As Xiao Xun got up, he heard footsteps outside the temple, accompanied by the sound of a cane striking the ground, approaching from a distance.
A gaunt and elegant old man appeared, leaning on a cane and shuffling forward. Despite his distinguished bearing, his tattered clothes gave him a forlorn appearance, a stark contrast to his demeanor.
Xiao Xun bowed deeply. "Greetings, elder sir!"
The old man repeatedly declared, "I dare not," and returned the bow. "I have long heard of the great Lord Swain of the Upper Kingdom. To have the fortune to see you today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes."
The aide exchanged glances with his companion. The aide, quick of tongue, said, "Hey! How did you know our Lord is Lord Swain of the Holy Roman Empire?"
The old man stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Lord Swain's presence is unparalleled in this world. Though my eyes are dim, they are not so blind as to miss such a figure!"
The aide, not believing the old man's words, whispered to Kent, "This old man's flattery is on par with yours."
Kent retaliated with a shove to the aide, causing the latter to wince in pain.
Xiao Xun, unswayed by the old man's flattery, swept his sleeve and brushed off a large rock on the mountainside. "Please, sir, have a seat!"
The old man quickly walked to a rock opposite him and said, "A humble villager, I dare not impose upon Lord Swain's presence!"
With that, he sat down on the rock.
Xiao Xun, without ceremony, sat on another rock and asked, "May I ask, sir, why are there so few people here? We have traveled more than ten li and have only seen you!"
The old man laughed heartily. "Lord Swain, you may not know, but this Poison Rust Dragon Mountain has been managed by the Chachai tribe for hundreds of years, and their tribe is extremely loyal. Since they now intend to oppose Lord Swain, you naturally will not see any of the local villagers!"
Xiao Xun nodded and asked again, "May I ask, sir, what is the matter with this spring water?"
"Lord Swain, this place is the domain of the Poison Rust Dragon Legion, so any anomaly is naturally greatly related to that Poison Rust Dragon. The Chachai tribe were originally orthodox shamans. Hundreds of years ago, they brought this Poison Rust Dragon to this barbarian land. That Poison Rust Dragon spat a mouthful of saliva into the spring, turning it into this Mute Spring. Those who drink from this spring will become mute, and if there is no antidote, they will die within a few days."
Upon hearing this, the aide exclaimed, "Ah? People will die?"
The old man nodded and smiled. "General, you may not know, but the dangers here are far greater than this."
The aide exchanged glances, and then heard the old man speak slowly. "Apart from this Mute Spring, there are three other springs here: to the east and west, there is a spring formed by the Empty Mountain Water from Qianlian Mountain in the Shaman realm. Its water is extremely cold. If people drink it, it is very quenching, but its coldness is so extreme that it is unbearable for the human body. After a while, one will feel their body go weak and their breath cease, hence it is named the Soft Spring; to the west, there is a spring that the Poison Rust Dragon uses for bathing. Its poison is extremely potent. If it splashes on a person, their limbs will blacken and they will die, hence it is named the Black Spring; the barbarians also have a spring, which is the dwelling of the Poison Rust Dragon. Its water is as boiling as hot soup. If one bathes in it, their flesh will slough off and they will die, hence it is named the Extinguishing Spring. Besides these four springs, there is also a concentration of poisonous gas, with miasma rising and falling. One can only travel during the hours of Wei, Shen, and You. At other times, it is densely filled with miasma and marsh gas. If one inhales even a single breath, death is certain."
The aide exclaimed, "So potent?"
Then he looked pleadingly at Xiao Xun and said, "My Lord, what shall we do?"
Xiao Xun ignored the aide, smiled calmly, and bowed to the old man. "I earnestly request your guidance, sir!"
The old man repeatedly said, "Lord Swain, please do not!" "I shall guide you to a place that can resolve Lord Swain's predicament!"
The aide exchanged glances. They had not expected such a wilderness villager to have a solution. It seemed heaven favored the Holy Roman Army.
The old man raised his hand and pointed to the west. "There is a valley ahead. If Lord Swain walks along this valley for about twenty li, you will see a stream. This stream is called the Buga River.
This water has great efficacy. Whether one is poisoned with sores or afflicted by miasma, a moment's bathing in this water can detoxify.
Before the Buga River, there is also a temple. In the hall, there is a herb called Hundred Sparrow Saliva Fragrance. If one holds this herb in their mouth, miasma cannot invade, and the army can be protected from the disturbance of miasma."
Xiao Xun bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir, for your guidance! May I ask your esteemed name?"
The old man laughed heartily. "A humble villager, not worth mentioning! It is more important for Your Lordship to save people!"
Xiao Xun bowed his thanks again and turned to leave.
The aide also bowed deeply to the old man in thanks. When he looked up, the old man had already vanished.
The aide exchanged glances and quickly caught up with Xiao Xun. "My Lord! The old gentleman has disappeared! I wonder what eminent personage he was!"
Xiao Xun smiled calmly. "Since he is an eminent person and did not wish for us to know his identity, we can only place this debt of gratitude upon Duke Duker!"
Xiao Xun and his group returned to the camp. Xiao Xun ordered Tussin to lead the poisoned Holy Roman soldiers along the old man's guidance towards the valley.
Entering the valley, the mountains and forests were unique, with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds, a stark contrast to the harshness outside the valley. It was a scene of natural harmony, devoid of any clamor.
The team walked along the valley for twenty li. Just as they were about to look around, a scout reported, "Lord Swain, a thatched hut has been discovered ahead, and it appears to be inhabited."
"Oh? Give the order to rest here!"
After giving the order, he alighted from his small carriage and, with his aide, went to the thatched hut mentioned by the scout.
The group of three arrived in front of the thatched hut. They saw a plaque written in Chinese characters above the hut, reading "Temple." Xiao Xun's brow furrowed slightly. "The calligraphy is unrestrained and contains the aura of a hegemon, completely at odds with the surrounding peace and tranquility. We must proceed with caution!"
The aide exchanged glances and respectfully replied, "We shall obey Your Lordship's teachings!"
Kent stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a moment, footsteps were heard, and a small child emerged from the thatched hut. Upon seeing Xiao Xun, he quickly stepped out and bowed deeply. "I presume you are Lord Hansvein?"
The aide exchanged glances, and Xiao Xun also showed a slight astonishment. "Indeed!"
The child grinned and bowed deeply. "My Lord invites you! My master has been waiting for a long time!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud cry was heard, "A distinguished guest has arrived! I apologize for not welcoming you from afar! Forgive me, forgive me!"
Then, a tall and strong barbarian quickly approached, his voice hearty and brisk, exuding barbarian boldness.
Kent looked at this person and whispered to the aide, "Don't you think we've seen this person somewhere before?"
Upon hearing this, the aide carefully examined the barbarian before him. He was well-built, with broad shoulders and a sturdy physique, but he lacked the inherent ferocity typical of barbarians. Instead, he possessed an air of detached ease.
The aide thought for a long time but could not recall where he had seen this person. However, just as Kent had said, this barbarian did indeed give him a sense of familiarity.
"Sein!"
As he was pondering, he heard Xiao Xun utter two words.
Upon hearing this, the aide involuntarily gasped, and a sense of tension inexplicably washed over him. The barbarian martial artist before him indeed bore a strong resemblance to Sein.
However, although this person was identical in appearance to Sein, he lacked the innate ferocity and the kingly aura that Sein possessed.
It was precisely because of this that, despite their striking resemblance, the aide had failed to recognize him at first.
Although Xiao Xun looked at the barbarian with a smile, he had secretly activated his innate chaotic power. Therefore, he merely bowed slightly. After confirming there was no threat around, he calmly said, "Greetings, sir!"
The burly man quickly approached Xiao Xun and scrutinized him from head to toe without reservation, repeatedly praising him. "The world says Lord Swain is of noble bearing. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved. You are truly a rare figure in this era! No wonder you are renowned throughout Atlantis!"
Xiao Xun was greatly surprised that this seemingly rough man could be so eloquent in his praise, and he repeatedly declared, "I dare not."
The man invited Xiao Xun into the thatched hut and seated them as host and guest. Xiao Xun then asked, "May I ask who you are, sir?"
The man laughed heartily. "To be frank, Lord Swain, I am Sein's elder brother, Palos!"
Xiao Xun had clearly anticipated a connection between this person and Sein but had not expected such a close relationship. He couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. However, remembering that the land had guided him, he assumed there was no ill intent and felt slightly relieved.
"So you are the barbarian king's elder brother..."