Free Web NovelChapter 2118: Chapter 1980: Old Li 5
"Hmm," Chu Xianling nodded sleepily.
"Get ready, we’re going to risk our lives," Song Xiaodong said to Chu Xianling.
Soon, the three of them were prepared, and along with Dragon Three, Dragon Six, and Dragon Nine, they headed for the front line.
The vast expanse of heaven and earth surrounded them as the open-top military jeep traversed the desert. They couldn’t stop halfway; if they did, the wheels would get stuck in the sand, and they wouldn’t be able to move again.
Above, white clouds drifted in the blue sky, and in the distance, blue snow-capped mountains were covered with white snow. The bright sunlight cast a surreal hue over everything in the desert, but only the skin and the head could truly feel the heat, and the nostrils sensed the arid wind.
Two hours later, the jeep finally halted, and both Chu Xianling and Sun Yiyi, the roles of beauties, were battered and weary from the desert wind and sand.
The military jeep stopped in front of a row of military jeeps.
Seeing the two vehicles drive in, Zhao Ruonan, who was lying on the defense structures, turned to glance, then left the defenses to greet Song Xiaodong.
"You’re here," Zhao Ruonan’s greeting was brief.
Zhao Ruonan wore military attire, her hair tied up, face smudged with dust, her expression severe, demeanor fatigued.
"Mr. Song, please have a look; we’ve lost many warriors," Zhao Ruonan’s eyes were somewhat dim.
The lives of her soldiers mattered, but was Song Xiaodong’s life any less significant?
"However, not all of this is for the country," Zhao Ruonan said, taking a photo from her assistant behind her and handing it to Song Xiaodong.
Song Xiaodong took it, and Chu Xianling and Sun Yiyi eagerly moved closer to look.
Seeing the person in the photo, the expressions of Song Xiaodong, Chu Xianling, and Sun Yiyi changed slightly, showing discomfort.
Song Xiaodong knew this person.
Liu Bai.
This matter also involved the Dark Night Sect.
The Dark Night Sect had been driven overseas; their actions within the country could only be secretive, as modern surveillance was omnipresent. It was extremely difficult for the Dark Night Sect to operate silently.
Even with such high risks, the fact that the Dark Night Sect was so dedicated meant it must be of great importance.
Song Xiaodong sighed, looked back at Chu Xianling and Sun Yiyi, then told Zhao Ruonan, "General Zhao, if this person is involved, I fear Dragon Gate cannot intervene."
"Why?" Zhao Ruonan tilted her head and asked Song Xiaodong.
"To be honest, my skills are inferior, and I admit it openly. Liu Bai is someone I know, and even if I and my two wives combined strengths, we wouldn’t be able to last a single round against him," Song Xiaodong candidly admitted.
"No need to worry about that person," Before Zhao Ruonan could speak, a monk emerged from among a group of warriors, addressing Song Xiaodong with a voice aged and hoarse, akin to rubbing old bark.
"Allow me to introduce, this is Master Benwu from Fayu Temple," Zhao Ruonan gestured to the approaching monk as an introduction.
Song Xiaodong observed the monk, who was haggard, with white hair and beard, wearing a red robe with golden patterns, blue monk shoes, left hand holding prayer beads, right hand a Zen staff, face densely wrinkled, eye sockets deeply set, complexion greyish-black, skin exposed was loose and rough, covered with liver spots.
This monk’s steps were already unsteady, treading on the sand made him appear tottering. Song Xiaodong couldn’t help but want to support him.
After a while, the monk finally strolled slowly, arriving before Song Xiaodong.
"Hello, I’m Song Xiaodong," Song Xiaodong also paid respect to the elderly monk.
"No need for formalities, Sect Leader Song," the monk replied.
"Can you defeat Liu Bai?" Chu Xianling couldn’t help but ask.
"Liu Bai’s cultivation technique comes from my Fayu Temple," Master Benwu said.
After hearing this, Song Xiaodong nodded to Zhao Ruonan and said, "General Zhao, if that’s the case, give the order."
Zhao Ruonan glanced at Song Xiaodong and said, "Rest assured, you’re a precious asset as Sect Leader, I won’t let you meet any harm."
"My wives neither," Song Xiaodong turned to look at Sun Yiyi and Chu Xianling. freewёbnoνel.com
Chu Xianling bashfully pinched Song Xiaodong’s arm.
"Of course. Mr. Song, just go inside and check the situation. As for the warriors who were lost, we still don’t know where their bodies are," General Zhao said.
"Alright."
"Be careful, today, please act as a scout for me, Mr. Song," Zhao Ruonan said to Song Xiaodong.
Song Xiaodong then led Chu Xianling and Sun Yiyi towards the crumbling ruins of the Ancient City of Loulan.
Sven Hedin’s travelogue described the Ancient City of Loulan as vast and magnificent, yet after multiple loots by foreign explorers, the artifacts in Loulan have dwindled significantly. Now, only stretches of city walls remain, casting shadows under the sun, silently telling tales from centuries ago.
The ancient city no longer resembles a city, but rather the labyrinth-like Yadan landform nearby. The dunes, sculpted by erosion from wind and sand, appeared odd and grotesque formations, the wind passing through creating whistling sounds.
"This is Loulan?" Sun Yiyi looked at the collapsed walls, somewhat disappointed.
"Hmm."
"Books tell of Loulan’s civilization being so splendid; why are only the walls left now?" Sun Yiyi asked.
"Because the splendid civilization depended on the artifacts unearthed. Loulan’s artifacts have been plundered by Western powers and Japanese people, only the immovable walls were left untouched," Song Xiaodong replied.
Similar fate befell the Mogao Caves, only the caves remain; everything inside has been ransacked.
