The group arrived in Xinjiang, and the team split into two.
Professor Chen and Hao Ai Guo went to prepare supplies, while Lu Feng took Sherry, Hu Ba Yi, and Wang Pang Zi to find a guide for the desert.
Water shortage, high temperature, quicksand, sandstorms, poisonous snakes and insects, and getting lost, all posed serious dangers.
The danger level was even higher during the wind season.
Local guides would not enter the desert during the wind season.
“Our best guide is An Li Man, he's the living map of the desert,”
“He took foreigners into the desert a few days ago, and he was the only one who came back.”
“Although the investigation is over, his suspicion has not been completely cleared. It's up to you whether you want to use him.”
The staff member in charge of receiving the archaeological team said.
“Please take us to him.”
“Follow me.”
“Can you tell us about him?”
“He was originally a teacher, but somehow became a guide. He has a special affection for camels.”
“It is said that once he nearly died in the desert, and a white camel saved him. It's a legend.”
“But, over the years, the camels he raised are all excellent, very famous in our area.”
Lu Feng followed the staff member and found An Li Man, who was feeding dozens of camels with fodder, muttering something about them being too thin.
“An Li Man, someone is looking for you.”
“Who is it?”
“It's them.”
“What do you want?”
An Li Man had received too many tourists, so he was used to people coming to him.
Lu Feng deliberately looked at An Li Man’s neck and found a silver ring.
Hu Ba Yi also noticed the silver ring, feeling it was similar to the one Da Jin Ya sold to foreigners. After closer examination, he thought it was a funerary object.
“An Li Man, we came with the archaeological team. The team is preparing to enter the desert and wants you to be their guide,” Lu Feng said.
“When?”
“Now.”
“Now?”
An Li Man was stunned, then repeatedly shook his head: “It's the wind season now, no, no, I won't go.”
“Why?” Sherry Yang became anxious.
“It's the wind season, you can't enter the desert. Hu Da, the old man, will be angry.” An Li Man said.
“Who's Hu Da? Do we need his permission to enter the desert?” Wang Pang Zi was puzzled.
“Hu Da is the true god they believe in,” Lu Feng said.
“True god? Oh.”
Wang Pang Zi nodded quickly.
Hu Ba Yi kicked him without a word, Wang Pang Zi looked aggrieved, he didn't know about this.
“Uncle An Li Man, I can pay double the price,” Sherry Yang said.
“No, no.”
“Triple.”
“No, no.”
“Five times!”
“No.”
An Li Man was greedy, but he also valued his life.
Sherry Yang furrowed her brows: “Uncle An Li Man, as long as you go into the desert with us, I will buy all your camels at double the price when I come back.”
“You insist on going into the desert now?”
“Yes.”
An Li Man was tempted, but still waved his hand in refusal: “You go, I can't go. I advise you not to go either, be careful you won't come back.”
Sherry Yang's face turned dark, was he too greedy, wanting her to raise the price: “Tell me a price——”
Lu Feng stopped Sherry with his hand and pulled An Li Man aside, whispering: “The silver ring you wear, it's from the foreigners a few days ago, right?”
“What are you saying, I don't understand.”
“My friend saw this thing sold to foreigners, if my friend reports you, you'll be accused of murder for profit.”
“This is one of the rewards the foreigners gave me.”
“Who would believe that?”
An Li Man's face changed: “You! What are you trying to do?”
“Take us into the desert, that's all.”
“...Alright.”
An Li Man reluctantly agreed: “I'll just lead you, I can't be responsible for anything that happens along the way. Don't blame me if you die.”
“As long as you don't play any tricks.”
“When?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Good!”
Lu Feng smiled when he heard this, and said to Sherry, Hu Ba Yi, and Pang Zi: “An Li Man has agreed to enter the desert. Let's inform Professor Chen and the others.”
“What did you tell him?” Sherry asked in confusion.
“Didn't he take a group of foreigners into the desert, and the silver ring on him was the foreigner's. What do you think will happen if I spread this news? Won't he be accused of murder for profit?” Lu Feng said.
“Then why are we still using him as a guide? What if he does the same to us,” Xue Er Yang was shocked.
“Those foreigners had guns and explosives, An Li Man couldn't murder them for profit. He just quietly ran back after reaching a point he didn't want to go further.”
“He ran away?”
“There's another reason, those people are foreign tomb robbers, An Li Man didn't want them to succeed.” Lu Feng paused for a moment before continuing, “Do you think he can escape in front of me?”
Sherry Yang was shocked. How did Lu Feng know so much?
Thinking about Lu Feng's strength, she wasn't afraid of An Li Man playing any tricks.
“Thanks to you this time.”
“It's nothing.”
Lu Feng said casually: “You have time, give the archaeological team a lesson on how dangerous the desert is, to avoid them dragging their feet later.”
“No way?”
“It's better to say it upfront. I will warn you if I find danger, but if they don't listen, they will bear the consequences.” Lu Feng finished and left.
Sherry Yang pondered for a moment and went back to give Hao Ai Guo, Sa Di Peng, and the others a briefing on the dangers of the desert.
“Miss Yang, rest assured, we are not afraid of hardship, we can endure any hardship for the sake of archaeology.” Sa Di Peng said.
“We've been waiting for this day for a long time.” Ye Yi Xin said.
“This is our research project, we won't be defeated by difficulties!” Chu Jian said.
Sherry Yang nodded, she felt there was no problem.
When the appointed time came.
Everyone got on camels, carrying supplies for twenty days, and set off towards Bosten Lake.
The yellow sand filled the sky.
Vast and boundless.
It stretched as far as the eye could see, with sand dunes stretching endlessly. The chest felt as if it had been opened, humans seemed so insignificant in front of it.
“So beautiful!”
Ye Yi Xin cheered from her camel.
Sa Di Peng and Chu Jian also felt fresh, they chatted and laughed all the way, even singing. The three of them seemed to be on a tour rather than archaeology.
They camped in the desert that night.
Ye Yi Xin, Chu Jian, and Sa Di Peng actually washed their hands with water.
“You'll die of thirst if you waste water in the desert, I advise you to be economical.” Lu Feng frowned.
“Lu Feng, An Li Man can find water, what are you afraid of?”
“Heh.”
Lu Feng said no more.
It's hard to advise a stubborn ghost.
Two days later.
The novelty wore off, and they all started to trudge along.
The wind and sand became stronger, the perceived temperature rose, and the water resources were consumed rapidly.