The Eternal Sands

Chapter Five - Summoned By The Lord

The desert winds whispered tales of urgency as Yul burst into Xu Cheng's office, his expression a mix of excitement and concern. "Cheng, the Lord has sent us a letter," Yul announced breathlessly.

Cheng focused on a map spread across his desk and looked up with a raised eyebrow. "A letter? What does it say?"

Yul handed over the sealed message, the insignia of the realm's Lord pressed into the wax. Cheng broke the seal and unfolded the parchment, his eyes scanning the written words. As he read, the weight of the message settled on his shoulders.

"The Cui Army advances faster than anticipated. The Lord calls for us to return to the main realm immediately. Our presence is needed to bolster the defences," Cheng relayed the urgent message to Yul.

Yul's eyes widened in understanding. "So, we're leaving the desert?"

Cheng nodded, his gaze returning to the map as he began to strategize. "Yes, it seems the time has come to face the threat head-on. Gather the forces. We leave for the main realm at once."

The news rippled through the desert outpost, and the realm defenders swiftly prepared for the journey ahead. As the shifting sands bore witness, Xu Cheng, with a sense of determination, readied himself to leave the historical Chinese desert and confront the looming menace that awaited them beyond its boundless expanse. The desert's enigmatic whispers seemed to guide his preparations, echoing the urgency of the Lord's call to arms.

Under the blazing sun of the historic Chinese desert, Xu Cheng and his forces made the necessary preparations for their departure. The once-familiar sounds of the outpost transformed into a symphony of activity as warriors gathered their weapons, supplies were loaded onto camels, and the air buzzed with a sense of urgency.

Yul, ever loyal, approached Cheng with a map of their route to the main realm. "Cheng, the fastest route is through the treacherous dunes. It'll be a challenging journey, but we can't afford to delay."

Cheng studied the map, his finger tracing the winding path through the shifting sands. "We'll take the shortcut. Speed is of the essence."

As the realm defenders mounted their horses and camels, the nomadic winds carried the echoes of their departure across the desert. The outpost, a bastion in the heart of the historical Chinese landscape, now stood silent, its defenders leaving behind the familiar terrain for the uncertain challenges that awaited beyond.

Cheng, astride his horse and adorned with the hairpin from Jiao, cast a final glance at the desert horizon. The enigmatic landscape held secrets that only time would unveil. With a determined gaze, he signalled the departure.

The journey through the unforgiving desert was fraught with challenges. The sun beat down relentlessly, and the winds carried with them the whispers of ancient tales. As they traversed the treacherous dunes, the realm defenders, fueled by the urgency of their mission, pressed forward with unwavering determination.

Days turned into nights, and the shifting sands bore the imprint of their passage. The historian Chinese desert, a silent witness to their journey, seemed to unfold its secrets with each step taken toward the main realm.

Finally, on the outskirts of the desert, the landscape began to change. The dunes gave way to more familiar terrain, signalling their approach to the main realm. The distant silhouette of the realm's walls emerged on the horizon, a sight that brought both relief and a renewed sense of purpose to Cheng and his forces.

As they approached the main realm, Cheng couldn't shake the sense that the desert's mysteries still clung to him. The hairpin in his hair, a memento of the encounters with Jiao, served as a reminder of the complexities woven into the tapestry of the historical Chinese landscape.