CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: SELF-AWARENESS

Shen Wang was silent for a moment and then said quietly, "Does it eat people?"

"It does."

Wu Jieqi nodded, "I won’t lie to you about that, but since they’re offering such a generous reward, there must be some danger. I hope you don’t miss out, Brother Wang."

"How many has it eaten, is it full?" Shen Wang was curious.

This question made the faces of those working nearby darken, why did it feel like this guy was talking about them being fish food?

"Recently it has eaten three people, one right after the Market Festival ended, once yesterday, and another today. Given its size, it shouldn’t be full."

Wu Jieqi said this, becoming a little impatient, "Brother Wang, do you want to take the risk or not? I hope for a definite answer."

"I’m interested in these little fish, not the big fish in the water."

Shen Wang shook his head, deciding still not to take the risk. With so many cultivators and martial artists unable to take it down, it must be a Great Demon, how could he possibly handle it?

This world not only has humans but also various demons and ghosts. Lower-tier demons are divided into Little Demons and Great Demons.

Little Demons are on the same level as Qi Cultivation Cultivators and Innate Martial Arts Grandmasters, Great Demons are on the same tier as Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Martial Arts Grandmasters.

However, demons either have powerful physical bodies or mysterious divine techniques, they can often easily kill human cultivators of the same tier, and without the help of magical artifacts or talismans, humans face near-certain death.

His Dantian was damaged because he encountered a Great Demon, how could he now risk it again? Even if his body suddenly advanced to a Treasure Body, it couldn’t withstand the bite of a Great Demon.

"Steward Wu, what’s the point of inviting such a coward, it’s a complete waste of time, the people I invited should be here soon, no need wasting words on him."

An arrogant voice appeared nearby, wearing the same clothes as Steward Wu, an aquiline-nosed cultivator looking somewhat aggressive approached, seemingly another steward.

Shen Wang merely smiled, not at all angry, if this person wasn’t deliberately mocking, then they were using taunting tactics, why would he fall for it?

He calmly walked towards the fish, "Steward Wu, how much for these fish?"

Wu Jieqi saw that Shen Wang was genuinely giving up, he could only reply helplessly, "We’re all friends here, just take these ordinary fish if you want. We couldn’t work together this time, maybe next time."

Shen Wang glanced back at the latter, "Just for saying that, if it’s within my capacity next time, I won’t refuse."

"Haha, so you’re saying this time is beyond your capacity?"

The aquiline nose continued sarcastically, looking down on this poor martial artist.

"That’s right, it’s beyond my personal ability. I won’t overreach, I don’t think I’m that amazing."

Shen Wang nodded, having self-awareness. He was just a fake Martial Arts Grandmaster, lacking real skills, why bother risking his life?

Wang Jinsheng’s tone faltered, wanting to call this guy useless, but Wu Jieqi gave him a tug, "Alright, you’re family. Is there a need to bicker over such matters?"

"I just want to find a way to capture this beast, now others are laughing at us, saying if we can’t handle it, let them try."

Wang Jinsheng said irritably, "And the people from the Sun and Moon Dynasty also inquired. I managed to delay them, using the excuse that the beast ate our people, but if we don’t take it down soon, they might intervene under the guise of stabilizing morale."

"I understand, but this matter can’t be rushed."

Wu Jieqi pulled Wang Jinsheng away towards the distance, his voice gradually weakening, "Didn’t you say that Grandmaster Mingkong would arrive soon? Once he’s here, there should be no problem."

Shen Wang’s attention returned to the fish, observing while thinking, "Better to grab a few fish for free and quickly get out of here, more experts are gathering, better not get exposed."

"Get me a few carp, and some eels too."

He said unceremoniously to the person by the bucket, the latter sneered inside, given the steward’s attitude, this person must be a Grandmaster, but he’s taking advantage of these trivial gains?

Though scornful inside, he didn’t dare speak out, he took a bamboo basket from the side and handed it to Shen Wang, "Sir, take whatever you fancy."

"Then I won’t hold back."

Shen Wang went for the carp, this thing had lactation-promoting effects. After picking up a few, he thought of the small pool at home, tossed them back, and simply carried the whole bucket away.

"Can’t be bothered to choose, I’ll just take this bucket of fish."

He chuckled, his eyes caught a few goldfish in a distant basin, one particularly beautiful.

"My daughter will surely like this one."

He walked over and said, "I’ll take this goldfish too."

"This goldfish is for ornamental purposes, if you want it, just take it."

The resting martial artist couldn’t care less.

"Alright then, be sure to thank the steward for me."

He poured the goldfish along with the others into the bucket, carrying spirit rice and meat in one hand, and the bucket in the other as he ran off.

Watching him leave, many present had looks of disdain on their faces.

It was only after Shen Wang went far away that they started discussing.

"Really an embarrassment to us martial artists."

"Indeed, a Grandmaster being so scared, how did he even rise to such a level?"

"Honestly, it’s good he didn’t act, if real danger came, we’d be the unlucky ones."

Shen Wang didn’t hear, but even if he did, he wouldn’t care.

He’s not really a martial artist, just a Qi Cultivator who learned some Martial Dao. His physique inexplicably grew stronger, but he’d never had the demeanor of a martial artist.

"Ah, missed out on five hundred Spirit Stones, a Martial Arts Divine Technique too, feels like missing out on millions."

After getting far away, Shen Wang still felt somewhat reluctant, such high-level rewards were unattainable even for him at his peak.

After all, these were terms offered to someone on par with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, obviously beyond the Qi Cultivation Realm.

"No point thinking more, the key now is to develop steadily without taking risks, otherwise, a dog like me sneaking into a wolf pack will inevitably be found out."

Shen Wang comforted himself, not noticing in the bucket, all the fish distanced themselves from one goldfish, the most beautiful goldfish stared at him intently, seemingly with a hint of intelligence.

Shen Wang dashed back home, carrying over a hundred pounds of things. It took a little longer time, but by the time he got home, it wouldn’t be much past dawn.

Jia’Er was in the courtyard directing Liu Shan and Hongping in martial training. She had once been instructed by a Martial Arts Grandmaster from the Shen Family, her skills were much higher than the two.

Seeing Shen Wang enter, she joyfully went to greet him, taking the spirit rice from his hand, looking into the bucket, smiled, "Husband, where did the fish come from, still lively and jumping."

"Met some people fishing on the way, they gave them to me. Put them in the pond for now, feed a carp each day, it can promote lactation."

Shen Wang went towards the pond in the yard, the pond was about a foot wide, shaped like Eight Trigrams, it was dried up, he’d have to get water.

"Fetch me a small water jar, a basin will do, these little goldfish can be kept separately to admire."

Shen Wang said to Jia’Er, who was heading to the kitchen to store the rice.

"Alright, wait a moment, husband."