Jing Yuan caught a fish almost two hundred meters long, while Nan Li caught one over one hundred and fifty meters.
Both fish looked identical.
The species was called the Starlight Scale Fish.
Because the scales on this fish would shimmer like stars at night.
And their bodies were similar to a spotted fish, or a blackfish.
Thus, they were named the "Starlight Scale Fish."
Soon, because Jing Yuan and Nan Li both caught fish, it immediately attracted the surrounding onlookers, who gasped in surprise.
"Oh wow ~ Mr. Liuguang finally isn't striking out."
"Mr. Ju Feng's luck is also very good; he caught a fish after only fishing for a short time."
"It's actually a Starlight Scale Fish, which is a rare delicacy."
"I remember Starlight Scale Fish can grow up to 300 meters, right?"
"Yes, the highest record for a Starlight Scale Fish caught so far is 326 meters."
The Starlight Scale Fish is also a very famous fish in the circle of experienced fishermen.
They are known for their firm, tender, and delicious flesh.
However, aside from their taste, Starlight Scale Fish are more famous for their ferocity.
Innumerable spaceships have been attacked by them in the universe.
There are over 90 million documented cases of spaceship attacks, with over 10 million spaceships crashing.
"Speaking of which, should we go hide now? Starlight Scale Fish are famously fierce."
"It should... be fine, right? After all, they are Sea Rangers; they wouldn't be unable to handle a Starlight Scale Fish."
"Hey, hey, hey, when you say that, could you please not hide behind us?"
"Ahem, I'm just concerned for your safety, which is why I'm shielding you."
Just like that, the onlookers who had gathered slowly retreated, keeping a considerable distance from Jing Yuan and Nan Li at the bow of the ship.
Seeing the two Starlight Scale Fish gradually being reeled in by the fishing lines, Nan Li, who had stood up, called out to Jing Yuan beside him.
"Liuguang, quick! Get the landing net!"
Jing Yuan was about to get up when he suddenly realized he hadn't brought a landing net today.
"Didn't bring a landing net today, and didn't prepare one that big either."
Because he had been striking out earlier, Jing Yuan had given up all hope of catching fish today, so he hadn't brought a landing net.
Of course, even if he had brought a landing net now, it wouldn't be able to hold a fish two hundred meters long.
Landing nets capable of holding fish of that size are usually only equipped on specialized fishing spaceships.
Apparently, the Minghuo Merchant Troupe's merchant ship did not have one.
"Alright, it seems we'll have to give these two fish some heavy stuff."
As he spoke, Nan Li held the fishing rod with one hand and began to fumble at his waist with the other.
The next second, Nan Li pulled out a revolver.
Then, without even aiming, or even pointing at the two Starlight Scale Fish, he simply fired two shots, "Bang bang."
The two Starlight Scale Fish, which had been aggressive and attempting to attack the merchant ship, immediately had blood blossoms appear on their heads and began to twitch and struggle in place.
Bright red blood scattered in space.
By the time Nan Li put away his revolver and he and Jing Yuan pulled them onto the ship, the two Starlight Scale Fish had stopped struggling, most likely dead.
Seeing the two motionless fish, which almost filled the entire bow of the ship, the original onlookers began to gather around again.
"See what I just said? How could a mere two Starlight Scale Fish be a match for a Sea Ranger?"
"Could you please not keep pushing me forward when you speak?"
Next, Nan Li and Jing Yuan, amidst the praises and envious gazes of a large crowd, dragged the two large fish and handed them over to the merchant ship's security personnel, as well as the restaurant staff who were rushing over.
Finally, both fish were handed over to a chef from [Shang Zi Wei], who, according to Nan Li and Jing Yuan's request, prepared a grand all-fish banquet.
Coincidentally, Tingyun had just returned from a planetary civilization with supplies and goods, and was then invited by the two to enjoy the fish banquet together.
Tingyun, who hadn't eaten yet, naturally had no reason to refuse their invitation.
Soon, after a hearty meal, Nan Li lay back in his seat, picking his teeth with a fish bone.
Jing Yuan, meanwhile, was chatting happily with Tingyun.
After another two drinks, Jing Yuan finally got to the point.
"These past few days, thank you for your care, Miss Tingyun."
Hearing this, Tingyun quickly waved her hand.
"What are you saying, Great Hero Liuguang? Since you and Great Hero Ju Feng came aboard, this humble girl hasn't even hosted a banquet for the two of you.
"Now, instead, the two great heroes have hosted a banquet for this humble girl. Alas ~ I am truly an unqualified host."
Saying this, Tingyun picked up her wine glass and slightly bowed to Jing Yuan and Nan Li respectively.
"Please allow this humble girl to penalize herself with three cups here, to atone for the lack of hospitality."
Soon, after three cups of warm wine, a slight blush began to appear on Tingyun's fair cheeks.
Seeing this, Nan Li flicked the fish bone in his hand, letting it fall into the pile of fish bones on the table in front of him.
"Miss Tingyun certainly has a high tolerance for alcohol."
Knowing that Nan Li's words were just polite, Tingyun still put on a very embarrassed expression.
"Great Hero Ju Feng, please don't tease this humble girl. This little bit of wine already makes me feel a bit tipsy; I can't be considered to have a high tolerance.
"Speaking of high tolerance, I heard it has to be the former Sword Champion of our Xianzhou Luofu; that person drinks wine like water."
Hearing Tingyun say this, Nan Li appropriately sat up and began to inquire further.
"Is Miss Tingyun referring to the former Sword Champion of Luofu — Jing Liu?"
Hearing this, Tingyun's face showed genuine surprise.
"Oh? Lord Ju Feng, you actually know Lady Jing Liu?"
In fact, she only knew about the legends of Jing Liu from Storyteller Xiyan and her own Helmsman Yukong.
She hadn't expected "Ju Feng," an outsider, to know as well.
This truly made Tingyun curious.
Meeting Tingyun's curious gaze, Nan Li picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of fish, and put it in his mouth, chewing as he spoke.
"Naturally. Do you know why my friend here learned swordsmanship?"
Hearing this, Tingyun shifted her gaze from Nan Li to Jing Yuan.
Or rather, to the longsword wrapped in straw beside Jing Yuan.
"Could Great Hero Liuguang's swordsmanship be..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Nan Li took over the topic.
"That's right, Liuguang learned swordsmanship because he admired the Sword Champion's swordsmanship."
"Oh ~ So it was out of admiration. This humble girl thought Great Hero Liuguang was..."
At this point, Tingyun quickly stopped.
She had originally wanted to say that Liuguang was Jing Liu's disciple.
But then she remembered that a certain general of their Luofu was Jing Liu's disciple, so she had to stop herself.
"Speaking of which, did the two great heroes suddenly host a banquet for this humble girl today because you're saying goodbye?"
Hearing this, Jing Yuan smiled slightly.
"Miss Tingyun is indeed intelligent. Ju Feng and I are indeed planning to bid you farewell this time."
"Oh? Have the two great heroes found their target?"
"That's right, we have found The Hunt's target."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jing Yuan pulled out his jade amulet, opened a photo in his album, and displayed it in front of Tingyun.
Seeing this, Tingyun, full of curiosity, leaned her head closer to take a careful look.
What appeared in her sight was a wanted poster.
This wanted poster had recently been issued by the Tree God Alliance.
The person wanted on it was a bald old man wearing slippers.
His name was "Ultimate Murderer — Fire Cloud Cthulhu."
It was said that he enjoyed killing, and countless people had died by his hand; he had even once slaughtered an entire planet of intelligent life for his own selfish desires.
Thus, the Tree God Alliance issued a bounty.
And offered a reward of up to 500 million credit points.
"Miss Tingyun, you see? I heard that this Fire Cloud Cthulhu recently appeared on a planetary civilization not far from here.
"Ju Feng and I are planning to go apprehend him."
Saying this, Jing Yuan closed his jade amulet and put it away.
Nan Li, who was beside him, also spoke up in cooperation at the appropriate moment.
"That's right, such evil lawbreakers should be punished by us Sea Rangers."
After speaking, Nan Li and Jing Yuan both stood up from their seats.
"Since everything has been explained clearly, Miss Tingyun, we shall take our leave now."
Without waiting for Tingyun to reply, the two of them, one picking up the erhu beside him and the other picking up the straw-wrapped longsword beside him, walked out of the private room.
Hmm? You might ask if the two Starlight Scale Fish were eaten entirely by Nan Li and Jing Yuan?
A certain "Gluttonous General" would say, how could that be possible?
The amount of Starlight Scale Fish meat used in their fish banquet was actually less than one-tenth of a single fish.
As for the rest, Nan Li and Jing Yuan gave it all to the Minghuo Merchant Troupe, considering it as their fare for the journey... With the end of the fish banquet.
Nan Li and Jing Yuan, having left the private room, hurriedly went to their rooms to pack their luggage.
Then, disregarding Tingyun's attempts to make them stay, they drove off in the small spaceship she had temporarily gifted them, disappearing into the depths of the universe.
Afterward, some busybody found Tingyun and asked, "What are Mr. Ju Feng and Mr. Liuguang going to do?"
Tingyun did not hide it and revealed that the two were going to apprehend Fire Cloud Cthulhu.
After all, this was a righteous act; why conceal it?
Meanwhile, in a certain room of the Minghuo Merchant Troupe, after learning of Nan Li and Jing Yuan's departure, the person in the room couldn't help but mutter angrily to himself.
"Those two annoying Sea Rangers are finally gone."
After a while, having composed himself, a strange smile couldn't help but appear on the person's face.
Finally, the plan could begin.
What this person didn't know was that before Tingyun's merchant ship even set sail, two people had already revisited the old place, secretly sneaking aboard.