Chapter 196: Fish Drinking Fish Soup

The boatman had only been working on this route for about three years, but he was no stranger to the folk legends associated with making a living on the water. The commotion he had just witnessed, where something was swirling the water around the boat, strongly resembled the legendary 'Shui Gong' – an angry spirit formed from a drowned person.

Possessing decent martial arts skills, the boatman quickly composed himself. In a few strides, he rounded the mast and hurried into the cabin.

Over by the table, Hu Yun had already devoured a bowl of rice at lightning speed. The deliciousness of the steamed fish with sauce was so irresistible that it couldn't stop eating. It only regretted that the boatman wasn't heading to the restroom. Seeing the boatman return, it could only scurry back under the stool, a few small fish bones still stuck between its teeth, which it was trying to dislodge with its claws.

Ji Yuan had already heard the commotion in the water outside the boat and knew exactly what was causing it. Seeing the boatman return with a troubled expression, he casually inquired,

"What's wrong, boatman?"

The boatman reached for the wine pot containing "Thousand Day Spring" on the table. Shaking it and feeling there was still some wine inside, he addressed Ji Yuan:

"Mr. Ji, and you, young master, there might be something unclean at the bottom of the river. But don't worry, we boatmen have our own traditional methods. I'd be so bold as to ask for another cup of your wine."

According to legend, the better the wine, the more effective it was, and they happened to have "Thousand Day Spring."

Yin Qing subconsciously glanced at Ji Yuan, his face filled with curiosity.

"What is it? A water ghost?"

"Shh! Young Master Yin, do you have a death wish? Saying that is taboo..."

The boatman's face went pale. Everyone knew it was a water ghost, but no one dared to call it that on the river. They respectfully referred to it as 'Shui Gong,' fearing what might happen if they angered the entity.

Although the boatman was a martial artist, this was his first encounter with such a situation, and he was still somewhat apprehensive about supernatural beings.

Yin Qing, however, showed no signs of panic. Mr. Ji was calmly beside him. With his sharp mind, even though he hadn't seen Mr. Ji's true capabilities, he had witnessed Mr. Ji conversing and laughing with the City God when he was a child. He had also seen one of Mr. Ji's elderly friends effortlessly swallow dates from half a tree.

Could a mere water ghost, known in old tales only for dragging people into the water to drown them, possibly affect Mr. Ji?

Of course, Yin Qing used the term "water ghost" because he was unaware of the appellation "Shui Gong"; otherwise, he would have at least respected the boatman's feelings. He was surprised that this martial artist was so timid, and seeing how concerned the boatman was, he repeatedly apologized.

The boatman couldn't possibly argue with a mere youth like Yin Qing. He picked up the wine pot, poured a cup, offered a quick apology to Ji Yuan, and walked towards the side of the boat.

With his left hand gripping the mast and his right hand holding the wine cup aloft, the boatman whispered to the water:

"You don't offend me, and I won't offend you. This humble wine expresses my respect. Shui Gong, Shui Gong, quickly retreat!"

After reciting the words, the boatman flung the wine outwards, splashing it at least three *zhang* away. He had clearly used some internal force for the throw, as the old boatmen's saying went: the further the splash, the further the 'Shui Gong' would go to drink it.

Ji Yuan had also heard such rumors, mainly from the boatman father and son he had met years ago, but at this moment, he was thinking with a mischievous glint in his eye.

'Too bad, boatman, you wouldn't know that what's down there is a large, wine-loving green fish. The better the wine you give it, the more likely it is to linger!'

After the boatman poured the wine, he faintly heard the sound of water ripples in the distance, though he couldn't see clearly in the darkness. Nevertheless, his heart felt somewhat settled.

'It really worked!'

Composing himself once more, the boatman offered a piece of advice to Ji Yuan.

"Mr. Ji, it would be best to move your stove into the cabin; the bow is a bit cramped. Rest easy tonight. I see the sky is clear; they say the 'Shui Gong' only comes ashore during heavy downpours. You'll be safe resting on the boat."

"Alright, thank you for the reminder, boatman."

Seeing that the boatman seemed to be heading back to the aft cabin to rest, Ji Yuan quickly called out to him.

"Oh, boatman, by the way, would you like some of the fish soup I made? Given your physique, a small half-bowl should be fine."

The boatman found this remark rather perplexing. What did "given your physique, a small half-bowl should be fine" mean? Was the fish soup poisonous, or perhaps too potent, like a King Ginseng from the mountains?

He was about to refuse, but then he suddenly recalled the captivating aroma he had smelled earlier. The words caught in his throat and changed.

"Uh, a little would be good!"

Ji Yuan smiled and nodded, then fetched several clean small clay bowls and spoons from the cabin. As he walked to the bow and lifted the lid of the earthenware pot, a rich aroma wafted out once more.

'Indeed, it has completely dissolved into the soup.'

This earthenware pot was typically used for stewing fish soup or rice porridge. The fish soup, made from two silver-aperture fish, filled about half the pot, which was a considerable amount.

Ji Yuan used a spoon to serve the boatman a little less than half a bowl of fish soup, then turned and handed it to him.

"Here, boatman. Actually, that wasn't an ordinary fish; it was a medicinal fish that grew up consuming precious herbs for many years. It's incredibly nourishing. When stewed, its flesh becomes so fine it dissolves into the water, and all its medicinal properties are infused in the broth. Drinking it is very beneficial for your health, but it's not advisable to have too much. As a martial artist, you could probably handle more, but the ingredients for this soup are truly rare, so I can only offer you a taste."

Hearing Ji Yuan's explanation, the boatman understood somewhat, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "Just as I thought."

"Thank you, thank you very much."

The boatman took the bowl, sniffed the fish soup's aroma, then extended his tongue to lick a trace of soup from the rim, savoring the rich, mellow taste that was like fine wine. While seemingly tasting it, he was, in fact, checking for poison. After all, he wasn't just a simple boatman or fisherman; one could never be too careful.

Convinced it was safe, the boatman drank the soup in one gulp.

"Delicious, delicious! Thank you, Mr. Ji—"

He broke off mid-sentence. The rich aroma still lingered in his mouth, and a clear, nourishing current seemed to flow through his internal organs. At the same time, a surge of vital energy rose within him, making him feel genuinely intoxicated, as if he had drunk fine liquor. Yet, his body instinctively knew this wasn't poison but something immensely beneficial.

Seeing him sway slightly, Ji Yuan quickly took the bowl from his hand to prevent it from dropping.

"Boatman, quickly go back to the cabin and get some sleep, or you can meditate and circulate your internal energy in there. Don't stand here and fall into the water!"

Ji Yuan's words reminded the boatman. He mumbled "Alright" and, still somewhat 'intoxicated,' returned to the aft cabin, securing the door behind him.

In the boatman's current state, whether he slept or meditated, he would remain somewhat dazed about external matters until dawn – a scenario Ji Yuan had anticipated.

"Mr. Ji, what happened to him?"

In response to Yin Qing's curious question, Ji Yuan glanced at Hu Yun, who was now devouring food at the dining table with the ferocity of a "tiger descending from the mountain," and chuckled.

"It's just too nourishing, that's all. Alright, alright, let's the four of us drink this fish soup!"

"Mmm, good. This soup smells so fragrant, I could hardly wait. Uh... Mr. Ji, did you say 'four'?"

Yin Qing looked at Ji Yuan and Hu Yun, instinctively realizing that the boatman was clearly not the fourth person Mr. Ji was referring to.

Ji Yuan said no more. He sat at the bow, filled a bowl of fish soup, and waved to Yin Qing.

"Come, try the fish soup Mr. Ji made."

Yin Qing walked over, picked up the bowl, and chuckled.

"Mr. Ji, didn't you tell the boatman he could only have a small half-bowl? Can I really drink this much?"

"Hahaha, you're different from him, it's fine."

Yin Qing didn't decline; after all, Mr. Ji would never harm him. He chuckled and took a small sip, and immediately, a sensation of rich, mellow deliciousness filled his mouth.

"It's delicious! Mr. Ji, your cooking is truly excellent, even better than my mother's!"

Hu Yun couldn't resist any longer either. It quickly leaped out of the cabin and came over. The unfinished fish and rice clearly held less appeal than the fish soup.

"Splash... splash..."

Constant splashing sounds near the bow startled both Yin Qing and Hu Yun. The latter suddenly leaped behind Yin Qing, which in turn startled Yin Qing. Feeling the familiar soft paw pads and a slight tremble, Yin Qing realized it was Hu Yun.

"I say, can't you show some courage? You're a fox spirit, for heaven's sake! If I'm scared, are you going to be scared too?"

Hu Yun was not to be outdone.

"You're no better than me, you almost spilled the fish soup! Mr. Ji, there's a monster in the water, quickly subdue it!"

Hu Yun bickered with Yin Qing in the first half of the sentence, then immediately called for help in the second.

"Pfft... what monster or 'Shui Gong'? That's a large green fish that has gained sentience. Honestly, in terms of cultivation, you, Fox Immortal Lord Hu Yun, are far stronger than it!"

"Fox Immortal Lord Hu Yun" was a self-aggrandizing title Hu Yun frequently used when bickering with Yin Qing, and Ji Yuan had, of course, heard it before. However, upon hearing Mr. Ji's teasing now, Hu Yun wasn't embarrassed; instead, it puffed out its chest proudly behind Yin Qing.

Ji Yuan then temporarily ignored the lively duo. He filled another bowl of fish soup, carried it to the bow, and gave a slight cupped-hand salute towards the river surface.

"Long time no see. You, big green fish, are indeed still active in this stretch of the river. Have you continued to accumulate merit and do good deeds?"

The green fish in the water seemed to remember Ji Yuan. It stopped churning below the surface and floated directly to the top, blowing bubbles as it watched Ji Yuan.

"Wow... what a huge fish..." "Indeed..."

The person and the fox by the side stared blankly at the water, feeling no fear.

The enormous green fish was more than a person's length, its body thicker than a stout man's waist. Its scales shimmered with a faint blue glow under the moonlight and starlight.

"Bloo-bloop... bloo-bloop..."

Bubbles emerged from the large green fish's mouth, making it look as if it were salivating at the sight of the fish soup.

Ji Yuan widened his Dharma Eye, observing the large green fish closely. Its form was still as it had been years ago, without any malevolence. It possessed even more spiritual energy now, faintly emitting a very subtle light of spiritual power. While not reaching the level of divine light, it was enough to help stabilize its spirituality, suggesting that the family had indeed kept their promise.

"I also invite you to taste the silver-aperture fish soup I've stewed."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan extended the bowl over the side of the boat and tilted it downwards. Instantly, the large green fish in the water gulped in the river surface water, drawing all the freshly poured fish soup into its belly.

This essence of water was naturally a powerful tonic for aquatic creatures. Combined with the exquisite deliciousness of the silver-aperture fish soup, the large green fish was so excited that its front fins rapidly thrashed in the water.