Gathering

The afterglow of the setting sun stained the crude tent a blood-red hue. Qing Mo planned to rest for a while and go out to take a look again at night.

He had just been about to lie down on the bedroll for a nap when he noticed Qing Lin sitting there with a furrowed little face, looking deeply unsettled.

"What's wrong, little Qing Lin?" Qing Mo asked.

"Brother Mo, I think I can sense that there really is something over there. It has an aura from the same source..." Qing Lin said uncertainly.

"Oh? An aura from the same source? Snake-People? The Medusa Queen!"

Qing Mo froze. If Qing Lin was right, then it should be Snake-People. After all, she had some Snake-People blood in her, so it was not strange that she could sense them.

He remembered that, in the original story, Qing Lin had been able to sense the Medusa Queen's aura even when she was still an ordinary person. Could the Medusa Queen have come?

At that thought, Qing Mo's pupils shrank, and he hurriedly asked Qing Lin.

"I don't know either. It's just a faint feeling." Qing Lin shook her head, her face equally confused. She had never encountered anything like this before.

"Still, it probably isn't the Medusa Queen. I can sense many auras, and the Medusa Queen shouldn't be that weak, right?"

Qing Lin spoke softly.

"That's good." Qing Mo let out a breath of relief. He had thought the Medusa Queen was coming and nearly jumped out of his skin.

Still, he was rather curious about Qing Lin's ability to sense the Snake-People.

"Little Qing Lin, can you tell roughly how many Snake-People there are?" Qing Mo asked seriously.

"About twenty or thirty. One of them is a little stronger than Brother Mo, so they should be a Battle Master."

Qing Lin closed her eyes, focused her mind, and tried hard to catch that faint trace of sensation.

"When did you first notice them?" Qing Mo asked again.

"When we arrived here."

"The feeling is very faint and comes and goes. They should be quite far away." Qing Lin sensed them again.

"Is that so? Then forget it. Rest properly for now."

Since there was no real danger, Qing Mo could not be bothered with it. If things were truly as Qing Lin said, then even if the Snake-People attacked, he could leave whenever he wanted. The power of an Earth-Tier Dou Technique was no joke.

Although he had only cultivated the first level of the Gale-Chasing Step, ordinary Battle Masters would still be unable to track him.

"Hmm? Brother Mo wants to rest? Wait a moment."

Seeing Qing Mo looking drowsy, Qing Lin hurriedly packed everything away and moved the water pouch and dried rations to the easiest-to-reach spot.

"All done."

Qing Lin spoke softly. This way, she would not disturb Brother Mo's sleep.

"Wuwu, Qing Lin, you're too kind."

Seeing how considerate Qing Lin was, Qing Mo felt a warm current rise in his heart. He stretched out his arms and dramatically hugged her.

"N-No..."

Qing Lin's face flushed slightly as he hugged her, and her little hands rested awkwardly against his back.

This was all what she ought to do. If not for her, Brother Mo would not have had to suffer so much in the desert.

"Um, Brother Mo, do you want me to give you a massage?"

"Yes!"

Qing Mo nodded repeatedly. I absolutely have to accept this loving care from a little girl!

Qing Mo lay on the ground with his head pillowed on little Qing Lin's lap, feeling her soft, boneless hands move over his shoulders.

She began with the most basic kneading, waiting for his muscles to relax.

Then Qing Lin gradually applied more force, pressing Qing Mo's stiff muscles and acupoints.

It felt so good that Qing Mo fell asleep before long.

Looking at Qing Mo's sleeping face, Qing Lin smiled faintly, then gently lay down and nestled beside him.

"Brother Mo, Brother Mo, wake up."

Qing Lin gently shook Qing Mo's shoulder.

"Mm? What is it?"

Qing Mo opened his eyes. That nap had felt truly wonderful, releasing all the exhaustion from the day.

"That guard called Xiao Hu is outside."

Qing Lin spoke, her little face appearing especially well-behaved in the dim light.

"Xiao Hu?"

Qing Mo propped himself up from the bedroll and got to his feet, stretching his limbs.

"What does he want with me?"

"It seems there's a gathering. He wants to invite Brother Mo to it."

"A gathering?"

Qing Mo tidied himself up and walked outside. The moment he left the tent, a biting, dry wind rushed into his face.

The temperature difference between day and night in the Tagore Desert was immense. It was already nighttime, and torches had been lit all around.

Xiao Hu was waiting outside the entrance. When he saw Qing Mo emerge, he hurriedly went up to greet him.

"I'm terribly sorry, Brother Qing Mo. I disturbed your rest." Xiao Hu bowed and scraped, his attitude exceedingly respectful. Qing Mo's display of Seven-Star Dou Practitioner strength today had made him discard all contempt.

"What is it?"

"It's like this. Young Master Lu is inviting all experts above Five-Star Dou Practitioner to a meeting in the large tent at the center of the camp."

"Young Master Lu? A meeting?"

Qing Mo was somewhat puzzled. Who was this now?

"Young Master Lu is Master Mu's adopted son. He was also the one who proposed this plan to attack the oasis."

"Young Master Lu had always helped Master Mu manage the market, and his strength has already reached Nine-Star Dou Practitioner. He is only one step away from breaking through to Battle Master."

"Now that Master Mu is gone, everyone is counting on Young Master Lu to lead us in retaking the oasis and avenging Master Mu!" Xiao Hu explained quickly.

"I see." Qing Mo nodded. Avenging his adoptive father was understandable enough.

"How many people have gathered so far? What plan does Young Master Lu have for this operation?" Qing Mo asked directly.

"More than ten experts above Five-Star Dou Practitioner have gathered so far. They're all top mercenaries and wanderers from this area. As for the plan..."

Xiao Hu lowered his voice. "Young Master Lu said he would announce it at the meeting only after everyone had arrived. It's to keep it secret and prevent information from leaking."

"Fine, lead the way." Qing Mo did not ask further. He had only asked casually. Since that was the case, he could only make the trip.

"Sure! Uh, well..." Xiao Hu answered, but hesitation soon appeared on his face.

"What is it?" Qing Mo looked at him.

Xiao Hu scratched his head and spoke with some difficulty. "Brother Qing Mo, how about... letting your sister wait here for a while?"

Before he had even finished speaking, Qing Lin instinctively tightened her grip on Qing Mo's clothes.

Qing Mo gently patted the back of her hand, signaling for her to relax.

"She isn't used to staying alone. I'd better bring her with me."

"This..." Xiao Hu scratched his head awkwardly. "There are rules inside. Only those above Five-Star Dou Practitioner may attend. I'm only following orders..."

"Brother Mo, I'll wait here for you. It's all right." Qing Lin gently tugged at Qing Mo's sleeve. Though she did not want to be separated from Brother Mo, she wanted even less to see him put in a difficult position because of her.

Qing Mo lowered his head and looked at Qing Lin's earnest expression. After a moment of silence, he nodded.

"All right. Wait here for me. Don't run around. I'll be back soon."

Qing Mo raised a hand and gently ruffled her hair, then turned to Xiao Hu and signaled for him to lead the way.

"All right, Brother Qing Mo. Please follow me." Xiao Hu sighed in relief and hurriedly led the way.