Chapter 9: The Feast of Fish

Xu Xuan’s eyes widened as he stepped forward with his left foot, forming a mystical hand seal while chanting under his breath.

“Thunder, descend!”

His shout boomed like a great bell, shaking the hall to its very rafters. In that instant, crackling lightning burst forth from thin air above the main hall of Fortune Overflow Pavilion, illuminating everything as if it were broad daylight. Xu Xuan gripped the crackling thunderbolt in his hand, appearing as an immortal descended to earth.

“Is that sorcery?”

“Immortal arts—Thunder Discipline!”

“What a display! Our Wuliu County truly breeds heroes on blessed lands.”

The onlookers, who had gathered for the spectacle, stared in utter shock and awe, their gazes toward Xu Xuan filled with reverence and admiration. Who would have guessed that the gentle, scholarly youth before them hid such unfathomable abilities?

Thunder rolled, its intangible force sweeping through the hall, shattering countless teacups and plates. The entire room looked as if a hurricane had swept through, leaving chaos in its wake. Amidst the flickering lightning, so pure and radiant, some among the crowd caught fleeting glimpses of the fish demon’s true form.

Panic-stricken, many blanched and cried out about monsters, and if not for Xu Xuan’s command over thunder to subdue evil, they would have scattered in terror long ago. Feeling the might of the thunder in Xu Xuan’s grasp, the fish demon’s face changed dramatically, fear etched deep in its eyes.

“Please, young master, stay your hand and hear me out,” the fish demon pleaded, realizing Xu Xuan’s power.

“Speak quickly!” Xu Xuan barked, growing impatient as he held the thunderbolt.

“I was only jesting about becoming a golden idol—do you believe me?” The fish demon’s guilt was apparent as it glanced at Xu Xuan in fear.

“Do you believe me if I say I’m your father?” Xu Xuan retorted coldly.

“Father, I bow to you!” the fish demon exclaimed, kneeling on the spot.

Xu Xuan was utterly taken aback by the demon’s shamelessness; he never expected such a brazen admission in public.

“Hehe, young master, who would have thought this fish demon so shameless? Perhaps you should let it off this once,” came a lighthearted voice.

Zhao Jinqian, unable to stifle her laughter at the fish demon’s antics, spoke up in its defense. After all, she herself was a spirit from Lake Bibo and felt some kinship with the fish demon.

Considering the demon had harmed no one and with Zhao Jinqian’s intercession, Xu Xuan withdrew his magic, and clarity returned to the world.

“Fish demon, since the people of Fortune Overflow Pavilion destroyed your mortal body, I will have them carve a wooden statue of you to be worshipped henceforth. Does this arrangement suit you?”

“Your kindness is boundless, young master. I accept your proposal,” the fish demon replied, not daring to bargain after witnessing Xu Xuan’s power.

Seeing the demon agree, Xu Xuan turned to the gathering crowd. “Is there a carpenter among you? I have a matter to discuss.”

He repeated his question three times before an elderly man stepped out—none other than the renowned Carpenter Wang of the locality.

Xu Xuan drew him aside and began to describe the fish demon’s appearance. Carpenter Wang, having glimpsed the demon’s outline in the earlier flash of lightning, had a fair idea already. He quickly found a piece of wood and, drawing a carving knife from his pocket, began to work with focused intensity.

While Carpenter Wang was busy carving, Xu Xuan idly addressed the innkeeper. “Innkeeper, has that four-foot-long yellowtail been eaten?”

“Reporting to young master, more than half of the yellowtail remains,” the plump innkeeper replied respectfully.

“Excellent. That fish is a great tonic—its eyes brighten vision, its flesh strengthens the body, its bones fortify, its bladder invigorates, and the soup is nourishing for the blood. I barely tasted the tofu earlier. Have the kitchen boil water; I’d like to sample the fish shortly.”

The innkeeper gaped at Xu Xuan’s continued interest in eating the yellowtail, but recalling his earlier display, dared not object. He quickly ordered the kitchen to prepare a feast from the fish.

Meanwhile, the fish demon stared at Xu Xuan with a look of deep grievance. Scholars truly are the most wretched sort, he thought. Discussing how to eat someone’s flesh right in front of them—what sort of person could do such a thing?

Xu Xuan, for his part, paid no mind to the demon’s aggrieved gaze. As the crowd watched, Carpenter Wang had already carved out the fish demon’s likeness in wood. In the kitchen, under the innkeeper’s direction, chefs busied themselves with steaming, frying, braising, garlic-stir-frying, and making soup—the aroma of fish began to waft through the air.

With the demon’s spell broken, those afflicted diners who had been covered in blood and scales gradually recovered, the blisters and scales vanishing from their flesh. They offered Xu Xuan their heartfelt thanks.

“Benefactor, had you not intervened today, the pain would’ve been unbearable,” one grateful patron declared, bowing to Xu Xuan in thanks.

Several others followed suit, expressing their gratitude. Most patrons at Fortune Overflow Pavilion were people of means, and Xu Xuan’s lifesaving act was no small favor. After a quick discussion, they pooled together thirty taels of silver as a token of gratitude.

“What is the meaning of this?” Xu Xuan’s face darkened with displeasure as he refused the silver. “As a scholar of Wuliu County, it is my duty to act when I see injustice. To accept your silver would be an affront to my honor.”

Though the thirty taels were tempting, Xu Xuan knew that accepting them in front of so many would invite scorn. For the sake of his reputation, he could not take the money.

“Truly noble!” the rescued patrons exclaimed, hastily withdrawing the silver, embarrassment plain on their faces. To offer silver to their benefactor now seemed an insult.

They resolved to spread word of Scholar Xu’s righteousness and valor far and wide. Even Zhao Jinqian, who had silently observed, found herself admiring the young master’s character all the more, though her heart was tinged with sorrow—she, after all, was already dead and no longer of the living.

Carpenter Wang, after much effort, finally completed a lifelike wooden statue of the fish demon. The demon’s spirit, seeing the finished figure, was satisfied. It bowed to Xu Xuan and, in a gust of dark wind, entered the wooden effigy. Instantly, the once lifeless carving seemed to gain a spark of vitality.

“Innkeeper, take good care in offering incense to this statue on the first and fifteenth of each month. I guarantee that the Fortune Overflow Pavilion will prosper and know no misfortune,” Xu Xuan said, handing the statue over.

The innkeeper accepted it reverently, preparing to commission a shrine that very night to ensure the demon was properly worshipped and the business protected.

Carpenter Wang, exhausted and drenched in sweat, was handed twenty copper coins by Xu Xuan as thanks for his trouble. Though at first reluctant to accept, he eventually did so at Xu Xuan’s insistence, expressing his gratitude once more.

At that moment, the kitchen staff reported that the fish banquet was ready to be served. Upon hearing that Xu Xuan truly intended to eat the great fish, many in the room felt a pang of unease. After all, the fish demon’s spirit was right there—wasn’t it a bit much to feast on its flesh in its presence, without a thought for its feelings?