Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 414 Going the wrong way

Cao Ling listened to her father's words, but she still had doubts. Blinking her bright eyes, a hint of hope and disbelief in them, she said, "Dad, he looks like a teenager. How could he possibly possess such formidable strength? Are you overly worried and overthinking things? How could someone so young and yet so powerful exist?" Her tone was tinged with coquettishness and innocence, as she tried to convince her father with her own ideas, unwilling to believe that this seemingly ordinary boy could be such a formidable threat.

Cao Xun looked at his daughter's innocent expression and sighed softly, his eyes filled with love and patience. He slowly explained, "Ling'er, you must know that the Jianghu is vast, and all kinds of strange things exist. One should not judge others' strength and goodness based solely on appearance. In this vast world, there are many extraordinary individuals. They may practice mysterious martial arts or possess rare treasures, which can grant them extraordinary abilities, or allow them to maintain eternal youth, or conceal their true strength, making it difficult for others to detect. If we underestimate others based on appearances, sooner or later we will fall into an irretrievable situation. Therefore, at all times, we must remain vigilant and never let our guard down." His eyes revealed his earnest hope for his daughter's growth, hoping that through this experience, she would deeply understand the dangers and complexity of the Jianghu.

Cao Ling listened to her father's words and nodded, half understanding. The suspicion she had previously held was gone, replaced by trust and reliance on her father's judgment. She whispered, "So, that's certainly dangerous over there. Let's take a detour. Safety is paramount, after all." Her voice was soft, but it carried a firmness that came from a profound inner struggle and deliberation.

Cao Xun looked at his daughter's transformation, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "That's right, take a detour."

Upon hearing this, Cao Mo quickly and respectfully replied, "Yes! Second Elder."

Then, several people, leading their camels, slowly changed their direction. With heavy yet steady steps, the camels moved slowly forward across the vast yellow sand. Their bells rang with a clear and melodious sound, echoing endlessly in the silent desert, as if to tell of the hardships and unknown dangers of the journey, while also guiding the group's direction. The sound of the bells echoed far and wide across the vast desert, offering both comfort and a warning.

After hurriedly walking for a distance along what he believed to be the road to Lingyuan City, Lin Feng felt an inexplicable sense of unease well up in his heart. He slowly stopped and looked back, only to see the desert behind him, dead silent and vast. There was no trace of Cao Xun and his companions. A look of confusion and surprise crossed his face, and he muttered to himself, "Strange, why haven't they caught up? Did I take the wrong road? Everything in this desert is similar, making it extremely difficult to tell the direction. Could it be that I have inadvertently strayed from the correct path?" As he spoke, he scratched his head, his brows knitted together, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.

After a moment's deliberation, Lin Feng decided to turn back and investigate. He resolutely turned and hurried back the way he had come, his steps hurried and filled with anxiety. He knew that in this vast desert, if he lost his way, the threat of death would be imminent. Furthermore, he was concerned about his friends and was eager to reach Lingyuan City to reunite with them and face the impending crisis together. He couldn't linger here for too long; every second that passed could put him in greater danger.

When Lin Feng returned to the spot where he had met Cao Xun and his companions, he saw fresh camel tracks on the ground. The tracks were clear and distinct, extending in another direction. A sudden realization dawned on him, and he slapped his head, saying self-reproachfully, "Oh, I really took the wrong road. This desert looks all the same; it's easy to get lost if you're not careful. How could I have been so careless?" He shook his head helplessly, a wry smile on his face. Then, following the direction of the tracks, he saw Cao Xun and his caravan in the distance, like a long, winding snake, slowly advancing through the yellow sand.

Lin Feng's mind raced. He thought to himself: I'm completely unfamiliar with the roads in this area, while Cao Xun and his companions are clearly merchants who frequently traverse this desert and are well-versed in the surroundings. Following them might help me reach Lingyuan City more smoothly and prevent me from getting lost again in the desert. Furthermore, he was filled with curiosity about Cao Xun and his companions' wariness and suspicion. He wanted to understand why they were so wary of him, as if he were a terrifying beast. So, he decided to secretly follow Cao Xun and his companions.

He followed the caravan cautiously, always maintaining a safe distance to avoid detection. Sometimes he crouched, using the cover of the sand dunes to advance swiftly and nimbly. Other times he paused, hiding behind rocks, peering out to observe the caravan's movements. His eyes were focused and alert, like a cheetah on the prowl, not missing a single movement.

The Cao family caravan trudged along in the scorching midday heat. Each member of the caravan was drenched in sweat, beads of sweat dripping down their cheeks onto the scorching yellow sand, instantly absorbing them and leaving only tiny wet marks. They led their camels, their steps heavy and slow, each step accompanied by a weary gasp.

Cao Xun's brow furrowed, his eyes etched with solemnity and vigilance, as he glanced around from time to time. Cao Ling, meanwhile, clung closely to her father. Her beautiful face was sunburned, a few strands of hair drenched in sweat, plastered to her cheeks. But her gaze remained resolute, only occasionally revealing a hint of fatigue and unease. Cao Mo silently walked in the middle of the team, directing the servants to take care of the goods and camels. His posture was slightly hunched, yet he exuded a calm and resolute spirit.

Meanwhile, behind a hidden sand dune not far behind the caravan, Lin Feng was quietly following. His figure cloaked in shadow, his gaze fixed on the Cao family caravan's every move. His gaze was calm and profound, as he secretly pondered how to successfully reach Lingyuan City, while also observing whether the caravan would once again become aware of his presence. To avoid detection, he carefully controlled his movements, sometimes moving slowly, using the dunes for cover, and sometimes standing still, seemingly blending into the desert.