Chapter 83 Follow Me (5-star review required)
Xia knew what the devil fruit that Gel was talking about was. It might just be called differently in different places. In his hometown, people called this strange fruit, which would give people some special abilities after eating it but would completely lose the ability to swim, the cursed fruit.
In their place, all those who make a living on the sea dare not eat devil fruits.
It's not just because they are afraid of losing the ability to swim, there is another more important reason which is superstition. They firmly believe that the reason why people who have eaten this fruit become unable to swim is because they are hated by the sea. Once such people go out to sea, they will be plagued by bad luck and will most likely encounter a shipwreck and die. Therefore, in the inherent cognition of West Asia, people who go out to sea to make a living cannot eat devil fruits.
"Hehe, Senior Xia, times have changed a long time ago. Now everyone is flocking to the devil fruit of the sea, which is what you call the cursed fruit. It is a symbol of power, and each one can be auctioned for a very high price!"
Ger explained with a smile.
"Oh? Really? It seems that things are really different from my time."
The two chatted for a while, and Gel thought that the old man was quite nice. After thinking for a while, he asked:
"Senior Xia, do you want to go out? I actually have a way to take you away from here."
When Xia heard Gel say that he could take him away from the place that had trapped him for his entire life, he was stunned at first, but the expression on his face remained calm, without showing any happiness or excitement, which surprised Gel a little.
After thinking carefully for a while, Xia finally sighed and said:
"Forget it. Thank you for your kindness, Gel boy."
"When I was first trapped here, I tried every way to escape every day. Even though I failed every time, I never got discouraged and would try other methods the next day. But over time, I got used to life here and now I even think it's pretty good here."
"I didn't expect so many years to have passed in the blink of an eye. I am already an old man in my 90s. My relatives and friends outside are probably no longer alive. Now I am alone whether I go out or not. Life outside may no longer be suitable for me."
"So forget it. I don't have many years left to live anyway. I've lived here for so long that I've already considered this place my home. I can't bear to leave this home. Leaving here will make me feel uneasy. Just thinking about it now makes me panic."
Gel nodded silently, thinking that the old man saw things very clearly. He had been away from human society for too long and might have long forgotten how treacherous people are. Going out might not be a good thing for him, so Gel stopped trying to persuade him.
"By the way, Gel boy, if you really have a way to get out, please help me take Riggs out. He is different from me, he is still young."
Xia thought for a moment and added.
After saying that, he stuffed Riggs in his arms into Ger's hands.
Gel looked at the huge rhinoceros beetle in his hand helplessly, and simply chose to ignore its individual feelings, and said to the old man:
"Senior Xia, I actually have the ability to listen to the voices of animals. Riggs just told me that it doesn't want to leave here! It said that it also regards this place as its home and you as its only relative. It can't bear to leave you, so it asked me to let it stay with you!"
"Really?! My dear Riggs! Thank you so much! You are indeed my good son. You are so filial. Woohoo, I am so touched! All right! Then you can stay with me. We will never be separated."
Xia was a simple-minded man who had no idea what a white lie was. He hugged Riggs and kissed him hard a few times. As a result, the big beetle got angry and bit him back. Xia cried out in pain but smiled even more happily, thinking that this was a response of his little baby to his love.
...
a long time.
Xia suddenly looked at Geer and asked:
"By the way, when are you planning on leaving, Gel boy?"
Geer knew that he would be reluctant to leave, but he still answered truthfully:
"Soon, maybe later or tomorrow. To be honest, I came here specifically to look for something. After searching here, whether I find what I'm looking for or not, I will leave. My friends and family are waiting for me outside."
After saying that, Gel looked at Xia and found that the smile on the old man's face was less and more sad.
Yes, he has been trapped for seventy-eight years and just met someone to chat with, but he has to say goodbye again soon. How can he be happy?
However, since it was his own decision to stay, Xia naturally would not ask Geer to stay or request him to stay for a while to chat with him.
"That's it!"
Xia stroked her eyebrows and said in a bad tone:
"I say, Ger boy, this is where you are wrong!"
Just when Gel thought that the old man was going to blame him for not staying with him for a while, Xia continued:
"Ger, you are so mean. This is my territory. I know every flower and plant on the island like the back of my hand. No one knows it better than me! You didn't even tell me what you were looking for. Seriously, as long as it's on this island, I promise I can find it for you!"
Xia said this with such confidence that his beard almost stood up to the sky.
Gel slapped his forehead.
That's right! Why didn't I think of it? There is a ready-made native right in front of me, but I'm still looking for it here for a long time.
"Hahaha, I'm sorry. It was indeed my mistake. I actually forgot about you, Senior Xia."
"It's okay, it's okay. Just tell me what you're looking for. I'll take care of it!"
Flattery works very well for this old man.
Gel then said somewhat embarrassedly:
"Senior Xia, I'm actually here to look for the record pointer and see if I can get some gold treasures. Do you know where I can find them?"
Xia frowned and asked with some doubt:
"Of course I know. It's not something rare. I thought it was something else. But the pointer is fine. What do you want gold for? It's heavy and you can't eat it. It will be inconvenient for you to carry it with you, right?"
"Haha, Senior Xia, don't worry about this. I have my own way to take it away. I can take away as much as I want! Gold may not be of much use here, but it is hard currency outside. The more the better!"
As soon as he heard the old man's tone, Gel knew that the matter was settled. He could hardly contain his excited heart and trembling hands.
Xia's brows relaxed, and he suddenly realized:
"Yes, if you hadn't told me, I would have almost forgotten that gold is a treasure in the outside world. Come with me."
...