Out of the Desert

"Hey, old man, can you still keep going? Don't collapse right at the doorstep."

From time to time, the old men in the desert party could be heard trading barbs. Yet after every round of bickering, their slightly loosened nerves would tighten once more.

Walking at the very front, Chen Cheng lifted his sand veil and studied the map. Then he turned to the old men behind him and said:

"We're almost out of the desert. Hang in there."

Chen Cheng put away the map and had She Li lead the way ahead. He intended to check the rear for anyone who had fallen behind and bring them some water as well.

Nearly half a month of trekking had been an extremely harsh challenge for these old men. Although plenty of unexpected accidents had happened along the way, Chen Cheng had prepared sufficient supplies, so no one had been lost.

And now that they were about to leave the desert, Chen Cheng knew this was the old men's final trial between life and death.

They had been able to grit their teeth and endure until now, but it was often when they neared the finish line that their minds suddenly relaxed—and death struck at once.

The best method, aside from ensuring ample supplies, was to have them drive away the tedium of the journey by needling each other. Arguing and squabbling, for example, made excellent seasoning for their moods.

After counting everyone one by one, he found that not a single person was missing.

Only then did Chen Cheng let out a relieved breath.

Doyle, walking at the very back, smiled and said to Chen Cheng:

"Young Master, you really treasure these old fellows."

Because of Chen Cheng's reminder, everyone now addressed him as Young Master.

The old men at