Chapter 45: Sand Sea Fishing

This truly is a drop in the bucket. Besides, if all the water is given away, what will everyone drink later?

It would take a full two days to walk from here back to the nearest post station.

He Lingchuan crossed his arms. "I'll bet you ten taels of silver that Grand Master Sun already has a solution, so we don't need to worry," he said. "It’s good to rely on a strong pillar."

"Ten taels!" Situ Han's face fell. "I can't afford to bet that much."

Sun Fuping glanced at them, then swiped his hand over a ring. A round, grapefruit-sized leather ball appeared in his hand.

The old man certainly had something up his sleeve. He Lingchuan watched as he stuffed the leather ball into the mouth of the monstrous head atop his staff—

The large leather ball vanished.

Immediately after, Sun Fuping turned the staff, aimed the beast's head towards the pool, and murmured a few words.

The monster opened its mouth and spat out a thick, long column of water, which streamed directly into the pool.

"This is a dartfish's spray sac," Sun Fuping explained casually.

He Lingchuan seemed to have heard of this strange fish. It lived in the lakes and seas of central Yuan Kingdom and could even spray water columns to knock large land prey, such as cattle, horses, and young elephants, into the water to eat. Its spraying ability was formidable. During the dry season, it could also live out of water for a month or so.

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

It was truly a treasure for traversing the desert.

After more than thirty minutes of continuous water injection, Nian Songyu suddenly said, "Something's wrong. The water level hasn't expanded for a while."

Given the monster's output, the pool bottom should have been full long ago, perhaps even overflowing slightly. Yet, before everyone's eyes, only two-thirds of the pool bottom was covered with water; the remaining third was still dry.

Where did all the water go?

Sun Fuping reached out and pressed the bottom of the pool. "As expected, there's a trick here. The water is being absorbed," he said.

"Then what do we do?"

Sun Fuping's expression darkened slightly. "Let's wait and see," he replied.

Another thirty minutes passed. All the water in the monster's belly had been sprayed out; it even coughed a couple of times. But the accumulated water at the bottom of the pool showed almost no change compared to before.

Everyone knew they were in trouble now.

Plans are always outrun by changes. No matter how meticulous Sun Fuping's design, there were always times when it couldn't keep up with the situation.

Nian Songyu thought for a moment, then turned and instructed Zeng Feixiong, "Go collect everyone's water skins."

Zeng Feixiong was startled. "Collect our drinking water?" he exclaimed. "We still have to endure several more days in the desert. Besides, what if it's still not enough?"

Nian Songyu looked at Sun Fuping; seeing he didn't speak, he insisted on his decision. "We cannot fail at the last minute. Go quickly and collect the water!"

In desert marches, water was essential for survival. Zeng Feixiong could hardly imagine how much his subordinates would resist this order. "But... but..." he stammered.

Nian Songyu's face darkened. "Are you trying to defy orders?"

Zeng Feixiong's mind was in turmoil, and he couldn't help but look at He Chunhua.

Nian Songyu's gaze grew even darker. These minor officials truly lacked discernment.

He Chunhua also had no good solution. Should he defy orders and return, or pour everyone's drinking water into the pool and leave it to fate?

Neither choice seemed rational.

While he was indecisive, he heard his eldest son casually say, "Why make such a fuss? If you take away the soldiers' fresh water, how will we get out of the desert later?"

Nian Songyu said coldly, "The last mile is the hardest. What if it's just this last bit that's missing?"

"Can you guarantee it's just this last bit?"

Nian Songyu smiled. "Yes," he replied.

What if not? By then, the water would be poured out, and what's done is done. Would the soldiers still dare to mutiny?

He Lingchuan rolled his eyes, then turned to Sun Fuping and asked, "The pool bottom needs to be filled with water, right?"

"Right."

"What if it's not fresh water?" He Lingchuan said, his thoughts focused on this point. "Will other liquids work?"

"Such as?"

"Blood," he replied. To prevent the other two from misunderstanding and thinking of human sacrifices, he quickly clarified, "I mean the blood of monsters or exotic beasts. The Coiling Dragon Desert is full of large creatures; getting a few to bleed shouldn't be difficult."

Sun Fuping's eyes immediately lit up. "That makes sense!" he exclaimed. "Blood sacrifices are often used to appease deities. If fresh blood is mixed into the pool, the Great Square Vase should not mind; in fact, it might prefer it." He tossed the walnut boat to Nian Songyu, then pointed to He Lingchuan. "You two take men into the desert and bring back a few giant beasts."

Everyone replenished their Soul-Suppressing Powder and re-entered the desert.

Desert creatures and Three-Corpse Worms were more active during the cool night. Nian Songyu released the walnut boat for everyone to stand on and ordered the boatmen to cast bait into the sand for fishing.

Nian Songyu stood while He Lingchuan sat. Neither bothered to look at the other.

This fishing attempt was not very smooth, and for a long time, no prey bit the hook. He Lingchuan's back ached from sitting, and with a few Three-Corpse Worms swimming near the walnut boat, he called someone over to massage his back.

"Ah, comfortable, good! A little lower, yes, lower! Put some more strength into it."

Young Master He sighed contentedly. Pleasure was indeed intoxicating. Who would have thought that just three months ago he was a homebody who felt uncomfortable if anyone came within half a meter of him?

Nian Songyu secretly shook his head, but then saw He Lingchuan ask with his eyes closed, "Captain Nian, why did you personally come to Blackwater City?"

"What?"

"A mission where no one returns alive," He Lingchuan said, fluttering his eyelids. "How could General Zhengbei bear to let his beloved son participate personally? Is he not your biological father?"

Nian Songyu's face twitched. "Didn't Commander He also let you come along?" he retorted. "Are you not his offspring?"

That was a crude personal attack. People without refinement are truly not subtle. He Lingchuan waved his hand, and with a 'thwack,' a dagger shot out and pinned itself to the wooden bar Nian Songyu was leaning on.

Incidentally, his throwing accuracy was still very poor. When a knife left his hand, he had no idea where it would land.

Nian Songyu hadn't reacted yet, but his guards had already lunged two steps forward, swords drawn, about to shout at He Lingchuan.

He Lingchuan put a finger to his lips and shushed them, then quickly said, "Quiet! Don't scare away the prey!" He pointed below the boat. "Anyone who forgets the most important task will face military discipline!"

Nian Songyu waved his hand, dismissing his subordinates, and said flatly, "I might live, but you might not. If you're sensible, obey me and be a good dog; then you and your father might make it back alive. Otherwise, Mrs. Ying will become a widow. As for your younger brother—"

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

He Lingchuan stared at him, his face slowly darkening.

The Governor of Xunzhou, the Grand Marshal, and Grand Master Sun—why were these three great powers entangled?

Perhaps his father shouldn't have accepted the Great Square Vase mission?

He Lingchuan was about to speak when the fishing rod in the boatman's hand suddenly dipped sharply, almost dragging him directly off the bow.

The prey had finally taken the bait!

Next, everyone worked together and finally pulled up whatever was beneath the sand.

It was still an earth dragon, but its size was two sizes smaller than the two previous ones from the daytime, and it could be squeezed into the boat.