Volume One: Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Forty-One: A Sudden Turn of Events

Despite repeated warnings from Father and Mother Shen forbidding the Shen siblings from going to the seaside alone, as soon as they arrived, all admonitions and cautions were cast aside and forgotten. The moment Shen Tang reached the shore, she was like a bird soaring high or a fish swimming free in the ocean, her whole being imbued with the breath of liberty. She dashed about the beach, dragging Li Yu with her to collect beautiful shells and stones, while the other two ventured into deeper waters to catch a few fish and roast them on the shore.

None of the four were the sort to wait for food to be served; soon, they had managed a rather decent lunch. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of a full belly, but Shen Tang and Li Yu grew drowsy. Shen Xun and Zhou Ce then suggested they find a place to rest, and once they had recovered, they could return to the water in the afternoon. Shen Tang and Li Yu had no objections and agreed. Zhou Ce and Shen Xun found a well-shaded spot and settled Li Yu and Shen Tang in a comfortable, soft patch for their nap. The four rested contentedly. After a while, when Li Yu and Shen Tang were deeply asleep, Zhou Ce and Shen Xun opened their eyes, exchanged sly grins, and quietly slipped away.

"Where is the place you mentioned?" Zhou Ce asked.

Shen Xun replied, "I've only heard my father talk about it. We should reach it once we cross that big reef ahead."

They quickened their pace. On the way, Zhou Ce continued, "Is your father telling the truth? Is the sea really rising?"

"Of course," Shen Xun said. "I heard it with my own ears. Last time, Mother wanted to go out to sea for pearls, but Father stopped her, saying the sea wasn’t calm and she should wait until Uncle Lin returned."

"That’s serious. Why didn’t you tell Uncle Zhang?"

"How would I know?" Shen Xun replied. "Besides, the city lord isn’t someone my father can just meet at will. I think Father told Uncle Lin yesterday, and perhaps they have a plan."

He continued, "I’m afraid they’ll make arrangements and forbid us from coming to the seaside again, so I wanted to seize today’s break to see for myself what the rising sea level looks like."

Zhou Ce asked, puzzled, "But we see the tides rise all the time. What’s the difference between sea level rising and high tide?"

Shen Xun thought for a moment, then said, "We only see tides at certain times. Today isn’t a tide day—yet the sea swallows more of the shore than usual. That must be what Father meant by rising sea levels. But speculating won’t help; we’re almost there. We’ll see for ourselves soon."

Zhou Ce agreed, and they hurried to see what rising sea level meant.

Soon, they arrived at the spot. After passing the large reef, they found themselves at a cliff. It was the place where Father Shen had brought the Daoist Lin yesterday; only then, they were atop the cliff, whereas now Shen Xun and Zhou Ce stood below.

Shen Xun stared at the stretch of sea before him, stunned and speechless.

Zhou Ce saw it too and remarked, "It looks almost the same to me."

But Shen Xun didn’t reply. Zhou Ce turned to look and saw Shen Xun shaken, clearly struck by something. "What’s wrong?" Zhou Ce asked, nudging him until Shen Xun returned to reality.

Shen Xun said, "Father was right. The sea really has risen."

---

"How can you tell?" Zhou Ce inquired. "I don’t see much difference—it’s the same water as always."

Shen Xun pointed at a reef. "Look there. I remember before, the water only covered half of it, but now, it’s almost submerged."

Zhou Ce was skeptical. "Are you sure you’re not mistaken?"

"Absolutely," Shen Xun insisted. "I came here with Father, and I marked this spot specifically to check later."

Zhou Ce still seemed unconvinced. Shen Xun, sensing this, pointed to the cliff wall. "If you doubt the reef, at least believe the cliff. See the water stains from the receding tide? There are clearly two types—the lower ones are darker, the upper ones lighter. It’s obvious. You can’t be fooled."

Zhou Ce examined it closely and finally believed him. "Then we need to tell Uncle Zhang. This is important."

But Shen Xun was busy. He quickly took out paper and pen to record everything, and Zhou Ce, seeing this, sat nearby, resolving to inform Uncle Zhang as soon as they returned.

Unexpectedly, in just that brief time, the sea surged swiftly, surrounding them before they realized it. The sea before them seemed oblivious to their plight. Suddenly, a voice called from behind, "Brother, Zhou Ce, why are you still there? Hurry back!"

Hearing this, Zhou Ce snapped out of his thoughts and looked back. He saw Shen Tang and Li Yu standing on the big reef, Shen Tang’s expression anxious. Before he could speak, he noticed the water had risen dramatically. The path they had taken was now submerged, and the waves grew ever higher. The reef they sat on was now two-thirds underwater. Zhou Ce’s face turned pale with fright. They were surrounded, with no way back.

He quickly woke Shen Xun, who had been absorbed in his writing. Shen Xun immediately sensed something was amiss.

Shen Tang and Li Yu, on the other side, were frantic and helpless. Zhou Ce and Shen Xun clung together, at a loss.

Shen Tang saw they had only just regained their senses—too late for the best chance to cross. At first, she was anxious, asking, "What do we do now?" But soon she calmed, realizing they could rely only on themselves.

Li Yu was nearly in tears at Shen Tang’s panic, clueless what to do. His grandmother had never allowed him to play by the river, and he had no experience with friends at the seaside. The sudden crisis left him bewildered.

Shen Tang, now composed, told Li Yu, "I know this place well. I’ll go find someone nearby to help. You stay here and call out if anyone comes, so they don’t miss the boys. If the water keeps rising, don’t stay here—go to higher ground. Don’t risk yourself, all right? Be careful and protect yourself."

Li Yu felt reassured by her instructions, a warmth spreading through his heart. He quickly regained composure. Shen Tang and her siblings had been taught from a young age how to respond to such incidents. Even if panic struck briefly, they could handle it calmly when the moment came.

Li Yu watched the trapped boys, anxious but powerless, scanning the surroundings.

He realized the rising sea wasn’t simple.

Only now did he understand—what he’d thought was an illusion might not have been. He looked in a certain direction, trying to discern the flow of yin and yang, but all he saw were fading ripples, unable to trace their source.

---

Li Yu was now certain that this sudden disaster was being manipulated by someone behind the scenes. But who? What did they want? For what purpose? He could not know.

The sea continued to rise, faster and higher, waves crashing against the reefs with the fury of the ocean. The waters were like a beast, ready to swallow anything before it, daring any creature to challenge it and proving that it was not to be trifled with. All who faced it must hold it in utmost reverence, only then would it be appeased.

The wind grew stronger, and the whole scene became one of raging tempest and surging waves. Even Shen Xun and Zhou Ce, who had grown up by the sea, were terrified. They were still children, after all, and had never experienced such wild, perilous storms.

Soon, their composure vanished. Zhou Ce, unable to keep his footing, was knocked over by a wave, slipping uncontrollably into the water.

Fortunately, Shen Xun reacted in time and grabbed him, but the two needed each other’s support to stay steady amidst the waves. Now, as Zhou Ce slid toward the sea, Shen Xun clung desperately to the reef, struggling to pull him back, exhausted and spent.

"Xun, let go, or you’ll fall in too," Zhou Ce cried.

Shen Xun held fast. "No! Find something to grab onto. We’ll pull you up together."

"It’s no use. The rocks are slippery—my feet slide right off. Let go!" Zhou Ce pleaded after several attempts.

Shen Xun braced himself, veins bulging, muscles taut with exertion. "Don’t give up. My sister will soon bring help."

But before he finished speaking, a larger wave crashed over them, sweeping them from the reef, and they vanished from sight.

Li Yu watched everything from the other side, his hands clenched, lips pressed tight. In his heart, he prayed, "Grandmother, please protect them. Let nothing happen to them." He cheered for them inwardly, urging them not to give up—his sister would soon bring help.

But it seemed his grandmother did not hear his prayers. Instead of rescue, he witnessed them fall into the sea.

Li Yu’s face turned white with fear. He felt as if his heart stopped beating for a moment.

It was the first time he saw his friends in mortal danger, and he, weak and helpless, could do nothing.

But now was not the time for distraction. Suddenly determined, he steeled himself, thought, "I’ll risk it," and leapt into the water. With a splash, the reef was left empty. Not long after, a shadow appeared atop the cliff, watching quietly. "Let’s see what you’re capable of!"