Clang! Clang!
Two long sabers suddenly flew from their sheaths, their snowy brilliance flashing.
Sharp gazes locked onto Zhang Yuan in an instant, heavy with warning.
Zhang Yuan believed that if he made any unusual move now, he would inevitably draw a thunderous strike from these Punishment Hall Disciples.
But he feared nothing, standing firm at the stern without changing expression.
A Punishment Hall Disciple with a naturally horse-like face asked in a deep voice, "Junior brother Lu, what did you find?"
"N-No, nothing."
The fellow responsible for inspecting the live-water hold answered awkwardly, "It's just that this Junior Brother Zhang caught a big fish—a very, very big carp!"
He had simply made a mountain out of a molehill and nearly caused a ridiculous misunderstanding.
When they heard it was only a carp, the tense atmosphere immediately dissipated.
The two Punishment Hall Disciples quietly sheathed their Goose Feather Sabers.
Their reaction had clearly been somewhat excessive.
Zhang Yuan did not mind. Feigning curiosity, he asked, "Senior Brothers, are you searching for White Dragon Loaches?"
The horse-faced disciple nodded. "That's right. The Helm Master has issued a strict order: no White Dragon Loaches are to leave the Celestial Steed River. So whether outsiders or our own brothers, anyone fishing on the river must be inspected!"
The matter of the White Dragon Loach had long spread like wildfire, so he was not surprised that Zhang Yuan knew about it.
"Junior Brother Zhang, if you catch a White Dragon Loach, you must hand it over voluntarily."
"The Helm Master will reward you handsomely!"
Zhang Yuan shook his head. "I plan to seal up my boat and hang up my nets for a while."
His gaze turned toward the river bend behind them. "With so many fishing boats out there, I'm afraid there won't