436: Chapter 436 An Ominous Premonition

Across the vast Gobi Desert, the Great Qin caravan moved slowly like a winding dragon.

The camels in the caravan took steady and firm steps, measuring this desolate land one pace at a time.

They seemed born to be one with the Gobi Desert, most suited for walking in this harsh environment dotted only by sparse sea-buckthorn.

The camels' backs were laden with heavy goods.

In the Gobi Desert, camels were undoubtedly the primary transport force upon which the caravan relied for survival.

The person in charge of the caravan was named Zhao Yong; he had a burly and robust build, like a towering small mountain.

Years of traveling exposed to the scorching sun had given his skin a deep, dark hue that shimmered slightly under the sunlight, as if it were a unique mark left on him by time and windblown sand.

His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, constantly scanning the surroundings with vigilance; not even the slightest rustle of grass could escape his eyes.

He knew well that although the caravan was numerous, the rich supplies they carried made them an easy target for those with ill intentions, and the risk of attack always followed them like a shadow.

When the caravan reached Pingshan Lake, Zhao Yong signaled with his hand for the caravan to take a short break.

Pingshan Lake was like a brilliant pearl in this desolate Gobi, a precious freshwater lake that provided vital water for the exhausted caravan.

Everyone, with a cautious and appreciative mood, carefully filled their leather skins one by one, while also letting the camels drink their fill to store enough energy for the arduous journey ahead.

However, not long after they replenished their water and set off again, a frustrating situation arose.

The road by the shore of Pingshan Lake that was originally passable had actually collapsed, lying across the front like a tiger blocking the path, heartlessly obstructing their progress.

If it were only a small section of the road that had collapsed, with the collective strength of the caravan, they might have been able to clear it and continue their journey.

But what lay before them was a large-scale collapse; such a serious situation made it impossible for them to spend a vast amount of time clearing it.

Wei Zheng, the captain of the caravan's guard, walked to Zhao Yong's side with a solemn expression and whispered, "Brother Zhao, I have an ominous premonition."

"Mm." Zhao Yong nodded slightly, his expression equally grim as he said, "I feel the same way."

Wei Zheng's brow furrowed as he continued, "I keep feeling that this collapse wasn't natural; it's very likely someone did it intentionally just to prevent us from passing through here!"

Hearing this, Zhao Yong fell into a brief silence.

Then, Wei Zheng called over the caravan's guide and asked urgently, "If we don't take this path, is there any other way to bypass this place?"

After thinking for a moment, the guide replied helplessly, "Then we can only detour through the Grand Canyon."

"The Grand Canyon!"

When Zhao Yong and Wei Zheng heard the guide's answer, both of their expressions instantly turned dark.

Seeing this, the guide also said with a serious face, "That Grand Canyon is extremely long, with towering cliffs on both sides. Looking from a distance, it's like a deep and terrifying rift torn into the earth. If someone sets an ambush above the Grand Canyon, once our caravan enters, we will definitely fall into an extremely passive and dangerous situation."

Zhao Yong's gaze was deep, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "It seems the other party's intention is already very clear: they want to force us into the Grand Canyon so they can strike!"

"Indeed!"

Wei Zheng agreed deeply and nodded heavily, a flash of vigilance in his eyes.

He told the guards to stay on high alert to face any encounter that might happen at any time.

He knew in his heart that if they didn't go through the Grand Canyon, the other side might launch a direct assault!