Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 901 739

Several men slept under the open sky, only setting up a tent for Meng Qianqian, Ban Xia, and Tan'er to rest.

Three people squeezed into one tent, yet it felt distinctly different.

Tan'er cuddled into Meng Qianqian's arms, burrowing her head into her neck, careful not to press against her belly, but she couldn't resist placing a hand on it, wanting to feel the baby's movement.

Ban Xia was mending a large Luminous Pearl.

Among the group, only she was skilled in needlework, and with all the bumps and falls in the desert, damage was inevitable.

Meng Lang had the most torn clothes.

No choice, as he was the one carrying the burden.

After finishing her stitching, she turned and saw Meng Qianqian awake, looking gently and calmly at her.

A thought stirred in her heart as she asked in surprise, "Miss? Is the candle too bright, keeping you awake?"

Meng Qianqian shook her head slightly and patted the spot beside her.

Understanding, Ban Xia hesitated for a moment before lying down next to Meng Qianqian.

"Miss."

She called softly.

Meng Qianqian touched her head softly, "Did you get scared?"

The question instantly brought tears to Ban Xia's eyes.

"I... I've never been away from you for so long... I opened my eyes... and you were gone... I..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she could barely speak for crying.

Though a few years older than Tan'er, usually appearing more composed, she wasn't as experienced as Tan'er in handling worldly society crises.

She was genuinely frightened and deeply blamed herself, upset that she had slept so soundly and hadn't noticed the miss's absence.

Meng Qianqian smiled, "My dear Ban Xia, you did very well. Don't be sad, and don't blame yourself."

"Miss—"

Ban Xia threw herself into her arms, releasing the emotions she had been holding in for days.

Outside the tent.

The men sat around a campfire to keep warm.

Ban Xia's suppressed sobs were clearly audible to them.

None of the men spoke.

Yu Zichuan sat silently polishing his bow.

Meng Lang's gaze wandered over Lu Yuan, Chen Long, and Si Snake's faces: "We've found her, shouldn't we be happy? Why do you all look so downcast, like you want to throw her back?"

Chen Long: "If you don't need your head, you can cut it off to use as a cup."

Meng Lang sulked into silence.

After comforting Ban Xia and watching her drift into sleep, Meng Qianqian lifted the flap of the tent and stepped outside.

"Oh, everyone's still awake."

She walked over with a smile.

Chen Long moved aside slightly.

Meng Qianqian sat between him and Lu Yuan.

The desert night was as cold as winter.

Lu Yuan took her hand in his, warming it considerately.

Chen Long had the thought of chopping off Lu Yuan's paw.

Si Snake said, "There's less than thirty miles left till we get out."

Meng Qianqian said, "That's good, but why do you all look so serious? Is the next thirty miles difficult?"

Si Snake picked up a dead branch and drew a map in the sand: "Here's where we are. Twenty miles west is Ancient Phoenix Town, and ten miles past that, we'll exit the desert."

Meng Lang was dumbfounded, "There's actually a town in the desert?"

Meng Qianqian was surprised too.

"It's a dead town."

Said Si Snake.

With that, Meng Lang shuddered.

Si Snake: "Ancient Phoenix Town, as the desert's only town, had water and a small oasis. It was once indispensable on the way to Liuli Island and prosperous. But in one night, the people there mysteriously contracted a strange illness. Even merchants and passersby staying temporarily were not spared and all died in the town."

"Because no one lived to escape, the fall of Ancient Phoenix Town remains a mystery."

"Wait, it used to be a prosperous place, so... could it have left behind a lot of gold?"

Meng Lang rubbed his hands, visibly eager.

Si Snake said, "You're not the first to think that, but everyone who went to find gold in Ancient Phoenix Town died."

Meng Lang mumbled, "How did they die?"

Si Snake: "Killed by the spirits of Ancient Wind Town."

Meng Lang hid behind Chen Long.

Meng Qianqian asked, "We're just passing by, without greed or disturbing the deceased; shouldn't we be safe?"

Si Snake: "Do you know why Liuli Island became progressively isolated?"

Meng Qianqian: "Is it because of Ancient Phoenix Town?"

Si Snake paused, "Not entirely, but largely. In short, Ancient Phoenix Town is full of crises; traversing it is life-threatening. We must be careful."

Meng Qianqian smiled, "For you to say it's life-threatening, it seems Ancient Phoenix Town is indeed noteworthy."

Everyone has something they respect; Chen Long becomes more cautious in West City, yet braver in the desert.

Si Snake is the only one among them who had encountered Ancient Phoenix Town before, aware of how dangerous it is to traverse. Hence, he was more cautious than usual.

What he didn't mention was that Ancient Phoenix Town is probably even more perilous now than before.

But since everyone was determined to go to Liuli Island, it was unnecessary to mention it and lower morale.

"Are you scared?"

Lu Yuan asked.

Meng Qianqian shook her head, "I'm not. Are you?"

Lu Yuan smiled gently, "I'm afraid it won't be exciting enough."

Meng Qianqian: "..."

Saying so, the next morning when they set out, Lu Yuan wore a stern expression.

He held Meng Qianqian's hand, "Stay close to me later, don't let go."

Meng Qianqian: "Alright."

Thinking of something, she turned to Meng Lang on the camel, "Take care of Ban Xia."

Meng Lang waved a hand, "Got it, got it."

Ban Xia: "Miss..."

She felt a bit embarrassed, being the only one who didn't know martial arts. She feared being a burden.

Meng Qianqian told Ban Xia, "We need you."

Tan'er said, "Yes, Ban Xia, without you we wouldn't get a hot meal!"

After saying that, she glared at Meng Lang, "You cooked the half-raw rice that gave me diarrhea!"

Meng Lang: "Blame me? I did remind you it wasn't cooked! You were the one who insisted on rushing!"

"How come Ban Xia can cook it and you can't?"

"It's... it's my first time!"

"Hmph! Useless novice!"

"I'm not useless!"

The two bickered.

Ban Xia felt much more at ease.

It's tough walking through the desert, and camels move slowly.

Even though it was only twenty miles, they walked from morning till dusk to get there.

The temperature started dropping suddenly.

Tan'er hugged her arms, shivering on the camel, "I'm freezing to death! I'm freezing to death..."

Ban Xia quickly opened her bundle and took out the heavy cloaks for everyone.

"Miss's, Tan'er's, groom's..."

She distributed them one by one.

Meng Qianqian's remark that they needed her wasn't just out of courtesy.

Because of her presence, no one wore tattered clothes, went hungry, or lost anything important.

She had arranged everyone's food, clothing, and accommodations meticulously.

Who said only Meng Qianqian had grown?

Ban Xia had also grown from a little companion into a capable steward.

They donned their cloaks and gazed at the small town ravaged by wind and sand before them.

It stood like a shattered fortress, like a desiccated giant beast, under the dusk sky, with its gaping maw opening wide.

Meng Lang: "Scary."

Yu Zichuan: "Hmm, a bit eerie."

Meng Qianqian looked up, appearing as insignificant as an ant under a giant beast.

She showed no fear, her expression calm as she resolutely stepped into the town.