"We arrived quite early. The early tide hasn’t receded yet, so there aren’t many people around. In a little while, after the tide recedes, you’ll be able to see the scene of the Sea Gatherers at work," Kong Xiangdong explained.
"So will the mist also retreat after the tide goes out?" Zhao Ya asked.
"That’s right, the mist retreats in sync with the tide."
As they spoke, Kong Xiangdong suddenly pointed forward, "Look, the tide is starting to recede!"
Sure enough.
The white mist that was originally close to the beach gradually began to move back.
It felt as if a white beast was slowly and cautiously retreating for some reason.
The black seawater also began to retreat bit by bit, revealing the wet seabed below.
Zhao Ya, with his keen Eye Power, immediately noticed many oddly-shaped fish on the seabed.
Some were as long as an adult’s arm, while others were only palm-sized.
They came in a variety of colors, but silver was predominant.
At that moment, the fish stranded on the beach were desperately struggling, trying to return to the sea.
Just then, a group of people in thick leather coats appeared from nowhere, rushing to the beach and picking up fish like crazy.
Thus, a race between humans and fish unfolded.
"This is the daily routine of the Sea Gatherers. Today’s harvest is not bad," Kong Xiangdong said casually.
"So are all these people yours?"
"Not all, some are under Stone Roll’s gang, while the activity areas of other groups of Sea Gatherers are not around here."
Zhao Ya carefully distinguished them, and sure enough, noticed some differences.
Although everyone wore thick leather coats, there were distinctions in their hats.
One group had noticeably newer hats, while the other group’s were much more worn out.
"Won’t this lead to conflict?"
Watching the two groups competing fiercely for the fish on the beach, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but ask.
"Of course it will, but fighting is part of everyday life for these Sea Gatherers, so they know their limits. Stone Roll’s men wouldn’t dare provoke mine excessively."
Sure enough.
While the two were talking, four or five conflicts erupted on the beach.
But these were small-scale skirmishes, just some people swinging their fish-picking forks at each other.
The losers didn’t get seriously hurt, and if they meekly withdrew from the competition, the winners wouldn’t continue to attack.
Obviously, in long-term competition, these Sea Gatherers have developed a reasonable and compliant way of coexisting without getting hurt.
"Looking at it this way, this job doesn’t seem too dangerous," Zhao Ya said.
"Not too dangerous? Ha!" Kong Xiangdong let out a cold laugh.
"This is just the beginning, keep watching."
As he spoke, several sharp cries sounded from the sky, and then huge shadows resembling clouds swooped down onto the beach from above.
Only when they got closer did they realize these were not clouds, but several gigantic white birds.
Seeing these white birds, the Sea Gatherers immediately became very tense.
Those close to the shore grabbed their catch and started running for it.
But those farther away didn’t have the chance.
However, they reacted quickly, gathering together, and some even took out crossbows, firing randomly at the white birds.
But no one knew what material these white birds’ feathers were made of; they were incredibly tough.
The crossbow arrows fell to the ground upon contact, not even scratching the surface.
However, these white birds clearly weren’t targeting the Sea Gatherers.
They stood on the seabed, constantly pecking at the straggling fish.
Soon, the leftover fish on the seabed were all in the bellies of the white birds.
However, after eating, the white birds still didn’t seem satisfied and turned their gaze towards the gathered Sea Gatherers.
The Sea Gatherers looked troubled, but soon reached a consensus.
Each one took some fish from their buckets and threw them over from a distance.
Before the fish hit the ground, the white birds swallowed them all.
Even after this feast, the white birds were still reluctant to leave.
Now the Sea Gatherers were starting to lose their composure.
"These Free-Loading Birds come every time, eating half a bucket or more. We barely gather much ourselves!" someone shouted loudly, full of dissatisfaction.
"Exactly, this time I barely picked up anything, and now I have to feed these bastards. I’m not doing it!" someone else chimed in.
Yet, some people looked coldly at those who were complaining.
"If you don’t want to give fish, you can just rush through. If you can make it to the shore, then you’ll be fine," someone sneered.
Hearing this, those who were previously loud instantly fell silent.
Because despite the calm appearance of the white birds now, they were actually extremely terrifying.
A slight mistake, and not just the fish, but even their lives could be at stake.
Yet, some were willing to risk everything to avoid losing their hard-earned catch.
"I’ll push through. I can’t just let go of what I worked so hard to collect," a man who had just joined this year shouted, lifting his bucket and starting to walk away.
But he had barely taken a few steps before a white bird blocked his way, flapping its wings at him.
"Scram!" The man was indeed a reckless sort, swinging his steel fish-picking fork at the white bird.