Vol 6 Chapter 5 (1/2)

VOLUME 6 CHAPTER 5: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A LONG JOURNEY (1)

Yun Chang POV

The perilousness of crossing the Yellow River cannot be understated. I’ve long since heard of this, but as a northerner, this is the first time I’m experiencing this concept personally.

I gripped onto the side of the wooden boat, and tried to stabilise the boat; but alas, my efforts were in vain as my strength alone was insufficient as the boat continued to rock about in every direction haphazardly. Such a tumultuous ride would be torturous even for the ones in the cabin.

After we went to sleep after drinks, Lu Bu has not woken up yet, which made our journey that more arduous as her help was sorely needed here.

And now, I was currently outside the cabin with Wen Yuan and Liao Hua, where we tried futilely to row against the elements.

Since the winds started blowing just now, apart from the howl of the north wind and the cras.h.i.+ng of waves, nothing else could be heard.

“Yun Chang, our rowing doesn’t seem to be working at all!” Wen Yuan yelled out from the other side of the boat as she fervently moved the oars. Her efforts only produced some waves and seemed like it didn’t help to move the boat at all.

“Just hang on for a while more! We’re almost at the sh.o.r.e!” The fog had dissipated for a while previously and we had caught a good glimpse of the sh.o.r.e. The fog was now back but we should be close to the sh.o.r.e by now. Of course, this is if what I saw before was not an illusion.

I really don’t understand though. If we follow the course of all other boats from the Yellow River Crossing, the journey should be relatively smooth yet why have we met with such horrid weather and waves?!

Or was my luck just poor and I happened to choose a poor time to set off? And from just now, Meng Huo and the Nanman have gone missing. Their boat has likely capsized but I don’t have the leisure to be concerned about them as I have my hands full with trying to make sure we don’t capsize as well.

I just hope they turn out alright, I prayed in my heart as I picked up my oars and rowed vigorously to prevent the boat from heading off in some weird direction. If we kept following the flow of the currents, we would probably end up at Xu state.

Big brother, this journey to return to your side is really hard. Is this some sort of trial?

Who knows.

Sweat streamed down my head and merged with the water from the river waves which buffeted my body, making my clothes completely soaked and weighing me down.

I wonder how the girls in the cabin are holding up with such strong waves.

“Liao Hua! Liao Hua! Go and check on the girls for me!” Liao Hua either has poor hearing or she’s a little ditzy as she only set down her oars after a dozen or so seconds after I called out to her twice.

In any case, I hope we reach the sh.o.r.e as soon as possible. It’s a little embarra.s.sing to admit this, but I don’t know how to swim at all.

“Yun Chang! Look!”

Un?!

Wen Yuan yelled out excitedly as she pointed straight ahead. I looked at where she was pointing at, and saw a dark line in the distance.

That was the sh.o.r.e!

Thereafter I and Wen Yuan rowed as if our lives depended on it. Liao Hua was completely drained by then and collapsed on the floor of the boat as she held on to the ropes in the boat.

After we struggled for about an hour, we finally made it to the sh.o.r.e.

Hu… Hu… Hu… I dragged my leaden body onto sh.o.r.e as I staggered out of the boat.

Hai… When I finally made it to land, my legs became jelly and I collapsed onto the sand. Though the peak of winter has pa.s.sed, the season was not over, and it was still very chilly. Even though my drenched body made the cold even more piercing, I couldn’t take it anymore and just lay there.

“Ah~~~ I’m so tired~~” Wen Yuan was also sitting on the ground, “There weren’t much waves when we were nearing the sh.o.r.e but I was out of strength by then already.”

“Lord Zhang Liao shouldn’t be too careless. This sort of place usually has pirates and robbers about so you shouldn’t be too relaxed.”

“Liao Hua, it’s not very convincing if you tell me that while you’re lying on the ground.”

These 2 were also thoroughly exhausted. But it seems like they know how to swim so they weren’t in as desperate circ.u.mstances as I was.

This place is… I slowly got up and squinted as I looked into the distance.

We left the Crossing at first light so about 10-12 hours should have pa.s.sed and it should be the late afternoon now. The fog has not dissipated, and it feels like our surroundings are grey and bleak. There were no roads nor were there any columns of smoke. Just tall gra.s.s to our left, and a forest to our right. Further up, they seem to have blended together.

Pirates and thieves wouldn’t be out and about in such weather, I hope.

“Girls, you can come out now. It doesn’t seem like we are in danger.” I yelled to the boat at the back. For the me now, even yelling was extremely difficult. Looks like I need to train up my physical endurance again.

“Ughhh…”

“Mi Zhen, be careful.”

When I looked back, I saw Mi Zhen stagger out of the boat. As the boat itself was quite tall, Gan Qing hurriedly went to help Mi Zhen down. They both looked terrible. Looks like the ride before has left a lasting impact on them.

Un?

“Where is Lord Lu Bu and Lord Hua Tuo?” I asked when I saw only the 2 of them coming out from the boat.