Chapter 28: Deep Water Bay

Qin Zhen had long known that Scar Brother would not let them off so easily.

As expected, that despicable man had his eye on their fishing net!

"So there's nothing to discuss, is there?"

Qin Zhen let out a cold laugh, and Li Han and the others all adopted a stance ready to risk their lives.

Seeing this, Scar Brother’s men also picked up their weapons, prepared for a fight.

The fishing net was a powerful tool for catching fish; with it, a wealth of opportunities opened up. How could Scar Brother let it slip through his fingers?

"I want not only the fishing net, but also the skill to make it!"

Now that the situation was tense, Scar Brother had no qualms about making his demands clear.

"You must teach me how to make this kind of net!"

Qin Zhen had to admit, for Scar Brother to reach his current position and lead this gang of fishermen, he must possess some cunning.

The net was just a tool; the method of making it was the real treasure.

Qin Zhen thought to himself, I haven’t even started my fishing net business, and this bastard wants to cut me off? Why don’t you just reach for the stars?

Yet, he had to acknowledge that Scar Brother’s words had given him inspiration.

Scar Brother wanted the method, but surely others would, too.

"You bastard!"

Li Han could no longer restrain himself, raising his wooden club, ready to strike.

But Qin Zhen stopped him.

Though he too yearned for a fight with Scar Brother, it was clearly not the right time. The enemy came prepared, and a brawl would only end badly for them.

Qin Zhen gazed deeply at Scar Brother, suppressing the murderous intent in his heart, and said coldly, "You can have the net, but we take all the fish with us!"

"I told you, I want not just the net, but your skill in making it!" Scar Brother demanded loudly.

Whizz!

A crossbow bolt sliced through the air, scraping Scar Brother’s forehead and striking the arm of an unfortunate henchman behind him.

Blood spurted instantly, and the man collapsed, wailing in agony.

"Either the fish die and the net is ruined, or you let us go. Choose," Qin Zhen said, poised with his crossbow, ready for action.

He had to make his boundaries clear.

And leave Scar Brother an out.

That arrow could have pierced Scar Brother’s skull, but such an act would send the situation spiraling out of control. Perhaps Qin Zhen could defeat this gang, but the small fishing village could never withstand the wrath of bandits.

For the sake of his fellow villagers, he had to endure.

Qin Zhen knew Scar Brother’s greed was insatiable; today’s concession would only invite more demands in the future. But he would not retreat forever. He would quietly build his strength and one day sever Scar Brother’s head for a chamber pot.

The fishing net was nothing; it could be remade with effort.

For now, the priority was to leave with the fish, unharmed.

Qin Zhen’s arrow had clearly intimidated Scar Brother.

No one expected Qin Zhen to act so decisively!

Scar Brother felt the sting where the arrow had grazed his face, his eyes turning dark. He knew Qin Zhen was warning him, challenging his authority. If it were any other time, with numbers on his side, he would have beaten these troublemakers to death and fed them to the fish.

But now, seeing Qin Zhen’s crossbow, facing his icy gaze and the righteous indignation of the villagers, Scar Brother hesitated.

Getting the net was already a great gain.

There was no need for a fight to the death.

As for the skill of making nets, he could pursue that later! There was only one place nearby suitable for fishing; as long as he controlled the beach, the villagers would have no choice but to come here. Then, he could have his way.

With this in mind, Scar Brother waved his hand, and his men cleared a path.

"Brother Qin, we have plenty of time ahead. Whenever you come to your senses, I’ll be waiting!"

Qin Zhen ignored him, urging Liu Quan and the others to pack the fish and leave.

"This is unbearable, such bullying!" Shan Hai complained angrily once they left the beach.

"Qin Zhen, why didn’t you just fight them? You’re such a good shot—just put an arrow through Scar Brother’s face, and then we could rush him and his men. We lost a net for nothing and ended up full of grievances!"

Li Han echoed his frustration, "Exactly! Zhen, if you had said the word, we all would’ve backed you up! We can’t let our fishing village be bullied like this!"

Not only them, but the entire fishing team was visibly indignant.

"You know nothing!" Liu Quan interrupted with a splash of cold water. "We might beat them, but can we beat the bandits? Zhen is worried Scar Brother will bring the bandits, and then our whole village will suffer!"

Qin Zhen took everyone’s reaction in stride. He comforted Liu Quan, glanced at the fishing team, and spoke in a deep voice.

"I know you’re all angry—I am too—but what can we do? We’re weak. If you want revenge, go back and train hard with Chen Shu’s village defense team!"

Blind courage only leads to pointless deaths; it accomplishes nothing.

It’s like playing a farming game: Qin Zhen started with just a few dozen villagers, and each loss was irreparable. Unless absolutely necessary, he never wanted to risk everything.

The village needed to grow, and with growth came inevitable bullying.

"Remember what happened today!" Qin Zhen said solemnly. "Fall behind, and you’ll be beaten! When we have the strength to protect our families, that’s when I’ll lead everyone to deal with that old dog!"

Under Qin Zhen’s guidance, the fishing team brothers were all fired up, clearly making the downfall of Scar Brother their new goal.

Qin Zhen was deeply gratified.

"We can’t go back to Golden Sands Beach now. That old dog will surely set traps for us," Liu Quan said anxiously. "What should we do next?"

Though they had caught several hundred fish this time—enough for the village for a while—living off reserves would never last.

"Is there no other beach nearby?" Qin Zhen asked.

The coastline was so long; surely there were other places to fish?

Liu Quan explained, "You don’t understand. Our area is backed by mountains, and the seaside for miles is all cliffs—only Golden Sands Beach is gentle; the neighboring county has fishing spots, but it’s over a hundred miles away, and I hear it’s chaotic there too..."

They were simply disadvantaged by the terrain.

As everyone was brooding, several figures emerged from the woods.

"Brother Qin, wait!"

The leader was Li Erniu.

"Why are you here? What happened to your fish?" Qin Zhen asked curiously.

"Scar Brother stole them!" Li Erniu answered bitterly, his face bruised. After speaking, he knelt beside Qin Zhen.

"Brother Qin, we’ve thought it over. Scar Brother is a scoundrel, and we want to fish with you from now on."

Qin Zhen quickly pulled Li Erniu up.

Helpless, he said, "Don’t mention it. We don’t even know where to fish now."

When Li Erniu heard they had nowhere to go, he hesitated. "I do know of a spot with no owner, but the waters there are very turbulent—several people from our village tried fishing there and were swept away..."

"Where is it?" Qin Zhen’s eyes lit up. "Take me there!"