Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 922 - 574: Life and Death

Chapter 922: Chapter 574: Life and Death

The conversation fell into silence for a moment, as the sand brushed past their hair ends.

Mu Xingyi looked at the surprise on Xu Yuan’s face, sipped his drink, and said indifferently:

"Seeing Brother Zhou’s expression, it seems you truly didn’t know about this."

Xu Yuan realized his expression had given him away, composed himself, and said:

"Brother Zhou has been wandering far from home for many years, exposed only to local customs, rarely getting channels for such information."

"....."

Mu Xingyi stared at Xu Yuan for a few moments, nodded slightly, his expression still that ageless, feebly smiling one:

"Indeed... Wandering might expose one to myriad tales, but major military affairs like these are seldom heard by many."

The Imperial Court of the Dayan Empire maintains strict control over the news of military affairs; if the court is preparing for war, unless directly involved, not to mention common folk even some state and county officials only get the exact news after the war has officially begun.

Speaking of which, Mu Xingyi paused, then softly said:

"However, Brother Zhou, haven’t you utilized the messaging crystal stations to communicate with your family?"

Xu Yuan looked into his eyes, smiling as he countered:

"Do you know about the affairs at the Northern Frontier, Xing Yi?"

"....."

Their gazes met, and after grasping the implication, Mu Xingyi slightly lowered his eyelids.

The Da Yan Fourteen States are too vast, rarely can any force cover the entirety.

The power from the Western Desert, although not entirely ignorant of the Northern Frontier’s military affairs, mostly understands only the surface.

The opposite is also true.

Mu Xingyi politely cupped his hands together and, after punishing himself with a drink, said:

"Heh... It seems I was somewhat presumptuous."

Seeing this, Xu Yuan also slightly adjusted his expression and asked:

"So, Xing Yi, could you elaborate on this matter?"

"It’s not something that can be explained in detail."

Mu Xingyi put down his cup, and under the interested gaze of Xu Yuan, shook his head: "Brother Zhou, what I’ve mentioned just now is all I know."

"...." Xu Yuan’s eyes involuntarily flickered.

Even though Xu Yuan showed that subtle expression, Mu Xingyi just drank without speaking further.

Silence, carried by the night wind and yellow sand, lasted for a few moments before Xu Yuan chuckled and shook his head:

"Please forgive my presumption, Xing Yi."

"I haven’t deceived you."

Mu Xingyi’s voice was very light, his handsome face emotionless, staring at Xu Yuan, his dark pupils ever devoid of any sparkle:

"If Brother Zhou is truly interested, I could indeed introduce you to an intermediary in Zhenxi Prefecture; his network has many informants."

Xu Yuan drank a cup himself, shook his head:

"There’s no need for that. The affairs of the Western Desert, no matter how they develop, won’t be much related to my family. I came to this region just to appreciate the scenery of Qianji Gorge."

Mu Xingyi reciprocated the drink, glanced towards the far side of the vast abyss beneath his feet, murmured thoughtfully:

"Qianji Gorge, huh... It seems recently it has not been too peaceful."

"How so?" Xu Yuan asked instinctively.

"Well... there are probably two reasons."

Mu Xingyi spoke methodically, his fingertip lightly tracing on the tabletop:

"The first is, naturally, the Western Desert warfare I mentioned earlier. Qianji Gorge, reaching tens of thousands of feet deep with complex terrain, is often used by the Tatar People to conceal their forces."

"The second is that there might be a Demon Dragon that died in Qianji Gorge."

"....."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan’s eyes slightly widened, a curious notion rising in his heart, asking with a deliberately hesitant tone:

"A Demon Dragon? Could you elaborate on this, Brother Mu?"

"Just some rumors."

Mu Xingyi drank Xu Yuan’s fine wine, his voice casual: "Decades ago, a demon dragon that had transformed visited the Dayan Territory, and after being severely injured by a powerhouse of Dayan, its whereabouts became unknown. My great-grandfather was involved in that encirclement and discussed it with me when I was young; he suspected the demon dragon died in Qianji Gorge."

Xu Yuan’s eyes flickered, he picked up the exquisite wine jug and filled for the other, whispering:

"Do you mean to say, there’s a demon dragon’s remains hidden in Qianji Gorge?"

"Brother Zhou, do you think if there really were a demon dragon’s remains in Qianji Gorge, my Mu Clan Commerce Guild would sit idly by?"

"...." Xu Yuan.

"Brother Zhou, don’t be anxious... My words are not meant to tease you."

Mu Xingyi’s voice was warm and unhurried: "Initially, I thought it was a false rumor, but this ’false rumor’ recently seems to have turned into truth."

"Why?"

"I heard that someone recently spotted a live demon dragon in Qianji Gorge; connecting the two pieces of information, the conclusion speaks for itself."

"You mean, a demon dragon from the Ancient Abyss came searching for its kin’s remains?"

"...."

At this, Mu Xingyi didn’t immediately answer, exhaling softly, his response ambiguous:

"Perhaps, or perhaps not, because the source of the demon dragon sighting hasn’t been confirmed. But if Brother Zhou intends to travel Qianji Gorge, it’s best to be a bit more cautious."

"....."

Looking at this pale and indifferent young man, Xu Yuan’s thoughts gradually became complex.

To be honest, initially saving his trade convoy was a matter of habit, and befriending him was because I thought his character was interesting.

Mu Xingyi being aware of the Western Desert warfare and even events concerning Li Junwu, the Desert Goddess, could be explained by his family background, but the matter of that small demon dragon and the dragon maiden... can’t be explained by family affairs.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Yuan cupped his hands in a bow:

"Thank you for the reminder, Xing Yi."

Mu Xingyi smiled and shook his head, lowering his gaze to the wine in his cup, his eyes half-closed:

"This life of mine was saved by you, Brother Zhou... if this information is of no use to me, it would be more than good if it could help you."

"...."

Unfathomable.

This Mu Xingyi seems quite complicated.