Chapter 173. North Manor Fishery
The next day.
Xu Yuan arrived at the task office on Ziqing Peak and looked over the dazzling array of assignments—herb gathering, pill testing, sparring partner duty, and more...
"I heard Cai Kun has taken up a herb-gathering task now, while Yan Wuguan went to work as a sparring partner. That does suit their personalities."
After comparing them for a while, Xu Yuan finally settled on a fishery several kilometers away at the foot of the mountain.
Within Fangcun Sect's sphere of influence, aside from the medicinal gardens, there were also dozens of fisheries of various sizes, all raising treasure fish said to be of fairly high grade.
This particular job required disciples to patrol the fishery at night, prevent theft, and ensure the safety of the treasure fish.
The pay depended on one's strength. Someone in the Extraordinary Meridians realm could earn one hundred and twenty taels of silver a month, along with two extra treasure fish.
It was a fairly standard rate, but the advantage was that it left plenty of time for cultivation.
Xu Yuan accepted the job on the spot.
...
"You're saying that Xu Yuan took the task at North Manor Fishery?"
Lin Zhiyuan held his chest as a trace of gloom flashed through his eyes upon hearing the news.
Ever since he had suffered at Xu Yuan's hands, he had been looking for a chance to take revenge.
Since arriving at Fangcun Sect, he had never suffered such a huge loss before.
Being beaten so badly by a mere new disciple that he had to lie in bed for over half a month was an utter humiliation!
Unfortunately, Senior Brother Hua was in seclusion, and the disciples under him who were in the Organ Nourishment realm were not allowed to attack disciples of a lower realm within the sect.
On top of that, he had learned that Xu Yuan seemed to have some connection to a certain true disciple.
So for a while, he really had no way to deal with Xu Yuan.
That was why the moment he heard this news today, Lin Zhiyuan was instantly delighted. Excitement flashed through his eyes as he summoned a disciple and instructed him,
"Find someone to pass word to Jiang Yu'an over there. With Jiang Yu'an's temperament, she won't let him have an easy time. Then later, we can casually find someone to kill him and make sure he dies without a sound."
Jiang Yu'an?
The granddaughter of Elder Jiang from the outer sect?
The genius who had broken into the Extraordinary Meridians realm at only seventeen?
The disciple beside him had a flicker in his eyes.
This was good news!
Jiang Yu'an had always been arrogant and aloof, specializing in dealing with every thorn in her side.
And at present, North Manor Fishery was entirely under her control.
Now that Xu Yuan was heading there, with Jiang Yu'an's personality, once she learned of Xu Yuan's past deeds, she definitely would not show him a pleasant face.
When the time came, the two sides would very likely come to blows.
Lin Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes and thought to himself, A new disciple can bully people in the lower realms all he wants, but once he runs into a true expert, how can he possibly keep acting so tough?
Xu Yuan, this is what happens when you provoke me!
...
North Manor Fishery lay at the edge of Fangcun Sect's sphere of influence, in a broad stretch of open water crisscrossed with waterways and thick with reeds.
Dozens of fish ponds of varying sizes lay scattered across the area like fallen pearls, their surfaces shimmering in the setting sun.
At the center of the fishery stood a tall watchtower built from hard ironwood, serving as the core post for patrols.
Xu Yuan rode there in a sect carriage, drawing closer step by step.
Even from far away, he could smell the heavy fishy odor, mixed with the shouts of fishermen, the crack of whips, and bursts of cursing.
"Brother Xu, we've arrived at the fishery."
The coachman pulled the carriage to a stop.
Xu Yuan immediately lifted the curtain and leaned out to look.
Ahead of him stretched a road full of mud, where many workers were busily occupied.
Farther ahead was a vast great river as far as the eye could see. Sails crowded the surface, ships laden with cargo, while several large vessels were also docked nearby.
Seeing the ingratiating smile plastered across the coachman's face, Xu Yuan tossed him a few more pieces of silver.
A middle-aged man came up to the carriage and asked, "My name is Jia Gui. I'm the steward here. Are you a disciple from the sect?"
The man's face was full of smiles, like a chrysanthemum in bloom, while his body was so thin and frail that a gust of wind seemed enough to blow him over.
"Jia Gui?"
Xu Yuan looked startled as he stepped down from the carriage.
Not to mention, he really did look the part!
"Steward Jia, greetings. I'm Xu Yuan. Please take me over there," Xu Yuan said.
"Right this way, please!" Jia Gui immediately broke into a wider smile and waved his hand.
As the two walked, he began introducing the place.
"Our fishery produces quite a rich yield, and quite a few people in the sect pay attention to it. If Brother Xu works hard here, you definitely won't be treated unfairly."
Xu Yuan answered casually.
What a joke.
Back at the Shangyang Residence, he had been the one painting rosy futures for other people.
And now this man was doing the same to him?
Jia Gui did not mind his reaction and instead lowered his voice.
"The fishery has remained this stable for two reasons. First, it is backed by a major sect. Second, it is inseparable from Fishery Master Jiang. However, this Fishery Master Jiang has a rather... unusual temperament. Once you get used to it, it'll be fine."
"Oh?"
Xu Yuan asked, "Is she very fierce?"
On the way here, he had already learned that North Manor Fishery was guarded by a woman named Jiang Yu'an.
"Not exactly."
Jia Gui looked hesitant and murmured,
"Fishery Master Jiang has a cold temperament and takes the sect rules extremely seriously. She does not tolerate the slightest grain of sand in her eyes. Anyone who violates the sect rules, she will definitely step in and deal with..."
"Besides, Fishery Master Jiang is powerful, and she's also Elder Jiang's granddaughter. This fishery is practically her territory. Better to know that in advance so we can avoid trouble, right? After all, we're all here to earn money."
Xu Yuan nodded and smiled. "Thanks for the warning. What is Fishery Master Jiang's cultivation level?"
"Probably around the first stage of Organ Nourishment?" Jia Gui thought for a moment.
"I see." Xu Yuan's tone remained calm.
Hopefully, this person would be a bit more normal.
...
Inside an elegantly furnished pavilion at North Manor Fishery.
Jiang Yu'an, dressed in a blue gown, had heroic features and clear eyes as she quietly stared at a message that had just come from within the sect.
"A new disciple has come to the fishery again?"
"Xu Yuan, originally just a menial worker from Yuquan Prefecture City... strong in combat, highly talented, but unfortunately lost a good deal of potential because of the stance art he cultivated... Immediately after entering the sect, he successively defeated Zhao Xu, Liu Yang, Lin Zhiyuan, and others..."
Her fine brows gradually drew together.
So arrogant?
He had only just entered the sect, yet he had already injured so many people in succession?
Even if Liu Yang had extorted him first, beating a senior brother so badly that he could not even get out of bed was still rather excessive.
Then Jiang Yu'an looked at the note on the line below: He may have an unusually close relationship with the true disciple Shangyang Qingyu.
"So he has someone backing him. No wonder he dares act like this?"
Jiang Yu'an murmured to herself, "Looks like this one is a real troublemaker."
But she disliked this kind of temperament very much!
What kind of ability was it to bully the weak just because he had some strength?
In the final analysis, he simply did not dare go after people stronger than himself.
If he ever met someone even stronger, she was certain that a single lesson would make him obedient.
"Forget it. Since I will be entering seclusion again before long, I'll give him a lesson myself. That way, he won't keep acting recklessly and offending others in the future!"
Jiang Yu'an's lovely face was cold.
She had always placed great importance on the word "rules." Added to that was the fact that her grandfather had taught her from childhood what the righteous path was. So whenever she encountered something like this, she could not stop a surge of anger from rising in her heart.
Because bullying fellow disciples was deeply unjust.
What if it's Shangyang Qingyu? This man is not even under her banner yet. And even if he were, I still wouldn't fear her!
Jiang Yu'an glanced at the maidservant beside her and said indifferently, "There's a newly arrived disciple named Xu Yuan. Go bring him here."
"Yes."
The maidservant answered and immediately withdrew respectfully.