Slapping Me in the Face!

A water monster is said to be lurking near Yi Xing Town.

Strange thing.

The River Conservancy Office Bureau has one of its most fundamental and enduring sources of merit—slaying water Spirit Monster.

Its main purpose is to safeguard trade routes, expand the fishing range of fishermen, and indirectly provide more tax revenue and more Treasure Plant.

The number of personnel in the River Conservancy Office is limited, while the water areas of the Jiang Huai Great Marsh are vast.

Other River Earl River Chief responsible for governance often fail to effectively eliminate evil spirits, Spirit Monster appear in the marked safe waters, causing boats to be destroyed and people to die.

Liang Qu remembered that several people caused a great disturbance and were punished. Notices were posted in the Records Room, and one person was even stripped of his official title.

However, several powerful Spirit Monster are under his command near Yi Xing Town.

According to the assessment of the Dushui Official, the safe waters around Yi Xing Town are marked as being sixty li in length, which is far beyond the distance of other River Earl, even for ordinary fishermen who cannot make a round trip in a day.

As long as nothing happens in the marked water area each month, in addition to the basic ten-mile water area, which is five miles each, he can gain ten Minor Merit!

I never imagined that such a calamity would occur under my rule.

This isn't some kind of Spirit Monster causing trouble.

This was clearly a slap in the face to Yixing Shuijun! Without hesitation, Liang Qu changed into his official robes, put on Arm Guard, and took Fubo and Li LiBo out.

"Bing Fire Curfew. Everyone goes out to catch fish during the day. Chen Jiechang and I go to the Martial Arts School to teach every morning and go out to patrol the river in the afternoon."

I was planning to go home for dinner after dark, but when I got to the dock, I heard that a Spirit Monster had appeared. They said it was over three zhang long and had damaged two fishing boats. It was very close to the shore, only seven li away.

Li LiBo gave a more detailed account on the way.

"Two fishing boats? Were there any dead people?"

"No one died, but one person was injured. His son said that he slipped while diving, hit the edge of the boat, and broke his arm."

The man fell into the water and couldn't swim. He choked and passed out, but his son rescued him. When he got back to shore, he was conscious and seemed to be fine.

Jie Chang took them to the clinic and asked about their condition. "I'll come find Water Bro first."

"Three zhang is roughly in the category of Great Monster Spirit, or at least one of the stronger Spirit Monster," Liang Qu pondered.

Such power was beyond the ability of ordinary River Earl to deal with, and they unknowingly slipped into their own waters.

The Fat Catfish and the others killed so many Spirit Monster, even though they had already told the Spirit Monster in all directions that there were "fierce beasts" in this place.

Was it because of the Bing Fire Day? He thought of the River Otter family in his own garden who had failed in their fight.

Li LiBo nodded in agreement. "Three zhang is too big. Jie Chang and I didn't dare to go looking for it. I guess it's because of the Bing Fire Day. More than a dozen of them have appeared in the last half month."

Liang Qu was taken aback. "More than ten? There are that many? How come I didn't know?"

"About twelve or thirteen, all minor characters. Most of them aren't Spirit Monster or spirits, but Giant Crocodile fish and Big Fish. Jie Chang and I can handle them with our Profound Water Trident. One thrust and even the thickest skull will be pierced through."

If all else fails, ask the Martial Arts School for help. Those guys are energetic and proactive; I've heard they can kill Spirit Monster and run faster than anyone else. There's no need to bother Water Bro."

Li LiBo patted his chest.

Liang Qu suddenly realized.

Each River Earl is equipped with a Profound Water Trident, which he himself doesn't need, so he leaves it for Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang for self-defense.

In addition, the Fat Catfish Cannot Move. They have cleared up most of the surrounding area, and the remaining ones are not a threat. Even if they encounter Bing Fire Day, their destructive power will be limited.

The two of them can indeed resolve it.

This was the only time they learned of the three-zhang-tall creature, and they couldn't handle it, so they came to tell Liang Qu.

I feel ashamed.

Since taking office, Liang Qu has basically done no work. The daily river patrol tasks are handed over to Chen Jiechang and Li LiBo, and he relies on his group of Water Beast for Minor Merit tasks.

The thing I did most was to collect credits and exchange them for Treasure Plant.

Several torches were lit in Shang Rao Wharf, and shadowy figures moved about on the bluestone slabs.

The sampans and covered boats were piled up on the berth, clattering and making noise as they were pushed and shoved by the river waves.

As curfew approached, all the fishing boats came ashore, and from a distance, the shore looked as if it had grown a layer of fine fish scales.

The fishermen who had just returned from their boats were discussing it animatedly.

"Strange, is that water monster really three zhang long?"

The dark-faced man gestured wildly. "How could it be fake? Did you see that red water monster at the River God Sacrifice? It might be even bigger than that one! It just looks a little different."

Some people questioned, "How do you know? Did you experience it too?"

The dark-faced man shook his head. "Didn't run into him."

"How did you know?"

"A Liang lives right next to my house. When he Shang An, he said, 'Old people are worthless.' Didn't you see? A Liang's dad's hand was badly broken, and it was swollen up so much. If we hadn't gone there soon, he might have been crippled!"

Everyone felt a pang of regret upon hearing this.

"That kind of water monster must weigh tens of thousands of kilograms, right?"

"Tens of thousands? How many people are there on our dock? Even after the Crimson Demon divided it all up, there would still be hundreds of thousands of catties left!"

"We could never eat that much meat in our entire lives."

"Eat, eat, all you do is eat! It's only seven miles away! It's that close! If it were alive, would you dare go out to fish? If you don't fish, you won't even have rice to eat!"

"Shh, Master Liang, Master Liang is here!"

"Where? Oh, I see it! I see it!"

Moonlight spread out.

Liang Qu walked out of the Azure Stone Street carrying a long spear, making him particularly eye-catching.

Everyone crowded around, chattering amongst themselves.

"With Master Liang here, Great Marsh will be at peace!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Liang."

"Master Liang, are you smoking?"

Someone shoved a yellowish pipe stuffed with tobacco leaves into Liang Qu's mouth, which he politely pushed away.

Li LiBo looked around but couldn't see Chen Jiechang anywhere.

"Jie Chang hasn't returned yet?"

"I didn't see him."

"I reckon they'll be back soon."

"Hey, here it comes, here it comes!"

Liang Qu looked in the direction the person was pointing and saw Chen Jiechang leading a young man running over from the Azure Stone Street.

The young man was none other than A Liang, the fisherman on the shore, who had encountered the Spirit Monster.

Upon seeing that the people had arrived, Liang Qu waved for the crowd to disperse.

"There's less than a quarter of an hour until curfew. Everyone hurry back, or you'll be arrested by the County Government Office officials."

Curfew!

Liang Qu, an official, was unharmed, and Chen Jiechang and his men were acting under orders. Ordinary people dared not break the law. Upon hearing this, they scattered like birds and beasts.

Only the dark-faced man had the courage. Before leaving, he asked, "Master Liang, can we catch the water monster tonight?"

The fishermen who hadn't gone far paused slightly, all wanting to know the answer.

However, things didn't go as planned, and Liang Qu shook his head.

"It's hard to say. If the water monster is still in its original place, I can naturally deal with it. If it's not there, I might not be able to find it."

The dark-faced man was quick-witted. "So, you mean, Master Liang can handle it?"

"We need to find it first."

Liang Qu reiterated this point.

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Liang!"

"Thank you for your trouble, Master Liang!"

"Master Liang is truly righteous!"

Everyone was overjoyed upon hearing this, completely forgetting the preconditions Liang Qu had mentioned. They left the dock after offering a few flattering words, and occasionally, in the wind, one could hear a few words like, "I knew it," or "Master Liang is a real big shot..."

Liang Qu shook his head.

Everyone had dispersed.

Only Liang Qu, Chen Jiechang, Li LiBo, A Liang Shang Rao Wharf.

Liang Qu looked at A Liang: "Do you still remember the place where you encountered trouble?"

"I... I remember."

A Liang looked nervous and stammered.

"Take us there."