Chapter 742 - Rescue (1/2)

Shao Xuan had enslaved Sapphire so their auras were similar since its powers came from Shao Xuan. The beetle swarm was also attracted to Sapphire’s aura so while humans might not be able to differentiate both, the beetles could. They would never hurt Shao Xuan and he could even get Sapphire to issue them commands to perform tasks.

These large beetles led the swarm to search for food while Sapphire hibernated so not only were they larger than average beetles, they were stronger and smarter.

However, they were only as smart as average wild animals. Even Sapphire could not make them perform very complicated tasks. However, simple commands were still possible, e.g. luring a guard away like just now; or burrowing tunnels through sand.

Shao Xuan and the rest had followed Sapphire to this small city. A large area around it was flat without hiding spots, and this was a rescue mission- not a declaration of war. Even if they battled, they must fight after the rescue.

That was why they made another plan.

Sapphire first led Shao Xuan underground. Since Sapphire was too gigantic and attracted attention, Sapphire only led Shao Xuan for a while before passing the task to the other beetles.

With experience walking submerged in mud, Shao Xuan found walking in sand more difficult but not impossible. He had the beetles’ help underground anyway, there were many more beetles invisible to the surface.

Sapphire could confirm the approximate location of the five Gongjia people while Shao Xuan found their specific spots. He then sent a beetle to lure a guard away before coming out of the ground. There was one guard for each of the 4 directions of the small house so this face was left unguarded.

It was no wonder the beetles preferred being underground because it was indeed cooler than the surface without the sun.

There was a yard of sorts with bones scattered in the corner by the yard wall. Based on their shapes, Shao Xuan recognised them as adult human and children bones.

The house and yard were relatively short. If Shao Xuan walked outside, the people inside would see half his head. Similarly, if he stood in the yard, people would spot him from the outside.

There were about ten more people sitting leaned against the wall in one shaded spot outside the yard.

Shao Xuan did not completely exit the sand, only exposing the top half of his body to sense his surroundings and locate every guard and target. The Gongjia people had different auras from the slaves so he could confirm their specific places.

Unfortunately, they were not on this side. No worries.

The beetles that popped out of the surface congregated once again and burrowed into the sand. Shao Xuan took a deep breath and sank back underground.

Soon after he disappeared, the guard who left returned, cursing as he took his seat for failing to catch his prey. He fell back into his nap.

In a mud hut on the other side. The five Gongjia people were tied up tightly using sturdy desert vines. They might look dried and thin but they were hardy. These five were injured, dehydrated and starving, making them too weak to struggle. They lay on the ground, eyes opened or closed with only mud walls and sand around them. They weren’t asleep, just thinking.

Days ago when they lost Gongjia Ren, they met a group of robbers, one of the robbers being their former mate. Their mate led the robbers to capture them, then gave them only a little water so they would not die immediately.

The Vipers wanted them to make weapons but they refused and were locked up here. Yesterday, they had just witnessed the desert robbers eating human flesh- although they knew it was deliberate for show, they also knew cannibalism was real here. They had long heard of tribesmen eating humans and that they were barbaric. However, it was still very traumatic to witness it first-hand.

If they agreed to make weapons for the robbers, they would live- but like slaves. Based on the Vipers’ behaviour, they did not look like people who would treat them kindly. If they refused, they would become food.

What now?

Live or die?

“I want to kill myself,” muttered a younger man leaning against the wall, his head lowered.

“That’s a good idea… but I wouldn’t be satisfied with that!” sighed the older man looking up at the hole in the roof.

Yes, they had thought about dying but they still had a glimmer of hope somewhere. Perhaps they would have a twist of fate?

In the end, they were just not satisfied with giving up.

They hadn’t forged a famous weapon yet, no one would be willing to just die like that in the desert. Without this hope, how could they have struggled so long to live?

“If only we didn’t choose to come here…” Someone spoke up, then trailed off with a bitter smile.

There was no such thing as ‘if only’. They picked this path, now they must bear the consequences.

Previously, they wanted to burrow underground only to realise it was too difficult. With their current strength, digging a tunnel was impossible, especially when their hands and feet were tied together. The desert robbers knew of their conditions too, hence they were merely tossed here.

Rustle—-

The sound of rolling sand.