Chapter 713: My Destination
As soon as these words came out, everyone present was stunned.
"Third Sister, no... what are you saying?" Luo Han was the first to recover from the shock. "Leave here? What about the clan, what about the Sacred Duel? Where exactly are you going?"
Luo Jia didn't answer, just quietly looked at her father.
Guerz couldn't help but smile bitterly. He exhaled a long breath and waved his hand at the others, "Everyone, go out, let me talk to her alone."
"Father..." Luo Han opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, he swallowed the rest of his words.
The guards, although equally surprised, still faithfully carried out the order, as Luo Jia was, after all, the chieftain's daughter. They left with puzzled expressions.
Soon, only the father and daughter were left in the room.
"You want to go to the Northern Lands?" Guerz asked directly.
"Yes," Luo Jia did not hide her thoughts. "I will first go to the Southern Region of Graycastle, find Ashes, and then follow her to Neverwinter City."
"What about the Blazing Flames Clan?"
"Settle in the Southern Region. There are oases everywhere there, and there is no need to fight each other for water and food." She paused for a moment. "Actually, you had planned this for a long time, right... that's why you didn't accept the challenge from the Raging Tides Clan."
Guerz raised his eyebrows, noncommittal.
Luo Jia continued, "The strength of the opponent is not the reason for your concession. Before I awakened as a Divine Maiden, the Blazing Flames had occupied the position of the top clan for decades. Even if the Raging Tides, which annexed Blackwater, is indeed strong, even surpassing the Blazing Flames, you would definitely make the other party pay an unforgettable price—we have always relied on this momentum to gain a foothold in the largest stone fortress in Iron Sand City."
"Therefore, the only reason you didn't accept the duel is because the Sacred Duel for the Iron Sand City sequence has lost its meaning. Clansmen can fight bloody battles for the future of the clan, but if it is because of a meaningless struggle that causes those young and brave warriors to bleed and sacrifice, you are reluctant to do so... Am I right, Father?"
Guerz stared at her with a straight face for a long time before he couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth, shaking his head repeatedly, "I really don't know if you are naturally intelligent or as keen as a wolf, or perhaps both? In fact, I have been delaying the relocation matter, wanting to ask for your opinion after you wake up."
"I don't understand these things, and I have no connection with the intelligence and keenness you mentioned... I just believe in my own fists," Luo Jia twitched her long ears.
"Fists?"
"Yes, as long as I fight with someone, I can feel what kind of person the opponent is. When I was a child, you personally taught me how to fight, and I have taken blows from fists to swords, so I can naturally guess your plan."
"That's truly a gratifying statement," Guerz laughed. "Then what about Ashes? Can we trust her too?"
"She is like a mountain, so tall that it makes people feel desperate... but mountains are always silent and disdainful of lying. Moreover, from her body, I feel a belief in guarding," Luo Jia said slowly, "Those who can be guarded by her must feel very warm and secure."
"Hearing you say that, I feel much more at ease," Guerz seemed to have made up his mind. "Since you are going to the Southern Region anyway, why don't you wait a few more days and travel with us?"
"I don't want to wait for a moment, Father... As long as I face north, I can feel my heart beating violently," Luo Jia pressed her chest. "It is urging me to set off as soon as possible. In addition, if the clan arrives one step ahead, they can also see if they are really like they advertise, allowing every sandman to enjoy a piece of oasis."
"Weren't you just deeply convinced?" Guerz laughed.
"What I believe in is Ashes, not the 'Great Chieftain' behind the scenes. Ashes will not lie, but that doesn't mean she won't be deceived," Luo Jia raised her fist. "If the King of Graycastle dares to deceive us, I will definitely give him a good beating!"
"What if Zhuo'er. Silvermoon is telling the truth? The Great Chieftain regards the Mojin sand people as if they were the Northern Land's own people, would you be loyal to him? Or serve him, like your mother did?" Guerz asked with interest, "If you just want to have a good fight with his subordinates, I'm afraid he won't welcome you, will he?"
"I... I won't! Who would look at a half-human, half-beast monster!" The short fur on Luo Jia's tail suddenly stood on end, and her eyes unconsciously averted their gaze. "Moreover, according to Ashes, there are extremely powerful alien enemies there. I am going there for this reason, and it has nothing to do with allegiance. Even if I need the help of witches to heal, I will pay the healing fees!"
The Blazing Flames chieftain did not continue to tease her, but beckoned to her, "Come here, let me take a good look at you again."
Luo Jia walked to her father and leaned down as usual, resting her head on his legs.
The latter affectionately stroked her hair and furry ears, and said in a low voice, "You will come back, right?"
"Yes," Luo Jia closed her eyes. "Since the Graycastle people can come to Iron Sand City, I can come too. If we move to the Southern Region, it will be even closer, and I will often come back to see the clan. As for the position of chieftain, if you don't want to be it, give it to the eldest brother. He is actually more suitable for this position than I am. If there is no need to fight for the oasis with bloodshed, he will become an excellent leader."
"Don't mention those things at this time," Guerz instructed. "Even if you don't have time to come back, don't forget to write letters—since we have moved to the Northern Land, it wouldn't hurt to learn their ways."
"You don't mind my ugly handwriting?"
"Silly girl," he snorted. "When clansmen leave their home, they always leave something behind. If you don't want to leave a letter, leave your hair behind."
"Um... then I'll leave a letter," Luo Jia said, wagging her tail.
……
After nightfall, she walked out of Iron Sand City carrying a package that was much taller than herself.
No one saw her off, and few people even knew that the Divine Maiden of the Blazing Flames was about to embark on a journey that belonged to her.
Passing through the outer small oases and entering the silent and deserted desert, she looked around and, after confirming that there were no people nearby, took off the clothes on her body.
Folding the clothes one by one and stuffing them into the luggage, Luo Jia slowly stood up, standing naked in the cold wind.
She did not feel cold. Instead, there was a strange feeling flowing through her body—as if an invisible giant hand was stroking her, and those things that bound her and concealed her no longer existed. In this cold wind, she became a new her.
Fluff stretched out from her body, and her figure continued to expand. After a few breaths, a huge desert wolf appeared in this vast sand sea.
She raised her head and let out a hearty long howl.
"Aooo oooo oooo————Aaaaaa————Woooo wooo wooo——————"
The sound echoed endlessly in the desert sky. Luo Jia believed that the Blazing Flames Clan must have heard her cry.
The originally heavy package had become small and exquisite. She lowered her head, gently picked up the strap that fixed the package, identified the direction, and ran towards the Southern Region of Graycastle.