In the earthen house, Bai Ming listened carefully to the commotion.
He quietly climbed out of bed and crouched by the window to look outside.
He saw a familiar figure by the river, dragging a sampan towards the shore.
"Brother's back!"
Bai Ming hurriedly put on his straw sandals and pulled out the latch of the front door.
Woo woo!
A cold wind rushed in, making his neck shiver with cold.
"Why aren't you asleep yet? Do you have to see me to feel at ease?"
Bai Qi came in with two fish baskets, drenched from head to toe, as he entered the earthen house.
Water droplets dripped down his hair, his bronze skin turned red, steaming off wisps of heat.
"The weather is indeed getting colder, getting in the river at this time will freeze your hands and feet stiff."
He took the rough cloth handed over by Ah Di, wiping off the water on his body.
Luckily, he had practiced Eight Section Skills and Golden Core Great Strength Skill.
His body had sufficient Qi Blood, enough to endure the increasingly cold Black Water River.
Otherwise, come winter.
The two brothers would truly have a problem with their livelihood!
"The stove is still hot, I'll boil a bucket of water for you.
Brother, you have a mark on your forehead, like a vertical wave..."
Bai Ming, wearing tatty cotton clothes, prodded open the stove and added firewood inside.
Normally, they wouldn't be so extravagant.
After all, good firewood isn't cheap, and boiling water every day for a bath is the style of wealthy families.
To cook, they could collect some dry branches and twigs.
To burn firewood, they would have to buy bundles from the Charcoal Workshop.
Fishermen going into the mountains to cut wood easily drew hostility from woodcutters and hunters.
Moreover, venturing into the forest alone was dangerous itself.
Places like Fishery, Chai Market, and Kiln had their distinct territories.
If anyone broke the rules, their fate would be miserable.
"Really? I'll scrub it off during the bath later.
Just right, there's some external medicinal herbs left.
Later, I'll boil water to soak feet and dispel internal cold."
Bai Qi nodded, putting the two Seven-star Spots along with other good catches into the corner water vat.
Immediately after, he picked up the lively Tiger Head Barb.
He heavily tapped its head with the kitchen knife's back, calming it down.
Then he placed it on the chopping board, holding the outer skin of the fish belly with his left hand, lightly slicing it open.
He took out the fish liver, removed the gallbladder, cleaned it.
Removed other entrails, rinsed the blood away.
Sliced it nicely, placed it in the bowl.
"Xiaotou mentioned that the 'Barbel Lung Soup' at Donglai Tower requires ham, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, simmered in a broth made from native chicken, yum yum.
I don't have that luxury, so I'll just do hotpot improvisation."
Bai Qi prepared the ingredients, took out the family stone pot.
Used fish bones and fish lungs as the soup base, sprinkled some coarse salt.
Waited for the fire to rise before starting eating.
"Brother seems particularly happy tonight?"
Watching Bai Qi's mouth curve down then up again, Bai Ming felt somewhat puzzled.
What good fortune did he encounter?
"Had some luck and picked up a bargain, couldn't help but enjoy a laugh.
Haha, I'll tell you about it later!"
Thinking of Yangquan's rage and Wang Laizi's misfortune, Bai Qi felt delighted inside.
Especially if Liang Sanshui becomes the East Market Steward, he could let go and fish extensively.
Earning five taels of silver daily wouldn't be excessive, right?
"Once Bai's Fish Stall reaches an annual income of five hundred taels, I can also move into the Inner City and live in a big house."
Bai Qi suddenly felt life very hopeful, picked up fish slices with his chopsticks, dipped them into the boiling clear soup, then started eating directly.
Authentic taste, quite delicious.
The fish liver of Tiger Head Barb was tender and plump, fish meat fine and smooth, needing no extra seasoning.
Perfect for clear stewed soup.
"You should eat more too, treasure fish are rare, especially this Tiger Head Barb, it strengthens the waist and knees, boosts Kidney Qi, fills deficiency, is most nutritious.
You've been weak since childhood, getting healthier, it's good to practice some martial arts with me."
Bai Qi was well-versed in 'Fish Identifications', clear about treasure fish and their benefits.
"Brother, this soup is very nourishing.
After just a few sips, I feel my whole body warmed up, my soles suddenly hot, not fearing the cold."
Bai Ming, with a small appetite, felt full after eating just a small half of the fish belly meat.
He added a bowl of fragrant thick soup, sipping slowly.
"Of course, otherwise why call it treasure fish.
This is also the first true treasure fish I've eaten, worth commemorating."
Bai Qi's chopsticks moved rapidly, eating heartily.
Being half a practitioner of Refined Power, he felt changes within more acutely than his brother Bai Ming.
As fish mixed with soup flowed into his belly, a warmth spread out.
Like a gentle stream, gradually joining the entire body's Qi Blood.
As if with each bite, the ferocious power refined increased.
When the entire stone pot was empty, even the fish bones chewed and swallowed clean, Bai Qi was already energetic and vigorous.
Like gaining great nourishment!
"Makes the waist not sore, legs not hurt, full of vigor and strength!
Next time I'll get another one, take it to Brother Shui for a taste.
Forget about Old Liang, he's too old to need this."
While Ah Di cleaned the pots and bowls, Bai Qi already started practicing the second form of Golden Core Great Strength.
He must quickly digest it, otherwise he would feel stuffed!
He spread his feet, toes bent inward, gripping the ground, this was the Riding Tiger Stance!
Soon, the sound of breathing, stronger than the big letter stance energy gathering, continued to resonate in the room.
Like dozens, hundreds cohering, forming a furnace-like tremendous sound.
This was Sea Sand!
"Is brother practicing Health Cultivation Skill?"
Bai Ming scratched his head, finished his chores and propped his chin on his hands, looking at Bai Qi standing to practice.
"Breath like the waves of Black Water River, one pushing another..."
...
...
At dawn, Bai Qi hurriedly got up, took the sampan straight to the reed marsh.
While dreaming last night, he kept thinking about the Ghost Pattern Fish stored in the vat.
"It's good, it's good, no one mistakenly stumbled upon this."
Bai Qi packed a dozen good fish, weighing two to three catties each, into the Large Fish Basket he brought.
Then, using a long pole, he cut through the waves, heading towards East Market Shop.
Usually, dawn was the quietest time at the docks.
Fishermen hadn't gone down to river yet, naturally, it was hard to have fish deliveries.
Especially with the recent cold weather, unpredictable skies, nighttime fishing risked greatly, let alone fishing night fishes!
When Bai Qi parked the sampan, the harbor hadn't yet started bustling, only scattered some workers looking for jobs.
He held up both hands, carrying the Large Fish Basket to East Market Shop.
The clerk dismantling door panels turned around to see:
"Brother Qi, so early huh? We haven't even opened yet!"
"Is Brother Shui here? I'm looking for him."
"Serving the old father in the backyard."
"Alright."
"Is this treasure fish again? Looks heavy, want me to help carry it, Brother Qi?"
"No need."
Bai Qi smiled and shook his head, passing through areas of weighing, pricing, and delivering.
Greeting each clerk working along the way.
"Brother Qi rushing for breakfast?"
"Looking spirited today, Brother Qi!"
"Sending fish again, Brother Qi?"
Bai Qi was a familiar face at the East Market Shop, kind-hearted, having good rapport with everyone.
"Did you tap the Silver Sand Carp's fish nest? Carrying such a large fish basket early in the morning?"
Busy preparing breakfast for the old father, Liang Sanshui lifted the steaming basket lid, placed mantou in a sea bowl, eye corner glimpsed Bai Qi in straw sandals and loose shorts:
"Freshly steamed white mantou, my father loves this, tires me to get up every day before the rooster crows.
Come, Ah Qi, take one and taste.
By the way, how's the Refined Power practice?
Last time I forgot to tell you there's some good medicinal materials in the warehouse.
Going moldy is useless, wanted to let you take it..."
Bai Qi shook his head, put down the fish basket, straightforwardly asked:
"Brother Shui, I heard there's an opening for the East Market Shop Steward.
Do you want it?"