Qing Lin

Night fell over the Tagor Desert, swiftly staining the horizon like spilled ink. The sand grains that could fry eggs by day still held their lingering warmth. When the evening wind, carrying fine sand, blew across them, they gave off a soft rustling sound, as though the desert Murmured softly. At the center of Stone Spring Oasis, before the main tent of the Ink Iron Mercenary Group, a bonfire blazed fiercely. Orange-red flames greedily licked at thick Poplar Wood, crackling from time to time as sparks scattered across the warm sand and vanished in an instant. The main tent, sewn from three layers of thick, tough Sand Camel Beast hide, glowed red and translucent in the firelight. From afar, it looked like a warm, flickering lamp deep in the desert, dispelling the loneliness of the night.

Inside the tent, rich scents filled the air—the fresh sweetness of newly opened Jujube Wine mingled with its mellow fragrance, alongside the charred aroma of roasted Yellow Wind Wolf meat. Grease dripped onto the coals with a sizzling sound, making mouths water. Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the ground, which was covered with an entire Sand Fox Hide. Its thick, soft fur blocked out the chill of the sand. Beside him, his elder brother Xiao Ding wore dark fitted clothes, with traces of sand still Stained with his shoulder armor. It was obvious that he had just returned from patrol. His second brother, Xiao Li, wore a loose coarse-cloth short shirt that exposed his sturdy arms. A shallow scar on his forearm was a mark left from fighting a Demonic Beast yesterday. The three sat around a low Poplar Wood table, its surface polished bright by years of wine and grease stains. On it stood a clay jar of freshly opened Jujube Wine, with several dried jujubes still clinging to its rim. Three rough clay bowls held amber wine, fine bubbles floating on the surface as steam curled upward.

"Speaking of that third-rank Desert Iron Scorpion from the other day, damn, its tail stinger was a whole size thicker than your Black Heavy Ruler!" Xiao Li slapped his thigh as he animatedly recounted their beast-hunting exploits. His booming voice made the tent Trembled slightly. "When it flicked that stinger, it came straight at Third Brother's face with a whoosh! It nearly split his saber in two! Third Brother went white as a sheet and had to roll and scramble to dodge it!" As he spoke, he slammed a hand onto the table and pointed at the Black Heavy Ruler lying beside Xiao Yan. Bathed in firelight, it gave off a deep black gleam. His tone carried both the lingering fear of the Aftermath of disaster and the pride of someone boasting about his own heroics. "In the end, it was your elder brother who spotted an opening and smashed that beast in the head with a Mountain Splitting Fist! Bang! Cracked its skull right open!"

Xiao Ding shook his head helplessly and patted Xiao Li's arm, neither too hard nor too gently, with the indulgence of an Elder brother. "Stop bragging. That scorpion had half its body trapped in quicksand and was already injured. Otherwise, how could we have taken it down so easily?" Though he said that, amusement lingered in his eyes. When his gaze passed over Xiao Yan, it carried a little more satisfaction. "Still, Xiao Yan, you've become much steadier in your Dou Qi since coming back. When you were standing outside the tent just now, I could feel the flow of Dou Qi in your body even through the hide. You're far stronger than when we met last year."

Xiao Yan smiled, lifted the clay bowl before him, and lightly sipped the Jujube Wine, his fingertips brushing against the bowl's warmth. The wine first carried a perfectly measured spiciness, making his throat Slightly hot. Then the distinctive sweetness of jujubes spread over his Tongue Tip, slid down his throat into his stomach, and became a warm current that slowly flowed through his Limbs and body, completely dispelling the night's slight chill. He had just been about to say something when an extremely light, slow set of footsteps came from outside the tent—tap... tap... Every step seemed to land on cotton, filled with cautious hesitation and accompanied by a faint trembling, like a startled deer's racing heart. It was as though the owner of those footsteps might turn and run away at any moment.

All three were taken aback. Xiao Li instinctively stopped speaking and listened closely before grinning and lowering his voice. "Those footsteps are as light as cat paws scratching the ground. Sounds like a little girl. Pretty shy, too."

As soon as he finished speaking, the thick hide curtain of the main tent was carefully lifted from outside, opening a narrow slit. A small, thin figure timidly peered in like a startled little animal. In the light of the bonfire, they could clearly see that she was a girl of fifteen or sixteen. She wore a coarse cloth dress that had been washed pale, nearly faded to light gray. Several patches of different colors covered the hem, their stitches crooked and uneven, clearly sewn on by herself. Her hair was tied behind her head with a simple hemp cord, with a few loose strands hanging beside her cheeks and covering half her face. The girl tightly held a clay wine jug in both hands. Faded patterns were printed on its surface, showing that it had been around for many years. Her arms Trembled slightly from gripping it too hard, her knuckles turning pale blue, as though the jug weighed a thousand pounds. She moved extremely slowly, as though she had Stepped on scorching iron. With every step, she paused for a moment. Her head hung so low that her chin nearly touched her chest, her bangs hiding her brows and eyes. Only her tightly pressed, bloodless lips and their trembling corners could be seen.

"The child's here." Xiao Ding's gaze fell on the girl, and the sharpness in his eyes immediately softened. He smiled and spoke in a low, gentle voice, as though afraid of frightening this little startled bird before him. "Look at her. She's only bringing in a jug of wine, yet she's shaking all over. She's even more nervous than the new recruits in our group whose legs turn to jelly when they see Snake People."

Xiao Yan looked over at the girl. Seeing how lost and helpless she appeared, as if she might cry the next second, the smile at his lips softened. He lightly beckoned to her, warmth hidden in his voice as though soothing a frightened little animal. "Qing Lin, come in. Don't be afraid. We're all family here."

When the girl called Qing Lin heard Xiao Yan's voice, it was as if she had been given some Peace of Mind. Her tense shoulders relaxed slightly, though she still did not dare lift her head. Keeping her gaze lowered, she answered in an almost inaudible voice, as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "Brother... Brother Xiao, the wine... I brought the wine." Her voice carried timidity, along with a faint, nearly imperceptible dependence. As she spoke, she took tiny steps and slowly moved into the tent, her eyes fixed tightly on the patterns in the beast hide on the ground, Afraid of stepping somewhere wrong and disturbing those inside.

"Her name is Qing Lin." Xiao Ding watched as Qing Lin nearly dropped the wine jug at the corner of the table from nervousness, then hurriedly steadied it with both hands. His tone gained a trace of pity as he turned to explain to Xiao Yan and Xiao Li. "She's a poor child. One of her parents was an ordinary member of the Snake People Tribe, while the other was a human merchant who wandered into the desert. Not long after she was born, both of them died. Qing Lin was raised by the elders of the tribe, but because of her half-human, half-snake heritage, people everywhere pointed at her back and cursed her as a 'monster' and a 'bastard.' The other children threw stones at her whenever they saw her, and the adults in the tribe never treated her kindly either. Over time, she became exceptionally timid. She never dared look up when speaking to people, like a little shadow always hiding from everyone."

Xiao Ding paused, his gaze returning to Qing Lin with sorrow in his eyes. "When Xiao Yan found her at an abandoned post station on the edge of the desert some time ago, she was Curled Up in a corner, chewing on a hard, dry wheat cake that could chip your teeth. She had several scrapes on her body, probably from being shoved around, and didn't even have a water flask beside her. She was all alone. It was heartbreaking to see. Xiao Yan brought her along so someone could look after her, so she could eat a hot meal and no longer suffer other people's bullying."

As Xiao Li listened, the smile gradually faded from his face. His originally rough expression took on sorrow and anger. He was just about to say something like, "Whoever dares bully her, I'll beat him up," when Qing Lin, after setting down the wine jug, instinctively raised a hand to tuck back the loose hair that the wind had blown against her cheek. At that moment, her oversized sleeve slid down her slender arm, exposing a wrist as white as jade. Against that pale, nearly transparent skin, where blue Blood vessels could be seen, several pale blue Snake Scale were clearly visible. Each was about the size of a fingernail, with delicate luster along its edges, like fine jade that had been carefully polished. Under the bonfire's light, they shone with a faint halo, especially eye-catching yet strangely beautiful.

When Qing Lin noticed her sleeve had fallen and inadvertently caught sight of the exposed Snake Scale, her Pupils abruptly contracted. As though burned by fire, her body instantly stiffened. She let out a small cry and immediately hid her hand behind her back. She moved so quickly that she nearly stirred the air, as though those Snake Scale were some terrifying monster. Her face turned deathly pale in an instant, completely drained of color. Her lips trembled uncontrollably, and her body began to shake, like a sapling shrinking in a cold wind. Her eyes reddened at a Visible to the naked eye rate. Large tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back as she repeatedly apologized in a broken Crying tone. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I... I'll cover them right away. Did I... did I scare you? I'm sorry, I'm really sorry..." As she spoke, her other hand hurriedly reached for the fallen sleeve, trying to hide the Snake Scale completely. But the more anxious she became, the harder her hand shook, and she could not pull the sleeve up no matter how hard she tried.

For a moment, the tent fell silent. Only the crackling of the bonfire and Qing Lin's suppressed, faint sobs remained. Xiao Li frowned, pain appearing on his face. He was just about to stand and say, "It's all right, don't be afraid," but Xiao Yan had already risen before him. He slowly walked over to Qing Lin, his footsteps light, Afraid of startling the fragile little creature before him. He did not look at her reddened eyes, nor did he mention the words "Snake Scale." He merely bent slightly and reached out, gently taking the hand she had hidden behind her back with a warm but firm grip.

Qing Lin's hand was cold, as though it had just been pulled from icy water. It Trembled slightly, like the claw of a frightened bird Curled Up tightly. Xiao Yan lowered his head and looked at the Snake Scale Qing Lin had deliberately tried to hide. His fingertips held just the right warmth as they gently brushed across the surface of the scales. They felt smooth and delicate, with a faint chill, like fine jade. He raised his head, looked at Qing Lin's face, and spoke clearly and sincerely, his voice carrying a strength that could dispel all unease. "There's no need to hide. These hands are beautiful. You don't need to conceal them."

Qing Lin suddenly lifted her head. Her wet eyes were filled with disbelief, as though she had heard some impossible fantasy. She stared blankly at Xiao Yan, and the tears in her eyes finally could no longer be held back. They rolled down her cheeks and fell onto the back of Xiao Yan's hand, carrying a faint coolness. Within those tears were grievance, shock, and a trace of hope she could barely conceal.

Xiao Yan did not let go of her hand. Instead, he smiled and gently raised it into the bonfire's light, allowing those pale blue Snake Scale to be fully revealed beneath the warm flames. He pointed at them, his expression as serious as though he were admiring a priceless treasure, his eyes full of sincere praise. "Look at how beautiful their color is. They're like jade soaked in moonlight all night, carrying a faint, gentle sheen. Even the most precious Azure Crystal Jade in our desert isn't this clear or this warm. This is a mark that belongs only to you, a treasure no one else has. Why should you think it's ugly? Why hide it?"

After saying that, he paused and glanced at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who had both long since stood up with gentle smiles on their faces. Then he continued speaking to Qing Lin. "From now on, in the Ink Iron Mercenary Group, you have me, Elder Brother, and Second Brother. No one will ever say a bad word about you because of these scales, and no one will dare bully you. You can lift your head proudly. You don't need to be afraid of anyone anymore. Here, you are safe."

Xiao Ding spoke at the right moment as well, his tone gentle. "Qing Lin, don't be afraid. From now on, treat this place as your own home. Everyone in the group is straightforward. No one will gossip about your origins. If anyone dares bully you, tell Elder Brother. I'll stand up for you."

Xiao Li grinned broadly as well, flashing Qing Lin a fist gesture. His tone carried a touch of domineering confidence. "That's right! Whoever dares bully our little sister Qing Lin, Second Brother will grab his blade and deal with him! With the Ink Iron Mercenary Group looking after you in this desert, live boldly and without worry!"

Qing Lin looked at Xiao Yan's earnest, gentle eyes, then at Xiao Ding's nod of agreement and kind expression, and finally at Xiao Li's bright smile, warm with protectiveness. Her tense body gradually relaxed. She sniffed and wiped the tears from her face with her other hand, her fingertips Swiped past her cheek and left a faint wet streak. A tiny but incomparably genuine smile slowly appeared at the corners of her mouth, like a small wildflower quietly blooming in the desert after enduring wind and sand—fragile, yet resilient. She slowly unclenched her fist and allowed the Snake Scale that had once made her feel so ashamed, that she had wanted to hide countless times, to be fully exposed in the firelight without any concealment.

The bonfire's glow fell across her face, reflecting the light gradually kindling in her eyes. Within that light was relief, Peace of Mind, and a trace of anticipation for the future. The firelight also shone on those pale blue Snake Scale. They glittered with tiny points of light, as though studded with a sky full of stars. The scent of Jujube Wine remained rich within the tent, the charred aroma of roasted beast meat still lingered, and the bonfire continued to crackle. Yet because of this moment, everything held an indescribable warmth. That warmth was like a gentle net, shutting out the cold and loneliness of the desert night, leaving only tenderness, Peace of Mind, and the sense of belonging that came with home.