Behind

The skiff reached shore at dusk. The boatman dared not to enter the harbor and stopped at a deserted beach. Shangguan Fei and Long Fanyun had no choice but to get down earlier than planned and wade through the last portion of their journey.

The boatman hurriedly pointed northward and said, "Continue walking forward and you shall find a town there." After speaking, he immediately started rowing again, embarking on his journey back to whence he came.

Shangguan Fei kept griping and he spent a lot of time re-arranging the bundle of necessities and clothes that he was carrying after reaching land. When he was finally ready to move again, it was already dark.