Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Since they had an order to carry out an explorative mission in the Shrimp World No. 2, both Atlanteans and Earthlings had some basic understanding of the indigenous tribes on the island. However, the empty descriptions and photos regarding the tribal creatures as those who created large metal ships, mastered the method of manufacturing giant airships, domesticated a variety of exotic animals as their ‘tools,’ and started creating powerful firearms with the protection of a supernatural god were not enough. All of these became a reality when they finally saw it. They could not help but be struck dumb with fear.
The countless iron ships that were leaving behind trails of white ripples between the port and the fishing boats that were transporting hill-like catches to shore looked astounding to them. The thousands of indigenous warriors who were wearing metal armor while riding huge spiders on the coast of the island with firearms and spears as they patrolled to and fro was a marvel to see. The colossal airship or the 500-meter long aircraft flying in the cloudless blue sky made the jaw of a young man, who looked about 30 years old whose black, shiny skin was exposed under his sportswear, dropped and revealed a set of shining teeth. “Do those intelligence analysts in the Department of Defense work without their brains? How can this be a primitive tribe? Even if we exclude the characteristics of the foreign world civilization that we don’t understand, this place is still an indigenous island in the early or even middle industrial civilization…”
“Mr. Harman, does the CIA also include ‘civilization’ in your training?” Even though Alison had a good personality and had undergone specialized training in emotion control, she was still unambiguous in defending the dignity of her department. Upon hearing the words of the CIA agent, she immediately scowled in dissatisfaction. “You’ve also seen the detailed information about the Shrimp B1 Island that the garrison army gathered. Didn’t you also think that it’s a primitive tribal society before you see the island with your own eyes?”
“Detailed information? Hey, Lieutenant Alison, before we received the mission to explore the Shrimp World No. 2, all of the information that our department has on the Shrimp B1 Island are from TV and online news. We’ve never received any ‘detailed information’ before…”
“Alright, Mr. Harman, Miss Alison, now is not the time to argue about these little things.” The seemingly silent Nordick, who was the leader of the Earthlings, fulfilled his obligations in time to step in between the two agents from different intelligence bureaus: CIA and Department of Defense.
He turned his attention to Zhang Lisheng. He then asked solemnly, “Doctor, has the communication between you and the indigenous soldiers riding strange birds gone successful?”
“I can’t say if it’s successful or not, Captain Nordick.” The young man said with a smile. “Although I don’t have any actual right, in the hearts of the Wizard Li’s tribesmen, I’m still the resurrection of a once-powerful guardian of the tribe. It’s not a big deal for me to take over ten friends of mine to stay on the island for a while. I just told the chief warrior that our ship will park at the fishing port, so I told him to pass a message to vacate a berth for us. He was in a dilemma just now, but in the end, he still agreed to it.”
“Stop the fishery production and vacate the port to meet you and your friends?” Upon hearing Zhang Lisheng’s words, a man who had thick, brown hair that was combed onto the back of his head spoke. He had a sculpted, beautiful face, huge built, and whose age was between middle-aged showed in his expression that he understood his point. He then smiled. “Doctor, it looks like your position in the indigenous tribe is indeed quite weighty.”
“It’s not stopping the production but just vacating a berth. These are two completely different things. Frankly, Mr. Pocky, by imparting some simple engineering knowledge to the natives, my position in the Wizard Li tribe is slowly rising.” Zhang Lisheng looked at the FBI agent and shrugged. “Even so, I’ve never been in control of any real right before.”
When the young man was speaking, a small pilot boat sailed across the sea, circled around the ferry, and then waved its flag to guide the ship into the port.
When the ship finally stopped, Zhang Lisheng jumped onto the coast. Three to five native choresmen greeted him and kneeled in front of him. The native fishermen and warriors nearby also bowed at him to show some respect but did not kneel to worship him.
Looking down the natives at his foot, the young man rambled on. He looked at the two leaders beside him. “I’m afraid the Wizard Li headman would not have the time to meet us this week, but the leader of this settlement ‘Giant Wood Harbor’ will take the time out to meet us in the afternoon. We can go to the bark house to take a break first and eat some fresh fruits, roasted meat, or worms of the foreign world. Even though they look weird, they taste quite nice, actually. What do you think?”
“I’m not sure, Doctor,” Nordick said with a blank expression.
“This is your territory, Doctor. I’ll follow whatever you say.” Someril answered without hesitation. “I only hope that you can help Travis and McCardy to master the language and writing of these indigenous people as soon as possible.”
“Even though I’m a bit talented in language learning, I’m still not a linguist…”
“You don’t have to be a linguist. Just follow Travis and McCardy’s lead then translate a thousand native words to English.”
“That sounds easy enough. I can do that.” Zhang Lisheng saw that he could not shirk this off, so he shrugged and said.
After that, under the guidance of the Wizard Li’s choresmen, the young man led the crowd out of the beach and entered a huge bark house among the row of enormous bark houses nearest the sea at the edge of the Wizard Li city. The house where they entered had several large open windows, which was lit by the sunlight.
The house was divided into three rooms. Apart from the bathroom equipped with an iron pipe and the bedrooms that were decorated with a smooth wooden bed, there was only a living room with an area of over 200 square meters.
The living room was covered with an animal skin carpet with soft, long hair, and a black, bear-like head. There was a narrow gap between the mats that allowed them to walk past.
When Zhang Lisheng entered the house, he took off his shoes and sat on the animal skin carpet. “These skins on the ground are the carpets, tables, sofas of the Wizard Li people. In short, they’re whatever furniture you think they are. Try it, sitting on it is actually very comfortable.”
Looking at the beast heads barring their full porcelain-like teeth, most of them appeared to be somewhat unaccustomed to this rustic appeal of the foreign world. However, they still force themselves to sit on it. Only Someril and Nordick’s expressions remained unchanged.
The Atlantean woman sat beside Zhang Lisheng and smiled, “Sitting on warm skin to enjoy the sea view. Looks like no matter what world it is, the big-shots really know how to enjoy their lives.”
“Not necessarily, Madam Someril.” Upon hearing these words, the young man pointed at the busy port a hundred meters away. He then said with a smile, “Before the Wizard Li unified the island, the tribal leaders would all live in a bark house in the middle of the tribe. They only know how to enjoy the sea view after I influenced them.”
As Zhang Lisheng spoke, ten native choresmen carried a variety of meals. They were huge wooden plates with fragrant barbecued meat, luscious wild fruits, fat fried worms, and thick fish soup into the treehouse.
After putting the meals before the guests, they quickly ran out of the treehouse and entered again while carrying iron plates carved with a delicate pattern. They then place them at the corner of the room. After that, they ignited the greased wood in the plates and ignited a raging fire.
In the aromatic wooden fragrant, the temperature in the tree house began to rise slowly. The young man took off his coat and looked at the short natives standing before him with a praising smile on his face. After telling him a few words, the young man waved his hand, and the natives immediately retreated.
Watching the disappearance of the Wizard Li tribesmen, Zhang Lisheng picked up a beetle with a crispy shell and placed it in his mouth to munch loudly. He then said half-jokingly, “The treehouse and this animal skin we are sitting on are all incombustible. Of course, it would be another story if a powerhouse who masters the extraordinary light and heat power like you ignite them, Madam Someril. Please relax with the certainty that we won’t catch fire. As for these foods, I have eaten them many times, and they are non-poisonous. All of you can just eat it without fear. Enjoying the warmth of the fire, appreciating the sea breeze, listening to the waves, and eating the sumptuous food and delicious wines of the foreign world were great. Can anything be even more relaxing than this?”
“Oh this is indeed delicious!” When the young man’s words left his mouth, Alison was the first person to enjoy the lunch. The beautiful, black female officer put a piece of barbecued meat in her mouth and looked at Zhang Lisheng with a peculiar expression. “Mr. Lisheng, I’ve read about your news report before. It stated that your research work in Shrimp World No. 2 is very tedious and difficult. It turns out that you’re enjoying a comfortable life like a medieval king in a native tribe.”
“Oh Lieutenant Alison, if I remove the makeup on my face, you’ll find that the news is no exaggeration. It is a hard thing to become an accomplished biologist.” The young man smiled and picked up the yellowish-orange fruit wine filled in a huge wooden bowl on the plate and downed a massive gulp before sighing with emotions. “Actually, the same goes for anything that we want to do with great accomplishment.”
After that, he looked at Someril and asked with a smile, “Madam Someril, as a distinguished guest from a different civilization, do you think I’m right?”
“What you said is the truth, at any time and place, Dr.,” Someril nodded and said, “Same goes to the mission of our exploration now too.”
“It seems that in addition to the light and heat ability of yours, you also have the supernatural power to shift all topics to the Shrimp World No. 2’s exploration mission.” Zhang Lisheng said with a smile. “Okay, since you’re so anxious about it, let us get down to business while we eat. Mr. Travis, Miss McCardy. What words do you need me to translate?”
