Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 105: The Secret Of The Shipwreck Tomb

The spokes-bird chewed vigorously. "Boss, she's alright! This is the best food I've ever tasted!"

Seeing that the herons were satisfied with their meal, Nancy struck while the iron was hot. "Did any of you see where that fishing boat went?"

The leader shook its head. "They went too far and they left our family's territory. We didn't get any information after that."

A younger heron added, "They'll show up again tonight!"

Nancy checked the time on her phone—it was already 11:30 PM. She knew that night herons were most active one to two hours after sunset and two to three hours before sunrise. Those were their peak hunting windows.

"Based on their habits, these people probably start their move around 1:00 AM," Nancy deduced.

The leader bobbed its head-tuft. "Whoa! You know us way too well!"

"It’s almost time for your main course, so let’s get you paid," Nancy said with a smile, glancing at Simon. "Simon, go grab the bucket."

While Simon went to retrieve the fish, the leader leaned in curiously toward the small bamboo basket slung over Nancy’s shoulder. "Is the fish in there?"

Nancy hugged the basket and stepped back. "The fish won't fit in here, it's for something else." She gave Simon a frantic look until he returned with the bounty.

The herons were easily distracted and didn't press her about the basket. Nancy breathed a sigh of relief. She peeked inside the lid, where a juvenile diamondback water snake was coiled. The species was a fast swimmer and, while only mildly venomous, was known for being fierce.

Mis had begged to come along to "scout for hotties" when he heard Nancy was going on a mission, but she had vetoed that immediately. While Bamboo Vipers were great for short distances, a wide river required a professional aquatic specialist.

The little water snake stared up at Nancy with unblinking black eyes. "Is it my time to shine now?"

It was incredibly envious of Mistfang and the other senior snakes who had become "swimming instructors." Because it was young and small, it lacked presence and usually had to watch from the sidelines. It hadn't expected Nancy to ask for its help today. It was determined to do a great job and brag about it to the others later!

"Shh, I don't need you just yet," Nancy whispered. "When I need your help, I’ll tap the basket twice."

You got it! the little snake thought excitedly.

Nancy had attached a tiny GPS tracker to its tail to prevent the suspects from slipping away. She also had a backpack full of non-venomous water snakes, ready to see if they could assist in the sting operation.

A moment later, Simon arrived with the fish. When the herons realized the payout was far larger than expected, they were floored. "Gosh! She gave us a bunch of fish!"

"Miss Nancy, you are way too kind!"

"We'll follow you forever!"

"Gosh! I finally found my idol!"

They began showering Nancy with bird-style flattery. "When that boat shows up, I’ll be the first to tell you!"

Nancy could only marvel at the fact that these birds didn't have jobs or school; otherwise, they’d definitely be the type to get swindled and thank the swindler for the privilege.

As the herons fueled up, Nancy looked out at the dark river. "Do you think those tomb raiders are hitting a tomb underwater?"

Simon considered this. "It could be a shipwreck tomb."

Nancy blinked. "A shipwreck tomb?"

"The great book of history mentions that the feudal states in this region practiced water burials," Simon explained softly. "They believed water was the bridge between the living world and the underworld. They would modify the lower decks of a ship into a burial chamber, place the coffin and funerary goods inside, and sink the vessel. It honored their belief in the Water God while keeping their treasures safe from imperial inspections."

Nancy looked at him with admiration. "You’re amazing. You even know about archaeology!"

Simon smiled modestly. "When I was working at the town precinct, there was an old man who loved books. He knew everything from astronomy to geography and used to tell stories at the market. That’s where I heard about it."

Nancy’s eyes shone with respect. No matter the environment, Simon never lost heart; he always found a way to learn something new.

Once the herons were full, they led the pair toward the stretch of water where the boat usually appeared. The birds flew fast, covering nearly twenty kilometers in half an hour. Luckily, Simon had brought the car and managed to keep up.

The further they went, the more desolate the surroundings became. The downstream area of the Ninesmokes River was incredibly remote; the banks were rugged and uneven, making them unsuitable for development.

The heron colony finally landed at a dense reed marsh. The leader perched on a branch like a witness at a crime scene. "Ms. Nancy, this is the spot!"

"Thank you," Nancy whispered.