Could it be... someone captured that Tuo Dragon!?
Shen Yuan had an unbelievable idea in his mind.
The dangers of the Black Water Pool were well-known, and at that time, the Tuo Dragon had already dragged the fishing net and swum towards the depths of the Black Water Pool.
Who among ordinary people would dare to go deep into such a place to catch a powerful Tuo Dragon?
This creature is far more formidable in water than on land, with terrifying biting power, and a death roll that even a plow ox couldn't withstand.
Shen Yuan shook his head, estimating that the fishing net in his hand didn't have much repair value left. He threw the tattered fishing net onto the ox cart and continued on to Yunshui Town.
By the time he returned home with a new fishing net, Hu Yufen had already brought Ah Nu back.
The little guy was tearfully complaining to his mother about being hit today.
Shen Yuan stood aside, not interrupting, wanting to see how his wife would handle it.
"The teacher only hit you three times?"
Hu Yufen asked after hearing the story.
The little guy seemed to miss the meaning behind her words, stretching out his red, swollen little hands for comfort, saying, "Mother, I was just playing around..."
"Ah!"
Before he could finish, his ear was already being pulled.
"Mother! Mother! Gently!"
"I was wrong!"
The little guy shouted in pain, while Hu Yufen sternly said, "Being accepted by the teacher is an opportunity many people wish for but can't get. Yet here you are, not appreciating your blessings."
"Let me tell you, if you act up and make the teacher angry, and get expelled, I'll have your father break your legs!"
Having never seen his mother angry, Shen Wenyan was instantly frightened into silence, nodding in agreement.
"Mother, Ah Nu knows he was wrong. Please don't be angry."
Hu Yufen's expression softened slightly, and she rose to head towards the kitchen.
Shen Yuan hurried after her to comfort her: "You've punished him, so let it go. You haven't finished your month's confinement; don't upset yourself."
Hu Yufen sighed slightly upon hearing this: "This little rascal is far less reliable than Shi Tou."
"Luckily, the teacher is strict. I hope he can temper his temperament."
Shen Yuan agreed as he pushed her outside the kitchen: "As agreed, you're not to enter the kitchen before your confinement is over. I'll do it; you go look after the children."
...
The town's Martial Arts Hall.
Shen Wenxing was as diligent in his practice as ever.
These days, he always felt like he was sensing the breath of Qi Blood but could never quite grasp it.
At the hour of Chen, after practicing for a long time, the somewhat restless Shen Wenxing finished his training and, after a simple wash-up, headed to the backyard of the Martial Arts Hall.
The backyard is where the Huang Qingzhou family lived.
Usually, Shen Wenxing rarely ventured there.
After knocking on the gate of the backyard and hearing Huang Qingzhou's voice, he pushed the door open and entered.
At this moment, in the courtyard, Huang Qingzhou was practicing Pile Skill bare-chested. Shen Wenxing immediately saw that Huang Qingzhou's Pile Skill was not the kind they usually practiced.
"Uncle, it's quite late, I apologize for disturbing you."
Huang Qingzhou finished his Pile Skill, wiped the sweat from his face, and smiled: "You rascal, since your father entrusted you to me, don't be a stranger."
"Having trouble with your practice?"
He understood Shen Wenxing; without something important, he wouldn't set foot in the backyard.
Shen Wenxing nodded: "I've been practicing Pile Skill recently and vaguely feel a Qi Blood Power flowing within me."
"But whenever I try to grasp it, it seems to suddenly disappear. I came to ask for Uncle's advice, whether it's my illusion or..."
Hearing his description, Huang Qingzhou was somewhat surprised.
"If I remember correctly, you're not even ten yet, right?"
Shen Wenxing cupped his hands: "Two months short."
Having confirmed this, Huang Qingzhou's expression became complex as he gestured for Shen Wenxing to sit down: "Give me your hand."
Taking Shen Wenxing's hand, he felt carefully and said: "Indeed, it's Qi Sensing."
"Your talent is even better than I imagined."
Shen Wenxing was puzzled: "Uncle, what is Qi Sensing?"
Huang Qingzhou put on a shirt and explained: "We Martial Artists train Qi Blood."
"Everyone has Qi Blood, but the power of Qi Blood in ordinary people is very weak."
"Through Pile Skill training, medicinal herbs, and some supplements, Martial Artists continuously strengthen their Qi Blood until they can sense and control its power."
"You're at the stage where you're about to break through to Postnatal Martial Artist, also known as Qi Sensing."
"This is not an illusion. Train well, and I'll make sure someone sends you three servings of medicinal boosts monthly to help you break through soon."
Add medicinal boosts?
Shen Wenxing was a bit hesitant after hearing this.
Three servings of medicinal boosts would cost ten taels of silver. He was well aware of his family's current financial state and really didn't want to spend more money.
"Uncle, wouldn't it be possible to break through without the medicinal boosts?"
In his eyes, not adding medicinal boosts at most would just delay the breakthrough a little longer, and he was not yet ten, so there was no rush.
"You rascal, I know your family is struggling. Consider these medicinal boosts a gift from me, so don't overthink it."
Huang Qingzhou saw through his little concerns and couldn't help but scold with a smile.
Having witnessed Shen Wenxing's talent, he already had plans in mind. It was time to renew his relationship with the Shen Family.
Three servings of medicinal boosts would be his initial investment.
"By the way, I heard your mother was about to give birth. How are things now?"
Shen Wenxing was slightly taken aback, recalling what his father asked him to relay, and hurriedly cupped his hands.
"Uncle, forgive my absent-mindedness from all the martial practice. Please excuse me for a moment, Uncle."
He said, then hurried back to his room, took out the invitation from under his pillow.
"When I came here, my father couldn't meet Uncle, so he entrusted me to deliver this invitation to you. I was negligent and almost missed something important."
Huang Qingzhou opened the invitation after receiving it and glanced inside, laughing:
"There is plenty of time; you're not late at all."
Relieved, Shen Wenxing slightly cupped his hands: "Then I won't disturb Uncle any further."
After he left, Huang Qingzhou looked at the invitation in his hand again, chuckling and shaking his head.
How could he not see that this was a show put on by father and son?
But the show didn't arouse any aversion in people.
In fact, Huang Qingzhou appreciated Shen Yuan's awareness.
If Shen Yuan had delivered it to him directly, and he refused, it would have been awkward, but if he agreed, he would feel uncomfortable.
Now, just as he was thinking of renewing ties with the Shen Family, this invitation arrived.
It's perfectly timed.
"Interacting with smart people is truly enjoyable." Huang Qingzhou smiled, put away the invitation, and walked into the house.
...
Time passed swiftly, and soon Shen Wenping and Shen Wen'an's full moon banquet was approaching.
During this period, Shen Yuan had gone to the Black Water Pool a few more times but hadn't caught a single fish.
Because, for some reason, the Tuo Dragon from the pool had all climbed onto the shore. All around the Black Water Pool, ferocious Tuo Dragons could be found everywhere, and he dared not approach.
As for the old man who used to fish, perhaps also afraid of these Tuo Dragons, Shen Yuan hadn't seen him again.
By the end of October.
The courtyard of the house was bustling with joy.
As it wasn't the full moon banquet for the first son, not many people were invited. Including Lu Zhiyuan with his companion and the Huang Qingzhou family, there were only three tables of food.
The dishes were simple, with the help of a skilled cook from the village, Shen Yuan stood at the door greeting the arriving guests.
In the distance, Uncle Ya was leading a donkey, wooden box in hand, with Lu Zhiyuan sitting on the donkey's back, slowly approaching.
"Father, the teacher has arrived," Shi Tou reminded, and Shen Yuan hurried up to greet them.
"Teacher, Uncle Ya."
Lu Zhiyuan dismounted, cupped his hands, and smiled: "Congratulations, Younger Brother Shen."
Uncle Ya seized the opportunity to hand over the wooden box, chuckling and cupping his hands.
"Teacher, please come inside." Shen Yuan accepted the wooden box with a smile, then turned and saw a carriage slowly approaching on the distant village road.
Following the carriage were two figures on horseback.
"Shi Tou, accompany the teacher inside first. Your Uncle Huang has arrived; I'll go greet him."
"Excuse me, teacher."
Lu Zhiyuan nodded slightly and followed Shi Tou into the courtyard.
By then, the carriage had already almost arrived, and Shen Yuan saw that the rider following behind was Huang Yunxiao alongside another robust man with a full beard.