All Goes Smoothly, All Wishes Fulfilled

The setting sun cast its light on the river, creating a shimmering expanse of water that looked like it was sprinkled with gold dust, so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes.

On the empty river, a few fishing boats carrying their meager catches crossed the golden sea, shouting that they had Big Fish, each costing only two coins.

A passerby hurried by the river, called out to the fisherman, exchanged a few words, dropped off two copper coins, and then took a big Big Fish, which he considered a meat dish for New Year's Eve's Eve.

The crackling sound of firecrackers came from the end of the long street, drowning out the fishermen's shouts.

Wealthy families set off firecrackers early in the morning, and the sound would continue from sunset until sunrise the next day.

Liang Qu tied up the boat, picked up the Azureback Dragon Carp, stepped Shang An, and ran towards the Yang Residence.

Upon seeing the iridescent blue light of the Azureback Dragon Carp, the passerby silently tucked the Big Grass Carp he had just bought behind his back.

What a magnificent sight!

Liang Qu looked around and saw pavilions and towers everywhere he went, which blocked out the floating clouds in the sky.

The paper flowers for welcoming spring were scattered all over the ground in front of the doors of wealthy households, and the streets were sparsely populated.

The respectable restaurants closed early, leaving only the two large red lanterns on the door to give them a lively feel, while the small taverns were bustling with activity.

This situation is completely different from the original world. In the original world, the restaurant should be bustling with business at this time, and there would be no reason for it to close down.

It's not that I don't want to make money, it's that I don't have any money to make.

The wealthy who used to go to restaurants have long since stayed home, setting up lavish banquets to reunite with their families.

Just like the Yang Residence.

As soon as Liang Qu entered the mansion, he felt a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Seven or eight maids were bustling about in the courtyard.

This is what you can see; there are many more hardworking women and cooks busy in places you can't see.

The founding emperor of the Da Shun Dynasty decreed that ordinary people were prohibited from keeping private slaves, so many wealthy people could only adopt servants by taking in goddaughters and godsons.

Ordinary wealthy merchants, such as Zhao Hongyuan and Xue Chengquan, either hire others without a contract of servitude, otherwise they wouldn't dare call someone "Master" in front of outsiders, as that would be overstepping their bounds.

Yang Dongxiong was no ordinary man; he was a true master!

That's a true man, so magnanimous!

"You've finally arrived! Everyone's here, why are you so late?" Xiang ChangSong was at the door, quickly beckoned Liang Qu over, but only when they got closer did he notice something different. "Wait, what are you holding in your hand?"

"Nice one!"

Liang Qu left with a remark and excitedly ran into the hall. Seeing Yang Dongxiong and Xu Shi, he raised the Big Carp in his hand high.

"Master, Master's Wife, look! I went back to Yixing today and bought a fine piece of goods!"

"Oh, what good stuff?"

"What good stuff has made my junior brother so happy?"

Everyone looked over curiously at the sound.

Although the internal organs of the Azureback Dragon Carp had been removed, its appearance was intact and Yang Dongxiong recognized it at a glance.

"What a huge Azureback Dragon Carp!"

He compared it to Xiang ChangSong's. "It's so big, it must weigh at least fifteen pounds, right?"

"Sixteen catties and eight taels!" Liang Qu exclaimed happily. "It was just fished out of the river, it's very fresh. It's New Year's Eve's Eve today, so let's bring it over for everyone to eat together and have some good luck!"

Hu Qi exclaimed in surprise, "I've only ever seen the Azureback Dragon Carp in books, I've never eaten it before, and today my junior brother has finally gotten to try it."

Xu Zishuai beamed. "Master, this is a good omen! Carp have auspicious meanings, and a precious carp is even better!"

"What a lucky omen! What a lucky omen!"

"Haha, let us share in the joy!"

"The big back is so beautiful, it looks blue and colorful."

The other senior brothers cheered.

Yang Dongxiong laughed heartily, "Xiao Jiu's destiny is that both the Direct and Indirect Resource belong to Water. Being close to water brings great fortune, and now it is indeed true."

Azureback Dragon Carp are already rare, and those weighing fifteen jin (7.5 kg) are even rarer. If they were in the capital, a wealthy person might be willing to offer a hundred jin (500 grams)!

Xu Zishuai wondered, "A hundred gold coins for a fish? Isn't that a huge rip-off? I remember that Azureback Dragon Carp is only worth two or three ounces per pound of meat, right?"

"You can't say that. Let alone the Treasure Fish, even ordinary Golden Carp are in high demand. They're different from us; they just like this kind of thing."

Cao Rang, "You still have too much money. Why don't you give it all to me?"

"Dreaming before it's even dark?"

Hearing his seniors' words, Liang Qu realized that he had only remembered what was written in the book and had forgotten to apply it to real-life situations.

A Azureback Dragon Carp isn't actually that valuable. From Martial Artist arts perspective, it's worth about three taels of silver for a pound of meat. There are plenty of Treasure Fish with better effects.

However, during special occasions like the Lunar New Year, there will inevitably be a premium.

The wealthier people are, the more they believe in the concept of luck, and the more they are willing to spend money on it, sometimes spending a fortune.

Who wouldn't want to buy it for good luck?

Some people even buy them and are reluctant to eat them, keeping them as ornamental fish, thus gradually diminishing their spiritual essence.

"Today is truly a lively day, all sorts of good things have happened." Xu Shi waved her sleeves. "Quickly put the fish in and let the servants take care of them. We can eat in half an hour. Everyone, sit down and chat with me."

"Yes, Master's Wife."

Liang Qu agreed, handed the Azureback Dragon Carp to a servant, and sat down with the others.

Apart from the eldest brother, all the other brothers were present.

It wasn't that all the other senior brothers' family situations were the same as Liang Qu's. As far as he knew, among all the senior brothers, only Senior Brother Xu was in a similar situation to him.

The reason why we all come here to eat during the Chinese New Year is very simple.

Half an hour later, one exquisite dish after another was served.

Braised beef, Braised Brocade Deer, Stir-fried Spirit Snake, and Roasted Yellow Rest Bird. Of course, there was also the steamed Azureback Dragon Carp sent by Liang Qu at the end.

Every dish is made of spiritual meat! Obviously, I had to come; where could I get such good food at home? The improvement in strength is secondary; the main thing is that there are so many dishes, and the combination is incredibly delicious.

There are only a few opportunities a year to enjoy this delicious food; you simply can't find it outside.

fragrant.

It smells so good.

After eating a few bites of meat, Liang Qu felt somewhat full, his face slightly flushed. Apart from lacking the Marsh Essence, he was full of Qi and Blood energy.

Xu Zishuai picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. It was incredibly sweet and delicious. He exclaimed, "This Azureback Dragon Carp is quite good. It tastes much better than the Red Blood Perch and the like!"

"Xiao Jiu, eat more. You brought this fish, so here's the belly."

"Thank you, Master's Wife."

Liang Qu stood up and took a thick piece of fish belly with his chopsticks.

"Master's Wife, I want one too!" Xu Zishuai picked up his bowl and reached out, but Xu Shi slapped it back with her chopsticks.

"Xiao Jiu didn't come empty-handed, unlike you, so shameless? All you know is to bring is a mouth!"

"Master's Wife, how can you be so biased? I'm going to make a scene, I'm really going to make a scene."

"Go ahead and make a ruckus, the louder the better, so I don't have to send someone to set off firecrackers."

"Alright, stop eating and let me say a few words."

After taking a sip of wine, Yang Dongxiong interrupted the conversation.

Everyone put down their chopsticks and listened attentively.

"As in previous years, I'll assign you a few exams to prevent you from becoming too complacent."

"Yu Dun, you are now..."

"Lu Gang, within a year, I want you to enter the Wolf Smoke Frontier."

Yang Dongxiong called out to each of his fellow disciples, and they all stood up and agreed.

Liang Qu felt like he was being assigned a task by a company. When it was almost his turn, he quickly straightened his back and tilted his head back.

"Chang Song and Liang Qu, you two joined the group the latest, and you have the greatest potential for improvement, so I will have higher expectations for you."

"Within the next year, Chang Song, can you become a true Martial Master, or even Galloping Horse Martial Master?"

Xiang ChangSong nodded, indicating that he would definitely cultivate diligently and live up to his Master's expectations.

"Liang Qu, you have only been learning martial arts for one season. I only ask that you Break Three Barriers by this time next year. Can you do that?"

Liang Qu stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Master, rest assured, I am confident that I will become Martial Master within a year!"

"Oh? Become Martial Master within a year?"

Yang Dongxiong was somewhat surprised.

The other fellow disciples all turned their heads in disapproval.

Liang Qu continued, "I will be able to the Breaking Flesh Realm within half a month. I have a full year left and I am confident that I can break through the remaining two barriers."

"So fast?" Xiang ChangSong blurted out.

Breaking through two barriers in the middle of the third month?

What speed is that?

Everyone silently compared their progress and realized that they had never been this fast before.

Lu Gang pondered, "Junior Brother has an extraordinary Fate Standard, so it's normal that his progress is exceptional."

After hearing what Lu Gang said, everyone remembered Liang Qu's Fate Standard and it suddenly seemed reasonable.

The Long Jiaos Crossing the River is no less impressive than the Owl God Steals Food; its progress might be faster, and perhaps it shouldn't be?

Oh no, the pressure is on me now.

Xiang ChangSong rubbed his forehead, feeling that the heater was burning too hot today.

Yang Dongxiong said loudly, "Good! Since you have this confidence, that's certainly a good thing! Everyone, raise your glasses!"

Everyone raised their hands in unison.

May the New Year be better than the old, smooth and worry-free, and may all your wishes come true!

May the New Year be better than the old, smooth and worry-free, and may all your wishes come true!