Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Giant Black Fish

"Village Chief, please have someone find a live chicken, then bring me a rope and a hook." After what had just happened, the Village Chief trusted Liu Jun, the master, even more and immediately ordered his men to fetch what was requested.

By the time the rope, hook, and live chicken were brought over, Liu Jun had already spent some time drawing on the ground. He had drawn nothing other than the Li Fire Formation. Whether it was a water ghost or a demon in the river, the Li Fire Formation could burn it to a crisp.

Liu Jun instructed Fatty to tie one end of the rope to a large tree and the other to the hook, creating a simple fishing rig. He then directed the Village Chief and the others to stand by the tree, holding the rope and ready to pull at a moment's notice. He hooked the live chicken and cast it directly into the river.

Just as they were all focused on the river, nearly drifting off from the long wait, a loud splashing sound erupted from where the chicken had been thrown.

"It's hooked! Pull!" Liu Jun shouted. The Village Chief and his men frantically grabbed the rope and pulled back with all their might. The rope went taut, and though the men's faces turned red with exertion, the mysterious creature on the hook refused to budge.

"Fatty, with me." To be honest, Liu Jun was reluctant to face the creature directly—not because he was a coward, but because he couldn't swim. He was a complete landlubber; if he went into the water, how long he could hold his breath depended entirely on how quickly someone pulled him out.

But there was no other choice. The creature's strength was immense; not only did the Village Chief's group fail to pull it up, but the large tree they were anchored to was actually beginning to bend.

Liu Jun rushed forward and took a closer look. Sure enough, it wasn't a water ghost, but a massive black fish. It was two or three meters long, its teeth like jagged knives, glaring at Liu Jun and Fatty with vicious eyes.

Liu Jun grabbed his "Heaven-Turning Seal" (a large brick) and started smashing it against the fish's head, while Fatty attacked it with a brass alms bowl. Limited in their skills, Liu Jun and Fatty always favored physical techniques for exorcism.

*Snap.* The rope broke. Liu Jun felt a wave of despair. *You have got to be kidding me.* Sure enough, after breaking free, the giant black fish glared at him, ready to take a bite out of him at any moment.

"Haha, Brother Fish, would you believe me if I said I was just giving you a head massage?" Liu Jun swallowed hard as he spoke. Obviously, the fish didn't believe him; it lunged, bit his leg, and started dragging him toward the water. Fatty panicked and pulled out a dagger, stabbing it straight toward the fish's eye. *This guy actually carries a concealed weapon.*

The fish, stung by the pain, released Liu Jun's leg. Liu Jun pulled out a Five-Thunder Talisman. *Damn it, I'll fight you to the death.* He really didn't want to use this; first, his cultivation wasn't high enough, and it would cost him years of his lifespan. Second, it had never been very effective, and it always ended up shocking him pretty badly.

"Heavenly Fire Thunder God, Five Directions Divine Thunder. Earthly Fire Thunder God, descend to conquer demons. Evil spirits, retreat! By the decree of the Emperor, I command you. Strike!"

Then, have you ever seen someone electrocute fish? That was exactly their situation—they were all practically belly-up. Although the black fish was twitching from the current, Liu Jun and Fatty were also severely shocked.

"L-Liu, Brother Liu, can your ultimate move not have friendly fire?" Fatty stammered, his speech slurred by the electric shock.

"I, I didn't want this either. I just forgot that water conducts electricity," Liu Jun muttered, feeling no better himself.

Clearly, the black fish had a much faster recovery rate than they did. As soon as it regained its senses, it lunged straight for Liu Jun's head. Terrified, Liu Jun fell backward, and the giant fish landed right on top of him. *Damn it, I'm being crushed! My ribs!* The fish writhed, its vicious eyes locked on his head, waiting for an opening to bite. Liu Jun struggled to hold the fish's body off of him.

"Holy crap, Brother Liu, have you two fallen in love or something? This scene is X-rated!" Fatty quipped from the sidelines.

"Shut your damn mouth! This fish only wants my head! What are you doing back there? Attack it!" Liu Jun yelled in frustration.

Fatty let out a roar and plunged his dagger into the back of the fish's belly, right below its fins—the anal area. The black fish let out a shrill, piercing cry and launched itself into the air. Seeing the blood spurting from the fish, Liu Jun felt a shiver run down his spine. *This Fatty... he’s a ruthless man.*

Suddenly, a snow-white figure appeared above the black fish—it was the little fox. Its tail grew larger and slammed into the fish with incredible force, knocking it directly onto the Li Fire Formation, where it fell unconscious. *Nice shot!* That was a perfect play; the little fox was worth the trouble of raising. Liu Jun scrambled toward the formation to activate it.

"Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, Divine Fire Commands the Heavens. Heaven’s Stems and Earth’s Fire, ten thousand rays of might. Li Fire, rise!"

As the incantation ended, the Li Fire Formation erupted into a raging blaze. The fire hissed and crackled as it consumed the fish, which struggled and shrieked in agony. Crimson flames transformed into chains of fire, binding the fish firmly within the formation.

*Good heavens, my Ancestor,* Liu Jun thought, amazed that someone of his level could activate such a powerful formation. For a moment, he felt like he was truly capable. He tried to puff out his chest and walk forward to receive praise, but when he collapsed to the ground, he remembered the fish had bitten his leg, and it was still bleeding.

Fatty and the Village Chief rushed over to help him. "Master!" "Brother Liu!" "Are you alright?" they asked, looking at him with concern.

"I'm fine, no need to panic. Fatty, call Chu Feng from the Ninth Division and have him come handle this." He wasn't sure if the formation would burn the fish to ashes, and if not, a professional would be needed.

After making the call, Fatty returned to tell Liu Jun that Chu Feng would arrive as soon as possible. Liu Jun leaned against a tree and rested, ignoring the fire; although the giant fish was powerful and had developed some intelligence, it couldn't possibly survive the Li Fire. Seeing Liu Jun resting, Fatty sat down beside him to keep watch.

About twenty minutes later, the roaring flames finally subsided. The black fish had not been reduced to ashes, but only its white, skeletal frame remained. The villagers didn't dare approach, and seeing Liu Jun resting, they didn't disturb him. It wasn't until Chu Feng arrived that the villagers were dismissed, and Uncle Wang was taken away by Chu Feng’s men.

"Is the Master alright?" Chu Feng asked, glancing at Liu Jun before speaking softly to Fatty.

"I'm fine. I'll leave this to you; we're heading back." Liu Jun had woken up when Chu Feng arrived; since he was here, the rest was no longer his concern.

The medicinal effects of the *Taixuan Heart Sutra* and the Millennium Tai Sui were truly remarkable; in such a short time, the bite wound on his leg had already scabbed over.

Just as they reached the car, Li Xin dropped to her knees in front of Liu Jun. He jumped aside in shock. *Do all supernatural story streamers like to give people heart attacks?*

"Master, please take me as your apprentice! Although you were a bit clumsy and pathetic while catching the demon, and you don't seem to know much, you are at least a real Taoist, not a charlatan. You’ll definitely be able to take me along to catch ghosts and demons in the future!"

"Get up. I don't take apprentices. I haven't even finished my own training yet." *This girl... could she be any more straightforward? Her brain is clearly not wired for apprenticeship,* Liu Jun thought, remembering how respectful she had been to the old man earlier.

"Master, please! Heaven above and Earth below, if I, Li Xin, become your apprentice, I will be loyal to you forever and never leave your side!" As Liu Jun tried to get in the car, she grabbed him, swearing an oath to the heavens.

"Sister, are you looking for an apprenticeship or a marriage proposal?" Liu Jun muttered to himself. *I'm barely keeping my own head above water; I don't need an apprentice.*

"Sister, stop kneeling. If you keep going, you'll scare Brother Liu away. If you keep pestering him, I guarantee we'll be dodging you from now on, let alone taking you to catch ghosts," Fatty interjected.

Li Xin realized he had a point and quieted down for a moment. Liu Jun let out a sigh of relief and climbed into the car. *This girl is a bit off her rocker.*