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墨書 Inktalez
The difference between Loch Ness and Bai Yujing's imagined lake surface is indeed quite significant. Rather than a lake, Bai Yujing feels that it resembles a river, with the dark-colored lake water rolling gently, flowing quietly along the narrow surface towards the distance.
Loch Ness has a water volume of approximately 7.45 billion cubic meters, making it the largest freshwater lake by volume in the UK. It connects to canals that flow into the sea. Such a vast and elongated lake could harbor unimaginable giant creatures, which Bai Yujing finds acceptable.
Augustusburg is where Bai Yujing and her companion decide to take a break and have lunch. This is a typical waterside town, with the Caledonian Canal running through it. Boats pass through the locks on the river into Loch Ness, and within the town, one can see vessels navigating through the canal at its center.
Along the riverside, there are numerous restaurants with pleasant views. Bai Yujing orders a chicken wings meal and fish and chips. The chicken wings come in a large platter, feeling particularly generous, accompanied by side dishes and special sauces that can be mixed freely.
The fish and chips are recommended by Emma; this is a classic British dish featuring crispy battered cod paired perfectly with fries. Bai Yujing notices that she rarely sees local specialties in England; most of what she encounters feels foreign since British cooking often involves roasting or boiling. There are very few dishes recognized as culinary masterpieces, leaving a significant gap compared to the food culture of other nations.
However, some unique dishes do stand out, such as the smoked salmon and seafood chowder she tasted earlier—both are classic dishes filled with European flair. Today's meal is simple yet substantial; the chicken wings are incredibly tender, and paired with the sauce, they evoke an irresistible urge to lick one's fingers. The combination of tender meat and sauce creates a smooth sensation in the mouth that is simply explosive.
Emma orders a lamb rogan josh with rice. As they savor their meals, they exchange sweet nothings while boats leisurely pass by on the river outside.
After finishing their meal, Bai Yujing and Emma drive away from here, planning to follow the lakeside highway to explore Loch Ness.
Bai Yujing notices that at various scenic spots along the road, many people have parked their cars and are taking photos of the lake surface, seemingly hoping to capture a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster hiding in its depths.
Bai Yujing also accompanies Emma on a stroll around nearby attractions. There is a Loch Ness exhibition center where documentaries about the Loch Ness Monster are shown for a fee. It seems that the Loch Ness Monster has become part of the local culture and tourism economy.
Speaking of which, although Loch Ness boasts elegant scenery, there aren't many special attractions in this area—only legends about the Loch Ness Monster. The legend has persisted for over a thousand years, attracting countless adventurers eager to catch sight of this elusive creature, as well as tourists from around the world. Even those who do not believe in the Loch Ness Monster often visit when they come to Scotland just to leave their footprints here.
However, Bai Yujing estimates that most visitors likely leave disappointed since very few have ever seen the Loch Ness Monster. Nonetheless, the beautiful Loch Ness is still worth appreciating for its picturesque views. In the center of the lake stands a dilapidated castle—Urquhart Castle—which remains a famous attraction despite its ruinous state due to its proximity to Loch Ness.
The Highlands are dotted with ancient castles; almost every short distance reveals either a ruined or well-preserved castle or an abandoned one, all bearing witness to this region's rich historical heritage.
Although the castle is damaged, its ruins are still substantial. Crossing a bridge leads them into the castle grounds. "It’s really in such bad shape!"
Emma informs Bai Yujing: "This castle is very famous; it was blown up by soldiers stationed here after they were defeated to prevent it from falling into enemy hands."
Bai Yujing did not expect British soldiers to have such fierce resolve; she thought they would be more inclined to surrender and wait for ransom instead.
The undulating Stairs connect one castle ruin after another. At one of the castle's exits, you can overlook Loch Ness directly below. Standing here, gazing at the entire surface of the lake, a sense of majesty and mystery suddenly envelops you.
"I heard that someone once saw the Loch Ness Monster right here!" Emma told Bai Yujing.
Bai Yujing asked, "Do you believe in the Loch Ness Monster?"
"I do!" Emma nodded as if it were obvious.
Bai Yujing shrugged, "Well then, what exactly is the Loch Ness Monster? I've heard it's a surviving ancient creature, and some say it's a Plesiosaur."
Emma shook her head, indicating she wasn't sure either. "But I can imagine it must be a very large monster."
As Bai Yujing quietly peered down, her eyes blurred for a moment, and she felt as if something underwater was watching her. A shadow flashed by and then disappeared.
Bai Yujing paused for a moment before stepping forward, leaning against the stone to look at the lake below. The castle was built on a cliff by the lakeside, and beneath her was a deep precipice. The entire lake surface shimmered with small waves; a gentle breeze swept across, causing the originally calm water to suddenly ripple. However, the dark waters made it impossible to see what lay beneath.
Emma glanced at Bai Yujing. "What's wrong?"
Bai Yujing seemed puzzled and uncertain. "I'm not sure. It just felt like something was looking at me from beneath the water. When I looked over, I saw a shadow flash by; I don't know if I imagined it."
Emma teased, "Oh, you’re not saying you discovered the Loch Ness Monster, are you?"
Bai Yujing laughed but didn't believe she could encounter such a being. After all, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster had persisted for thousands of years, and various pieces of evidence had failed to truly prove its existence. "It was probably just a ripple in the water that created an illusion. After all, shadows from such castles can easily cause visual errors when projected onto water with larger waves!"
Emma nodded. "That's very possible; maybe those who claimed to have seen the Loch Ness Monster experienced something similar."
Although Bai Yujing said this, she still felt it didn't seem quite right. "Could it really be the Loch Ness Monster? Why didn’t the Radar go off? Is it because it doesn’t count as an Exotic Creature?"
Leaving that spot, Bai Yujing discovered something else at another end of the castle that piqued her interest: a massive Siege Engine and Siege Tower. The base of the vehicle had wheels for movement. It was not surprising to find such a war fortress with a Siege Engine; what amazed her was that this kind of thing had actually been preserved.
The traces of explosions on the castle and the damage caused by battles deeply interpreted the tragic scenes that occurred here years ago.
Leaving this scarred castle, Bai Yujing headed towards Inverness, which is the capital of the Highlands and the stop for Bai Yujing and Emma today.
On the way to Inverness, they walked leisurely, stopping to admire beautiful scenery. Whenever they saw something nice, they would pause for a hike or take photos, enjoying a truly relaxed journey.
The road was bustling with pedestrians and vehicles, with many tourists resting and taking pictures by the roadside. The various scenic views were delightful. During a stop, Bai Yujing encountered an elderly Chinese couple who were visiting Scotland for a sunset trip. They were dressed very stylishly in bright red coats and sunglasses, posing by the lakeside while the old man took photos, radiating happiness.
Since they were both Chinese, the old man asked Bai Yujing to help take a few pictures of them together. Their poses were somewhat awkward, but on two older individuals, it felt vibrant and full of love. Bai Yujing could deeply feel that warmth.
"Young man, is she your girlfriend?" The old man glanced at Emma and immediately asked.
Bai Yujing nodded, and the old man gave him a thumbs-up: "Good job! You're making your country proud! Let me tell you, when I was young..."
"You were ugly back then! If I hadn't liked you, you'd still be single!" The old woman suddenly popped out from behind him. Watching their banter made Bai Yujing feel a bit envious for some reason.
Emma, however, didn’t share that sentiment; she felt this kind of situation was quite common. "I prefer a life that's more adventurous and exciting!"
As they approached Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, Bai Yujing saw a bustling city in the distance. A wide river flowed around it; this was the Ness River. Loch Ness flows into the sea through the Ness River. A large bridge spanned the river, leading into the city.
Upon arriving here, they could see a bright sun floating above the city with clouds drifting by. The river wound its way around the city, with buildings constructed along its banks. Wide streets extended from the bridge into the city center, lined with rows of houses stretching into the distance.
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