the sight of the struggling fish.
As soon as Lu Qing finished speaking, a black shadow flashed before his eyes, and the Golden Loach was snatched from his loosened grip.
By the time he focused his eyes, the black cub was already munching on the loach, happily wagging its tail.
Lu Qing winced as he watched the cub bite off the loach's head. That fish was worth hundreds of taels of silver!
However, seeing the cub's joyous expression as it devoured the fish, its eyes narrowed in pleasure, Lu Qing could only console himself.
"Oh well, this little guy did give me that priceless hundred-year-old ginseng last night. It's only right that I treat it to something nice in return," he thought.
The black cub ate quickly, and soon, the entire two-pound Golden Loach had disappeared into its stomach.
After finishing the loach, the black cub turned to look at Lu Qing again.
Lu Qing jumped in surprise and quickly said, "That's it! I need the other one, so I can't give it to you!"
The black cub gave Lu Qing a sideways glance, seemingly disapproving of his stinginess, before sauntering over to the basin of fish and helping itself.
Chapter 49: A Deal is Struck
"Are you telling me you don't dislike these little fish, but you want to eat the delicious ones first?" Lu Qing said, rubbing his forehead as he realized the black cub wasn't asking for the remaining Golden Loach.
Thankfully, the little creature seemed reasonable and didn't insist on taking the other one by force, which Lu Qing wouldn't have been able to stop.
Seeing the black cub happily munching away, Lu Qing squatted down and said, "Little one, do you really like eating those strange fish like the Golden Loach?"
Now that he knew the cub could understand him, Lu Qing was eager to communicate.
The little cub looked up at Lu Qing, its eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Lu Qing quickly added, "I'm not saying I'll give you the other Golden Loach, so don't get the wrong idea."
Hearing this, the black cub lowered its head and continued eating, ignoring him.
Lu Qing wasn't bothered by this reaction and said, "But just because I can't give you the other Golden Loach doesn't mean that if I catch other strange fish in the future, I won't let you eat them."
The little cub looked up at him again, its eyes filled with curiosity.
"Little one, how about we make a deal?" Lu Qing proposed, seeing the cub's interest. "If I catch more strange fish like the Golden Loach in the future, and you bring me more of the plant roots like the one you gave me last night, we can trade. What do you say?"
The plant roots from last night? The black cub tilted its head, thinking hard before realizing that Lu Qing was referring to the herb it had dug up and given to him.
It had instinctively felt that the herb was somewhat special, so it had brought it to this two-legged creature as a gift.
Now it seemed that he really liked it. The cub remembered seeing a few more of those herbs in the area where it usually roamed in the mountains.
However, while digging up the herb was not a difficult task for the black cub, it couldn't just agree to Lu Qing's proposal so easily.
After all, he hadn't even been willing to spare one more fish, so why should it agree so readily?
The black cub pretended to hesitate for a while before finally nodding in agreement.
Lu Qing had no idea that even a young cub like this could be so cunning and calculating.
He was delighted that the little cub had agreed. Even if it meant giving away future strange fish, it was worth it if he could get his hands on more of those precious herbs.
After all, in Lu Qing's eyes, the value of those herbs far exceeded that of the fish.
And so, both parties felt like they had struck a great deal, and they happily sealed the agreement.
Even after eating a Golden Loach, the black cub devoured all the fish in the basin, leaving its stomach slightly bloated.
Watching the black cub clumsily climb over the fence, Lu Qing shook his head with a smile.
It truly loved fish and would rather eat until it was stuffed than leave any behind.
As the cub's figure disappeared, Lu Qing took the basin back to the kitchen to clean it before returning to his room to sleep.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Lu Qing woke up feeling refreshed after practicing the Health-Preserving Fist a few times.
As the name suggested, this martial art form was excellent for improving one's health and well-being.
After just a few days of practice, Lu Qing could already feel his body strengthening and his spirit invigorated.
After a simple yet nutritious breakfast, Lu Qing set off with Xiao Yan, carrying the bucket with the Golden Loach, toward the halfway courtyard in the mountains.
As he climbed the mountain, Lu Qing's heart was filled with anticipation.
According to Master's words before he entered seclusion yesterday, the Qi and Blood Restoration Pills should be ready today.
With the help of the pills, Lu Qing believed that breaking through to the Qi and Blood Realm was just a matter of time.
(End of Chapter)
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