The White-haired Queen

"Maybe he is a hermit in the mountains or some other survivor." Someone speculated.

"No matter what, we must remain vigilant." Wen Lanyue warned, "We will continue to move forward after the sandstorm passes."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and then waited quietly for the wind and sand to subside.

Wen Lanyue turned to look at Jing Li and asked, "Is there any news from the mayor?"

Jing Li was silent for a while, then replied, "We haven't received any news since the people we left behind entered the mining area."

Wen Lanyue nodded, indicating that she already knew. There was no news coming from here, so it seemed that she had to find a way to get in touch with Nanchen and the others. By the way, when she reached Bashile Mountain, the mine should be close. She could send them a signal to let them know that she was coming, and if there was a chance, they could contact her.

Wen Lanyue walked to the cave entrance again, sent a signal into the air, then turned back and said to everyone: "Stay alert."

Suddenly, there was a movement at the cave entrance. Everyone became alert and looked at the cave entrance. Wen Lanyue signaled everyone to keep quiet. She listened attentively. The sound seemed to be getting closer. Could it be Nanchen and the others?

Then, a black shadow flashed by and appeared in front of everyone in an instant. Looking closely, the person who came was a man with a stern face. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and he exuded an invisible pressure.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" the man asked in a deep and magnetic voice.

Wen Lanyue stepped forward, clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "We are travelers passing through here. We hid in this cave because of the sandstorm. May I ask who you are?"

The man looked at everyone, and after a moment he slowly said, "I am the guardian of this mountain."

Guardian? Everyone looked at each other, full of confusion.

The man seemed to see through their thoughts and continued, "This mountain is often infested with ferocious beasts, and the terrain is complex. It is very dangerous to rashly enter the mountain. I suggest you wait until the wind and sand have completely stopped, and then find another way."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave. "Wait!" Wen Lanyue stopped him, "May I ask, Lord Guardian, what was the cause of the loud noise in the mountain just now?"

The man stopped and looked back at Wen Lanyue, "That was the explosion from the mine."

Explosion? Wen Lanyue was shocked. "It seems that the economy of foreigners may be much more developed than that of Beicang and Shangxie?"

The man was silent for a moment and said, "There have been frequent explosions at the mine in the past two days. You should leave this place as soon as possible, the farther the better." After he finished speaking, the man disappeared in a flash.

At this time, there was a rustling sound from the cave entrance again. Everyone clenched their weapons and looked towards the cave entrance in unison. Several savages with disheveled hair and ragged clothes came in.

They didn't dare to go directly inside, so they just stood at the door, looking inside without saying a word.

Before Wen Lanyue could say anything, someone asked, "Are you wild people?"

The leader replied hoarsely, "No, we are looking for someone."

Wen Lanyue felt that the voice seemed familiar, but they were standing with their backs to the light and their hair was disheveled, so she couldn't see clearly, so she moved towards the light.

Someone then asked, “Are you the ones who got lost?”

The leader saw Wen Lanyue in the light and immediately knelt down, "Greetings, Master..." After saying that, he brushed his messy hair to the sides and continued, "I am Nanchen!"

Wen Lanyue stood up immediately after hearing this and asked, "How did you become like this?"