As the night gradually enveloped the vast desert, a silver moon hung high in the distant sky, bathing the earth in a cool, gentle radiance. The desolate sands were devoid of human activity, but atop a small hill, flickering lights and the lively chatter of people could be seen, the sound breaking the silence and coldness of the area. In the camp atop the hill, several large bonfires cast a bright light, illuminating the entire encampment. People gathered around these fires, holding jugs of wine, laughing heartily, and clinking their jugs together before drinking them down amidst the cheers and applause.
Xiao Yan sat beside the fire, smiling as he watched the burly men around him, their faces flushed from the alcohol. This kind of atmosphere was something he rarely experienced. “Brother Xiao Yan, here, have a drink, warm yourself up. It gets cold out here in the desert,” a voice suddenly spoke as he was stoking the fire. A wineskin then flew over. He reached out and caught it, raising his gaze to Han Chong, who was red-faced from drinking. “Thanks, Big Brother Han.” He said with a smile, lifting the wineskin and taking a generous swig. The fiery sensation spread through his chest, making his face flush.
“Ha! Xiao Yan, you’re not bad at all. You’ve got some manly spirit in you,” several of the guards from the Han family exclaimed, impressed by how much of the potent liquor he had just drunk. Xiao Yan smiled at them, about to say something when the tent at the center of the camp was suddenly opened. Bathed in the moonlight, the enchanting figure that appeared was none other than Han Xue. At that moment, Han Xue seemed to have just bathed; her smooth, dark hair slightly damp, cascading around her, adding a touch of feminine charm. The sight of her made the younger guards’ hearts race.
Stepping out of the tent, Han Xue’s eyes swept over the campsite casually, then she moved to sit near one of the bonfires not far from Xiao Yan and the others. She took out a dagger and cut a piece of roasted meat from the spit, gracefully placing it into her mouth, her elegant demeanor contrasting sharply with the rough manners of the men around her. Yet, it could not be denied that she was extraordinarily beautiful.
When Han Xue emerged, Han Chong and the others instinctively lowered their voices, their bawdy laughter dying down. Xiao Yan turned to look at her, the softness of her face under the firelight a stark contrast to her stern and cold demeanor during the day. “Heh, how about that? Entranced by the miss?” Han Chong leaned in, whispering with a teasing smirk.
Xiao Yan paused, then laughed and shook his head. “Don’t be shy, in the entire guard, everyone under thirty can’t escape Miss’ charm. But they know it can only stay in their hearts. Miss is already a Dou Wang at such a young age, with talent even higher than the first miss in the entire Han family. As guards, we can only dream about it—it’s like a toad trying to eat a swan,” Han Chong sighed, patting Xiao Yan’s shoulder.
Xiao Yan nodded, understanding that no matter how strong the Han family was, Han Xue, as the daughter of the household, would naturally hold a much higher status. Thus, the young guards who harbored affections for her would likely end up disappointed. “Though Miss is indeed nice. Though she’s strict, she is good to us. If a guard gets seriously injured on duty, she ensures the family provides financial support for their families. In other places, once someone is no longer useful, they are simply discarded without a second thought,” Han Chong explained.
Xiao Yan was surprised to hear that this seemingly cold woman had such a kind heart. Han Xue did not eat much, and soon stood up, her gaze sweeping over the camp. It paused on Han Chong, and she said softly, “Those on watch tonight must not drink. Others should take it easy. We will pass through the territory of the demonic snake Xi Mang tomorrow. Be careful.”
With that, she walked back into the tent, extinguishing the lamp inside. After she entered the tent, the relaxed atmosphere of the camp changed. Some men frowned and cursed softly. Xiao Yan could not quite make out what they were saying, but he heard something about the demonic snake, likely referring to the one Han Xue mentioned, Xi Mang.
“Ah, damn it, I nearly forgot that lecherous and depraved bastard. Alright, no more drinking. Double the night watch, and be on high alert,” Han Chong said, taking another swig of wine before tossing the wineskin aside and standing up to give orders. Hearing this, the men put down their drinks and dispersed to reinforce the camp’s defenses and set up sentries.
Looking at the camp’s now tense atmosphere, Xiao Yan was somewhat taken aback. “Big Brother Han, what is the demonic snake Xi Mang?” he asked. “Tomorrow, we will pass through a place called the Serpent Gorge, which is the territory of a demonic snake named Xi Mang. Although he has just reached Battle Emperor level, even peak Battle Emperors avoid confrontation with him. As a demonic snake, he controls all venomous snakes below the fourth rank in the Serpent Gorge. For years, caravans have had to pay a significant toll to pass safely. If they don’t, few come out alive,” Han Chong explained.
“A Battle Emperor-level demonic snake? And he’s smart enough to become a bandit chief?” Xiao Yan asked, astonished. “Sixth-ranked magical beasts generally have high intelligence, and Xi Mang has also consumed a demonic transformation pill, allowing him to change form partially. His intelligence is even higher than that of other sixth-ranked magical beasts,” Han Chong explained.
“Transformation pill? Can such a pill allow a magical beast to transform? I thought only transformation pills of the sixth grade could do that,” Xiao Yan asked, surprised. “The demonic transformation pill is a sixth-grade pill, with effects similar to the transformation pill, but it can only produce partial transformations. These pills are highly sought after among some magical beast clans,” Han Chong said.
Xiao Yan sighed in relief, understanding Han Xue’s and the others’ concerns. The strongest in their caravan, Han Xue, was only a Dou Wang, far weaker than Xi Mang. “Let’s hope that rascal doesn’t ask too much tomorrow. Xiao Yan, go rest. I need to make sure our defenses are strong,” Han Chong said, patting Xiao Yan on the shoulder and heading out to check on the camp.
Xiao Yan returned to his tent, not yet ready to sleep. He retrieved a bottle of medicinal liquid he used to train in the magma world, applying it to his body. The cool sensation eased the pain inside, and he felt a gentle energy slowly seeping into his skin, healing his wounds. “In a few days, my injuries should be improving. Then I can accommodate Dou Qi again,” he thought, feeling more at ease. He put on his robe and sat cross-legged, entering a state of cultivation, carefully drawing energy from the environment to heal his body.
The next morning, as the camp began to stir, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, flexing his fist and feeling the diminished pain. He was surprised at his recovery speed, a result of his frequent injuries. He stepped out of the tent, offering to help Han Chong and the others. Knowing Han Xue’s temperament, Han Chong assigned him some light tasks.
After helping pack up, as he turned to leave, a faint fragrance wafted past him. Han Xue paused, her beautiful eyes glancing at him, her voice soft but firm, “Stay in the carriage today, don’t come out.”
Without giving Xiao Yan a chance to reply, she returned to her vehicle, and a cold, commanding voice echoed, “Move out!”
Watching the convoy creak forward, Xiao Yan’s lips twitched. She was indeed thoughtful. If anything happened, he decided, he would step in to help.
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