Leaving the golden desert stained by the sunset, the Silver Dove Trading Team crossed the boundary of shadows and slowly entered the dimness sheltered by the mountain.
"Ahead is the Black Stone Mountain Range. After crossing the valley, we can step into Black Stone Village in over an hour."
Man Xiu glanced at Durant beside him, who had already initiated conversation for the fifth time.
This knight was extremely competent, occasionally observing the surroundings during the journey, sometimes even taking the initiative to scout around, appearing very vigilant.
If all the hired caravan guards were as responsible as this knight, Man Xiu would be willing to pay double the reward.
The only downside was that he wasn't very talkative.
"Hmm."
Durant nodded slightly in response.
He had been responding to Man Xiu in this way throughout the journey.
Man Xiu wasn't surprised at all.
The team entered the valley, advancing along the winding mountain path.
The road was narrow, like a dry riverbed filled with stones, making it difficult for the carriage to move, and the team's speed slowed down.
Durant found it hard to imagine how Man Xiu originally found this place.
Just as he was puzzled, a sharp whistling sound pierced the sky!
"Ambush!"
Durant's words quickly prompted the guards to lift their shields into defensive stances.
However, the arrow didn't land on anyone, but stuck into the tree in front of the caravan.
"Don't be tense."
Man Xiu smiled reassuringly and then yelled into the valley, "I am Man Xiu Silver Dove, your old friend!"
The voice echoed through the valley and returned to calm after a moment.
As night gradually fell, Durant vaguely saw a figure jump down from the slope ahead.
"Our greeter has arrived."
Man Xiu smiled and stepped forward, but was pulled back by Durant.
He whispered to advise, "Mr. Man Xiu, if the Black Stone Mountain People ask about my identity, please say I am your caravan guard."
"Why?" Man Xiu asked, puzzled.
Durant voluntarily explained, "These people may not know about the Lord, and I don't know their attitude towards the Lord. Answering like this can avoid some unnecessary trouble.
I don't want any other risks; I just want to complete your escort task and return to Frost Leaf Town as soon as possible."
Man Xiu fell silent for a moment, faintly sensing something was amiss.
But having gotten this far, coupled with Durant's sincere expression, Man Xiu eventually nodded in agreement.
"Thank you for your understanding," Durant replied politely.
Man Xiu then turned to greet the approaching figure.
"Glad to see you again, Rein, my friend. May the Lord of Dawn's light shine upon you."
"I have waited an entire winter for you, my handsome friend."
The man referred to as Rein stepped forward and gave Man Xiu a solid hug, making his face instantly flush red.
But Man Xiu didn't get angry due to Rein's bold and wild behavior, just awkwardly smiled and pushed him away.
After a hearty exchange, Rein shifted his gaze to Durant,
"You react quickly; my arrow hadn't reached before you noticed."
Durant didn't respond, silently observing Rein.
This man was around his age, strong like Gang Le, wearing a crudely-made leather armor, a fur coat draped over his back, carrying a bow and arrow, with a short knife at his waist, exuding a dangerous aura.
He had a premonition that this Rein was one of the formidable Hunters.
Durant unconsciously wanted to draw his sword and slay the Hunter before him.
However, reason restrained Durant from doing so.
"Of course, I spent quite a bit on the caravan guard this time."
Man Xiu finally broke the silence.
"I can tell."
Rein nodded, withdrew his gaze and said to Man Xiu, "Let's move on; if we're later, we'll miss dinner.
We just hunted three deer today and need to hurry back and roast them well to treat you all."
Rein took the lead, guiding the team further up the valley.
Not far ahead, the valley path suddenly narrowed into a gap over two meters wide, making it impassable for the carriage.
Man Xiu anticipated this scene long ago, instructing the servants to unload the cargo, leave part of it behind to camp, and the rest to carry the goods.
Before Man Xiu could arrange anything, Durant proactively had the guards take the goods and cross the narrow valley path.
They walked about ten meters when the front suddenly opened up, and Durant saw the village nestled in the mountain forest.
Similar to Frost Leaf Town, it was surrounded by a fence over two meters high, faintly visible were several wooden houses in the dim firelight.
The most conspicuous was a five-meter-high two-tiered watchtower, and Durant roughly counted thirteen other wooden houses.
Eleven of them showed signs of smoke.
Following Rein's lead, Durant and the guards carried the goods, stepping into the village without obstruction.
Beneath a simple shelter, women in fur coats were stirring the pot over the fire, while several similarly dressed men were cutting up a deer-like carcass.
The people here seemed to live a tribal-like life, even more primitive than Frost Leaf Town.
Just as Durant was scrutinizing the scene inside the village, a tall, slender figure approached.
"My daughter, Alya, you probably remember." Rein introduced her to Man Xiu.
The girl looked gentle and naturally pure, bearing no resemblance to Rein.
Man Xiu bowed and started, "Of course, glad to see you again, beautiful Alya. May the Lord of Dawn's light shine upon you."
"Welcome back here; we've prepared many goods to exchange with you."
Alya looked delighted and whispered mysteriously, "And you came at a perfect time, for I have acquired two good things today!"
"Oh?"
"What good things?"
Man Xiu's interest was instantly piqued.
Rein beside him was puzzled, not knowing what good things his daughter mentioned.
"Both of you, come with me!"
Alya didn't say anything further, leading the two inside the village.
Durant wasn't invited, and naturally couldn't follow.
That suited him just fine; he intended to observe the surrounding environment and remember it.
Durant was uninterested in what Alya said about good things.
His interest lay in whether he and the men beside him could take down this village alone.
Meanwhile,
Alya led Man Xiu and Rein into a wooden house in the corner, filled with food, dried mushrooms, and cured meat hanging on the walls.
"Is this your food storage?"
Man Xiu curiously scanned the surroundings, thinking Alya wanted him to try some fresh fruit.
"The good things are here!"
Alya walked to the haystack, suddenly unveiled it, revealing two bluish-black scales-covered ovals, slightly larger than watermelons, before the three of them.
"These are..."
Man Xiu widened his eyes and carefully leaned over, "Legendary Dragon Eggs?!"
"What are you thinking, how could they be legendary Dragon Eggs?"
Alya rolled her eyes impatiently and explained with some loss of interest, "Two-legged Flying Dragon Eggs."
"Very nice, two-legged Flying Dragons are dragons too; this is indeed good stuff."
Man Xiu was completely captivated by the Dragon Eggs, staring intently at them.
Only Rein stood nearby, frowned, and loudly questioned, "Are these Eggs from the two-legged Flying Dragon occupying the mine?"