Chapter 177: Chapter 156: Are Weapons Really That Inconvenient?

Experienced assassins often choose to launch attacks when people are most relaxed.

The most common, of course, is when people are asleep, as they are almost incapable of resistance during dreams. Naturally, since this weakness is so apparent, many people will make preparations in advance to ensure their own safety. However, as the saying goes, ’the way of the heavens is one foot high, the devil one yard.’ The assassination targets have their methods, and the assassins naturally have their countermeasures.

Just like now, the assassins choose to strike during meals.

As an Imperial Envoy, the old eunuch wouldn’t return on any ordinary small boat. The ferry they are on now is not only much more spacious, but they can also enjoy some fresh river produce along the way. Although, at Du Chengfeng’s insistence, the fish that was meant to be eaten raw was instead cooked on a small tea stove, the old eunuch, after thinking it over, did not criticize Du Chengfeng’s wasteful behavior.

"Mainly because raw fish meat might contain parasites."

Seeing the old eunuch’s regretful look, Du Chengfeng felt it necessary to share some health knowledge.

"Those eggs are so small you can’t see them with your eyes, but once ingested, they’ll grow inside your body. Do you get what I mean?"

"I understand. Buddhist monks have also said that in a single drop of water, there are 84,000 lives."

Hearing this from Du Chengfeng, the old eunuch nodded repeatedly.

"I didn’t expect the hero to even understand Buddhist dharma... So, boiling in hot water is about dissolving evil qi and aiding the departed spirits?"

"...You can think of it that way."

Du Chengfeng rubbed his nose, not bothering to explain further.

People can’t understand things beyond their comprehension; just like now, if he wanted to thoroughly explain this to the old eunuch, he’d probably have to handcraft a microscope for the old eunuch to see with his own eyes. But that’s clearly too troublesome; it’s just a meal, no need to be so serious about it.

So it’s best to let the old eunuch maintain his current understanding. Although this matter has nothing to do with Buddhism, at least the eunuch understood that fish should be cooked before eating.

"So eat up, why are you shaking your leg?"

After taking a bite of fish, Du Chengfeng urged the old eunuch.

If they were on land, Du Chengfeng wouldn’t care about such a minor habit. But right now on the boat, if the old eunuch were to shake his leg, the entire deck would tremble, making it difficult for him to enjoy his meal.

You should know that all his gear is on the boat right now, from the warhorse, to the saddlebag, and all the weapons. If something accidentally fell into the water... it would be terrifying.

So even just to enjoy this meal, he had to say something.

But upon hearing Du Chengfeng’s reminder, the old eunuch also looked puzzled.

"I wasn’t shaking my leg."

The old eunuch was perplexed. After all, he had been in the palace since childhood, and basic etiquette was ingrained in his bones. Although they were not in the palace now, and he could relax a bit, he still wouldn’t do such a thing as shaking his leg while eating.

"Wait, are you saying this boat is shaking?"

The old eunuch suddenly realized something.

It was at this very moment that the boatman, crouching by the side of the boat, started shouting.

"The boat is leaking! Someone’s boring holes in it..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a flying dagger pinned straight into his throat.

At the same time, black-clad men emerged from the water and hurled throwing knives toward Du Chengfeng and the old eunuch. Dozens of throwing knives came down like rain, quite a spectacle.

But it was merely a spectacle. These cross-shaped throwing knives launched from the water might injure ordinary people, but for them, such an attack was vastly inadequate. Du Chengfeng didn’t even bother drawing his sword to parry; he simply lifted his robe, and the throwing knives were blocked by the short old blade concealed within.

As for the old eunuch, he pulled his hands from his sleeves, and several silk threads tore through the air, catching and returning some of the throwing knives.

Seeing the blood blooming on the river’s surface, Du Chengfeng was taken aback.

"Your tricks are quite interesting."

"I can’t carry weapons in the palace. Yet I need to protect the master in critical moments, so I learned some lowly skills, not worthy of a hero’s laughter."

Despite his words, judging by the eunuch’s adept manipulation of the silk threads, this craft with the threads was clearly not any lowly martial art.

And so, with the collaboration of Du Chengfeng and the old eunuch, the assassins attempting to ambush from the boat’s edge were swiftly and thoroughly eliminated. However, while they successfully dealt with the attackers, the water flooding the boat had already risen past their ankles.

"This..."

Du Chengfeng hesitated as he looked at the rapidly sinking ferry and the horse and weapons still on the boat, unsure whether he should jump ship.

If he were to jump into the water, he might survive, but all his gear and the horse would be lost to the river. If he didn’t, was he to go down with the ferry?

It was then that Du Chengfeng truly realized just how treacherous this river crossing was.

This turbulent river was more perilous than any weapon!

At that moment, the old eunuch shook his head.

"Don’t worry, let me show you what I can do!"

With that, the old eunuch manipulated the silk threads with his ten fingers, and remarkably, he wove them into a leaf-shaped skiff!

"Board the boat!"

"Incredible!"

Du Chengfeng quickly led his horse onto the small boat, even bringing over the leftover fish slices.

Shortly after he moved, the ferry behind them gradually sank into the water.

As he watched the barely submerged ship’s top, even with his bravery, Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but feel a chill.

At this moment, he was actually a bit relieved that none of the assassins were experts in aquatic battles. If the ship had been torn open by evil qi and he had fallen into the water immediately, could he have survived?

The river could indeed be weaponized.

And possibly the most treacherous weapon at that!

"Unless I can find a way to conquer the river..."

Gazing at the turbulent river beyond, Du Chengfeng gripped his halberd tightly.

"Not enough, still not enough."

"Hero, what’s the matter?"

The undressed old eunuch, hugging himself, squatted in a corner of the small boat.

"Didn’t we kill all those villains?"

"It’s nothing..."

Although he said this, Du Chengfeng’s face remained as somber as water.

He’s traveled this path before and remembers that to the south of the Huai River, they still need to cross a great river.