Tomb Raider: Call Me Dragon Vein Cleaner

Chapter 36 Reunion, Solitude

Clearly, Cheng Feng wanted to confirm with An Liman whether the archaeological team had returned.

The woman replied, "I don't know about that. Please wait a moment, my husband should know. I'll go ask him for you!"

"Okay, please!"

After saying that, the woman walked towards the kitchen.

Cheng Feng watched the waitress's retreating figure with a sigh. This girl looked quite young, yet she was already married.

In later generations, people in their early twenties would be mostly dating, and very few would get married.

After a while, the woman came out of the kitchen and stood in front of Cheng Feng, saying:

"Guest, my husband said that Anliman led a group of people into the desert some time ago, and they haven't returned yet."

If you're in a hurry, my husband can help you find another guide.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Feng realized that he had overtaken the team, while the archaeological team was probably still struggling in the desert.

He then politely declined the woman's offer.

She didn't pay any attention and went to attend to her work after greeting the other guests.

After having a big meal at the restaurant, Cheng Feng strolled around the town.

Now he has no other way to find everyone except to wait, and given Hu Bayi and the others' luck...

It's unlikely to get stuck in the desert, so there's no need to worry too much.

To wait for the archaeological team in the desert, Cheng Feng stayed in this small town.

During that time, we would go to that small restaurant to eat when it was time to eat.

Three days later, Cheng Feng came to the restaurant for breakfast.

The waitress told him some good news: Anliman was back.

After asking around in detail, Cheng Feng quickly finished his breakfast and headed to the clinic in town.

As soon as Cheng Feng entered the clinic, he saw a group of people receiving intravenous drips.

They were all pale-faced, but they were still alive; none of them had been killed.

"Cheng Feng!"

Yang Xueli exclaimed in surprise.

Immediately, everyone was in an uproar, and they all sat up from their hospital beds.

"Brother Cheng, I knew you'd be alright! That godforsaken place couldn't possibly hold you back."

Fatty Wang was the most excited; his gratitude towards Cheng Feng was heartfelt, and he had felt regret throughout the journey.

Seeing Cheng Feng standing here alive and well, his joy was palpable.

"Xiao Feng, it's so good that you're alright. Our expedition can now be considered a complete success."

Professor Chen's eyes welled up with tears. In his eyes, these were all very good children, and he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to even one of them.

Cheng Feng walked around everyone and sat down beside Yang Xueli's hospital bed, saying:

"I'm so happy to see everyone come out unharmed. Everyone, lie down and get well soon, it's the most important thing."

After hearing this, everyone responded and their mood calmed down a bit.

"That prophet's predictions were so damn accurate, they made me question my existence."

Suddenly, the fat man spoke up with a sigh.

Upon reflection, everyone realized it was true. First, the little figure on the box foreshadowed that one person would be separated from the others.

Then, the dropping of the parchment book will cause the ancient city of Jingjue to be buried by sandstorms.

Unfortunately, as they were escaping, Yang Shirley's hand was hit by a falling stone, causing the parchment book to fall to the ground.

After they ran out of the Jingjue Ancient City, a sandstorm soon began, though it was not confirmed.

However, the ancient city of Jingjue should have been buried, and all the other prophecies have come true, so there's no reason for this one to go wrong in the final step.

After Hu Bayi and the others met up with An Liman, they began to head back.

Because of the sandstorm, they took the wrong path and could no longer reach the supply point when the wind came out.

So their water resources began to become scarce a few days later.

Fortunately, just when they were about to give up, they were guided by a white camel and met another team that had entered the desert.

That's how they survived dying of thirst in the desert.

"Your journey has been quite legendary; you've certainly been blessed by heaven. As the saying goes, those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune."

Everything you do from now on will go smoothly.

Cheng Feng comforted everyone, but felt a little ashamed. He had only rested the whole way, and had been traveling by riding on the Snake Mother.

When thirsty, there was water in the imaginary space; when hungry, there was food. I didn't suffer at all.

"Speaking of which, Brother Cheng, how did you get back, and even faster than us?"

Ye Yixin asked with a curious expression.

The others were also curious, but they all thought it best not to pry into Cheng Feng's secret.

But now that Ye Yixin had asked the question on their behalf, everyone perked up their ears, eager to know how Cheng Feng had managed it.

Keep in mind that this is deep in the Black Desert. Without camels, it would be a miracle to survive walking out of there.

Not to mention it's so much faster than them.

“I came up from the underground river at the Gumo Ruins, and then I met some kind people, so I got out faster than you guys.”

Cheng Feng explained the revised and omitted reasons, which didn't count as lying.

The snake mother had some human qualities, so she could be considered a kind person by all accounts.

Everyone knew that Cheng Feng's words were largely unsubstantiated, but no one pressed him further, as it would be presumptuous to ask again.

Cheng Feng went out and bought some food for everyone; they had been eating dry rations for many days.

Now that they can enjoy freshly made food, they are extremely grateful to Cheng Feng.

By the afternoon, all their IV drips had finished.

Actually, no one was seriously injured; they were just a little weak from dehydration.

After receiving some glucose drips, the doctor told everyone to go home and rest, saying they would recover in a while.

"I still have rooms available at my hotel. Everyone can rest here for a while before heading back to the capital."

Cheng Feng's suggestion was approved by everyone. Professor Chen was getting old, and if he continued to cause trouble, it might really lead to problems.

After settling everyone in at the hotel, Cheng Feng returned to his room.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door.

Cheng Feng opened the door, and Yang Xueli pushed it open and entered without saying a word, acting as if she were no outsider.

Helpless, Cheng Feng closed the door and said to Yang Xueli inside:

"Why aren't you resting? What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you. Everyone was here just now, so there were some things I couldn't say."

After listening, Cheng Feng poured Yang Xueli a glass of water, then sat on the bed and said:

"Tell me what's wrong, then go and get some rest."

With a glimmer of hope and a hint of excitement, Yang Xueli asked, "Cheng Feng, do you know about the Muchen Pearl?"

"Yes, I know. It's said to be a rare treasure, but it was lost later. I heard that the Mountain Moving Taoist has been searching for it ever since."

Cheng Feng said it casually.

Yang Xueli: "Do you have any news about the Muchen Pearl?"

"Yes, and I know exactly where it is, and I also know how to break the curse on the Ghost Eye. So, are you happy?"

Cheng Feng smiled and stared intently at Yang Xueli, wanting to see her reaction.

To Cheng Feng's surprise, Yang Xueli seemed slightly agitated.

Contrary to Cheng Feng's expectations, there was no overjoyed tears or dancing with glee.

"Cheng Feng, about what you said before about wanting to hook up with a rich woman..."