Chapter 1024: Chapter 1024: Cramp
Master Wu placed a particularly large stone here to suppress negative energy.
Willow trees were planted along the lake nearby.
The stone is smooth and even, over a person’s height.
The two hid beside the stone, stripped off their clothes, looked around to ensure no one was around, then entered the water one after the other.
Qi Er and You Er both knew how to swim.
Near Xiang City, along several rivers, the Duke had already arranged for them to learn swimming.
After all, back in the day, if he hadn’t swum across the moat at Dingjing to assassinate the Second Crown Prince, he might have died at Dingjing long ago.
The mountain water was very cold.
Qi Er and You Er shivered as soon as they entered the water.
After getting used to the water temperature for a while, the brothers started swimming happily.
They didn’t dare to venture far, just played around nearby.
Unaware of how much time passed, they stayed in the water for a long time, You Er gradually felt fatigued, and said to Qi Er who was not far away: "Brother, let’s get out, I can’t swim anymore."
Qi Er agreed and swam towards You Er.
He was a bit worried about You Er, so he sped up. Unbeknown to him, he suddenly exerted pressure on the sole of his foot, and just at that moment, a violent cramp shot through his foot.
Qi Er immediately sank straight down like a plumb bob.
You Er was ahead of Qi Er, originally heading toward the shore, suddenly felt an intuition, and turned back for a look.
In the afternoon, Crescent Lake was tranquil and beautiful.
Sunlight glistened on the water like shattered gold, just no sign of his brother.
You Er panicked, calling out "Brother" while looking around.
There was no trace of Qi Er anywhere.
You Er’s calls took on a sobbing tone, "Brother, don’t scare me, where are you? Hurry and come out!"
Shouting, he swam toward the direction Qi Er had been.
Then Qi Er’s head popped out of the water.
When he lost control of his body just now, panic took over his heart.
But he quickly recalled his father’s teachings—no matter how dire the situation, never panic, stay calm and think of ways to save yourself.
When he and You Er learned to swim, the old boatman that the Duke hired had told them that if a person stays still, they will naturally float in water.
The premise is to stay calm and keep hands and feet still.
But the pain and cramp in his foot prevented him from relaxing as the old boatman described.
He could only watch helplessly as he sank to the bottom like a weight.
Holding his breath all the while, when his uncramped foot touched the bottom, he exerted all his strength to push upwards.
It felt like only a short time had passed, or perhaps a long time, his head finally emerged above the water surface.
He didn’t see You Er, but he heard You Er’s voice calling.
He knew he’d sink again soon, the cramp in his right leg still hadn’t eased.
He shouted loudly: "My leg cramped."
Having shouted those words, he sank again.
You Er clearly saw Qi Er’s head emerge from the water.
He also heard his words.
He desperately swam towards Qi Er’s direction.
Fortunately, he had judged the direction correctly before; now he was very close to Qi Er.
Upon reaching, You Er quickly dived down.
With eyes open, he saw a figure underwater.
Qi Er also looked at him with eyes open; their gazes met, Qi Er suddenly grinned, as bubbles rose from his mouth.
You Er grabbed his shoulder with one hand, kicked the water with both feet, and paddled upwards forcefully with the other hand.
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