Xu Lang's request was not excessive. After a brief discussion, Shirley Yang and Professor Chen agreed to his terms.
After a long journey, the group finally reached their destination before nightfall.
Sa Di Peng found a guesthouse, a public lodging house. The local leaders were very enthusiastic when they heard that professors from the capital were coming to the desert for an expedition, and they arranged everything warmly.
In the evening, Shirley Yang found Xu Lang again. The two sat down in a quiet place.
Shirley Yang said, "We're going into the desert next. I want to have a good chat with you this time. I hope you'll take this seriously. There are some things I've been wanting to say for a long time."
Xu Lang looked at Shirley Yang's serious expression and laughed, "What's with all the seriousness? Do you like me and want to confess your feelings?"
Shirley Yang said, "You seem to have a good relationship with Mr. Hu and the others. I don't understand why they trust you so much. When you encountered the prehistoric giant salamander, they believed you could come back alive. That requires more than just trust."
Xu Lang countered, "In that kind of crisis, did you have any better choices?"
Shirley Yang replied, "It was the best choice, but it doesn't seem the most logical one to me. I'm very curious, what gave you the confidence to face that ferocious prehistoric giant salamander alone? I'm curious about what happened to that salamander."
"We've been traveling together, and although we haven't known each other for long, I can tell you're hiding something. It's not difficult to see that. There are some things I really can't understand, so I have to ask you directly."
"Whether it's your knowledge of the Dapeng ghost insects, your calm judgment in the face of danger, or your composure when you faced the prehistoric giant salamander alone, I don't know if you're just overly rational and calm, or if you're just overconfident."
"I've never met anyone like you. It's as if everything is under your control. You always make the most accurate judgments at the most dangerous times. It's a feeling that is both reassuring and frightening."
"Even your actions in the underground river, it's hard for a normal person to hold their breath underwater for that long, but you're completely different. You can not only stay underwater for that long, but you even have time to take advantage of me..."
"What I find most strange is that in the Nine-Story Demon Tower, you just closed your eyes for a short time, but you directly found the notebook beside that corpse. I can't understand how you did it, unless you knew where it was all along."
"Xu Lang, who are you really? How much do you know? I'm so curious about you. I have this irresistible urge to find out. I know a little about your past, and your experiences are very simple, which itself is very illogical."
"If possible, I sincerely hope we can talk frankly. Whatever your requirements or conditions, we can discuss them."
Hearing Shirley Yang say so much, Xu Lang was also very surprised. He thought to himself, this little girl is really a little scary.
Although he knew this girl was very observant and intelligent, a combination of beauty and brains, he had expected that he would eventually expose some things. But he didn't expect to expose so much unintentionally and for her to discover it so quickly.
Xu Lang remained silent for a moment, then said, "Being able to calmly deal with danger is something I developed after experiencing many crises with the Wolfpack. It's normal for Lao Hu and the others to have faith in me, knowing my skills."
"You said I closed my eyes in the Nine-Story Demon Tower, but it was because I was staring at the fireflies for a while and they were making my eyes blurry, so I took a break. As for the situation underwater, it's because I'm young and healthy, and I have naturally strong lung capacity."
"As for directly going to find that notebook, I've had excellent eyesight since I was a kid. I just saw a briefcase, and the notebook happened to be in that briefcase."
Hearing Xu Lang's explanation, Shirley Yang smiled slightly and said, "Your explanation makes sense, but I feel like you're lying."
Xu Lang spread his hands and laughed, "Actually, I am lying. And I also know many secrets of this world. But I just don't want to tell you. Are you disappointed that you didn't get anything out of me?"
Shirley Yang smiled helplessly and got up, saying, "I'll leave you to it. Get some rest..."
Xu Lang chuckled and stood up, saying, "Do you like me?"
He didn't wait for Shirley Yang's answer and turned to walk towards his room.
With his back to Shirley Yang, Xu Lang continued, "You're pretty good. There's still a chance. I like pretty girls."
By the time Shirley Yang recovered, Xu Lang had already returned to his room.
The next day, morning.
After a night's rest, everyone's spirits were quite good. They went together to find the local leader.
Zhao Kezhang, the local leader, immediately expressed his full cooperation when he heard that professors from the capital were coming. He was a good leader who understood the importance of human relationships.
Zhao Kezhang told them that the most experienced local guide was An Li Man.
An Li Man means "living map in the desert" in Uyghur. He is famous in the area. Not only does he have rich desert survival experience and knowledge of everything in the desert, but he also raises excellent camels.
Without a doubt, this was the guide they were looking for!
Xu Lang had a strong impression of An Li Man. This old man was very interesting.
The phrase "Friends, right?" left a lasting impression on many.
However, An Li Man's character seemed a little questionable. Not long ago, a group of foreigners hired him as a guide. But after a few days, An Li Man returned alone.
The foreigners were nowhere to be found, and he wouldn't say a word about what happened.
Then, An Li Man was detained by the local authorities for questioning and investigation. He was currently drinking tea at the police station.
The station commander revealed that the reason might be that they couldn't agree on the price, so An Li Man left the foreigners in the desert.
Lao Hu thought more deeply. He was more inclined to believe that the foreigners might have died in the desert.
After all, it was the windy season. It was not uncommon for people to die in the desert. In recent years, many people have been searching for the City of the Lost, either failing to find it or dying in the desert.
Precisely because of the windy season, there were hardly any guides willing to venture into the desert, so the group had no choice.
Everyone agreed to meet this old man first and then make a decision.
Not long after, Xu Lang and the others were brought to a small room. An old man was praying devoutly inside, it was unclear what religion he followed, but he looked extremely sincere as he prayed.
An Li Man was about sixty years old. He was very strong, at least stronger than Professor Chen. His attire was very unique and had a strong "desert" feel. Xu Lang's gaze swept across the room, and An Li Man's necklace caught his attention. He exchanged glances with Lao Hu.
Clearly, Lao Hu had also noticed it.
An Li Man's necklace was the same as Big Gold Tooth's, almost identical.
However, Xu Lang didn't know what this necklace represented. He hadn't asked Lao Hu about it before.
PS: The book will probably be put on sale in the next two days. There will be at least ten chapters on the day of release. Thank you to all the bosses for your collections and flowers. I hope you will also give me a first-order subscription, so that I have the motivation to keep writing.