CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 401 HU ZHOU MAKES FISH

"One fish!"

"Two fish!"

"Three fish!"

Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan didn’t need to move—those white fish would automatically dart into the water-free space created by the Water-Repelling Pearl.

Lu Zheng simply took a large wooden bucket from the gourd, waited for the white fish to rush in, and then grabbed them and tossed them into the bucket.

To prevent them from struggling and jumping around, Lu Zheng also cast a Body-Freezing Curse on each white fish.

Kept alive and fresh, yet not moving!

However, just as they caught seven or eight white fish and felt it was enough, ready to float back to the shore, something suddenly fell from above.

Nearly transparent thread, a dull black hook, and bait emitting faint Spiritual Qi.

"Huh?" Lu Zheng couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, "Hu Zhou is here too?"

"Is that his fishing rod?" Liu Qingyan asked.

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Yes, what a coincidence. Let’s catch a few more fish."

Lu Zheng no longer waited for the white fish to swim in automatically but instead used the Transportation Technique to catch another seven or eight fish, all of which he placed into the wooden bucket.

Then, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan, holding the Water-Repelling Pearl together, headed toward the surface.

...

In the deep pool of the mountain valley, the small boat rocked gently.

Hu Zhou held a purple bamboo fishing rod about a yard long, fishing and bragging to Gao Junyu beside him, "I learned by watching Master cook fish back then—I’ll show you later."

But Gao Junyu clearly wasn’t very convinced, "That’s what you said when you roasted lamb last time—the result? What was that supposed to be? Charcoal?"

"That was an accident; it won’t happen this time!" Hu Zhou defended himself, "Grilling requires precise control over the fire; this time it’s just steaming—I can definitely handle it."

"Really?" Gao Junyu smirked, showing doubt.

When Hu Zhou entertained Lu Zheng last time, Lu Zheng had already enhanced his culinary skills, so during his trip to the Southern Border when encountering fresh ingredients, Lu Zheng would show off his skills—not only enjoying a feast himself but also letting Hu Zhou benefit.

Thus, after Lu Zheng left, Hu Zhou, convinced he had learned from watching Lu Zheng cook, invited Gao Junyu over, also intending to show off and win Gao Junyu’s approval.

The result was, of course, comically disappointing.

Yet Hu Zhou wasn’t discouraged, believing he chose the wrong method last time and was a bit rusty, leading to the mishap.

This time was different—just steaming white fish, right? Simply put water at the bottom, fish on top, and steam for an incense stick’s time.

If he couldn’t do something so simple, wouldn’t he be a fool?

As for Lu Zheng seemingly processing the fish before steaming...

It seemed he just removed the innards and drained some water... right?

Yes, just like that!

So, upon hearing Gao Junyu’s skepticism, Hu Zhou refused to accept it, saying, "Rest assured, it’s definitely fresh! With the texture of the white fish, it’ll make you want to swallow your tongue."

"Alright, I’ll trust you this time," Gao Junyu couldn’t help but lick her lips.

By the way, she had half the blood of a black bear, which made her particularly fond of tender fish.

"The bait is set; now we just wait for the white fish..."

Halfway through his sentence, Hu Zhou’s expression changed dramatically, his eyes intense.

"Something’s coming up from the water!" Gao Junyu exclaimed, grasping the Bright Silver Coiling Dragon Spear in her reverse grip.

The next moment, swoosh!

Two figures shot out of the water about ten meters from the small boat.

"Master!?"

"Master Lu!?"

Upon seeing Lu Zheng’s figure, Hu Zhou and Gao Junyu exclaimed together.

"Seeing the fishhook, I knew it was Hu Zhou. Oh, Miss Gao is here too!"

Lu Zheng, pulling Liu Qingyan along, took a few steps in midair to reach the small boat floating on the pool.

"Reel in the fishing line; I’ve already caught dozens of fish—more than enough to eat." Lu Zheng laughed.

Hu Zhou saw the large wooden bucket in Lu Zheng’s hand and agreed, starting to reel in the fishing line.

As he did so, he bowed and greeted Liu Qingyan with a silly grin, "Hello, Master’s wife!"

"This is my wife, Liu Qingyan." Lu Zheng introduced her to Gao Junyu, and then introduced Gao Junyu to Liu Qingyan, "Gao Junyu, Miss Gao—Hu Zhou’s fiancée."

"Greetings, Master Liu!" Gao Junyu quickly put down the spear and saluted.

"Hello, Miss Gao!" Liu Qingyan nodded gracefully, smiling in response.

Lu Zheng looked at them, "Are you not getting married until the tenth?"

Gao Junyu nodded, "Yes, today’s already the sixth, isn’t it?"

Lu Zheng: ???

Hu Zhou explained, "Master, the customs in the Southern Border are different from the Great Jing, and since Feixiong Mountain and Dingfeng Mountain are too far apart, there’s no need for the formal procession—on the tenth, we’ll simply hold the ceremony and marry."

Understanding dawned on Lu Zheng, and he nodded.

Moreover, none of them were ordinary people, and there weren’t any rules about not meeting before marriage. Since Gao Junyu came to Dingfeng Mountain, Hu Zhou took her out to enjoy some good food.

"In that case..." Lu Zheng smiled.

"In that case, I’ll make steamed fish for everyone." Hu Zhou took over, "When Master has something to do, the disciple should help, and I learned from Master last time."

Liu Qingyan couldn’t help but smile, "Hu Zhou is being considerate."

Hu Zhou scratched his head and grinned foolishly.

Gao Junyu also chuckled, satisfied with Hu Zhou’s behavior.

Lu Zheng raised his eyebrows, not stopping Hu Zhou’s good intentions, "Alright! Then I’ll just enjoy this meal."

"Master, rest assured!"

...

Holding the Brocade Spring Saber in hand, Hu Zhou expertly peeled and scaled the fish, removed the innards, and placed them on a rack to drain.

Setting up the firewood, Hu Zhou brought forth a specially-made iron pot, with the bottom layer filled with water, and a perforated iron plate in the middle—crafted by the village’s blacksmith.

Lu Zheng ignored Hu Zhou’s activity, instead chatting with Liu Qingyan and Gao Junyu.

Gao Junyu had only visited Yongzhou but never ventured into the heartland of Great Jing, so chatting with Liu Qingyan made her seem like a curious child.

Liu Qingyan, much more attentive than Hu Zhou and well-traveled, coupled with listening to songs and reading, had plenty to discuss.

One spoke of stories from the Central Plains, the other shared tales from the Southern Border, chatting like close friends about everything.

Lu Zheng just listened to gossip on the side, indulging in drinks, seeds, and peanuts.

Then, as the two women chatted, they brought up Hu Zhou’s boastful culinary skills and Gao Junyu mentioned the time Hu Zhou invited her for barbecue, only to roast the lamb into charcoal.

"He said steaming is simple and insists I try it." Gao Junyu laughed, "Now, with Master Lu here, it’s perfect timing to critique his prowess and see how much of your skill he has acquired."

Turning roasted meat into charcoal?

Lu Zheng suddenly had a premonition of unease.

The next moment...

"Master! Mistress! Junyu! The steamed fish is ready; come taste my craft!"