Chapter 686 — The Old Angler by the Cold Pool
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
"I have other matters to attend to and cannot divide my attention, so I had no choice but to wake you, Senior Brother." The Woodcutter Sage sighed. "Twenty thousand years have passed, and a new age has come. Senior Brother should not sleep on."
The old angler rose, lifted the fish basket and slung it on his back, reeled in his line, took up his rod, and turned to face Shen Mu, Yan Jingjing, and the rest.
His head was very large, his neck seemed very short, and the bamboo hat sat snugly wedged on his topknot. His face looked much older than the Woodcutter's, seamed with wrinkles that ran crosswise, but his eyes were very big.
Shen Mu and Yan Jingjing made their greetings. The old angler said, "And these two children are...?"
"The boy is a son of the Shen clan, from the Land of No Sorrow. The girl is the present Sun Guardian," the Woodcutter said. "Shen-er, this is the Fisherman Heavenly Master, one of the four Heavenly Masters of the Kaihuang Celestial Court in those days."
The old angler waved a hand and laughed. "The Kaihuang Era ended twenty thousand years ago — what Heavenly Master? Woodcutter, I am not so shameless as you, still wearing the title of Heavenly Master about me. A son of the Shen clan from the Land of No Sorrow has come to the Desolate Ruins — is Kaihuang planning to strike back?"
The Woodcutter's face fell.
The old angler saw it and shook his head. "The Land of No Sorrow has become a cozy nest. Kaihuang's heart has grown old, most likely; he will not leave that cozy nest. Come, let us go fish for the sun!"
The Woodcutter said to Shen Mu, "Shen-er, go with him. I have other business to see to." With that he turned and left, vanishing quickly from sight.
The old angler put away the little folding stool as well and strode out of the canyon. "You two little ones, follow me."
Shen Mu and Yan Jingjing hurried after him. Yan Jingjing said softly, "There are still two fish in the basket..."
Just as she said this, one of the bright red fish in the basket suddenly propped its two front fins on the rim, poked its head out, looked at them with both eyes, and said, "Are you two a married couple?"
Yan Jingjing's face flew red, and she lowered her head shyly. "Not yet..."
Another red fish propped itself on the rim and poked its head out, and a woman's voice came from its mouth: "We are." With that, the two red fish touched mouths and kissed.
Yan Jingjing's face grew redder still. She quietly tugged at Shen Mu's sleeve. Shen Mu was lost in thought, and only came to himself when she tugged. He muttered, "Soup would still be tastier... Sister Jing, what is it?"