Chapter 1157 Desert Guide Anar

June 19th.

While Iris was still in a state of dramatic sustainability changes, Aiwass and his group had already passed through Narcissus Territory.

There was no clear border between Narcissus Territory and the ancient Parthia Empire. Or rather, the true border was so clear that it was instantly apparent.

The eastern side of Narcissus Territory, formerly the Narcissus Principality, is a barren forest.

There's a strange dampness here, smelling like both earth and blood. It's slightly poisonous to mortals, not fatal, but it can leave them feeling weak and lethargic. This is why, despite the abundance of resources here, virtually no trees have been cut down or gathered.

According to the guide, there was a certain kind of mushroom growing in abundance here - he was a Parthian and didn't recognize that kind of mushroom.

But Zhu Tang knows him.

"That's black ant fungus, we call it corpse gentleman."

The gray-robed wizard, his eyes closed, replied, "This is a relatively rare ritual ingredient. This mushroom secretes a mucus that mimics the smell of a rotting corpse fermenting, preying on a special type of black ant, which only feeds on rotting animal carcasses. Therefore, this mushroom only appears where corpses are often found, and it remains quiet and won't spread.

"By the way, although it smells foul and is slightly poisonous, it makes delicious soup. If you stew it with tsaoko, it has a rich meaty flavor. As long as it's cooked properly, it's fine. In our area, people catch this mushroom every spring and sell it for money."

The oriental wizard was currently sitting in Aiwass's luxurious carriage and playing chess with Sherlock.

Because there were so many people traveling together, Yulia was worried that the road would be too noisy, so the empress of the new empire personally modified the carriage for Aiwass for their trip - she used the lost knowledge obtained from the legacy of the Helasar Empire to create several space-folding carriages.

While the carriage looked only slightly larger from the outside, it was actually about sixty square meters inside. It had a small living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom. It was roughly the size of a modest hotel suite. There were four sofas alone, and quite a few people were staying inside.

Yulia also modified the other carriages, expanding their space to about half their capacity, enough to accommodate at least all the attendants overnight.

This is like a savior for the group of people who are about to head into the desert.

Although Sherlock was able to provide water for everyone, and the carriages were stocked with water and food just in case, it was still not a good idea to spend the night in a carriage - even if the bigwigs could barely sleep in it, their followers couldn't live with the food.

With Yulia's expanded and renovated carriage, the comfort of the trip suddenly increased four or five levels. It went from a drudgery to a true journey.

It's said this technology was obtained during the Herasil Empire, after being demystified by the Alchemy Guild. The Mage Tower's spatial folding technology is similar, though alchemy allows it to be used by those without mastery of the Path of Wisdom and the art of runes.

At this moment, Lily found herself in Aiwass's shadow for the first time in a long time, feeling at ease. Isabel chatted with Haena, even with the bored Ligeia. Sherlock played Go with Zhu Tang, who had his eyes closed, while Aiwass and his guide sat nearby, watching.

The guide was a little girl with dark skin.

Her name was Anar, with a high forehead, black curly hair tied back in a ponytail, and eyes as bright as black pearls. She wore a loose robe made of white linen, completely different from the exquisite clothes worn by the others.

She is a professional guide, whose main responsibility is to bring people from the border of Narcissus to the border of Parthia, or vice versa, to bring people from the border of Parthia to the Principality of Narcissus.

Of course, this is definitely illegal... just like the profession of taking people out of the country illegally. Although in reality, there is no legal way to enter or leave Anxi.

The ancient Parthian Empire was now completely divided. Although they still nominally worshipped a mysterious monarch whose name was unknown, in reality, the rulers of the various desert city-states had become new kings one after another.

Because of this, it was basically impossible for other countries to establish normal diplomatic channels in the ancient country of Parthia. Even if they did, it was only a channel established with the benevolent ruler of this city. The benevolent rulers of other cities did not recognize such diplomatic relations.

Since benevolent rulers generally did not want their subjects or slaves to escape, contact with foreigners itself became a crime. Under such circumstances, the interior of the ancient Parthian Empire was a chaos for most countries.

Only a few who escaped could bring back the latest—or perhaps outdated—information.

In this situation, the only ones who could steadily bring people out were the local resistance groups. It was thanks to them that Zhu Tang and Mu escaped from the disorienting desert.

It was thanks to their introduction that Aiwass found her as a guide.

"Once we pass through this dense forest, we will enter the desert."

Anar said in Xingtian with a strong Parthian accent, "By then, there's no way to go any further. We'll have to walk for a day and a half to reach the first city—Cave City. It's a very small city, with only about 800 residents, not counting slaves. Probably less than the population of a Xingtian neighborhood."

"Such a small city...are there any good masters there?"

Aiwass asked.

Hearing this, Anar smiled and said, "Of course there is, sir. There is no city in Anxi that doesn't have a good lord."

"How did you escape if there was a good Lord? Wouldn't he catch you?"

Aiwass asked.

"Because the snake people will help us," Anar replied. "Since Rock Cellar City is right next to Star Antimony, there are many reinforced rock slabs imported from Star Antimony. We used them to build underground rock cellars... As long as we use them to separate the blood-sucking sand, it won't be so easy to lose water.

"Although we are in rest, there is relatively little water shortage here. The Maharaja is also more gentle than the benefactors in other places... or more lazy. We ran to the temple outside the city through the underground passage and then led the camels out of the temple."

"Maharaja" is the respectful title used by the Parthians to address their lord, and its meaning is roughly similar to "Your Majesty".

"I don't think so."

Zhu Tang spoke slowly, "I actually think... that benevolent master is very likely aware of your existence."

Hearing this, Anar was stunned for a moment.

"That's natural."

While playing chess, Sherlock said leisurely, "Since he built the tunnel, how could he not know that it would lead to the temple outside the city? Without him paying, where did he get so many alchemical slabs from Star Antimony?"

"But……"

Anar subconsciously wanted to defend herself.

But Shylock said ruthlessly, "He simply acquiesced to your existence. His purpose is simple... As a weak lord, he can only obtain resources that Parthia lacks through trade with foreign countries, thereby exchanging resources with the more powerful lords within Parthia."

"Under these circumstances, he only has two options: either plunder from the outskirts of Xingti, or establish a trade route with Xingti. But no matter which path he chooses, as long as he does it openly, he will be found by other benefactors, and then they will be targeted and their territory and resources will be divided up.

"So he can only maintain his isolation in public and establish connections in secret. You must know some merchants who frequently travel through your area. They are the resources of the Benevolent Lord of Rock Cellar City.

"If you plan to rebel, or decide not to do anything... to keep it secret, he will execute you. The excuse is that he has discovered your illegal behavior... With this evidence in his hand that can execute you at any time, you are the safest and most useful slaves."

Anar obviously wanted to refute.

But she thought about it and seemed to think of some people. Then her lips turned pale - she realized that she might be under the surveillance of the good master at any time.

——When she realized that her behavior of sentencing people to death more than twenty times had been exposed under the nose of the benevolent master, it was impossible not to feel fear.

"Don't scare the kid." Aiwass reached out and knocked Sherlock on the head.

He turned around and asked Anar, "You mean... the temple? Where is the temple outside the city?"

"Ah...outsiders are not allowed to enter there."

Anar said timidly, “We can only go in when we come out.

"That is the snake people's temple, dedicated to Huan Tiansi."

Update!

(End of this chapter)