Chapter 23: The Golden Scale Robe

This carp spirit, though not human, possessed a noble heart and an understanding of righteousness. It was well-versed in the ways of the world, which greatly appealed to Xu Xuan.

“Brother Fish, you are truly a gentleman!” Xu Xuan clasped his hands in a scholar’s salute toward the Red Wave.

Red Wave dared not be negligent and immediately returned the gesture.

“Hahaha!” The carp spirit was overjoyed at being called a gentleman, its face alight with excitement, as if its wounds no longer pained it.

After the laughter faded, Red Wave seemed to recall something important. With a gentle motion of its hand, the golden scale on Xu Xuan’s body floated into the air.

“Benefactor, you may not know, but this golden scale is a treasure passed down from my ancestors. Allow me to unseal it with an ancient secret art before presenting it to you.”

Red Wave began to chant, weaving intricate gestures with its fingers. With a flick of its right hand, a drop of fresh blood fell onto the golden scale.

At once, the scale radiated dazzling light, and a faint mist of water formed around it, enveloping the golden scale.

After a burst of ethereal brilliance, the golden scale vanished from the void, replaced by a suit of fish scale armor.

The armor was golden, rippling with subtle waves and gleaming magnificently—clearly no ordinary item.

“This golden scale has become such a treasure?” Xu Xuan’s eyes widened at the scene.

“This treasure was forged from the shed scales of my ancestor upon transforming into a dragon. Ordinary magical artifacts cannot harm it in the slightest.”

“Since my cousin has gifted this item to you as a token, today I shall unseal it and present this golden scale armor to you.”

With that, Red Wave pointed to the floating armor, and it transformed into a stream of light that flew toward Xu Xuan.

In a flash of gold, the armor fitted itself onto Xu Xuan.

In an instant, the once handsome scholar was transformed into a valiant young warrior clad in golden armor, appearing dignified and majestic.

Clad in the golden scale armor, Xu Xuan was overjoyed. With this treasure protecting him, his strength had greatly increased, giving him more confidence in facing the Old Ancestor of Black Clouds.

Beside him, Zhao Jinqian watched Xu Xuan in golden armor, his features sharp and resolute, and her eyes sparkled with an unusual light.

Knowing this armor was a rare treasure and would be of great use to himself, Xu Xuan accepted the generous gift without hesitation.

“Benefactor, someone approaches. I shall return to the pond to heal. If ever you need me, I will surely serve you.”

Red Wave clasped his fists in salute to Xu Xuan, then with a splash, a giant red carp appeared on the surface of Longming Pond, blowing bubbles as it swam into the deep waters.

As Red Wave departed, Xu Xuan felt a stir in his heart. The golden scale armor shimmered and transformed once more into a single golden scale resting in his palm.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from afar.

A group of people was making their way toward Longming Pond, led by the old woodcutter Xu Xuan had met before.

The old woodcutter, kind-hearted, had returned to the village at the foot of the mountain after parting with Xu Xuan, gathering the villagers in hopes of rescuing him.

As they approached the pond, they saw Xu Xuan safe and sound, and not far from his feet lay a massive black fish.

The villagers began to murmur among themselves, for none had ever seen such a large black fish.

“Old sir, what brings you here?” Xu Xuan asked upon seeing the woodcutter.

“This pond has been troubled lately, and I feared something might happen to you, so I called the villagers to come aid you.”

After speaking, the old woodcutter cast a wary glance at Longming Pond, his eyes filled with fear.

“Do not worry, sir. The menace of Longming Pond has been dealt with by me.”

“What? The trouble at Longming Pond has been resolved by you?”

“Yes. This creature at my feet is the very source of the pond’s calamity.”

Xu Xuan nudged the lifeless black fish with his foot, addressing the villagers.

“How can that be?”

“That’s right! Scholar, don’t try to deceive us. The blackfish is big, but surely it isn’t a monster?”

“I haven’t read much, so don’t try to trick me!”

…

The villagers continued to discuss the black fish, most still skeptical of Xu Xuan’s claim.

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it to you.”

Xu Xuan shook his head in resignation and took an axe from one of the villagers.

The axe was meant for chopping wood, sharpened daily and very keen. While it might not cut gold or jade, it could easily split a thick log in one blow.

As the villagers looked on in confusion, Xu Xuan carried the axe to the black fish’s corpse.

He struck with all his strength at the fish’s body. What happened next stunned everyone.

“Clang!”

A metallic ring echoed as the axe struck the fish, sparks flying, and a notch appeared in the axe blade.

Yet the black fish’s body remained completely unscathed, proving just how tough and thick-skinned it was.

“Well, I'll be! It really is a monster!”

“That’s right, the scholar wasn’t lying. What else could have such sturdy flesh?”

“Little sir is truly a divine man, ridding Longming Pond of its curse. We must bow to him.”

The villagers finally understood that the black fish was no ordinary creature but a monster. The haunting of Longming Pond had been caused by this beast, and upon learning Xu Xuan had rid them of it, they were filled with gratitude.

Xu Xuan, knowing the villagers had come to save him, was moved.

He lifted the black fish: “Chance meetings are better than invitations. Today, I invite you all to eat fish. Braised black fish is quite the delicacy.”

…

Knowing the black fish was a monster, none dared eat it.

The old woodcutter was so frightened he nearly lost his wits, thinking, “This scholar seems so gentle—could he really be so bold? Is it safe to eat a monster’s flesh? Won’t it bring retribution?”

Seeing the villagers’ fearful faces, Xu Xuan could only shake his head in disappointment. Clearly, they did not know how to enjoy life.

“Don’t take offense, little sir. Our luck is shallow. We dare not eat this monster fish. Better to take the carcass to the county’s Monster Suppression Bureau for a reward—surely you’ll get a hundred taels of silver.”

The old woodcutter smiled, thinking he had found a perfect solution: neither offending Xu Xuan nor letting him claim the reward for the fish.

“I slew this beast for virtue, not for a few taels of silver.”

Xu Xuan sneered, drew his Scarlet Mist Sword, and began to