Su Jin connected the air pump to the RV's power supply and began inflating the raft.
The limp raft gradually took shape.
Then he took his silver knife to the dead horse and, after a look, began cutting off a leg.
He'd never eaten a wild horse from another world. Since one had landed in his path, he might as well take a leg back and try it.
As he cut, he touched the horse's coat and felt a little wistful.
He'd ridden horses at tourist sites before, but never seen one with a coat so sleek and glossy.
If even a wild horse could grow this well, the world must be good to its inhabitants.
Too bad the apocalypse was coming.
Soon he'd cut off the leg and finished inflating the raft. He returned to the RV.
Both sisters had bathed and changed into clean clothes.
In his black brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns, Du Wenyan looked handsome and refined, with an easy, carefree bearing.
Yunlian looked rather odd in Su Jin's clothes, the oversized sleeves hanging down.
Now that she was clean, she looked brighter and prettier. Her skin was strikingly pale, and she resembled a little kitten.
"Looking good." Su Jin ruffled Yunlian's hair and turned to Du Wenyan. "The clothes don't fit her, though. I've got a needle and thread. If you can sew, you could alter them before we reach a town."
"Thank you for the trouble, Brother Wu," Du Wenyan said with a smile.
"Come on out, then. I'm ready."
Once the sisters were outside, Su Jin waved his hand and put away the RV and the other things.
Du Wenyan blinked at the rounded inflatable raft on the ground. "Brother Wu, is this another gift from the immortal?"
"An immortal boat. Fill it with immortal breath, and it'll move on the water by itself." Su Jin shouldered the raft and headed toward the bank.
The siblings looked at each other, as astonished as ever.
Even after days with Su Jin, every new thing still amazed them.
They came out of the woods, and at last the great river lay before them.
Su Jin drew a sharp breath.
The water stretched so wide he couldn't see the other bank. Its gray surface flowed slowly, with a depth that seemed unfathomable.
Wind from the water felt cold and damp and carried a salty, fishy smell.
Standing there, he could almost believe it was a sea rather than a river.
Earth had rivers this wide too, but he'd never seen one himself.
At least the surface was calm.
Su Jin looked sidelong at the raft.
He'd bought the electric inflatable raft online. At a moderate speed, it traveled seven kilometers an hour; the battery might not last three hours.
"Wenyan," he said as he approached the bank, "this immortal boat may be low on immortal breath. It might not take us all the way across. We may have to row part of the way. Don't panic if it stops halfway."
"All right."
She had barely answered when wild laughter rang out from above.
"Hahahaha! You three criminals finally showed yourselves. Just as I expected!"
All three startled and looked toward the voice.
Lu Mingxuan was gliding toward them through the air. A tall tree swayed behind him.
He had plainly leapt from it.
Before he reached the ground, he pointed a finger at Su Jin from afar.
As soon as Lu Mingxuan raised his hand, Su Jin put away the raft and spread his arms, pushing the sisters behind him.
With a sharp crack, the ground at his feet burst apart and stones flew.
That single strike from a distance was enough to make Su Jin take him seriously.
He drew his pistol and fired three shots at Lu Mingxuan.
"Criminal! The same trick won't work on me twice!"
Still in the air, Lu Mingxuan swept his palms into a circular shield, faintly distorting the air.
He landed, looked down at the three bullet holes in his clothes, and felt a jolt of fear.
Su Jin whispered to Du Wenyan, "Look after yourselves. He's strong, and I may not be able to beat him. He can't cross the river, though. We need a chance to get away."
All three shots had hit. Su Jin had seen that clearly.
Lu Mingxuan practiced arts Su Jin didn't understand. His ability had weakened the silver gun's shots before they struck.
He also appeared to be wearing armor beneath his clothes; he hadn't been hurt at all.
The good news was that the silver gun could still threaten an expert of this world.
The bad news was that timing mattered. Lu Mingxuan had moved nearly as fast as Su Jin had at night, even with Multiplication active.
Lu Mingxuan looked up and met Su Jin's eyes.
Su Jin tilted his head, slipped something into Du Wenyan's hand, and whispered, "Brother Du, step back. Press the red button on this treasure, aim at him, and use its death-dealing chant."
Du Wenyan nodded and moved back.
Lu Mingxuan's lips twitched. Unease gripped him.
A death-dealing chant? And how had that object appeared in Su Jin's hand? One blink and it was there. He was sure he'd seen it.
The orange boat Su Jin had been carrying had vanished too. Where had it gone?
The man's methods were mysterious, and his strange weapons were powerful.
This new treasure sounded more dangerous still. Su Jin seemed sure it could kill him at once.
He'd underestimated the man. This fight could be dangerous. He must not let down his guard.
Lu Mingxuan steadied himself and said coldly, "Who are you? Who taught you?"
Su Jin raised an eyebrow and smiled at him.
He stood little chance in close combat, and the six bullets he had left might not be enough.
He only wanted a chance to escape.
Lu Mingxuan had seen him use his storage ring and was already unsettled. People in this world had no such treasure.
"Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll be kind enough to tell you." Su Jin paced sideways, took off his outer shirt, dropped it, and began removing the one beneath it as he went on.
Lu Mingxuan moved with him, growing more suspicious.
"In 1974, I won my first free-fighting championship in Southeast Asia. In 1980, I beat the Japanese heavy hitter Thunder Dragon. Then I defeated every karate master in Japan three years running and won the All-Japan free-fighting title... Heir to the Ancient Fist, the nemesis of karate. They call me the Devil Muscle Man."
By the end of the speech, Su Jin had bared his torso, revealing his extraordinary muscles in the bright sun.
Cold sweat slid down Lu Mingxuan's forehead. His palms were damp.
What on earth was the man saying? He hadn't understood a word, but it certainly sounded impressive.
With his clothes on, Su Jin had only looked tall and sturdy. Without them, his build was startling.
If he weren't a rebel, Lu Mingxuan would have called him a superb specimen of a man.
Even a top martial artist might not have such a perfect, imposing physique.
Behind him, Du Wenyan was transfixed too.
Though a dangerous enemy stood before them, she couldn't help stealing glances.
Those sculpted muscles radiated strength, pressure, and a sense of safety.
Su Jin's commanding bearing and calm manner made Lu Mingxuan seem almost harmless by comparison.
Du Wenyan swallowed, her ears quietly turning red.