chapter 1

My name is Yun Li, and I live with my grandfather in the Tianshan Mountains of the Western Regions.

Here, snow falls in both winter and summer. Glacial rivers are everywhere, the plains are lush with green grass, and wildflowers blanket the land.

That day, as usual, I was herding horses to graze by the lake when I encountered a caravan coming from the north.

The man leading them said his name was Cheng Jia.

Cheng Jia is a Central Plains Person. He said he came to Chigu City to do business, but the Wusun People there were greedy and ruthless, breaking their promises. Not only did they rob their goods, but they also killed their men.

The caravan, originally more than a dozen people, was reduced to just seven, and one of them was unconscious, carried by a horse.

Cheng Jia said that was his cousin, Yuan Zong.

Yuan Zong had nearly been run through by a long blade, and had only been simply bandaged. His life was in grave danger.

He asked me about a place called Dragon Mound.

There is a legend in the Central Plains: south of the Tianshan lies a desert called Dragon Mound.

A few feet underground, one can dig up Dragon Meat.

Cheng Jia said, “Eating Dragon Meat can save my cousin’s life. I beg you, miss, please show us the way.”

I replied, “Such rumors are never taken seriously in the Western Regions. Yet you people from the Central Plains actually believe them.”

Cheng Jia looked helpless, his face pale. “To be honest, I have no other choice. I just want to save my cousin’s life. I hope you will kindly tell me.”

They truly were miserable, each one battered, and all bore wounds of varying severity.

I sighed and carefully pointed out the way: “Head toward the Southern Mountains, west out of Yang Pass, at the southern edge of the desert.”

Cheng Jia thanked me, wasting no time and set off immediately.

I called out to him just in time: “Hey, it’s a long journey. Your cousin may not make it. I have a Ginseng Pill here-take it and let him hold it in his mouth.”

With that, I took a pill from the pouch at my waist and handed it to him.

Cheng Jia hesitated, not taking it right away.

I smiled and said, “My home is the yurt east of the lake. I’m not a bad person. This Ginseng Pill was made by my grandfather from ginseng found in the Tianshan. It can help your cousin hold on a bit longer. If you can’t find anything in Dragon Mound, hurry back and find a doctor for him.”

“Thank you, miss. May I ask your name? My goods have all been looted, and I have little silver left…”

“Yun Li. My grandfather calls me Ah Li. I don’t want money.”