Return of the Swallow

s. 

The terrain of the uninhabited desert was constantly changing.
A hill right in front of them would have completely leveled out when they awakened on the morrow.
Furthermore, though it wasn’t too hot in the days of the winter desert, it was terribly cold at night. 

Although the tribesmen had packed sufficient rations and water, their journey through the desert was still tumultuous.
When Qin Yining rejected Cao Yuqing’s offer to leave and stuck with the tribesmen instead, she’d already resigned herself to death.
Whether in body or spirit, they were both stretched to their limits. 

Upon consideration and acceptance that this might be her final trek in life, it felt like a string snapped in her mind.
The dogged inner strength that kept her putting one step ahead of the next slipped away, and her body grew weaker by the day.
Her earlier injuries were all called to the surface again, summoned by the winter desert chill. 

The silver lining was that this time, they were in possession of carts and weapons.
Constant consumption of provisions freed up space, so after Qin Yining fell sick, worried tribesmen cleared out a cart for her to rest in. 

She was bundled in a thick, cotton-padded jacket, lying in the cart alone as she drifted in and out of sleep. 

Lu Heng and Uncle Alham flanked the sides of the cart.
Each with a shawl covering their nose and mouth, their eyes were narrowed to resist the harsh desert winds as they occasionally glanced at Qin Yining with concern. 

“We still don’t know where we’re going.
If we continue on like this, I fear the chief won’t be able to go on!”  After witnessing the pair’s steadfast loyalty, Uncle Alham had started to call Qin Yining and Lu Heng the chiefs in private. 

“Sadly, we just don’t have any other choice available to us right now,” responded Lu Heng.
“We already gave her medicine, but the desert’s climate is just too bleak and bad for her recovery.” 

“It’s a good thing we have the carts.” Uncle Alham sighed. 

Caganbhara spat out some sand that’d traveled into his mouth before speaking, “How about we turn back and let the chief recover outside the desert? The circumstances outside must certainly be better than here.” 

“You think I haven’t thought about that?” Lu Heng smiled wryly.
“Our pursuers were already hot on our tails when we entered the desert.
Since they’re following our trail, they should’ve seen us enter the desert.
They won’t dare to follow, but they also won’t dare return to the khan with a failed mission.
It’s extremely likely that they set up an encampment outside and are lying in wait for us to come out.” 

Uncle Alham nodded in agreement.
“Right, and it’s hard to flee while carrying our chief.
They’re all elite calvary.
As for us, even with food and water in the desert, we’ve used up a lot of strength.
If we run into them, it’ll be extremely difficult to escape.”

If you want to support us, please download our awesome cultivation game Taoist Immortal!