Inside our boat, all three of us erupted.
Panic showed on our faces.
We were on the river, in the middle of the water.
Our only support was this small boat.
If the boat sank, we would be in grave danger.
Perhaps Master Jiang had a way.
After all, he was a corpse retriever, living on the water for years.
His swimming skills must be excellent.
But for Old Mo and me, the situation was different.
I could swim, but in the water, my abilities would be severely limited.
Many of my mystic arts couldn't be used.
During the day, I had almost been dragged to the riverbed and drowned by that evil spirit.
Let alone Old Mo; he couldn't swim at all.
If he fell into the water, he'd basically be a goner.
It would surely be dangerous.
Amidst the shock, Master Jiang roared furiously:
"Abomination! How dare you damage my boat!"
With that, he raised his iron ruler high and struck at the evil spirit behind the stern.
The evil spirit didn't directly confront Master Jiang.
With a cold laugh, it pushed off with its legs.
Its entire body tilted backward.
With a "clang," it sank into the water.
Master Jiang's iron ruler missed, hitting nothing.
It only caused several meters of waves to erupt on the river's surface.
"Damn it!"
Master Jiang was furious but helpless.
Meanwhile, our boat was already taking on water rapidly, swaying from side to side, about to sink.
"It's over, the boat is sinking!"
Old Mo panicked, as he couldn't swim.
I gritted my teeth and grabbed Old Mo:
"Don't panic, I'll take you with me."
As soon as I spoke, the water ghost emerged from the river about ten meters away.
Then, it squatted on the water's surface like a frog.
It stared at us eerily, bobbing up and down with the ripples.
It opened its mouth and hoarsely said:
"You will all die..."
After speaking, it let out a "ge ge ge" sinister laugh.
The sound made one's scalp tingle and sent shivers down one's spine.
Master Jiang also panicked.
Looking at the evil spirit squatting on the river, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
His small boat was made of special wood.
The adhesive used was also custom-made.
Furthermore, every plank on the boat was carved with special runes.
Its defensive capabilities against Yin and malevolent spirits were extremely strong.
Yin fiends and malevolent spirits found it very difficult to damage.
But now.
Not only was it damaged, but the evil spirit had also rammed a large hole in it, causing it to sink.
Master Jiang couldn't believe it, but he had to accept reality.
He couldn't defeat the evil spirit even on the boat, and now the boat was destroyed.
It would be even harder in the water.
Master Jiang didn't dare to hesitate. Before the boat completely sank, he shouted to Old Mo and me:
"Quick, get to shore! I'll hold off that evil spirit."
Given the critical situation, I didn't waste words with Master Jiang.
Old Mo and I's demon-exorcising methods were mostly effective on land.
We needed a stable footing.
In the water, we couldn't exert much force and couldn't help.
Plus, Old Mo couldn't swim.
Staying would only be a burden to Master Jiang.
Facing this evil spirit, it might even lead to both of us perishing needlessly...
I supported Master Jiang and replied directly:
"Master Jiang, be careful! I'll find a boat to pick you up once I reach the shore."
Old Mo said nothing.
Master Jiang looked at us, his gaze resolute, and nodded.
Seeing this, I didn't hesitate.
Supporting Old Mo, I plunged headfirst into the river.
With a "plop," water splashed everywhere.
I grabbed Old Mo and swam towards the bank.
But the evil spirit not far behind me laughed even louder.
The "ge ge ge" sound came continuously from behind:
"Run, can you escape?"
I glanced back.
I saw Master Jiang leap from the water and charge directly at the evil spirit.
The evil spirit didn't flinch, extending its red tongue and flicking it a few times near its mouth.
It raised its ghostly claws and met the attack.
The two grappled in mid-air.
Finally, with a "plop," they both fell into the river.
Their figures could no longer be seen in the turbulent river.
I didn't know the outcome of Master Jiang's fight with the evil spirit.
But the only thing I knew for sure was that Master Jiang was unlikely to fare well or gain any advantage...
However, at this moment, the only thing I could do was reach the shore first and then find a boat to support Master Jiang.
Staying would only cause trouble for Master Jiang.
I paddled furiously, swimming towards the bank.
But just then, the river surface suddenly churned with waves.
The sound of "huala la" water echoed continuously.
Waves after waves kept hitting our faces.
Slowing my progress considerably.
Old Mo, unable to swim, choked on several mouthfuls of water.
"Cough cough cough" he coughed incessantly...
"Hold your breath, we'll be at the bank soon."
I shouted, continuing to swim forward.
Old Mo coughed and nodded:
"Cough cough cough, um, um..."
Just as Old Mo uttered "um um" twice, I suddenly felt something was wrong.
The river water instantly turned chillingly cold.
Old Mo, whom I was holding, also exclaimed in panic:
"There, there are water ghosts!"
Old Mo thrashed in the water, raising his peach wood axe and wildly hacking at the river surface beside him.
His actions made it difficult for me to hold onto him.
But before I could figure out what was happening and stabilize myself.
My ankle was grabbed by a hand, as if it had caught my ankle and was pulling me into the river.
This sudden turn of events caught me completely off guard.
With a "plop," I was dragged under the river water.
As soon as I entered the water, I saw that beneath the dim river, over a dozen water ghosts were roaming back and forth.
Each one rushed towards us at full speed.
In the water, they let out muffled roars of "ao ao ao."
Old Mo, without my support, also sank.
Seeing so many water ghosts, he could only raise both axes and hack wildly in the river.
Because he couldn't swim himself, it was difficult to maintain balance.
Not only was it ineffective, but he also kept choking on water, and his situation was critical.
As for me, my ankle was held by a water ghost.
My body continuously sank downwards, and in a short while, I was close to the riverbed...
ps: Five chapters tomorrow. I hope readers can give a five-star review. Bowing in thanks.