Chapter 54
He Zhen and Zhao Xintong were apparently surprised too. They hadn't expected that just a map would lead the young master of the Tang family to decide to take this risk. Therefore, He Zhen implored, "Young Master Tang, the conditions in that desert are extremely harsh. It's almost impossible for anyone to enter."
Zhao Xintong nodded in agreement and added, "When my grandfather was young, he managed to come out alive only with the help of many professionals. After coming out, he fell seriously ill. Later, people started saying that place was cursed…"
However, Tang Yunxuan did not hesitate at all. He looked at everyone and declared, "I must make this trip."
Cheng Xuyuan asked the system, "Isn't this akin to seeking death?"
"You won't die," the system patiently answered, "The desert exploration is indeed quite a thrilling plot in the original story. You must embark on it."
Hence, the same Cheng Xuyuan who, just a second ago, was questioning whether Tang Yunxuan was insane, said in the next second, "Since you're going, then I will accompany you. It's better to have someone for backup."
A flicker crossed He Zhen's eyes and his handsome face showed a trace of surprise. Then, to Tang Yunxuan, he said, "I'll go with you. In case of unexpected incidents along the way, I might be able to lend a hand."
Originally, He Zhen agreed to join the desert trip out of love at first sight for Zhao Xintong in the original story. Although He Zhen's current affection did not seem to lie with the female lead, there was a strange alignment in circumstances.
"Should I come with you all?" Zhao Xintong hesitated for a moment before saying, "Before my grandfather passed away, he told us his biggest regret in life was not being able to return to that desert one more time. Actually, I've always wanted to fulfill this wish for him, but I never had the opportunity…”
Tang Yunxuan hadn't expected his seemingly capricious request to receive unanimous approval from everyone. He looked at Tai Sui quite moved, and his eyes trembled slightly when they met Tai Sui's handsome face.
Before leaving the Zhao residence, He Zhen took out a charm and drew a sleep-inducing symbol on it. Cheng Xuyuan enhanced the effect by casting a minor spell on it.
Handing the sleep-inducing charm to Zhao Chao, He Zhen advised, "Mr. Zhao, there's nothing serious wrong with you. If you place this charm next to your bed, it can protect you from evil spirits and misfortune."
The moment Zhao Chao's fingers touched the charm, it was as if a magical force flowed into him, instantly tranquilizing his agitated mood. It reminded him of summer nights in his childhood, resting on the most comfortable recliner, peaceful and untroubled.
Zhao Xintong thanked everyone on his behalf and then brought up the plan to visit the desert.
At first, Zhao Chao objected, but he hadn't forgotten the words spoken by his father on his deathbed. The desert indeed held a knot in Zhao Xintong's grandfather's heart.
"Even though you're completing grandpa's last wish," Zhao Chao expressed his concerns, "that desert has been reported in the news before. Many people have passed away there..."
Just then, Chen Min, who had gone out to purchase groceries, returned. As Zhao Xintong's mother, she remained calm upon hearing this news. She reassured Zhao Chao, "If our daughter wants to go, let her. A fortune teller mentioned before — her physiognomy indicates she's a fortunate person."
Hearing this, He Zhen glanced at Zhao Xintong and found that she indeed looked quite well and seemed to bear an appearance signifying longevity.
Of course, no matter who it was, after seeing Cheng Xuyuan's face, they wouldn't think others were extraordinarily stunning.
Having been cajoled by Zhao Xintong, Zhao Chao finally agreed on one condition: she must always stay with Master Tang and others and must not act alone.
"Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, I'll organise professional accompanying personnel," Tang Yunxuan promised.
Only after hearing this, Zhao Chao felt completely reassured. With the help of the young master, the journey would encounter fewer troubles.
________________________
The departure date for the desert trip was set for the coming Saturday.
Tang Yunxuan told Tang Long that they were going to the desert for a trip. Being an experienced man, Tang Long readily agreed. He even actively arranged for a group of professionals specializing in desert exploration to accompany them.
Initially, He Zhen planned on booking airline tickets, but Tang Long, being excessive in his generosity, instead provided a private jet.
Over the course of the week, Tang Yunxuan filled his knowledge gaps about desert-specific facts, bought many professional pieces of equipment, and was ready to go to the desert fully-equipped.
The airport where the plane would land was located in a Southeast Asian country, the one nearest to the centre of the desert.
On the day of departure, Tang Yunxuan was the most well-prepared, while He Zhen and Zhao Xintong went lightly equipped, carrying only essential items needed for venturing into and out of the desert.
Cheng Xuyuan was even more relaxed than anyone else; he didn't need to bring anything as Tang Yunxuan had arranged everything for him. He just had to hide in Tang Yunxuan's chest pocket, turning back into his human form secretly after getting on the plane.
After a long flight journey, delightful foreign landscapes greeted them as soon as the plane landed.
On the way to the desert, they had to transfer buses multiple times. The local road conditions weren't great. The three professionals accompanying them were quite struggling, while Zhao Xintong started vomiting soon after the trip started.
A few hours later, as the sky began to darken, the group finally arrived at a small town on the edge of the desert.
After having dinner in the town, Tang Yunxuan walked onto the town's main road. From there, he could see how at the end of the road was a vast night sky, under which waves of yellow sand danced in the wind.
The hotel Tang Yunxuan booked was the best in the town. As soon as they stepped into the entrance, the landlady greeted everyone with a pure American accent, exuding great enthusiasm.
"We often have Chinese tourists visiting," said the landlady in English. "You guys are here to have a look at the edge of the desert, right?"
Tang Yunxuan, who was checking in and pulling his luggage, smiled and replied, "We are going to the center of the desert."
The landlady's countenance hardened as she made sure Tang Yunxuan's words were genuine.
After confirming that the group indeed intended to journey to the centre of the desert, the landlady requested all payments be made upfront. The reason was simple and crude: "If you don't come back, who do I go after?"
Every local understood the danger of the desert.
The landlady even commented, "It's been a long time since anyone has gone to seek their doom. Good luck to you."
Though her words didn't sit comfortably, her attitude was sincere, casting a degree of heaviness over everyone present.
Come nightfall, the inn's bellboy led everyone to their respective rooms.
Except Tang Yunxuan and Cheng Xuyuan who shared a double room, everyone else was allocated a single one.
During the process of settling their luggage, the inn's bellboy shared a few rumors about the desert with Tang Yunxuan and the others.
"About a decade ago, a large archaeological team went into the desert," said the bellboy, speaking as if sharing a secret. "However, they not only never returned, but also no trace of their bodies or belongings were ever found. It's said that there once existed an ancient country in the center of the desert. But who knows,the truth, nobody has ever verified it."
In the eyes of the town's residents, the vast desert symbolized evil and curses.
After the bellboy left, Cheng Xuyuan laid on the soft bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Being a spirit imbued with three thousand years of Daoist cultivation, he naturally was not afraid of the desert. However, Tang Yunxuan, having been raised gently like a child with a silver spoon, might faint before they even reached the center of the desert.
Hence, he suggested to Tang Yunxuan, "You could still back out now, we could leave immediately."
Tang Yunxuan, who was arranging the equipment they would need for the next day, resolutely shook his head. "There are things I must understand." Like why the emperor resembled him, if the Xing Country really existed in history, and what does the curse "not living past 25" truly meant...
Too many doubts weighed heavily on Tang Yunxuan's heart, causing him to fall asleep early.
Cheng Xuyuan walked to the window and took a sip of juice, looking at the clear night sky outside. The many twinkling stars seemed so mesmerizing that it felt unreal.
He hadn't felt such a palpable natural spectacle in a long time.
After standing by the window and enjoying the cool breeze for a while, Cheng Xuyuan also lay down and fell asleep.
Strange things occurred.
This night, Tang Yunxuan did not dream of the Xing Country, but Cheng Xuyuan had a bewitchingly strange dream.
In the dream, there was an endlessly stretched corridor.
Darkness shrouded the surroundings, making it impossible to see even with a finger up close to one's eyes.
Suddenly, flickering torches lit up around him, illuminating the corridor and casting long shadows of two figures.
"You should leave now, it's not going to be too late if you don't!" A somewhat deep voice hurried anxiously. "No one can protect you now, those madmen just want to kill you!"
A clear yet frosty young voice chimed in, "If I leave, who would protect the people of Xing Country? Are we to rely on those incompetent officials?!"
Throughout the conversation, the two figures blurred and sharpened intermittently, and Cheng Xuyuan could never quite confirm their identities. All he could see was that one person was wearing a warrior's armor, and the other was dressed in a garment as white as snow.
"You are courting death, you cannot go to that broken tower again!" The voice of the warrior echoed through with anger, "They want to use you, and after using you, they will kill you. Don't you understand what I mean?!”
"Don’t stop me, you are not my opponent." The young man's attitude was resolute, "I must do what I promised His Majesty."
"Are you still thinking about him at this point? He's now hanging between life and death, he can't possibly protect you..."
"Move aside."
More torches lit up, the brightness becoming near blinding.
Ignoring the warriors' efforts to halt him, the young man pushed them aside, his determined silhouette disappearing at the end of the corridor.
The scene changed.
Everything in the dream was so vivid, leaving Cheng Xuyuan momentarily perplexed.
The young man climbed to the top of a towering edifice; its pinnacle reaching the stars, and he overlooked from above. At the base of the tower, countless soldiers with bows, arrows, and torches aimed directly at him on top.
A minor slip-up would turn him into a pincushion under a downpour of arrows.
Yet, the youth showed no fear, sat down cross-legged, and a pale halo around him started to glow.
"He is casting a sorcery, burn him now!" The head soldier sneered with a malicious expression, raising his torch high and shouting, "Li Yuan is a minister who brings calamity to the nation; it was because of him that the Demon King descended upon us, it's due to him that His Majesty remains ensnared in his slumber!"
"Burn him!"
"Burn him!"
"Burn him!"
Someone took the lead, throwing a torch into the Zhaixing Tower. Showered by the anger of the crowd, more followed suit and threw their torches into the tower.
"Burning Li Yuan to death is not only His Majesty's decree but also the divine will and it is for the sake of all living beings!"
The crowd cheered.
The young man, however, remained undeterred. He galvanized the magic accumulated throughout his life, harnessing the power of the stars, and an increasingly potent luminescence appeared on his body.
"The Demon King has descended, and everywhere lies destruction and despair. I, as your descendant, am willing to offer myself for the sacrifice.”
With dignity and neither humility nor arrogance, the young man intoned the spell, slicing his finger and painting the offering spell with his blood onto his snow-white robe.
“I beseech thee, may the divine beings descend upon us." The radiance surrounding the young man grew stronger; he turned paler and manifested more pain, but his body showed no signs of tremors.
As the towering flames engulfed the Zhaixing Tower, eventually reaching the top, the young man finally rose.
He put his hands together, pointing up towards the starry night sky. His white robe, under the light of the fire, looked like pure white snow reflecting sunlight.
"May all evil beings retreat, and no prohibitions exist."
Suddenly, there echoed several thunders in the clear night sky, signifying the success of the young man's sacrifice.
The people at the base of the tower shouted, "The sinful minister has been burned to death, the gods have shown their power!"
Good fortune had descended upon the Xing Country. However, it was popularly propagated amongst its people that it was the fortunate outcome of burning the treacherous minister Li Yuan to death.
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