The boat left the ferry dock and sailed leisurely across the river.
A gentle breeze drifted by, leaving the water unruffled.
The hull rose and fell with the river's waves as it slowly advanced.
The sound of oars continued without pause, sending ring after ring of ripples across the river.
Rising and falling in rapid rhythm, they gave one the sensation of floating away into immortality.
Wang Yi was still practicing Stance Walking, but being aboard a boat was nothing like being on land.
No matter how he stepped, it felt uncomfortable.
Cui Cai tugged at his young master, keeping him from wandering too far.
There was a group aboard who looked decidedly unfriendly.
Their leader was tall and thin as a bamboo pole, with a treacherous-looking face.
Reaching Fengshui Prefecture required four days by water.
The first two days passed without incident, and then noon came on the third day.
Despite eating fish for two days straight, none of them had grown tired of it.
The fish-head soup was rich and savory, the flesh delicate and tender, and they ate with great relish.
Stir-fried fish with a little seasoning was a feast of color, aroma, and flavor, light and delicious.
Splash!
While everyone was enjoying the meal, Li Ping'an caught a faint sound.
Then the hull gave a violent lurch, startling the passengers aboard.
They lost their footing and staggered every which way, nearly falling into the water.
Boom-!!
It sounded like rolling thunder and ten thousand galloping horses.
It certainly gave everyone quite a fright.
The old boatman hurried into the cabin and fetched a steamed bun the size of a human head, coated in a layer of bright red.
They watched him toss the bun into the river, then fall to his knees.
But it had no