Chapter 60

"Can you find your way with just a compass?"

Zhang Heng looked at Hao Qi with a strange gaze and said, "Is there such an easy thing? In the desert, there are no landmarks. Using just a compass can only ensure that the general direction remains unchanged, but haven't you seen the map? Starting from the same point and moving in the same direction, a slight deviation can result in a vast difference. How could you find your way with just a compass?"

Hao Qi had intended to ask about latitude and longitude, but before he could speak, he suddenly remembered that this world had no such concept. After all, this world wasn't Earth, and it wasn't even clear if it was a sphere. The vastness of the land was immense; just the four major regions of the Blue Sea combined were probably equivalent to three-quarters, or even more, of the area of his previous Earth. Beyond that, there were the Six Seas regions and the central areas connecting them, and even territories beyond the Six Seas that humans had yet to explore. Such a vast and boundless land... was it really on a single planet?

"So, how does the Su family find their way in the desert?" Hao Qi asked, unwilling to give up.

"I guess... it's underground rivers."

Zhang Heng looked thoughtfully at the Su family members riding on their single-humped beasts ahead and said, "You should know that most civilizations are established near rivers, even in ancient times, and probably even in the prehistoric era. Of course, with advanced technology, settlements can be established far from rivers, but there are definitely more cities and settlements near rivers. I think the Su family is following an underground river into the desert's interior."

"Underground rivers?"

Hao Qi was somewhat enlightened. He looked at the Su family members walking ahead and then glanced up at the scorching sun. He estimated that they would have to walk for several more hours before setting up camp. At that time, he would ask Su Shixuan about the Su family's secret for finding their way. He was sure Su Shixuan wouldn't be evasive.

"But even if they find the general direction, how does the Su family know where the ruins are? This is a desert. Even if there are ruins, they would be quickly covered by new sand. Following an ancient riverbed or an underground river, it might take a lifetime to find those ruins," Hao Qi asked again.

Zhang Heng spread his hands and said, "I don't know. I guess the Su family has some secret method. You can ask Miss Su. Hehe, don't say she won't tell you; she's never been distant with you."

Hao Qi blushed slightly at Zhang Heng's laughter. He didn't respond but silently looked at the desert ahead. After a long while, he said, "Underground rivers, meaning there is still water flowing underground. And the origin of oases... I think I have a good idea of the Su family's plan. No wonder they sent five Inner Strength Realm members; it must be for this reason..."

Underground rivers, most oases exist along the paths of underground rivers. Similarly, oases in the western part of the Blue Sea represent the lifeblood of desert tribes. The Su family is following the underground river inland, and the further they go, the more likely they are to encounter desert tribes. The news of the ruins originally came from the desert tribes and was brought back to their respective countries by merchants, which gradually made the Su family aware. So, the Su family's plan is likely to follow the general direction of the underground river into the desert, then ask the desert tribes about the location of the ruins, and capture desert bandits to serve as guides...

Sure enough, Hao Qi's guess came true. That night, shadows flickered outside the Su family and Hao Qi's camps. These shadows were very cautious and moved very carefully. Most importantly, they walked on the sand as if it were flat ground, moving much faster than ordinary people. They were clearly people who had lived in the desert for a long time. They didn't get close or attack but observed silently for a long time before leaving.

In fact, when these shadows appeared, Hao Qi, Su Shixuan, and the other four Inner Strength Realm members were already aware of their presence. Su Shixuan's uncle even instructed the Su family members to take out a large amount of food and wine to enjoy, and one of them "accidentally" spilled a bag of gold coins. After these shadows disappeared, Su Shixuan called Hao Qi to attend a meeting with the five Inner Strength Realm members of the Su family.

"My purpose in this journey is to repay Miss Su for her kindness. I have no intention of deciding or interfering with your plans. I am just a bodyguard for Miss Su and her family. So, if you have any decisions or plans, go ahead and do them without asking me. ...I will take my leave, Miss Su, everyone."

After bowing, Hao Qi ignored the expressions of the Su family members, nodded to Su Shixuan, and left the camp. However, the Su family members did not seem displeased; on the contrary, they seemed quite satisfied with Hao Qi's performance.

After all, their purpose in coming was to explore the ruins of an ancient sect, which was essentially a treasure hunt. Many things in the ruins of ancient sects are priceless treasures, such as elixir formulas and martial arts manuals, which the Su family intended to obtain. To be honest, they didn't initially think Hao Qi and Zhang Heng would be of much use. After seeing Hao Qi's strength, they acknowledged his potential value on the journey, but they also began to worry if he would kill for treasure. Now, with Hao Qi's words, it was clear he was keeping his distance, which also meant he was unlikely to enter the ruins. His attitude of not participating in decision-making reassured the Su family and made them satisfied with his distance.

After Hao Qi left, Su Shixuan remained silent, letting her two uncles and two cousins discuss the next steps. For some reason, Su Shixuan felt tired, for herself, for her family, for the future...

The next morning, as expected, the desert bandits arrived.

Outside the two camps, about two hundred bandits appeared. The leader was a giant man with a bronze-colored skin, muscles like blocks, and a height of at least two meters. His body was covered in scars from knives and axes, making him look very formidable. He rode a giant bird, similar to an ostrich but much larger, with an eagle's head and wings that had degenerated. However, its two bird legs were thick and large, standing at least four meters tall, with a black, iron-like beak that was curved and sharp. Just looking at it, one could tell how terrifying it was.

However, the leader looked formidable, while the other bandits looked like beggars, wearing patched rags and wielding a variety of weapons, including bows, short weapons, and long weapons. Even Hao Qi saw some very old firearms among them. Not only were their weapons and clothing like beggars, but there were also old people, children, and women among them. Over two hundred people surrounded the two camps.

Then... nothing happened...

Among these two hundred people, only a few were near the Inner Strength Realm, and the leader, though an Inner Strength Realm member, was quickly defeated by Su Shixuan and her two cousins. Su Shixuan killed him with a sword through the throat and then pulled a necklace from his neck, a necklace decorated with small skulls, which were... infants' skulls...

As for the others, the weakest of the Su family members were near the Inner Strength Realm, and after all twenty of them joined the fight, they killed over seventy bandits. The remaining bandits were as obedient as children, but their eyes made Hao Qi frown. They were numb, showing no emotion, and even when injured, they showed no reaction, only a hollow, instinctual gaze...

Perhaps to them, life and death were no longer important. Living in the desert of the western Blue Sea was almost the same as being dead. Every day was a torment, and every day of living was painful. Even death was a peaceful release for them...

Led by the surviving bandits, the group went to their tribe, which was not even an oasis but just a small pond in a sunken area of sand. There were no trees around, and the water was murky. Some desert-specific plants grew around the pond, but they were mostly withered.

As for the tribe itself, apart from some rotten wooden fences, the rest were patched tents. The only building was a structure made of sand and rocks, likely the residence of the Inner Strength Realm leader. Next to the tribe, there was another area enclosed by rotten wooden fences, where desert animals and... slaves... were kept.

Some of the Su family members understood the desert language and began asking about the ruins as soon as they entered the tribe. After a short while, the information they gathered contained no clues about the ruins. The tribe was very isolated, and according to the tribe's people, they rarely traded with the outside world, having nothing to trade. If they lacked something or wanted something, they would simply steal it, which was typical of a desert tribe.

"Since that's the case, let's just leave. Without an Inner Strength Realm member, they can't even protect this pond. They will either be enslaved by other tribes or die in the desert. Let's go," the Su family elder decided after hearing the report.

"Wait, wait! Are you looking for the ruins? I just heard, I know where the ruins are!"

At that moment, a woman's voice came from the slave huts. Everyone looked over and saw a woman standing up in the slave hut. Her face was covered in small lumps, as if she had some disease, covering most of her face and making her look terrifying. The other slaves stayed away from her, fearing the spread of her disease.

The woman spoke not in the native desert language but in the common language of the northern and eastern regions of the Blue Sea, though her words were somewhat awkward and broken, as if from a remote area, but still understandable.

Her face was terrifying, but her voice was clear and beautiful. Her appearance was blurry, but her voice reached everyone's ears.

"I know where the ruins are. I'll take you there!"