Starting with fishing, I've traversed a chaotic world of demons and martial arts.

After the feeling of comfort spread throughout the body, it felt like all the muscles in the body were being torn apart!

My body is in pain, but my heart is filled with joy!

Li Tianxing lay helplessly on the boat, looking at the azure sky.

A cluster of golden characters appeared before his eyes.

[Technique: Fishing (Beginner)]

Progress: (1/300)

[Skills: Identifying fish behavior, basic swimming skills, and using the current for support.]

[Demon Soul: None]

"I've finally mastered the basics of fishing. Let me take a good look at my current abilities."

With a thought, Li Tianxing felt a surge of information flowing into his mind, like streams merging into the ocean.

[Distinguishing fish activity: The ability to determine the presence of fish by observing water quality, ripples, and bubbles.]

[Initial swimming experience: Able to distinguish between slow currents, undercurrents, and eddies, swimming in rivers with ease.]

[Using the current: Whether swimming or using the current to retrieve a net, it reduces physical exertion.]

Li Tianxing stood up and looked down at the river from the small sampan. Facing the river before him, he felt no fear, only a sense of closeness.

"This is just the beginning, and it has already improved me so much. What will happen if I continue to cultivate further?"

My current fishing experience is probably no less than, and may even be greater than, that of the veterans at the docks!

Without further hesitation, Li Tianxing leaped into the Qinghe River.

It was already late autumn, but Li Tianxing did not feel any coldness or discomfort when his body came into contact with the river water.

On the contrary, he felt a strange sense of exhilaration.

Swimming in the water is effortless...

"In addition to gaining three abilities, my physical fitness has also improved!"

I feel like I can beat three of my former selves.

This should also be a hidden benefit brought about by the breakthrough in technique.

After all, the key to fishing is physical fitness!

Li Tianxing scanned the water's surface, as if he had activated "X-ray vision."

They easily determined their location; there weren't many big fish around.

One reason is that Li Tianxing lacked experience in the past.

On the other hand, it was because the waters he was in were shallow.

As a novice just starting out, he naturally wouldn't dare to go into the deep waters of the Qinghe River.

Deep waters are full of big fish, but they are also more dangerous!

This perfectly illustrates the saying: "The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish."

Li Tianxing boarded the boat and glanced at his forearm.

At this moment, his forearm was slightly bulging, and a few blue veins could be vaguely seen.

"I'm not as thin as before, and I'm much stronger than before."

The sun is about to set today, so let's end our happy fishing time here.

It's time to go to Boguzhai and find Manager Chen.

I wonder what kind of cultivation technique he can give me...

……

The small sampan was moored at Qinghe Wharf.

Li Tianxing weaved through the crowd, carrying his fish basket containing three white crucian carp.

We arrived at the fish market in the East Market.

A middle-aged man dressed in a neat gray outfit, with some scars around his eyes, took the fish basket handed to him by Li Tianxing.

He opened the fish basket, his tone somewhat surprised:

"I remember you're a beginner, right? You just rented the small sampan and fishing gear a few days ago..."

You've gotten the hang of it so quickly?

I remember you caught a big grass carp just the day before yesterday.

The fish market is frequented by many fishermen every day.

Li Tianxing just looked rather delicate, and since he was a newcomer, he naturally stood out.

After all, fishing is a skilled job, and it's usually done in groups of several people. It's rare to see a novice like Li Tianxing who's also a lone wolf.

"You flatter me, Mr. Wang. I've been having some good luck lately."

Li Tianxing said modestly.

The middle-aged man in front of me, dressed in a gray short-sleeved shirt, is named Wang Li.

He was one of the foremen at the fish market.

I heard he was skilled in martial arts and had killed people when he stood up for his brothers. He's a ruthless character.

But he is very loyal to those around him.

Wang Li looked up at Li Tianxing and patted him on the shoulder:

"Great! After fishing for a few days, you look much more energetic, haha!"

As he spoke, he handed 150 copper coins to Li Tianxing.

Li Tianxing felt the other person scrutinizing him.

He took the 150 copper coins, then took out another 30 copper coins and handed them to Wang Li:

"Mr. Wang, don't be stingy with this little bit of money, take it and buy some wine."

Wang Li smiled and waved his hand:

"Fishing is not easy. I was a novice once too. You can keep this money for yourself."

By the way... what's your name?

Li Tianxing took back the copper coin in his hand: "My name is Li Tianxing."

"Hmm, Tianxing. I'll remember you; you're a promising fisherman..."

It's getting late, let's head back.

Otherwise, if the Black Dragon Gang sees you, as a newbie, you'll inevitably have to pay them "tea money."

Wang Li kindly reminded him.

The Black Dragon Gang is the largest gang entrenched at Qinghe Wharf.

Even the Song family's fish shop had to pay a "peace fee" regularly.

They used force to divide and monopolize control of docks, warehouses, and waterways.

Anyone who makes a living here, such as fishermen, porters, boatmen, etc., must obey.

As for the forces behind them.

It was the Chen family of Anlan County, which was on par with the Song family.

Of course, the county magistrate was also behind all of this.

If the patrol team is unable to handle certain tasks, they are delegated to the Black Dragon Gang, and vice versa...

"Thank you, Engineer Wang."

After thanking him, Li Tianxing left the fish market.

……

On his way to Boguzhai, Li Tianxing calculated his income.

"Today's harvest is 150 copper coins, plus the nine silver dollars left over from selling the stationery yesterday, and the money earned from fishing earlier."

The town no longer lacks money for paying taxes and making offerings to the river god.

The next step is to take care of my health under the current conditions and see how to embark on the path of martial arts.

In fact, Li Tianxing had also considered whether he could go to a martial arts school to learn.

But Li Tianxing really couldn't afford the exorbitant apprenticeship fee and tea ceremony fee.

"Sigh, we're still too poor!"

Moreover, judging from Wang Li's words, the Black Dragon Gang will also give a warning to newcomers entering the fishing industry.

It seems I must improve my strength as soon as possible!

Otherwise, you might have the life to make money, but not the life to spend it...

Li Tianxing no longer worries about having enough to eat.

With his current fishing skills, he can definitely ensure that he and Xiaoyuan are well-fed and clothed.

However, in the chaotic world of the Great Sheng Republic, simply satisfying one's basic needs for food and clothing could not guarantee one's safety.

Moreover, through his own interface, Li Tianxing vaguely guessed that there might be demons or similar creatures in this world...

"I must learn martial arts and keep getting stronger!"

This is the best way to ensure your safety.

Li Tianxing secretly swore...

……

A pair of straw sandals stepped through the gate of Boguzhai.

The newcomer was carrying a basket of autumn pears worth thirty copper coins.

A basket of autumn pears is nothing to Manager Chen, but it's definitely not something that ordinary people can afford to eat casually. They only buy a little bit during festivals.

This reveals Li Tianxing's true intentions.

Li Tianxing arrived at the counter and saw Manager Chen lying on a recliner, smoking a pipe.

The so-called dry tobacco pipe is the main tool used by ordinary people to smoke tobacco.

Simply fill the most conspicuous pipe with tobacco, light it, and you can smoke it.

However, the pipe in Manager Chen's hand was made of jade.

It is entirely emerald green, with gold thread imprinted on the copper pipe and a red jade stone inlaid in the mouthpiece.

Manager Chen kept his eyes closed, smoking his pipe, as if he hadn't noticed Li Tianxing's presence.

Li Tianxing wasn't in a hurry. He stood inside the room and waited quietly for Manager Chen to finish smoking all the tobacco in the pipe.

More than ten minutes passed...

Manager Chen exhaled a deep puff of smoke:

"Why didn't you call me when you arrived?"

"I saw that Manager Chen was engrossed in his work, so I didn't disturb him."

Shopkeeper Chen slowly opened his slightly narrowed eyes and glanced again at the autumn pear in Li Tianxing's hand:

"You're so thoughtful. You're so young, yet your heart is so steady. It's rare to see that."

"Come on... close the door, I'll take you to see the backyard."