Immortality: Start Cultivating Immortality From Pingshan Mountain

Chapter 245 Descendants of the Sea of ​​Death Sand Sea Turks

 That’s right.

Chen Yulou deliberately took a detour to Kunmo City for another biggest reason.

 It means recruiting guides.

 After all, on this trip, they have to go all the way north from Yuhai, across the Black Desert, and search for the ancient city of Jingjue.

Even though I have reviewed the plot countless times when I came here.

And with the help of maps, repeated comparisons were made.

 But the desert is unusual, with few references and no routes.

It’s the windy season again, and the sand dunes are moving all the time. Unless you crawl around in the desert all year round, most people will die if they enter rashly.

 “Okay, shopkeeper, I’ll go right away.”

Huamaguai is very good at this kind of thing.

Even after entering Hexi, I had a lot of interactions with the Uighurs and Huihui, and I had already learned a few simple words in the language.

 Take two men with you and ride straight away.

As an ancient city on the Silk Road, the residents of the city are not surprised by the Han people. There are even many Han people among the people who are gathering around to do business.

 They are descendants of former military households.

 There were also merchants traveling to and from Central Asia to do business.

 “Mr. Bayi, come to my house for dinner. It will definitely suit your taste.”

"I am a horse breeder. The gentlemen have a hard time traveling, so I can help take care of them."

“Everyone, I have been to the Black Desert. Not only can I be a guide, but I can also provide a camel team.”

　　　…”

I heard an exchange between the two.

 The merchants who arrived have confirmed that they are profitable.

Not to mention other things, for such a large team, daily food, clothing, housing and transportation are a huge expense.

　　Going to the Black Desert.

 There are only two roads.

Either cross the Hashun Gobi, which is also known as the Kumutage of the Eight Hundred Miles of Sand River, and then go north along the Fish Sea, or cross the East Tianshan Mountains and detour through Huozhou to enter the Black Desert.

 The first route is longer and takes more time.

 But it is relatively safer.

East Tianshan Mountains are covered by glaciers all year round. The highest peak is nearly 6,000 meters above sea level. It is an extremely cold area and the temperature difference between day and night may reach 60 to 70 degrees.

 Don’t talk about people like them from the south.

Even the Yuezhi, Wusun and Gushi people of Qiangsai who have lived at the foot of Tianshan Mountain for generations dare not enter Tianshan Mountain easily.

 Especially those hunters.

Everyone knows that the Tianshan Mountains are home to countless snow leopards, white foxes, argali sheep, red deer, stone martens, and wild horses. They are also the most valuable wild animals, and there are even snow lotuses worth thousands of gold.

How many people entered the mountain?

 Especially in this season.

　　If you exchange your life for money, you must also spend your life.

 If we really want to forcefully cross the snow line of the Tianshan Mountains, at least half of our team members will lose their lives on the mountain and become another glacier crystal corpse.

 So, as long as the group of merchants in front of them are not confused, they will definitely choose Hashun Gobi.

 Thousands of miles away, water, grass, food, and clothing supplies along the way, which one does not cost money?

 So much so that those who were smart started to start a camel caravan business.

 “Do you have a camel team?”

Chen Yulou, who was riding on horseback, glanced at the bustling and noisy people, and landed on a little old man among them.

 Wearing a felt hat.

Wearing a thick cashmere jacket.

Looking at his appearance, he seems to be a Mongolian.

 In the Western Region, all ethnic groups live together, but the Uighurs and Hui are the largest.

 The situation is similar to that in southern Yunnan.

 The Mongolian and Jurchen tribes, almost all remnants of the previous dynasty, took refuge here to avoid disaster.

"Yes, yes, everyone, the horses you are riding are Han horses, which cannot withstand the cold and cannot adapt to the sand."

“If you want to enter the Black Desert, it’s difficult to do so without a camel team.”

When his name was called, the little old man looked flattered and nodded repeatedly.

 He knows better than anyone what is going on in the city.

 There were no traveling merchant groups passing by, and every household was almost without rice to cook with.

In previous years, who would not wait for guests to come to the door, but would often go to the city gate to solicit guests.

 There are so many people competing now.

 Stand out on your own.

How could he not be extremely excited?

 “How many camels are there?”

 Chen Yulou certainly knew the importance of the camel team.

At this time, they were just crossing the Gobi Desert, and they all felt that they were struggling.

Although the little old man is trying to attract business, I have to say that what he said does make sense.

The horses in Chenjiazhuang's stables are mostly Yunnan-Guizhou horses or Western Sichuan horses.

The biggest advantage of horses bred in these places is that they are good at crossing mountains and ridges, and are suitable for running in mountainous areas.

 But in the Western Regions, Tianshan horses or Hexi horses have been mostly used since ancient times.

It is more cold and drought tolerant, and its leg strength and physical strength are far better than those of the Western Sichuan horse.

However, horses are no match for camels when traveling in the desert.

 “Thirty-seven heads.”

The little old man held out a few fingers and said proudly.

In Kunmo City, his family is the only one with such a large camel team.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he saw Chen Yulou shaking his head, with a flash of disappointment on his face.

 “Too little.”

"this…"

 The little old man became panicked.



“If it’s not enough, I’ll make up for it, maybe…”

 “What is the maximum amount that can be collected?”

Before the little old man finished speaking, he was interrupted by Chen Yulou.

 “This…can make up forty or fifty heads.”

 “Still not enough.”

Chen Yulou said no more and turned to look at the others.

“If any of you still have camels, you can report them. As for the price, you don’t have to worry about it.”

 “I, my family has three heads.”

 “I also have six at home, Mr. Bayi.”

 “Two ends, I can make up two ends.”

　　　…”

He almost finished his words.

 In an instant, all the merchants at the city gate were excited.

At the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, on the edge of the sandy sea, who doesn’t have a few camels, otherwise traveling would be a big trouble.

 “Come with a few people, let’s talk about it, and write down clearly which household it is.”

 Chen Yulou nodded.

 They were a team of almost three hundred people.

 At least more than a hundred camels are needed to make enough.

 After all, in addition to people, the total amount of food, water, clothing, and medicinal herbs is also extremely staggering.

 “Yes, from the shopkeeper.”

Hearing this, several guys from the village came out immediately.

In addition to the bandits who were unloading the mountain, there were also people who were good at various trades on this trip.

The few people who came forward either worked in Chenjiazhuang’s accounting office or had experience in various antique shops of Chenjiazhuang.

“Okay, everyone, if you have any questions, just ask them.”

Looking at the few clerks, they were surrounded by merchants almost in the blink of an eye.

Chen Yulou didn't waste any time, turned his horse's head and headed straight into the city.

 It didn’t take much time.

 They found a restaurant.

The earth building style is particularly conspicuous among the low-rise earth buildings.

 At first glance, it is Han Chinese style.

I didn’t expect it to be true when I went in and asked.

The shopkeeper’s surname is Wu, and his ancestors are from the Qin Dynasty in northern Shaanxi. I heard that he is from his grandfather’s generation and came to the Western Regions in the Qing Dynasty.

 Originally, he came here to establish the Shaanbei Guild Hall.

In the former Qing Dynasty, Qin merchants spread almost all over the country. Although they were not as good as Shanxi merchants and Hui merchants, their strength was also amazing. Shaanbei guild halls were built all over the country.

It is to facilitate Qin merchants to gather or discuss matters outside.

It's just that after the late Qing Dynasty, the world was in turmoil, and various guilds were overwhelmed with self-care. They could not return to their hometown, so they stayed in Kunmo City. In the blink of an eye, he was already the third generation.

 Chen Yulou had tasted Shaanxi cuisine before in Hanzhong.

Although the taste is not as good as that of Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, it is extremely rare to find a Shaanxi and Qin restaurant in the hinterland of the Western Regions, thousands of miles away.

 “May I ask your surname, sir?”

"I don't dare, otherwise I have the surname Chen, and I have lived in Xiangyin for a long time." "Across the Sichuan River, you will reach southern Shaanxi."

It’s almost the same as the old shopkeeper in Jianshui Ancient Town by Fuxian Lake.

The person in front of me has not been to his hometown for many years.

 Even about the appearance of northern Shaanxi, I heard it from my grandfather when I was a child.

Now I finally met a group of Han people doing business, and the feeling of homesickness immediately surged into my heart uncontrollably.

“Yes, Chen passed by the ancient city of Hanzhong when he came here.”

Chatted a few words casually.

 Chen Yulou’s voice gradually turned to the Western Regions.

“To be honest with Shopkeeper Wu, we plan to go north along the Yuhai Sea and then from Kunlun Mountain to Central Asia to do business. I wonder if the shopkeeper has any suggestions?”

 “Walking through the Black Desert?”

 Shopkeeper Wu is a descendant of the Qin people.

But he grew up in Kunmo City since he was a child. Apart from his appearance, he can hardly find many characteristics of Qin people, and even the local accent is very few.

 But because of this, he is very familiar with the Western Regions.

 When I was young, before my family’s shop started, I dabbled in all walks of life.

 Following his father to the southern Xinjiang and northern deserts, he harvested herbs in the summer and harvested bark in the winter.

So as soon as he heard Chen Yulou's words, he determined the route of their trip.

"yes."

 Chen Yulou didn’t mean to hide it either.

Seeing his confirmation, shopkeeper Wu couldn't help but sigh, and pulled a bench from the side to sit down.

 “This season is not a good time to walk in the Black Desert.”

 Hear the words.

 Chen Yulou and Partridge Whistle sitting beside him couldn't help but look at each other.

 A hint of surprise flashed across their expressions.

“Shopkeeper Wu, do you mean sand bandits or snowstorms?”

"neither."

Shopkeeper Wu shook his head.

“Mr. Chen should have never been to the Western Regions before, right?”

 “This is indeed the first time.”

"That's right."

Shopkeeper Wu looked around with a knowing expression, and then lowered his voice and said, "According to the Uighurs, the Black Desert is also called Taklimakan, which means the Sea of ​​Death."

 “And the place Hu Da abandoned.”

“According to rumors, the wind season is when Hu gets angry and suppresses the demons in the desert.”

 “Sea of ​​Death…”

 Hear these words.

 Except for Chen Yulou who was able to remain calm.

The faces of the people at the table changed slightly.

They traveled south and north and saw countless weird things, but not every place qualified to be called a land abandoned by the gods.

 The Insect Valley in Zhelong Mountain can be considered a place.

 And they have also personally experienced the horror of Worm Valley.

That is only thirty miles of primeval dense forest.

But the Black Desert is said to be endless, covering thousands of miles. Even on a flat road, it would take ten days and a half to ride a horse for a thousand miles.

Not to mention shopkeeper Wu’s last words.

  Monster? !

They have seen many monsters in the mountains and ghosts in the graves.

But the monsters in the sand sea are unheard of.

“What if we find a guide who is familiar with the Black Desert?”

 Chen Yulou tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

It seemed casual, but when the sound fell on the ears of several people around him, it was like cold spring water and gurgling streams, which made several people wake up from the shock.

“There are many people who have crossed the Black Desert.”

“I’m afraid there are very few people who dare to go there during this season.”

 Shopkeeper Wu still shook his head.

 There are more than a dozen large and small deserts in the Western Region, but only that area is called the Black Desert.

 You can tell the difference just from the name.

  It seems to be to verify what he said.

 While speaking.

 The sound of thumping footsteps came from the stairs.

 Suddenly it was Huamaguai who had been away for a long time.

I saw him walking in a hurry, frowning, looking indignant.

As soon as he came over, he grabbed a pot of warm water and poured it into his mouth.

"what happened?"

 Looking at his appearance, Miss Hong also frowned.

“I visited a few dental shops and thought about asking around first, but when I heard that we were going to the Black Desert, I encountered obstacles everywhere.”

 “Then I went elsewhere, with the same results.”

Huamaguai gritted his teeth and looked ugly.

He almost stopped talking, and even increased the price one after another, but those people were afraid of the Black Desert and were completely unmoved.

 “What about the Uighurs?”

 Chen Yulou was thoughtful.

 If I remember correctly, what Shopkeeper Wu mentioned just now was the abandoned place of Hu Da.

There are at least a dozen tribesmen in Kunmo City.

 “Also looked for it.”

Huamaguai shook his head helplessly.

“Those people are like stones, unable to speak at all.”

“It seems that it is exactly what shopkeeper Wu said.”

Chen Yulou nodded, didn't ask any more questions, and just said lightly.

 He knows the kidnapper’s character best.

In such a long time, I am afraid that I have visited all of Kunmo City, and I will return without success if I have no choice.

 “Wu will naturally not deceive.”

Shopkeeper Wu waved his hand and then thought of something else.

"If Mr. Chen is not in a hurry, he might as well stay in the city for a while and wait until the windy season is over before going. There will definitely be someone willing to go."

 “How long will that take?”

 Chen Yulou asked subconsciously.

"It's the middle month of the lunar calendar now. After the New Year, it should be almost the same in two or three months."

 Three or four months.

When Chen Yulou heard about this time, he rejected it without even thinking about it.

 It has been more than a month and almost two months since they set off.

 If it is delayed for another three or four months.

 Wouldn’t it take more than half a year to spend on the road?

“I’m afraid not.” Chen Yulou shook his head, “If we weren’t in a hurry, we wouldn’t risk crossing the Hexi Corridor.”

"…Too."

 Shopkeeper Wu was startled at first.

 Then he smiled wryly and nodded.

“If you have to go, Wu has a suggestion.”

 “Please, Shopkeeper Wu, please speak out.”

 Chen Yulou arched his hands and said seriously.

“At the southern foot of Yuhai, near the Tianshan Mountains, where you are on this trip, there is a tribe that calls itself the Uighurs. It is said that they are descendants of the Turks. Many years ago, when I went to the Northern Desert to collect skins, I had dealings with them once.”

 “Those people are brave and good at fighting, extremely brave, and make a living by hunting.”

“For them, the Sea of ​​Fish and the Black Desert don’t have much awe, they are just granaries given to them by God.”

Shopkeeper Wu said slowly.

“If Mr. Chen can find it, please ask the Uighurs to guide you, and you will definitely be able to go in and out of the Black Desert without any trouble.”

 Turks and Uighurs.

 Listen to these two ancient ethnic groups.

Even though it was Chen Yulou, I couldn't help but feel a little surprised in my heart.

You know, he had only seen it in textbooks. He didn't expect that this nation that should have disappeared in the long history would still exist in the world at this time.

 “Okay, Chen took note of it.”

 “Thank you very much, Mr. Wu.”

 Think for a moment.

 Chen Yulou finally recovered from his surprise and thanked Shopkeeper Wu with a fist in his arms.

 “Mr. Chen, you’re welcome.”

“Then I won’t disturb you, and I’ll go and prepare meals for you first.”

 (End of this chapter)