202: intelligence

"Lady Mu Qingxue," Lei Hao continued, a flicker of admiration flashing briefly in his eyes, "after she returned to the Qiushui Sword Sect, her sect Elders were extremely satisfied with her performance on the 'Heart Refining Bridge' in the Secret Realm. It is said that her Clear Sword Heart realm has completely stabilized and she has even made a Breakthrough, faintly touching the edge of the 'Immaculate Sword Heart'. The Qiushui Sword Sect has already listed her as one of the candidates for the next Sect Head, and she will recently accompany her Revered Master to 'Frozen Valley' in the Northern Border to further temper her Sword Intent."

Chen Linsheng recalled that cold and resolute white-clad figure on the Heart Refining Bridge, as well as the autumn water sword she had thrown across the void at the final moment, and felt a slight warmth in his heart. It was a good thing that she could gain something from it.

"As for Tingtao Academy," Lei Hao's tone became a bit subtle, "after Li Muyan returned, he had several long, closed-door discussions with Xu Wangshu and others. Regarding their specific experiences in the Secret Realm, they have remained tight-lipped to the outside world, only saying 'each had their own destiny'. However, Tingtao Academy has recently stepped up its collection and organization of rumors regarding Northern Border ancient ruins and Secret Realms, especially Legacy records related to flames and the Great Sun. Master Xu even seems to have personally visited a branch of the Army Breaker Manor and had a secret talk with Elder Thunder Shakes the Mountain."

Chen Linsheng's eyes narrowed slightly. Tingtao Academy had always focused on the transmission of knowledge and ancient secrets; their move was likely not just for research. Thinking of the origins of the "Great Sun Burning Heaven Physique," they might be searching for deeper clues, or... assessing the potential and risks of himself as the recipient of this Legacy.

Lei Hao observed Chen Linsheng's expression, and seeing that he remained calm, he secretly praised him. He continued, "As for that Shaman from the Northern Desert Wolf Clan, there has been no word since he returned; it's unknown whether he is still recovering from heavy injuries or has other plans. On the other hand, within the Army Breaker Manor, there have been some complaints because you refused Xiao Zhan's recruitment but accepted Elder Lei's assessment task. However, Captain Xiao stood his ground, and Elder Lei also spoke up personally, temporarily suppressing it. But you must be careful; certain factions within the Manor might secretly trip you up, or... wait to see you fail the assessment task."

Chen Linsheng picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. He had long expected infighting within the Army Breaker Manor. The assessment task given by Thunder Shakes the Mountain was both a test and perhaps a layer of protection—keeping him away from the vortex of the prefecture city and letting his strength speak for itself in the borderlands.

"Thank you for telling me this, Brother Lei." Chen Linsheng put down his teacup and looked directly at Lei Hao. "Brother Lei, I'm afraid you didn't come here today just to deliver this news, did you?"

Lei Hao smiled, and his smile became a bit more serious. "Brother Chen has a Wisdom Eye. I indeed have another important matter, which is related to your assessment task."

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice a bit. "My Lei Family mainly operates trade routes in the Northern Border, dealing in medicinal herbs, pelts, and Ores. In the past six months, the three main trade routes leading to the heart of the Northern Border have all been harassed by the 'Sand Shadow Bandits'. Three of my Family's small and medium-sized merchant caravans have encountered them twice, suffering significant losses. The guards and workers who were lucky enough to escape brought back some scattered intelligence."

Chen Linsheng's spirit lifted. "Please tell me more, Brother Lei."

"This group of horse bandits is estimated to be between thirty and fifty in number, each with excellent horsemanship and skilled in desert combat. They usually wear masks and a mix of clothing when they act, with both Northern Desert styles and Central Plains styles, making it difficult to determine their specific origin," Lei Hao recalled the Family reports. "No one has seen the true face of the leader, 'Ghost Sand'. It's said he has a thin build and a raspy voice that makes it hard to tell if he's male or female. He doesn't strike often, but every time he appears, it's accompanied by eerie dust storms."

"Dust storms?"

"Yes." Lei Hao's expression was serious. "It's no ordinary wind and sand. According to survivors' descriptions, that dust storm seems as if it were alive, able to obscure vision, interfere with perception, and even... swallow sound and light. A guard once tried to snipe 'Ghost Sand' from a distance with a bow and arrow, but the arrow shot into the dust storm like a stone dropped into the ocean, without even a sound. Meanwhile, 'Ghost Sand' can use the dust storm to teleport instantly, appearing and disappearing like a ghost. A guard captain of my Family at the Peak of the Flesh Refining Realm was killed in one strike when he suddenly appeared from the dust storm."

Sand escape techniques? Sand control evil arts? Chen Linsheng quickly cross-referenced this with the descriptions in the files. This matched the "eerie escape techniques and sand control evil arts" mentioned by Thunder Shakes the Mountain.

"There's one more thing," Lei Hao continued. "When 'Ghost Sand' kills, he seems to be surrounded by extremely faint black Qi. The blood at the wounds of those killed by him quickly congeals and turns black, and the corpses shrivel and rot in a short time, as if their essence has been drained. My Family once asked a Guest Elder skilled in medicine to examine them, and that Guest Elder suspected... it was related to some kind of sinister blood refining or Soul Refining technique."

Traces of the White Lotus Sect! Chen Linsheng's gaze turned cold. Draining essence and rotting corpses—this indeed bore similarities to some of the White Lotus Sect's methods of blood sacrifice and refining Yin soul Puppets. It seemed that Thunder Shakes the Mountain's suspicions were not groundless.

"Regarding their lair," Lei Hao took out a simple parchment map from his robe and spread it on the stone table. The map was quite detailed, marking the main towns, trade routes, oases, and dangerous areas in the northern part of Jiuqu Prefecture.

His finger pointed to an area marked in dark red in the northwest corner of the map. "This place is called the 'Sea of Death Desert'. It is one of the most dangerous areas in the Northern Border desert. Quicksand, poisonous insects, extreme weather, and rumors of spatial instability—ordinary merchant caravans and Martial Artists would never dare to venture deep into it. But in its periphery, there are some scattered ancient oasis ruins. Some of the deeper ruins still have water and vegetation, but the terrain is complex and it's extremely easy to get lost."

"An old guide from my Family once ventured deep into the periphery to investigate and found fresh horseshoe prints and campfire traces near one of the ruins that didn't belong to merchant caravans, suspected to be in the style of the 'Sand Shadow Bandits'. Moreover," Lei Hao emphasized his tone, "the location of that ruin is very special, situated amidst several deep gullies and quicksand belts. It's easy to defend and hard to attack, and there seems to be natural magnetic interference; compasses will fail there. Unless one is familiar with the path, it's extremely difficult to find and very easy to be trapped to death within."

His fingertip finally landed on an inconspicuous marker at the edge of the Sea of Death Desert. "It's right here, a ruin that locals call the 'Ghost Crying Oasis'. It's said that when the wind passes through the ruins' walls, it makes a sobbing sound like ghosts crying."

Ghost Crying Oasis... Chen Linsheng firmly committed this name to memory. This was very likely the lair of the "Sand Shadow Bandits," or at least an important stronghold.

"This intelligence from Brother Lei is worth a thousand pieces of gold." Chen Linsheng thanked him solemnly. This information was not in the files.

Lei Hao waved his hand. "Brother Chen is too polite. The 'Sand Shadow Bandits' plunder merchant caravans and kill for goods; they are a public scourge of the Northern Border. That you could take on the bandit suppression task is to rid the people of a disaster; my Lei Family should naturally help as much as possible. Furthermore..."

He hesitated slightly before speaking. "If Brother Chen needs manpower, I can dispatch two veteran guards from the Family who are proficient in desert Tracking and familiar with the terrain on the outskirts of the Sea of Death Desert to act with you. Although their cultivation is only at the Middle Stage of the Flesh Refining Realm, they are experienced, trustworthy, and reliable."

Chen Linsheng quickly weighed it in his mind. The two guides provided by Lei Hao would undoubtedly greatly improve the efficiency of searching and Tracking in the desert and reduce risks. However, the transfer order limited the total number of people to no more than ten; he had to allocate them reasonably.

"I appreciate Brother Lei's kind intentions," Chen Linsheng said after a moment's thought. "Suppressing bandits is dangerous. If I were to put your Family's guards at risk, I would feel uneasy. How about this: I will first use the transfer order to go to the Black Stone Pass outpost to mobilize people. If I indeed need guides familiar with the terrain, I will then trouble Brother Lei to introduce those two guards. I can hire them as temporary helpers and pay them accordingly. What do you think?"

Hearing this, the look of admiration in Lei Hao's eyes grew even stronger. Not easily accepting favors and considering things thoroughly—this Brother Chen was indeed no ordinary brute.

"That is for the best. I will greet those two guards when I return, and they will be at Brother Chen's disposal at any time." Lei Hao readily agreed.

The two of them exchanged some views on precautions for desert combat and the possible activity patterns of the Sand Shadow Bandits. Seeing that it was getting late, Lei Hao stood up to take his leave.

After seeing Lei Hao off, the courtyard returned to silence.