"You're here to find that Great Yan caravan that went missing half a month ago, aren't you? It was led by a female official surnamed Lin," Fourth Madam said.
"Oh?" Zhao Feng and Su Qingwan exchanged a somewhat surprised glance.
"How did you know?"
"Because that's the only major incident lately. You came from the Central Plains, you carry a jade token from the tower master, and you came straight to me. So nine times out of ten, that's what you're here for." Fourth Madam paused.
"You're right." Zhao Feng nodded.
"If you can provide a lead, I promise to kill Wo Lie for you. He will die, but I can't guarantee when."
"Good. As long as you promise you can do it, I won't insist on a deadline for killing Wo Lie." Fourth Madam smiled.
"But what I'm about to tell you about the caravan also has something to do with Wo Lie."
"That caravan is being held by the Nayale Tribe," Fourth Madam said.
Then she paused and added, "They're safe for now."
"The Nayale Tribe?" Zhao Feng frowned.
"Do you know the reason, Fourth Madam?"
"I don't." Fourth Madam shook her head.
"But I can arrange a meeting for you to negotiate with Ba Tu, the Nayale Tribe's chief."
"That works." Zhao Feng nodded.
"And your identity...?"
"Just tell him my surname is Zhao, I'm from the Upper Capital, and I have the authority to make decisions," Zhao Feng said.
"Good! Then come back to the inn a quarter past noon tomorrow."
"It's a deal."
Two hundred li west of the Gobi, grassland finally appeared. The Nayale Tribe's camp lay in a valley ringed by low hills. A seasonal river ran through its center. It was the dry season now, and only a shallow layer of water