Chapter 655: Chapter 616: Riding a Dog Sled, Roaming the Arctic
Faced with the Eskimos’ lack of knowledge, Zhao Rong did his best to explain. "The people of Huaxia are from eastern Asia," he said. "In fact, your own ancestors were likely from Huaxia. They just happened to migrate to the Arctic Circle, that’s all."
When Zhao Rong saw his explanation wasn’t convincing the Eskimos, he pulled out his phone and played a video for them. "You should watch this," he told them. "Perhaps after seeing it, you’ll understand where your ancestors began their migration."
Zhao Rong’s patient explanation, combined with the video, finally convinced the Eskimos that their ancestors were also from Huaxia. Once they realized the people before them shared the same roots, they immediately turned to Zhao Rong’s group of five for help.
The Chieftain stepped forward, pointed north, and said to Zhao Rong, "My friends, you’ve come at just the right time. Our very survival is being threatened."
The Chieftain’s son added fearfully, "You don’t understand. A terrifying monster has appeared here in the Arctic Circle. It has eaten many of the animals, and it doesn’t spare our people, either!"
When Zhao Rong heard of such a fearsome monster, his interest was piqued. "Such a strange monster exists?" he asked. "I’d like to meet it and see for myself just how powerful it is."
Lili, Yu Lan, Xue Lianmei, and the assistant were also eager to help. "Don’t be afraid," they assured the Eskimos. "As long as we’re here, we promise we’ll eliminate that monster and bring peace back to your lives."
Hearing that these people were willing to help, the Eskimos jumped for joy. "Finally!" they cheered. "Someone is willing to help us! We Eskimos can continue to survive here in the Arctic Circle!"
Zhao Rong drew the Dharma Sword from his Magic Ring, his killing intent palpable as he asked the Eskimos, "Where is this monster? Take us to it now. I’ll slay it right in front of you."
The Eskimo Chieftain replied, "The monster’s lair is at the North Pole, deep within the Arctic Circle. If you don’t mind a long and difficult journey, I can lead you there now."
Zhao Rong looked at the vast, snow-covered landscape. He clenched his jaw and said, "Helping others is the same as helping yourself. No matter how long or difficult the road ahead, I’m willing to help you eliminate that monster."
The Eskimo Chieftain was thrilled by Zhao Rong’s words. He gave his own dogsled to Zhao Rong’s group of five, saying, "This is the best dogsled in our entire tribe. Take it and follow us. We will find that great monster and destroy it!"
Once Zhao Rong’s party was settled on the dogsled, they set off immediately. The sled was incredibly fast, speeding across the icy landscape.
The three women on the sled were also thrilled. As they watched the scenery whiz by, one of them exclaimed, "I never imagined riding a dogsled would be so exhilarating!"
Lili said excitedly, "I always thought dogsleds were slow! But now that I’m actually riding one, it feels even faster than a motorboat!"
Yu Lan practically danced with joy. "When I was little," she said, "I’d see people on TV riding dogsleds through the snow, and I always dreamed of a life like that. I can’t believe that at eighteen, I’m finally getting the chance to do it myself, speeding through the ice just like them!"
Xue Lianmei gazed at the vast, white landscape. Finding the glare overwhelming, she remarked, "You really can’t get anywhere in this land of ice and snow without a dogsled."
And so, the group passed the day chatting and laughing on the sled. By noon, everyone was hungry.
The assistant patted his rumbling stomach and said, "It’s lunchtime. I wonder what kind of delicacies the Eskimos will treat us to."
Lili mused, "I bet they’ll serve us king crab and lobster."
Yu Lan licked her lips in anticipation. "Since they live in the Arctic year-round, they must have some unique local dishes. I’m guessing it’s seal, walrus, or sea lion meat."
"I think it’s most likely krill," Xue Lianmei offered with a burst of imagination. "The Arctic has an abundance of it. Look, see all that red stuff below? That’s all krill!"
Just as they were fantasizing about the feast to come, the Eskimo Chieftain approached. He held out something that looked very much like pork rind and said, "My friends, this is a specialty of the Arctic region: narwhal meat. Please, enjoy."
The Chieftain’s son added earnestly from behind him, "Narwhal meat is the most precious food in our tribe. We normally can’t bear to eat it ourselves. We only offer it to our most honored guests."
When Zhao Rong’s group heard how precious the narwhal meat was, they happily took it, examined it for a moment, and then popped it into their mouths.
"Since it’s so precious, it must be incredibly delicious!" Lili said, her expectations soaring.
Yu Lan licked her lips. She figured it had to be more delectable than abalone, bird’s nest, or sea cucumber. "The Arctic is rich with all kinds of seafood and delicacies," she said. "If this is what the Eskimos serve their most honored guests, its taste must be divine!"
Xue Lianmei, recalling the best teppanyaki squid she had ever had, looked at the meat and said, "I bet this is even better than that!"
The assistant was ecstatic. "It must be tastier than Ginsengfruit!"
However, once they finished talking and actually began to eat, they all frowned. The narwhal meat in their mouths felt like a piece of rubber; it was impossible to chew, let alone swallow.