Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 412 Asking for Food and Drink

He carefully circulated his Qi, attempting to sense the surrounding aura and determine the identity of the person at the firelight. However, due to prolonged fatigue and hunger, his Qi circulation was not smooth, and his success was minimal. "Can't take risks. The Grandmaster's perception is extremely sharp. If I get even close, I'll be exposed..." Lin Feng bit his parched lips, suppressing hunger and thirst as he waited quietly behind the cold sand dunes. His body pressed tightly against the dune, as if blending into the darkness. Only his bright, vigilant eyes gleamed in the darkness with an unyielding light, like the brightest star in the night sky.

The breaking light of dawn, like a sharp golden sword, slashed down from the distant sky, tearing through the thick veil of night. The Cao family caravan's camp was suddenly enveloped in a hazy golden glow. Cao Mo, an old servant with a weathered face but a resolute gaze, had already risen and was busy moving around the camp with his servants. His voice hoarse, he commanded methodically, "Check that cargo again. Tie the ropes tightly. Don't let anything go wrong along the way." Everyone responded in unison, their busy figures interweaving in the morning light.

When everything was ready, Cao Mo walked quickly towards Cao Xun, bowed slightly, and said respectfully: "Second Elder, everything is ready, we can set off." Cao Xun nodded slightly, glanced around the camp, and after confirming that everything was correct, he turned and walked towards Cao Ling who was packing his bags.

"Ling'er, the time has come, let's set off." Cao Xun's voice was low and steady, with unquestionable majesty.

At that moment, Lin Feng huddled up behind a sand dune not far from the camp. The ragged, coarse cloth he wore, dusty and torn, shivered in the morning breeze. His legs were slightly numb from a night of staking out, but his eyes remained fixed on the caravan camp. Seeing the caravan gathering and preparing to depart, he forced himself to stand. His body was slightly shaky from the prolonged hunger and exhaustion, but he gritted his teeth, gathered himself, and took the first step toward the caravan.

Cao Xun and Cao Mo were standing at the front of the caravan. Their sharp eyes instantly spotted the figure slowly approaching from behind the sand dunes. Cao Xun's gaze suddenly sharpened, like a hawk stalking its prey, sharp and cold. His right hand subconsciously reached for the hilt of the sword at his waist. The lines on the hilt seemed to warm under his touch.

Lin Feng, draped in coarse cloth, looked like a lone wolf wandering the wilderness. Beneath the cloth, the faint outline of a long sword could be seen, as if betraying the extraordinary nature of its owner. As Lin Feng approached, a beastly aura, like that of a beast from the depths of the wilderness, spread like a tide. That aura, mingled with fatigue, alertness, and an inexplicable intimidation, caused Cao Xun and Cao Mo's hearts to race, and an instinctive fear quietly grew within them.

Cao Ling also noticed something was wrong. A trace of panic flashed in her eyes. She quickly grabbed Cao Xun's sleeve and asked softly, "Dad, what should we do?" Her voice was trembling, like a fallen leaf in the wind. It was the uneasiness and fear that came from never experiencing such a situation.

Cao Xun didn't respond. Instead, he turned and whispered to his guards, "Everyone, stand guard! Prepare to meet the enemy!" His voice was low, but it resonated like thunder in their ears. The guards quickly tightened their grip on their weapons, shields in front, spears behind, forming a tight defensive formation, their eyes etched with tension and determination.

Lin Feng sensed the hostile intent and slowly stopped twenty paces from the caravan. He raised his head and gazed calmly at Cao Xun and the others. There was no malice in his eyes, only endless fatigue and a hint of anticipation. He clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and performed a standard Jianghu salute. He said loudly, "Greetings, everyone! I'm passing through here and haven't eaten in several days. I'd like to ask for some food." His voice was hoarse and dry, as if it had been honed by sandpaper, the result of prolonged dehydration and fatigue.

Upon hearing this, Cao Xun and Cao Mo looked at each other in surprise and confusion. Cao Mo muttered, "Second Elder, just to beg for food? This..." His brows furrowed, his eyes filled with confusion and suspicion.

Cao Xun was equally filled with doubts, but he knew full well that in this desolate desert, he couldn't take anything lightly. He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at Lin Feng, and said in a deep voice, "Don't act rashly. Let's see what he's up to first."

At this moment, Cao Ling, standing nearby, heard that Lin Feng was merely asking for food, and the tension in her heart relaxed slightly. Having grown up in Lingyuan City, she had never truly experienced the dangers and cruelty of the desert, so she wasn't particularly prepared. Just as she was about to step toward Lin Feng, Cao Xun grabbed her tightly. He turned and glared at her, his eyes filled with warning and concern, a warning not to act rashly.

After a moment's contemplation, Cao Xun decided to test the waters himself. He slowly unfastened the sword from his belt, retrieved some rations and a water bag from his bag, and cautiously approached Lin Feng. Each step he took was extremely cautious, as if the sand beneath his feet could conceal a deadly trap at any moment. His eyes never left Lin Feng's hands, guarding against any sudden attack from him.

When he walked in front of Lin Feng, Cao Xun stopped, handed the food and water bag to Lin Feng, and said coldly: "Take it." There was no enthusiasm in his tone, only vigilance and alienation.

Lin Feng took the food and water, and without further hesitation, he immediately tore open the packaging of the dry food and swallowed it in big gulps. Although the dry food tasted rough, it seemed to him like delicacies from the mountains and the sea. After eating a few mouthfuls, he unscrewed the water bag and tilted his head back to take a few gulps. The cool water flowed down his parched throat, bringing a tingling and refreshing feeling. After swallowing the last bite of food, he breathed a sigh of relief, raised his head, looked at Cao Xun sincerely, and said, "Thank you!" Then, he took out a black crystal coin from his pocket, handed it to Cao Xun, and said, "Thank you for your generous help. This black crystal coin is a small token of my gratitude. Please be sure to accept it."

Seeing this, Cao Xun waved his hand and said, "No need, my friend, where are you going?" His eyes were still cold, but beneath that indifference, there seemed to be a hint of curiosity and exploration.

Seeing that Cao Xun refused to accept the black crystal coin, Lin Feng took it back into his arms, then looked at Cao Xun and said, "I want to go to Lingyuan City. Several of my close friends should be waiting for me in the city now."