Chapter 121: Return to the Sands

It was hard to gauge the accuracy of the bartender’s words, yet from piecing together various bits of information, Wu Qingsong and Nina gradually formed a more complete picture of the treasure hunter.

While the bartender’s account might have been embellished, Nina’s further inquiries revealed that this badgerman, Job Jerem, had indeed borrowed money from many individuals. Though the amounts were small individually, cumulatively, they were enough to bankrupt him. If he didn’t find anything this time, the likelihood of him returning empty-handed was slim.

“We need to plan for both possibilities,” Nina said.

In sharing his dreams of wealth with various people, Jerem had, intentionally or not, let slip some details about the treasure he sought. Putting these snippets together, Wu Qingsong was struck by a realization. Jerem’s destination was likely near the Graal Oasis, a place they had once passed. More precisely, the treasure seemed to be hidden within the vast expanse stretching from the northeast of Graal Oasis to the northwest of Nals Oasis.

To the north lay a vast desert wasteland stretching hundreds of miles, making it unlikely for him to have left in that direction. If he managed to return alive, his viable options for directions were limited to just two.

Thus, Nina and Wu Qingsong decided to divide their group in two. They left behind the two badgermen, the pigman, and the two houndmen who were more seriously injured. Their mission, should Jerem return, was to closely monitor him and send a message to Graal Oasis with utmost urgency. Meanwhile, Nina and Wu Qingsong, along with the rest of their team, would head to Graal Oasis to investigate any possible traces of his presence.

Of course, this also gave Wu Qingsong an opportunity to settle some personal scores.

They purchased a new batch of camels for the journey. This time, under Nina’s subordinates’ vigilant inspection, they ensured the camels were well-fed and in prime condition. Additionally, they secured the services of a genuine guide.

Having learned from their previous experiences, Wu Qingsong and his companions were determined not to let the guide or their water bags out of their sight, even to the point of paranoia. However, after six uneventful days, they safely arrived at the oasis beneath the dunes.

“Do you think those guys would still be around here?” Wu Qingsong asked Nina.

“They might have run at first, but after so many days without seeing you come back to trouble them, they’ve probably returned,” Nina replied. “After all, this is the desert, there aren’t many places where they can survive.”

“What do you think I should do?”

“Play it by ear,” Nina advised. “These guys are well-established here. If we were merely passing through, it wouldn’t matter much if we killed them. But since we plan to stay in this area for a while, even venturing into the desert to find Job Jerem, it’ll be problematic if we continue to make enemies of them.”

Wu Qingsong found Nina’s thoughts closely aligned with his own and gave a slight nod in agreement.

Indeed, as they neared the breach that served as the entrance to the Graal Oasis, a diminutive figure with notably large ears paused momentarily before swiftly darting into the town.

Beck spurred his horse to pursue, but Wu Qingsong intervened.

“This place isn’t large, there is nowhere he can hide,” he told Beck. “No need to stir up trouble.”

As expected, as they made their way slowly into the town, many recognized who they were. This time, the looks they received were distinctly more respectful, and the atmosphere tensed noticeably.

“Gentlemen, if you would please follow me, Lord Sacker extends his heartfelt invitation for you to join him in his tent,” a meerkatman approached cautiously, bowing respectfully before their horses, directing them toward what was unmistakably the grandest and opulent tent in the town.

“Lord Sacker?” Wu Qingsong couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief at how swiftly power seemed to have changed hands in this place. 

“Lead the way, then.”

A lean yet menacing catman stood at the entrance of the tent with a few underlings, waiting for them. Unlike the previous Sa Badel, this individual wore almost no armor, donning merely a pair of shorts and a vividly colored vest, with a curved scimitar slung across his waist. A peculiar necklace adorned with skulls and embedded with a black gemstone hung around his chest.

Wu Qingsong’s gaze was immediately drawn to the necklace because it likely was a magical artifact, or at the very least, bore some connection to the Batiz Kingdom.

“The Hangman,” the catman observed them with equal curiosity before speaking. “You’ve finally arrived.”

Nina was subtly taken aback by the nickname.

Wu Qingsong replied with a touch of awkwardness, “So, you’re Sacker? What’s the matter? Any instructions?”

The catman suddenly burst into laughter, “I’ve been wanting to thank you in person. Had you not dealt with that Badel fellow, it would have been somewhat bothersome for me to take action. Thanks to you, everything has been proceeding smoothly. We were just talking about you inside, and unexpectedly, here you are. Haha, this is truly amusing. Come, let’s talk inside.”

The interior of the tent was quite spacious, filled with many people seated around, who had now all congregated to the left side, leaving the right side completely vacant. A roasted lamb, with about a third of it already carved, was placed on a stand in the middle, and there were drinks in front of many guests. A group of diminutive meerkatfolk were bustling about.

It seemed there had just been a feast happening here.

“If you don’t mind, please take a seat over there,” Sacker directed them.

“Haha, of course, I don’t mind,” Wu Qingsong responded.

Sacker’s earlier remarks clearly aimed to distance himself from Sa Badel, asserting no association between them. However, after spending considerable time in this world, Wu Qingsong had learned to take most people’s words with a grain of salt, trusting only in their actions, not their words.

Yet, this catman didn’t leave a bad impression on him.

“Brothers, this is Tagraedi the Hangman, the renowned figure from the Esola Hills!” Sacker announced loudly upon returning to his seat. “Make sure to properly honor him with a toast later.”

The crowd opposite was still predominantly composed of jackalmen, hyenamen, and coyotemen, with a few catmen dressed similarly to Sacker. Beside Sacker sat a young woman with her face veiled, appearing to be a catwoman, though her exact status remained unclear.

They seemed to have been well aware of Wu Qingsong’s arrival, chatting amongst themselves quietly, showing no sign of surprise. The sand foxman hid behind these individuals, cautiously keeping his head low.

Sacker seemed exceptionally spirited, raising his glass to loudly proclaim, “Let’s continue drinking! A warm welcome to the Hangman gracing us with his presence.”

The meerkatfolk served them, filling their exquisitely crafted horn cups with wine.

Under these circumstances, Wu Qingsong remained indifferent. After all, poisonous wine wouldn’t kill him. Yet, with the ambiguity of friends and foes, how could the others drink at ease?

Muddling through in such a befuddled manner wasn’t Wu Qingsong’s approach.

“There’s no hurry,” he thus said. “Since we’re here and seated, it’s best to clarify some matters first.”

At that, the atmosphere within the tent tensed instantly.