Pathfinder

The three figures didn't go far.

They bypassed several dilapidated mud-brick houses and finally stopped in a secluded corner.

It was a narrow gap between two abandoned buildings, dimly lit, and almost impossible to see inside from the outside.

Lu Yuan followed and stopped at the entrance to the narrow crevice.

The three of them turned around.

Only then did Lu Yuan get a clear look at their faces.

They were all men, between thirty and forty years old, with ordinary looks—the kind of faces that would blend into a crowd and go unnoticed.

But their eyes were unusual.

Sharp and composed, with the vigilance one only gains from prolonged exposure to danger.

At the edge of vision, gray and white text quietly emerged:

[Target detected: Pathfinder (Second Order Transcendence)]

[Target detected: Pathfinder (Second Order Transcendence)]

[Target detected: Pathfinder (Second Order Transcendence)]

Three Second Order.

This configuration is not low, it can even be said to be very high. The Second Order in Grim Port are all captain-level.

The leader spoke first, his voice low and deep.

"Squad leader of the Seventh Squad, Western Empire."

He pointed to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"My name is Morris, and I'm the captain of this squad."

Then he tilted his head and gestured to the person on his left.

"Heller."

The man simply nodded without speaking, his eyes fixed on Lu Yuan, as if assessing something.

"Vincent." Morris raised his chin again, pointing to the man on his right.

The youngest-looking of the three nodded slightly to Lu Yuan, a friendly smile on his lips.

Pathfinder.

The Imperial Army's direct forces were responsible for expanding territory and mapping.

Lu Yuan had seen records about the Night Watcher in their files, and that he occasionally cooperated with Night Watcher.

Morris's gaze fell on the badge on Lu Yuan's chest, and his eyes flickered slightly.

That was the Night Watcher's medical mark.

"A Night Watcher, an Easterner at that? And a doctor at that."

He raised his head, looking directly into Lu Yuan's eyes, his gaze filled with a hint of inquiry.

How did it end up in this desolate desert?

Lu Yuan had already prepared his words.

"Lu Yuan was injured during the mission and got separated from the team."

His tone was calm, as if he were stating a trivial fact.

"I was picked up by a merchant named Herman. Judging by the timeline, the rest of the team should be coming to find me soon, but in this desert, they probably won't be able to find me."

After speaking, he paused for a moment, observing the three people's reactions.

"We'll return to Bronze City after we recover from our injuries."

This statement is a test.

It has two meanings.

First, to test whether these three people are from Bronze City.

If so, they should have a noticeable reaction, since encountering colleagues from their "hometown" on a mission abroad will naturally create a sense of kinship.

Alternatively, one could directly state that they are not Night Watcher of the Bronze City, because joining the Night Watcher with an Eastern appearance would be somewhat conspicuous, unless the Night Watcher of the Bronze City is so powerful that it defies imagination.

Second, to find out exactly how far Bronze City is from here.

Most of the information about this desert came from Herman; only a small part was what I saw along the way.

Most importantly, I hadn't seen a map of the empire; otherwise, I could have easily determined my location. I really suffered from my lack of education.

Therefore, Lu Yuan needed to verify some things from these three Pathfinder.

Morris raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing the words "Bronze City".

He exchanged a glance with Heller and Vincent beside him.

That look was quick, but Lu Yuan caught it.

They were not familiar with Bronze City.

But they were verifying whether what Lu Yuan said was reasonable.

"Bronze City?"

Morris nodded, his expression not changing much, seemingly agreeing with Lu Yuan's excuse.

"It's at least half a month's journey from here. When did you Night Watcher start sending out such secret missions?"

"But the rules are clear, you don't need to say more."

Half a month?

Lu Yuan kept this information in mind, and as he listened to what Morris said next, he raised an eyebrow, not even needing to explain.

Meanwhile, Morris's reaction also illustrates something else.

They are not from Bronze City.

Lu Yuan kept these judgments to himself, remaining outwardly calm.

Our mission this time is to track down Sandworm.

After confirming Lu Yuan's identity, Morris crossed his arms and leaned against the earthen wall behind him, adopting a more casual posture.

"The Empire received news that unusual Sandworm activity has appeared deep in the desert, and they want us to come and take a look, and also try to create a map of this area."

He paused, a helpless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"As we continued our search, we discovered there was actually a small town here."

Vincent took the lead, stepped forward, and spoke in a voice that was younger Morris's, with a hint of sharpness.

"During the investigation, some kind of Contamination was found to remain here. The concentration was not high, but it had not dissipated."

He frowned, as if recalling something unpleasant.

"This kind of Contamination is very insidious; ordinary people can't detect it at all."

"We are prepared to try to resolve this."

Morris straightened up from the wall, his gaze returning to Lu Yuan, his expression becoming more serious.

"But we don't have enough manpower."

He looked at Lu Yuan.

"Then yesterday, I found you."

Morris's gaze lingered on Lu Yuan for a moment, as if he were re-evaluating the man.

"It's quite an accident to run into a Night Watcher in a place like this."

The meaning is very clear.

I'm looking for a helper.

Lu Yuan remained silent for a few seconds, as if weighing the pros and cons.

Actually, he was thinking about something else.

These three people were Pathfinder, directly under the Empire's command, and there was nothing unusual about the Gray-White Text prompts.

The presence of three Second Order configurations indicates that this mission is of a high level.

I haven't regained my senses yet, and my left hand is half useless. If I get involved now, I'll most likely be chased again.

Cooperating with them would do more harm than good.

"I'm sorry, I refuse."

Lu Yuan spoke, his voice not loud, but decisive.

"My injuries are severe, especially my sanity; it's almost completely depleted."

He paused, a self-deprecating smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Besides, you've said it yourself, I'm just a doctor."

Morris didn't seem too surprised when he heard this.

He even chuckled softly, as if he had expected this answer.

I knew you'd say that.

He winked at Heller.

Heller pulled a small bottle from his pocket.

The bottle was only the size of a thumb and contained some kind of pink liquid that shimmered faintly in the dim light.

Do you know what this is?

Morris took the bottle, twirled it between his fingers, and spoke with a hint of seduction in his voice.

"A specially formulated recovery potion. It can accelerate wound healing and restore a significant amount of sanity."

He looked at Lu Yuan with unwavering certainty in his eyes.

"The quota of one bottle per person per month is very precious."

Lu Yuan's gaze fell on the bottle of pink liquid, but he remained silent.

This bottle is for you.

Morris handed him the bottle.

"In addition, we will provide a simple map showing the town, including some... interesting places."

Lu Yuan did not answer.

"What's the price?"

Morris's smile widened slightly, seemingly pleased with his caution.

"At a crucial moment, we need you to step in."

He took a step forward and lowered his voice.

"You joined the Night Watcher as a doctor, and you even went on missions, which caused your sanity to be impaired..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lu Yuan.

He must have some tricks up his sleeve.

Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but a slight thought flickered in his mind.

This person has good observation skills.

We don't ask what methods you use.

Morris took a step back, restoring the previous distance, and spread his hands, his expression becoming casual.

"I just hope you can help me when needed."

He added.

"Of course, if things get complicated, you can run away. We won't stop you."