After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 42: Chapter 43: Fishing in the Desert Sea

That would be a drop in the bucket. Besides, if we give away all our water, what will everyone drink later?

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

Hee Lingchuan crossed his arms. ”I’ll bet you ten taels of silver that National Preceptor Sunx already has a plan. It’s not our place to worry.” ’It’s always nice to have powerful people to rely on, after all.’

Ten taels... Situ Han’s face soured. ”I can’t afford that bet.”

Sunx Fuping glanced at them and swiped a hand over his ring. A round, bulging, pomelo-sized ball appeared in his hand.

’This old guy really does have something up his sleeve.’ Hee Lingchuan watched as he stuffed the ball into the mouth of the beast atop his Magic Staff—

And just like that, the huge ball vanished.

Immediately after, Sunx Fuping turned the Magic Staff, aimed the beast’s head at the pool, and chanted a few words under his breath.

The beast opened its mouth and spat out a thick, long stream of water that shot straight into the pool.

”This is the jet sac of a Spitter Fish,” Sunx Fuping explained casually.

Hee Lingchuan felt like he’d heard of this strange fish. It lurked in the lakes and seas of the Yuan Kingdom’s Central Region and could shoot jets of water to knock large land prey—like oxen, horses, or even young elephants—into the water to be eaten. Its spraying ability was seriously impressive. During the dry season, it could survive out of water for a month or so.

However, they didn’t need its spraying ability right now. The sac could retract to store water, and even its weight was somehow reduced.

It was a true treasure for desert travel.

After pouring water for over half an hour, Nian Songyu suddenly spoke up. ”Something’s not right. The water’s surface hasn’t expanded in a while.”

Given the flow rate from the beast’s mouth, the bottom of the pool should have been full by now, with the water even beginning to pool up. Yet, right before their eyes, only two-thirds of the pool’s bottom was covered in water, while the remaining third was still bone-dry.

Where did all the water go?

Sunx Fuping reached out and pressed the bottom of the pool. ”Just as I thought, there’s a trick to this. The water is being absorbed.”

”Then what do we do?”

Sunx Fuping’s expression darkened slightly. ”Let’s wait and see.”

Another half hour passed. The beast had sprayed out all the water in its belly; it even coughed twice. But the amount of water pooled at the bottom had barely changed.

Everyone knew they were in trouble now.

Plans rarely keep up with reality. No matter how meticulous Sunx Fuping’s design was, there would always be times it couldn’t account for the situation.

Nian Songyu thought for a moment, then turned and ordered Zeng Feixiong, ”Go and collect everyone’s Water Bags.”

Zeng Feixiong was startled. ”Collect their drinking water? We still have to survive in the desert for several more days! Besides, what if it’s still not enough?”

Nian Songyu glanced at Sunx Fuping. Seeing that he remained silent, he insisted on his decision. ”We can’t fail at the last step. Go collect the water, now.”

Water was life when marching through the desert. Zeng Feixiong couldn’t even imagine how much his subordinates would resist this order. ”But... but...”

Nian Songyu’s face darkened. ”Are you disobeying my order?”

Zeng Feixiong’s mind fell into disarray, and he couldn’t help but look toward Hee Chunhua.

Nian Songyu’s gaze grew even darker. ’These petty officials are so clueless.’

Hee Chunhua didn’t have any good options either. Should he disobey the order and turn back, or pour everyone’s drinking water into the pool and leave their fate to the heavens?

Neither choice seemed rational.

While he was struggling to decide, he heard his eldest son say calmly, ”Why make things so tense? If you take away the soldiers’ fresh water, how will they get out of the desert later?”

Nian Songyu said coldly, ”The final leg of a journey is the hardest. What if this is all we’re missing?”

”And can you guarantee that this is all we’re missing?”

Nian Songyu smiled. ”I can.”

’And what if I can’t? By then, the water will already be gone. What’s done will be done. Would the soldiers dare to mutiny?’

Hee Lingchuan rolled his eyes and turned to Sunx Fuping. ”The bottom of the pool needs to be filled with water, right?”

”Correct.”

”Then does it have to be fresh water?” Hee Lingchuan asked, getting to his point. ”Would other liquids work?”

”Such as?”

”Blood.” To prevent these two from getting the wrong idea and suggesting a human sacrifice or something, he quickly clarified, ”I’m talking about the blood of Demons or Exotic Beasts. The Panlong Desert is full of big creatures. It shouldn’t be too hard to catch a few and bleed them.”

Sunx Fuping’s eyes lit up. ”That makes sense! Blood sacrifices are common offerings to deities. The Grand Square Pot probably wouldn’t mind having fresh blood mixed into the pool; in fact, it might even prefer it.” He tossed the Walnut Boat to Nian Songyu and then pointed at Hee Lingchuan. ”You two take some men into the desert and bring back a few giant beasts.”

...

Everyone reapplied their Soul-Preventing Powder and entered the desert once more.

The creatures of the desert and the Three Corpses Insects were more active in the cool of the night. Nian Songyu released the Walnut Boat for everyone to stand on and ordered the boatman to cast bait into the sand to fish.

Nian Songyu stood while Hee Lingchuan sat. Neither could be bothered to spare the other a glance.

The fishing was not going well this time; a long while passed without any prey taking the bait. Hee Lingchuan’s back was getting sore from sitting. He saw a few Three Corpses Insects drifting around the Walnut Boat and simply called someone over to massage his back.

”Ah, that’s nice! Good! A little lower, yes, down there! Put some strength into it.”

The Eldest Young Master of the Hee Family sighed in comfort. ’Hedonism really does corrupt you to the bone. Who would have thought that just three months ago, he was a recluse who got uncomfortable if anyone came within half a meter of him?’

Nian Songyu secretly shook his head. Then he saw Hee Lingchuan ask with his eyes still closed, ”Captain Nian, why did you come to Black Water City in person?”

”What?”

”A mission where no one is expected to survive... how could the General of the Northern Expedition bear to let his beloved son participate personally?” Hee Lingchuan’s eyelids fluttered open. ”Is he really your father?”

A muscle in Nian Songyu’s cheek twitched. ”Didn’t Hee Prefect let you come along, too? Or are you not his flesh and blood?”

’Ah, a personal attack. Uncultured people are so blunt.’ With a flick of his wrist, Hee Lingchuan sent a dagger flying. THWACK! It embedded itself in the wooden railing Nian Songyu was leaning against.

Incidentally, his aim with a Flying Blade was still terrible. Once the knife left his hand, he had no idea where it would end up.

Before Nian Songyu could react, his Guards had already lunged forward two steps, their swords drawn, ready to shout at Hee Lingchuan.

Hee Lingchuan raised a finger to his lips with a ”Shhh!” and spoke first. ”Silence! Don’t scare away the prey!” He pointed down from the boat. ”Anyone who forgets our top priority will be dealt with by military law!”

Nian Songyu waved his subordinates back and said flatly, ”I will survive this. You, on the other hand, might not. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll listen obediently and be a good dog. Then maybe you and your father can go home alive. Otherwise, Madam Ying will become a widow. As for your little brother—”

He licked his lips, his eyes revealing a hint of cruelty amidst his excitement. ”Don’t you worry. Whether you live or die, I will definitely find a way to help him return to the Great Capital. He’ll be very popular in the Capital City!”

Hee Lingchuan stared at him, his expression slowly turning grim.

’The Xunzhou Governor, the Grand Commandant, and National Preceptor Sunx... why are these three major powers mixed up in this together?’

’Maybe Dad never should have accepted this mission for the Grand Square Pot?’

Just as Hee Lingchuan was about to speak, the boatman’s fishing rod suddenly dipped violently, almost yanking him right off the bow of the boat.

The prey had finally taken the bait!

Everyone then worked together and finally managed to haul the thing up from beneath the sand.

It was another Earth Dragon, just two sizes smaller than its two predecessors from the daytime, small enough to be hauled into the boat.