The ground stretched out in golden sand, the sky vast with white clouds. The harsh, scorching sunlight beat down on this place, already sweltering like a crematorium furnace, making the air even more stinging and oppressive.
Not just the sun, but the wind here was equally vicious, carrying the distinctive scorched scent of the desert.
The golden sand was scattered everywhere by the strong wind; some places were rough and jagged, while others were dug out into hollows of various shapes, like works of art gifted by nature.
Naturally, these hidden spots strangely became havens for the creatures of this desert.
In this place, apart from the incessant chirping of insects, there were only the sounds of some animals competing for food and territory, or occasionally, the loud impact of golden sand against rock faces.
Despite such harsh conditions, there was a team willing to trek through the scorching midday heat.
From a distance, the team consisted of about a dozen people, each meticulously equipped.
Their heads were covered with hoods, they wore heat-resistant clothing, and their feet wore tall, sturdy black boots, their thick soles leaving deep imprints on the desert sand.
Their physiques were robust and imposing, and various weapons were tucked into their belts.
Some wielded swords, others daggers.
But one important thing was that everyone's aura was very restrained.
The team traversed several oases in the desert, meticulously searching every nook and cranny for their target.
The leader of the team was an older young man with a full beard. He raised a calloused hand to his forehead to block the glare of the sun from his eyes.
He continued to gaze into the distance, but only saw swirling sand and rocks and an endless, undefined expanse. He then turned to ask a young, slender youth beside him:
"Wen Shu, where exactly is that mineral mine you mentioned? We've been searching for many days, but still haven't found a single trace. I'm starting to suspect this information doesn't exist at all!"
The youth named Wen Shu looked up, squinted slightly, and said:
"Big Brother Chu, I'm not entirely sure either. But I heard from Cheng Mo that this information came from the Lin Family. They sent out mission invitations to us mercenaries to help them find the mineral deposit. The letter stated that if we find it, we get three parts of the profit, and they take seven. I thought this mission was promising, which is why I asked for your help, Big Brother."
Hearing this, Chu Peng immediately explained cheerfully:
"Wen Shu, don't misunderstand me. It's just that this is the first time we've accepted an unfamiliar mission from an outside source that didn't originate from the Alliance, so I'm instinctively a bit skeptical. I remember you have a map; is the route on it accurate?"
Qi Wen Shu pulled a parchment map from his chest pocket, presented it to Chu Peng, and said:
"When I went to accept the mission, I saw a few other teams participating. It seemed they also had a copy of the map. I just don't know if their route is the same as ours or different."
Hearing this, Chu Peng raised an eyebrow in thought. He looked closely at Qi Wen Shu, seeing only sincerity and straightforwardness in his eyes, finding no hint of deceit or evasion.
He temporarily pushed his suspicions to the back of his mind.
Perhaps... he was overthinking things.
Qi Wen Shu... he had watched this kid grow up. How could he not know his true nature?
He suddenly remembered that winter was approaching, and Qi Xiao Ya often fell ill during this period.
Chu Peng sighed softly.
This kid... was practically forced to reluctantly embark on this arduous and perilous path.
Thinking idly about a few things, then turning his head to look at the others, Chu Bang saw that everyone looked utterly exhausted. He rubbed his forehead and said:
“Alright, the mission has been accepted. We’ve committed, so we have to see it through, right? I see everyone is tired, so how about we find a place to rest first!”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone’s eyes lit up and they nodded in agreement.
“That’s a great idea, Big Brother Chu!”
“Exactly! This mission won’t be completed in a day or two. We should conserve our strength to deal with unexpected situations first!”
“Honestly, this mission’s difficulty is too high. We’re just a small mercenary group; isn’t taking on such a high-risk mission too dangerous?”
Chu Bang looked at the worried young man who had just voiced the question, then met the gazes of the others. He let out a hearty laugh, his face shining with determination:
“Fortune is found in danger! What achievement doesn’t come with a price?”
Hearing him say that, everyone agreed once again.
Because everyone was just a small-time mercenary, doing a few trivial tasks every day. When would they ever catch up to others?
Now that an opportunity was before them, who would be willing to let this good thing pass?
Even though ahead lay a potentially huge trap, they – poor and struggling mercenaries fighting for survival – wouldn't hesitate to run into that trap themselves.
To die for money, to die for fame and fortune, was nothing to regret.
With their opinions unified, the group continued to trek through the howling sandstorm. After more than an hour, they finally found a shelter cave on the edge of the desert, not far from a few other oases.
One person from the group stepped forward to observe the cave below. Because it was a temporary cave formed by nature and covered by sand, its depth wasn't great; looking down from above, one could clearly see the entire scene.
Therefore, that person suddenly exclaimed in surprise:
“Big Brother, it looks like there’s someone down there?”
At first, a few people didn’t believe it, scoffing:
“A San, your exaggeration syndrome is acting up again! In the middle of such a desolate desert, how could there be anyone? And lying in a cave? Is that person stupid? One sandstorm hits, fills the cave, and they’re instantly gone for good. Don’t joke around!”
“Seriously! Who would crawl into a desert cave to lie down? Not to mention, it could be the nest of some strange, vicious creature down there! No one is that stupid, are they?”
A San’s face under his mask immediately flushed red from everyone doubting his professional judgment, but because he was usually a man of few words, he quickly became tongue-tied. Using his eyes through his dark goggles, he pleaded for Chu Bang’s help, his voice stammering:
“Big Brother Chu… I… I’m telling… the truth! There really… is someone down there! And… it looks like they’re unconscious!”
Hearing this, Qi Wenshu’s young face furrowed slightly. He rolled up his sleeves and said to A San:
“Let me go down and take a look!”
Chu Bang quickly pulled his arm back, his gaze stern. Shaking his head, he admonished:
“Hold on! You’re always so impulsive. What if it’s a trap down there? If you just recklessly go down like that, not only will you endanger yourself, but you could also implicate others! Don’t look at the clear skies and white clouds now; a terrifying sandstorm could blow in a minute later and bury us all!”
Qi Wenshu touched his nose and said, embarrassed:
“I’ve made Big Brother worry again. But there’s a life down there, after all. How can we just turn a blind eye? Besides, who would be so idle as to play around with someone’s life?”
Meeting Qi Wenshu’s questioning gaze, Chu Bang didn’t know what to say.
He could only let out a troubled sigh; his adopted younger brother was far too naive and kind-hearted, completely oblivious to the dangers of the jianghu.
His face grew serious once more, and Chu Bang admonished him again:
“Wen Shu, you must remember Big Brother’s words well.
If there comes a day when Big Brother can no longer protect you, you must strive to stand strong and protect yourself and your younger sister well.
You must learn to be ruthless when necessary and kind when appropriate; never always bestow mercy upon those who are untrustworthy.
It’s good to view life with tolerance, but never, absolutely never, entrust your back and your sincere heart completely to others.
Always keep a little faith and a way out for yourself.”
Chu Bang finished speaking, but immediately received a stubborn and disapproving look from Qi Wen Shu, which made him clear his throat and add:
“Of course, if we encounter someone in danger, we should save them if we can.
But before you act, you must look around carefully, mentally assess your own capabilities, and consider what consequences saving that person might bring. All of it – must be thoroughly prepared!”
Qi Wen Shu’s stubborn expression quickly softened. He burst out laughing, raising his fist to playfully punch Chu Bang’s chest, and joked:
“Big Brother, why didn’t you say so earlier? You even said some random words that sounded like a farewell.
I understand now, I won’t be reckless anymore.
Now, let’s go save the person!”
Chu Bang also laughed, but deep in his eyes, a thread of worry and melancholy that couldn’t be dispelled remained hidden. He looked up at the clear, cloudless sky, and suddenly felt his heart weighed down by an inexplicable unease.
Could it be… something was about to happen?
Carrying this heavy unease, Chu Bang asked the team members to help jump into the pit to rescue the person.
Qi Wen Shu was very proactive in this matter; he was the first to descend, shining his light to search inside the pit. He then discovered that there was indeed a person lying unconscious at the bottom.
He took a deep breath, looked up, and shouted loudly:
“A San, please lower the rope for me!”
“Okay! Wait a moment!” A San quickly replied, then swiftly discussed and assigned tasks with the others.
The team consisted of about fifteen people. Five were responsible for spreading out around the ten-meter-wide pit to stand guard, ready to promptly respond to any sudden sandstorms that might arise.
The remaining five took digging tools to widen the area around the pit a bit more, to make it easier for those below to move and to prevent the pit from collapsing midway.
Two people, the youths A San and A Si, swiftly pulled out short ropes, then braided them together and tightened them, preparing to lower them for Qi Wen Shu.
In addition, three other people jumped down with Qi Wen Shu to assist him in searching.
Chu Bang remained at the top of the pit, gazing down and observing everyone’s movements.
Down in the pit, the four people, including Qi Wen Shu, couldn’t help but gasp as they observed the injured person.
A youth exclaimed, his voice full of alarm:
“Heavens! It’s a young woman! How did she end up in such a state!”
Because of the dim light, the four couldn’t clearly see the injured person’s face, but from her figure, they could deduce that she was a young woman.
Her tragic state was horrifying; her face had hit something and was terribly scratched, with bruises swelling up everywhere.
Her hair was disheveled, and some parts were even cut and mangled beyond recognition.
The clothes were torn to shreds, not a single intact spot from head to toe, so the four people could clearly see streams of blood gushing out from the large and small wounds on the victim’s body.
Qi Wen-shu took a deep breath, a little reluctant to look directly. He turned his face away and urged upwards:
"A-San, are you done yet?"
"Coming now! Don't rush!" As soon as A-San's voice fell, a long rope was thrown down.
Qi Wen-shu grabbed the end of the rope, then proactively lifted the injured person onto his back, and used the rope to securely tie himself and the person behind him.
Once done, his face was a little red and dripping with sweat. He turned and said to the three people behind him:
"I'll carry the person up first. A-Lu, A-Qi, A-Jiu, the three of you lend me a hand!"
"No problem!" All three replied readily, channeling their inner energy through their arms to Qi Wen-shu, helping to lighten the weight on him.
Qi Wen-shu gripped the rope tightly, pushed off with his feet, borrowing the strength transferred to him from the three, and made a high leap, shooting up to the edge of the pit.
Whoosh!
A gust of hot wind swept past his face, whistling in his ears, so he conveniently missed a soft breath and a small movement from the person on his back.
Zhu Peng saw him return safely, let out a breath, and helped him lower the person from his back onto a tarp that had already been spread on the ground.
Zhu Peng carefully examined the injured person, and when he saw that the rescued person was a woman, he was extremely surprised:
"In this desolate desert, how can there be a woman? Who exactly is the scoundrel who did this to her?"
Qi Wen-shu wiped his sweat as he spoke:
"I don't know either, but I've taken a look. She must have just fallen into the pit not long ago. Although her breathing is weak, she's not dead yet, right?"
Zhu Peng nodded upon hearing this and said:
"I still have a few healing pills here. If we've saved her, then let's see it through to the end. Wen-shu, give her the pill!"
"Thank you, Big Brother!" Qi Wen-shu took the bottle of pills, thanking him profusely.
Zhu Peng chuckled, raising an eyebrow:
"Between you and me, why are you still being so polite? Or, did you just rescue your little sweetheart?"
Qi Wen-shu's face quickly turned red like a tomato. He fidgeted, awkwardly retorting:
"Big Brother, don't tease me like that! She and I don't know each other at all!"
"Oh, oh, I get it!" Zhu Peng nodded in agreement, but his expression was suggestive, causing the others to also look at Qi Wen-shu with suspicious eyes.
Qi Wen-shu held the bottle of pills, truly wanting to find a hole to crawl into.
Annoyed, he turned around and administered the medicine to the injured person, an action that brought another round of chuckles from those behind him.
Among the group, someone shyly approached Zhu Peng and spoke hesitantly:
"Leader Zhu, are you really planning to carry this burden with us through the desert?"
Zhu Peng looked at that person with displeasure and rebuked:
"Tao Zhong, what nonsense are you talking about? We've already pulled her out of the pit, are we just going to abandon her here?"
Tao Zhong pouted and retorted:
"But... our team's supplies are already scarce. If we bring her along, she'll be a huge burden. Not to mention encountering demonic beasts, she will definitely drag us down!"
Zhu Peng raised a hand to signal a stop and said sternly:
"Tao Zhong... you don't need to say anything more! I am the leader of this team, I make the decisions!"
Tao Zhong lowered his gaze upon hearing this and said sarcastically:
"If Leader Zhu has said so, then I cannot shamelessly remain here. I'll take my leave first!"
Zhu Peng replied coldly:
"I won't see you off."
Their connection was merely a chance encounter; this person had initially requested to accompany his group because of a mission from the Lin family.
During their travels, this person often did as they pleased, refuting everyone's suggestions, and was short on camaraderie but long on provocation.
He left of his own accord; Chu Bang couldn't have asked for more.
Seeing this, the others also let out a collective sigh of relief.