Chapter 41: The Feast
Chapter 41: The Feast
Night fell.
Both the Silver Moon and the Blood Moon had risen high in the sky, casting light over the endless land.
These two moons, symbols of luck and disaster, had silently watched over the Great World for billions of years.
Leaving countless tales of love and war among mortals.
Moonlight like flowing water also bathed Shan Yue Village in the valley.
Inside the village fort, a vast open space held many blazing bonfires, their flames lighting up the surroundings.
Illuminating countless faces glowing dark red!
The largest bonfire stood at the center, holding a Savage Ox stripped of its hide.
It endured the fierce heat of the flames.
Two burly Shan Yue Giants worked together, steadily turning the spit to cook the meat evenly.
The air filled with the thick scent of burning wood and roasting beef.
All seven hundred members of the Shan Yue Tribe gathered there, their laughter and chatter never ceasing.
For these giants, such feasts were rare.
Usually held only during festivals or when merchant caravans arrived.
Gao Jing, living in the village for some time, was joining for the first time.
And this tribal feast was held just for him!
“The people of Shan Yue…”
The Elder Shaman Shan Yan’s voice rang across the square, reaching every ear clearly.
The Shan Yue Giants quieted instantly.
Everyone watched their elder with respect.
The tribe’s leader!
Holding his staff, the Elder Shaman scanned the crowd before saying, “Tonight’s clan gathering welcomes home a friend.”
Shan Guoer beside him raised her arms high, lifting Gao Jing who stood upon her palms!
Honestly, Gao Jing disliked this public display.
It was embarrassing.
But this ritual was part of the tribal ceremony. Who made him so tiny?
Countless eyes turned toward Gao Jing.
Some curious, some shocked, some bewildered.
His presence wasn’t secret in the tribe.
Most villagers knew that Shan Hu had found an “Ancient Descendant” during a hunt.
Many had seen Shan Guoer carrying him around the fort.
They just didn’t know why the Elder Shaman would call this important gathering.
Just to welcome Gao Jing!
“Our friend is named Gao Jing. He comes from the Ancient Remnant Clan of the Abyss,”
the Elder Shaman continued. “I must tell everyone: Your Honor Gao Jing brought our tribe the most precious gift—salt!”
He raised a Clay Pot hanging from his left hand. “A whole pot of the finest salt!”
“Wuha!”
The Shan Yue Giants roared with thunderous cheers.
Many beat their chests with fists, bronze faces showing joy and excitement.
For all tribes in the Great Wilderness, salt means life.
Without it, even the strongest warrior grows weak, unable to stand firm.
To trade for Salt Stone from caravans, tribe warriors risked life hunting ferocious Wild Beasts.
So though Gao Jing seemed small and weak, he gave the Shan Yue Tribe priceless salt.
This made him a true friend!
Giants never withheld friendship from those who earned it.
Now gazes held true warmth and gratitude.
Gao Jing smiled back.
But inside he felt puzzled, even frustrated.
His Bronze Anchor gave no response.
The giants’ gratitude didn’t stir even a wisp of Power of Faith!
Why?
Could the Bronze Anchor not gather faith here in the Great World? Or was it because he wasn’t native?
Gao Jing couldn’t figure it out.
This felt like losing a fortune!
He touched the Bronze Anchor hanging beneath his shirt.
The Elder Shaman set down the pot and waved his staff. “My people, let the celebration begin!”
“Wuha!”
Cheers shook the sky as drumbeats echoed—boom, boom, boom!
Elderly giants sat pounding huge hide drums with dry, massive hands.
Squads of sturdy Giant Warriors stepped forward, dancing circling the fires.
They stamped to wild rhythms, sang ancient songs, pushing excitement to its peak.
Gao Jing sat beside the Elder Shaman with Shan Guoer, watching the giant dances beneath moonlight.
Their moves held fierce, raw power—eyes fierce, tongues outslapping limbs—displaying bodily strength fearlessness towards battle.
To Gao Jing, they looked like moving mountains floating and shifting into formations like rivers flowing through gorges! Strong and unyielding. Unmovable as granite cliffs.
Their songs seemed ancient mighty chants echoing from time’s dawn carrying grief and joy intertwining streams flowing mountains calling winds howling as ancestors’ spirits passing stories generations threading tight bonds clan survival.
He barely grasped the words: they honored Great Wilderness Humans’ ancestors who first stole fire hunted beasts praised their bravery.
And asked for ancestral blessings!
Slowly Gao Jing got drawn into the scene the music thrumming sight spun his thoughts flowed with rhythm deep stirring blood boiling wild spirit surged once bound broke free untamed joy seized him.
He clapped stomped met drumbeats feelings inside hard to name deep powerful ancient truth him flowed.
Got carried away an unspeakable passion flooded heart rose warmth chest.
That sense freedom something precious something wild he forgotten years.
Disappeared then? Or suppressed? Not him understood but now it roared singing drumming like storm like flood shifting mountains charging horses shouting roaring volcanic eruption!
Feeling skipped breath blood raced heart pounded hard too loud too fierce.
Only when a plain-robed giant woman approached did he awaken from this.
She carried a huge basin offered respectfully placed by Elder Shaman Shan Yan.
Its contents unknown thick sauce made something foreign far away stranger than strange things beyond imagination.
Its smell sharp pungent masked over powerful scent roasted ox beneath moonlight sweat-drenched dance bodies floating mingling air sweat salt leather wood smoke cooked beef sharp bitter smells tangled together drilling nose dizzy blurred vision suddenly odd thought jumped mind: Might giants flavor meat using something familiar maybe herbs spices grinding stones mixing strange plants sharing hunt or trading caravan? Then why eat raw flesh beasts blood dripping teeth?
Giant woman finished placed basin stepped back respectfully stood next Shan Guoer her eyes bright teeth white smiled pleased when Shan Yan dipped slender streak fur into the sauce brushing oil-skinned ox.
Fire roared popping sparks leaping high towering golden red gnawing redden meat dripping sizzling grease filled steam spiced aroma tangy richness stained yellow hue sauce spreading crackling skin roasted juicy brown dripping fat bubbling golden layer.
Shan Guoer stuffs huge meat piece top spit mouth letting sauce cup dip it seconds. Her eyes joyful presents it Gao Jing politely looks Elder Shaman elder nods slightly “Go on child enjoy share feast our guest.”
Shan Guoer beams and stuffs whole dripping hunk her mouth cheeks bursting poured juice staining corners full smiles grunts with delight watching Gao Jing feeling precious salt warmth lingered throat stung salt hitting flavor explosion sweet rich fire spicy crust succulent inside juicy soft fragrant sauce despite unfamiliar tang. Trust made food safe warm rare treasure feeling released chest relaxing trusting ease resting belonging.
Maybe giants even troubles: harsh living constant danger lacking resources needing fight daily life. But far better stuck office endless meetings city bustle exhaust mind soul. Here true living real connection.
Banquet lasted till middle night moon climbed highest then slowly lowering tilted west dim light as frost started collect chilly touch. Fire embers kept burning giants let wood burn slowly not extinguish protecting meat cold night keep visitors warm telling stories singing soft songs till yawns started young children first then elders hold children sleepy eyes drifting.
Elder Shan Yan dismissed gathering all bow greatly then follow families scattering houses smaller fires burned doorways occasionally giants awake light steps low talks inside huts.
Gao Jing followed Shan Guoer footsteps village small turns along rugged paths scattered houses under moonlight shadows cast deep things hidden everywhere felt different intimate dreaminess slept giants snoring softly filling night emptiness comforting endless peace before deep sleep claimed him.
The Elder Shaman reached into the clay pot beside him and grabbed a large handful of coarse salt, sprinkling it into the clay bowl.
The giant village woman carefully lifted the clay bowl again and carried it to the tribal warrior in charge of roasting the meat.
The tribal warrior stirred the sauce with a bristle brush a few times, then evenly brushed the salted sauce onto the beef.
The beef sizzled over the charcoal fire, looking more and more tempting!
After a moment, another giant warrior sliced off pieces of fragrant roasted meat using a long bone dagger.
The fattest, most succulent portions were served first to the Elder Shaman and Gao Jing.
But the Elder Shaman didn’t eat his own portion. Instead, he handed it to Shan Guoer.
He patted the little girl’s head fondly and said kindly, “You eat first.”
“Mhm.”
Shan Guoer, who had been drooling with anticipation, grabbed the roasted meat and eagerly stuffed it into her mouth.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle ~ Hot!.jpg!
“So yummy!”
Seeing her wolf it down, even Gao Jing couldn’t help swallowing hard.
He drew the dagger he carried with him and sliced off a piece of roasted meat placed before him.
Ooh!
The beef was roasted perfectly — crisp outer layer without being burnt, with juicy inner layers.
Gao Jing opened his mouth and took a big bite.
Two different textures and flavors collided and blended on his tongue, intensely savory, making his taste buds burst with flavor instantly! It woke that deep-down, ancient human craving for meat!
The sauce spread on the roasted meat brilliantly masked the beef’s natural gamey scent, adding a smoky, fruity aroma.
The only slight flaw was there wasn’t quite enough salt.
But that was an easy fix. He reached into his pocket – actually into his Storage Space – and pulled out a salt shaker.
He sprinkled some over the roasted meat.
The salted roast beef tasted phenomenal.
Gao Jing ate at least two pounds straight away, feeling incredibly satisfied.
Just then, the Elder Shaman opened a round jar.
“Try some of our Mountain Ape Wine.”
He scooped out a little wine with a wooden ladle and poured it into a wooden bowl specially prepared for Gao Jing.
The bowl was huge, its mouth wider than half a meter, rivaling the largest deep-sea stew bowl.
The ladleful poured out several pounds of wine at least.
The liquid was vibrant green, dotted with tiny ant-like wine sediments. A strong, sweet fruit fragrance filled the air!
Gao Jing wasn’t much of a drinker, but just the smell made his stomach rumble.
The little girl sitting nearby watched hungrily, biting her finger longingly.
She clearly wasn’t old enough for wine yet.
Gao Jing lifted the huge bowl with both hands, brought it to his lips, and took a sip.
It tasted clean and subtly sweet. Rich fruity layers blended smoothly. Though the sediment was a bit off-putting, the aftertaste was fragrant, leaving him feeling light and almost floaty.
“Great wine!”
He couldn’t help but exclaim, then took another big gulp.
The more he drank, the sweeter it became, with an endlessly enjoyable aftertaste!
He feasted on the fragrant roasted meat, washing it down with gulps of the refreshing fruit wine. Before he knew it, Gao Jing began feeling pleasantly lightheaded.
His whole body relaxed completely.
He didn’t even recall the exact moment he finally dozed off.