Wen Boyuan had been watching Hu Xiaotian's every move from behind. When Zhan Peng came over to tell them to prepare, Wen Boyuan asked him, "What did he say?"
"He said a massive sandstorm was coming and told everyone to dismount and proceed on foot," Zhan Peng replied.
Wen Boyuan snorted. "Putting on a mysterious act and bewitching the crowd with nonsense." Despite his words, he did not dare take any chances. He passed down the order for everyone to dismount and walk. They had barely finished preparing when a fierce wind swept sand and dust straight into their faces. This storm was completely different from the one they had encountered upon first entering Peak Forest Gorge. The wind was so violent that it rocked them where they stood. Even these well-trained warriors felt unsteady on their feet, as though the gale might sweep them away.
Sand and gravel rose from the ground in the raging wind, striking their bodies and faces painfully. Leading their horses, the warriors struggled into the headwind. Sand and stones battered their armor with an unbroken clatter, as though someone were beating out a furious rhythm on gongs and drums.
Wearing a mask and squinting, Hu Xiaotian suddenly thought how wonderful it would be to have a pair of goggles. He led Little Gray with one hand and held his other forearm across his brow, shouting to Liang Yinghao beside him, "The wind's too strong! We need somewhere to shelter from the sand!"
Liang Yinghao shook his head and shouted back, "There's nowhere to shelter around here! Peak Forest Gorge has unusual terrain. The nearest shelter is up ahead... about ten li away..."
Hu Xiaotian pointed at the ground. Aren't there underground burrows?
"People can hide in them, but the animals... can't fit inside..." Liang