Chapter 1278: Sinking Boat

"Tribal Chief, we have been waiting for you for dozens of days for this Large Ship of ours; we are just waiting for your order, and this Large Ship can be launched into the water immediately!"

Xuanyuan stared at this majestic and massive Boat, unable to suppress the excitement in his heart: "Good, good! Are you sure it can be launched into the water now?"

The Artisans were very confident: "Of course we can, Tribal Chief! This is something we worked hard for three years to build!"

Xuanyuan clapped for them: "Good, good! Then what do you think about today? Is it ready to be launched?"

Xuanyuan had absolute respect for these Artisans; if they said it could be launched, then it could be launched, and if they said it could not, then it could not. He would not make things difficult for these talented people.

"It is possible, Tribal Chief. There is no wind today, and this bit of Snow has no impact on the launch at all; on the contrary, this bit of Snow might make it easier for the Boat to slide into the water.

If we delay any longer, we might have to wait until next year to test the launch, as the Boat certainly won't be able to enter the water if the water freezes over."

Xuanyuan pointed a finger: "Very well, let's try launching it today!"

The joy on the faces of the lead Artisans could not be concealed. These hundred-plus people, Artisans responsible for every aspect, had worked hard in this place for three years to finally build such a Boat. They had long wanted to launch it to test it, but everyone said they had to wait for the Tribal Chief's approval, which was why they had waited until now. In reality, everyone was impatient to see their hard work displayed to show off their prowess.

"The Tribal Chief has given the order! Launch! Launch!"

"Good!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!!!"

Everyone moved excitedly. A sloped track had already been dug out on the land in front of the Large Ship and covered with wooden logs, specifically to ensure it could be launched smoothly.

Now that the order was given, the people in front pulled on the ropes with all their might, and the people in the back pushed hard, striving to send this Boat into the water.

The people at the very front had already stepped into the water, their legs buried in the silt and their bodies soaked by the icy river water, yet they did not leave and continued to push. But how could they exert any strength or have any power while in the water? They were simply showing their dedication, willing to do anything for this Large Ship.

Once it cleared the slope and hit the rollers, the Large Ship's speed increased, and it grew faster and faster, feeling somewhat out of control. Although it was small compared to the Large Ships of Huaxia, it was very large for a single person, and it was moving forward at an irreversible speed.

Consequently, when people felt they could no longer hold it back, they chose to let go one after another. Those in the water, seeing the Boat coming down, hurriedly swam to get out of the way. However, because the water was too cold and they hadn't warmed up, several people suffered cramps and were on the verge of drowning.

Yet at this moment, everyone's attention was on the Boat, and no one noticed the situation of those individuals.

But the Boat was not doing well either, because as the hull descended, it became increasingly tilted; it was not going straight down, and it even felt like it might capsize immediately. Xuanyuan's eyelids twitched as he watched, a bad premonition arising.

The Artisans were also praying; they thought that as long as it entered the water, it would surely be fine. This was their first time, and this method of pushing a boat into the water was something everyone had discussed and tested many times with small boats, but they hadn't expected that launching a Large Ship would be so dangerous.

The Large Ship crashed into the water, kicking up huge waves. Those few people who had cramped were hit by the waves on the spot and swept under the water. Those who hadn't cramped and managed to crawl ashore were now shivering violently, too busy to even care about the Large Ship.

Only they themselves knew that if they didn't hurry to warm themselves by a fire, they would surely die. They had already started turning blue, yet they were unable to speak clearly, and they still had to go save the others!

But everyone's gaze was fixed on the Large Ship. After the Large Ship rushed into the water, it did indeed float, but it did not stand upright—it was tilted!

Seeing such a strange posture, Xuanyuan's face turned black. Had he supported them for three years only to have them produce something like this?

When those Artisans saw the Boat in such a state, they felt as if their Heaven had collapsed. They rushed over one after another, wanting to pull the Boat upright, but after the Boat swayed, it tilted even further, and then more and more, gradually showing signs of sinking.

Now there was no need for rescue; the fate of this Boat to sink was sealed. The Artisan Leader had already lost all hope and stopped trying to save it; he turned around, knelt before Xuanyuan, and prepared to accept his punishment.

Xuanyuan's face was deathly pale. Watching the Boat slowly begin to sink, what else could he say? Determining guilt was a matter for later; for now, he had to get the people out: "Stop going down there, all of you come up, and pull those who fell into the water out!"

The Artisan Leader knelt on the ground and repeated the order loudly. The Artisans, crying loudly, still rushed toward their Boat. This was their life's work; why had it failed like this, why had it sunk? They did not understand. They hadn't cut any corners, nor had they been lazy; every day, the moment they opened their eyes, they worked, and when they finished, they slept.

In these few years, the wasted timber alone could have been used to build several more such Large Ships. After constant attempts and constant improvements, they had finally managed to assemble it; how could it just sink like this?

One by one, they rushed toward the corpse of the Large Ship, hugging it and sobbing uncontrollably, completely unable to hear what Tribal Chief Xuanyuan was shouting.

It wasn't until they saw their brothers gradually collapsing from hypothermia that they finally reacted. Then they saved the people, their own bodies trembling, dragging their nearly rigid brothers onto the shore.

Because their workshop was located here and they all ate and lived here, there were campfires, so they helped each other toward the fires to warm themselves up.

Seeing his tribesmen like this, what more could Xuanyuan say? He had to go over and check on them first. Their current behavior and actions didn't look like they were slacking off; they must have truly worked hard, it was just that their level of skill and experience was not yet sufficient.

They gradually recovered, at least enough not to die. Xuanyuan did not want them to die, because they were important Artisans of the Xuanyuan Tribe. If they died, it would not be easy for the Xuanyuan Tribe to cultivate such Artisans again; it would take many years.

Besides, he at least had to clarify what exactly happened—was their skill lacking, or was it simply a waste of these three years?

When Xuanyuan looked over, they all looked ashen-faced.