After the old doctor entered the room, he stepped back out quickly.
He had a small box in his hands.
"Take this," he said, passing the box to Lu Qing.
"What is this?"
Lu Qing opened the box and found a small bundle of nearly transparent white silk threads inside.
"These threads were a gift from an injured swordsman I rescued many years ago during my travels," the old doctor explained.
"I don't know exactly what they are, but these threads are exceptionally tough and not easily breakable. They should meet your requirements for fishing line."
"Grandpa Chen, this is far too valuable. I can't accept it," Lu Qing said immediately, trying to push the box back.
Something that was given to repay a life-saving favor must be extraordinary, and Lu Qing didn't dare to take it so casually.
Still, hearing the word "swordsman" stirred something within him.
*This world truly has individuals beyond the ordinary.*
But the old doctor didn't take the box back.
He waved his hand and said, "Just keep it. It's of no use to me. It has been sitting here for over ten years, and I've never had an occasion to use it. If you hadn't mentioned your need, I would've forgotten I even had it."
"Since you need durable thread for fishing, why not use this? It's better to make use of it than to let it gather dust here."
"If you feel too guilty about accepting it, then just bring me something nice if you ever catch a big fish. That little fish from yesterday was quite fresh and perfect as a side dish with wine."
Lu Qing held the box, feeling both grateful and guilty.
*The old doctor treated him and his sister so well, yet he had previously contemplated secretly learning the man's cultivation technique. The thought made him deeply ashamed.*
Looking at the box in his hands, Lu Qing silently made a decision in his heart.
In the days to come, unless the old doctor willingly taught him—
he would never again attempt to mimic the cultivation technique on his own.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Chen. Anytime I catch something good, I'll make sure to deliver it to you first!" Lu Qing said earnestly, gripping the small box tightly.
The old doctor burst out laughing, "Haha, I'll look forward to it then!"
Leaving the old doctor's home, Lu Qing's heart was filled with excitement.
The day's rewards were truly immense.
Not only had he gained the old doctor's goodwill, but his body had been nurtured, and he was given the opportunity to learn about identifying medicinal herbs.
On top of that, he had received a box of mysterious silk threads.
*Lu Qing had a strong feeling that the silk threads the old doctor gave him were no ordinary item.*
However, back in the old doctor's home, it wouldn't have been appropriate to keep staring at the threads. Otherwise, he could've used his superpower to investigate.
Descending the mountain with Little Yan, they arrived back at the village just as several villagers, carrying bamboo poles and buckets, were returning with laughter from the direction of the village entrance.
When they spotted Lu Qing, they began shouting from afar, "Lu Qing!"
"Uncle Shi, are you all just coming back from fishing?"
Noticing the fishing poles the villagers were carrying on their shoulders, Lu Qing asked.
"Yeah," said the villager whom Lu Qing referred to as Uncle Shi, visibly excited. "Didn't we hear about that earthworm-fishing method you mentioned yesterday? Early this morning, Dashan and I dug up some earthworms to try it out by the river. And let me tell you, Lu Qing, it really works! Take a look at our haul today!"
Saying this, he lifted the bucket in his hand to show Lu Qing.
Glancing inside, Lu Qing saw quite a number of fish—probably about a pound or two in total.
Some were even bigger than what he'd caught the day before.
He checked the other villagers' buckets. Sure enough, every one of them had caught fish, even the smallest haul weighing in at about half a pound.
One of the villagers had gotten particularly lucky and caught a fish weighing over a pound, though he was a bit regretful. "I hooked an even bigger one earlier, but it was so strong it snapped my hemp line right off. Even my hook's gone!"
"I told you not to yank so hard," another villager chided. "You've got to tire it out first, but you just had to go head-to-head with it. Of course, the line snapped!"
"How was I supposed to know the fish would be that strong? I swear, that one had to weigh at least five pounds!"
"Oh, spare me. At best, it was a two-pounder. If it really were five pounds, you'd have lost it the moment you tried pulling it in!"
"It was definitely five pounds!"
...
Listening to the villagers bicker about the size of the fish that got away, Lu Qing couldn't help but laugh.
*This scene was so familiar.*
*In his previous life, whenever he went fishing with his buddies, it was just like this. If anyone snapped a line, no matter what actually happened, they always claimed the biggest fish imaginable got away.*
*Anything under ten pounds wouldn't do justice to their fishing skills!*
*Who would've thought, even after reincarnating in the Otherworld, he'd still witness this same scene?*
*Sure enough, no matter the world, the personality of fishing enthusiasts remained the same.*
Lu Qing's laughter left Uncle Shi and the others a bit embarrassed.
Especially because of the way Little Yan's big eyes were intently watching their argument. It made them feel even more self-conscious.
A group of grown men arguing like this in front of two kids only hurt their dignity as elders.
"Lu Qing, where are you two coming from?"
To break the awkwardness, Uncle Shi hurriedly changed the subject.
"Little Yan and I just came back from Grandpa Chen's place," Lu Qing replied.
Uncle Shi nodded. "Ah, the old doctor. Makes sense. He's the one who cured you, after all. It's only right to pay him a visit to express your gratitude."
He had assumed Lu Qing went to thank the old doctor.
"Yeah, if it weren't for Grandpa Chen, I probably wouldn't even be standing here," Lu Qing agreed.
"By the way, Lu Qing, since you're the one who taught us this fishing method, why don't you take a few of these fish home to eat?" Uncle Shi suggested.
"That's right. If not for your tip, we wouldn't have known earthworms could be used as bait!"
"Take mine! Take mine! My fish are bigger!"
"Nonsense! Yours aren't as big as mine. The biggest one is in my bucket—take that one!"
Other villagers chimed in, each insisting he choose from their catch.
"Uncles, no need. I still have plenty of fish left from yesterday," Lu Qing kindly declined.
"Oh, come on. You and Little Yan are both so thin. Fish is nutritious; you need to eat more of it!"
Eventually, Lu Qing couldn't argue his way out. Symbolically, he picked a few fish from each villager's bucket, threading them onto a strand of grass by the roadside.
Just like that, he ended up with half a pound of fish.
"Take more, take more!" Uncle Shi insisted again.
"I really can't. If I take any more, we won't even have enough oil and salt at home to cook them."
This time, no matter what they said, Lu Qing firmly refused to take more.
Hearing his explanation, Uncle Shi and the others finally relented.
It was true—without enough oil and salt, the fishy smell would make the fish hard to enjoy.
Holding the string of fish, Lu Qing said his farewells to Uncle Shi and the others before heading back to his small courtyard with Little Yan.
Once home, he placed the fish in the kitchen.
Then he retrieved the small box the old doctor had given him.
Opening the box, he quietly gazed at the silk threads lying inside.