Xiao Li looked Nalan Sheng and his companion over, unable to hide his curiosity. "Big Brother, who are these two?"
"Second Brother, let me introduce them. This is Young Master Sheng Lanna, and this is his fiancée, Miss Xianxian."
Halfway through his introduction, Xiao Ding pointed at Xiao Li. "Young Master Sheng, this is my second brother, Xiao Li. He is also the deputy commander of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."
After introducing both sides, Xiao Ding gave Xiao Li a brief account of how Snake-People had attacked them on their way back to the city, and how Nalan Sheng had fortunately come to their rescue.
Once he learned the whole story, Xiao Li hurriedly thanked Nalan Sheng as well and offered to hold a banquet that evening to properly entertain the two guests.
They exchanged pleasantries for a while longer before Xiao Ding had a maid lead Nalan Sheng and his companion to the guest rooms in the rear courtyard to rest.
"Brother, just where did those two come from?"
Once Nalan Sheng and his companion had left, the smile slowly faded from Xiao Li's face. "How come I've never heard of any major family named Sheng in the Jia Ma Empire?"
"I think they must be using aliases."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Ding said, "Second Brother, you don't need to dwell too much on their true identities. They probably won't stay in Stone Desert City for long anyway.
"After all, that Young Master Sheng is an alchemist, and such a young one at that. He certainly won't waste his days in a little place like Stone Desert City.
"We only need to entertain them well and forge a friendly connection. There's no need to insist on anything else."
"True."
Xiao Li nodded instinctively, abandoning the idea of