Chapter Summaries

After transmigrating into the starving orphan Liang Qu, a former fisherman in Da Shun, Liang Qu received food from his neighbor Chen Qingjiang and feared he could not survive without his stolen boat. A strange force then stirred in his mind, revealing a mysterious Ze Cauldron in his Sea of Consciousness.

• Liang Qu awoke in the body of a starving young fisherman whose father had died and whose boat had been stolen.
• Unable to find water or walk far, Liang Qu encountered Chen Qingjiang, who took pity on him and gave him a meat-filled flatbread.
• Liang Qu ate the flatbread and reflected on his poverty, his lack of fishing skills, and the difficulty of repaying Chen Qingjiang.
• As Liang Qu lamented his situation, a surge of Long Qi entered his mind and revealed a mysterious Great Cauldron called Ze Cauldron in his Sea of Consciousness.

After discovering the Ze Cauldron and refining a Water Monkey Marsh Spirit, Liang Qu tested its water-control abilities in the river near Yi Xing City. He ended the chapter with his first valuable catch, a large Yellow Croaker worth about eighty wen.

• Liang Qu discovered the Ze Cauldron, acquired the Water Monkey Marsh Spirit, and chose to refine it into his body.
• Liang Qu learned that the Water Monkey let him sense nearby water, reduce his presence in it, and control a limited amount of water.
• Liang Qu went to Shang Rao Wharf and practiced using water pressure to catch a tiny fish.
• Liang Qu entered the river, used his aquatic affinity to search for fish, and found a large Yellow Croaker.
• Liang Qu restrained and caught the Yellow Croaker, expecting to sell it for about eighty wen.

Liang Qu discovered extraordinary lotus roots guarded by a Taihua Crocodile and used the Ze Cauldron’s Blood Seal to subdue it. The Taihua Crocodile became his Water Beast and could evolve.

• Liang Qu rested after earning eighty wen from catching a Yellow Croaker, then searched the river for another fish but failed to catch a large spotted fish.
• Liang Qu found lotus roots growing in deep water and followed them to a Taihua Crocodile lying in ambush beside the roots.
• Liang Qu decided to take the lotus roots and use the Ze Cauldron’s Blood Seal to make the crocodile his subordinate.
• Liang Qu struck the crocodile with a stone, restrained its jaws with water, and drew a blood character across its back.
• Liang Qu endured the crocodile’s mental resistance until a Mental Link formed, and the Ze Cauldron confirmed that he had subdued an evolvable Taihua Crocodile Water Beast.

Liang Qu discovered that the lotus roots were a healing Treasure Plant that yielded Marsh Essence, and used some to raise his Water Monkey fusion to five percent. He returned home with a valuable fish and began planning to recover his stolen boat and learn martial arts, where someone was waiting to ask for his decision.

• Liang Qu tested the lotus roots on the Zhu Po Long, then ate them and found they healed his injuries and improved his vitality.
• Liang Qu discovered that some lotus roots yielded Marsh Essence and used 0.2 points to raise his Water Monkey fusion to five percent.
• Liang Qu decided the Zhu Po Long could not evolve yet, named it Cannot Move, and left it guarding the hidden Treasure Plant.
• Liang Qu carried a Yellow Croaker home and considered how to buy supplies, recover his stolen Black Awning Boat from LaiTou Zhang, and learn martial arts.
• Liang Qu arrived home and found someone waiting to ask whether he had considered the matter.

Liang Qu refused Zheng Xiang’s offer to become Master Zhao’s adopted son and slave, then sold a Yellow Croaker and learned about the Martial Arts Schools in Ping Yang Town. He began considering martial arts training as a way to protect himself from the Zhao Family.

• Zheng Xiang offered Liang Qu polished rice in exchange for acknowledging Master Zhao as his adoptive father, but Liang Qu recognized the arrangement as a way to buy him as a slave and suspected Master Zhao favored men.
• Liang Qu refused Zheng Xiang’s offer and gave him a Yellow Croaker as an apology; Zheng Xiang noticed Liang Qu looked healthy, then left without pressing him.
• Liang Qu sold the Yellow Croaker for eighty copper coins and bought himself a hearty meal, attracting curious townspeople who wanted to learn where he had caught it.
• Liang Qu questioned Li LiBo about the Martial Arts Schools in Ping Yang Town, and Li LiBo explained their training, fees, and the path to becoming a Martial Master.
• Li Liang Qu learned that Master Yang’s school charged seven taels for training and twenty taels with lodging and Medicinal Baths, while Li LiBo boasted that his family would send him to train in two months.

Liang Qu ambushed and subdued Zhang TieNiu in the marsh, then learned that Zhang had stolen and sold his black-awning boat and informed the Zhao Residence about him. The chapter left Liang Qu furious over the boat’s sale and the trouble Zhang had caused.

• Li LiBo told Liang Qu that Zhang TieNiu had been beaten and was hiding on a boat in the marsh.
• Liang Qu sneaked onto Zhang TieNiu’s sampan, used Water Control to incapacitate him, tied him up, and took two taels of silver.
• Liang Qu woke Zhang TieNiu in the Reed Marsh and demanded to know where his black-awning boat had gone.
• Zhang TieNiu admitted that he had sold the boat to the Fishing Wharf for four taels, and Liang Qu beat him over the low price.
• Zhang TieNiu confessed that he had informed Zheng Xiang at the Zhao Residence about Liang Qu and had taken Liang Qu’s rice to pressure him into accepting their offer.

Liang Qu killed Zhang TieNiu after learning that the Zhao Residence might be behind the plot against him. He returned to the wharf, where he shaped the fishermen’s understanding of Zhang TieNiu’s disappearance and eased suspicion, while still needing to find a way to use his small sampan and earn enough to learn martial arts.

• Liang Qu asked Zhang TieNiu whether he had seen his Water Control, then beat him to death with a stone and had Zhu Po Long drag the corpse into deeper water.
• Liang Qu worried that the Zhao Residence might be involved and decided he needed to save seven taels to study at the Yang Family Martial Hall in Ping Yang Town.
• Liang Qu returned to the wharf at night in his Small Sampan and told Uncle Chen Yi and nearby fishermen that LaiTou Zhang had oppressed him and taken his Black Awning Boat in an unfair exchange.
• The fishermen condemned LaiTou Zhang but did not offer to help, and Liang Qu felt reassured that they accepted his account without examining it closely.

Liang Qu settled into ordinary fishing after LaiTou Zhang disappeared and strengthened his Water Monkey Marsh Spirit by consuming Treasure Lotus Root. While searching the shallows for another Water Beast to command, he found a massive Six-Whiskered Catfish and began fighting it with Cannot Move.

• Liang Qu sold his catch, ate at a restaurant, and bought a Big Silver Carp from Li LiBo, who remained unaware of LaiTou Zhang's fate.
• Liang Qu fished for several days without Zheng Xiang coming to question him and used Treasure Lotus Root to raise his fusion rate to 6.5%.
• Liang Qu took Cannot Move into the Lotus Root Waters to seek another Water Beast while avoiding the dangerous Deep Water Area.
• A two-meter Six-Whiskered Catfish circled Liang Qu, and he chose it as a potential Water Beast to command.
• Cannot Move struck and wounded the catfish, while Liang Qu used the current to bind its tail and began tracing a Water Talisman of command.

Liang Qu established a Mental Link with the Six-Whiskered Catfish, named it A Fei, and partnered it with Cannot Move to catch fish. He sold a large haul at the Fishing Wharf, where the catch drew attention from other fishermen.

• Liang Qu subdued the Six-Whiskered Catfish and learned it could evolve into a Tiger-Head Catfish, though he lacked the required Marsh Essence.
• Liang Qu named the catfish A Fei, fed it lotus root to heal its wound, and instructed it to catch fish discreetly while Cannot Move guarded their home.
• A Fei and Cannot Move caught nearly fifty Big Fish worth 130 coins, and Liang Qu rewarded them with lotus root.
• Liang Qu brought the catch to the Fishing Wharf, where Lin Songbao helped unload three full fish baskets and remarked on Liang Qu's skill.
• Fishermen stopped to look when Lin Songbao carried the baskets onto the wharf.

Liang Qu steadily increased his fishing earnings while saving for martial arts training and autumn taxes, and he searched the Lotus Root Waters for a Treasure Fish. After A Fei found one, Liang Qu headed underwater with his fishing gear to search for it.

• Liang Qu sold a valuable catch, calculated how much he still needed for martial arts training and taxes, and wished he could find a Treasure Fish.
• Chen Qingjiang gave Liang Qu several jin of rice out of concern that he was still struggling, and Liang Qu later overheard Chen Qingjiang and A Di reconciling.
• Over the next half month, Liang Qu gradually raised his daily earnings from forty to eighty copper coins and gained a modest reputation at the wharf.
• Liang Qu avoided the Matchmaker when she tried again to arrange a marriage for him, then rowed to the Lotus Root Waters.
• A Fei found a Treasure Fish, so Liang Qu took his net and an air-filled pig bladder underwater with Fat Catfish to search for it.

Liang Qu captured two Bullhorn Pomfrets with Fat Catfish and Zhu Po Long, then ate the smaller one and gained Marsh Essence from the Ze Cauldron. After using the essence to raise his Marsh Spirit fusion rate, he felt the Treasure Fish’s effects spreading through his body.

• Liang Qu spotted two Bullhorn Pomfrets beneath a rock and planned an ambush with Fat Catfish and Zhu Po Long.
• Liang Qu and Zhu Po Long spread a fishing net while Fat Catfish drove the Bullhorn Pomfrets away from their nest and into the trap.
• Liang Qu hauled both fish into his boat and decided to eat the smaller one after noticing its strong allure.
• Liang Qu cooked and ate the smaller Bullhorn Pomfret, and the Ze Cauldron reported Marsh Essence +1.8.
• Liang Qu spent all the Marsh Essence to raise his Marsh Spirit fusion rate, then felt warmth and surging vitality spread through his body.

After eating a Treasure Fish, Liang Qu felt stronger and brought his own rare Bullhorn Pomfret to Shang Rao Wharf, where another fisherman had caught a Treasure Fish that day. A Martial Master arrived to buy both fish, and Liang Qu was offered six taels and five qian for his catch.

• Liang Qu finished digesting the Treasure Fish and noticed that his body had grown stronger and healthier.
• Liang Qu returned to Shang Rao Wharf and learned from Li LiBo that Chen Jiechang had caught a Red Blood Perch.
• Liang Qu revealed his Bullhorn Pomfret, astonishing the crowd and drawing attention to his own Treasure Fish catch.
• Hu Martial Master bought Chen Jiechang's Red Blood Perch for three taels of silver.
• Hu Martial Master identified Liang Qu's fish as a rare Bullhorn Pomfret and offered six taels and five qian, leaving Chen Jiechang and the fishermen stunned.

Liang Qu sold his Bullhorn Pomfret to Hu Martial Master for six taels and five qian, bringing his savings above the threshold for entering a Martial Arts School. After celebrating with Li LiBo, he confirmed that he planned to enroll, and Li LiBo hoped they could become fellow disciples.

• Hu Martial Master offered Liang Qu six taels and five qian for the Bullhorn Pomfret and explained that its horns could help him break through the Breaking Blood Barrier.
• Liang Qu sold the fish, tucked away its horns, and received congratulations from the wharf fishermen while Chen Jiechang left disappointed.
• Liang Qu returned Li LiBo's fishing net and treated him to a meal in thanks for his help.
• Li LiBo asked when Liang Qu would enter a Martial Arts School, and Liang Qu admitted that his savings were already enough.
• Li LiBo celebrated the prospect of entering the school together and said they could become fellow disciples.

Liang Qu and Li LiBo traveled to Ping Yang Town and paid seven taels each to join the Yang Martial Hall. After receiving their apprentice tokens, they prepared to learn about martial arts from Senior Brother Xiang.

• Liang Qu divided his savings between the Yang Martial Hall’s tuition and the upcoming Autumn Tax, then met Li LiBo the next morning.
• Liang Qu and Li LiBo took a cart to Ping Yang Town, sampled osmanthus buns, and found the town busier and more prosperous than expected.
• At the Yang Martial Hall, Xiang ChangSong explained the tuition options and the three-month training term.
• Liang Qu and Li LiBo registered, paid seven taels each, and received Wooden Tokens marking them as disciples.
• Xiang ChangSong offered to show them around and introduce basic martial knowledge, and Liang Qu eagerly accepted.

Liang Qu and Li LiBo learned how martial arts training relied on Dharma Gates, medicine, and breaking through the Skin, Flesh, Bone, and Blood barriers. Hu Qi examined their Root Bones and found Li LiBo’s above average, while Liang Qu’s was unexpectedly excellent.

• Xiang ChangSong explained how martial methods and medicinal treasures helped martial artists temper their bodies and advance through the four barriers.
• Liang Qu realized that his ability to find Treasure Fish and Treasure Plants could give him access to valuable training medicine.
• Xiang ChangSong showed Liang Qu and Li LiBo the Martial Arts Field and told them that Hu Qi would teach them until Master Yang’s monthly lessons.
• Hu Qi examined Li LiBo’s Root Bone and recommended that he focus on the Ape Fist.
• Hu Qi examined Liang Qu’s Root Bone and was surprised by how good it was.

Liang Qu trained in Ape Fist at Yang Martial Hall, quickly mastering its stances and sensing Qi for the first time. After beginning Tiger Fist, he hurried away when the Fat Catfish reported finding another Treasure Fish.

• Hu Qi examined Liang Qu’s Root Bone and said he was suited to Ape Fist and archery, while Li LiBo was also suited to Ape Fist because of his long arms.
• Liang Qu and Li LiBo began learning the Three Fists Technique’s stance forms under Hu Qi’s instruction.
• Liang Qu learned all of Ape Fist’s stance forms in less than four days, far outpacing Li LiBo.
• Liang Qu performed the Ape Fist stances and felt a thread of Qi gather within him; Hu Qi explained that this marked growing blood and Qi.
• Liang Qu started learning Tiger Fist stances, then left the Martial Arts School after the Fat Catfish told him through their Mental Link that it had found another Treasure Fish.

Liang Qu caught a huge Tiger Head Grouper with help from Fat Catfish and Cannot Move, then used the Treasure Fish to accelerate his martial training. By morning, the Qi in his Chest had grown substantially, bringing the Skin Refining Breakthrough within reach.

• Liang Qu returned to the marsh and used his commanded Water Beasts to corner and net a seven-jin Tiger Head Grouper.
• Liang Qu noticed that Fat Catfish and Cannot Move had grown after eating Treasure Fish scraps, and the Ze Cauldron showed that their evolution costs had decreased.
• Liang Qu ate the Tiger Head Grouper and gained 3.4 points of Marsh Essence.
• Liang Qu practiced Ape Fist for three rounds, strengthening the Qi in his Chest until it lasted nearly half a quarter-hour.
• Liang Qu woke the next morning with more defined muscles and renewed confidence that he could begin the Skin Refining Breakthrough within three months.
• Liang Qu sent A Fei to catch fish and told Cannot Move to guard the lotus roots.

After catching a Treasure Fish and raising his Marsh Spirit fusion to 11.7, Liang Qu returned home and found the Wang Brothers waiting to rob him. He beat them badly, then claimed his strength came from being a once-in-a-century martial arts genius, leaving the onlookers astonished.

• Liang Qu sold his catch to Lin Songbao, who warned him that martial arts training would waste his money and likely lead nowhere.
• Liang Qu noticed the Wang Brothers hiding near his home and realized they had come after the money from his Treasure Fish.
• Liang Qu ambushed Wang Lao Da with a brick, struck Wang Lao Er, and drove Wang Lao San from the alley.
• Liang Qu beat Wang Lao Da and Wang Lao Er until they crawled away, while nearby residents gathered and cheered.
• Liang Qu told the onlookers that Hu Martial Master had called him a martial arts genius seen once in a hundred years.

Liang Qu convinced his neighbors that his unusual progress came from martial arts training, then prepared for Autumn Tax by buying rice and replacing his basic belongings. He spent all his remaining money but secured enough grain and supplies to get by.

• Liang Qu let the neighbors believe that martial arts training explained his fishing success and warned off people hoping to borrow money.
• Liang Qu checked his buried silver and planned to buy rice before Autumn Tax drove prices higher.
• Liang Qu bought one and a half shi of rice from the local shop, despite the shopkeeper refusing to bargain.
• Liang Qu spent his remaining money on rice baskets, bedding, clothes, shoes, fishing gear, soap, and dental supplies.

Liang Qu paid his autumn tax and intervened when corrupt clerks demanded extra grain from Chen Qingjiang’s family. He used his rice and six qian of silver to prevent Chen Renxing from being forced into labor, leaving Liang Qu with his savings spent.

• Liang Qu continued training and fishing, saved six qian of silver, and woke to the announcement that autumn tax collection had begun.
• At the wharf, Liang Qu paid his grain tax after the clerks kicked rice from the official measure and demanded extra grain from villagers.
• Liang Qu discovered that a clerk had inflated Chen Qingjiang’s family’s tax by counting his six-year-old son as seven and creating an additional shortfall.
• Liang Qu sent Li LiBo for three dou of rice, then gave the clerk his six qian of silver to cover the remaining demand.
• The clerk accepted the payment, and Liang Qu helped Chen Qingjiang support Chen Renxing before leaving with Xiao Shunzi.