The carriage traveled over land for half a month before finally reaching the edge of the desert.
Lin Taichu paid the fare, stepped down from the carriage, and looked at the endless desert before him. He took a deep breath, then strode into the sands.
The desert sun was vicious. Daytime temperatures could reach forty or fifty degrees, only to plunge below freezing at night.
During the day, Lin Taichu tried to travel through shaded areas. At night, he found a sheltered dune and lit a campfire to keep warm.
The water and dry rations he had brought were soon used up. He could only rely on desert cacti to quench his thirst, occasionally catching small desert animals to fill his stomach.
After traveling like this for more than ten days, Lin Taichu's lips had cracked from dryness, and his clothes were covered in sand. He looked utterly bedraggled.
Just as he was about to collapse, a patch of green suddenly appeared in the distance. Delighted, he quickened his pace and found that it was a small town.
The town was not large, with only one main street lined by low houses. There were inns, restaurants, and several small shops selling daily necessities. Lin Taichu entered the town and first found an inn that looked reasonably clean.
"Innkeeper, get me a room, and prepare something to eat and drink," Lin Taichu said to the innkeeper behind the counter.
The innkeeper looked him over. Seeing that he was covered in sand and his lips were cracked, he hurriedly said, "Sir, you came through the desert, didn't you? Please sit down. I'll have someone prepare a room for you and bring you a bowl of water."
Very soon, the waiter brought over a bowl of water.
Lin Taichu took it and drank