TRWSB – Chapter 129 A Fish, a Mercenary, and a Mystery

At the Luo Hua Pavilion of the Yuan Kingdom

“Zhuang Qian, does the Zhuang family have any news about your brother and my young master?” Qi Heng asked anxiously.

Zhuang Qian glanced at Qi Heng and Bi Liuyun. “The Zhuang family has unique methods to track the life and death of family members. One thing is certain—my brother is still alive. If my brother is alive, the Fourth Young Master Qi should be fine too.”

Bi Liuyun’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Then where has your brother gone?”

“The original destination of the teleportation scroll was the main courtyard of the Zhuang family. However, due to its limited range, they must have been dropped somewhere along the way,” Zhuang Qian explained.

Qi Heng’s gaze sharpened. “The Zhuang family must have some idea where they might be. Master Qian, can you share their likely location? I’ll go search.”

Bi Liuyun interjected, “I’ll go instead.”

Qi Heng shook his head. “No, the royal capital’s business needs someone responsible to stay behind. There are many who wish to align themselves with the young master and Zhuang Hao, but just as many with ill intentions. Over the years, your reputation has made you a target. It’s better if I go.”

Bi Liuyun took a deep breath and, understanding the logic, relented.

Zhuang Qian pulled out a map. “Based on calculations by the elders, my brother likely landed here. This place is the border of three nations—Yuan, Li, and our country. It’s a lawless zone rife with bandits, poverty, and scarce resources. Most of the people there struggle to find enough to eat.”

Bi Liuyun tilted his head. “Not enough to eat? Could the young master and Zhuang Hao be starving?”

Zhuang Qian sighed. “Starving is manageable. What’s worse is starving to death. If my brother dies of hunger, he’d go down in Zhuang family history as the most embarrassing Young Master to perish.”

Bi Liuyun: “…”

By the Lakeside

Zhuang Hao stood in the lake, holding a sharpened stick, attempting to spear fish.

On the shore, Qi Shaorong watched anxiously. “Ah Hao, be careful! Don’t stab your own foot!”

Zhuang Hao shot him a glare, thinking, Even though I can’t use magic or battle energy right now, I still have my brain. Your concern is unnecessary.

Despite his efforts, the fish proved elusive. Each attempt to catch one only resulted in water splashing everywhere, soaking Zhuang Hao.

If his magic was intact, Zhuang Hao thought, this would be effortless. He’d just summon a whirlpool and haul in a feast.

A fish swam past him, flicking its tail and spraying him with water.

Watching this, Qi Shaorong burst out laughing, unable to contain himself.

Nearby, Yun Cui observed them curiously. “What kind of people are you two?”

Qi Shaorong’s heart skipped a beat. “Why do you ask, Sister Yun?”

“You and that guy don’t look like thieves,” Yun Cui replied.

Qi Shaorong winced inwardly. It’s true—our first attempt at thievery was a disaster. Clearly, we’re not cut out for this life.

“What do we look like to you, then?” Qi Shaorong asked with a smile.

“You seem like young masters from a prominent family,” Yun Cui said.

Her keen observation startled Qi Shaorong. What sharp instincts! “Sister Cui, you guessed correctly. But we’re not from prominent families, just small ones. After falling on hard times and drowning in debt, the creditors cleaned us out. Now, we’re out here trying to survive.”

“You didn’t train in cultivation?” Yun Cui asked, puzzled.

“Ah, back then, we didn’t know the family would fall. So, we squandered our potential,” Qi Shaorong replied, his tone laden with regret.

Though sharp, Yun Cui’s worldview was limited. Moved by Qi Shaorong’s vivid account, she believed him almost entirely. “If your family is full of people like you two, with no ambition, it’s no wonder it fell apart.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

The Catch

“I got it!” Zhuang Hao exclaimed joyfully, lifting a fish over a meter long with both hands.

Qi Shaorong chuckled as he looked at the drenched Zhuang Hao. This guy… The dignified heir of the Zhuang family, celebrating over catching a single fish. Still, he does look rather adorable like this.

With a flick of his hand, Zhuang Hao tossed the fish onto the shore.

Yun Cui walked over to inspect it, her expression turning to surprise. “This fish…”

Qi Shaorong raised a brow. “What about it? Is it inedible?”

Shaking her head, Yun Cui explained, “It’s edible, and quite nourishing. This is a copper-headed fish—strong and incredibly hard to catch. If sold at the market, it could fetch a gold coin. Not bad for a couple of ‘petty thieves.'”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

With newfound confidence, Zhuang Hao continued fishing, soon flinging one catch after another onto the shore.

Qi Shaorong watched him in the water, noticing how Zhuang Hao seemed to enter a mysterious state of flow. This guy… even fishing becomes an opportunity for enlightenment. Truly something else.

Yun Cui, admiring the growing pile of fish, exclaimed, “That guy really knows how to fish! If you hadn’t told me he used to be a young master, I’d have thought he was a professional fisherman.”

Qi Shaorong gave a dry laugh. Zhuang Hao’s adaptability is impressive. He masters anything quickly.

The Mercenaries Arrive

As Yun Cui and Qi Shaorong talked, the sound of hoofbeats echoed in the distance.

Standing up, Yun Cui squinted at the approaching figures, her gaze sharpening. “It’s the Flying Tiger Mercenary Group!”

Yun Hu, who had been fishing in the water, excitedly came ashore, his face flushed as he looked toward the approaching riders.

A group of more than ten mercenaries charged forward on Flying Cloud Horses, exuding an intimidating aura.

Among them, the female leader stood out in her red battle attire, bold and commanding. Though not a stunning beauty, her figure was undeniably striking.

Normally boisterous, Yun Hu turned shy at the sight of the female leader, his face as red as a cooked shrimp.

“Ah Hu, you’ve advanced!” the leader called out, cracking her whip with a smile.

Grinning sheepishly, Yun Hu replied, “Yes, I’m now a Level-3 Dou Qi Fighter.”

The leader nodded approvingly before glancing at Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao. “Who are they? They look unfamiliar.”

Yun Cui stepped forward. “They’re distant relatives of mine. Their family fell on hard times, so they’re staying with us.”

The leader glanced at the pile of fish. “You’ve caught a lot of fish. Sell them to me.”

Yun Hu quickly said, “If the leader wants them, take them all. No need to pay.”

“That wouldn’t be right,” the leader said with a smile.

Ignoring her protest, Yun Hu eagerly gathered the fish and handed them over.

Zhuang Hao watched this unfold with a conflicted expression. Most of the fish Yun Hu was giving away were ones he had caught.

With a casual flick, the leader tossed four gold coins, one for each of them.

Zhuang Hao stared at the coin in his hand, a mix of amusement and helplessness on his face.

After purchasing the fish, the mercenary group quickly departed.

Speculation and Unease

Watching the leader ride away, Yun Hu gazed wistfully after her. Yun Cui scowled at him. “Snap out of it. She’s gone.”

Yun Hu sighed and looked at his gold coin, cherishing it.

Qi Shaorong smirked. “She’s quite something—pretty and strong. I bet she could flatten you in a few moves.”

Yun Hu: “…”

As the group returned to their conversation, Yun Cui crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful.

“What’s on your mind?” Yun Hu asked.

“I find it odd,” Yun Cui said slowly.

“What’s odd?” Yun Hu questioned.

“Why would the Flying Tiger Mercenary Group come here? There aren’t any magical beasts worth hunting in this area.”

Yun Hu chuckled. “Maybe it’s fate!”

“Don’t overthink it,” Yun Cui said bluntly. “They likely have a reason for being here.”

Hearing this, Qi Shaorong perked up, listening intently.

Yun Hu looked confused. “A reason? What kind of reason?”

Yun Cui hesitated before replying, “Actually, there’s been an influx of people to our area recently.”

“Why?” Yun Hu pressed.

Shaking her head, Yun Cui said, “I don’t know, but there’s a rumor about treasures being here.”

Yun Hu scoffed. “This place? So backward, and I’ve never even found a single copper coin!”

Fixing him with a glare, Yun Cui retorted, “True treasures are meant for those with fate on their side. If you’re not destined, even if it’s in front of you, you won’t get it. Stop dreaming.”

Yun Hu: “…”

Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao exchanged wary glances, sensing an undercurrent of intrigue.