"Where is the Young Lady going? I shall accompany you. If it is a place teeming with poisons, having me along will at least offer an extra layer of security."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man felt the suggestion was practical. She looked at Nangong Yu to gauge his opinion. Nangong Yu nodded, "Very well, let us travel together then."
The three of them left the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest, abandoned their carriage, and rode their horses directly towards the Western Regions. To facilitate their journey, Xiao Man continued to dress as a man, and the three referred to each other as brothers.
After several days of travel, they reached the border. Beyond this point lay the Western Regions.
To the people of the Central Plains, the Western Regions were an uncivilized land, filled with sandstorms and poisonous creatures. Yet, they were unaware that the Western Regions also possessed unparalleled natural beauty.
The trio exchanged their horses for camels and joined a merchant caravan heading towards the homeland of Empress Xue Fei – the Wuyue Kingdom.
The Wuyue Kingdom initially relied on a nomadic lifestyle but gradually developed into a nation. Crossing this desert would lead them to the vast grasslands within Wuyue territory.
"Young sirs, please have some water." The leader's daughter, a free-spirited Western girl, was clad in a purple silk gauze that accentuated her graceful figure. A scimitar hung at her waist, and a string of bells jingled with her every movement.
"Thank you, girl." Xiao Man took the water and drank a large gulp. She was not accustomed to the desert climate and was running a slight fever.
"Third Brother, are you alright?" Ye Qing hurried over to inquire, noticing Xiao Man's pale complexion.
"I'm fine, I'm just finding it a bit hard to bear this sweltering heat."
"It's normal for people from the Central Plains to find it difficult to adapt to the climate here. I'll set up a canopy for you, young master, it will be cooler."
Sai Ya, the Western girl, was very enthusiastic. She soon erected a canopy on Xiao Man's camel. When Xiao Man sat on it again, she felt considerably cooler and thanked her repeatedly.
Sai Ya's pretty face flushed, and she led her camel, walking alongside Xiao Man. "Young Master Xiao, where are you headed?"
"To Duoluo," Xiao Man replied with a smile. "Your caravan should also be going to Duoluo, as it is a necessary transit point for trade."
"Yes, it seems you know this region quite well."
"Just a little, that's all."
"Duoluo is the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom and a crucial trade hub, making it very prosperous. You are fortunate to arrive in time for the King's sixtieth birthday, a grand event in Wuyue."
"Oh, the King's birthday, indeed a grand event."
"More than that, the King's youngest daughter, Princess Wulana, will also be selecting her consort on that very day," Sai Ya said with a smile. "Someone as handsome as you, young master, should be careful. Princess Wulana particularly favors fair-skinned young gentlemen."
Xiao Man's expression changed, and she glanced at Nangong Yu before whispering, "If we're talking about danger, isn't my Second Brother the one who's most likely to be in peril?"
Sai Ya followed Xiao Man's gaze, a flicker of astonishment in her eyes.
No matter how many times she looked, she found this Second Young Master to be incredibly striking, yet his presence sent shivers down her spine.
"I believe our Princess would definitely prefer someone like you."
"That can't be right." Xiao Man then pointed to Ye Qing. "My Eldest Brother is also very handsome."
"I think you are the most handsome, young master." Sai Ya beamed, as radiant as a sunflower on the prairie. Ye Qing lowered his head and chuckled. It was clear this Sai Ya girl had taken a liking to Xiao Man, showering her with attention along the way. Alas, Xiao Man was as oblivious as a block of wood when it came to romance, never considering such possibilities.
"Then should I perhaps darken my face? If I'm truly fancied by that princess, I won't be able to go home!"
Sai Ya, upon hearing this, actually nodded in agreement. "Excellent idea."
Nangong Yu watched the two chat happily, his expression unchanging. Even under the scorching sun, Nangong Yu's skin showed no signs of tanning. In contrast, Ye Qing's face had darkened several shades, which only added to his manly aura.
Suddenly, the camel train grew restless and agitated. Sai Ya's expression shifted, and her hand immediately went to the scimitar at her waist, as if sensing imminent danger.
"What's wrong?"
"If there's danger, you three should escape quickly," Sai Ya urged repeatedly, spurring her camel forward.
At that moment, something seemed to be moving rapidly beneath the sand. Sai Ya's father shouted loudly in the local dialect, and the expressions of the guards changed drastically.
Then, an object suddenly emerged from the ground, its gaping maw wide open. It swallowed the lead camel whole. Had Sai Ya's father not reacted quickly, he too might have ended up in the creature's jaws.
"What is that thing?"
"It's a Sand Demon, it specializes in attacking passing caravans," Nangong Yu stated quickly. "Judging by its size, it's quite large. You two be careful."
Ye Qing caught up. "The Sand Demon has poisonous stingers on its tail. If you're stung, without an antidote within two hours, death is certain."
Xiao Man nodded, wanting to assess the situation. To her surprise, as soon as the caravan encountered the Sand Demon, they scattered in disarray, abandoning their goods. Sai Ya and her father also fled at full speed. The Sand Demon, drawn by the noise, pursued them relentlessly. The father and daughter were on the verge of falling into the Sand Demon's maw.
Xiao Man leaped into the air, her sword unsheathed. With agile movements, she plunged it directly into the Sand Demon, which was rapidly advancing through the sand. The Sand Demon's movement faltered, its tail emerged, and its sharp, venomous stinger aimed directly at Xiao Man.
Nangong Yu immediately drew his sword to block the Sand Demon's stinger. Xiao Man, without even looking back, drew her sword and thrust again, seven or eight times, before the Sand Demon's movements subsided. After a moment, it became still.
Nangong Yu's expression was annoyed as he glared at Xiao Man. Xiao Man, however, strode directly to the Sand Demon's tail, took out a small porcelain bottle, pricked the poison sac, and began collecting the venom.
"Are you trying to die? Rushing out so recklessly?"
"Don't I have you?" Xiao Man replied without looking up.
Nangong Yu paused. He should have been angry, but upon hearing that, his dark expression instantly vanished without a trace, like clouds dissipating.
As sunlight streamed down, Nangong Yu's lips curved upwards, as if a celestial being had descended, his beauty transcending mortal realms.
From afar, a group of people, led by a woman, gazed dotingly at Nangong Yu, captivated by his smile. She placed a hand over her heart and whispered, "The Moon God has appeared! My Agu has arrived."
Xiao Man finished collecting the venom and showed it to Nangong Yu. "I want to collect all sorts of poisons. They might come in handy someday."
Nangong Yu reached out his hand, helping her down from the Sand Demon's corpse. Sai Ya and her father rushed over, looking at them with reverence. "Two young masters are truly divine beings! You can even kill a Sand Demon. You are incredible."
"Is the Sand Demon very powerful?"
"Of course, it's powerful!" Sai Ya happily moved closer to Xiao Man. "The Sand Demon is the most terrifying monster in this desert. And the one you killed, judging by its size, was already king-level. When we encounter a Sand Demon, we only pray for our safety; we never even dreamed of killing one."