Chapter 65: The Gift
Chapter 65: The Gift
Splash!
With a burst of water, a large fish, green-backed and white-bellied, was hauled violently into the air.
It struggled wildly, its silvery scales glittering brightly under the sunlight—a truly beautiful sight.
Then it thumped heavily onto the grassy bank beside the mountain stream.
The big fish never dreamed that delicious bait could hide a sharp hook.
The price of greed was its freedom.
And its life!
Gao Jing put down his sea fishing rod. He pulled out a dagger and pierced the fish’s head.
Skillfully, he scaled and skinned his prize, removed its bones and spines, and rinsed away blood and debris in the clear stream water.
Only large chunks of bright, fresh, shimmering, orange-red fish meat remained.
Next, he sliced it with a kitchen knife onto a plate, serving it with wasabi and soy sauce.
A delicious plate of sliced raw fish was ready.
Gao Jing sat down on the grass. He savored the fresh, smooth sashimi while gazing at the distant rolling mountain ranges.
A cool breeze drifted past, brushing against his face.
It felt like a lover’s gentle hands caressing his cheeks.
Gao Jing narrowed his eyes in contentment.
This was already his fifth day here.
After collecting ten thousand jin of Peanut Sesame Candy from the pastry shop, Gao Jing gathered the previously purchased 85 tons of Coarse Salt and some other items.
He once more traveled to the Great World.
Unlike previous trips, because he now knew how to charge the Bronze Anchor, he no longer worried about the number of trips he could make.
So Gao Jing was exceptionally relaxed.
Also, because time was relatively static, he couldn’t immediately return to Shan Yue Village.
After scouting around, Gao Jing had discovered this mountain stream.
He set up camp here by the stream and had stayed for several days.
Every morning after waking, Gao Jing first used a drone to scout his surroundings, ensuring no dangerous Wild Beasts were nearby.
Then he practiced the Thirty-Six Combat Forms from the Records of the Great Wilderness Combat to consolidate his level.
When resting, he fished for a meal.
This stream held vast numbers of salmon.
Generation after generation had thrived here, blissfully unaware of reality’s harshness; they were utterly foolish fish.
As soon as Gao Jing cast his bait, a fish would bite within three to five seconds, like clockwork.
It was practically a fisherman’s paradise!
But even the sweetest fish grows tiresome.
Feeling it was about time to leave, Gao Jing packed his gear and climbed back onto the Pack Beast.
After successfully Igniting his Bloodline, his strength had surged.
His agility had increased significantly too.
Now, even without rope tools, Gao Jing could easily scale the Pack Beast, over ten meters tall.
Settling into place, he patted the giant rhino, which was busy chewing on tender grass. “Pi-Pi Rhino, let’s go home!”
The Giant Rhinoceros Beast swallowed the grass in its mouth.
With a low grunt and a shake of its head, it obediently plodded forward with heavy steps.
Heading in the direction of Shan Yue Village.
This not-yet-fully-grown beast was tough-skinned, thick-hided, loyal and gentle. Best of all, it had the natural gift of never losing its way.
It had become Gao Jing’s best companion in the Great World.
Late in the afternoon, Shan Yue Village came within Gao Jing’s sight.
He withdrew the Coarse Salt, Peanut Brittle, and other items stored in his Copper Anchor Space.
He placed them into two Vine Baskets.
Grooooaaaah!
The Giant Rhinoceros Pack Beast let out an ear-splitting roar, expressing its joy at returning home.
Gao Jing’s mood brightened too.
“Gao Jing~”
A call came from the direction of the village fort.
Then he saw figures sprinting towards him.
One, two, three…
They were all the mischievous children from Shan Yue Village!
Leading the charge was Shan Guoer!
Last time Gao Jing returned, it was also Shan Guoer who met him.
This time, she’d brought the entire village’s kids!
Gao Jing felt a genuine sense of triumphant homecoming.
Of course, it would have been even better if these little rascals were waving bouquets of flowers.
He chuckled and waved to the small Giants.
Shan Guoer ran incredibly fast, swiftly outdistancing her little friends.
She reached Gao Jing first.
“Gao Jing!”
The little girl charged ahead of the Pack Beast, leaped high into the air.
Gao Jing knew this move well, having seen it before. Unlike last time when it startled him, he remained calmly seated.
True to form, Shan Guoer landed steadily onto the giant rhino’s neck, just like last time.
Gao Jing smiled warmly. “Shan Guoer, did you miss me?”
In his heart, this little girl truly felt like his own daughter.
Her innocence, sweetness, playfulness, and mischief made it easy for Gao Jing to overlook the vast difference in their sizes.
“Hmph!”
Her eyes clearly shimmered with delight, yet at Gao Jing’s question, she wrinkled her nose and turned her head away.
She looked very much like a sulky little kid!
Gao Jing was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
Shan Guoer pouted. “Why were you gone so long this time?”
Gao Jing suddenly understood.
To keep his secret about coming from another world, he always left Shan Yue Village alone.
Because of the time stopping, Gao Jing had to stay in the wilderness for a few days before returning.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense.
Last time, he stayed out for three days.
This time it took six days both ways.
That little girl must have waited for him every day.
She was probably getting impatient.
Gao Jing laughed and said, “This time, I brought back extra candy for you.”
He pointed to the vine basket on his right.
Inside was a full 10,000 pounds of peanut brittle!
Shan Guoer followed Gao Jing’s finger with her eyes and immediately beamed a huge smile.
“Wow!”
She gasped with surprise. “So much candy!”
Of course there was lots.
A thousand pieces, each brick weighing ten pounds—five times more than last time!
When the older shopkeeper of the candy store delivered it, Gao Jing felt a shock at seeing the man’s condition.
So terrible!
“I also have another gift for you.”
Gao Jing said mysteriously to the little girl. “You’ll definitely like it!”
Shan Guoer blinked in confusion. “What gift?”
“Take a look yourself.”
Gao Jing pointed at the large cloth sack lying next to the pile of peanut brittle.
Curiously, Shan Guoer grabbed the sack. At Gao Jing’s urging, she undid the ropes tied around its open end.
A pink teddy bear plush wearing a little red hood.
Popped into view!
This teddy bear plush was custom-made for Gao Jing on Taobao. It stood over 4.5 meters tall.
Super mega-sized!
Of course, to Shan Guoer, it wasn’t actually huge.
But it still made the little girl’s eyes were shining with excitement.
She hugged it tight to her chest!
It proved true—children love cute things, no matter the world!
Shan Guoer grinned, her eyes crinkling and a tiny dimple appearing on her right cheek.
Seeing her pure happiness made Gao Jing feel warm inside.
Really, really happy.
Just like a father working hard all day, bringing home a toy bought with his wages, seeing his sweet little girl’s delighted surprise—it brought deep fulfillment and joy!
Sons didn’t count though.
Gao Jing chuckled. “Do you like it?”
“Mhmm!”
Shan Guoer nodded forcefully, clinging tightly to her teddy bear plush.
She didn’t even glance at her beloved peanut brittle anymore.
“Shan Guoer, Shan Guoer!”
Just then, the village children caught up and swarmed around the giant rhinoceros beast.
Gao Jing quickly had the pack beast stop walking.
To avoid accidentally hurting them.
Truthfully, he worried too much. These tough-skinned, energetic kids were just as sturdy and quick.
They spotted the teddy bear plush in Shan Guoer’s arms.
All stared blankly—what was this strange thing?
Shan Guoer quickly stuffed the teddy bear back into the sack and tied it shut.
She bent down, grabbed a huge handful of peanut brittle from the vine basket.
“Time to share candy!”
The joyful laughter of the Shan Yue tribe children soon drifted across the open field.
It spread, reaching far out over the land!