Down on the muddy slope, a basic wooden raft tethered to the shore by a thick rope floated aimlessly on the water's surface; without a close look, one might mistake it for discarded trash.
The raft wasn't large, but it had more than enough space for three people. Jacob was the first to jump onto the raft, picking up a bamboo pole that had been hidden nearby in the mud.
"Come on board, we're taking the water route," Jacob said.
"This won't sink, will it...?" Chen Ke was not very trusting of the raft.
"Unless you're a 440-pound fatso, there's nothing to worry about," Jacob replied with a laugh.
Xu Jing, without a second thought, jumped right on, and the raft shivered slightly. Jacob steadied it by pushing the bamboo pole into the water.
Chen Ke carefully descended the slope, gently stepping onto the raft to avoid getting mud on his trouser cuffs.
"I didn't expect you to be such a stickler," Xu Jing said with a laugh, seeing how cautious Chen Ke was.
