Song You continued asking the shipmaster and the descendant of the Yaksha clan about the customs and traditions of the Changbi Nation and the Yaksha Kingdom, what other countries lay overseas, and the strangest real encounters they had while sailing the seas. 0

No matter what questions he posed, both Mr. Jia and the Yaksha descendant answered earnestly and in detail. When they realized he was genuinely interested, they became even more thorough in their explanations.0

Song You was thoroughly entertained by their stories. By his feet, the cat sat upright, listening attentively to the conversation, occasionally pausing to lick its paws.0

Then, the food was brought to the table.0

Mr. Jia, an intriguing man himself, had also prepared a rather peculiar meal for Song You.0

Half of the dishes were exquisitely refined, crafted to perfection within the limits of what could be achieved at sea. They had a distinct coastal flavor mixed with the sophistication typical of the bustling city of Yangzhou and were served alongside delicate pastries and light wine. 0

The other half consisted of boiled pork leg and an entire sheep's head, giving the impression not of a banquet for guests but of offerings placed at a sacrificial ceremony meant for deities.0

For Lady Calico, a serving of shredded meat and fish was also prepared, with both raw and cooked versions neatly arranged on delicate plates....0