After receiving Cheng Xiaofan's consent, the white python plunged into the water. Before long, it emerged from the depths.
Following closely behind it was a Yellow-jawed Fish!
The largest Yellow-jawed Fish that Cheng Xiaofan had caught weighed nearly six hundred jin.
This one was even larger than the previous one, estimated to be over seven hundred jin. It could be said to be the king among Yellow-jawed Fish.
On its head was a finger-thick red line, exceptionally prominent.
As expected of the leader of the Yellow-jawed Fish, this red line appeared quite formidable.
However, no matter how imposing it looked, the Yellow-jawed Fish trembled uncontrollably upon seeing Cheng Xiaofan, causing ripples to spread outwards.
It was clear that the fish had realized this powerful being before it was here to exterminate Yellow-jawed Fish.
Seeing the Sky-breaking Eagle, Mischief-maker, and white python surrounding him, the leader of the Yellow-jawed Fish knew that this being was beyond its ability to provoke.
"Pipi popo!"
The leader of the Yellow-jawed Fish spat out bubbles, attempting to communicate with Cheng Xiaofan.
"Don't be afraid, I won't eat you!"
Cheng Xiaofan released a trace of spiritual energy onto the Yellow-jawed Fish to awaken its spiritual senses. "I'll give you a name. From now on, I'll call you Hong Gang!"
"Pipi popo!"
Having received the spiritual energy, Hong Gang felt an indescribable sense of comfort. It spat out a stream of bubbles and wagged its tail with a crackling sound.
Its spiritual senses were finally unblocked.
Cheng Xiaofan could now understand what Hong Gang was saying.
Pipi popo...
With the communication facilitated by its spiritual senses, Cheng Xiaofan finally understood Hong Gang's words.
Essentially, from now on, Cheng Xiaofan was its master. It would do whatever he commanded, obeying without question. If he wanted it to go east, it wouldn't dare to go west.
If he wanted to eat a certain Yellow-jawed Fish, it would immediately make that fish jump onto the shore by itself.
Regardless of which Yellow-jawed Fish, it would manage them diligently and prevent them from entering White Python Lake to harm the Divine Fish.
Seeing it spout bubbles and wag its tail pleadingly was quite a spectacle.
"Hong Gang!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled slightly and said, "I am very satisfied with your declaration, and I truly believe in your sincerity!"
Thank you, Master!
Hong Gang's tail wagged with a ceremonial flourish.
"You're welcome. Now, immediately bring me a Yellow-jawed Fish weighing about two hundred jin!" As its master, Cheng Xiaofan saw no need for politeness in front of Hong Gang.
Hong Gang nodded and dived into the deep water.
Splash!
In no time, a Yellow-jawed Fish weighing over two hundred jin leaped onto the shore.
It seemed Hong Gang held considerable influence among the Yellow-jawed Fish, as it showed no hesitation despite knowing it was being sent to its death.
This was far more impressive than some humans!
Cheng Xiaofan also wanted to retrieve some lotus roots.
For people in the mountains, eating lotus roots was not an easy feat.
However, as soon as he had the thought, Hong Gang sensed it. Pipi popo, it indicated that it could dive underwater and dig up lotus roots for him.
Fish digging up lotus roots?
Who would believe such a thing if they heard it!
Before Cheng Xiaofan could express doubt, Hong Gang swiftly submerged.
After a short while, Hong Gang dragged a long lotus root from beneath the water.
This lotus root had eight sections, weighed over ten jin, was as thick as a human's calf, and was snow-white and tender.
Sliced and served cold with sugar, lotus roots like these were exceptionally delicious.
They were also superb as a side dish with wine.
It was surprising how adept Hong Gang was at digging up lotus roots underwater, with the entire root undamaged.
However, "digging" wasn't quite the right word; seeing the mud on its mouth, it was clearly nudged out.
"Get me nine more of these lotus roots!" Cheng Xiaofan instructed.
Upon hearing his master's command, Hong Gang quickly sank into the water.
In less than twenty minutes, the other nine lotus roots lay on the lake shore.
To reward Hong Gang, Cheng Xiaofan bestowed two energy pills upon it.
Hong Gang had been exhausted from nudging the lotus roots with its mouth underwater, and had even swallowed some mud. Feeling dizzy, it swallowed the two energy pills and immediately felt invigorated, its eyes gleaming.
It felt a surge of energy within its body, as if it were about to ascend to the heavens.
Cheng Xiaofan clearly saw a flash of golden light emanate from Hong Gang.
Could this fish be showing signs of evolving into a spirit after receiving my energy pills?
"Pipi popo!"
Master, I cannot accompany you. I need to go and digest the energy pills!
"Go ahead!"
Cheng Xiaofan waved it away.
After Hong Gang had submerged, he smiled at the white python and said, "You don't need to worry about Hong Gang anymore. You will continue to secretly guard the thirty-six chestnut-red horses!"
"Hiss hiss!"
The white python understood that the leader of the Yellow-jawed Fish was now under its master's control.
It was better to avoid unnecessary trouble, and it was happy to be a leisurely python, disappearing into the jungle with ease.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately found several tiger vines, tied up the bundles, and along with the two-hundred-plus jin Yellow-jawed Fish, stored some in his spatial dimension.
With Hong Gang, he wouldn't have to catch fish or dig up lotus roots himself here anymore.
Furthermore, he vaguely felt that Hong Gang showed signs of becoming a spirit.
Having a fish spirit by his side would indeed be a good thing.
Around ten-thirty.
Cheng Xiaofan returned home.
By then, the roof of the distillery was being completed, with golden cattail grass being used for sealing.
Many people were helping, and the house would be finished by noon.
As Cheng Xiaofan unloaded the fish and lotus roots from his motorcycle, Miao Xiuhua and several village women were coming out of the kitchen.
"Xiaofan, where did you get so many lotus roots?" Miao Xiuhua asked curiously.
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "I got them from near White Python Lake."
A village woman nearby asked, "Are there lotus ponds near White Python Lake?"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded and said, "Yes, I just discovered it today. These lotus roots were likely planted by our ancestors there years ago, and have since spread widely."
Fortunately, the area beneath the mountain cave was all rock.
Otherwise, these lotus roots would have surely occupied the entire White Python Lake through the cave passage.
"These lotus roots are so beautiful, so tender, they're full of water when you pinch them!"
"You'd never find such good lotus roots in the market!"
"I wonder when the path from the back mountain will be repaired to White Python Lake. I really want to see the place where our ancestors lived as soon as possible."
"Don't talk about yourself. My nearly ninety-year-old mother-in-law talks about wanting to see White Python Lake every single day."
"The White Python Lake area must be like a paradise on earth, otherwise, how could such large fish and lotus roots grow there!"
Listening to the village women's discussions, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, hoping that the road would be opened soon so that everyone could admire the scenery of White Python Lake.
However, this was Bai Yiling's concern, and Cheng Xiaofan couldn't manage it.
Ring, ring, ring!
Just then, Cheng Xiaofan's phone rang.
It was Bai Yiling calling.
"Xiaofan, are you home?" Bai Yiling asked urgently.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately realized something had happened at the construction site and quickly replied, "I just returned from White Python Lake. What's wrong?"
Bai Yiling said, "Gu Jingyue has fainted for no reason. Hurry over and take a look!"