Chapter 233

Chapter 233 - Leaving the Desert

It was like crossing a threshold.

After passing that point, the world before their eyes transformed as if they had entered another realm. The sand beneath their feet vanished, replaced by snowfall almost every night. No matter how scorching the sun was the following day, it could not melt the accumulated snow. They trudged through heavy snowfall daily.

It could be said that without these pack animals, they might have been trapped and perished in this icy wilderness. However, they wouldn't have even needed to wait for that. The first sudden snowstorm caught them off guard, and if not for the pack animals shielding them from the biting winds with their bodies, they would have likely frozen stiff like other travelers, perhaps even sold while they were still frozen.

There were more than just the pack led by Sandgrain in this desert. Ji Huan had seen other groups of pack animals after they entered the snowy region. He witnessed them digging out frozen, lifeless monsters from the snow and carrying them away.

Though Sandgrain's group did not elaborate, it was easy to imagine the grim fate awaiting those monsters.

At this moment, the sincere assistance of the pack animals was crucial. The snow was too deep here, covering the ground and the sandy traps beneath. A single misstep could send one sinking into the quicksand. Even if the monsters were powerful enough to escape the traps, their struggle in the snow would only prolong, delaying their arrival at their destination indefinitely.

Ji Huan and Ajin's carriage had been converted into a sled-like structure, pulled by two experienced pack animals. Some of the heavier luggage carts underwent the same transformation. Ajji was skilled, and he supervised the modifications with Naji. After years of partnering in business, the two monsters worked together seamlessly. Whenever a pack animal showed interest in Ajji's innovations, he would openly share his knowledge, guiding them while they learned alongside him.

The winter snow in Badu Town was abundant as well. Back then, I often took Little Hua and Little Hei sledding!" The one riding the sled was his beloved grandchild, while Grandpa naturally took on the role of the laborious sled-puller.

Sledding was also something he learned back then. After observing others' sleds for a long time, he clumsily crafted one of his own.

Year after year, he continued making sleds until Little Hua and Little Hei grew out of their interest in sledding.

Well, the energetic Grandpa didn't realize that his grandchildren were sparing him from his "advanced age," thinking they simply lost interest.

After modifying all the existing vehicles, Grandpa glanced at his obedient great-grandson nestled behind his neck and, struck by inspiration, fashioned a small sled from extra wooden planks.

After being pulled around a few times by Grandpa, Hei Dan utterly fell in love with this new game of "pulling a sled."

Not only did he enjoy it, but Little Huang was also eager to try. Looking at the youngest pair in the group, Grandpa tossed them the sled, allowing the children to play on their own.

First, Little Huang pulled Hei Dan, and then they switched, with Hei Dan pulling Little Huang.

Ji Huan kept a close eye on Hei Dan's every move. Seeing Hei Dan attempt to pull Little Huang, he couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

"Ajin reassures, "There's no need to worry so much. Though Hei Dan looks delicate, he's actually quite strong."

Indeed—

No sooner had Ajin finished speaking than Hei Dan pulled the sled carrying Little Yellow up!

On the white snow, a tiny monster was seen dashing with a mount several times its size, its little legs moving swiftly!

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh~" The snowfield echoed with the peculiar laughter of the small monster.

Hei Dan preferred pulling the sled to riding it. After dragging Little Yellow, he went on to pull Ajin, Naji, and Little Grey.

By the time he had pulled everyone, the little monster was drenched in sweat.

The joy of the young monsters lifted the spirits of the adults around them. Ji Huan noticed that, without realizing it, all the monsters in the convoy—both from Ye Falar and the local ones—had their eyes fixed on the two younglings. Their gazes held a kindness they might not even be aware of as they watched the two play.

Hei Dan represented the monsters of Ye Falar, while Little Yellow stood for the local creatures. As the two youngsters played happily together, the relationship between their respective adult counterparts also became harmonious.

Ji Huan was gazing out the window when a pot's whistle suddenly sounded inside the carriage—the water had boiled.

Ji Huan had brought along a portable stove. They usually cooked meals with it, and now that it was cold, he had placed the stove inside the carriage. This way, they could have hot water ready whenever Hei Dan and Ajin rushed back in from outside, and the temperature within the carriage would be slightly warmer.

The sound that had just echoed was the kettle boiling on the stove. Ji Huan was about to lift it when Ajin beat him to it.

Taking out a delicate teapot and a few cups from a small cabinet in the carriage, Ajin began to make tea.

By the time Hei Dan landed in Jiujiu's arms like a tiny cannonball from outside the carriage, the interior was filled with the aroma of tea leaves.

The sweat-soaked little monster first looked up at Jiujiu with a smile, then remained still as Jiujiu wiped his face and hands. After applying some scented oil, the little egg was once again a fragrant little monster~\(≧▽≦)/~

Then he asked for water to drink.

With eager eyes, he watched as Jiuma poured aromatic hot water into each teacup. Hei Dan found his usual cup and, mimicking Jiuma, blew gently on the surface of the water before drinking it down like Ajin, slurping loudly.

"Ahh~" Satisfied, he let out a contented sigh.

It's not alcohol, Ji Huan inwardly complained.

"One more cup!" Still thirsty after finishing, Hei Dan promptly held out his teacup towards Jiuma.

Ajin nodded at him, and obediently, the little one placed the cup back on the small table inside the carriage. Only then did Ajin start pouring his second cup of tea.

The little monster stopped after drinking four cups.

Unaware of the value of the tea sold outside, Hei Dan treated it merely as water to quench his thirst.

Not content with just his own share, he turned his eager gaze back onto Jiuma.

"Can I give some water to Little Yellow and the others? Little Yellow, Grandpa, Naji, Ash, Abu, Mr. Aximu, they're all thirsty too."

Once again, the little monster showcased his remarkable memory by naming every monster whose name he could recall. Impressive! This tiny fellow had memorized the majority of the team's names.

Of course... most of them were nicknames.

Ji Huan: =-=

Ajin simply sprinkled some tea leaves into the kettle and handed it over to Hei Dan.

"Be careful not to burn yourself," Ji Huan warned him.

"Okay!" Hei Dan replied, exerting himself to lift the kettle with his small arms before climbing down from the sled.

"Come and have some tea!" Soon, Ji Huan heard Hei Dan's shrill voice calling out from outside, accompanied by the cries of the pack animals and the cheers of the Ye Falar monsters as he began distributing water to everyone.

Sledding, building snowmen, crafting ice lanterns...

On the monotonous snowy plain, Ajin and Hei Dan replicated all the winter games Little Hua had played in Badu Town. In the eyes of the other monsters, Ajin was quite the playful creature!

Ji Huan's guards were mostly young, and half of the pack animals were also young. Watching Ajin play with the two young monsters piqued their curiosity. Thus, after their rest period, the ground was dotted with numerous snowmen and ice lanterns.

Hei Dan even asked Ji Huan for a few boxes, saying that he wanted to bring the snowmen back for Little Hong and the others. Although Ji Huan thought it highly unlikely that they would make it back intact, he still provided the boxes. However, when it came time to hand them over, it was Ajin who intercepted, providing different boxes instead.

Thus, more gift-filled boxes gradually filled the carriage.

When the heavy snow finally ceased, the ground was once again exposed, still sandy yellow but now solid underfoot. The sensation of standing on terra firma was a tremendous relief, and all the Ye Falar monsters cheered.

The pack animals also let out a sigh of relief. Even for them, the journey they had just endured had been perilous.

Gazing at the path they had taken, Ji Huan mused that it must either be an exceptionally high plateau or a geographical phenomenon defying Earth's understanding.

The extreme contrast of scorching heat and biting cold created a natural divide, strictly separating the southwestern and northeastern regions of this world.

Soon, they encountered the pack animals coming to meet them.

"Woah! This group is a feast for the taking! These..." The humanoid pack animal in charge of the reception began to comment even before approaching, gesturing at the carts loaded with luggage behind them. "Are all these the spoils?"

Then, it was knocked on the head by another pack animal that had taken the initiative to walk ahead of it.

"Dad, why did you hit me?" The receiving pack animal wasn't much older, looking slightly aggrieved as it lifted its head, and then...

And then he saw the foreign monster atop his father's body.

"Awake, foreign creature of magic."

The response from the mount was immediate, as if it had just seen a ghost!

Though they were part of the clan responsible for the reception, heaven knew that they only ever greeted their own kin returning home laden with spoils. As for the "masters" who hired the pack beasts... they had barely laid eyes on any alive and kicking!

Could it be that the tribe members have been taken hostage? The humanoid pack beast in charge immediately grew anxious.

In the end, it was Sand who stepped forward, not engaging in further conversation with the young pack beast but urging him to lead them promptly to their resting place.

The pack beasts had a makeshift encampment here, albeit crude, but it offered some semblance of shelter with a roof overhead.

Some of the pack beasts capable of assuming human form were stationed here, tasked with receiving their kin while periodically escorting them and their plunder to the nearby town for trade. With the money earned, they would purchase essential items for the tribe.

"Tomorrow, I will personally accompany you to the town where there's an interrupted railway. You can take the train from there to the larger cities behind," Sand offered, respectfully vacating the only bench in the room for Ajin and his companions. Then, he mustered the courage to speak what he had been contemplating throughout the journey: "I know that my tribe still owes you two requests, but... I would like to try..."

"I wonder if my tribesmen have been of any assistance to you? If possible, I'd like to send some of them to follow you. Even without payment, it's fine. I just want them to see the world and learn something. The monsters outside are too cunning, and I can't bear the thought of them wandering off with any monster without my assurance..."

This request might seem overstepping, but for the future of his tribe, Sand decided to take the risk and voice it out.

Seeking better prospects for one's tribe was the responsibility of a tribal leader.

With bated breath, Sand anxiously awaited Ajin's response.

To his surprise, Ajin replied, "Our family's hiring matters are handled by Ji Huan. You should ask him directly." Nodding, Ajin picked up Hei Dan and left.

Left alone, Ji Huan and Sand Particle found themselves gazing at each other.

After some deliberation, Ji Huan ultimately selected three of the pack beasts. The next day, amidst the heartfelt gratitude of the pack beast clan, guided by Sari and the young pack beast who had previously welcomed them, they bade farewell to the herd.

"Goodbye! Think of me!" Perched in Jiujiu's embrace, Hei Dan bid farewell to his little friend, Huang.

"Dear Egg, I will surely miss you, and do remember the little yellow one in the desert!"

The two little monsters, as they spoke, broke into wails of sorrow.