They first returned to the Cultural Relics Bureau for a quick briefing to prepare for their upcoming journey into Xinjiang.

The busiest among them was the CIA operative, Ma Xiong. Despite his usually easygoing demeanor, organizing activities was his forte. Ma Xiong first reported the significance of this mission to the center: "This time, we are not just protecting a mummy and a few individuals; we are safeguarding the heritage of the entire world. Xinjiang undoubtedly harbors massive secrets. Something is being concealed from us in Xinjiang. The Silk Road awaits our excavation. There are countless secrets here, too many unsolved mysteries—the enigmatic Shamanic people, the large ears of Lop Nur, the disappearance of the ancient city of Loulan, the ruins of the Jingjue Kingdom. Today, we will lift the mysterious veil from Xinjiang, and we absolutely must protect the Silk Road; this application for World Heritage status must succeed."

The superior responded swiftly: "Tell us what you need, and you shall have it."

He listed a detailed spreadsheet, drawing from years of hard-won experience in the field. It itemized the necessary survival gear for any given scenario and the contingency plans for each. Given the desert environment, a sandstorm could cause a helicopter crash, so he requested an off-road vehicle. Communication tools were essential; cell signals were unreliable there, so he demanded satellite phones and several satellite positioning devices. Most importantly, the mission load was too heavy for just three people to manage. Therefore, he requested a language specialist from the organization to assist with communication with the local residents. He added a note: Must be female. As their team currently only had one woman, the gender balance was severely skewed.

Although the superiors were reportedly quite displeased with this last demand, they eventually acquiesced, assigning him a classical language expert, Han Chong.

Han Chong was already a somewhat renowned expert in ancient languages, having gained significant fame within the unit years ago when she deciphered the ancient script on mercenaries during the Terracotta Army excavation. This time, it was her chance to shine again, and she appeared visibly excited.

In contrast, Lu Zong felt rather stifled. Aside from waiting for the personnel and supplies the higher-ups assigned, he spent his days looking utterly put-upon while accompanying Lu Sa on tours of Beijing’s major scenic spots. Although he remained deeply worried about the mission, the sheer happiness and joy radiating from Lu Sa managed to color his own mood, making him feel less gloomy.

Finally, on the third day, all supplies arrived except for the off-road vehicle: several Type 92 pistols, making their debut during the National Day parade, a helicopter, and a substantial sum of cash. Each member was also issued a smart card that granted seamless passage through all mainland cities, meaning the four of them could board any mode of transport, including trains, without inspection—in essence, they were now duty-free travelers.

Other items, like the off-road vehicle and rations, were to be collected from local government offices near the Xinjiang border, as the CIA had already coordinated with the local authorities.

The four, enduring their anxious excitement, flew the helicopter toward Xinjiang in a determined convoy—Xinjiang, the land that ceaselessly beckoned humanity; Lop Nur, a place strewn with deserts and scattered bones.

Although they possessed a helicopter capable of flying directly into the desert, they opted for the off-road vehicle for a greater sense of security. In those desolate wilderness areas, sandstorms could erupt at any moment. If a sandstorm hit while they were airborne, they would perish instantly. Even if they managed to avoid the storms while flying, landing would be impossible; the yielding sand offered no stable platform for such a heavy machine. It was a journey where they might live to go but never return.

After half a day’s travel, they finally reached Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, an essential hub on the Silk Road. After collecting their equipment here, they could proceed directly toward Lop Nur.

They were received by the Provincial Party Secretary; personnel sent down by the CIA required special attention. However, the group seemed remarkably impatient. They completed a simple wash and rest and arranged to collect their gear the very next day.

The Provincial Party Secretary, with no choice, personally oversaw the preparations. By late afternoon, most of the necessary items had been gathered. To ensure their safety, the Secretary also assigned them a guide—a seasoned desert tracker.

The guide was named Gan Da, a man who made his living transporting goods via camel, and he was intimately familiar with all the routes across the desert. He was far more useful than any academic expert, Ma Xiong mused to himself, watching the others' self-assured expressions.

Gan Da immediately issued a challenge: they had to exchange the off-road vehicle for camels, or he would not accompany them. Lu Zong, curious about his stubbornness, asked for the reason.

Gan Da explained, "In normal times, taking the off-road vehicle might be acceptable, but this is a critical period—the high season for sandstorms and tornadoes. Even the most capable vehicles will lose their way. But camels will not; they will guide us and lead us to life-sustaining water, to signs of life." With that, he knelt down and bowed toward the camels.

Seeing this, the Provincial Party Secretary also quickly knelt, gesturing for the others to follow suit.

The four hurriedly mirrored the Secretary’s action and knelt.

At that moment, the group gained a profound new respect for Gan Da. Though outwardly plain, the faith he held, the beliefs lodged deep within him, and the sheer force of his will surpassed their own.

Reluctantly, they agreed to swap the off-road vehicle for camels and set off.

During the daytime, especially around ten in the morning when the sun was at its most brutal, the best time to travel was at night. Not only was the air cooler, but they could also experience the desert night—utter silence save for the soft shushing sound beneath their feet—a true pleasure in life. Most importantly, they had two beautiful women accompanying them.

So, they chose to depart immediately. The sun was about to set, and after resting the previous day and night, their spirits were at their peak saturation. They believed they could cover at least ten kilometers that night.

Gan Da, leading the first camel, walked behind the group, watching the four of them frolic with incomprehension. Finally, his anger could no longer be contained, and he shouted at them, "You young people, settle down! Conserve your energy. The water we carry can only sustain us for about ten kilometers. If we are frugal, it might barely last until the next water source, an oasis. If you keep chatting and laughing like this, the water in the buckets will be gone before we know it, and we will perish from dehydration."

The four were silenced by Gan Da’s roar, surprised that this quiet Uyghur man possessed such force of character. Though they obediently quieted down, Lu Sa and Han Chong pouted in clear annoyance. Seeing the two girls look upset, Lu Zong felt both amused and slightly irritated as he consoled them, "Gan Da is actually correct. He travels the desert constantly; his experience far outweighs ours. We must listen to him."