Chapter 25: Desert Lone Dog
The vast desert stretched endlessly, with yellow sand rolling under the scorching sun. The heat waves distorted the air, making distant objects shimmer like mirages.
A lone figure trudged through the sand, his robes tattered and his steps heavy. Behind him, a trail of footprints stretched into the distance, quickly being erased by the wind.
Zhang Ruochen stopped, squinting at the horizon. There was nothing but sand and more sand. He had been walking for three days, his water supply long exhausted, his lips cracked and bleeding.
"Not even a single oasis," he muttered, his voice hoarse.
Suddenly, a faint sound reached his ears. He turned sharply, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. In the distance, a cloud of dust rose, and within it, he could make out a figure—no, two figures.
One was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, riding a massive desert beast. The other was a dog—a scruffy, yellow-furred mutt that ran alongside the beast, its tongue lolling out.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed. In this desolate place, any encounter could be dangerous. He released his spiritual power, probing the approaching pair.
The man was a Saint King, not particularly powerful, but not to be underestimated. The dog... the dog was strange. Its aura was faint, almost imperceptible, as if it were an ordinary animal. But Zhang Ruochen's instincts told him otherwise.
The man reined in his beast, stopping about thirty meters away. He looked down at Zhang Ruochen, a grin spreading across his weathered face.
"Lost, traveler?" the man asked, his voice rough.
Zhang Ruochen didn't answer immediately. He studied the man's face—scarred, with a patch over one eye. A bandit, perhaps, or a mercenary.
"I'm heading east," Zhang Ruochen said finally. "Is there a city ahead?"
The man laughed, a harsh sound. "East? There's nothing east but more desert and death. The nearest city is three hundred miles west, in the opposite direction."
Zhang Ruochen's heart sank. He had been walking the wrong way.
The dog, meanwhile, had circled around and was now sniffing at Zhang Ruochen's robes. It looked up at him with intelligent eyes, then let out a short bark.
"Quiet, Huang," the man said, but there was no real reproach in his voice. He looked at Zhang Ruochen again. "I can take you to the city. For a price."
"What price?"
"Everything you have."
Zhang Ruochen's hand tightened on his sword hilt. "I have nothing."
The man's grin widened. "Then you'll die here."
He dismounted, his movements fluid and practiced. As he landed, the sand beneath his feet seemed to tremble. He drew a curved blade from his waist, the metal gleaming in the harsh sunlight.
"I'll give you one chance," the man said. "Fight me. If you win, I'll take you to the city for free. If you lose... well, your corpse will feed the vultures."
Zhang Ruochen sighed. He had no desire to fight, but he had no choice. He drew his sword, the Abyssal Ancient Sword, its dark blade absorbing the light around it.
The man's eye widened slightly. "That sword... it's no ordinary weapon."
"It's not," Zhang Ruochen said. "Are you still willing to fight?"
The man laughed again, but this time there was a hint of respect in it. "A man with a good sword is still a man. Let's see if you can use it."
He charged, his curved blade whistling through the air. Zhang Ruochen met him head-on, their swords clashing with a shower of sparks.
The man was strong, his attacks fierce and relentless. But Zhang Ruochen had fought far stronger opponents. He parried, dodged, and countered, his movements precise and economical.
After a dozen exchanges, the man stepped back, breathing heavily. "You're good," he admitted. "Better than I expected."
Zhang Ruochen didn't lower his sword. "Is the offer still good?"
The man sheathed his blade. "It is. I keep my word." He turned and mounted his beast. "Come. It's a long ride to the city."
Zhang Ruochen hesitated, then followed. As he walked, the dog—Huang—fell into step beside him, its tail wagging.
"Your dog," Zhang Ruochen said. "It's not ordinary."
The man glanced back, a strange look in his eye. "No. He's not. He's the reason I'm still alive."
They rode in silence after that, the sun beating down on them. The dog ran alongside, never tiring, never slowing.
As the hours passed, Zhang Ruochen noticed something. The dog would occasionally stop, sniff the air, and then change direction. Each time, the man followed without question.
"Your dog is guiding us," Zhang Ruochen said.
"He always does," the man replied. "He can sense water and danger from miles away. He's saved my life more times than I can count."
Zhang Ruochen looked at the dog with new respect. In this harsh desert, such a companion was worth more than gold.
By nightfall, they reached a small oasis. Palm trees clustered around a clear pool, their fronds rustling in the cool evening breeze. The man dismounted and let his beast drink.
"We'll rest here," he said. "We'll reach the city by tomorrow noon."
Zhang Ruochen nodded, kneeling by the pool to drink. The water was cold and sweet, reviving his parched body.
The dog—Huang—lay down nearby, its head on its paws, watching him with those intelligent eyes.
"Thank you," Zhang Ruochen said to the man.
The man shrugged. "Don't thank me yet. The city you're going to... it's not a safe place. There are forces there that would kill for a sword like yours."
"I can handle myself."
The man laughed. "I'm sure you can." He paused, then added, "My name is Shi. If you need help, find me at the Sandstorm Tavern."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "I'm Lin Yue."
Shi raised an eyebrow. "A fake name, I'm sure. But it doesn't matter. In the desert, names are just wind."
He lay back, using his saddle as a pillow, and was soon snoring.
Zhang Ruochen sat by the pool, staring at the stars. The dog moved closer, resting its head on his knee. He stroked its fur, feeling a strange sense of peace.
"Your master is a good man," he murmured.
The dog wagged its tail.
Tomorrow, he would reach the city. Tomorrow, his journey would continue. But tonight, in this small oasis, with a dog by his side, he allowed himself a moment of rest.
The desert was vast and unforgiving, but even in its emptiness, there were moments of connection. A lone dog, a scarred mercenary, and a traveler with a destiny he could not escape.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, letting the sound of the wind and the dog's steady breathing lull him to sleep.