Chapter 506

Wu An had originally planned to rest.

But having run into swordfish, there's no way to rest.

A swordfish hauled up is worth at least ten thousand; his first could sell for over twenty thousand—if he didn't make that money, even heaven couldn't stand it.

Fish!

As long as fishing doesn't kill you, fish until you drop.

Wu An's desperate effort not only earns money, but the system also raises his luck‑value ceiling—truly many benefits.

Thinking that, Wu An hastily cast his rod.

A Qing and Mei Wu's fishing rods were also re‑buffed with Luck Boost, and even the boat got a bit, continuing Hard Control on the golden pomfret shoal, thereby attracting swordfish nearby.

The bait used was golden pomfret cut in half.

With Luck Boost, there's no fear of failing to attract swordfish.

Lao Fu Tou, having finished handling the second swordfish, came to the boat's side and saw that all three had hooked a fish; judging by the strain, it was obviously a big one.

He warned: "You guys be careful."

If you get stabbed by its mouth, you'll feel a chill to the bone and your soul will fly away.

Lao Fu Tou had also planned to cast another line, but just as he was preparing, he heard Wu An shout: "Lao Fu, don't cast another line—this swordfish is too hard to catch."

Later you can take over for us.

This way, taking turns, everyone… everyone will have a chance to rest.

Relying on one person's strength to haul a swordfish weighing over a hundred catties is truly exhausting; Wu An is fine—he learns quickly and has mastered a few tricks.

A Qing and Mei Wu are almost spent, their whole bodies feeling as if they'd just taken a bath.

Light appeared on the horizon.

It was already morning.

Originally the sweat stung his eyes, and then the sunlight hit—nothing could be more sour and refreshing.

A Qing was the first to slump; Lao Fu Tou quickly kept an eye on him—as the saying goes, the old are steadfast.

After A Qing came down, he drank a large cup of water, then poured a cup for each and set them aside, so when anyone else came down they could just pour it straight into their mouths.

He smoked, his arm trembling uncontrollably.

He asked: "Brother, let me take over for you."

Wu An shook his head.

He hasn't reached the point of disarming yet.

He felt he had grasped some secret; when he felt tired, he moved a bit, changed posture, and—ah—immediately felt much better.

Feeling less intense, he continued to output.

He felt he could haul the fish up in one go.

He took a moment to check his luck value.

He discovered that each time the swordfish lunged and struggled fiercely, his luck value dropped; no matter how the swordfish struggled, even leaping out of the water to rinse its gills was futile.

Before the Luck Boost, all fish are equal.

Nothing unexpected.

He hauled up another three swordfish, and there was no incident of the swordfish, feeling hopeless to escape, attacking the boat or crew; after Lao Fu Tou brought the swordfish aboard, he straight‑out praised them for being well‑behaved.

Of course.

His hands were no exception.

Hand up, knife down.

Bleeding.

He processed the swordfish cleanly and clearly.

Wu An and the two others leaned against the boat, silently watching.

A Qing and Mei Wu could still smoke; although it did little for physical recovery, it gave psychological comfort, so Wu An could only gulp water "ton ton ton" into his mouth.

He had drunk half, then poured the rest over his head.

Refreshing.

He asked: "A Qing, A Wu Ge, still fishing?"

The two shouted in unison: "Fish!"

Wu An nodded: "Sure, wait till you finish smoking."

They rested for about ten minutes.

They baited again.

Wu An decided that after hauling in another batch of swordfish, he would firmly stop applying Luck Boost.

After a night of busyness, his body could no longer take it.

After another half hour or so, the three swordfish were hauled up by their combined effort; Lao Fu Tou handled them, and after finishing he saw that Wu An and the two others had no intention of casting again.

He smiled, took his own fishing rod, and cast another line.

Two casts in a row.

No movement at all.

Lao Fu Tou, unwilling to believe it, had A Qing and Mei Wu come over to hold the rods; he picked up Wu An's rod, cast a bait, let out over four hundred meters, the line suddenly tightened, and the rod tip dipped.

A fish is hooked!

Lao Fu Tou shouted excitedly: "Another one!"

A Qing and Mei Wu looked at their motionless rods, chuckled, and simultaneously felt a mutual sigh of relief; A Qing even muttered softly: "Good thing we didn't hook one."

Lao Fu Tou was also spent; in the end, only by the four of them taking turns could they barely haul the swordfish up. When the swordfish neared the boat, the luck value was exhausted, and Wu An didn't have time to reapply Luck Boost, so he saw the swordfish that had seemed still suddenly lunge with force.

Lao Fu Tou kept staring, and upon seeing it he exclaimed: "A An."

At the same time.

He lunged forward, grabbed Wu An's shoulder with one hand, tried to pull him aside with the other, and simultaneously pressed Wu An's head down with his other hand to make him squat.

The swordfish suddenly leapt, shooting straight at the fishing boat like an arrow.

With a "whoosh," it landed on the deck, and A Qing and Mei Wu scrambled aside in fright.

The swordfish fell onto the deck, still flopping.

Lao Fu Tou rushed over and pressed the swordfish down with his body.

Wu An quickly followed over to help.

A Qing and Mei Wu also wanted to come over, but the swordfish was still flopping, facing them with its arrow-like mouth jabbing left and right, which kept them from getting close.

But it didn't last long.

Then the swordfish fell still.

Lao Fu Tou and Wu An looked at each other and burst out laughing.

A Qing and Mei Wu walked over, both looking shaken, and in unison said: "That's too terrifying."

Lao Fu Tou wiped sweat from his face—half from heat, half from fright—and Wu An laughed, saying: "You haven't heard the half of it; catching this thing is truly exhilarating."

Having a cheat is not bad.

But the experience isn't as strong.

Only without luck value can one truly experience the ultimate joy of fishing.

Wu An asked: "Old Fu, still fishing?"

Lao Fu Tou shook his head like a rattle drum, saying: "Still fish? Hell no."

"Preserving one's life is paramount."

"Nine swordfish, heading back to the dock to unload—there'll surely be another stir."

Wu An laughed heartily.

Lao Fu Tou is sometimes quite amusing.

That's what the old kid says, right?

A Qing lit three cigarettes, passed them to Lao Fu Tou and Mei Wu, and the three inhaled and exhaled, enjoying the "after-smoke."

Wu An no longer craved cigarettes, but watching them made his mouth feel a bit uncomfortable.

Even without a cigarette craving, seeing others smoke made him want to take a puff.

Lao Fu Tou smoked heavily—half a cigarette gone in a few puffs—then, cigarette in mouth, he began processing the swordfish.

Lao Fu Tou said: "This last one is the biggest, definitely over two hundred catties."

"Look at how fat it is."

"It'll surely fetch a good price."

A Qing also said: "It's gotta be Big Brother's fishing rod; mine and A Wu Ge's still haven't shown any movement."

Mei Wu nodded in deep agreement.

Despite A Qing's flattery, Wu An still found it pleasing—don't think just one night of fishing yields little; the haul is actually substantial.

As for the golden pomfret, no need to mention it.

Just these nine swordfish alone—even if the price is only 100 yuan per catty, together they weigh at least 1500 catties, guaranteeing a minimum income of 150,000 yuan.