Located two hundred li west of the North Watching Pass was the North Defending Pass. Between these two desolate cities in the Gobi was a small oasis that the people of both towns knew as the Fallen Moon Oasis.
The oasis was named after its lake, where the moon at its zenith casts a clear reflection in the water. On cloudless nights, it looks as if a full moon has fallen into the oasis and shone from the depths of the clear lake.
The moonlight, reflected on the lake’s surface, bathes the shores in a shimmering silver glow, creating a breathtaking sight.
This was the Fallen Moon Lake.
Travelers between the two towns sometimes use the Fallen Moon Oasis to rest and replenish their water supply. However, they never stayed for long, and they never stayed overnight.
Some warning that any living beings that linger for too long risk a sudden death from the ghosts that haunt the oasis. The children knew the rumors that the Fallen Moon Oasis was home to a ruthless killer. Such tales abounded, but those who have visited the Fallen Moon Oasis knew that there was something more to the stories... a simple thatched hut sat by the shore of Fallen Moon Lake. There was something dangerous that resided there.
As for the older residents of the North Watching Pass, who had lived through that event ten years ago, saw the Fallen Moon Oasis very differently. When passing by the Fallen Moon Oasis their gaze becomes complicated, filled with resentment and sorrow. They know who lives on Fallen Moon Oasis and why he insists on remaining in the vast Gobi Desert, refusing to leave.
Overall, the Fallen Moon Oasis was far out of the way and rarely receives visitors.
Today was an exception.
"Damn it... if it wasn't because I felt sorry for that sword-wielding brat... There is no way I would be suffering through this..."
The scorching sun hung high, and even in winter, the stones in the Gobi desert were hot enough to burn. Walking through this vast expanse felt like walking across an enormous skillet.
Xue Qiming kept walking, his feet never stopping through the harsh conditions. His mouth kept pace as he cursed all the way. Little Xue Niang let him carry her and lay on his wide back, her eyes were half-closed, and she looked relaxed and comfortable. A faint coolness emanated from the gourd at Xue Qiming’s waist, dispelling the heat of the desert.
Xue Niang rubbed her head against Xue Qiming's back, feeling drowsy. "Mmm... Are we there yet?"
Xue Qiming spat on the ground, and it instantly steamed off the ground as it hit the scorching sands. "Almost there," he answered impatiently. "I wonder how he’s survived all these years in such a forsaken place."
The two continued chatting idly, a patch of oasis appeared in the distance before long.
Xue Qiming sighed with relief. "Damn, we’re finally here."
Little Xue Niang jumped down from his back, looked at the distant oasis, then looked up at Xue Qiming and asked, "Are we staying here for long?"
"No way!" Xue Qiming waved his hand, answering gruffly, "Who wants to stay in this forsaken place? We’ll just tell him about Northern Qiang’s plans to invade south, have him lay low for a while, then we’ll head back to Central Plains and enjoy ourselves..."
Xue Qiming paused, then continued thoughtfully, "Though with his personality, who knows if he’ll actually leave."
"Forget it, there's no point in thinking about it anymore!" Xue Qiming shook his head hard, "After I deliver the message, it’s up to him to decide what he’ll do with it!"
Xue Niang stretched out her little hand and placed it in Xue Qiming's palm. "Then let’s hurry. We’ll drink all his wine and be on our way."
As they neared the edge of Fallen Moon Oasis, Xue Qiming stopped Xue Niang.
After a moment of thought, he squatted down and said, "Wait here for me. Don’t come in yet."
"You’re not asking why?" Xue Qiming seemed a bit surprised.
"Well..." Xue Niang tilted her head and looked at Xue Qiming. "Why?"
Xue Qiming almost fell flat on the ground.
"You so cheeky!" Xue Qiming pinched her cheek, then carefully brushed the sand from her face. He gently said, "Wait here."
Seeing Xue Niang nod, Xue Qiming walked alone into the forest surrounding the oasis, heading deeper in.
The forest was eerily quiet, with not even the sound of birds, let alone burrowing creatures like rabbits or mice. Xue Qiming wasn’t surprised, though. Animals have a natural instinct to avoid danger, and Fallen Moon Oasis had long been a forbidden zone for any creature with a sense of self-preservation.
This was also why he wanted Xue Niang to wait outside... Who knew if Impending Sword Baili Gucheng might pop out from some corner of this forest?
Before long, he could see the edge of the forest. Stepping out, he was greeted by the sight of Fallen Moon Lake, shining like a large emerald. He looked around, and on the other side of the lake, a simple thatched hut stood by itself.
The scene before him perfectly overlapped with his memories. As he walked along the lakeshore toward the hut, Xue Qiming muttered under his breath, saying words only he could hear.
"It's still the same."
When he approached the hut, he slowed down, staring at it for a long time before taking a step forward. He slowly reached out to place his hand on the door, taking a deep breath.
Xue Qiming paused for a moment, about to push the door open, when suddenly he heard a creak as it opened from the inside. A figure stepped out of the hut and bumped right into Xue Qiming.
"Hey..." Xue Qiming raised his hand to stop himself, and as he looked closely, the person inside also looked up, and the two of them froze on the spot.
Instinctively, Xue Qiming jumped back to put some distance between them, and inside the hut, Tang Jinnian, after his initial shock, immediately retreated and slammed the door shut.
Once he had gathered his wits, Xue Qiming shouted warily at the hut, "Hey, you inside! Speak up! What are you doing here?"
"Heh heh..." Tang Jinnian snickered from inside, and repled with a question of his own, "Aren’t you the strange one here, Beggar? Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?"
"I don’t have time to argue with you. Get out here!" Xue Qiming spat dismissively.
"Haha! It’s hot out there. Why would I step out?" Tang Jinnian chuckled from inside the hut. "Why don’t you come in for a sit instead?"
Xue Qiming quietly hefted his gourd, wrapped the chain around his hand a few times. "You’re as cunning as a fox... Do you really expect me to step into a place where who knows how many puppets you have waiting for me?"
Xue Qiming cursed internally, realizing he should have noticed earlier... There was no trace of sword qi coming out from the hut. It was a nasty surprise that he only realized it now.
Inside, Tang Jinnian felt a headache coming on... he knew his own situation well. Most of his puppets had been destroyed back at Five Gods Summit, and he’d sent Flowerless Butterfly to get supplies. If that fearsome Unbound Bodhisattva truly came in, he knew he’d be in for a rough time!
And so, the two were locked in a standoff, each wary of the other. One was unwilling to go out, the other was unwilling to go in.
Until a voice came from behind Xue Qiming.