Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 410 Cao Family Caravan

Time flew by, and six days passed in a flash. During these six days, Lin Feng had traveled non-stop through dense jungles and crossed turbulent rivers. Now, he had stepped into the northwestern desert.

In this desolate desert, time seemed to slow to a crawl, every minute and every second a torture. Lin Feng had been trudging for four days, yet he hadn't seen a single sign of life. His body was gradually weakening, and despite his Qi protecting him, the prolonged exhaustion left him in urgent need of water and food.

"This damn place, how come there's not even a soul in sight?" Lin Feng cursed softly, his eyes revealing a trace of exhaustion and helplessness. His throat was so dry it felt like smoking, and every swallow felt like swallowing sandpaper, the pain was unbearable. He kept looking back, filled with fear and vigilance, fearing that the five masters would suddenly burst out from the sea of ​​sand behind him. "I can't let them catch up. I have too much to do." He vowed silently in his heart, clenched his fists, and unconsciously quickened his pace.

Just when he felt despair, fate seemed to take a turn for the better.

On the distant horizon, a caravan, like a long, winding dragon, slowly approached. It consisted of more than twenty people, each leading a camel, its backs laden with a variety of supplies. The camels moved steadily across the yellow sand, their humps swaying slightly with each step, like two moving hills. The camel bells rang with a clear, ringing sound, resonating in the silent desert like the sound of nature, bringing a touch of life and vitality to this dead world.

The caravan arrived at an ancient ruin. It was surrounded by crumbling walls. While the walls still barely stood, the roofs had long since been blown away by the winds of time, leaving only an empty and desolate scene. The caravan members were clearly familiar with the area. They expertly led their camels aside and began to methodically arrange their rest and recuperation.

Amidst the crowd, a young woman and a man in his forties stood out. Standing in the center of the camp, their gazes firm and confident, they issued commands from time to time, and everyone obeyed respectfully. Clearly, they were the leaders of this caravan.

The young woman had a graceful figure, delicate features, and bright, large eyes that betrayed intelligence and competence. Her skin, slightly tanned by the sun, didn't diminish her beauty in the slightest. She wore a light men's suit, cinched by a wide belt, adding to her heroic presence. At that moment, she was carefully surveying the camp's layout, her brow furrowed slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Everyone, hurry up! First, settle the camels, then light a fire and cook." The young woman's clear voice echoed through the ruins, as sweet as a silver bell. Although her voice was not loud, it was full of majesty, and no one dared to disobey.

"Yes, Miss." Everyone responded in unison and got busy.

Soon, the camels were neatly lined up, lying on the sand, chewing their cud, their eyes revealing a sense of peace. Several bonfires were burning brightly in the camp, their flames licking the night sky, dispelling some of the chill. As the sun set, the sky was dyed a brilliant red, reflecting the bonfires in the camp, creating a beautiful and vibrant scene.

Cao Ling, a young woman of nineteen, stood quietly in the center of the camp. Her lustrous black hair, slightly tousled by the gentle breeze and sand, added a unique charm to her. Despite the harsh desert environment, she wore thick clothing to protect against the biting wind and the swirling yellow sand, but it couldn't completely hide her graceful and alluring figure. She was like a delicate flower growing tenaciously in the desolate land, blooming with her own unique beauty even in the face of the raging wind.

Cao Xun, the second elder of the Cao family in Lingyuan City, stood tall and imposing. His deep eyes revealed a calmness and wisdom tempered by time, as if nothing in the world could escape his keen insight. At this moment, he was walking slowly through the camp, his hands behind his back, commanding the troops in an orderly manner. The aura of authority emanating from his every move filled those around him with awe.

"Second Elder, everything is settled now." Cao Mo trotted over to Cao Xun and said respectfully. Cao Mo was an old servant of the Cao family. His face looked slightly weathered, and the years had carved deep wrinkles on his face, as if telling of the hardship he had silently dedicated to the Cao family over the years. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with humility and awe. His posture was like an old tree that had been swaying in the wind and rain for many years. Although it had experienced countless hardships, it still adhered to its duties and was loyal to its master.

"Okay, Cao Mo, you should sit down and eat too." Cao Xun stopped and turned slightly to look at Cao Mo. A kind smile appeared on his face, and his eyes revealed a hint of concern and warmth. In his heart, Cao Mo was not just an ordinary servant, but also a member of the Cao family for many years. He had always seen Cao Mo's hard work and kept it in his heart.

After hearing what Cao Xun said, Cao Mo was immediately flattered. A look of panic appeared on his face. He quickly waved his hands and said, "No, Second Elder, with my status... how can I dine at the same table with you and the Second Miss? This is against the rules." His voice trembled slightly, with a hint of nervousness and uneasiness, as if he had just made an unforgivable mistake.

However, Cao Ling walked lightly to Cao Mo's side. She reached out and gently took Cao Mo's arm, with a bright smile on her face, and said, "Uncle Mo, just sit down and let's eat together. In this wilderness, there is no time to care about so many rules. You have been running around for us all the way and have worked hard for so long. Now it's time to have a good rest." Her eyes were full of sincerity and kindness. Her bright eyes were like the twinkling stars in the night sky, which moved people. In Cao Ling's heart, Cao Mo was like her own family. She never regarded Cao Mo as a servant, but as an indispensable part of the Cao family.

Cao Mo looked at Cao Xun's tacit approval and felt Cao Ling's warm invitation, and a warm current suddenly surged in his heart. He knew that if he refused again, it would seem a bit unkind. So, with a slightly uneasy look on his face, he slowly sat down to the side, muttering to himself, "These Second Elders and Second Young Miss are so polite. I don't know what to do with this old man."