Chapter 47: A Great Being of the Consolidation Stage—You Call This Fishing?

“Hmm? This young fellow is here to fish as well?”

Hong Zhongyuan hadn’t expected to find someone sharing the same hobby here. Moreover, this person was a young junior. Nowadays, it was rare to find young people who enjoyed fishing.

This naturally piqued the old man’s interest.

“Heh, I’d like to see whether this junior’s fishing skills hold even a fraction of the flair I once had.”

Seeing that no fish had gathered yet around the baited area he had prepared, the old man decided to divert some attention to the young fisherman, using it to pass the time.

On the beach, beneath a sunshade, Wang Chu was holding his fishing rod, boasting to Chuxue. At that moment, he sensed the old man above, silently scrutinizing him.

He smiled, feigning ignorance, and continued explaining his fishing hook to Chuxue:

“With my hook, within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a fish is sure to bite—and not just any ordinary sea fish.”

Chuxue was slightly startled.

“Really?”

Wang Chu replied confidently,

“When have I ever lied to you?”

Above the clouds, hearing Wang Chu’s brazen boast, the old man longed to descend immediately and expose his lies face to face.

“I thought he was truly a young man who loved fishing. In the end, he’s just a playboy who enjoys bragging and spinning tales to fool a young girl.”

He sighed deeply, shaking his head in profound disappointment.

“Alas, the world is declining, and people’s hearts have grown cold. I fear there are hardly any genuine young fishing enthusiasts left nowadays.”

His gaze grew distant as memories from his youth resurfaced—the times when he and his senior brothers fished together by the sea. Back then, the sect was small, the disciples few, competition minimal, and there were no schemes or betrayals.

Now, those senior brothers who once fished alongside him were long buried beneath the earth, reduced to mere stone tablets.

The once modest sect had grown, and under the old man’s leadership, had become a renowned force in Laizhou.

As a pillar of the sect, the old man’s prestige was unmatched, revered by tens of thousands.

Yet, if asked whether he was happier now or back then, he would undoubtedly choose the past.

Because in those days, aside from cultivation, everyone would often gather with fellow disciples to play chess, fish, and engage in leisurely activities to relax the mind and body.

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The sect then felt like a family. Now, though it had grown under his guidance, the joy of those days was gone.

The disciples focused all their energy on cultivation, fearing to be surpassed by their peers.

Brothers in cultivation had become rivals.

Gone were the days of fishing, tea, and chess gatherings; sometimes, even peaceful communication was impossible.

Disagreements often escalated to clashes of blades.

Times move forward, but the old man’s heart remained anchored in the past.

“Ah, I’m off on a tangent again,” he murmured, forcing a bitter smile as he snapped back to reality.

His interest in the young fisherman on the beach waned, and he leisurely checked his own rod and selected bait.

Elsewhere, after introducing his fishing rod to Chuxue, Wang Chu raised it behind him and cast it forward.

The hook, trailing the line, swiftly flew out over the sea.

Moments later, the hook touched the surface and sank beneath the waves.

“Chuxue, just watch. I guarantee a fish will bite within the time it takes an incense stick to burn.”

Chuxue took a sip of her drink, about to say, “Hmm, I believe you.”

But suddenly, she frowned, realizing something.

“Wang Chu, didn’t you forget to put bait on the hook?”

Somewhat uncertain, she continued,

“I’m not very knowledgeable about this, but I’ve read some related books. I recall that when fishing, you always have to put bait on the hook, right?”

Wang Chu remained unflustered and calmly explained,

“You’re talking about ordinary fishermen. Do you think I’m just any ordinary fisherman? I fish without bait. As the saying goes, ‘Wang Taigong’s fishing—willing fish will bite!’”

Chuxue smiled and shook her head.

“Alright then, I was just being shallow. I thought you simply forgot.”

Above the clouds, the old man saw fish beginning to gather around the baited area and felt a spark of joy.

But upon hearing Wang Chu’s words, his joy was replaced by anger and disdain.

“Hmph, ‘willing fish will bite’—this kid’s all talk. I want to see how you’ll explain yourself to this girl after the incense stick burns out.”

He set down his rod and fixed his gaze on Wang Chu’s side again.

After all, the prime fishing time was still some way off.

Watching for an incense stick’s time wouldn’t delay anything important.

---

Thus, the old man began to observe Wang Chu’s every move from within the clouds.

He saw Wang Chu place the rod on a nearby table shortly after casting, then pick up a book and start reading under the sunshade.

The old man shook his head repeatedly, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

“Not holding the rod while fishing is bad enough, but to be so distracted—if a fish bites, you probably wouldn’t even catch it. It’s rare to see a young fisherman nowadays, and yet this one is so frivolous.”

After a moment’s hesitation, the old man could no longer restrain himself.

In an instant, he descended from the clouds to the shore and approached Wang Chu’s side.

“Young man, you won’t catch any fish like that.”

Startled by the weathered voice at his ear, Wang Chu put down his book and looked at the old man with surprise.

Chuxue, also reading nearby, grew extremely cautious.

This old man was no ordinary figure.

Before he spoke, they hadn’t even noticed him.

“Heh, don’t be alarmed. I’m here to fish as well. I was observing you quietly and saw you fishing without any proper technique, so I couldn’t help but come over and offer a reminder.”

Wang Chu’s surprise faded as he stretched his arms and sat back in the lounge chair.

“Senior, what makes you say my fishing method is improper?”

The old man shook his head helplessly.

“Your manner alone speaks volumes. Don’t be fooled by how simple fishing seems—it’s actually a profound art. Without serious study and patience, you won’t catch even a small fish.”

Wang Chu nodded in agreement with the old man’s view on fishing.

“Senior’s words are sound, but I don’t agree with your opinion on my attitude. I’m very patient and serious when I fish.”

If Wang Chu were a disciple within the old man’s sect, he might have already been reprimanded.

Fishing while reading a book and not even using bait hardly counted as serious.

The old man stopped lecturing and asked,

“Alright, then you must be able to catch a fish, right?”

Wang Chu answered confidently,

“Of course.”

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