A decision had been made—no matter how treacherous the road ahead, no matter the lingering sorrows.
A decision had been made—no matter the burdens of the past, no matter the shadows in their memories.
It had long been decided: as long as you don’t leave me, I won’t leave you.
As long as time keeps flowing, as long as fate keeps turning,
I can momentarily forget,
I can momentarily leave behind—
The songs once scattered by the desert winds…
About fifty li from Ruo Wen’s camp, another group of men and horses was approaching. Judging by their attire, they were also bandits, though their equipment and demeanor paled in comparison to Ruo Wen’s group.
In some ways, the life of desert bandits was even harder than that of the slave tribes. They had no oasis of their own, no means of production. Most of them were ragtag outcasts, and their only means of survival was through violent robbery.
"Who goes there?"
A raspy voice called out from the group as the bandits quickly surrounded Qing Yun and Huang Bei Shuang.
"What now?" Huang Bei Shuang asked in a low voice.
"We can either fight our way out or negotiate," Qing Yun replied calmly, adjusting the reins in his hand.
"Why are there so many bandits in this area?" Huang Bei Shuang asked, growing anxious.
"Probably because word got out that Ruo Wen looted some valuable goods. They’ve come to claim a share," Qing Yun smirked.
"You mean they’re planning to attack Ruo Wen?"
"It’s possible," Qing Yun said with a grin, his arm tightening around Huang Bei Shuang’s waist as they remained seated on the horse, casually conversing. "Bandits often prey on each other."
"Have you finished your chatter? Get off the horse, now! Or I’ll split you in two!" The leader of the bandits, a coarse-looking man with a large knife, barked the order, and the lackeys around him began to stir, their faces twisted in vicious expressions.
"Stay still!" Qing Yun pressed Huang Bei Shuang down as she prepared to dismount. In that instant, Fei Ta reared back, its powerful hind legs kicking out in a circle, knocking the surrounding bandits to the ground. The horse seemed quite pleased with itself, snorting air through its nostrils.
Now, Qing Yun and Huang Bei Shuang sat tall on the horse, looking down at the bandits with an imposing presence.
"What’s going on? Weren’t we supposed to be looking for Ruo Wen? Why are you blocking these two?" A disheveled man, who appeared to be the leader, stumbled out. His eyes were dull, and his wild hair stood on end—far less intimidating than Ruo Wen.
"What are you two up to? The lady’s quite the beauty!" He hunched over as he approached, leering at Huang Bei Shuang. "What’re you doing up there? Think you’re some kind of big shot? Get down already!"
Qing Yun looked at him, then suddenly chuckled mockingly.
"What’re you laughing at?" The leader shuddered slightly, perhaps feeling provoked. He coughed harshly.
"A bunch of spineless, incompetent cowards, and you dare block my way?" Qing Yun’s eyes flashed dangerously. The leader instinctively took a step back but then remembered he had the upper hand in numbers. Emboldened, he waved his arms and shouted, "Get them!"
Before anyone could take a step, Qing Yun had already dismounted. In one swift motion, his fingers closed around the leader’s throat, tightening just enough to make it clear that he could end the man’s life with ease. The bandits froze, too shocked to move, waiting for their leader’s command.
"Stand down! Everyone, back off!" The leader, now gasping for breath, quickly realized that Qing Yun was no ordinary opponent—he was a seasoned killer, and any mistake could be fatal. He barked the order to retreat, his voice trembling.
"Hmm, at least you’re smart," Qing Yun said as he released his grip. "What business do you have with Ruo Wen?"
The leader, still shaken, answered honestly, "We’ve got no choice. Ruo Wen’s crew is the strongest in the northern desert now. His gang might not be the biggest, but he controls all the major robberies within a hundred li. None of us can survive with him around, and no one’s brave enough to challenge him. So, I’ve brought my men to join him—otherwise, we’ll all starve!"
His explanation sounded genuine, filled with the resignation of someone with no other options.
Qing Yun’s eyes gleamed for a moment. "How many men do you have?"
"Around three hundred!" the leader replied.
"Not quite," Huang Bei Shuang interrupted. She jumped down from the horse and approached the leader, her movements slow and deliberate. Standing in front of him, she lifted his eyelids and examined him for a moment before smiling and returning to Qing Yun’s side.
"Five hundred and nineteen men, and you claim three hundred? What’s your real plan?" she asked, her tone playful yet sharp.
The leader blinked, taken aback by her scrutiny, and gave a sly grin. "Ah, my lady, I must’ve gotten confused. Who can keep track of such numbers? But you, my lady, have sharp eyes—able to see right through people, horses, and everything else!" Internally, he cursed his luck. Why did I have to run into these cursed people today?
Huang Bei Shuang noticed his eyes darting around, clearly calculating his next move, but she didn’t bother confronting him further. Instead, she simply said, "The sun’s almost overhead. Shouldn’t you be getting ready?"
At her words, the bandits froze, staring at her in stunned silence.
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