Chapter 78: Section 79: Yearning for Life and Death


    Once again arriving at the clearing, Zhenjin discovered that Cang Xu had already started a fire.


    The flames burned at the bottom of the kiln.


    The kiln had been built and was now enduring the trial by fire. The moisture within was being evaporated; the heat caused the clay to undergo some degree of transformation, becoming dry and hard, and more stable.


    Upon seeing Zhenjin, Cang Xu said, “If the kiln doesn’t crack after burning, it’s a success, and we can rely on it to fire pottery vessels.”


    “If it does crack, we’ll have to make it anew. However, this possibility is not that great.”


    As he spoke, Cang Xu began making pottery vessels.


    ...


    First, he cleaned the mud, removing bits of broken grass, small stones, or earthworms, and then he continuously kneaded and slapped the clay to even out its texture.


    Afterward, he took a portion of the clay and fashioned a plate with his palms and fingers.


    The edges of the plate curled upwards vertically.


    Next, Cang Xu took another small portion of the clay and rolled it on a stone slab, creating a long, roughly uniform strip of clay.


    Cang Xu laid this cylindrical strip of clay on the vertical edges of the base, gently pressed it with his fingers, and firmly joined it to the base, as if they were one.


    After that, Cang Xu repeatedly followed this process.


    One clay strip after another was built up, the height of the base constantly changing, eventually forming a pottery jar with a narrow opening.


    The pottery jar was as large as an adult’s head, pitch-black, and extremely ugly.


    Caringly, Cang Xu picked up this pottery jar and placed it on another stone slab. Zhenjin noticed with care that both the working stone slab and the one holding the pottery were previously covered with a layer of charcoal ash by Cang Xu. This was to prevent the bottom of the jar from sticking to the slab.


    In his dealings with the mud, Cang Xu’s old hands and thin fingers appeared very agile, his clothing and graying fluffy beard soiled with mud, yet his old glasses remained spotless.


    Zhenjin did not stay to help Cang Xu, for he had more important tasks to attend to.


    That was to patrol the oasis once again.


    Although he had thoroughly explored the oasis on the second day of his arrival.


    This did not mean the oasis was free from danger.


    Beasts could move about, and Zhenjin’s patrol range was limited. He could only avoid sticking to a single patrol route as much as possible.


    “Perhaps if I mutated into a gun scorpion, I could see farther, hear more.”


    But this thought had barely surfaced in Zhenjin’s mind when the young knight dismissed it.


    He was very wary of the Heart Core and had made up his mind not to use this mysterious Demon Core unless absolutely necessary.


    Zhenjin patrolled carefully, reaffirming the safety of the oasis.


    Of course, with regard to the lakes in the oasis, Zhenjin was not able to investigate.


    The lake water was cool and exhibited a deep blue color. When there was no wind, the water was still as a mirror, resembling a blue gemstone nestled in the embrace of the yellow desert, contrasted interestingly with the blue sky.


    After lunch, work continued.


    The creation of the pottery faced setbacks; most of the pots cracked after being fired in the kiln.


    “It must be due to the lack of mature material.” Cang Xu knew the reason but was helpless, as Zi Di also couldn’t provide any assistance in this regard.


    Nevertheless, crushing the cracked pots into fragments and incorporating these particles into the clay increased the success rate of the new pottery vessels.


    Zhenjin started to regret.


    If he had known this would happen, he should have brought back all the water bags from the Volcanic Cave.


    Every member of the exploration team had a water bag, but when Zhenjin left, he only selected a few weapons and took the empty water bags.


    Now, going back was not realistic.


    On one hand, was the consumption of food, time, and physical energy caused by the round trip, and on the other hand, the risk would greatly increase. Let’s not forget that area was experiencing a volcanic eruption. Whether taking Zi Di and Cang Xu back or leaving them here was not a good choice.


    “If only bamboo grew here, it would be much more convenient.”


    Zhenjin then recalled the bamboo forest he found and utilized when hunting Huang Zao.


    Bamboo segments are natural containers, very convenient for storing water.


    But coconuts shells are also quite good.


    Since coconut water is rich in nutrients, Zhenjin and others chose to keep it, preferring to drink boiled water.


    As evening approached, Zhenjin returned to the camp once more.


    Zi Di had already set up five tents and was preparing potions. She told Zhenjin some good news—Bai Ya had awoken.


    Zhenjin went to Bai Ya’s tent. Sёarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bai Ya was still very weak, lying in the tent with only his head sticking out.


    Seeing Zhenjin arrive, he tried to get up, but after several attempts, he couldn’t.


    “Don’t move, just lie there.” Zhenjin immediately stopped him, noticing Bai Ya’s weakness, and sat down beside him.


    “Lord Zhenjin, you’ve saved my life again! You are my savior, and I am indebted to you beyond measure,” Bai Ya said, moved.


    “Take care of your injuries, eat more, drink more. It wasn’t easy for me to rescue you,” Zhenjin said with a smile.


    Bai Ya’s eyes brimmed with tears as they welled up and spilled over. He choked out, “Lord Zhenjin, I know that it was you who carried me all the way. You, a noble Holy Temple Knight, took a life-threatening risk for someone as lowly as me. You even gave me your precious water to drink. Lady Zi Di and Scholar Cang Xu have both told me this.”


    “To help the weak and save the virtuous is the very creed of the Holy Temple Knights,” Zhenjin smiled and placed his hand on Bai Ya’s shoulder, stopping his attempt to rise again.


    “Though I seek no recompense, I understand and accept your desire and feelings to repay me.”


    “You must survive and recover as soon as possible.”


    “I was just today troubled by bow adjustments. I remember that you are skilled at this, so I am waiting for your help.”


    “My lord, I can now…” Hearing this, Bai Ya became even more anxious, trying to get up again, but with a gentle yet firm press from Zhenjin, he was pinned to the ground, unable to move an inch.


    “Do not rush, follow my command,” Zhenjin said sternly.


    Bai Ya immediately ceased struggling and looked up at Zhenjin with eyes full of admiration and love: “My lord, I will do as you say.”


    Just as he thought of getting up, Zhenjin suddenly remembered something, and took several letters from his bosom: “Oh, that’s right. These letters are for you to have back.”


    “We have read their contents. I had thought that if you were to die, I would deliver these letters to Miss Xi Qiu. But now that you have survived, they should rightfully be returned to you.”


    “My lord…” Bai Ya suddenly became somewhat embarrassed.


    Zhenjin smiled and patted Bai Ya’s shoulder: “Strive hard to live, rise above others, and do not disappoint the girl you love. When you’re in dire straits and unable to go on, just think more about it. Imagine the day when you become a knight, return triumphantly to your homeland, and go to claim Miss Xi Qiu.”


    “Yes!” Bai Ya nodded, his voice choked with emotion.


    His eyes were red-rimmed once more, tears brimming. At this moment, his whole being radiated with brilliance, filled with hope for the future.


    Zhenjin, regarding the matter of Xi Qiu, actually leaned more towards Cang Xu’s opinion.


    But Zhenjin thought better of it and did not bring it up to Bai Ya.


    For one, he did not know the truth. Secondly, Bai Ya, as he was now, needed positive encouragement, not crushing truths.


    Bai Ya was filled with optimism, as if he were basking in the radiant sunshine.


    Lan Zao, on the other hand, lay in a small tent of palm leaves, exuding gloom and desolation.


    He was fasting.


    Ever since his illusions were shattered by Zhenjin and the others, Lan Zao could no longer face reality. He hadn’t eaten anything, nor had he drunk a single drop of water.


    These days, he was either in a stupor or curled up in a ball, silently shedding tears.


    The contrast and change between the two men stirred Zhenjin’s heart deeply, filled with wonder: “Human nature truly is a delicate and strange thing.”


    “While Bai Ya was alive, he risked his life to save Cang Xu. He didn’t want to die, not at all.”


    “When Lan Zao thought he was going to die, he would have sacrificed his own younger brother. But now he no longer wants to live, obsessively seeking death.”


    Zhenjin could not persuade Lan Zao. He did not know how to begin or what to say.


    One glance at Lan Zao was enough to know how resolved he was to die.


    It seemed every additional breath in this world, every further moment of existence, was torture for Lan Zao. And while this torture engendered Zhenjin’s pity for him, it also brought with it a sense of satisfaction that justice was being served. After all, seeing a villain get his comeuppance is a cause for celebration.


    If someone truly wishes to die, what can an outsider do?


    Night fell.


    Another busy day came to an end.


    The bland lizard meat and the poor-tasting water for dinner drew unanimous praise from everyone.


    By the campfire, all who were eating did so with a deep sincerity and gratitude.


    To be able to sit comfortably on the ground and eat one’s fill was an immense joy!


    And to be able to sleep inside a tent at night filled that joy to overflowing.


    They were no longer sleeping out in the open.


    True, the tent was small, but it was really warm. The bottom was cushioned with a layer of soft leaves, and there were makeshift pillows; it wasn’t the hard, cold ground. Even if the night wind blew, the layers of palm leaves blocked it, and those inside were not awakened by the chill.


    As for not enough room in the tent to turn over?


    Turn over?


    Wasn’t a day’s toil tiring enough?


    How can these fine conditions not satisfy you?


    Tsch!


    Don’t be ungrateful!


    When Zhenjin and the others fell asleep in their tents, they each wore a smile.


    Then, with those smiles still lingering, they awoke on the fourth day inside the Oasis.


    Hiss… Hiss… Hiss…


    They all heard an unusual noise.


    It sounded like thousands of snakes were sweeping in.


    Dawn’s light pierced the darkness of the night, and everyone could see the truth—


    A large swarm of acid-spewing green lizards was pouring into the Oasis.