Chapter 5: The Dark River Encounter (3)

  Jin Douzi had a piece of clothing in his mouth, tied to the neck of a wild chicken with a rope, and they both entered the water. The wild chicken might have been born knowing how to swim, leaving me sitting on the shore staring blankly. Jin Douzi's swimming posture was not commendable, but his speed was very fast.

  But just a few meters away, Jindouzi suddenly lost his rhythm and choked on several mouthfuls of water. I immediately stood up anxiously staring at Jindouzi.

  "Save... save me." Jin Douzi was floating up and down in the water. I was anxious, didn't have time to think much and jumped into the water, already forgetting that I wasn't very good at swimming myself, as soon as I entered the water, I was flailing my arms and legs, struggling for half a day without getting anywhere, I tried my best to recall the swimming techniques my teacher taught me, but it's hard to use them when you're in a desperate situation.

  At this moment, a few dull "thuds" suddenly came to my ears, the sound was very loud, echoing throughout the hall, and the water surface in front of me dropped sharply, and the turbulent stream that had just disappeared.

  I looked at Jin Douzi also lying in the water, my heart was overjoyed. What surprised us even more was that there were things moving on the riverbed. I carefully approached and took a closer look, only to find that they were several mud eels-like fish. I immediately caught a few of them, then turned back to the shore, put those wooden sticks on my back again, and quickly walked to the other side of the dark river.

  I lit a bonfire, washed the fish clean and put it on the fire. Then I took off my only remaining clothes that were soaked through, wrung them out with force and shook them twice. At this moment, a black thing suddenly fell out of my pocket. Jin Douzi looked at the black object warily, then looked at me again, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

  I bent down to take a closer look, and that black object was none other than the strange-shaped stone that Old Cui had given me before I left, saying it could ward off evil spirits.

  I easily picked up the stone and wiped off the water stains on it. Jin Douzi's eyes were fixed on the stone in my hand without blinking. I stopped moving, then cupped my hands to bring the stone closer to his eyes, but unexpectedly Jin Douzi didn't move, that wild chicken suddenly let out a "cluck" and flew towards my palm.

  I saw the situation was not good, so I immediately withdrew my hand. The wild chicken circled around me, making "gagaga" sounds non-stop, leaving me confused and bewildered.

  "Rozego, where did you get that thing from?" Jin Douzi picked up the pheasant and stroked it in his arms, finally calming it down.

  I hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside Jin Douzi and took out that black stone again, saying: "Is there anything special about this stone?" At this time, I found that the wild chicken looked in my direction again, and I quickly put the stone into my pocket.

  "Hmm." Jin Douzi nodded and said, "But where did you get this thing from?"

  I took a look at the fish still roasting on the bonfire, and it was slightly charred. A faint aroma wafted over, making me swallow my saliva. Then I told Jin Douzi everything I had said to Lao Cong before we left. Jin Douzi listened with relish, but I kept staring at the fish in front of me, swallowing my saliva.

  After I finished speaking, I took a fragrant and delicious fish and took a bite. But Jin Douzi sat in front of me, staring at me blankly, what was going on in that little head of hers I had no idea, but it was okay, taking advantage of this opportunity I could eat a few more fish.

  Suddenly, Jin Douzi grabbed me and said: "Luo Ze brother, let me take a look at that stone again."

  "Can you guarantee that wild chicken won't fly over?" I said, making a defensive gesture.

  Jin Douzi hastily nodded, and then I carefully handed the black stone to his hand. Jin Douzi held the black stone in front of the firelight for a while, taking advantage of this opportunity, I ate another fish.

  "This broken stone is of no use! I've been cheated by that old scoundrel Lao Cong again!" I said while eating.