Divergence

Except for him and Situ Han, the others had prepared quite sumptuous food for themselves. The salted meat jerky Nian Songyu brought looked unremarkable, a dark, reddish-black, but once toasted over the fire, it emitted an intoxicating aroma, clearly enhanced by a variety of seasonings. Slicing off a few pieces to pair with thin, white flour flatbreads, the expedition suddenly felt more like a picnic.

He Chunhua mixed a bowl of oil-flour tea. Once hit with boiling water, the fragrance of sesame and peanuts drifted further than the scent of the meat. He had also added some cashew nuts and walnuts, instantly elevating the quality of the meal.

He Lingchuan had always felt that drinking this kind of thing required slurping it down like a storm to truly enjoy it, but his father's table manners were refined, quiet, and soundless.

Upon hearing the State Preceptor's words, He Chunhua pondered for a moment, and his expression shifted: "Went at the wrong time? Wait, he couldn't possibly be referring to the Furious Sand Season, could he?"

"All treasure-hunting parties avoid the Furious Sand Season, and consequently, they return empty-handed. Zhu Gen has exhausted every known method and divine ability, yet he cannot detect the presence of the Great Square Pot. Therefore, he concluded that this treasure was likely well-hidden by Zhong Shengguang, or perhaps by the deity he worshipped, and that finding it requires fulfilling a prerequisite," Sun Fuping said slowly. "Otherwise, even if a latecomer were to scour every inch of the Coiling Dragon Ruins, they would never find it."

He Lingchuan's mouth was slick with oil, and while he was enjoying his meal, it didn't stop him from speaking: "Zhong Shengguang resented the allied forces, so of course he wouldn't want them to obtain the Great Square Pot. Is there a possibility that the Great Square Pot was reclaimed by the deity and is no longer in the mortal realm? And all the strange phenomena in the Coiling Dragon Desert now are the work of vengeful souls—er, no, of heroic spirits. After all, Three-Corpse Insects originate from the human body; they aren't exclusive to the Great Square Pot."

He lived by the principle that one should never let their palate suffer, so he first tore into a soy-braised goose leg, then crunched away at two fragrant, pan-fried noodle cakes.

The noodles local to Blackwater City were chewy and resilient after being boiled, and after being dried with hot air, they were actually somewhat similar to his good companion from another world: instant noodles. The locals would boil the noodles, coat them in flour, pan-fry them into cakes, and sprinkle them with chili and spices, making for a high-quality, portable ration suitable for both home and travel.

He Lingchuan had specifically requested extra meat and eggs.

He practiced the martial path, so his appetite was much larger than others; he couldn't go a single meal without staples and meat.

He was practically a bottomless pit, and his table manners were crude. Nian Songyu cast a disdainful glance at him: "The Three-Corpse Insects that can even invade the minds of sorcerers must be a specialty of the Great Square Pot."

From the moment a person is born, the Three-Corpse Insect accompanies them, growing more troublesome as they age, muddling thoughts, fueling greed, and birthing evil intentions. That is why it is also known as the "Three-Corpse God," and it is by no means as lowly as a mere insect. For a person to cultivate and attain the Dao, they must pass the trial of wielding the sword of wisdom to sever the three corpses, thereby achieving a clear and pure mind.

Of course, this refers to severing the Three-Corpse Insects within one's own body.

The Three-Corpse Insects lurking in the Coiling Dragon Desert could infect even sorcerers with clear minds, and they could remain active outdoors for long periods, fearing nothing but the sunlight.

This enhanced version of the Three-Corpse Insect must have come from the Great Square Pot.

He Lingchuan chuckled: "According to the State Preceptor's logic, the Great Square Pot only appears during the Furious Sand Season?"

"Highly likely."

"Then we won't be keeping you company; you two can stay and play at your leisure." He Lingchuan stood up abruptly and walked toward the exit without looking back. "Dad, let's go home!"

The Furious Sand Season? Are you kidding me? There are a thousand ways to commit suicide; he didn't need to make a special trip here for it!

A shadow flickered before him as Nian Songyu stood with his sword, blocking the ladder. "Sit back down, or I'll send you on your way right now, no need to wait for the Furious Sand Season!"

"Oh?" He Lingchuan laughed instead of getting angry. "So soon? The mask is already slipping?" He turned to his father. "Dad, these two just want to use us as cannon fodder. Are you leaving or not?"

He Chunhua set down his half-finished noodle tea and stood up. "The State Preceptor has planned everything perfectly and holds victory in his grasp. It seems that even without the help of Blackwater City, you can still seize the treasure and return."

Nian Songyu's smile turned ferocious. "Do you think this is still Blackwater City? Killing you is as easy as killing a chicken! If you two are gone, this team of over two hundred will still be under my command; who would dare object!"

If the He father and son were dead, the highest-ranking officer would naturally take control. This team would remain in their hands.

Zeng Feixiong had already stood up, and at this, a "clang" rang out as he drew his blade halfway. "Commandant Nian, watch your tongue! We only acknowledge Governor He!"

The personal guards stationed outside the building heard the commotion and rushed in, surrounding everyone.

In just a few words, the atmosphere had become tense and ready to snap.

He Lingchuan's eyes darted around. What would happen if they tore off the mask now? Would the two of them dare to kill him and his father?

Setting aside the fact that Nian Songyu was a powerhouse, could his own two hundred men handle State Preceptor Sun?

Was this a good opportunity to take them both out?

These thoughts flashed through his mind, and the answers were immediately obvious:

They would dare, they couldn't, and it wasn't.

It seemed he and his father couldn't escape unscathed; they would have to find another way.

"Young man, your temper is quite fiery." Sun Fuping tossed aside his cake and gulped down a few mouthfuls of water. "Governor He, you have always been known for your steady temperament; why are you indulging this boy? If this were a guaranteed death trap, would I have traveled a thousand miles to throw my life away?"

Before the Governor could speak, He Lingchuan retorted, "You wouldn't, you'd just let us throw ours away."

These two old and young things had been harboring ill intentions from the very beginning.

Nian Songyu squinted at him. "Still trying to raise the price? Was once not enough?"

He looked at He Lingchuan with growing disgust; He Lingchuan felt exactly the same toward him.

Neither of them bothered to hide it anymore.

"Everything else is negotiable, but State Preceptor, life is extinguished wherever the Furious Sand passes. It's not a game, and we shouldn't even entertain the thought of testing it!" He Chunhua coughed. "Besides, the food and water we have can only last another three to five days; it's not enough to drag this out until the Furious Sand Season arrives."

He was attempting to ease the tension, and Sun Fuping cooperated. "If we can trigger the Furious Sand Season, I am confident I can bring everyone out safely; if we cannot, we will return to Blackwater City before the real Furious Sand Season arrives. How about that?"

"Trigger the Furious Sand Season?" Situ Han, the leader of the sand bandits, couldn't help but interject. "This can be triggered early?"

And then be sent to an early grave?

He had been huddled in the corner, quietly finishing a piece of flatbread and roasting a few black-skinned scorpions. He knew he had no right to speak; everyone here was his superior.

But as he listened, why did it feel like he had followed them into a dead end?

"Wait, please wait!" A thought struck him, and his expression changed. "There are still people on Red Cliff Road right now. If the Furious Sand Season arrives early, they will surely die!"

"There are only a few days left until the Furious Sand Season; anyone with sense knows not to scramble for the last copper coin." Nian Songyu was dismissive. "Besides, in previous years, the Furious Sand Season didn't fall on a specific month, day, or hour. Governor He, haven't there been casualties on this road every single year?"