Chapter 259: One Step Closer

Chapter 259: Chapter 259: One Step Closer

By the vast, surging sea, a bustling crowd gathered, creating a lively scene. Numerous figures busied themselves with bamboo rafts, preparing to set sail for distant waters. The people knew well that the deeper they ventured into those mysterious, profound depths, the higher their chances of catching a more substantial and diverse haul of delicious seafood.

Because of this, Ling Qianjun had long set his sights on the raft-makers, silently observing and learning their methods and techniques.

Time flew by, and on this day, Ling Qianjun finally found some rare leisure time. Without hesitation, he decided to take matters into his own hands and build a raft of his own with his good friend, Ling Qianfan. Meanwhile, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge didn’t just stand by and watch. They eagerly joined in, assisting with various miscellaneous tasks on the side.

To ensure the rafts would be sturdy and durable, the four worked together to find suitable materials. Exceptionally tough tree vines were their top choice. These could be found everywhere in the nearby mountains and cost absolutely nothing, making them highly cost-effective. Of course, finding sturdy ropes to bind the bamboo was also a good option, as it would effectively prevent the rafts from coming apart during a voyage.

As for the necessary bamboo, it was harvested from the lush bamboo forest behind the village. Nestled between the mountains and the water, the village was home to people who had made their living from the sea for generations, relying on the ocean’s bounty to survive. Naturally, that bamboo forest had become a precious communal asset for the entire village. Anyone who needed bamboo could go and cut it, provided they didn’t harvest recklessly and destroy this precious gift from nature.

At dawn, just as the sun rose and cast its golden rays across the earth, Ling Qianjun got up early.

Wielding a sharp axe, he chopped at the bamboo with swift, powerful strikes. Every swing of the axe carried a gust of wind, as if splitting the very air itself. Before long, a neat pile of felled bamboo lay on the ground. After some hard work, Ling Qianjun successfully gathered a sufficient quantity of high-quality bamboo—exactly what they needed to construct two rafts.

According to their plan, once the rafts were finished, the family could split into two groups and head out together on the water. This way, if they encountered larger catches or items during their trip, they would have plenty of room to store them without overloading a single raft and causing it to sink.

However, this was only the first step. Next, they needed to carefully process the bamboo to ensure it would be safe and comfortable to use.

Ling Qianjun and Ling Qianfan took on the task of clearing the burrs from the surface of the bamboo. Using scrapers, they carefully shaved along the grain, removing every tiny, sharp splinter. With each pass of the blade, the bamboo grew incredibly smooth, as if it had been meticulously polished.

Meanwhile, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge busied themselves with another crucial job: twisting the vines into thicker, stronger ropes. Their deft hands manipulated the vines, constantly twisting and rolling them so they intertwined tightly. In no time at all, several thick, sturdy vine ropes were finished and neatly set aside for later use.

Throughout the morning, the four of them each performed their respective duties, working methodically on their tasks. Time slipped away unnoticed, bringing them one step closer to crafting the perfect bamboo rafts...