Fairy, Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Blind

Chapter 132: Just Call Me Xu Haolong

The setting sun hung low.

A startled fish leaped from the water, scattering golden ripples that shattered the crimson-gold reflection of the sunset.

A lakeside breeze swept through, bending the reeds along the shore in unison as a fishing boat emerged from their midst and docked.

On the sprawling banks of the lake, eager buyers had already gathered, anticipating the day’s catch.

This lake was called Jade Ring Lake, vast enough that its opposite shore lay beyond sight. In the distance, a hazy mist veiled the center of the lake, where faint silhouettes of undulating mountains added an air of mystery.

The locals knew that beyond that mist and those mountains lay a realm untouched by mortals—the dwelling place of immortals.

Legends spoke of another lake within the lake at its heart, the true Jade Ring Pool, a celestial spring. A single sip of its waters could extend a mortal’s life by decades. Though the Pool lay sealed beyond mortal reach, the spirit fish of Jade Ring Lake still bore traces of its lingering celestial essence, making them priceless treasures in their own right.

Fifty-four years ago, hundreds of small boats had dotted this lake, ferrying countless immortals back and forth in a lively spectacle.

But since then, the number of boats had dwindled sharply. No more immortals visited, and fishing vessels would mysteriously vanish overnight, only to reappear empty the next day.

At first, people believed those who disappeared had been taken into the immortal sect at the lake’s center. But as rumors spread, they began to realize this serene, mystical lake might not be as benevolent as it seemed.

“Old Yu! Little Yu! What did you catch today?”

A sturdy young man called out from the crowd of buyers as the old fisherman and his granddaughter stepped ashore.

Old Yu and Little Yu were a grandfather-granddaughter pair who had fished these waters for generations. While other boats vanished without a trace, theirs alone remained untouched.

Once, envious rivals had even stolen their boat to fish—only to disappear like the rest. Since then, the locals had come to believe Old Yu was the lake’s chosen fisherman, blessed by the immortals.

“Big Brother Lin! Sturgeon, carp, and even Golden Threadfin Bream—we’ve got everything today!”

Little Yu grinned as she helped her grandfather haul their baskets.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” The buyers erupted in excitement.

In the nearby cities, restaurants prized Jade Ring Lake’s spirit fish as their signature delicacy. As the only reliable supplier, Old Yu’s catches fetched astronomical prices, with representatives from every establishment vying for their share.

The two laid out their fresh haul, and the bidding war began.

Strangely, though these were all mortals, they bartered not in gold or silver but in immortal artifacts.

Old Yu accepted no mortal currency—only treasures of the cultivation world. Most assumed he did this to secure his granddaughter’s entry into an immortal sect, urging him to give up. With his skills, he could have been a wealthy man, and Little Yu a carefree young lady—a life nearly as good as an immortal’s.

Yet Old Yu remained stubborn, turning away cartloads of riches in favor of broken talismans and shattered swords.

Soon, the valuable spirit fish were sold out, and the satisfied crowd dispersed.

As he left, Big Brother Lin slipped a few silver coins into Little Yu’s hand and whispered:

“Little Yu, talk some sense into your grandpa. Instead of hoarding useless junk, he should find you a good husband.”

Without a word, she pushed the money back and waved him off.

Little Yu, now a graceful young woman with sun-kissed skin from years on the lake, frowned as she gathered the pile of “treasures” they’d earned.

“Grandpa… will these things really help?”

Old Yu took a slow drag from his pipe, his clouded gaze distant.

“We have to try. Let’s go home.”

“Oh…”

With a reluctant sigh, she turned to follow him back to the boat—

“Excuse me, elder, young miss—do you still have fish to sell?”

A clear voice called out.

A young man in simple black robes stood there, a sheathed sword at his waist. His hair was slightly disheveled, his bearing that of a traveler who had journeyed far.

For some reason, Little Yu’s heart skipped a beat. In all her days on the lake, she had never seen someone who carried himself like this—steadfast and solitary, like the proud pines her father once described from distant lands.

“W-we have one fish left! Do you want it?” she stammered.

“That’s our dinner!” Old Yu flicked ash from his pipe, shooting his granddaughter a glare before eyeing the stranger. “We’re sold out for today. Come back earlier tomorrow.”

“Then might I beg a bowl of fish soup instead? I’ve traveled far to taste the famed freshness of Jade Ring Lake. Please, elder, grant me this.”

As he spoke, You Su produced three spirit stones, their surfaces shimmering with dense spiritual energy.

Little Yu’s eyes sparkled at the sight, and even Old Yu’s expression shifted in surprise.

“Yes! Yes! Grandpa’s fish soup is the best! Sir, please come aboard!”

Clattering the pile of junk aside, she hastily lowered the gangplank, as if afraid this big “fish” might slip away.

Old Yu sighed, his gaze flickering to the spirit stones with a hint of reluctant interest, then took another long drag from his pipe.

“Get on, then.”

The boat was small but well-equipped, though the cabin reeked of fish.

Old Yu cooked at the bow, smoke curling from his pot.

You Su sat on a fixed stool, accepting a cup of hot tea from the girl with a quiet thanks.

For some reason, Little Yu felt her cheeks warm. Sitting across from him, she couldn’t help stealing glances at this handsome youth.

“Where are you from, sir?”

“Chuyun City,” You Su replied with a smile.

“Chuyun City? That’s so far!” Her eyes widened.

“You’ve heard of it?”

You Su was genuinely surprised. Among the thousands of cities in the Central Realm Continent, Chuyun was far from notable.

“Don’t call me ‘young miss’—you’re not much older! Just call me Little Yu.” She stuck out her tongue playfully. “Did you think a little fisher girl like me wouldn’t know a place like that?”

“I’d never assume such a thing. If anything, I’m impressed by your knowledge.”

She smiled shyly. “It’s nothing. My father used to show me maps of the Central Realm. I’ve always wanted to travel beyond the lake, so I memorized all the distant places.”

“That’s remarkable.” His praise was sincere.

“By the way, what’s your name, sir?”

You Su paused, recalling the Third Elder’s warning to tread carefully among strangers, then smiled.

“Just call me Xu Haolong.”