Half a month into the desert, they encountered a strange troop.
From a distance, Tu Ya and Hulan immediately ducked their heads like thieves and used the cloaks and scarves borrowed from Dong Huiying to hide their faces, as if they were afraid of being recognized by the other party.
Dong Huiying sat on a camel, gazing intently at the troop, whose leader held high a flag emblazoned with a fierce animal totem that was very familiar to her.
She remembered the now deceased Nu Woer.
When she was in the Golden Triangle, she had seen Nu Woer’s confidants wearing a similar badge.
After the troop passed by in the distance, Dong Huiying cast a fleeting glance at Tu Ya.
"Do you recognize those people?"
Tu Ya turned her head away, not very eager to answer.
The girl nicknamed Flay Dong said leisurely, "Hmm, it seems that you do recognize them. Coincidentally, I am not sure of the Kechar tribe’s location. Since they are acquaintances of yours, why don’t we stop them and have them lead us to Kechar?"
Before Tu Ya could speak, Hulan protested in a panic, "No, Little Sister Dong!"
After all, they had traveled together for these days, and although they knew little about Dong Huiying and her group, they were at least aware of their names.
Hulan’s face was pale with fear, "Those are followers of Nu Woer’s leader, our chief has always been at odds with her. If they discover us, they will surely capture us!"
Tu Ya’s face darkened, "Hulan!"
This fool had clearly been tricked!
The lady of the Kechar chieftain’s family was originally pampered, and probably hadn’t suffered much in her life. However, her coquettishness had almost completely worn off during these days, while her intelligence seemed to have increased.
Dong Huiying’s eyebrows lifted slightly, and she came to a further judgment in her heart.
In the desert, tribes were entrenched, with Nu Woer commanding a hundred thousand warriors who came from many smaller tribes allied with Nu Woer.
Dong Huiying then glanced at Hong Xiangjun, and the two exchanged a look.
This journey through the desert had different missions for each of them.
Dong Huiying’s mission was to find a "Witch" and a wood craftsman, while Hong Xiangjun’s purpose was for Hong Wenbin, who had been brought to the desert by Nu Woer years ago.
Dong Huiying said, "I estimate that in about two days or so, we should arrive at the Kechar tribe."
She unfolded a map; the map of the desert was quite simple since most of the area was blank desert. However, during the day, they could figure out directions by the position of the sun, and at night, they could observe the stars.
Dong Huiying carefully examined the map. These past days, they had taken a slight detour, but it wasn’t a big problem.
She rolled up the map and stored it securely.
The solitary smoke of the desert stood straight, and the long river sun set round.
She gazed at the distant yellow dust, her eyes filled with a nostalgic hue.
Time flew, months had passed since she left home. She missed them, and her heart was also concerned about Eldest husband Liang Zhichen, who had left without a word, so she sighed with heavy sadness.
A camel plodded along lazily to Dong Huiying’s side.
She turned her head and saw Mu Leng’s concerned look.
A small smile squeezed onto her cheeks, "I’m fine, don’t overthink it."
She gently grabbed his hand and squeezed his slightly rough palm.
In return, he gripped her hand with the same level of force when suddenly...
Tears welled up in her eyes, her breathing became rapid, her cheeks tinted with a flirty blush, and her skin began to grow increasingly warm.
Liang Haoming quickly dismounted from the camel, lifted her down, and with long strides, carried her over a small golden sand dune.