Black Water Pool?
Looking at the flickering hexagrams in his Sea of Consciousness, Shen Yuan felt a bit excited.
This Black Water Pool, also known as Black Dragon Pool, is located just twenty miles outside Jinliu Village, covering hundreds of acres. One must pass through it to travel from Jinliu Village to Yunshui Town.
It is said that the bottom of Black Water Pool has a spring connected to a mountain spring inside Hidden Dragon Mountain, with many dangerous currents and whirlpools. There are sightings of Tuo Dragons and giant pythons, and even a terrifying black dragon lurking within.
In the early years, when Anyang County suffered from a severe drought and the Laishui River flowing through the entire town dried up, the water level of Black Water Pool showed no sign of dropping.
Back then, villagers from the surrounding areas came to draw water from Black Water Pool, and many were devoured by the Tuo Dragons and giant pythons in the pool.
He wasn't sure what the Centennial Blood Toad was, but the fact that its shedding could sell for two hundred taels of patterned silver was quite unexpected.
Two hundred taels of silver, equivalent to a decade's income for his family, it seems he must visit Black Water Pool tomorrow.
Carrying a heart full of excitement, he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, at dawn, when Shen Yuan awoke, Hu Yufen was already up.
Through the window, he could see smoke rising from the kitchen chimney.
Shen Yuan dressed up, went to the courtyard, fetched a basin of well water, brushed his teeth with a willow twig, and headed for the kitchen.
Hu Yufen brought out reheated pancakes and eggs from the stove and asked, "Not sleeping a bit more?"
"Have to go out in a while."
Taking the pancakes and eggs, Shen Yuan sat down by the table and started eating.
Hu Yufen scooped two bowls of porridge and sat beside him, asking, "Going to the town?"
Shen Yuan placed the peeled egg in Hu Yufen's bowl, then picked up another to peel: "It rained heavily yesterday, I want to check by the river to see if I can catch some fish to nourish Shi Tou and the others."
In those days, it was a luxury for the common people to have three meals a day, eating meat was almost unimaginable.
Only because Jinliu Village was close to Laishui River, they could catch some fish and shrimp in the river in the summer to satisfy their cravings for meat.
Hu Yufen nodded slightly and said nothing.
The two finished breakfast in silence.
"When Shi Tou and the others wake up, have them cut some grass to feed the pigs. Later, teach him to read, he can't just play aimlessly every day."
Shen Yuan remarked while tidying the fishing nets in the courtyard.
Children from farming families didn't have much of a childhood; by the age of seven or eight, they were already helping with chores like cutting grass and collecting firewood.
Before escaping to Jinliu Village, Hu Yufen was a lady from a wealthy family, well-educated, teaching the two brothers to read was not a problem for her.
"Okay, you be careful."
Watching him leave home, Hu Yufen busied herself with waking the two little ones for breakfast.
The Laishui River was to the south of Jinliu Village. Shen Yuan left Jinliu Village and walked westward.
Towards the direction of Black Water Pool.
He didn't tell Hu Yufen about going to Black Water Pool to avoid worrying her.
"Brother Yuan!"
"Brother Yuan!"
Walking along the field path, Shen Yuan heard someone calling from behind, and he stopped in his tracks.
A thin young man jogged up to him, curious about the fishing net on his shoulder, asking, "Is Brother Yuan going fishing?"
Shen Yuan grinned: "Shi Tou has been craving meat these days, making a fuss for it."
The young man looked at the direction and asked suspiciously: "Brother Yuan is going to Black Water Pool?"
Shen Yuan nodded: "After a heavy rain, the Laishui River's flow is too rapid. Better to fish at Black Water Pool than risk losing the net in the river."
"I'll try my luck at Black Water Pool."
Hearing this, the young man showed a hint of disappointment on his face.
"I thought you were going to Laishui River, wanted to tag along and help, hoping to get one or two fish to satisfy my craving."
"I'm not going to Black Water Pool, heard the Tuo Dragon there has been very fierce lately. In just over a dozen days, three people from the neighboring Black Stone Village have already perished there."
"You need to be careful, don't go too deep."
Shen Yuan smiled slightly: "I'll just try my luck at the outskirts, if I can't catch any, I can buy a couple in town later."
After bidding farewell to the young man, Shen Yuan continued on his way.
About half an hour later, he arrived at the location of Black Water Pool.
Though Jinliu Village was two hundred miles away from Hidden Dragon Mountain, it was located on an offshoot of Hidden Dragon Mountain.
Black Water Pool was situated between two ridges of Hidden Dragon Mountain, with exceptionally lush forests. In the blazing summer, stepping here brings a noticeable sense of coolness.
Were it not for the threat of Tuo Dragons and giant pythons, it would certainly be a great spot for a summer retreat.
The divination system's panel indicated the general position of the Centennial Blood Toad, but it wasn't very precise.
After wandering around the banks of Black Water Pool several times, Shen Yuan roughly determined that the Centennial Blood Toad was nearby.
Yet surrounded by dense water plants and shrubs, he could not spot any sign of the Centennial Blood Toad.
After a moment of thought, he set down the fishing net on his shoulder.
Since he couldn't find the traces of the Centennial Blood Toad temporarily, he decided to cast a net first, even if he couldn't find the Blood Toad's Shedding, catching some fish wouldn't be a loss.
After all, the fish from Black Water Pool were famously fat and delicious.
Organizing the fishing net in his hand, Shen Yuan grasped the net rope with his left hand, and with his right hand swung it out fiercely. The large casting net formed a giant circle as it fell into the water.
The loud splash of the net hitting the water echoed through the forest.
Suddenly, Shen Yuan caught a glimpse of a flash of red in the distant shrubs!
That was...
Focusing on the swaying shrubs, Shen Yuan squinted his eyes.
Blood Toad, Blood Toad... it should be red, right?
With this thought, he tied the net rope to a tree and cautiously picked up a thick branch as he approached the shrub.
Shen Yuan walked very lightly and cautiously.
Black Water Pool housed many Tuo Dragons and giant pythons; encountering either one could mean the end for him.
Holding his breath, gripping the stick in his hand, Shen Yuan soon reached the shrub.
Carefully, he poked at the outer branches of the shrub with the stick, ready to retreat at any moment.
Rustle!
The branches shook, but no other movements came from within.
Seeing this, Shen Yuan became slightly bolder and tapped a few more times with the stick.
Whoosh ——
There wasn't much movement from the shrub in front, instead startling several wild ducks hiding in the distant shrubs to burst out frantically.
Sweating nervously, Shen Yuan took a deep breath, verifying that nothing unusual was in front of him, only then did he step closer, using the stick to part the shrub.
A hint of bright red faintly revealed itself from within!
He hurriedly used the stick to clear the shrub blocking his view, finally seeing the thing in its entirety.
It was a patch of toad skin, about the size of a palm, entirely bright red, vivid and lifelike.
Blood Toad's Shedding!
Staring at it, Shen Yuan's breath quickened.
He knew, this was likely the Centennial Blood Toad's shedding just as the system had mentioned.
Worth two hundred taels of silver, the item was right before him, but Shen Yuan didn't rush for it impulsively; instead, he cautiously attempted to lift the thing using the stick.
Carefully avoiding the surrounding shrubs, Shen Yuan picked up the Blood Toad's Shedding from the bushes and quickly grasped it in his hand.
The touch was slippery and soft, devoid of the usual slimy smell of ordinary toads, instead carrying a faint fragrance. Under the sunlight, it glistened.
A good find indeed!
The appearance alone hinted at its exceptional quality.
After examining the Blood Toad's Shedding repeatedly, Shen Yuan quickly took out a piece of cloth from his bag and cautiously wrapped it up.
With the Centennial Blood Toad's Shedding now in hand, he's achieved his purpose for coming.
Storing it securely, he returned to where he had cast the net, untied the net rope, and slowly pulled the fishing net back out of the water.
Plop!
Plop!
Splash!
As the net was being pulled out, a few splashes of water rose, with faint signs of fish struggling beneath.
At this, Shen Yuan beamed with joy.
"Quite a commotion, must be a big one."
He quickly steadied himself, speeding up the process of dragging the net onto the shore.