Chapter 260: The compiler felt something was off.
I inquire about the meaning of life.I inquire about the form of life.Now let a new song be born.It’s the resonance of life, the sound of the ocean.The harmony of life, the echo of the earth.The liberation of life, the balance of the sun.This is the song that connects everything.This is the melody of life, the voice of the ocean…
The melodious song drifted over the sea, in a Dragon Person tongue that Jié Jié couldn’t understand, yet it guided him toward the direction of the Sea God Festival.
Such songs were sung in several villages around the isolated island’s waters.
Whether young or old Dragon People village chiefs, or vibrant young sea-dwelling maidens…
…
Fishing lights illuminated the night sky.
The rhythm of life, the pulsing of the earth.The harmony of life, the breath of the sun.This is the song that celebrates everything.Tells all to the seeking will and spirit.Plays all to the imagining consciousness and determination.The new song resides within you—
A beautiful blessing for bountiful harvests and peace, like stars twinkling on the sea surface.
Perhaps this mysterious Dragon Person language carries some kind of magic?
Jié Jié thought as he stared at the Great Sea Dragon emerging from the waves, standing atop the dock fence.
Unfortunately, its dual horns had been snapped, unable to harmonize with the crescent moon in the sky.
The villagers were restless but did not interrupt the song.
“Maybe there won’t be another earthquake after all… But still, strange—there are clear signs of broken horns on the Sea God’s head. What could have caused such damage?”
Elsa gently covered her mouth, referring to the monster as “Sea God” in response to everyone’s cheers.
“With a body this size, and the power to move underwater, perhaps the Sea God itself was the cause of the earthquake.”
The food-loving compiler also believed the Great Sea Dragon to be the Sea God. He’d just flipped through the records of the Sea God Shrine, where descriptions matched the monstrous creature.
He spoke softly, but the village chief, once a mighty hunter though now aged, still possessed sharp senses.
“Hmph.”
The village chief coughed lightly, and the compiler immediately stopped talking, stuffing half a crab into his mouth to silence himself.
“No matter, I too have my doubts. But how could its horns have been broken?”
“It,” rather than “He.”
The compiler was slightly surprised but quickly remembered that the village chief, being a hunter, likely understood more about the realities behind myths than the common villagers.
Not bewildered by the true form of deities.
His expression betrayed his thoughts, and the village chief flicked his cigarette, releasing a whiff of aromatic smoke.
“The most important thing about faith is the beautiful emotions we offer. The gods we worship are secondary; what matters now is easing the tension in everyone’s nerves.”
“What we rely on must return to nourish us.”
The compiler finally stopped his endless eating, seriously scanning his surroundings. Indeed, the people of Mojia Village relaxed under the Sea God Festival, and he nodded, having learned much.
“But recent unrest is real. Once we reach Loke Clark, it would be best to seek support from the guild.”
“I’ve heard that since the development of flying airship technology, many unknown places have been explored, and the guild is more willing to send hunters to investigate the unknown.”
“That’s great! The unknown regions of the New Continent need hands too, eh?”
The compiler suddenly spotted a flash of white in the crowd, swiftly snatching a large shrimp from a plate before disappearing.
“Village Chief, have there been any sightings of Smoky Snow Weasels recently?”
“Not around here, but I’ve been active in Jieyun Village before. That hunting ground often sees them.”
“Speaking of Jieyun Village, their hot springs are excellent. After returning from Loke Clark, I should find time to visit.”
The village chief tilted his head back, gazing at the moon above.
Meanwhile, Jié Jié finished devouring the shrimp and began wandering between tables, grabbing bits and pieces.
Shrimp, crabs, shells, fish meat—he even tore off a piece of the giant tuna.
Many might have seen him, but with Mojia Village’s abundant seafood, one extra mouth didn’t bother anyone.
Look, even the little pig climbed onto the table, causing a roar of laughter among the burly men nearby, while the short farm owner stood on a stool calling out for Bujie.
The solemnity of the Sea God Festival had faded, leaving only the joyous feast for heroes.
He saw two members of the investigation team pushed onto the stage, telling stories about the continent across the sea.
By now, the Smoky Snow Weasel was covered in various soup stains from its food-grabbing escapades. Even if the two investigators saw him, they wouldn’t recognize him at first.
When they sobered up the next day, they’d probably think it was an illusion.
The Mojia Village tuna truly was delicious. With a special sauce, its already rich texture improved further, combining taste and sensation to overwhelm the entire mouth.
Alas, he only managed to grab a piece when it was served; the rest was quickly divided among the villagers.
Footsteps were approaching, and the energy signature revealed it to be Elsa, which put Jié Jié at ease.
As she neared, Elsa began tiptoeing, completely unaware that she had already been exposed.
She made eye contact with the Smoky Snow Weasel, then harmlessly squatted down, placing a scallop gently in front of her, trying to lure him closer to eat.
Naturally, Jié Jié chose to leave the shell and take the scallop meat.
“How could there be a Smoky Snow Weasel around here? It’s strange.”
“All dirty, you need a bath.”
Elsa’s hand moved slowly, mimicking the slow-motion approach of a Spiny Dragon hunting frogs.
Just as she was about to make contact, the Smoky Snow Weasel zipped away, leaving her with nothing but air.
Jié Jié leapt onto the wooden fence, staring at her intently.
“Cough cough.”
Elsa coughed lightly, pretending nothing happened as she left.
Jié Jié sensed her energy circling around from another direction, watching her silently.
Sensing the village chief and the compiler’s energy signatures approaching, Jié Jié darted into the sea.
“Eh? You scared it away!”
“What?”
“A Smoky Snow Weasel, a big one!”
“There shouldn’t be any Smoky Snow Weasel traces in our area.”
The village chief shook his head and looked at the compiler, who was deep in thought.
This made him somewhat suspicious.
“It looks very similar to the illustrations brought from Jieyun Village, long fur, just dirty. It just jumped straight into the sea.”
Elsa pointed earnestly downward.
The village chief and the compiler exchanged glances, took off their coats, and jumped into the sea—but saw nothing.
The compiler crouched down, examining the claw marks stained with soup on the ground, comparing them to the records in his book, growing even more confused.
The village chief, climbing back ashore, shook his head.
The Sea God Festival would last several days. The compiler, reluctant to part with the delicious food and wanting to find the Smoky Snow Weasel, stayed two more days under the pretense of helping oversee the festival.
But during these two days, Jié Jié, realizing he had almost been exposed, no longer transformed into a Smoky Snow Weasel.
As the banquet quieted down, the Smoky Snow Weasel was never seen again. Reluctantly, the compiler bid farewell to the sea folk and boarded a ship bound for Loke Clark.
He and Elsa agreed to ask the hunters of the isolated island if they had any sightings of the Smoky Snow Weasel, promising to write if anything was discovered.
Chapter 261
