On the river's surface under the night, glimpses of rippling light ripples and undulates endlessly...

At this moment, a small fishing boat slowly sails on the cold water, with a candle lit at the stern, shining brightly in the darkness.

At the bow, there stands a hunched figure wearing a bamboo hat and a gray hemp garment, holding a bamboo pole with both hands to steer the boat. By the faint candlelight, you can see the bony, bloodless hands gripping the pole tightly, like a thin layer of flesh clinging to bones.

The hunched figure steers the boat very slowly, appearing to exert great effort.

Finally, the hunched figure rows the boat to the center, places the bamboo pole back on the boat, and tosses a square iron anchor into the water, steadying the small vessel from being swept away by the current.

After completing this, the figure picks up a slender wooden rod from the boat, about three meters long.

The tip of the wooden rod is attached to a very thin silver line, sparkling with a cold gleam, with a curved golden fishhook dangling at the end.

The hunched figure takes a piece of dried meat from a pouch at his waist, hooks it onto the fishhook, and casts it forcefully into the water.

The silver line pierces the water like a Silver Needle.

Subsequently, the figure sits at the bow, quietly watching the water's surface.

Within just a few minutes, the fishing line begins to tremble, and with a flick of the hand, the line tightens, and a large fish is effortlessly lifted out of the water.

It's a meter-long long-nosed gar!

Judging by its appearance and aura, it's evidently a Treasure Fish, yet it was caught with such ease by the hunched figure.

The entire process is witnessed by Su Mu, standing not far on the riverbank.

It seems, once again, there's a fisherman fishing on the river.

However, this fisherman is different from those Su Mu has encountered in the past; he can't sense any aura from him. On the surface, he appears to be just an ordinary person.

In the Cultivation Realm, there's a rule: the more ordinary someone appears, the more extraordinary they are, as there's a realm called "Returning to the Essence," which describes the daily state of powerful cultivators.

In fact, the ease with which he caught a Treasure Fish indicates that he's not simple.

...

The hunched figure removes the long-nosed gar from the fishhook and casually tosses it onto the boat deck.

Just as he's about to cast the rod again, he suddenly stops and looks ahead.

In the next moment, with the sound of gentle steps on water approaching, a handsome, slim man in a long robe emerges from the darkness, hands behind his back, standing atop the water.

The hunched figure slowly lifts his head, revealing a face beneath the bamboo hat with high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, muddled gaze, and a bearded chin, exuding a sense of desolation.

Upon seeing the man, a flash of surprise crosses the eyes of the old man in the bamboo hat. He lightly removes the hat, revealing long gray-white hair, and smiles at the man, saying, "I've heard there's a River Guardian here; you must be the one."

As the words fall, Su Mu is taken aback, realizing that he has a reputation.

Before Su Mu can speak, the old man in the bamboo hat takes out a cloth bag from the boat, not revealing its contents, and says to Su Mu, "I understand your rules, and here is the fee for fishing."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu's gaze examines the cloth bag in the old man's hand.

It seems he not only knows I guard the river here but also knows my rules; evidently... my fame has spread?

However, it's likely a fearsome reputation.

Su Mu does not take the bag but instead focuses on the old man's fishing rod.

The fishing rod he made himself broke a year ago.

Recalling a year ago, Su Mu wished he could slap himself; what anglers yearn to know most isn't the lottery numbers, but how many pounds the fish that broke his rod weighed!

A year ago, he didn't know what he'd hooked, but in a second, it snapped the rod, leaving Su Mu sleepless for nights, wishing he could slap himself each time he thought of it. Damn it!

So, Su Mu has been lacking a good fishing rod; having just seen the old man effortlessly catch a Treasure Fish, his rod must be extraordinary.

Seeing the man eyeing his fishing rod, the old man in the bamboo hat hesitated for a moment, then handed the rod to the man, saying, "Since you like it, I'll give it to you."

"Consider it a gesture of friendship."

Seeing this old man being so considerate, Su Mu felt a bit embarrassed himself.

Su Mu didn't refuse; he accepted the fishing rod, and upon holding it, realized its terrifying weight. The old man had wielded it one-handed so easily, showing his great strength.

"Do you have another for yourself?"

Since he'd taken the man's fishing tool, he asked.

"No, I don't."

"But with some time, I can make another; it's no trouble."

The old man waved his hand, revealing his toothless smile, his words weak.

"Did you come here today just to fish?" Su Mu asked again.

As most Cross River Men he met rarely came solely to fish; most intended to cause a stir.

"Not entirely."

"I also wanted to meet the famous River Guardian."

The old man in the bamboo hat candidly admitted, not hiding anything, as both were wise enough to avoid beating around the bush.

"I wouldn't say famous, just maintaining some order. If everyone acts out, wouldn't it be chaos?"

Su Mu replied leisurely.

Upon hearing this, the old man paused, then nodded with a smile, saying, "Indeed, since you've been guarding, it's been much more peaceful."

...

"How about this, take the rod and have a go at fishing first."

Su Mu offered the rod back to the old man in the bamboo hat.

"No need; this one's enough."

The old man waved his hand.

"Only one? I see your fishing skills are quite good."

"One is enough; I'm old, and I've lost most of my teeth. This fish is enough to eat."

From his actions, this old man indeed seems no different from any regular old man.

"Where are you from?" Su Mu asked, intrigued, probing for his origins.

Upon speaking, the old man pointed downstream, saying, "Weilin Town, it's downstream, a bit far."

"Shall I give you a lift?"

With a raise of his hand, the waters beneath the old man's boat stood Static.

Seeing this, the old man was stunned; indeed... he can control the River of Time.

"No need, but thank you for the offer."

"I came today just to meet you," the old man said with a smile.

....

"Su Mu."

As they were making friends, Su Mu generously introduced himself.

"Zero"

"A single-character name."

The old man's face took on a nostalgic expression, as if recalling a long-forgotten name.

"I wonder how long Brother Su plans to guard?"

The old man suddenly asked unexpectedly.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu found it a bit odd.

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