Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

The desert nights are not always silent, especially when something secret is quietly flowing in the shadows.

The mysterious team that Cethos mentioned is the enigma that has been lingering in the minds of many exiles recently, and it is also a key focus of the Disciplinarian's investigation list.

According to Sysos, the group is elusive and sometimes wanders like ghosts among the exile settlements, their whereabouts unpredictable.

In the past two days, as the Disciplinary Committee deployed a large force to search the desert, their presence became even more elusive, almost completely blending into the sea of ​​sand and the night, making them difficult to spot.

“Nobody knows exactly what kind of ‘business’ they’re in,” Sysos said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping warily across the empty sandy ground. “They rarely engage in any substantial exchange of goods. The only certainty is that they take some exiles who are ‘willing to join’ with them.” He paused, then added, “What’s even stranger is that every exile who decides to go with them becomes unusually silent before leaving, keeping their whereabouts and reasons a complete secret, as if their mouths were sealed shut, or… they received a stern warning beforehand. After they left, they never reappeared in any known settlement or oasis, completely vanishing into thin air.”

“And here…” Sysos pointed to the dilapidated camp at his feet: “it is the only exile settlement that the mysterious caravan has not yet ‘visited’.”

“Hmm…” The traveler pondered, his mind racing: “Since they are ‘caravans,’ yet they travel between the most dangerous and chaotic exile settlements, not doing ordinary business, but only dealing in people… It sounds like they are doing ‘the business of people’ in the first place.”

She made a preliminary deduction, her brows furrowing slightly: "But why haven't we been here before? Is there anything obviously different about this settlement compared to other settlements?"

“Miss Lu Ren, in Liyue, is there a saying that ‘a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its burrow’?” Sesos didn’t answer directly, but instead offered a meaningful hint.

"You mean..." The traveler immediately understood, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "The real stronghold of that mysterious caravan, or its very important area of ​​activity, is very likely in this vicinity! That's why they deliberately avoided this settlement that's too close and easily exposed, to avoid arousing unnecessary attention or suspicion?"

“That’s my guess.” Sesos nodded, then a hint of helplessness appeared on his face. “However, Grand Disciplinarian Seno believes that the other region is more likely. So… that’s why you were sent to my side to ‘assist’ in the investigation, instead of going directly to his side.” He shrugged, seemingly having some reservations about the official assessment.

"He said he would come over to meet me as soon as he finished dealing with things on his end," the traveler explained, adding that this was both a way of conveying information and a form of reassurance.

“Ah… he’s really coming.” Sesos’ reaction wasn’t one of relief, but rather as if he’d heard some troubling news, his expression becoming somewhat troubled. “Then we’ll have to speed up our investigation. Seno’s ‘reputation’ in the desert… or rather, his intimidation power, is just too great. His face, his hat, are practically the disciplinary officer’s trademark. If he makes the slightest move, every grain of sand will immediately know ‘the Grand Disciplinary Officer is here.’ Then, investigating anything secretly will become even more difficult.”

"Perhaps... he thought of that too," the traveler guessed. "That's why he agreed to split up, letting you and me conduct a relatively covert reconnaissance here first."

*

When the deep night completely envelops Amber Oasis, a time when all things should be dormant and gathering energy, the night often means a different kind of "vibrant" scene for this exile settlement that gathers countless outlaws.

Lying in his sleeping bag in his cramped tent, even with his head tightly covered by the thickest blanket, the traveler couldn't block out the chaotic noises coming from all directions—rough curses, unrestrained laughter, the crisp sound of shattering bottles, and the dull thuds of fists and feet hitting flesh, relentlessly assaulting his eardrums.

The traveler listened intently for a while, and from the cacophony of noise and intermittent shouts, he seemed to piece together the drama unfolding outside—these lawless fellows appeared to be vying for the position of "boss" of the settlement.

That's true... Humans are, after all, social animals. And all social animals need a leader, even if it's just a symbolic one, or one who gets it through force.

The traveler rolled over under the blanket, thinking with some irritation. The noise outside not only disturbed her sleep but also kept her on edge, making it difficult to truly relax.

However, the continued noise unexpectedly reminded her of something else, something she had temporarily suppressed but which was now surging back into her mind due to environmental stimuli.

In this desert, inside this tiny tent! That guy and I... need to settle things quickly! We can't stay passive like this any longer!

"Jin Moli!" The traveler suddenly threw off the blanket and sat up. In the dim tent, relying on intuition and the faint light filtering through the tent cracks, he accurately pressed down the figure in the sleeping bag next to him, whose breathing was even and calm, as if she had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Jin Moli was lying on her side with her back to her. The traveler placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her over with considerable force.

"Hmm?" Jin Moli made a muffled nasal sound, with a low, hoarse, and languid tone, as if she had just been startled awake. She seemed to instinctively want to turn around: "Vice Hall Master... having another nightmare, can't you sleep?"

She spoke indistinctly, one arm already raised naturally, as if habitually wanting to pull the traveler into her arms to comfort him.

"Don't touch me!" The traveler reacted quickly, slapping away her outstretched hand with a crisp sound.

The sound was exceptionally clear inside the silent tent.

"What happened?" Jin Moli finally came to her full senses and slowly sat up.

The tent was dimly lit, but the traveler could still make out the perfect expression on her face, a mixture of bewilderment and innocence. Her eyes, which still looked bright in the darkness, were veiled with a hazy, sleepy glow. With a few stray strands of hair falling across her cheeks, she looked like a fragile white flower quietly blooming in the night.

This appearance instantly made the aggressive, accusatory traveler look like an unreasonable, bullying "evil leader"!

Luckily, there were only the two of us in the tent! Otherwise, I don't know how many uninformed people would have pointed fingers at me!

"Of course something happened!" the traveler said irritably, trying to ignore the other person's deceptively charming appearance. He crossed his arms, attempting to appear more intimidating: "To secretly take back something that has already been given away is utterly shameless! Especially when the other person desperately needs it!"

"Hmm?" Jin Moli frowned slightly, her doubts deepening, and the watery light in her eyes seemed to ripple slightly with confusion. "Vice Hall Master... have you misunderstood something? I have never... done anything underhanded."

Her tone was soft, with a hint of barely perceptible grievance, as if she had truly suffered an injustice.

"Still pretending, huh?" The traveler narrowed his eyes, leaned forward, and tried to find a flaw in the other person's expression from the slightest change at such close range, to find any trace of her pretense.

However, no.

Aside from genuine confusion and a hint of grievance, there was no trace of guilt, evasion, or cunning on Jin Moli's face.

Her facial expressions were impeccable, or rather... she might genuinely believe she was innocent.

"Although I don't know why the Vice Hall Master suddenly brought up talismans," Jin Moli continued in her gentle and pleasant voice, noticing the traveler's intense gaze. She even offered a solution: "However, I remember mentioning to the Vice Hall Master that my ancestors ran an antique shop in Liyue. Therefore, I have some basic knowledge of Liyue's antiquities, magic, and even talisman drawing. Perhaps... I could take a look at the problematic talisman for you? Maybe I can find the root of the problem."

She appeared so sincere, as if she genuinely wanted to help the traveler solve his problem, rather than being the accused "culprit." This seemingly passive yet assertive attitude left the traveler speechless, his pent-up questions landing like fluff on cotton, finding no leverage.