Chapter 117

The greatest architectural feat in Chinese history.

This was exactly what Dougang Eon said.

Built roughly around 250 BC, this structure literally carved a river from the mountains.

What tools were there in those ancient times, anyway?

They simply heated the rocks near the cliffs using a furnace before smashing them apart, ultimately creating a new river where none existed before.

The farmland produced this way was equivalent to fifteen thousand sports stadiums by Qing’s hometown standards.

What was once a humid, overgrown jungle in Sichuan transformed into a fertile land capable of supporting the whole world.

Qing half-listened to the proud description—the kind that confirms where you come from.

In their hometown, they had already mastered river manipulation.

So why the fuss about just splitting some waters and building a dam?

The real deal was the legendary chef’s cooking.

It tasted as wonderful as the chef’s dedication.

In other words, they stuffed their faces.

As a result, drowsiness began to creep in, tempting them to just take a nap.

What’s the big deal about a few invasive fish coming in?

Arriving at Dougang Eon while dozing off revealed a scenic waterfront.

Stakes driven into the ground with nets above made the whole place a fish farm.

This was about the extent of ancient China’s primitive aquaculture technique—keep ’em in a enclosure and feed ’em.

The group started checking the closest spots one by one.

“Aish, my lord! This stake was planted by my grandfather, and my father and I have managed it all the way to here!”

“And the permit?”

Tang Nan-ah shot back with energy but quickly glanced at Pang Choryeo.

When Pang Choryeo was in sight, courtesy and manners surged, creating a mystical phenomenon.

“That…”

The fisherman trailed off.

Yeah, that’s how it is.

Even in the world of legalism where Qing’s hometown is, every valley was filled with wretches claiming baseless ownership while laying out their mats.

Depraved parasites without a conscience were everywhere.

If even the heirs of the Great Huanzhi Empire acted like this, how much worse could it be for the backward Chinese people?

The general sentiment in the Central Plain was that as long as you don’t get caught, anything goes.

This mindset had been passed down from ancestors to descendants, embedded in the core psyche of the Chinese people.

So, permits for fish farms?

Only fools seek those.

“No, you lowly one, listen here. Shouldn’t we inform the Tang Family and request protection? How will we seek protection if anything happens?”

It sounded like they wanted to pay protection fees if they intended to do business.

This was the way of the martial world.

Why cultivate martial arts to farm?

The easier and better way was to snatch from the farmers.

Isn’t that why everyone is chasing after martial arts skills?

Of course, one can’t blame the martial practitioners.

This is just humanity’s way; the haves feast off the have-nots throughout history—be it through fists, systems, or wealth.

The fisherman looked distraught.

“It… it doesn’t leave much profit.”

“Oh, really? Then I guess we can’t help it. Do other fish farms have protection or not…”

It was only then that the fisherman realized there was no way out.

If trouble arose from another farm, they would have to surrender easily enough to those boosted by the Tang Family’s influence.

Provoking them would just bring the martial artists crashing down.

But the Tang Family, at least, seemed like a just sect that delivered on their protection fees.

Since he hadn’t reported this to the government office, it was obvious the officials wouldn’t care.

“Yes! Of course, we must seek protection from the Tang Family’s heroic figures!”

“Alright then. When the Tang Family’s martial artist arrives later, settle the fee and get your flag. Until then, just say Heavenly Flower guaranteed it.”

Qing thought while watching.

Wow, they really know how to run a business.

At least it’s different from just being a stand-in.

Maybe seeing that treatment at the clinic earlier made them look a bit smart.

After all, they were a proper physician!

Only Jayi seemed uncomfortable.

As a prince, he wouldn’t hold back his discomfort.

“The government is right there, and a private group is profiting from this,” he sighed.

Qing chuckled at that.

“I haven’t seen the government working properly. What’s the difference?”

From what Qing objectively observed, the misdeeds of those claiming to be government officials were far worse than those in the martial world.

Orthodox sect martial artists, after all, only round up thieves and petty criminals within their jurisdiction if they’ve received protection fees.

They were basically what kept the Central Plain secure.

Wasn’t there a time when they drifted on a boat and experienced the same?

Not even the government officials or the government officer’s son could escape that fate.

Jayi kept his mouth shut.

Qing grinned.

“See? Not feeling embarrassed even after what you just said?”

“…Not all officials are corrupt.”

“Sichuan seems tolerable enough. Just Sichuan.”

The group, or rather the golden children of the Sichuan Tang Family, systematically went through the fish farms.

Even so, Qing couldn’t bring himself to pity the fishermen.

He had learned enough as a solid martial artist in his fourth year in the Central Plain.

Having encountered martial practitioners and recognizing Heavenly Flower, he wouldn’t hesitate; if someone looked shifty, they’d be thrust with a spear immediately.

These fishermen weren’t innocent fish farm owners but illegal street vendors.

Now, as they neared the end of the left riverbank.

Actually, the higher up they went, the worse the conditions got—food meant for fish flowing downstream.

So the upper areas should have less abundance; yet this fish farm had stakes extended far out while planks stretched even further.

Upon seeing Qing’s group, a fisherman tending nets approached them with hurried steps.

“Oh?”

While Qing frowned, this time, it was an ever-so-confident Tang Nan-ah stepping forward.

Striding under the canopy, she became even more self-assured; she now had the air of a feudal lord.

“Hey there, fisherman! Who gave you permission to fish here?”

“Um, I’m sorry, but this is a project authorized by the Chancellor.”

“I knew it! What did you say?”

“This, um, since it’s a business authorized by the Chancellor, perhaps it’s been properly discussed with…”

The fisherman shrunk his neck and looked around.

“Oh, that fat pig—I mean that person was sniffing around for cash!”

Tang Nan-ah frowned.

The Chancellor was about the right-hand man to the Sichuan Prefectural Governor.

The Sichuan Prefectural Governor was the ultimate authority for non-military affairs in Sichuan (modern term: governor), and the Chancellor was the second-in-command among Sichuan’s officials.

Though now, with the Prince’s entry, the hierarchy of officials had been somewhat disrupted.

“Maybe I should show you my permit then…”

“No, that’s alright.”

There was no need to risk confrontation with the Chancellor.

It was time for Tang Nan-ah to step back.

Just then, Qing chimed in with a jab.

“Tang Young Lady, weren’t you just here to collect fees?”

Suddenly, the previous intentions faded away, and all she became eager to do was raise her flag.

Tang Nan-ah’s earlobes turned red.

“Yeah, no, hang on! I know! Let’s see, as a courtesy, can we at least take a look inside? Someone seems to be raising a lot of…”

“You mean those angelfish? Who says that!”

When she was about to say “who,” the fisherman lunged forward.

Bright shafts of light shot toward Tang Nan-ah’s face.

A delicate hand quickly blocked it.

Qing had approached stealthily, grabbing it right between his index and middle fingers.

Confirming it was a permit, Qing let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh. That was quite impressive, wasn’t it?”

“Ugh! Cough!”

It seemed he wanted to shout “you’re dead,” but it ended awkwardly as the sign ended up stuck in the fisherman’s armpit.

Qing struck the fisherman’s lower abdomen.

“Yes!” they gasped, clutching their throats as they leaned forward, attempting to free their own voice.

At the same time, Qing took hold of the fisherman’s good arm and yanked him around in a tight rotation.

The popping sensation of a dislocated shoulder was satisfying.

As Qing continued, the sounds of tearing tendons made him feel like he was instantly hooked.

Beaming, Qing put his foot firmly on the middle of the fisherman’s back, and instantly, the now limp legs stopped moving.

With a hole freed for breathing, only raspy inhales filled the air.

Ah! Now this is the thrill.

Nothing beats thrashing bad guys.

The Central Plain mentality isn’t about “just do it secretly,” rather it’s about “simply eliminate witnesses,” setting them apart from other races.

If things go south, they’d just kill to silence anyone lurking about.

Not surprisingly, this fisherman had likely been neck-deep in that recent mess and had to pay the price.

“Tang Young Lady, are you alright? You seem quite shocked.”

“Ah… yes…”

Still in shock, Tang Nan-ah finally snapped back.

“Hmph! Even if I didn’t need help, I could have totally handled that!”

“Sure, sure. You catching that sign was pretty cool, wasn’t it?”

“Cool? Not at all! That was a ticket, not a sign!”

Tang Nan-ah unwittingly agreed before yelling.

“Yeah, yeah, let’s call it that.”

“What? Don’t just throw it aside!”

“Oh? Think he’s dying?”

Qing looked at the fisherman like he was a bug.

“Doesn’t seem to have a life-threatening injury? Did I put in too much force?”

After flipping him over with a toe, he saw he was bleeding black from his mouth while rolling his eyes.

Tang Nan-ah quickly pulled Qing’s wrist, dragging him back.

“Move back. It’s poison, poison.”

Then she quickly sliced the fabric lodged in the patient’s shoulder with her dagger.

Black blood gushed out, as if it had been dead from poison.

Tang Nan-ah’s face stiffened at this shocking detail.

A shrill flute sound burst forth.

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