Chapter 55: The Tenacious Giant Bass

The night was folding away as the horizon began to brighten. Dawn’s glow swept across the dim sky, heralding the morning sun.

The entire estate echoed with the chirps of insects and birds. The small path remained damp, and a few dewdrops clung to the treetops, teetering on the edge of falling.

Gu Qingyi felt a piercing light through his sleepy haze and instinctively raised a hand to block the intrusive ray of sunshine.

Blinking his eyes open, he saw the sky had already brightened. Slowly, he dragged himself out of bed.

“Guess it’s been ages since I last had a proper, peaceful sleep.”

Gu Qingyi sat there in a daze for a moment before stretching with a yawn. Then he got up to wash and freshen up.

………………

Shen Yue and Gu Qingxiao had been waiting in the living room for quite some time.

When they saw Gu Qingyi finally shuffle in, late as usual, Gu Qingxiao stomped her foot in irritation. Her little face puffed up with anger as she snapped, “Seriously, Brother? You’re only getting up now? The sun’s already high enough to roast you!”

Shen Yue stepped in with a stern tone, trying to calm the two. “Enough bickering, you two. Breakfast is getting cold. Eat quickly so we can head out soon!”

Gu Qingxiao, seeing her mother’s firm expression, could only grumble under her breath, “Ugh, fine, Mom!”

Shen Yue shot a displeased look at Gu Qingxiao, her voice carrying a hint of command. “Behave and sit down. Eat your breakfast!”

“Okay, okay, Mom. Don’t get mad.” Gu Qingxiao noticed her mother’s frown and wisely took her seat, fearing a scolding—or worse—if she pushed further.

Gu Qingyi stared at the lavish spread of breakfast before him but didn’t pick up his chopsticks. His appetite was nowhere to be found. His thoughts drifted to Nangong Lin. Was she alright? Was she safe? Had she even eaten anything?

Under Shen Yue’s impatient urging, he forced down a few bites just to get by.

After saying their goodbyes to Shen Yue, the siblings set off on their journey to find someone.

………………

Meanwhile, on the other side, Nangong Lin had rolled up her sleeves and was fishing in the river alongside the Nalan siblings.

Nangong Lin’s eyes were locked on a slow-moving, plump figure gliding through the water—a massive Giant Bass.

This Giant Bass weighed a hefty fifty pounds.

Its head was large and elongated, with bulging eyes and a long snout. Its wide mouth slanted upward, stretching past the back of its eyes, and its jaws could extend and retract with ease.

Its jawbone, palate, and vomer were lined with fine, comb-like teeth, numerous and uniform in size.

The fish’s body was covered in tiny scales, grayish-silver or pale yellow. Its back shimmered blackish-green, while the sides gleamed with an emerald hue.

Along its lateral line, dark stripes often formed, stretching in a band from snout to the base of its tail fin. Its belly was a muted grayish-white.

The first dorsal fin boasted nine hard spines, the second had thirteen rays. Its anal fin sported three hard spines and twelve rays, while the pelvic fin had one hard spine and five rays.

Nangong Lin watched the Giant Bass with unwavering focus, careful not to make a sound. Suddenly, the fish paused.

In a flash, Nangong Lin’s hands shot out, seizing the fish tightly and hoisting it out of the water.

Nalan Xue clapped and cheered at the sight, while Nalan Su hurried off to gather materials for cooking.

“Should we braise it or grill it?” Nangong Lin asked with a bright smile, holding the fish as she stepped onto the shore. The two began discussing how to prepare their catch.

Out of nowhere, Nangong Lin felt a tickle in her nose and sneezed several times in a row. She brushed it off, thinking she must’ve caught a chill the day before.

But then, a powerful tug jolted her hands. The Giant Bass thrashed violently, whipping its tail with force.

With a loud smack, the tail slammed across Nangong Lin’s pretty face, leaving a bright red mark in an instant!

Wincing in pain, Nangong Lin reflexively loosened her grip on the fish.

The Giant Bass slipped free, flopping onto the ground and bouncing energetically.

Nangong Lin clutched her stinging cheek. Was it her imagination, or did that fish look like it was taunting her? Rage bubbled up inside her!

She pointed at the Giant Bass and roared, “Stop right there! Don’t you dare run!”

The Giant Bass seemed to revel in Nangong Lin’s frustration, hopping mockingly in place as if to say, “Come on, kid, you can’t catch me! Give up already. My charm’s beyond your grasp!”

What started as a simple chase turned into a chaotic game of cat and mouse—with Nangong Lin being chased by a fish.

Nalan Xue, watching this absurd scene unfold, doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach. She nearly laughed herself breathless.

“You little brat! Is it really that funny?!” Nangong Lin heard the cackling behind her and forgot about the fish for a moment. She spun around and marched back, giving Nalan Xue a sharp tap on the head.

Nalan Xue looked at the disheveled Nangong Lin, who’d been bested by a fish, and bit her lip to stifle more giggles. She swore repeatedly, “Sister, I’m not the type to laugh! I hardly ever do… unless I just can’t help it!”

Unable to hold back, Nalan Xue burst into laughter again, rolling on the ground and clutching her sides.

“You heartless little pest! Still laughing? You’re asking for it!” Nangong Lin gave Nalan Xue’s shoulder a light smack.

………………

The Giant Bass, exhausted from jumping, saw no one chasing it anymore.

It dove back into the river, gulping water to catch its breath. Feeling bored, it eyed the noisy duo nearby and smirked mischievously. Wasn’t this the perfect chance for some fun?

With a mighty leap, it burst out of the water again, prancing wildly in front of them as if taunting, “Come on, kiddos! Chase your Fish Grandpa! Let’s play!”

………………

“Sister, look behind you!” Nalan Xue pointed urgently at the Giant Bass ahead.

“Behind me? What now? Trying to trick me again?” Nangong Lin, still tugging at Nalan Xue’s ear, didn’t budge.

“Sister, I’m serious! Just turn around and look!” Nalan Xue pleaded anxiously.

Nangong Lin finally glanced back and saw it—a Giant Bass hopping rhythmically in place, doing full three-sixty spins as if the two of them didn’t even exist.

Fury surged through Nangong Lin. Gritting her teeth, she muttered, “I can’t believe it! In all my life, to be humiliated like this by a fish—and now it’s still mocking me?!”

Her anger exploded. Rolling up her sleeves, she decided it was time to teach this insolent fish a lesson it’d never forget.

Nangong Lin bellowed at the Giant Bass, “This is intolerable! I’m gonna show you who’s boss!”

What she didn’t know, however, was that this Giant Bass wasn’t ordinary. It had lived for over a hundred years, almost as if it had gained a spirit of its own.

Once again, the chase was on—a noisy clash between a human and a fish.

In the blink of an eye, noon arrived.

Nangong Lin glared at the still-energetic Giant Bass, which continued to taunt her shamelessly. Her patience had run dry!

With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her spiritual energy.

The Giant Bass froze in place, pinned down by an invisible force.

Her face darkened as she stalked toward the fish, step by menacing step.

The Giant Bass struggled, but its body wouldn’t budge an inch, no matter how hard it tried to break free.

Seeing Nangong Lin approach with a murderous glint in her eyes, the fish seemed to realize its fate.

It was as if the Giant Bass knew its life was over, destined to end right here!

“Youngsters these days have no shame, breaking the rules of fair play!”

“Can’t win fair and square, so you resort to spiritual energy?!”

“Bullying an old fish like me who can’t even speak!”

A single, clear tear rolled from the corner of the Giant Bass’s eye before it closed them in resignation, accepting its doom.

Nangong Lin scooped up the immobilized fish with a wicked smirk. She slammed it to the ground over and over until the Giant Bass, unable to endure the torment, finally went limp with a final twitch.

“If you’re no good, practice more! Can’t handle losing? Then don’t play!”

“The past is the past, and now is now!”

Nangong Lin stood with her hands on her hips, gazing down at the lifeless Giant Bass. A satisfied smile curled her lips.

And so, the Giant Bass met its end!

Aged one hundred and one years!

Cause of death: Foolishly provoking a human girl in a moment of mischief!

【Cultivation Levels of Sword Qi Continent: Ordinary Person, Sword Practitioner Realm, Sword Qi Realm, Sword Sea Realm, Sword King Realm, Sword Emperor Realm, Sword Saint Realm, (Demi-God Realm), Sword God Realm】

【The Demi-God Realm has never appeared in the world, leading most to forget its existence. Also known as the False God Realm, it is clearly recorded in the Ancient Inheritance Scrolls.】