Part 3/16:
The intrigue grew when a villager reported catching a massive fish—almost 18 pounds—in one of the ponds. Such a large fish suggested a surprisingly vast water volume, inconsistent with the apparent size of the pond. Coupled with rumors that these habitats contained species that thrived only in deep water, curiosity turned to obsession. Woo, driven by wonder and skepticism, proposed an audacious plan: Drain the pond to uncover what lay beneath.