"If I can't catch one, I'll ask Senior Sister Ji to pay more attention to Young Hero Pei for me. Keep an eye on the details of how he gets along with the one from the Eastern Palace."
"I can't afford that embarrassment."
"You might not catch one either, Senior Sister Ji." Shi Zanxue lowered her head to glance at the woman's rod. "I'd better ask Junior Sister Zuo Qiu for help."
"Longhua caught one?"
"She caught one and left before you came, Senior Sister Ji."
"..." Ji Jiuying lowered her eyes for a moment. "I'll go grab one."
"That certainly wouldn't count." Shi Zanxue smiled, then suddenly turned around. "Sect Master Younger Li, finished with your work?"
Li Piaoqing came over carrying a rod. "All finished. I've come to try a few casts too."
Shi Zanxue looked farther back. "Little Medicine Lord Qu, True Disciple He, it's been a while."
A physician and a swordswoman followed behind the girl in the green skirt, each carrying a rod as well. They greeted the two Heavenly Mountain Jade Maidens in turn.
"There shouldn't be any fish left here." Ji Jiuying reeled in her own line and advised, "Why not move somewhere else, like me?"
"Really? Well, since I've come all this way, I'll make a couple of casts first." Li Piaoqing smiled and lowered her line.
Three breaths later, there was a splash. She instinctively lifted her rod and hauled up a beautiful red carp.
Silence fell over the platform.
"..." Li Piaoqing plucked off a scale, removed the hook, and released it. "Looks like my luck isn't bad," she said with a smile.
In silence, Ji Jiuying unpacked the rod she had already put away and lowered her line beside her again.
Qu Xin and He Yaoyao stood together, both