Desert.
Some people love the desert, while others fear it.
The desert is a place full of challenges.
Lin Changsheng was also in the desert for the first time. The scene before him made him think of the poem: “Lonely smoke straight up in the vast desert, a round setting sun over the long river.”
This perfectly describes the vastness of the desert.
However, there is a huge difference between the desert with the wind and the desert without wind.
The desert during the windy season is incredibly dangerous.
The group set off from Bosten Lake and traveled along the ancient course of the Peacock River.
“Didn’t you say the desert during the windy season is dangerous? I don’t see any danger here!” Chu Jian seemed unhappy about being told to retreat over and over again.
He thought they were all cowards!
Lin Changsheng heard Chu Jian’s loud shouting but did not respond. He would soon learn his arrogance was misplaced. The more arrogant he was now, the more miserable he would be later.
Time was still on their side.
The group traveled for a long time, and they finally stopped to rest in a flat area of the desert.
Ye Yixin, a member of the archaeological team, used her drinking water to wash her hands, like she was a pampered daughter of a wealthy family.
It’s important to remember that in the desert, water is more precious than gold.
When the sandstorm hits, Lin Changsheng guaranteed she would cry even harder.
Lin Changsheng called to Wang Fatty: “Fatty, keep an eye on our water. Don’t give it to anyone, no matter who asks!”
Wang Fatty nodded: “Understood, Young Master Lin. Don’t worry, I put it all at the bottom.”
This group of archaeologists thought they were on a vacation.
Shirley Yang took pictures with her camera, partly to avoid suspicion and partly to memorize the way back.
An Li Man pointed to the distant peaks: “See? Those two mountains are called the Holy Tomb Mountains. There are mushroom-shaped rocks eroded by the wind, four or five meters high.”
“Take as many pictures as you can while you still have the chance!”
He wouldn’t care about these people once they were in danger.
An Li Man saw Lin Changsheng walking up to him and said: “It’s not too late to regret it. This isn’t the real desert yet. If you get to the Black Desert, it’ll be a difficult situation.”
Lin Changsheng smiled calmly: “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe if I said I would.”
An Li Man shook his head. Although Lin Changsheng was rich and well-dressed, a lucky person blessed by Heaven, he was too young. He was barely able to take care of himself, let alone others.
After a short rest.
The group set off again.
…
The setting sun was like blood, sinking westward from the Jade Gate Pass.
The morning glow in the sky was red, and black clouds occasionally covered it.
Lin Changsheng could already feel the sand blowing.
An Li Man took out a blanket and knelt down to the northwest, praying devoutly.
Then, he quickly put away the blanket and rode his camel.
“The sandstorm is coming. Let’s go.”
Lin Changsheng immediately said: “Everyone get on your camels!”
“Fatty, watch the supplies.”
“Miss Yang, tell the archaeologists to follow. If they fall into the sandstorm, no one will save them!”
The group rode their camels and raced forward.
Professor Chen, however, couldn’t handle the rough ride. Chu Jian said: “Professor Chen is about to collapse. We need to stop and give him some water.”
Hu Ba Yi asked Lin Changsheng: “Young Master Lin, what do we do? These intellectuals are so fragile. We’ve warned them, but they won’t listen.”
Lin Changsheng said coldly: “Miss Yang, give them one minute. If you don’t want to leave after that, I will leave the team!”
Lin Changsheng’s tone was cold and unsympathetic. But he had actually done everything he could.
He had already warned them to stay home if they couldn’t handle the journey. They chose to come and now they were about to face the consequences of their own actions.
Ye Yixin, who was singing and humming about how beautiful the desert was earlier, now looked like she had lost half her life.
They drank a little water.
An Li Man immediately shouted: “The wind is coming, get on the camels!”
Lin Changsheng immediately glared at them: “Those who don’t want to die, hurry up!”
The group raced forward on their camels.
No one dared to contradict Lin Changsheng now.
The sand was flying in the air, and their vision became increasingly blurry.
Behind them, a black sandstorm was approaching, covering the sky.
Lin Changsheng looked ahead: “There’s an earthen wall ahead. Let’s take shelter there.”
An Li Man had no other choice.
They approached the wall and found that it was covering a buried house.
There was some space left, enough for everyone to rest for a while.
“Fatty, Lao Hu, bring the supplies inside,” said Lin Changsheng.
If they didn’t move the supplies inside with such a big sandstorm, they would be blown away soon.
Lin Changsheng helped An Li Man to secure the camels behind the wall.
After they moved the supplies inside, Lin Changsheng found some planks of wood to block the entrance.
Wang Fatty lay on the ground and let out a long sigh: “We’ve managed to save our lives for now. I warned you beforehand that the desert was no joke. Why did you still come?”
“Now look, who knows how long this sandstorm will last.”
“I think we’re going to be buried alive in the black sand.”
Professor Chen quickly apologized: “I’m so sorry. I’ve dragged you all down.”
Lin Changsheng looked at the archaeological team, their faces covered in sand and dirt, the arrogant expressions they had earlier replaced by defeat. They had learned their lesson.
“Stay here. I’m going to find some branches. The temperature difference between day and night is huge in the desert, we need a fire.”
Lin Changsheng watched the black sandstorm, it almost lifted him off his feet. It was truly a force beyond human control. Forget about a single person, even an entire army could vanish in the desert.
It was no wonder armies had disappeared in ancient times.
When Lin Changsheng returned with the branches, Ye Yixin screamed after she discovered some bones.
Lin Changsheng ordered: “Don’t think you’re safe just because you’re in here. Everyone takes turns to stand watch at night!”
“If anything happens, report it immediately!”
“Remember, I’m only saying this once. If you don’t listen, you’ll face the consequences.”
Lin Changsheng walked to Zhang Hai Xing’s side, watching her rubbing her eyes, he asked: “What’s wrong, Hai Xing?”
Zhang Hai Xing closed her eyes and said: “I got sand in my eye.”
“Let me blow it out for you.”
Watching Lin Changsheng blow sand out of Zhang Hai Xing’s eye, Shirley Yang felt a sudden uneasiness.
She didn’t know why.
Maybe it was because the camel ride was so bumpy.
“Fatty, divide the food. Let them replenish their energy,” Lin Changsheng then called out to Wang Fatty.
Hu Ba Yi took out some barley wine: “Young Master Lin, want some?”
Lin Changsheng took a sip and then lay down on the sand to rest.
He knew that this was just the beginning of the danger!
…
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