Yang Zhai was sitting comfortably on a sturdy wooden chair, eating a dish of carefully prepared reign elk meat that had been neatly placed on the table right before him. Around him was a perfect circle of tall, straight trees that formed a leafy canopy above, shading him while letting patches of sunlight filter through, falling in a dappled, dancing pattern on the ground, creating a feeling of both safety and calmness. Below him stretched a floor of soft, well-maintained grass, neither overgrown nor excessively cut, creating a smooth, even surface under his feet. On the branches of these trees, small lanterns hung gently, their light casting a warm and inviting glow across the area. Each tree had a single lantern hanging from its branches, mixed with the occasionally dappled fading sunlight, giving a beautiful glow.
Beside the trees ran a narrow, sparkling canal carrying red-colored fish that swam peacefully, forming a beautiful and peaceful circle around the serene setting.
Around the table at which he was sitting were five chairs, carefully arranged. On the opposite side of the table, a man was sitting, quietly enjoying his food with evident satisfaction.
"How's the food from our island?" the man asked with pride and a light, friendly tone, as if eager to hear a genuine response.
He had a thin, faint beard. His face was chiseled, yet slightly round, giving him a friendly but strong look. His eyes were a little large, and his nose had a distinct, aquiline shape. His hair was slightly curly and long, extending gracefully to about a hand's length. His thick eyebrows framed his eyes strongly, and he wore light black clothing consisting of a long, loose-fitting shirt paired with wide, flowing trousers.
"It's tasty, isn't it?!" he said again, his voice full of excitement, and he laughed warmly.
Yang Zhai did not pay attention to him and kept eating calmly. The meat he was consuming had been cooked perfectly so that it would melt smoothly in his mouth. He wouldn't need to chew repeatedly; it would naturally break into tiny pieces after only a few turns in his mouth. The spices added to the dish left a faint, lingering salty taste on his tongue, which would slowly fade after another bite, only to emerge again later, as if the seasoning had been mixed carefully into the very heart of the meat. The smell of the food was lingering in the surrounding space.
"It's very rare to see travelers on this island. We had a few travelers a year ago, and now one of them has become the leader of our village, I mean the supreme leader. But the dishes we cook here are—I am sure—unique to our island. So, how's the taste?" The man asked with a wide, bright smile, almost laughing out loud, like a child seeking praise from an elder after accomplishing something small but meaningful.
However, Yang Zhai's eyes narrowed slightly as he took another careful bite of the meat. His expression, however, remained completely calm, showing no hint of surprise or discomfort.
This is a piece of human flesh… Don't tell me these people are cannibals? But it didn't seem like it from Wen Xui's last night's explanation. Even the food she served me last night was perfectly normal. I didn't find anything suspicious about it. Could it have all started after she left the village? If so, this might be related to the man she had mentioned previously.
He thought carefully, yet still swallowed the bite quietly to avoid raising any suspicion. He continued eating slowly and quietly listened to the man, occasionally nodding to show he was paying attention, making sure not to annoy him.
If they can turn against their own kin and blood, what would they care about me? I must stay low-key for now. He considered this carefully in his mind.
But, only a single piece of human meat had been included in the dish, and he hadn't encountered another since.
But why would they mix human flesh in with the other meat,? Could it be because of scarce food? That didn't seem likely, considering the seemingly healthy villagers and the quantity of food I have just eaten. It is surprisingly lavish for a village supposedly living through famine.
"So, how was the food?" the man asked again, a hint of expectation in his tone.
"It was fine. I am genuinely impressed by the way it was cooked. It melted in my mouth effortlessly. Anyway, who prepared such a beautiful dish? Can I meet that person in person?" Yang Zhai asked with a slight, polite smile.
"Yes, yes, why not. But the thing is, you have already met him," the man said with a warm smile, as if he were letting Yang Zhai in on a secret.
"Oh?"
"Yes, that person is sitting right in front of you," the man said, pointing at himself with his right thumb. He continued, "I am the cook in this village. Every villager eats dishes cooked by me at least once a week. You can call me Gu Dan. By the way, if you want seconds, just say the word, and it will be served immediately."
So, he is the cook of this supposed inn. Yang Zhai contemplated silently.
The place he was sitting at and eating in was the supposed inn of this island. It was unlike traditional inns, built instead with trees circling tables, offering a natural and open-air experience in the middle of the greenery.
"No need, I am full. Anyway, I would like to look around before leaving. After all, I do not know if I will ever return to this island," Yang Zhai said, standing up and preparing to explore the surroundings.
"Why not? Let me accompany you." As he spoke, he stood up and instructed someone nearby, "Look after the customers while I am gone." After saying this, he looked at Yang Zhai and moved his left arm forward in a polite gesture, inviting him to take the lead. "Please."
Yang Zhai took a careful step forward, surveying the village around him.
This village was protected by wooden fences extending as high as five meters. Each section of the fence was constructed from a single solid tree trunk. As he entered the village earlier, he also noticed two guards stationed on each side of the main gate, standing atop the wooden towers built there. Both of them were rank 2 cultivators. It seemed they had become cultivators after that man assumed control.
Yang Zhai considered this silently. He could sense the rank of the cultivators easily, since their weapons were enhanced on the spot with cultivation techniques, likely as a precautionary measure against him.
They walked further through the village. As they did, a young man fell to the ground. His robe was dirty and loose, and he held a spade fork, seemingly returning from a long day of farming work.
"Hmm,"
However, when the young man fell, Yang Zhai noticed something that immediately sharpened his focus like the edge of a sword. His expression remained calm, his gaze as tranquil and cold as possible.
Even though the young man was a distance away, Yang Zhai could see him clearly because he had activated his three yellow lines, sharpening his vision to extreme precision.
When the young man fell, his loose robe slid away from his abdomen. Yang Zhai noticed a cut mark there, almost fully healed and invisible to normal eyesight, but Yang Zhai's vision was sharp enough to see every detail with perfect clarity.
There's a cut mark on that man's abdomen… Was his kidney removed as well? It should not be a mere coincidence. Even if he did get this cut by accident. I still need to confirm with my own eyes whether it's just a coincidence or not. As he considered this, he said to the man,
"When can I meet the leader of this village? I was thinking, 'I should present some gifts to him now that I am here, as a gesture for his hospitality and kindness.'"
"Oh! Really! But you are a cultivator, so it doesn't matter even if you offer nothing," Gu Dan said excitedly, yet he tried to remain polite while refusing Yang Zhai. It was visible from his eyes that he wanted these gifts.
Offer gifts? He is a cultivator from another place. I wonder what kind of gifts he will bring; they must be impressive.
"No, no, I must. Please lead the way," Yang Zhai insisted firmly, shaking his hands with determination.
"Well… if you say so, then please," Gu Dan said, and didn't even reject him again as if waiting for him to offer the gifts again. He led the way, stopping in front of a residence as large as a three-story building, spread across at least an acre. It also had a beautiful garden and a pond filled with red-colored fish. There were trees planted in neat rows along the fence, providing shade and structure to the residence.
A mortal could have a residence like this? he thought quietly.
"Please, here," Gu Dan said, leading him to the hall.
They even have a hall… even if he is the village leader, it cannot be like this. It seems that Gu Dan isn't taking me only to meet the village leader, Yang Zhai thought silently.
!|!*****!*****!|!