On the peaceful hills, not a soul was visible, not even a single bird could be seen. The view was wide open, grass growing abundantly, and not a tree in sight. White clouds leisurely drifted across the sky, while the high-hanging sun illuminated this hilly region with a touch of serenity and warmth, creating a scene of tranquility isolated from the world.
But Luo Zheng, leading the group forward, suddenly raised his hand, signaling to stop. He lifted his hands slightly to show he ant no harm, his tiger-like eyes narrowed, focusing on a mound ahead. The mound rose about three ters from the ground, the size of a house, seemingly quiet, but Luo Zheng sharply sensed the killing intent lurking behind it.
Having long struggled on the battlefront between life and death, Luo Zheng was acutely sensitive to such dangerous killing intent. Ghost Hand was no exception, he softly instructed Zhong Hai and Yu Xin not to move, then hung his gun around his neck, lifting his hands slightly to show goodwill, and softly said to the mound, "Brother, should I go up?"
"No need for now, let's first figure out their identity. Be careful, though this is the territory of the Basto Tribe, there could still be Hariri's n," Luo Zheng whispered, keeping a tight stare on the mound ahead, his body tensed and slightly crouched, ready to react at any mont.
From the silent mound erged an ard personnel, jogging quickly forward with a gun in hand and a vigilant gaze toward Luo Zheng. As he got closer, the vigilance in his eyes eased, replaced with a hint of joy as he babbled away. Seeing Luo Zheng's bewildered expression, realizing communication was futile because he couldn't understand, he awkwardly smiled and resorted to gestures.
Luo Zheng saw the joyful and non-hostile expression, along with the anxious gestures urging him to follow. Recognizing it was soone from the Basto Tribe who identified him, he secretly sighed in relief, gesturing for them to lead the way, while saying to those behind him, "Everyone, follow along."
The ard personnel led the way, taking out a walkie-talkie to communicate with others. Shortly after, several people erged from the mound, each excitedly looking at Luo Zheng, clearly recognizing him. Luo Zheng had been to the Basto Tribe before, so it made sense they knew him.
However, Luo Zheng had no recollection of these people, but it didn't matter. Half of the ard personnel stayed behind to continue lurking, while the others accompanied the group forward, babbling on together. Unfortunately, Luo Zheng understood none of it. Nearby, Yu Xin quickened his pace and spoke softly to Luo Zheng, "They recognized you and praised you, saying you led them to victory."
"You understand their language?" Luo Zheng asked in surprise.
"Yes, but communication is tough, their language is too complex to learn. Having been here for three years, engaging with them daily, the dical team can mostly comprehend a bit of their language," Yu Xin explained.
"I see, don't let this out. Pay attention to what they're saying and inform if anything seems odd. We're in dangerous territory, we must be cautious," Luo Zheng said with delight.
"Sure, they're saying you're impressive, and that this battle is definitely won," Yu Xin replied.
Luo Zheng acknowledged, glancing at the direction where gunfire sounded fiercely, his expression turning serious. After a while, a group appeared ahead, consisting of dozens, all riding cals and ard with guns, rushing over while shouting. The ard personnel escorting them cheerfully shouted out.
"It's the clan leader's guard, here to greet us," Yu Xin quickly explained as Luo Zheng looked over.
"That's good," Luo Zheng relaxed.
Before long, the cal team arrived swiftly, stopping before them. So ca forward to greet, resorting to a mix of gestures, but their gestures lacked professionalism and were hard to understand, prompting anxiety in their eyes, yet filled with respect. Yu Xin quietly reminded, "These people are inviting us to ride cals to the tribe."
Luo Zheng grasped the situation, signaling everyone to join them on the cals. Accepting the water and food they offered, he began eating as they rode forward. Though not accustod to cal riding, at least they didn't have to walk. These people noticed Luo Zheng and the others struggled with cal riding, deliberately slowing their pace.
After about half an hour, they arrived again at the tribal gathering area from last ti. Luo Zheng saw an elder coming out to greet, seated in a wooden wheelchair pushed by soone, wrapped in wolf fur, his face excited yet his eyes calm. Luo Zheng had t this elder before, he was Basto, Bar's father.
Luo Zheng dismounted the cal and approached the elder, politely saying, "Old clan leader, thank you for your welco."
The other gestured, pointing at his ears to indicate he couldn't understand, leaving Luo Zheng speechless. Old clan leader Basto said a few things, and the welcoming team began to orderly withdraw. Everyone gathered around Luo Zheng and the others, ushering them into a spacious wooden house, furnished simply, with various foods brought in by so.
Once everything was arranged and people had left, the old clan leader spoke a few words, perhaps realizing Luo Zheng couldn't understand him, and let those beside him push him away. Luo Zheng sighed, acknowledging the trouble with language barriers, and looked to Yu Xin, who smiled and said, "It's fine, they respect you highly, claiming you brought them good fortune and a happy life as their most esteed guest."
"Didn't see the dical team, seems they've been dispatched out, that's a good thing," Luo Zheng said with a smile, and turned to Ghost Hand, pondering before saying softly, "Take care of these two here, I'll head to the front line."
"I'll go with you," Ghost Hand quickly replied.
"I'm uneasy with them here. You stay," Luo Zheng said earnestly.
Just as the words left his mouth, soone ca in carrying hot water, clean clothes, and towels. A portly middle-aged man followed, speaking in sowhat clumsy international lingua franca, "Honorable guest, I'm a trader passing through this tribe, entrusted by the clan leader to greet you. If you need anything, just say."
"Is there fighting at the front line? I need to go over," Luo Zheng urgently said upon seeing soone he could communicate with.
"I'll relay your request to the clan leader imdiately. However, the clan leader's intention is for you to rest here peacefully, eat sothing, and not worry about the battle. Once you're well-fed and rested, we'll discuss further," the other quickly replied.
Luo Zheng pondered, letting the other leave first, while Ghost Hand softly said, "The battle situation can be monitored via satellite. You've been tired the whole day, your energy drained significantly, and given your current state, it's indeed not suitable to head to the battlefield. Let's eat first, no harm in taking so ti."
"Alright then," Luo Zheng casually agreed, realizing that he couldn't resolve much even if he went to handle large-scale fights. Exhaling deeply, he said, "Co on, everyone, eat sothing, and have a hot bath. I'll step out for a mont," and with that, he got up and walked outside, turning on the signal device.
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