Bai Zhannian and Shalu nodded in unison. At this point, there was nothing more they could do.
However, just as they were about to enter the room to rest, they suddenly heard hurried and fleeting footsteps from outside the camp.
Chen Fan's senses were far superior to those of ordinary people. Even the slightest disturbance in the wind and grass could not escape his hearing.
Moreover, Chen Fan remained in a state of high alert throughout.
His eyes flashed, and he abruptly quickened his pace, running swiftly towards the outside. Bai Zhannian and Shalu followed close behind.
In a flash, they reached the entrance of the camp. Two figures, supporting each other, were heading towards the camp.
It was...
"Yao Hui?"
Seeing a familiar silhouette, Chen Fan hurried over.
Upon closer inspection, he noticed that Yao Hui was seriously injured, with multiple wounds bleeding profusely. If not for the man beside her supporting her, she might not have been able to reach them.
Yao Hui saw Chen Fan and her eyes lit up as if she had found a lifeline. She then collapsed to the ground.
Chen Fan also recognized the other man. It was this man who had been consistently influencing Yao Hui's thoughts and was one of the key figures in their previous team.
Chen Fan glanced at Shalu and instructed, "Take Yao Hui inside and tend to her wounds first."
"Alright." Shalu supported Yao Hui and quickly entered the room.
Chen Fan, however, looked at the other man and asked with a frown, "Where did you two go just now?"
It was evident that the man had also just experienced a fierce battle. His body was covered in dust and he had many wounds, but compared to Yao Hui, his injuries were much lighter.
After a pause, the man chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Under the sandstorm, we couldn't find your tracks. But we saw Layton leaving, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to strike at him directly. After all, eliminating Layton would weaken District Thirteen's fighting strength. We never expected that we were no match for Layton at all..."
"You are adept at fighting in the sand, aren't the people of District Thirteen also?"
Chen Fan said calmly, "Truly a bunch of fools."
This time, the man did not retort. Indeed, because of his rash decision, they had almost been annihilated...
After a while, he explained, "We are indeed skilled in desert combat, but District Thirteen might not be. They weren't the first to arrive in the desert. We, the Knights of the Dead, have been here all along. But we never expected that District Thirteen would overtake us."
As he mentioned this, the pride on the man's face vanished completely.
It was the first time their Knights of the Dead had suffered such an insult.
Chen Fan waved his hand and glanced back at the empty camp, then continued, "All the members of the Knights of the Dead have disappeared. Do you know about this?"
"Disappeared? What do you mean?"
The man looked at Chen Fan's back in surprise.
Indeed, usually, there would be many sentries at the gate, and many people patrolling inside the camp. Now, it was much quieter.
Chen Fan said calmly, "Even I don't know the specifics. When we returned here, everyone inside had vanished. So, I need you to tell me what's going on."
Chen Fan had never known what the Knights of the Dead truly wanted.
Now, it felt as if he had fallen into a riddle.
The man continued, "I don't know, but I think they must have relocated."
"Relocated?" Chen Fan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Our camp's primary duty has always been to guard the Eye of the Emperor. If everyone has disappeared, it means this camp is no longer safe, so the leader must have taken them away. This isn't the first time."
The man smiled, but his voice grew weaker and weaker.
After all, he was still injured. If Chen Fan hadn't kept asking, he would have collapsed by now, his body at its limit.
Chen Fan asked with a frown, "Do you know where they've gone? I need to meet your leader."
"That's a bit difficult." The man chuckled self-mockingly. "The leader only takes everyone away; he never leaves any signal. This is because he's worried that if we are captured by District Thirteen and reveal the camp's location, everything will be in vain."
"Are you that afraid of the people from District Thirteen?"
Chen Fan frowned.
"Afraid?" The man sneered. "Isn't it because District Thirteen is too powerful? We simply don't have the strength to confront them head-on right now. But once we can deal with District Thirteen, we will definitely step forward and challenge them. Just not now."
Wasn't that just stating the obvious?
In the end, weren't they like stray dogs, constantly being chased and beaten by District Thirteen?
However, Chen Fan didn't want to dwell on this.
"Thump!"
Just as Chen Fan was about to ask something else, the man beside him collapsed to the ground.
Bai Zhannian looked at Chen Fan and said, "It seems we have two more burdens."
"Clearly," Chen Fan frowned.
Throughout the night, Shalu took care of the two of them.
Fortunately, Shalu knew first aid and had some medical supplies. Yao Hui and the man's wounds were all treated.
Although Chen Fan and Bai Zhannian had nothing urgent to do, they both had a sleepless night.
Things in the desert were not as simple as they seemed.
What was the true purpose of District Thirteen? And were the Knights of the Dead truly trustworthy?
These were all mysteries.
Chen Fan looked up at the starry sky and suddenly spoke, murmuring to himself, "Don't you think the desert night scenery is much better than in the city?"
"Are you talking to me?" Bai Zhannian opened his eyes and asked.
Chen Fan rolled his eyes at him and continued, "Besides you, do you think there's anyone else here?"
"Heh heh." Bai Zhannian grinned and then said, "Since when did you start appreciating the night view?"
Chen Fan said calmly, "I was just wondering, if the Knights of the Dead look at this kind of starry sky every day, don't they get bored?"
"What do you mean?"
"Heh—" Chen Fan chuckled lightly and continued, "In this monotonous life, how have the Knights of the Dead managed to guard the Eye of the Emperor for a thousand years?"