Chapter 96: Smooth and Without Worry, All Wishes Fulfilled

The setting sun half-sank onto the river surface, casting a shimmering expanse of water that looked as if scattered with fragments of gold, dazzling enough to make one unable to open their eyes.

On the empty river, scattered fishing boats carrying meager catches crossed this sea of gold, vendors shouting about having large fish for sale at just two cash per tail.

A passerby hurried past the riverside, hailed a fisherman, exchanged a few words, tossed down two copper coins, and carried away a large fish to serve as a meat dish for New Year's Eve.

The crackling sound of firecrackers came from the end of Long Street, drowning out the fisherman's hawking.

Wealthy families had long since begun setting off firecrackers; from sunset until sunrise tomorrow, the sound would never cease.

Liang Qu tied up the boat, lifted the Green-Backed Dragon Carp, stepped ashore, and ran toward Yang Fu.

The passerby who had bought a fish, seeing the mottled green glow of the Green-Backed Dragon Carp, silently tucked the large grass carp he had just purchased behind his back.

Truly a magnificent sight.

Liang Qu looked around; wherever he went, he could see pavilions and towers blocking even the floating clouds in the sky.

Paper flowers welcoming spring from the gates of great households littered the ground, while figures on the streets were sparse.

Decent restaurants had closed early, leaving only the two large red lanterns at their doors to show signs of life, whereas small taverns were bustling with activity.

This situation was completely different from his previous life; back then, this time should have been when restaurants were most bustling, and they would never have closed their doors.

It was not that they didn't want to earn money, but that there was no money to be earned.

The wealthy willing to spend money at restaurants had long since shrunk back into their homes, setting up grand banquet tables to reunite with their families.

Just like at Yang Fu.

As soon as Liang Qu entered the compound, he felt a warmth permeating the air; seven or eight maids shuttled through the courtyard, extremely busy.

These were the ones visible; many sturdy older women and cooks were busy in places unseen.

The founding emperor of Great Shun had decreed that ordinary people were forbidden from keeping private slaves, so many old rich families could only adopt servants in the form of dry daughters and dry sons.

Ordinary merchants, such as Zhao Zhao Hongyuan and Mother Xue Mother Xue Chengquan, either hired workers without deeds of sale, or else would not dare to call them "Master" in front of outsiders, as that would be overstepping.

Yang Yang Dongxiong was certainly not an ordinary person; he was a true Master!

This was the mark of a great man, of grand style!

"You've finally arrived; everyone is here, why did you drag your feet so late?" Xiang Xiang Zhangsong at the gate hurriedly beckoned Liang Qu over, but upon getting closer, he noticed something different, "Wait, what are you holding in your hand?"

"Something good!"

Liang Qu tossed out a sentence, then excitedly ran into the main hall, where he saw Yang Yang Dongxiong and Lady Xu, and held the large carp high in his hand.

"Master, Mistress, look quickly! I went back to Yixing today and bought a fine specimen!"

"Oh, what fine specimen?"

"What fine specimen has made Liang Shidi so happy?"

Everyone turned curiously at the sound.

Although the Green-Backed Dragon Carp had been gutted, its appearance remained undamaged and complete; Yang Yang Dongxiong recognized it at a glance.

"What a huge Green-Backed Dragon Carp!"

Xiang Xiang Zhangsong measured it with his hands: "So big, it must weigh fifteen jin?"

"Sixteen jin and eight liang!" Liang Qu said joyfully, "Freshly caught from the river just now, perfect for tonight on New Year's Eve to bring over for everyone to eat and secure a lucky omen!"

Hu Qi exclaimed in amazement: "I've only seen Green-Backed Dragon Carp in books and never eaten one; today I get to thanks to Liang Shidi."

Xu Xu Zishuai beamed: "Master, this is a good omen! Carp symbolize good fortune, and a precious carp is even better!"

"A good omen! Truly a good omen!"

"Hahaha, let us also share in this joy!"

"The large back is truly beautiful, appearing green yet mottled with five colors."

The other senior brothers all cheered in approval.

Yang Yang Dongxiong laughed heartily: "Little Nine's fate chart has both Zheng Yin and Pian Yin belonging to Water; being close to water bodies brings deep fortune and destiny, and seeing this now, it is indeed so."

"Green-Backed Dragon Carp are already rare to see, and those weighing fifteen jin are even rarer; if placed in Jingcheng, there might well be wealthy individuals bidding up to a hundred gold!"

Xu Xu Zishuai was puzzled: "A hundred gold for one fish? Isn't that a sucker's deal? I recall Green-Backed Dragon Carp being valued at only two or three taels of silver per jin of meat?"

"One cannot speak like that; let alone a precious fish, even ordinary Golden Carp have people scrambling to buy them; they are different from us, they simply favor this taste."

Cao Rang said: "It's still too much money; better to give it all to me."

"The sun hasn't even set and you're already dreaming here?"

Hearing his senior brothers' words, Liang Qu realized he had only remembered what was written in books and forgotten to combine it with reality.

The actual value of a Green-Backed Dragon Carp was not that high; from a martial artist's perspective, it was about three taels of silver per jin of meat, and there were many precious fish with better effects than it.

But encountering special occasions like the New Year, there was inevitably a premium.

The wealthier one was, the more one believed in theories of luck, and the more willing one was to spend money on it; ten taels per jin would not be surprising.

Who wouldn't want to buy one back to seek good luck?

Some even bought them back and couldn't bear to eat them, raising them as ornamental fish until their spiritual nature gradually faded.

"Today is truly a lively day; all sorts of good things have come together." Lady Xu waved her sleeves, "Quickly put the fish down and let the servants handle it; in half an incense stick's time, we can eat. Everyone, sit down and chat with me."

"Yes, Mistress."

Liang Qu agreed, handed the Green-Backed Dragon Carp to a nearby young servant, and sat down with the others.

Except for the Eldest Cao Shixiong, all other senior brothers were present.

It was not that all other senior brothers had family situations exactly like Liang Qu's; as far as he knew, among all the brothers, only Cao Shixiong Xu and himself were in similar circumstances.

The reason everyone came here to eat during the New Year was very simple.

Half an incense stick's time later, exquisite dishes were served one by one.

Braised beef, braised Brocade Deer, stir-fried Mountain Spirit Snake, roasted Huangxie Bird.

And of course, finally, the steamed Green-Backed Dragon Carp brought by Liang Qu.

Every single dish was spiritual meat!

Clearly, one had no choice but to come; how could one eat such good things at home?

Improving strength was secondary; the main point was that there were so many dishes, and their combination created a rich flavor.

There were only a few chances a year to indulge in such delicacies, impossible to find outside.

Fragrant.

Truly fragrant.

After eating a few bites of meat, Liang Qu felt somewhat full, his face slightly flushed; apart from lacking the essence of water, it provided ample qi and blood energy.

Xu Xu Zishuai picked up a piece of fish meat and put it in his mouth; it was incredibly sweet and fragrant, and he exclaimed: "This Green-Backed Dragon Carp is excellent, far tastier than Red-Blood Perch and the like!"

"Little Nine, eat more; since you brought this fish, the belly section is for you."

"Thank you, Mistress."

Liang Qu stood up and accepted a thick chopstick-full of fish belly.

"Mistress, I want some too!" Xu Xu Zishuai held out his bowl, only to have it slapped back by Lady Xu's chopsticks.

"Little Nine didn't come empty-handed; unlike you, so thick-skinned? Do you only know how to bring your mouth?"

"Mistress, why do you favor one over the other? I'm going to make a scene, I really am going to make a scene."

"Go ahead and make a scene; the louder the better, saving me the trouble of sending someone to set off firecrackers."

"Alright, stop just eating; let me say a few words."

Yang Yang Dongxiong took a sip of wine and spoke, interrupting everyone's conversation.

Everyone immediately stopped their chopsticks and listened attentively.

"Just like in previous years, I will set several assessments for you to prevent you from becoming too slack."

"Yu Dun, you are now..."

"Lu Gang, within one year, I require you to enter the middle stage of Wolf Smoke."

Yang Yang Dongxiong went through each senior brother one by one, and the senior brothers stood up one after another to accept their tasks.

Liang Qu felt a sense of déjà vu, as if a company were assigning performance targets; as his turn approached, he quickly straightened his back and pricked up his ears.

"Xiang Xiang Zhangsong, Liang Qu, you two entered the sect latest, so your room for improvement is also the greatest; my requirements for you will be higher."

"Within the next year, Xiang Xiang Zhangsong, you must become a true Wu Shi, or even aim for Galloping Horse Wu Shi; can you do this?"

Xiang Xiang Zhangsong nodded, indicating he would definitely cultivate diligently and would not disappoint his master's expectations.

"Liang Qu, you have only practiced martial arts for one season; I only require that by this time next year, you break through the Three Passes; can you do this?"

Liang Qu stood up, clasped his fists, and said: "Master, rest assured; this disciple is confident in becoming a Wu Shi within one year!"

"Oh? Become a Wu Shi within one year?"

Yang Yang Dongxiong was somewhat surprised.

All the other brothers and sisters turned to look.

Liang Qu continued: "This disciple can break through the Flesh Pass again within half a month; with a full year remaining thereafter, I am confident in breaking through the remaining two passes."

"So fast?" Xiang Xiang Zhangsong blurted out.

Breaking through two passes in three and a half months?

What kind of speed was this?

Everyone silently compared themselves, realizing that none of them had ever progressed so quickly in the past.

Lu Gang pondered thoughtfully: "Liang Shidi's fate chart is extraordinary, so it is normal for his progress speed to be uncommon."

Hearing Lu Gang say this, everyone remembered Liang Qu's fate chart, and suddenly it seemed reasonable.

Long Serpent Crossing the River was comparable to, if not surpassing, Owl God Snatching Food; progressing faster was possible, seemingly, perhaps, shouldn't it be expected?

Bad news; the pressure is on me now.

Xiang Xiang Zhangsong wiped his forehead, feeling that the heating stove today was burning too hot, strangely warm.

Yang Dong raised his voice in a heroic tone: "Good! Since you have such confidence, it is naturally a good thing! Everyone, raise your cups!"

Everyone raised their hands in unison.

"May the new year surpass the old, may all go smoothly without mishap, and may everyone's wishes be fulfilled!"

"May the new year surpass the old, may all go smoothly without mishap, and may everyone's wishes be fulfilled!"