Chapter 021: Not the Loch Ness

In the oppressive darkness, Luo Chong crafted a makeshift torch. Chopping off a dry branch and splitting one end into a cross, he stuffed it with smaller twigs and dry grass, then coated it with lard. A gentle puff on the embers ignited a comforting blaze, the flickering light giving him a semblance of security amidst the quiet forest.

The torch crackled, its noise a stark contrast to the surrounding silence. Luo Chong, now somewhat reassured, continued his journey, climbing onto a natural bridge formed by the interlaced branches of the immense black trees spanning the river. The trees were thick and robust, but their bark was slippery from the damp, moss-covered surface, complicating his crossing.

He inched forward, clutching at branches to maintain his balance, but the journey was fraught with challenges. Midway across, a droplet of burning lard fell into the river, eliciting a loud splash as if a colossal creature had stirred below. The eerie ripples sent a shiver down his spine, reinforcing his decision against swimming across.

As he maneuvered through the tangled branches, the sudden darkness below hinted at the profound depth and possible dangers lurking in the water. The idea of unseen leviathans residing in these prehistoric rivers wasn't far-fetched in such a primordial wilderness.

Luo Chong's progress was slow, the dense canopy above and the slick moss beneath making each step perilous. When he finally reached the densest part of the canopy, he had to use his axe to clear a path. Each chop sent vibrations through the branches, unsettling his precarious perch.

Without warning, the torch slipped from his grasp, plummeting towards the water and revealing a flash of silver beneath the surface. In a startling display, a creature breached the water, its gaping maw filled with triangular teeth, catching the torch mid-air. The burning lard elicited a painful roar from the beast as it crashed back into the river, the disturbance nearly dislodging Luo Chong from his makeshift bridge.

Hanging precariously, Luo Chong clung to the branches, his heart pounding as the creature thrashed below. His situation was dire; he was suspended over a river, at night, with a possible monster lurking beneath. Despite the peril, he had no choice but to continue, using the dense foliage to slowly make his way across the watery abyss.

Finally reaching the other side, he was not just relieved but also intrigued by the creature's reaction to the fire. Such behavior suggested it was unaccustomed to light or heat, perhaps even nocturnal or cave-dwelling. The encounter was a stark reminder of the untamed nature of this ancient landscape, a world where humans were not the unchallenged rulers but merely another link in the food chain.

Back on solid ground, Luo Chong pondered the encounter. The wilderness here was not just a physical challenge but a profound psychological one. The fear of the unknown, the isolation, the stark reminder of his vulnerability – all these factors compounded into a formidable obstacle. Yet, this was the path he had chosen, or rather, the path that had chosen him.

As he prepared his camp for the night, Luo Chong knew that this journey would test him in ways he had never anticipated. But it was these challenges that honed his resolve, sharpened his survival instincts, and deepened his understanding of this wild, unforgiving world.

The torch, now just a charred stick, lay beside him – a memento of his crossing and a humble reminder of the narrow line between life and death in the wilderness. As the fire crackled and the night deepened, Luo Chong felt a primal connection to this ancient land, a sense of respect and awe that was both humbling and exhilarating.

Tomorrow, he would continue his journey, but tonight, he was just another creature under the vast, starry sky, listening to the whispers of the forest and the quiet flow of the river, a man alone yet somehow connected to the web of life around him.