158: Chapter 157 Island Night Bonfire

When that muffled boom reached the island, Qin Wan was in the courtyard gathering the dried fish that had been out all day.

She looked up at the sky; dusk had already fallen, and the sea was a hazy gray, making it impossible to see anything clearly.

Something flashed on the distant horizon, looking like lightning but not quite.

She didn't pay it any mind and continued gathering her dried fish.

The weather on the island had been good these past few years, so the fish dried thoroughly and could be stored for a long time.

Several elders under the banyan tree at the village entrance heard it too.

Old Chen was sitting on a stone bench smoking; his pipe paused in his hand as he squinted toward the distance.

The sky there was still gray, and the sea was gray as well; he saw nothing.

He smacked his lips and said to the person beside him, "Mr. Yun has made a move again."

The person next to him nodded without speaking, showing no sign of surprise.

Over the past few years, Mr. Yun would act from time to time—sometimes to rescue fishermen who had fallen into the sea, other times to drive away sea beasts approaching the island.

Last time, there was a giant fish, larger than a boat, that swam in from the deep sea, only to be slapped back by Mr. Yun.

The waves kicked up were incredibly high; they had seen it even from the village.

Later, Mr. Yun told them it was fine, and it truly was fine.

They trusted him.

Several children playing on the beach ran back, panting and shouting as they ran, "Something exploded in the sky! It was so loud! We saw red too!"

The adults pulled them aside to ask what they had seen; the children all talked at once—some said they saw light, some said they heard a noise, and some said they saw nothing but were just startled.

Finally, Old Chen waved his hand and told them to stop being noisy. "Mr. Yun is handling things; what are you worrying about?"

The children stopped making a fuss, and the adults stopped asking questions.

Mr. Yun was on the mountain; he could settle anything.

This was the thought shared by everyone in the village.

Not long after, a black speck in the sky flew toward them.

Someone spotted it and shouted, "Mr. Yun is back!"

Everyone at the village entrance stood up and looked at the sky.

The black speck grew larger and closer; it was indeed a person.

Wearing a moon-white robe with his hair tied back, he was carrying something in his hand.

When Yun Ming landed, everyone saw clearly—he was carrying a large piece of meat the size of a millstone, with half a black scale still attached to it, blood dripping from the scale's edge.

The meat was red and very fresh.

The children swarmed around but didn't dare get too close, watching the meat from a distance with wide, round eyes.

A brave one asked, "Mr. Yun, what kind of meat is this?"

Yun Ming said it was the meat of a large fish.

The children gasped. A large fish? How big would it have to be to have such a huge piece of meat?

The adults also crowded around to look, clicking their tongues in wonder.

Someone asked, "How big was this fish?"

Yun Ming thought for a moment and said, "Not small."

He didn't specify the size, and the villagers didn't press him.

Over the years, Mr. Yun had brought back many things from outside, each more peculiar than the last; they had long since grown used to it.

Old Chen leaned in to sniff it and said the meat smelled fragrant, not like an ordinary fish.

Yun Ming said it was indeed unusual and that eating it would be good for the body.

Old Chen laughed and asked, which of the things Mr. Yun brought back wasn't good for the body?

Qin Wan came out of the courtyard and was also stunned when she saw the piece of meat in Yun Ming's hand. Then she began to organize things. "Such a large piece of meat; it'll go bad if we can't finish it."

Yun Ming said if they couldn't finish it, they should distribute it to everyone.

Qin Wan nodded, saying that was only right.

She turned and went to call for people, gathering a few women to help carry the meat to the stone platform at the village entrance.

The meat was indeed large, the size of a millstone; several people struggled even while carrying it together.

Yun Ming just stood by and watched, not offering any help.

He knew that in such situations, his help would only cause more confusion, so it was better to let them handle it themselves.

There was a Butcher in the village surnamed Li; people usually sought him out whenever they needed to slaughter a pig.

He came over with his knife and circled the meat a few times, saying the fish skin was too thick and his knife might not be able to cut through it.

Yun Ming reached out and made a single stroke across the meat; with just that one move, the meat was divided into several large chunks.

Master Li was stunned and put his knife away, saying it was better for Mr. Yun to do it.

Yun Ming didn't refuse; with quick and efficient movements, he sliced the meat into dozens of pieces of similar size, each enough for a family's meal.

Qin Wan led the women in distributing the meat—a piece for this family, a piece for that family; everyone present got a share.

With over a hundred people in the village, every household received a portion.

Some felt embarrassed, saying it wasn't right to take things Mr. Yun brought back for free.

Qin Wan told them to take it, saying it wasn't anything valuable, just a fish. The person then took it back with a thousand thanks.

That night, a bonfire was lit at the village entrance.

This was an old village custom: whenever something good happened, they would light a bonfire and gather to eat and drink.

Usually, they would light it if someone caught a large fish, married a wife, or had a child.

Today, since Mr. Yun had brought back such a large piece of meat, they naturally had to light it.

The bonfire was built by the young people on the beach, not far from the water.

The wood was dry brushwood cut from the mountain, piled high and catching fire instantly.

The flames leaped up, illuminating half the beach; the firelight reflected on the sea, flickering back and forth.

Each household roasted their own meat.

Those who received meat took it home, sliced it, skewered it with twigs, and brought it to the bonfire to roast.

The meat Yun Ming brought back was exceptionally fragrant when roasted; the fat dripped into the fire with a sizzle, and the aroma drifted far and wide.

Someone brought wine from home—home-brewed rice wine, not strong but with a hint of sweetness.

Old Chen drank a few mouthfuls, his face turning red. He pulled Yun Ming into a conversation, saying that when Mr. Yun first arrived, he had been afraid, thinking Immortals were all aloof and wouldn't care to associate with mere fishermen like them.

Later, he found that Mr. Yun was different—even easier to talk to than the village youths.

Yun Ming just laughed and said he wasn't an Immortal to begin with.

Old Chen shook his head and said, "You are an Immortal—an Immortal who doesn't hit people."

Everyone nearby laughed.

The children ran around the bonfire, chasing each other with roasted meat in their hands, taking bites from one another's skewers.

A brave child ran up to Yun Ming and handed him a skewer of meat, saying, "Mr. Yun, please eat."

Yun Ming took it, took a bite, and said it was delicious.

The child then ran off happily.

Qin Wan sat beside Yun Ming, also holding a skewer of meat and eating slowly.

She watched the frolicking children, the bonfire, and the moonlight on the sea, a smile on her face.

She didn't ask what kind of fish the meat was from, nor did she ask what that distant sound had been. She just sat there, occasionally chatting with the nearby women and occasionally glancing at Yun Ming.

Someone started singing.

It was an ancient fishing song from the village with a very simple melody, repeating the same few lines over and over about going out to sea to fish, safety amidst the wind and waves, and a hold full of fish and shrimp.

A few people sang, and more joined in humming; the sound grew louder, drifting over the sea and into the night.

Yun Ming didn't know how to sing, so he just sat there listening, tapping out the rhythm on his knee with his finger.

The moon rose, round and bright, making the sea surface shimmer like silver.

Yun Ming stood up and said he was going back.

The villagers bid him farewell, telling Mr. Yun to take care and saying they would stew the fish head tomorrow to bring to him.

Yun Ming said there was no need and that they should keep it for themselves.

The person insisted, saying they couldn't possibly not set aside a portion of what the master had brought back.

Yun Ming stopped refusing, said "all right," and turned to walk toward the mountain.

Qin Wan followed behind, walking very slowly; every few steps, she would look back—the bonfire was still burning, and the people had not yet dispersed.

She smiled and turned to catch up with Yun Ming.

The mountain path wasn't steep, and the moonlight made it visible.

The two walked one after the other, neither speaking.

Halfway up the mountain, Qin Wan suddenly spoke, "What kind of meat was that?"

Yun Ming said, "Large fish."

Qin Wan said she knew it was a large fish but asked what kind it was. Yun Ming was silent for a moment and said it came from the sea and he didn't recognize it. Qin Wan didn't ask further.

She trusted him, as she always had.