Chapter 117: A Long-Awaited Reunion

This man was utterly untrustworthy, particularly after having once shown a willingness to abandon them after using them.

Who could tell if he would lead them into a deadly trap, perhaps in a final act of desperation?

However, Wu Qingsong scrutinized the ring closely. Its simple design, the densely inscribed cursive script, and the jackal skull decoration, it was unmistakably an artifact linked to necromancy. A deep yearning for power gnawed at his heart, compelling him to grasp at any potential opportunity.

“What else did you find then?” he asked.

“Just some jewelry and implements,” Aberni responded. “However, most have likely been sold by now.”

“Where did they discover this?”

“In the desert,” Aberni explained. “It’s believed to be from the ruins of an unknown city. They spent a considerable amount of time locating it, but retreated because they ran out of water and food supplies.”

“You’re lying!” 

It was then that Beck had a sudden epiphany, spotting the flaw in Aberni’s story. “If they were seasoned treasure hunters, surely they’d know the terrain well. Why would they need you as a guide?”

Wu Qingsong looked at Beck, taken aback. He hadn’t expected such an astute observation from him.

“No, that’s not it… They’ve always been active in the east and north, never near our area,” Aberni quickly explained.

With the threat of losing favor looming, Beck’s mind sharpened remarkably, “You said they came to you after running out of water and food. That means the place where they found these items must be close to your base. If you truly know its location, why haven’t you gone looking for it all this time?”

“Sir, I truly…” Aberni stammered in a fluster, struggling to find a convincing explanation under Beck’s pointed interrogation.

“Unchangeable habits die hard. Take him away,” Wu Qingsong instructed.

Beck didn’t allow Aberni another word. Clamping shut his beak-like mouth, reducing him to muffled moans, Beck dragged Aberni’s slight frame out of the room.

Turning his attention away from the pair, Wu Qingsong, together with Ling, began meticulously examining the jewelry for any items bearing similar characteristics. Ling quickly discovered a necklace strikingly similar to the one they had given to Nina. Not only did the necklace bear noticeable cracks, but the gems embedded in it were also fractured, barely held in place.

If these damages were the result of a battle, the necklace’s original owner must have suffered a tremendously powerful blow.

The other artifact was a dagger, yet to Wu Qingsong, it seemed more akin to an oddly shaped magical instrument. The serpentine, twisted blade was heavily corroded, and the hilt was adorned with a jackal skull, similar in style to the first item.

At that moment, Beck entered, looking visibly relaxed. “Sir, we’ve dealt with that scoundrel.”

“Collect these boxes and timbers,” Wu Qingsong instructed. “Find a suitable container as well. We’ll cremate our fallen brother, we must bring his remains home.”

The group meticulously packed all the treasures and prepared sufficient food and water for their journey. They departed, heading toward the snow-capped peaks to the south. The water consumption of over a dozen horses was burdensome, but fortunately, Ling’s growing proficiency with her abilities proved advantageous. 

They searched for areas with greenery, drilling wells for water. After three days, they reached a green area at the base of the snow peaks. Resting there for a day, they then wound their way east along the mountain’s base. Along the route, they occasionally sought directions from nomads they encountered. Finally, six days later, they reached their destination, Nals Oasis.

This was a desert city much larger than the previous oasis they had visited. Its outskirts were encircled by windproof walls constructed of wood and animal skins. Inside, however, lay a city hall resembling a miniature fortress and a variety of shops.

In Nals Oasis, Wu Qingsong managed to sell most of the horses and camels, securing additional income and then began his search for treasure hunters.

As it turned out, Aberni hadn’t misled them on this matter. The responses they received echoed his words, most treasure hunters had already ventured into the vast desert, capitalizing on the prime season for exploration. The few who remained were largely swindlers, attempting to dupe foreigners with an array of counterfeit items.

Wu Qingsong’s group quickly drew the attention of several such con artists. He couldn’t fathom how he seemed to have ‘easy target’ written all over him, attracting these opportunists in relentless waves.

“It must be because of Beck’s naivety,” he said to the houndmen. “Remember what the sand thieves said? Beck doesn’t come across as worldly.”

Despite Beck’s reluctance to accept this theory, the group unanimously agreed that he would be the scapegoat.

Eventually, Wu Qingsong resorted to using his half-elf identity to seek assistance at the city hall. This region, part of the Mesthebes Duchy, was managed by officials who informed him that the genuine treasure hunters were likely to start trickling back only about a month later. Most of these individuals are usually under long-term sponsorship from various chambers of commerce or even noble families, serving their interests. A majority of them have some knowledge of the Batiz script, but hiring them wouldn’t be an easy task.

A whole month?

Wu Qingsong thus resolved to first visit Tannar in search of the mine mentioned by the undead mage. If his account held true, about an accident burying miners who then miraculously escaped, coupled with the incident of a slain slave trader, these pieces could form a trail of clues.

The group subsequently retraced their steps southward, heading into a region with terrain strikingly similar to Esola.

However, this area had developed much earlier than Esola and the local lords exerted far stricter control over the mines. The majority were either directly overseen by the lords or leased to trading companies at a high cost. The number of slaves here dwarfed those in Esola City, and their living conditions appeared even more dire.

Settling in Tannar, Wu Qingsong’s party began asking about mining disasters and the killings of slave traders that had occurred a year or more ago. To Wu Qingsong’s astonishment, mine accidents were a tragically common event here, as were the killings of merchants.

Left with no other option, Wu Qingsong reached out using the contact method provided by Ram, seeking assistance from the Silver Moon Wolf Clan’s representatives in the area to find leads.

Surprisingly, just a few days later, someone came knocking.

“Have you found a clue already?” Wu Qingsong asked, amazed.

“No, the Moon Maiden has arrived, and she wishes to meet with you,” the visitor responded.