Cold water washed over Yun Qiang, forcing his eyes open, his body scraping painfully on the bottom of the river.
He started waving his hands hurriedly, resurfacing for air while the strong current carried him further away from his pursuer. However, when he finally surfaced and air filled his burning lungs, an arrow flew towards him, hitting him under the armpit, one of the few spots that his armor didn't cover.
"Ah!"
Yun Qiang could barely let out a scream before the river's current dragged his head underwater again.
In the chaos, Yun Qiang didn't manage to see the face of his attacker; however, he knew the man was a Foundation Realm cultivator. Bow and arrow was an extremely rare combination for cultivators, even more so for Qi Gathering cultivators like Yun Qiang and his peers. Besides this, hitting a moving target in a weak spot at a distance required precision and power that inexperienced cultivators didn't have.
However, Yun Qiang didn't have time for these concerns the rapids constantly pushed him downwards, trying to drown him, all the while mercilessly pushing him against the jagged rocks at the bottom of the river.
Thud
Yun Qiang let out a scream underwater, letting out what little air he had left. A sharp rock had hit him, leaving a deep cut on his arm. He instinctively covered his wounded arm with the healthy one while the underwater current dragged him towards another series of rocks.
Thump
He hit his back on the riverbed, the metal armor screeching against the rocks, letting out an unpleasant sound that was impossible to hear underwater. Yun Qiang gritted his teeth; his air was about to end, he couldn't stay underwater forever. He swallowed the pain and forced himself upright, then he pushed with his leg.
In a matter of seconds, he was on the surface again, his eyes open wide, frantically searching for the archer while his mouth took in as much air as he could.
A wave of relief surged from within him, temporarily making him forget to swim, forcing him to swallow a mouthful of water. He spat it out immediately, his mind clearing instantly.
I have to get out of the water! I don't even know where this river leads.
A sudden surge of energy made him move towards the closest shore. He didn't know where this river ended.
if it led towards the enemy lines, then he would be in big trouble. Surviving was difficult enough while stationed at the border; being stuck behind enemy lines was the equivalent of a death sentence to him.
He accelerated, his vision darkening for a second as he pushed himself to his limit again. For a second, he saw himself getting hit by a random wave or rock and passing out, but it didn't happen. Even his misfortune had limits.
When he finally reached the shore, he kissed the ground and did a few meters on all fours, slowly making his way towards the bushes while taking heavy breaths. His mind entertained the idea of a short rest, maybe a minute or two, but he didn't do it. He knew it. The moment he stopped to rest it wouldn't be for a minute but at least a day.
He was badly beaten up, his face was pale, his muscles ached, and if it wasn't for the unexpected bath, his clothes would be stained with blood, mud, and sweat.
He forced himself upwards, his hands clinging to a tree for support; the current had taken his spear away from him, making him defenseless against enemy attacks. Even though he doubted he could defend himself even if he had his weapon with him.
Tired, he trudged forward, his feet sinking deeper in the wet ground with every step he took.
His vision was blurry, making it difficult to see the details of his surroundings; the forest around him was just a green and brown blur. A blur that he had to traverse at all cost. He had to go forward.
"if I stop I die"
"if I stop I die"
His lips unwillingly started chanting this mantra as he went onward, he didn't know why, but these words seemed to help him go onwards as if words alone could carry his injured body across the forest.
He went on for an unknown amount of time until a low groan interrupted his chant. A pained groan, a murmured and pained sound. A sound extremely out of tune with Yun Qiang's feverish mantra.
Yun Qiang's soldier's instinct instantly kicked in, forcing him into a battle position, his hands grappling the air in the search for a spear. He composed himself, hurriedly searching for the source of the sound.
The groan sounded again, it came from behind two tall bushes. Judging from the tone, the owner of the voice was in bad condition; he was probably struggling to stay alive.
Yun Qiang approached the bush, his hands ready for combat.
"Who goes there?" He steadied his footing, bracing for an attack.
However, the attack never came. Instead, a shocked voice came from the bushes.
"Yun Qiang?!"
Yun Qiang instantly recognized the owner of the voice. He reached out towards the bushes, throwing all caution to the wind. As he moved the bushes away, he silently prayed, hoping to be wrong. He didn't want to be right, he didn't want the owner of the voice to be him.
When he finally managed to move the bushes away, his hope dashed away. A bloodied man was laying on the ground, his eyes half open like a man who was about to fall asleep.
Yun Qiang's pupils shrank as he hesitantly stepped forward.
Then he fell to his knees. He knew the dying man. It was someone he deeply admired and respected. Someone he aspired to one day become.
Tears unwillingly wet his eyes, making it difficult to see.
The man on the ground was Voss, his team leader was dying.