The car sped along the road, and by noon, they arrived at a great gorge surrounded by karst topography. There was no greenery in sight—the desertification was severe. Towering rocks with bizarre shapes were everywhere, and many sunken crevices, though not large, added an air of mystery. On the ridges on both sides, they could see guards with guns, standing watch, sotis in groups of three or five.
At the entrance to the gorge, more than a dozen ard sentries watched the approaching vehicle with caution. Next to the dirt road lay a dry riverbed, filled with exposed, parched stones. A light breeze swept through the gorge, stirring the withered reeds between the dry riverbed and the dirt road. The reeds were so dried out that a single spark could set them afla.
This should be the rainy season, so why was it so dry? Luo Zheng looked around at the terrain with a sense of suspicion, unable to fathom why the riverbed was dry. It felt off because they had seen plenty of rivers along the way with rapid currents. What was happening here?
However, this wasn't the ti to investigate further. A person who seed to be the leader approached, and Ghost Hand quickly got out of the car, holding a pass slip. He raised his hand slightly, indicating no hostility, and walked forward slowly. He stopped about three ters away from the other party, waiting.
Ghost Hand had done this many tis along the way and had beco experienced. The leader looked him over warily before taking the pass slip, scrutinizing it for a while. He accepted the hundred ters of gold that Ghost Hand handed over, gave back the pass slip, and impatiently signaled for Ghost Hand to leave.
Ghost Hand took back the pass slip and put it away, not leaving imdiately. He raised an eyebrow and said seriously, "I'm here to buy jewels. Not welco?"
The leader, unsure of which tribe Ghost Hand ant to buy jewels from, impatiently signaled for him to leave. But upon hearing Ghost Hand's words, he paused in surprise. Ghost Hand could tell that the man understood the international lingua franca, so he offered a hundred-unit bill, smiling as he said, "I've heard your tribe's gems are of the highest quality and best price. Is it true? I've co to check. Not welco?"
The leader accepted the money handed over by Luo Zheng, his expression serious as he looked them over. He gestured for them to wait, quickly returned to the post, and quietly spoke into a radio. Ghost Hand knew he was communicating with soone, and he gave Luo Zheng, inside the car, a aningful glance, indicating to wait patiently.
After a while, the leader returned and said coldly, "Get out of the car and follow ." With a gesture to his subordinates, the ard n lowered their weapons and silently watched Luo Zheng and the others.
Luo Zheng told Madela in the backseat, "Let's go, get out, and be careful." He opened the car door and got out on his own, heading towards Ghost Hand. Madela, already wearing a silicone mask, closely followed. The three walked up and were stopped at a barrier for a body search, where they cooperated by raising their hands slightly.
They carried no weapons, and though the signal device was found, the guards could not discern what it was. Seeing it wasn't a weapon, they didn't confiscate it and let them pass. Luo Zheng, glad to have passed with the signal device, knew that as long as they had it, gathering intelligence wouldn't be a problem as they approached the leader.
The leader led the way, occasionally glancing back at Luo Zheng, Ghost Hand, and Madela trailing behind. Five ard n followed, maintaining a five or six-ter distance, with their weapons not aid but their alertness heightened.
"These people are very cautious. Proceed carefully," Luo Zheng whispered, pretending to glance around casually and morizing the surroundings. Observing the terrain had beco a habit of his, a crucial skill for survival in critical monts. The further they went, the heavier his expression beca.
The terrain ahead was unchanged, with severe desertification in the hills, but more sentries were noticeable on the slopes. The leader guided them along a sloped mountain ridge, continuing forward without unnecessary words. After about ten more minutes, a valley appeared ahead, containing a large lake surrounded by lush greenery and many houses, vibrant with life.
The valley was expansive, bustling with activity. Near the lake, several large buildings were constructed from wood and earth in prominent locations, ard guards positioned around them. Luo Zheng realized instantly that this was Kanbus and exchanged a glance with Madela.
Madela nodded in understanding, and Luo Zheng continued to survey the area, sensing hidden watchers in the hills around them. Because no order had been given, they remained inactive. Further away, towering mountain crevices exuded grandeur and offered complex, variable terrain advantageous for hiding troops. His face grew grave with the realization, and he signaled to Ghost Hand, who nodded in understanding as they cautiously followed their guide.
Soon, they descended into the valley via the slope, following the lakeshore forward. It was only then that Luo Zheng discovered the river had been damd to form the lake, which explained the lack of water downstream. The skill required for such an endeavor suggested this tribe was no ordinary group of bandits, but rather, they had foresight and sophistication.
Along the way, nurous ard personnel watched the trio with alert, silent scrutiny. Their deanor was highly disciplined, resembling that of military soldiers, a discovery that left Luo Zheng even more astonished and feeling the situation increasingly tricky as they continued following the leader.
They arrived at the entrance of a larger wooden house. Soone erged, scrutinizing Luo Zheng and the others cautiously before gesturing dismissively. The leader, acknowledging respectfully, left hurriedly. Observing Luo Zheng, the person asked in broken international lingua franca, "Are you the leader?"
Luo Zheng, surprised that the man recognized him as the leader so quickly, was more cautious internally but maintained a calm deanor, replying, "I am. And you are?"
"Co with ," the person said without explanation, motioning them inside.
Luo Zheng exchanged a glance with Ghost Hand and Madela before following the man into the wooden house. Inside, a small group was seated, dressed in black robes and headscarves, all appearing over forty. In the center, a roast was cooking, alongside several jugs of unknown contents.
The house had no furniture, appearing very simple. These people all looked up at Luo Zheng with cautious eyes. One of them stood, gesturing for the escort to leave, and scrutinized Luo Zheng before speaking with fluent international lingua franca, "Honored guest, state your purpose."
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