Chapter 101: The Battle in the Desert Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy/Tehrn

In the eastern part of Africa, near Somalia, lies an island called Naban, where Qian Longtou's army was stationed. This location's proximity to the Arabian Sea allowed for easy naval access, a strategic advantage for storing troops. Qian Longtou's chosen residence was not only aesthetically pleasing but also concealed by surrounding mountains. In any case, even without the natural camouflage, no one would be foolish enough to spy on Qian Longtou's army.

At this moment, Qian Longtou, in his opulent mansion, was furious. His only son had been killed inland, and the killer remained at large. He had ordered the execution of the responsible government authority if the killer was not found.

However, just as Qian Longtou's impatience grew, a communications soldier burst in, reporting, "Godfather, we have news of the killer!" Qian Longtou preferred this title, inspired by the American film "The Godfather," often claiming he would surpass the film's protagonist.

"Who?" Qian Longtou's primary concern was finding his son's killer. Hearing of a breakthrough, he immediately demanded an answer, abandoning his usual composure. Under normal circumstances, he would wait patiently, but this was different.

"We don't know the killer's name, but his build resembles Shi Ying. Three men have been killed in the same manner: a metal nail to the forehead.

This suggests the same killer responsible for the Ning Hai murders. Our men investigated, but were killed," the soldier reported.

Qian Longtou's face shifted, but he remained silent, sensing more information was forthcoming.

The soldier continued, "After killing them and attempting to destroy evidence, the local police arrived. However, the killer stole a motorbike and fled into the Taklimakan Desert. Our men are pursuing him—"

"Immediately assemble every member of Nan Qing! Capture him at all costs, even if it means scouring the desert; or kill him and bring his head as a sacrifice for Shiping!" Qian Longtou interrupted, issuing his command.

Ye Mo, recognizing himself from the photographs, knew that allowing those men to live would expose his identity. The fact that they still needed the pictures indicated they weren't entirely certain he was Shi Ying.

Exposure wasn't ideal, but not now. He was still in the second stage of Chi Gathering, making exposure perilous. The third stage would grant access to protective magical arts.

Knowing they were investigating him, he killed them without mercy. While unsure if they were from the Song Family or Nan Qing, he suspected the latter given the Song Family's lack of influence and slower investigation.

Ye Mo was surprised by Nan Qing's swift response to his appearance. He was fortunate to stay home and rarely appear in Luo Cang; otherwise, he would have been discovered sooner.

Ye Mo felt no remorse. Those who sought his life paid the ultimate price.

However, killing in broad daylight required cleanup, unlike the lax standards of the Luo Yue continent.

As Ye Mo prepared to dispose of the bodies, a police vehicle appeared. Deductively, a fourth person had escaped and called the police. His cover blown, Ye Mo abandoned evidence disposal, escaping on the motorbike into the desert.

Though he'd killed Nan Qing men, Ye Mo felt no pressure but avoided attacking the police, refraining from killing unless his life was threatened. Even with the evidence destroyed, the fourth witness presented an insurmountable information leak.

Before entering the desert, Ye Mo had studied it extensively. This wasn't his planned entry point, but he had no alternative.

He knew the Ku Lake's perilous nature, claiming many explorer's lives. The extreme temperature fluctuations meant solo exploration was suicide.

He noted names like An Coral, Luo Bu, Holy Door, unsure if Luo Bu referred to Luo Bu Lake; the map provided no indication. His research indicated the Taklimakan had swallowed numerous ancient cities, including the famed Lou Lan.

Many Silk Road cities had been buried by the desert.

Ye Mo didn't rush into the desert. His cultivation was low, lacking storage and off-route; so, upon entering, he stopped to plan his route.

Many well-equipped expeditions had perished in the Taklimakan, often at Luo Bu Lake. Ye Mo, alone with limited water, was ill-prepared.

He'd assumed his distance from the nearest road would deter Nan Qing, underestimating their determination. Within a couple of hours, he was surrounded.

Their swift pursuit was astonishing. Ye Mo, unable to pack, grabbed his bag and fled.

The desert offered no cover; twenty men, ten guns (mostly standard issue) threatened him. Knowing his capabilities, they opened fire immediately, even using grenades. Their orders were clear: bring him back, dead or alive.

He had no choice but to eliminate them, dodging bullets and dispatching metal nails like lethal petals.

Unlike the Flowing Snake's stone room, this boundless desert was a hail of bullets. He knew the Song Family lacked this firepower; only Nan Qing possessed such resources.

Qian Longtou's rapid deployment of twenty men and ten guns demonstrated Nan Qing's might. Ye Mo questioned if he could even confront Nan Qing's headquarters, even at the third stage of Chi Gathering.

But he had no time for contemplation; two Range Rovers appeared. Their approach signaled further reinforcements.

A bullet grazed his lower waist, highlighting his limited spiritual sense range. However, he quickly eliminated the shooter.

By the time the Range Rovers neared, he'd eliminated his immediate pursuers, but a gunshot wound and a bullet-ridden tent made him uneasy. The extensive Chi expenditure forced him to abandon his camp, fleeing deeper into the desert.

His flight revealed his carelessness. Nan Qing's relentless pursuit caught him off guard, derailing his plans and costing him a bullet wound.

After two hours, Ye Mo was lost. The danger was immense, but preferable to a firefight.

He tended his wound, realizing that six of his twenty water bottles had been pierced by bullets; a surprisingly precise shot.

He surveyed the desolate landscape—boundless desert and occasional dead trees—and cursed his lack of a tent. A GPS would have been invaluable.

As darkness approached, Ye Mo hung a sleeping bag on a tree. He needed rest, to treat his wound, and to conserve his remaining water.