Chapter 27: Aesthetics

The formation of culture is an extremely long and complex process.

Historical background, social environment, even geographical location… under various influences, every civilization, in each of its eras, displays its unique cultural aesthetics.

Ornate and full, luxurious and vibrant colors, lace cuffs, high-waisted pleated skirts, courtly dances under soothing strings—this is the Victorian style of 19th-century Europe.

Rugged and wild, simple and direct natural hues, canine-tooth necklaces, beast-hide aprons, bonfire gatherings under baobab trees—this is the tribal style of the African savanna.

In my previous life, as a native of Zhongzhou, I grew up with spring couplets and firecracker sounds.

The upturned eaves of old roadside buildings, black-and-white ink paintings on office walls, even the blue-and-white patterns under porcelain bowls…

As an ordinary person, driven by family expectations to strive for a future and livelihood, I never actively noticed these scattered things.

But over thirty-two years, the culture and aesthetics from a long historical legacy, permeating every corner of my sight, had quietly seeped into my blood, melding with my soul.

So, even with just a distant glance,

I keenly sensed that the jet-black token in Hai’an’s hand stood out distinctly from this fantasy world’s style.

“That piece of wood in your hand, can I see it?”

I called out hesitantly to the surprised-looking half-elf.

“Here!”

Seeing a chance to sway me into joining, Hai’an didn’t hesitate.

As soon as he spoke, he tossed the token over.

Tap—

I caught it gently with both hands, feeling the wood’s unique blend of firmness and resilience.

Its surface wasn’t rough, surprisingly smooth and warm.

I closely examined the palm-sized piece of wood.

Rectangular, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, about half an inch thick, hollowed at the base, with simple yet grand cloud patterns intricately carved along the edges.

“Hiss… it really looks similar.”

My DNA stirred.

The token’s style and shape almost perfectly matched relics I’d seen in museums in my past life.

But…

One thing.

The critical thing.

It kept me from confirming if this token, like me, came from another world—

Text!

I could clearly see, in the center of the rectangular wood, a square character painted neatly in faded brownish-gold dye.

The traditional, flowing brushstrokes—I’d written them countless times in my past life.

But… I couldn’t read it!

The text wasn’t any pictographic character I’d learned or seen before.

So familiar, yet so strange upon closer inspection.

It was and wasn’t.

This uncertainty left me undecided.

“I recall this world has ‘monk’ professions; maybe there’s a civilization like Zhongzhou from my past life?”

My thoughts churned, guessing wildly.

Amid the emotional surge, my guarded expression wavered slightly.

On the other side, Hai’an, ever watchful, noticed my complex look.

Making a quick connection, he knew it tied to the token he’d thrown.

He seized the moment, pressing:

“Our team’s mission is to investigate this piece of wood’s origin.”

“Based on what we’ve gathered, we’ve roughly pinpointed where it was found. We’ll reach it by tomorrow.”

“If you’re interested, join us. I can share some related info.”

My heart stirred.

Ultimately, joining their team was a matter of weighing pros and cons.

Earlier, their 100-gold offer didn’t outweigh the risks, so I refused outright.

But now, with the added prospect of “uncovering the token’s origin” tipping the scales,

things changed.

To be fair, this four-person team wasn’t so absurd as to be suicidal.

The chubby guy and the blonde girl seemed unreliable, but the half-elf and his “suspected professional” Wood were competent enough.

Plus, their words suggested the mission stayed in the Mist Forest’s outskirts, lowering the risk further.

And…

Fine, I was just rationalizing my next decision.

“I’m too curious.”

A mysterious token with my past life’s aesthetics in a fantasy world.

If I didn’t seize this chance to uncover its source and missed it due to overcaution, I’d probably lose sleep tonight.

So…

“I’m in.”

I lifted my gaze from the token.

I said to the half-elf.

…

…

The head guides the butt.

I’d previously scoffed at this team’s shoddy lineup and some members’ unprofessional behavior.

But once I joined, the team’s vibe wasn’t as bad as I’d thought.

They looked like rich city kids on a countryside jaunt, but they kept a decent formation on the road.

No unnecessary noise, keeping essential talk hushed.

I even saw a bug fly from the bushes, startling the blonde girl so much she jumped, soul nearly fleeing, yet she only clamped her mouth shut, not making a sound.

Wood showed high professionalism.

Scouting ahead, he’d sometimes crouch, pinch some soil, sniff, and confirm a monster’s territory, leading us to detour;

or casually sweep a stick through seemingly normal dense grass, flushing out a dangerously patterned venomous snake.

More like a seasoned adventurer than a guard.

Pity he barely spoke, responding only to Hai’an, ignoring the rest.

Otherwise, I might’ve asked him for adventuring tips.

Most surprising was the silver-haired half-elf “Hai’an.”

Clearly the team’s core, a bow-wielding ranged fighter,

yet he walked ahead of me the whole way, deliberately exposing his back to put me at ease.

I felt his friendliness and sincerity.

Of course, ignoring Wood’s occasional wary glances from the front.

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