Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

The early spring chill had not yet fully receded, and the waters of the Nanzhe No. 7 Fishery were beginning to thaw.

After Chen Qing emerged from his seclusion, his aura had grown even more steady. He had stabilized his Cultivation at the Mid-stage Embracing Pill Realm.

He gathered everyone at the Fishery in the courtyard to give instructions on raising the fish.

"Old Zhao."

Chen Qing’s voice was steady. "The winter harvest is over, and the ice and snow have melted. It’s time to prepare the fish fry for the new season. Follow the usual procedures from last year. Prioritize replenishing the five-year Treasure Fish stock, and keep up with the cleaning and maintenance of the Jade Lotus Pool. If the accounts are short, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Steward! Rest assured, this old man knows what to do. I’ll make sure everything is handled properly."

Old Zhao rubbed his hands together, seeming a bit hesitant. "Steward, there is one more thing... This is Miss Lin Xue, a disciple from the Sect’s Outer Courtyard. She just arrived at the Fishery this morning. She is Steward Lin Wei’s sister."

Following Old Zhao’s gesture, Chen Qing’s gaze fell on a figure standing slightly behind the crowd.

A young woman of about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in white Martial Attire, stood there. Her features faintly resembled Lin Wei, but her demeanor was colder and more stubborn.

She pressed her lips together, appearing slightly ill at ease under Chen Qing’s gaze as she cupped her fist in a salute. "I, disciple Lin Xue, greet Steward Chen."

Old Zhao added from the side, "Miss Lin Xue requested to come to our No. 7 Fishery to serve as a Patrol..."

Chen Qing’s gaze lingered on Lin Xue.

Without even needing to probe, he could clearly sense the fluctuations in her qi and blood, placing her at the Dark Force Realm.

The Lin Family was a minor one. Lin Wei had been their most outstanding disciple, but Lin Xue’s aptitude was far inferior. After two years in the Outer Courtyard, this was as far as she had come.

Logically, a Fishery Patrol was required to have reached at least Great Success in Dark Force.

"A Fishery Patrol’s duties are not light. You must be able to handle disturbances in the waters and protect the harvest."

Chen Qing’s voice remained steady, betraying no emotion as he looked directly at Lin Xue. "You are still only at the Dark Force Realm. Your strength is somewhat lacking."

Lin Xue bit her lip and said stubbornly, "I... I will work hard. I ask Steward Chen to give me a chance to gain experience."

Chen Qing looked at her forced stubbornness and thought of Lin Wei again.

It was a fact that her strength was insufficient, but for Lin Wei’s sake, he was willing to offer her sister some protection within the scope of his duties.

"So be it."

Chen Qing finally spoke, his gaze sweeping over the crowd in the courtyard. "Since you are determined, Junior Sister Lin Xue, you may stay at the Fishery as a Patrol. You are new here, so you must be cautious in all things. Learn diligently, ask questions, and do not act rashly."

A glint of light instantly flashed in Lin Xue’s eyes. She immediately cupped her fist, her voice tinged with excitement. "Thank you for granting me this opportunity, Steward Chen!"

Chen Qing nodded slightly, then looked at the crowd. "Alright, everyone get to your tasks. Jiang Feng, you will first show Junior Sister Lin Xue around the Fishery, especially the patrol routes and key points."

Everyone acknowledged the order and dispersed.

Jiang Feng then took Lin Xue to familiarize herself with the Fishery.

"Old Zhao, wait a moment."

Chen Qing’s voice rang out, stopping Old Zhao just as he was about to turn away.

Old Zhao quickly halted and turned back respectfully. "Steward?"

Only when Lin Xue and the others had walked some distance away, leaving just Chen Qing and Old Zhao in the courtyard, did Chen Qing speak again, his voice a little lower:

"Lin Xue is Steward Lin Wei’s sister. Steward Lin Wei sacrificed her life for the Sect while fighting bandits on Nine Waves Island, a heroic death. Junior Sister Lin is new, inexperienced, and needs to improve her strength. You and the other experienced hands at the Fishery must take good care of her."

"If there are any Fishery matters that Junior Sister Lin doesn’t understand, take the trouble to guide her. Make sure she gets familiar with things as quickly as possible, and more importantly, ensure her safety."

Hearing this, Old Zhao’s expression turned solemn, and he nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, Steward! This old man understands. I will guide her in all matters and absolutely will not let her act recklessly."

"Mm."

Chen Qing nodded. "You may go."

He then returned to his room, packed a few things, and boarded a carriage for Yunlin Prefecture City.

Inside the carriage were several heavy camphor wood chests containing his spoils from Nine Waves Island.

「A short while later, they arrived at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.」

Chen Qing was a regular here and was quickly led to a private room on the second floor.

Before long, Liu Chengzong walked in at a leisurely pace.

"Brother Chen! What a rare pleasure! I heard you had quite the harvest on Nine Waves Island and earned great merit. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet!"

Liu Chengzong was all smiles, enthusiastically cupping his hands in greeting, but his eyes inconspicuously swept over the heavy-looking chests at Chen Qing’s feet.

As the Steward of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, his information was naturally up-to-date.

Everyone who survived Nine Waves Island had made a fortune.

"Steward Liu, you’re too kind."

Chen Qing returned the salute, his tone mild. "I’ve come today to do some business with your esteemed pavilion."

"Oh? Please, go on, Brother Chen."

Liu Chengzong’s eyes lit up as he personally poured fragrant tea for Chen Qing.

Chen Qing didn’t beat around the bush and directly opened the camphor wood chests.

In an instant, the glittering treasures were almost blinding: there were gold ingots, various high-quality Gemstones, jade ornaments, and Treasure Medicine.

"Take a look and see what these things are worth."

"One moment, Brother Chen. I’ll have someone come and appraise them."

Liu Chengzong summoned two sharp-eyed Treasure Appraisers, who deftly began sorting, weighing, and valuing the items.

For a time, the private room was filled with nothing but the clatter of items and the low murmur of discussion.

A full half-hour passed before Liu Chengzong returned with the final list, his smile even more eager. "Brother Chen, thank you for your patience. This is a diverse lot, and the quality is quite good. The few stalks of Treasure Medicine and this batch of Gemstones, in particular, are quite valuable. I’ll give you an honest price. The total is... sixty-eight thousand taels of silver! What do you think?"