Chapter 569: The Great Whirlpool
Zhang Ke’s presence cast a pallor of anxiety over Su Man and Lu Yuwen. It was as if they were perennially on edge, unable to relax.
They set out once again to locate the arrowhead, and this time, per Lu Yuwen’s suggestion, Su Man intentionally chose a spot deeper under the water.
Zhang Ke returned to the boat for a break and asked Su Man where the next arrowhead was to be tied. Su Man pointed it out to him.
“From here, go down about three or four meters…”
“Is it three meters or four?” Zhang Ke challenged with a raised eyebrow, evidently dissatisfied. “Did you leave your brain on the boat when you dove?”
Without missing a beat, Su Man fired back: “I did bring my brain with me! But not a ruler! How am I supposed to measure under the water? Or did you expect me to provide you an exact measurement to the centimeter?”
Zhang Ke retorted, “You’re so fucking stupid. Can’t you see where the rope is wet on your body? Isn’t that a clear indication of how deep you dived?”
With that, he got up to grab the rope on her.
Su Man’s heart started racing! She was already not good at pretending, now seeing Zhang Ke checking the rope, she became increasingly panicky!
“Why is your entire rope drenched?” Zhang Ke asked, holding and inspecting the wet rope.
Lu Yuwen provided a calm explanation: “Every time she climbs aboard, the rope gets rolled up. So naturally even the dry parts would get wet.”
Zhang Ke frowned but said nothing more.
After briefly resting, he leapt into the water following the direction Su Man pointed out—
Su Man immediately stood up, gripping the railing to peer below.
“Will he come back?” she nervously watched the water’s surface. “I’m not so sure now… What if the arrowhead I pointed out wasn’t deep enough? …Or, if he thinks it’s too deep, what if he comes back halfway?”
Zhang Ke was no fool. Regardless of whether he found the arrowhead or whether it was securely tied, he certainly would have saved enough time to hold his breath. After all, nothing was more vital than his own safety.
Lu Yuwen said, “When he went underwater to tie the arrowheads earlier, it took him an average of about 70 seconds each time. That’s his safe limit, I suppose. If we presume his limit is 20 seconds more than that, it’s one and a half minutes. I just have to jump off the boat within 70 seconds and let the rope wrap around the tree. His death would be inevitable.”
Su Man’s eyes widened in shock, “What about you?!”
Lu Yuwen gave a faint smile. “Don’t you remember? I can also hold my breath. Although I can’t do it as long as you two, I assure staying underwater for 30 seconds should be no issue.”
Su Man stood up, unable to hide her anxiety. “No! It’s too risky. What if …”
Before she could finish her thought, the boat jolted!
The lake roiled as if some massive beast was stirring beneath the surface. Waves began to lap against the boat!
Both of their complexions transformed. They knew too well that this was a sign of the arrowhead changing direction!
Lu Yuwen immediately stood up, and with a sense of urgency, said to Su Man, “I didn’t tell you, but the most dangerous part of this plan is not finding or tethering the arrowhead. It’s when the arrowhead is changing its direction. The movement of the landmass will cause a massive underwater whirlpool! Zhang Ke has tied the rope around me, whether I jump into the water or not, I’ll be sucked into the vortex! Su Man, remember! No matter what happens, you must stay aboard! Otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain!”
“Lu Yuwen!” Su Man reached for him; she didn’t want him to make the plunge!
But then a wave crashed against the boat! In an instant, the whole vessel tilted dangerously!
She lost her balance and had to grasp the railing. With helpless horror, she watched Lu Yuwen disappear into the water!
The boat she was riding, like a frisbee being thrown, was lifted into the air before violently crashing back onto the surface of the water!
Thrown by the impact, Su Man hit the railing and blackness threatened to envelop her vision!
Without a moment’s respite, the boat started to retreat quickly, propelled by the water’s current. It was a result of the lake water pouring into the now vacant space created by the shifting landmass!
If Lu Yuwen was sucked into that vacancy by the whirlpool, death would be the only certainty!
Steel determination flashed across Su Man’s face as she rolled overboard and plunged into the water.