I Can See Through All Things' Information Chapter 5 Rich Harvest

~5 minute read · 1,151 words
Previously on I Can See Through All Things' Information...
Lu Qing arrived at the riverside with his young followers, instructing them to stay away from the dangerous water. He used his unique ability to identify optimal fishing spots, discovering three distinct locations, including "Ordinary Fishing Spots" and a "Primary Fishing Point" with varying glows. Cautious about his simple gear, Lu Qing decided to begin fishing at the spot most likely to yield smaller fish before returning to his waiting companions.
Lu Qing reached the designated fishing area and flattened the surrounding grass to set down his wooden bucket before pulling out the bamboo tube containing his bait. He broke the mud seal on the container, exposing the cluster of red earthworms squirming inside. The sharp-eyed youngsters watching from the ridge spotted the wriggling creatures and let out gasps of surprise. They were well-acquainted with earthworms, often digging them up for fun or to feed the family poultry. However, the idea that these slimy things could be used to lure fish was entirely new to them. Under the intense scrutiny of the children, Lu Qing pulled out an earthworm and carefully threaded it onto his hook. He then cast the writhing bait into the river, landing it precisely within the gray, swirling zone identified by his superpower. With the hook submerged, Lu Qing settled into a patient wait. Behind him on the slope, the little rascals went silent, holding their breath as they stared at the water. It wasn't long before the small wooden stick acting as a float began to twitch on the surface. The sight sent a wave of tension through the young audience. Lu Qing, however, remained as steady as a rock, refusing to move while the stick continued to tremble. Only when the float suddenly tilted and vanished beneath the water did he snap the rod upward with a sharp jerk. A shimmering white line cut through the air. By the time the children realized what had happened, a small white fish, roughly two fingers thick, was dangling from the line. "He actually caught one!" The children were stunned as they watched the small white fish thrashing its tail on the hook. Little Yan jumped for joy, shouting, "Brother caught a fish! It’s a big one!" A small smile played on Lu Qing’s lips. He felt a sense of relief that his skills hadn't dulled; landing a catch on the first attempt saved him from any potential embarrassment in front of the kids. He unhooked the fish to examine it more closely. It looked remarkably like the whitefish he remembered from his previous life. Suddenly, a faint gray glow radiated from the creature's body. [Small White Fish: Edible, potentially useful as a nutritional supplement.] Seeing the "edible" tag brought Lu Qing instant peace of mind. As long as it could be eaten, today’s meal was guaranteed. He added some water to the bucket and dropped the fish inside, feeling a bit amused by the rowdy children behind him. "Keep it down a little, or you’ll scare the rest away," he cautioned. The kids immediately clamped their hands over their mouths, though their eyes remained wide with excitement. Watching Lu Qing successfully land a fish felt like discovering a hidden world to them, and their hearts raced with thrill. Yet, the true excitement was only just beginning. Lu Qing baited another hook, and almost the moment it hit the water, the float dipped again, resulting in another small white fish. From that point on, Lu Qing entered a rhythm of continuous success. One fish after another was pulled from the depths with such ease that it looked like he was simply picking them out of the air. The variety grew as well; alongside the whitefish, he pulled up yellowbone fish and even several small river shrimp. The scene drove the children to the brink of a frenzy. Had they not been afraid of ruining the fishing, they would have been screaming at the top of their lungs. Eventually, Lu Qing reached into the bamboo tube only to find it empty. A quick glance showed that nearly all the earthworms were gone, with only a few stragglers left at the bottom. He looked at the wooden bucket beside him; it was brimming with fish—a truly magnificent haul. He couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. It had been ages since he had enjoyed such a productive fishing session. This Otherworld environment certainly produced hardy fish; even the small ones put up a significant fight on the line. He also felt a lingering sense of relief. Choosing this specific spot for small fish was the right call. The pull from even these little ones was strong; had he targeted the larger shadows at the other spots, his crude line would likely have snapped instantly. Since the bait was gone and the bites were slowing down, Lu Qing decided it was time to wrap things up. Overfishing would only deplete the spot; it needed time to recover. With that in mind, he packed up his rod, tossed the remaining worms into the river as a parting gift, and hoisted the bucket to head back up the slope. The children were already waiting, their eyes filled with pure adoration. They swarmed him the moment he reached the top. The sight of the bucket overflowing with fish left them in awe. "Lu Qing, you’re incredible! How did you catch so many?" "There are so many! We'll be eating for days!" "I can't believe a bamboo pole actually works!" ... "Brother, brother, look! So many fish!" Little Yan bounced around him, her face flushed with pride and excitement. "It’s nothing special, they’re just a bit small," Lu Qing replied with a modest shrug. Once the initial clamor died down, Lu Qing spoke up, "Help me carry this bucket back to the house, and everyone will get a share of the catch." He estimated the haul at about seven or eight kilograms. With the water and the heavy bucket, it was a lot for his weakened body to carry all the way back to the village. Besides, he and his sister couldn't possibly eat all of this before it spoiled. "Okay, Lu Qing!" The promise of fish sent the children into another wave of excitement. They grabbed the handles, working together to lift the heavy bucket with ease. Those who couldn't find a spot to grip looked ready to cry, forcing Lu Qing to organize a rotation system to keep the peace. And so, the procession made its way back to the village, accompanied by the boisterous cheering of the children. Their arrival didn't go unnoticed; curious villagers stepped out of their homes to see what the fuss was about. The sight left them speechless. "Lu Qing caught all those? And there are so many?" Word of Lu Qing’s recovery had already traveled through the village while he was out. Many knew he had gone to the river, but none expected him to return with such a bounty. The bucket held at least ten kilograms of fresh fish. When had he become such a skilled fisherman? Curiosity piqued, several villagers found themselves following the group back to Lu Qing’s home, eager to learn his secret.