Chapter 133: Old Friends Reunite

Such a large fish?

Yin Zhaoxian and the scholar surnamed Shi were also stunned for a moment, watching blankly as the fisherman pulled up his rod.

A bighead carp weighing over twenty catties, nearly the length of a person's leg, certainly made quite a visual impact.

Splash, splash...

Ji Yuan didn't play the fish at all; the water churned violently around the skiff, and the emerald bamboo rod bent into a half-moon shape.

"Hahaha... Just as a big fish takes the bait, a friend comes from afar. What a joy, what a joy!"

Although the big fish thrashed violently in the water, the bent fishing rod remained remarkably steady in Ji Yuan's hand. With a flick of his left hand, he lifted the entire fish out of the water and dropped it into the fish basket at the bow.

The fish basket, with its narrow opening and wide body, barely managed to contain the fish. The bighead carp's plump head almost got stuck in the opening, and even after it was inside, half its body dangled out.

For Yin Zhaoxian and the scholar surnamed Shi on the bank, hearing the fisherman's clear, resonant voice had little effect on the latter, but joy immediately spread across the former's face.

"It's Mr. Ji! Mr. Ji, Yin Zhaoxian is here!"

Yin Zhaoxian excitedly waved and called out towards the skiff several dozen feet away on the riverbank, causing the scholar surnamed Shi beside him to look somewhat startled. He had never seen Yin Zhaoxian so agitated throughout their journey together.

At that moment, Ji Yuan flicked his wrist, detaching the hook from the fish's mouth. He set down the rod, adjusted his bamboo hat, turned, and bowed to Yin Zhaoxian on the bank.

"Master Yin, it's been years since we last met. Is everything well with you?"

Seeing Ji Yuan's unchanged face truly intensified Yin Zhaoxian's excitement. He hastily returned the bow, and the scholar surnamed Shi beside him unconsciously followed suit.

"Everything is well with my family, perfectly well. We regularly sweep your small courtyard, Mr. Ji. Please, come closer to the bank!"

Ji Yuan also gave a slight bow to the scholar surnamed Shi and called out with a smile, "Coming!"

The big fish was still thrashing in the fish basket. Ji Yuan sat at the bow, took up the oar, made a turn, and rowed towards the bank.

Watching Yin Zhaoxian's excitement, the scholar surnamed Shi on the side couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Brother Yin, do you know this fisherman?"

"Know him? More than that! Mr. Ji is both a neighbor from my hometown and my closest friend. After years apart, I never expected to meet him here!"

The small boat reached the bank in just a few strokes, and Ji Yuan stepped ashore.

If it were Ji Yuan in his previous life, meeting a true intimate friend after many years would surely involve a bear hug. However, people in this life are mostly more reserved in their friendships. Yin Zhaoxian merely grasped Ji Yuan's hand excitedly, though his grip was quite firm.

After a few breaths, they released each other's hands. Yin Zhaoxian then introduced the other person to Ji Yuan, gesturing and saying:

"Mr. Ji, this is a fellow villager from Qizhou whom I've been traveling with on my journey to the capital."

The scholar surnamed Shi bowed again towards Ji Yuan and introduced himself: "My name is Shi Yusheng, and I am from Chunhui Prefecture!"

Ji Yuan also courteously returned the bow.

"My name is Ji Yuan. Master Yin and I are old acquaintances from the same hometown."

After these introductions, they were now acquainted. Ji Yuan smiled and pointed to the fish basket at the bow of the skiff.

"It's better to arrive opportunely than early. A big fish has just taken the bait. Let's use this fish to entertain Master Yin and Young Master Shi for lunch today. Come aboard, let's go to Chen Family Village together."

At Ji Yuan's warm invitation, Yin Zhaoxian and Shi Yusheng both boarded the skiff, and he then stepped back onto it as well.

After picking up the oar, Ji Yuan smiled and reminded the two who had just sat down:

"Hold on tight!"

Then, Ji Yuan pushed hard with the oar against the bank. As the small boat slid away from the shore, it swayed on the waves, causing the two newly boarded scholars to sway from side to side, quickly grabbing the gunwales and not daring to stand up casually.

Since this skiff was borrowed from Old Man Chen, Chen Family Village was naturally situated by the water. By rowing two li north and turning into a small canal, and then rowing another half li, they would reach Chen Family Village. The distance wasn't far; one could even see the outline of the village from the bank.

As the small boat traveled on the river, Yin Zhaoxian and Shi Yusheng adapted after a while and were no longer flustered by its rocking.

"Mr. Ji, where have you traveled all these years? Qing'er has always been thinking of you, saying that when she sees you again, she wants you to tell her about the world outside. And that jujube tree in the courtyard, it only bore fruit again after three years... Also, a formidable old gentleman came... He was quite spirited when eating the jujubes..."

Ji Yuan listened, smiling, as Yin Zhaoxian spoke, sometimes clearly, sometimes vaguely, while continuing to row. When Yin Zhaoxian had finished, he finally spoke, smiling.

"Little Yin Qing is probably thinking more about that little red fox, hahahaha..."

Shi Yusheng listened with a smile from the side. He had never seen Yin Zhaoxian talk so much, chattering on and on.

Both of them had walked for a long time and were already exhausted. Now, sitting in the skiff, admiring the beautiful scenery along the river, they found it both relaxing and pleasant.

"By the way, Mr. Ji, you haven't told us where you've traveled all these years. Do you have any unusual sights or interesting experiences to share with me?"

Unknowingly, they had reached a river mouth. Ji Yuan maneuvered the oar to turn the boat, then switched sides to row, all while jokingly telling Yin Zhaoxian:

"In these past years, I have slain demons, banished evil, met judges of the underworld and local earth deities, visited immortal mansions, and attended dragon lords' birthday banquets. It's been truly magnificent, truly magnificent, hahahaha..."

Ji Yuan was in high spirits, speaking with considerable bravado.

These words stirred a surge of emotion in Yin Zhaoxian, who subtly felt they might be true, while Shi Yusheng on the side simply laughed, taking them as a joke.

Chen Family Village wasn't far at all. The small boat soon docked by the village edge. After securing the rope, Ji Yuan greeted one or two villagers who recognized him, then led Yin Zhaoxian and Shi Yusheng towards Old Man Chen's house.

Seeing Ji Yuan arrive, Old Man Chen's family was exceptionally welcoming. Especially when they saw such a large bighead carp in the fish basket, Old Man Chen himself clicked his tongue in admiration.

As noon approached, Shi Yusheng, Yin Zhaoxian, and Ji Yuan sat chatting around a square table. Dishes were already set, and the savory aroma of fish drifted from the kitchen.

Having not eaten a good meal in two or three days, Yin Zhaoxian and Shi Yusheng both found themselves salivating, while Ji Yuan watched them with amusement.

It was then that Yin Zhaoxian suddenly realized with a start that Ji Yuan's eyes were not grayish-white, and he asked with some surprise.

"Mr. Ji, are your eyes better?"

Ji Yuan paused, then chuckled: "It's just an illusion, merely an illusion."

He then raised a hand to signal Master Yin not to make a fuss. Although Yin Zhaoxian didn't understand the exact nature of an 'illusion spell,' he had no trouble grasping its literal meaning.

"The fish head is ready!"

Old Man Chen carried a steaming basin with a cloth. Ji Yuan quickly stepped forward to help, and together they placed the basin of fish head soup on the square table, where it took up a considerable amount of space.

"Hehe, Mr. Ji truly knows how to eat! Our Tongtian River bighead carp is incredibly delicious, and this fish head, in particular, is the essence of flavor. A bighead carp nearly thirty catties is rare; this fish head almost didn't fit in the basin! You might not even find something like this in the big restaurants of the capital!"

Old Man Chen chuckled as he spoke, then returned to the kitchen and brought out other small dishes: pickled vegetables, some cured meat, and a pot of homemade wine.

"Mr. Ji and the two scholars, please enjoy your meal slowly. My family and I will eat in the kitchen!"

"Alright, thank you, Old Uncle Chen!"

"Thank you, Old Uncle Chen!" "Thank you for the hospitality!"

After Ji Yuan and the others thanked them, they prepared to begin eating. The Chen family happily returned to the kitchen to have their meal. Ji Yuan only wanted the fish head from the large bighead carp; the rest was naturally given to the Chen family.

Amidst the rich aroma of fish, they enjoyed a thoroughly satisfying meal. The fish head meat was thick and plump with few bones, and crucially, the broth was rich and incredibly savory. Even the two scholars, who weren't big eaters, couldn't stop eating.

At the dinner table, Ji Yuan also recounted various local customs and traditions, his stories far more detailed and heartfelt than those Yin Zhaoxian and the others had experienced during their rushed and arduous journey.

The joy and camaraderie of unexpected encounters, like being welcomed into a newlywed's home and earning praise for a congratulatory couplet; the comfort of sharing a boat and meals, facing challenges together; and the deep sense of loyalty and mutual support, as if between families connected for generations, where, even though Ji Yuan didn't reveal surnames, one could feel the decades of selfless help extended during times of trouble...

Each story from Ji Yuan's lips was vivid and real, filling Yin Zhaoxian and Shi Yusheng with both admiration and envy.

As their conversation drew to a close, Ji Yuan naturally suggested that the two scholars take his skiff to the capital on the opposite bank. As for seeking the auspicious blessing of Scholar's Ferry, they could simply row the skiff there and then board it.

The two scholars, naturally, gladly agreed.

The meal lasted half the afternoon, with most of the food on the table ending up in the scholars' stomachs. From the looks of it, Ji Yuan figured he wouldn't need to prepare dinner for them.

That night, the two scholars shared a room at Old Man Chen's house, while Ji Yuan, who planned to wake early the next day and row to Scholar's Ferry to wait, slept in a separate room.

After the lamps were extinguished that evening, Shi Yusheng, sharing a bed with Yin Zhaoxian and lying head-to-toe, was still thinking about the day's events.

"Brother Yin, just who is this Mr. Ji? How could he have experienced so many things?"

Yin Zhaoxian chuckled.

"Just listen and let it go. Let's think about the imperial examinations instead. Mr. Ji is a man who 'plays in the mundane world' – someone ordinary people like us cannot comprehend."

"Yes, yes, 'plays in the mundane world' – Brother Yin, that's a brilliant phrase! If I hadn't spent the day with him, I truly would have felt he was a carefree immortal guest. No wonder Brother Yin considers him such a close friend."

"Heh heh... Go to sleep, go to sleep!"

Yin Zhaoxian pulled the blanket tighter and said no more.