Chapter 42: Fishing in the Sand Sea

This is what you call a drop in the bucket. Besides, if we give away all the water, what will everyone drink later? It’s a full two-day walk from here to the nearest post station.

He Lingchuan crossed his arms: "I’ll bet you ten silver taels that National Master Sun already has a plan, so it’s not our place to worry." After all, it’s good to lean on a big tree for shade.

Ten taels, Situ Han’s face soured: "Can’t afford to bet."

Sun Fuping glanced at them, brushed his ring, and suddenly held a grapefruit-sized, round, bulging ball in his hand.

This old guy really had the goods. He Lingchuan watched as he stuffed the ball into the mouth of the monster at the top of his staff—

That huge ball vanished.

Immediately after, Sun Fuping turned the staff, aimed the beast’s head at the pool, and muttered a few words.

The monster opened its mouth and spat out a thick, long column of water that fell straight into the pool.

"This is the spray sac of a marble fish." Sun Fuping’s explanation was very casual.

He Lingchuan seemed to have heard of this strange fish; it hid in the lakes and seas of central Yuan Kingdom and could even spray water columns to knock large land prey like cows, horses, or young elephants into the water to eat. Its spraying ability was top-notch. During the dry season, it could live out of water for a month or so.

However, its spraying ability wasn't needed right now. This kind of water sac could retract to store water, and even its weight was reduced.

Truly a treasure for desert travel.

They had been filling it for over two quarters of an hour when Nian Songyu suddenly said: "Something’s wrong, the water level hasn't expanded for a long time."

Given the diameter of the monster’s spout, the bottom of the pool should have been full long ago, even overflowing with a small pool of water. Yet, right before everyone’s eyes, only two-thirds of the pool floor was covered, and the remaining third was still bone-dry.

Where did the water go? Sun Fuping reached out and pressed the bottom of the pool: "Indeed, there’s a trick to it; the water is being sucked in."

"Then what do we do?"

Sun Fuping’s expression darkened slightly: "Let’s wait and see."

Another two quarters of an hour passed, and the water in the monster’s belly was all sprayed out; it even coughed twice. But compared to before, the accumulated water at the bottom of the pool had barely changed.

Everyone knew they were in trouble now.

Plans never change as fast as reality; no matter how meticulous Sun Fuping’s design was, there were times it couldn't keep up with the situation.

Nian Songyu thought for a moment, turned his head, and ordered Zeng Feixiong: "Go and collect everyone’s water skins."

Zeng Feixiong was startled: "Take away their drinking water? We still have to hold out in the desert for several days, and what if it’s still not enough?"

Nian Songyu looked at Sun Fuping, saw he didn't speak, and insisted on his own view: "We cannot fail at the final hurdle. Go collect the water quickly."

In desert marches, water was for survival; Zeng Feixiong couldn't imagine how much his men would resist this order: "B-but..."

Nian Songyu’s face sank: "Do you want to disobey orders?"

Zeng Feixiong felt flustered and couldn't help but look at He Chunhua.

Nian Songyu’s gaze grew even gloomier. These small-time officials really lacked foresight.

He Chunhua didn't have a good solution either. Should he disobey orders and head home, or pour everyone’s drinking water into the pool and leave it to fate?

Neither choice seemed rational.

Just as he was struggling with the decision, he heard his eldest son say leisurely: "Why make things so tense? If you take away the soldiers' fresh water, how will we walk out of the desert later?"

Nian Songyu said coldly: "The last ten miles of a hundred-mile journey is only half. What if we are just short by this little bit?"

"Can you guarantee we are only short by this little bit?"

Nian Songyu smiled: "I can."

And what if he couldn't? By then, the water would already be poured out, the rice would be cooked, and would the soldiers dare to mutiny?

He Lingchuan rolled his eyes and turned to ask Sun Fuping: "The bottom of the pool needs to be filled with water, right?"

"Correct."

"Then what if it isn't fresh water?" He Lingchuan’s focus was here, "Will other liquids work?"

"For example?"

"Blood." To prevent these two from thinking crookedly and coming up with human sacrifices or something, he quickly clarified, "I mean the blood of monsters or exotic beasts. The Panlong Desert is full of big guys; getting a few to bleed shouldn't be hard."

Sun Fuping’s eyes lit up instantly: "That makes sense! Blood sacrifices are often used to appease gods. If we mix fresh blood into the pool, the Great Square Pot shouldn't mind; in fact, it might prefer it." He tossed the walnut boat to Nian Songyu and pointed at He Lingchuan, "Take some men into the desert and bring back a few giant beasts."

The group took the Soul-Suppressing Powder and entered the desert again.

The creatures and Three-Corpse Insects in the desert were more active in the cool night. Nian Songyu released the walnut boat for everyone to stand on and ordered the boatman to cast bait into the sand to fish.

Nian Songyu stood, He Lingchuan sat, and neither was willing to spare the other a second glance.

This time, the fishing wasn't very smooth; for a long time, no prey took the bait. He Lingchuan’s back ached from sitting, and seeing a few Three-Corpse Insects drifting near the walnut boat, he called someone over to pound his back.

"Comfortable, good! A little lower, yes, lower! Use some strength."

The young master of the He family sighed in comfort. Hedonism really was bone-corroding; who could have imagined that three months ago, he was a shut-in who felt uncomfortable if anyone came within half a meter of him? Nian Songyu shook his head secretly, only to hear He Lingchuan ask with his eyes closed: "Why did Commandant Nian come to Heishuicheng in person?"

"What?"

"For a mission with no survivors, how could the Grand General bear to let his beloved son come himself?" He Lingchuan rolled his eyelids, "Is he your real father?"

Nian Songyu’s face twitched: "Didn't County Magistrate He let you come too? Aren't you his seed?"

A personal attack; people without literary talent are just not subtle. He Lingchuan waved his hand, and with a "thud," a dagger shot out and pinned itself to the wooden rail Nian Songyu was leaning on.

By the way, his aim was still very poor. Once the throwing knife left his hand, he had no idea where it would land.

Before Nian Songyu could react, his guards had already lunged forward two steps, swords drawn, ready to shout at He Lingchuan.

He Lingchuan held a finger to his lips and "shushed," preempting them: "Quiet, don't scare away the prey!" He pointed below the boat, "Anyone who forgets the top priority, beware of military law!"

Nian Songyu waved his hand to dismiss his subordinates and said coldly: "I might live, but you might not. If you’re smart and obedient, acting like a good dog, then perhaps you and your father can return alive. Otherwise, Lady Ying will have to be a widow, and as for your younger brother—"

He licked his lips, his eyes revealing a hint of cruelty amidst the excitement: "Don't worry, whether you live or die, I will definitely find a way to help him return to the capital. He will surely be very popular in the capital!"

He Lingchuan stared at him, his face slowly darkening.

The Xunzhou Shepherd, the Grand Marshal, the National Master—why were these three major forces tangled together? Perhaps his old man shouldn't have taken the mission of the Great Square Pot? He Lingchuan was about to speak when the fishing rod in the boatman’s hand suddenly sank, nearly dragging him off the bow.

The prey had finally taken the bait!

Next, everyone worked together and finally hauled the thing from under the sand up.

It was another earth dragon, only its volume was two sizes smaller than the two predecessors from the daytime, small enough to be stuffed into the boat.

(End of chapter)