Chapter - 281 Huge Rock of a Thousand (12)

The water had already covered his nose and he was exhaling the last bit of air but his ears could still hear their conversation, so when the 'straw' reached his mouth, he breathed hard and felt comfortable and he momentarily forgot about the pain in his legs. Ouyang Feng said, "Quick, hurry, let's connect the ropes."

Huang Rong laughed, "Uncle Ouyang, you want me dead to accompany your nephew, right?" Ouyang Feng started and thought, "How did she hear what I said?" Huang Rong laughed, "If you kill me and then you meet some trouble later, who's going to help you?" Now that Ouyang Feng was depending on her, he could only pretend not to hear her and went to work on the tree bark.

They worked for more than 2 hours and made an enormously thick rope nearly 100 metres long; the sea level was already up to half the rock. Ouyang Ke's head was a few feet under the water and only the tip of the 'straw' was exposed. Ouyang Feng was still worried and occasionally stretched his hand under water to check on him.

After another hour, the water receded and Ouyang Ke's head was slowly surfacing. Huang Rong measured the ropes' length and shouted, "Enough, now I need 4 massive poles for the 'masts'." Ouyang Feng was doubtful, he knew that on this deserted island, even a knife was hard to find, not to mention an axe sturdy enough for their task. He asked, "How do we get that?" Huang Rong said, "Don't worry, just find the wood first."

Ouyang Feng was afraid she would throw a tantrum and refuse to help him, so he did not ask further but ran around looking for trees with thick trunks. He crouched down and gathered his strength and launched his palms at each of the trees. The trees fell after a few strikes. Guo Jing and Huang Rong witnessed this powerful display of internal strength and shuddered. Ouyang Feng found a long and flat rock and he used that to cut away the tree leaves.

Now Guo Jing and Huang Rong tied the rope round 3 of the thick tree trunks and looped the rope around the large rock before tying the end to the final tree trunk. That trunk was a centuries-old oak tree and even 3-4 people were not enough to circle the tree. Huang Rong said, "I guess this tree can handle the rock, right?" Ouyang Feng nodded.

Huang Rong told them to connect one more thick rope and they surrounded the 4 tree trunks around the rock, forming a '#' shape and looped the rope round the top. Ouyang Feng praised her, "Good lady, you're really smart, just like your father." Huang Rong laughed, "But how can I be compared to your nephew? Let's start!"

They acted together and used the oak tree as the pivot to pull the '#'-shape formation. The rope became taut and the rock was lifted slowly. The Sun was about to set and the sky was red, illuminating the golden surface of the water.

The tide had already gone out and Ouyang Ke's body was in the mud and his eyes were fixed onto the rock. It moved slowly and steadily with a creaking sound, causing him to be anxious yet happy. Though the rope had made one complete turn around its loop, the rock had only moved an inch and it was already causing great strain on the pivot.

Although Ouyang Feng did not believe in divine intervention, he was silently praying throughout the process. Suddenly the rope snapped and the rock slammed down onto Ouyang Ke again, and he tried to scream but no sound came out. The rope flew up and hit Huang Rong, throwing her off her feet. Guo Jing quickly helped her up.

At this stage Ouyang Feng lost all hope while Huang Rong could hardly smile. Guo Jing said, "We can join them back and add another rope and try again." Ouyang Feng shook his head, "That'd be harder, the 3 of us aren't enough." Guo Jing mumbled to himself, "If only someone would help us." Ouyang Feng got angry and snapped, "Obviously!" He knew Guo Jing had good intentions, but in his depression he vented his frustrations on him.

Huang Rong thought for a while then jumped up, clapping and laughing, "Yes, yes, there's someone who can help us." Guo Jing asked, "Who might that be?" Huang Rong said, "Hmmm, it's just that Brother Ouyang would have to bear with more discomfort and wait for the tide to come in again before he can be set free." Ouyang Feng and Guo Jing both looked at her thinking, "Are you thinking that when the tide comes in, someone will come to our aid?"

Huang Rong laughed, "We're all tired and hungry; let's find some food." Ouyang Feng said, "Miss, you said someone will help us, please explain." Huang Rong said, "At this time tomorrow, Brother Ouyang will be free. For now I can't reveal the secret." Ouyang Feng saw that she had great confidence in herself and his doubt decreased. But he was still skeptical so he simply accompanied his nephew.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong caught a few wild hares and cooked one for the uncle and nephew, then they shared the rest with Hong Qigong.

When Guo Jing learnt that the trap was laid by her, he was surprised and happy. They knew that now Ouyang Feng was with his nephew and would not bother them, so they only lit a fire at the cave entrance to prevent any wild animals from coming in, and they slept very well. The next morning, Guo Jing saw a shadow at the entrance so he quickly jumped up. He saw Ouyang Feng standing there saying, "Is Miss Huang awake?"

Huang Rong was already awake but she pretended to be soundly asleep. Guo Jing whispered, "Not yet. What is it?" Ouyang Feng said, "When she wakes up, invite her to save him." Guo Jing said, "OK." Hong Qigong said, "I let her drink the '100-Day-Drunken-Stupor' Wine as well as hit her Sleeping Accupoint. Within 3 months, it's hard to wake her."

Ouyang Feng started and Hong Qigong laughed heartily. Ouyang Feng realised that he was joking and became angry. Huang Rong sat up and laughed, "If we don't tease the Old Poison now, when will we get to do that?" She then combed her hair and washed her face extremely slowly and then went to fish and catch rabbits for breakfast. Ouyang Feng paced up and down several times just like a pan of ants of fire. Guo Jing said, "Rong'er, when the water rises, will there really be someone to save him?"

Huang Rong said, "What do you think?" Guo Jing shook his head, saying, "I don't really think so." Huang Rong laughed, "Me neither." Guo Jing was startled, "So you lied to him?" Huang Rong said, "Not really, when the tide rises, I'd have a way to save him." Guo Jing knew that she was very intelligent and resourceful so he did not question further. They then went to play around the flowers.

Huang Rong had no companions since young and always played on the beach at Peach Blossom Island by herself. Now that she had Guo Jing with her, she was extremely happy. They played and laughed endlessly on the beach. Huang Rong said, "Brother Jing, your hair is terribly messy, let me help you comb your hair."

They sat together on a rock. Huang Rong took out a small golden-jade comb and combed his hair finely, then sighed, "Why don't we think of a way to get rid of those 2 poisonous creatures and then we'll live here together with Master and not leave this place, what do you think?" Guo Jing said, "I was thinking of my 6 masters." Huang Rong said, "Hmmm, and Father too."

After a while she said, "I wonder how's Sister Mu doing now. Master has also asked me to be the Leader of the Beggars' Clan, so I'm starting to miss those beggars too." Guo Jing laughed, "Looks like we have to think of a way to get back." Huang Rong finished with his hair and tied it up. Guo Jing said, "The way you comb my hair reminds me of my mother."