Chapter 33: Departure, Egret Harbor

Xu Ming’s explanation helped dispel his preconceived notions about sailboats.

Han Ning pondered for a moment, then asked the crucial question:

“Suppose we do find a usable sailboat in Egret Harbor. What’s the next step?”

“If we just sail it straight back, won’t it run aground? The city’s waterways are clogged with debris.”

Though he wasn’t a sailor, he understood the basics.

Larger vessels couldn’t navigate the city’s complex waterways, could they? This wasn’t a small speedboat.

Hearing this, Xu Ming furrowed his brow.

He hesitated briefly before replying cautiously:

“You’re right, boss.”

“The situation is complicated. Sailing a boat here is extremely risky — it could easily run aground or get damaged, especially if it has a deeper draft.”

He grabbed an empty water bottle from the table and gestured with it:

“My thought is, if we find a boat, it’s best not to bring it directly near the residential area. There are too many people and eyes, plus the waterways are shallow and cluttered.”

“The safest approach is to first sail the boat to a relatively secluded spot with sufficient depth and no tall building ruins nearby to dock.”

“For example?” Han Ning pressed.

“For example... somewhere away from the city center, near the estuary or a more open body of water.”

Xu Ming tried to recall the city’s layout.

“This isn’t Earth, so the terrain is different, but the southern district of Egret City is less developed, with scattered buildings. That might be a better choice.”

He added:

“We could use a small boat or even swim back and forth to other safe locations to continue gathering supplies and build our strength.”

Han Ning nodded. “A safe harbor is only temporary. Our ultimate goal isn’t to stay there forever.”

Since Xu Ming wasn’t awakened, Han Ning briefly explained the information left behind by the previous civilization on this planet.

“The planet’s center... you mean the longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes?”

Xu Ming was shocked.

“Exactly.”

Han Ning’s tone was firm, then he inquired:

“When docking, can you figure out the city’s orientation?”

“Well...” Xu Ming hesitated.

“Boss, that’s... extremely difficult.”

***

“We don’t even know where the ‘center’ of this planet is.”

“This isn’t Earth; we have no map, no GPS, not even familiar skies. The constant rain obscures the stars, so we can’t use celestial bodies for navigation.”

He shook his head wryly.

“The compass—under these conditions, affected by unknown magnetic fields or those monsters—might not even work correctly.”

“To be honest, I can’t guarantee I’d find the right direction.”

“Over these vast waters, losing your way could be disastrous. If we can find some landmarks or use basic nautical tools, or observe any celestial trajectories, maybe we can try, but the odds are low.”

“I see. Then let’s not worry about that for now. First, we get the boat.”

Han Ning looked at Xu Ming seriously.

“You only need to tell me this: if you do figure out the direction, can you sail the boat?”

Xu Ming straightened his back confidently.

“As long as the boat is seaworthy and I know the direction, I can sail it. I’ve participated in several offshore voyages and have basic sailing skills and experience handling bad weather.”

“Good.”

Han Ning stood slowly.

“That’s enough. I’ll handle the navigation part.”

“Your current task is to rest up and study the structure and operation of sailboats carefully—especially how to handle possible malfunctions. When the time comes, you’ll be the captain.”

“Understood, boss!” Xu Ming nodded firmly.

Back in his apartment, Han Ning stood by the window, gazing through the gloomy curtain of rain in the distance, lost in thought.

“I’m not the only awakened person in the city. What I can think of, others can too. The number of boats is limited; whoever acts first gains the advantage.”

Liu Feng’s team also aims for Egret Harbor, as do other potential survivor groups.

Whoever finds and controls a usable boat first controls the initiative—and possibly their survival.

“I can’t wait any longer,” Han Ning resolved. “I have to scout Egret Harbor and get a clear picture as soon as possible.”

His current advantages were clear.

With the Gill Technique, he could breathe underwater freely and move swiftly.

Xuebing was a natural underwater hunter and scout; after growing larger, its combat ability had increased.

Together, they gave him far greater mobility and stealth in the flooded city ruins than anyone else.

***

The next morning.

The sky remained overcast, but the rain had lessened slightly.

Han Ning wore a tight waterproof suit with a raincoat over it. His backpack was carefully wrapped in waterproof cloth.

He packed plenty of food, water, and first aid supplies, expecting to be out for some time.

The night before, he had deliberately spent his spiritual energy to bless two plants with natural blessings several times.

At the entrance of his apartment building’s hallway, he observed the water level as usual.

“It’s risen quite a bit again...”

The water now covered more than half the steps leading to the first floor.

It wouldn’t be long before the entire first floor was submerged.

He summoned his spiritual power and activated the Gill Technique.

His cheeks twitched subtly as a pair of gill slits covered by translucent membranes quietly appeared.

His eyes were shielded by a membrane filtering impurities; dense blue-green scales grew on his hands and feet.

Energy-formed webbing extended between his fingers and toes.

[Spiritual Power: 25/25 → 24/25]

[Gill Technique (Beginner) proficiency +1, current 21/100]

The Gill Technique gains 1 proficiency point per minute of sustained use.

“Splash!”

Han Ning strapped his large backpack onto Xuebing, then leapt first into the murky, icy water.

A cold sensation enveloped him, as if he had become one with the water.

Breathing became extraordinarily smooth; the flow brushing past his gills was sharply vivid.

He gently moved his body and webbed feet, propelling himself forward like an arrow, gliding several meters with far more speed and agility than running on land.

“Xuebing, keep up!” Han Ning commanded through their mental link.

“Hiss!”

Xuebing followed closely, its massive gray-white body slipping silently beneath the surface with barely a splash.

Its thick tail acted like a powerful thruster, easily matching Han Ning’s pace.

Together, man and lizard melded into the shadows of the water, swiftly navigating the flooded city ruins.

[Gill Technique proficiency +1, current 22/100]

[Animal Companion proficiency +1, current 57/200]

Using Xuebing’s shared environmental information and his own observations, Han Ning continuously constructed a mental map of both the surface and underwater world.