1213 The Buried Relay Station? (2/2)
The others had returned to the relay station to plan their next path deeper into the desert. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohou, Lin Feili, and Tong Li went to the mountain of black rocks. It was where Zhang Xiaohou had first met Lin Feili.
The three picked up their pace and soon arrived at the cave where Lin Feili was living.
”Why are we here?” Zhang Xiaohou was utterly confused.
Lin Feili went to a corner in the cave and pushed aside a huge rock blocking the path.
Zhang Xiaohou only realized the path was there after the rock was pushed aside. He could not even see the end of the tunnel.
The three ventured deeper into the darkness. Lin Feili seemed extremely familiar with the place. He clearly knew the directions even though the place was pitch-black.
---
After walking for half an hour, the path started heading upward. The three left the cave and found themselves in a basin surrounded by black mountains.
The place was enclosed by the cliffs of the black mountains. The mountains were preventing the wind from blowing the sand in. The basin felt like a secluded place, separated from the desert.
”She was buried here...” Lin Feili pointed at a pile of rocks and sand.
Tong Li was startled. His eyes soon reddened. It had been so many years. Despite the sorrow, the man was utterly relieved that he had managed to find his sister's remains.
”Can I take her?” Tong Li asked.
”Sure.”
Tong Li moved the stones away and discovered the remains of a person with a smaller bone structure underneath them. He carefully retrieved the bones and placed them in a bag.
”Tong Li, where are you from? It seems like your hometown has the tradition of burying the dead in the place they were born. You risked your life to come here for the sake of it. You are a good man,” Zhang Xiaohou said.
”My parents strongly believe that my sister's soul isn't going to find peace, since she died in the wild. Commander Zhang, our family will be remembering the dead in a few days. I was hoping to find my sister's remains before that, so she wouldn't become a lost soul. I guess I will have to leave soon,” Tong Li said.
”That quick?” Zhang Xiaohou was startled.
”Yeah, our family holds the ritual once every four years. Those that died away from home must return before the ritual, or they will have to wait another four years. I'm not sure if I can make it in time either, but I can't just leave my sister's remains here,” Tong Li said.
”But the others aren't planning to go back yet.”
”We already put some markers down along the way back, so I can just follow the markers. The only problem is the sand river, but luckily, my secondary Element is the Wind Element. I should be able to look after myself. I wasn't expecting much at the start, but you were able to find Lin Feili. Brother Lin Feili, thank you so much!” Tong Li said.
”I have been talking to her over the years. It's good that you're bringing her back. I believe she prefers to go back to her hometown,” Lin Feili said.
Zhang Xiaohou was startled, but he soon realized something.
Lin Feili must have come here quite often to talk to the graves. However, Zhang Xiaohou was still confused about one thing. Why was Lin Feili still living here on his own, instead of trying to leave the desert? Did he have some other reasons?
---
Tong Li left by himself. Zhang Xiaohou felt a surge of emotions watching the man leave. The man had put his life at risk just so he could bury his sister back in his hometown.
”Commander Zhang, where are you from?” Lin Feili asked. He was becoming more fluent.
”From the south, I'm from Bo City,” Zhang Xiaohou said.
”Why are you here in the west?” Lin Feili asked.
”To gain some knowledge and experience. How about you? Why did you choose to stay?” Zhang Xiaohou asked.
”I was told to guard this place,” Lin Feili said.
”An order?” Zhang Xiaohou was startled.
Lin Feili nodded.
”You almost forgot who you are. Why would you still care about the order? The person that gave you the order might even be dead by now,” Zhang Xiaohou said.
”He's already dead, and I should have died here too, but...” Lin Feili paused in the middle of the sentence. He was glancing around the spacious basin.
”Is there something else here? I feel like you're quite mindful of it,” Zhang Xiaohou asked indifferently.
”Mm, I'm only alive because I didn't want the truth to be hidden...”
”The truth?” Zhang Xiaohou asked confusedly.
”Do you really think that the relay station was gone because of a sandstorm?” Lin Feili asked.
”Wasn't it?”
Lin Feili had a wry smile, but his eyes gradually filled with hatred.
”What happened?” Zhang Xiaohou knew something was not right. His voice was serious.
Lin Feili shook his head, and did not answer the question.