Late August.
With its engine roaring, a military pickup sped out of the sunset's fading glow.
The driver was a soldier in a green uniform, lean and dark-skinned, with a buzz cut. After getting out, he straightened, stood at attention, and saluted.
"Salute! Regimental commander!"
Beside the truck stood two men in standard-issue everyday uniforms.
One was tall and burly, with bare brows, no beard, and a completely bald head. His triangular eyes and fleshy face gave him a naturally vicious look, and his smile was chilling. Beside him stood a young man with tigerish eyes, thick brows, and a small crimson mole between them. His eyes shone like stars, his bearing tall and imposing. A long object was slung diagonally across his back, its edge concealed.
They were Tian Dayong and Lian Youming.
They had left Xijing at noon. The details of their departure needed no telling.
"Regimental commander, my ass. I've retired... All right, let's move!"
Tian Dayong patted the soldier's shoulder, then gave Lian Youming a look.
The two nimbly climbed into the truck bed.
Before long, the truck started up again.
As soon as Lian Youming got aboard, he sat cross-legged without moving and quietly regulated his breathing.
Tian Dayong lay beside him, lit a cigarette, and whiled away the time.
Night fell quickly, and the truck sped on.
An unknown amount of time passed. Perhaps it was late at night when Lian Youming opened his eyes and turned to look around. Most of what met his eyes was barren, impoverished Gobi wilderness, with scarcely a trace of human habitation.
He looked at Tian Dayong beside him and could not help asking, "Uncle, where are we? This looks like the northwest."
With a cigarette between his lips, Tian Dayong said, "We entered Gansu during the day.