Chapter 23: Life is Unfair

 Chapter 23: Life is unfair 

"Well, that's definitely not something you see every day...." Lin Mu muttered, his face turning a bit pale in fright, even the creatures he had killed up to now couldn't compare to these frightening beasts. If these two girls could control such fearsome beasts, he didn't want to imagine what horrifying creatures he'd see under the control of their kind, when he arrived at their settlement.

" Just why is life so unfair....."

" it might be dangerous too tail those two demons...., but "As the beings secured their belongings onto the mounts, Lin Mu made a decision. "I hate to admit it but I definitely can't let this chance pass me by, I need to follow them." Lin Mu groaned in annoyance.

'...what I wouldn't give to get a rest right now...' 

" If there really is a settlement nearby, it could be useful. Maybe even safer than wandering around this godforsaken desert." 

" And just to be safe, I think it's better if I pursue them from downwind..." Lin Mu came to a conclusion when he recalled the basic info he'd heard from the famous hero's on television, who usually ventured out of the cities to capture and kill beasts, while also trying to gain back some land for humanity.

With that in mind, He raised his hand to feel which way the wind was blowing. " Yes!, looks like lady lucks on my side today!." He cheered when he found the wind blowing from the direction the two mounts where headed.

He moved cautiously, keeping a considerable distance between himself and the two sisters so as to lessen his chances of being detected. He tried his best to make every step of his as silent as he could, each movement deliberate.

Lin Mu tried his best to avoid entering their range of sight, using the uneven terrain, sandy dune's and scattered rocks for cover.

"I better stay low and remain quiet," he told himself, his heart pounding in his chest. "If they spot me, I'm definitely done for." He let out a breath, faint signs of perspiration on his forehead.

_________________________________________

The beings rode their mounts at a steady pace, the creatures' long tails dragging across the sandy ground as they moved. Lin Mu continued to follow behind them, careful to remain downwind to avoid detection.

The trek felt endless, the oppressive heat of the Blood-Red Desert sapping away his strength by the minute. But, being the stubborn numbskull he was, Lin Mu pushed through, driven by curiosity and the hope that this might lead to something worthwhile.

After what felt like 30 minutes, Lin Mu finally saw something in the distance, a small settlement in the desert. 

"Woah..." He exclaimed in shock, his eyes widened as he took in the sight.

The village was primitive looking but functional as any other. Small houses, made of mud, clay and stone, were scattered haphazardly, smoke rising from a few chimneys. He pushed his eyesight to the limit and was able to clearly see a handful of the same humanoid beings moving about within the settlement or at least near the edge from what he could see, tending to tasks such as weaving, cooking, and caring for their mounts. Children played around within the area of the settlement, their laughter carrying through the dry air.

Lin Mu crouched behind a rocky outcrop, his mind racing. "So, they really do have their own society…..It's practically peaceful here."

 He couldn't deny his curiosity. These beings were unlike anything he had ever encountered, normally he'd be used to seeing hobos within the downtown areas of his city or rarely see luxury vehicles driven by the special few who lived at the top of the society but this, this was a different situation all together. Their existence couldn't help but raise countless questions in his mind. 

For one, How did they survive in this harsh environment?.

How did they learn to tame beast's like these.

What kind of culture did they have?.

And the most important of all....,Were they friendly or hostile?.

---

The desert wind carried the whispers of shifting sand and the occasional distant cry of alien creatures, if any normal person were to be stranded here, it was pretty obvious they'd crap their pants in fear or their blood pressure would've risen like never before. 

Lin Mu on the other hand was already used to the blistering sun and spine chilling beastly cries. Not bothered in the least, he crouched low behind a dune, his sharp gaze locked on the two riders he had been tailing for the past 30 minutes.

 Lian and Mei, their distinctively patterned robes fluttering in the breeze, guided their mounts toward the settlement in the distance. 

No matter how many times Lin Mu looked at it, The settlement continued to intrigue him everytime. Tall mud watchtowers and the mud walls that encircled the settlement, suggested that they were people accustomed to defending themselves against threats. 

"The possibility of approaching it undetected would be nearly impossible..." Lin Mu felt as if he'd come across an insurmountable wall.

 The patrolling lookouts on the walls carried simple weapons, likely made of iron, with a few being made of steel, each glimmering faintly underneath the sunlight. 

«[Warning: Detecting several Dangerous targets]»

«[30 with combat power at 7th stage Body Refining stage.]»

«[15 with combat power at 8th stage Body Refining stage.]»

«[5 with combat power at 9th stage Body Refining Stage.]»

«[1 with combat power of Peak Body Refining Realm.]»

"...."

"Yep....Those guys definitely don't seem like the type who would accept visitors so easily...." Lin Mu's face dropped at the sight of the cold looking guards and the systems menacing notification.

He clenched his fists, annoyed that he couldn't follow Lian and Mei inside. " Arrgh...this is so frustrating, so after all that sneaking around, I'm going to have to stop here?." He really wanted to go in but he still didn't dare to risk his life just because of the off chance that they would accept him or not.

" I'll just leave for now.... maybe breakthrough some more and come back when I'm sure I can take them on..."

Just as he was about to leave, movement in the sand behind the riders caught his eye. His body tensed. The shifting ripple didn't

seem natural at all.

' Something's stalking them!..' Lin Mu's pupils constricted at the thought.