"We should be back in Hutou City in about a day," Xue Three said, passing a water pouch to Zheng Fan.
"I wonder how everything is going at the inn."
For Zheng Fan, it was instinctive to worry about his home—a feeling common to any man, or even a dog, especially when in a completely unfamiliar environment. This sense of attachment and concern only intensified.
"My lord, there's nothing to worry about. I bet the inn is perfectly fine," Xue Three chuckled. He and Liang Cheng had been having a thrilling time following their lord into battle against the barbarians. Meanwhile, he suspected that Blindie and the others back home hadn't been idle either. It felt as though they had all finally vented about half a year's worth of pent-up frustration.
"My lord, the wind is getting stronger. We should seek shelter; a sandstorm might be coming," warned Liang Cheng, who was always keeping an eye on the weather.
People who hadn't lived in a desert environment for long wouldn't understand how terrifying a sandstorm could be. A slight miscalculation could lead to losing one's direction in the storm. If luck was particularly bad, it wasn't impossible to be swallowed whole by it.
"Alright, let's find a place to take shelter."
Zheng Fan had learned to ride with Ah Qiu and Liang Cheng before, though he was merely competent. His two subordinates hadn't rushed him, however, and the past few days of travel had given him enough time to adapt. By now, he was becoming somewhat more skilled at riding.
The three of them found a spot on a half-slope. From a distance, it was hard to see clearly, but as they drew closer, they saw it was an abandoned building, likely deserted for some years. There were also traces of previous occupants, probably merchant caravans that had used it as a temporary shelter.
Liang Cheng went to tether their horses inside, while Xue Three began to arrange their resting spot.
After getting things settled, they all sat down and began to share their dry rations.
They had barely taken a couple of bites when the sandstorm hit. The sky instantly darkened, the wind howled, and dense sand, like rain, seemed to penetrate everything.
Fortunately, their current position was well-sheltered from the wind and sand, making it a rare pocket of tranquility amidst the raging storm.
"Sigh, I wonder if Ah Li is eating his fill now. Ah Li has a big appetite; it must be hard for him to eat well and get enough as a hired hand out there," Xue Three lamented suddenly.
Liang Cheng seemed to pause for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Yes."
Zheng Fan's ears were about to grow calluses. Since leaving Hutou City, Xue Three and Liang Cheng would talk about Fanli like this every day—morning, noon, and night—whenever they had the chance.
Did Fanli eat his fill today?
Did Fanli bathe today?
Did Fanli sleep well?
Anyone who didn't know better would think they were incredibly close brothers.
At first, Zheng Fan would nod along too.
Yes, Fanli has it tough.
Yes, Fanli's life is hard.
Yes, Fanli has sacrificed so much for us.
But gradually, Zheng Fan had grown numb to it.
And now, as they ate their dry rations, they were starting again.
Actually, Xue Three and Liang Cheng didn't want to bring this up every day either. But before they left, Blindie had specifically instructed them: everyone else had already received their 'boost' and recovered somewhat, but Fanli wasn't present. It was up to them and their lord, while they were out, to help Fanli by 'boosting' him from afar.
The most frustrating part was, because Fanli was with a merchant caravan and they didn't know his whereabouts, Xue Three and Liang Cheng couldn't even confirm if their remote 'boosting' was having any effect on Fanli, or if his strength had recovered at all.
To be on the safe side, they had to go through this routine every day.
They had it tough too...
"Let's rest after we finish eating," Zheng Fan suggested.
It was getting late, and no one knew how long the sandstorm would last. It seemed best to rest now and set off early tomorrow to continue their journey back.
"Alright, my lord. As you wish. I..."
Xue Three's gaze suddenly sharpened. He bit his lip, and with a flick of his wrists, two daggers appeared in his palms. His ears twitched.
Liang Cheng silently rose, his gaze fixed on the entrance, his fingernails slowly lengthening.
Zheng Fan, meanwhile, quickly unwrapped the saber from its coarse cloth binding and gripped the hilt tightly.
Outside, the sound of horses approached—it seemed a group of people was coming. But as they drew near, the sounds suddenly vanished.
Xue Three licked his lips and whispered, "Those people have discovered us."
Hearing this, Zheng Fan quickly assessed the situation. Most likely, another group caught in the sandstorm had sought shelter here, only to find it already occupied upon approach.
This wasn't Hutou City; this was the wilderness. There were no cameras, no surveillance, and no police officers standing guard in a nearby post.
The wilderness, he mused, was a lawless place. Especially in this kind of weather, whatever happened, the sandstorm would help cover all traces.
A figure walked in through the entrance—a woman dressed in a white robe.
This robe, Zheng Fan noted, was very similar in style to the sweatshirt he was wearing.
The woman stopped halfway in. Half of her face was hidden beneath a light veil, revealing only a pair of deep eyes.
Her gaze swept over Zheng Fan and his two companions. Then, she spoke.