The Sage Doesn't Want to Forge Swords, Just Go Fishing

A shady government: Young man, you've got an extraordinary physique. Interested in...?

Nagisa: Not interested. I'm broke, and I'm not buying the Palm of the Buddha.

Government agent: Hey! That's not it! Young man! We have a job that's perfect for you. The pay is negotiable, the working conditions are excellent, and you'll start in management! Your subordinates will be utterly loyal to you!

Nagisa, looking bored: Are you done? You're blocking my way to the fishing spot...

The shady government agent eyed the young man's complete set of fishing gear and had a sudden idea. Our place is surrounded by mountains and water, with beautiful scenery. More importantly... our citadel has a huge fishpond!

The young man's eyes lit up. Deal!

Only after Nagisa took the job did he realize something was very wrong here.

Ignoring the second-rate swords lurking in the building and watching him like hawks, the young man sauntered over to the fishpond, set down his little stool, sat, baited his hook, and cast his line into the water!

Then he hummed a little tune and quietly waited for a fish to bite.

On his very first cast, he caught a mackerel about 1.8 meters long.

Nagisa looked at the lifeless state of the man.

He resolutely prepared to...

Throw him back!

His second catch was a delicate, pitiful-looking young lady who was a goldfish.

The girl blinked her pale-blue eyes, as blue as the sea, and asked, "Is this the Sea of Eternal Life?"

The young man fell silent. He took her still-damp, delicate hand and said softly, "No... but I can take you to find your little uncle."

At last, he caught a normal fish.

But just as it took the bait, a hideous-looking cat swallowed it whole.

The young man, who had been skunked again and again, clenched his fists, his veins bulging as he glared furiously, looking every bit like a demon.

He's awake... It's hunting time...

Most likely the protagonist will be on his own, with no romantic pairing, but the author has a soft spot for the Double Black and Chuan Jin pairings, so they'll make cameo appearances.

Theme: Anglers never get skunked!