The boat arrived at Hou-San Village late in the afternoon. On the deck, Kanoru and Asuna stood with the other passengers, waiting for the boat to dock. The deck was crowded, but strangely, a two-meter gap surrounded the pair—no one dared stand too close.
Kanoru leaned on the railing, gazing at the village ahead. Red brick walls enclosed it, concealing everything inside. From several points within the village, thin trails of smoke drifted into the sky, likely from cooking fires or smithing forges.
After a few minutes, the boat docked at the small pier outside the village. Kanoru's sharp eyes immediately noticed a group of ten lower-ranked warlocks and a middle-ranked warlock standing on the dock. Their robes bore the scorpion emblem of the Desert Kingdom's military. His gaze followed Gu Mingzhu, the princess they had sheltered, as she approached the group.
She briefly glanced at Kanoru and Asuna, giving them a slight nod of acknowledgment before her caretaker ushered her into a luxurious carriage. She and her guards departed westward, skipping the village altogether.
Kanoru muttered, almost to himself, "Straight to the capital, huh? Smart move."
Once the princess and her entourage were gone, Kanoru and Asuna disembarked. They walked toward the village gate without hurry, allowing the other passengers to clear out first. The guards at the gate were only inspecting carriages, letting travelers on foot enter freely.
Inside the village, dusty, narrow streets weaved between stone and clay houses. Merchants hawked their wares, children ran through the alleys, and the smell of spiced meats and roasted grains filled the air.
After wandering around for a bit, they found a modest inn and booked a room. Once inside, they bathed and changed into fresh clothes, finally washing away the last traces of the battle on the riverbank.
---
Stepping out of the inn, Kanoru stretched his arms, still feeling the ache in his muscles.
"Do you want to grab some food before checking the blacksmith shops?" he asked, his tone casual but slightly weary.
Asuna considered for a moment, brushing her hair over her shoulder.
"Hmm… Let's eat first. I want to try the local food."
They strolled through the bustling village until they found a clean, well-kept restaurant with a shaded terrace. Inside, they ordered two of the Desert Kingdom's specialties: Bronze Fish, and Golden Lamb.
The flavors were rich and savory, enhanced by the exotic spices of the desert.
After finishing their meal, they spent the next few hours visiting five different blacksmiths, searching for someone who could forge a new sword for Kanoru. However, they left disappointed.
Asuna scowled slightly, kicking at a loose stone.
"We'll have to go to the capital to buy Red Bronze Ore and rebuild your sword."
From the blacksmiths, they learned that Hou-San Village only produced common weapons and tools, with raw materials supplied by the local mine owners. Red Bronze Ore, however, was classified as a special material by the Desert Kingdom and could only be purchased at the royal store in the capital.
Kanoru exhaled sharply.
"We'll need to hire some men to take us there."
Asuna crossed her arms.
"Even with a map, traveling through the desert alone will be difficult. We'd get lost or run into trouble."
Kanoru gave a tired nod, "I'll check tomorrow morning."
The two walked back toward the inn, the sun dipping low, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet.
The next morning, Kanoru scoured Hou-San Village, searching for a reliable escort team. He eventually found a mercenary group called Desert Rose, led by a middle-ranked warlock, a sharp-eyed woman with sun-kissed skin and a confident demeanor. He chose them not only for their strength and experience but also because they were hired to guard and guide a merchant caravan heading to the capital.
An hour later, after purchasing supplies for the two-day journey, Kanoru and Asuna mounted two sturdy camels, joining the mercenary team as they rode out of the village. The sun blazed high, the desert winds hot and dry, but the ride was steady and uneventful.
Two days later, they reached the capital city of the Desert Kingdom—Yulansar.
---
Yulansar stood by the shores of a vast, crystal-clear lake, its waters reflecting the golden hues of the desert sun. Surrounding the lake was a dense forest of palm trees, creating an oasis so large it appeared almost surreal. The capital itself was nestled deep within the forest, with stone towers and domed structures peeking through the sea of green.
At the city gates, the guards demanded identification. Kanoru and Asuna presented their papers, confirming their status as citizens of the Ming Empire, and were allowed entry.
Without wasting time, they headed straight to an inn near the market district. After freshening up from the journey, they left the inn and made their way to the royal store to purchase the Red Bronze Ore.
However, they were quickly turned away.
The storekeeper, a stout man with a thick beard, shook his head.
"We don't sell raw ore to individuals. If you want a weapon forged, you need to place an order with one of the blacksmiths in the capital. They'll purchase the required amount of Red Bronze Ore from us directly."
Kanoru sighed but didn't argue.
"Let's do it their way," he muttered.
Within the hour, they found a reputable blacksmith and placed their order. Kanoru handed over the broken fragments of his family sword and its handle, requesting that they be melted down and reforged with the new Red Bronze Ore.
Before leaving, Kanoru added another order—a sword for Asuna.
"You should have your own. One day, you'll need it to follow my path and comprehend the power of the world," he said softly.
Asuna's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she smiled, touched by the gesture.
"I'll make sure it's worthy of the journey," she replied.
The blacksmith informed them that the swords would take a week to forge. Realizing they would have to stay in Yulansar for several days, they left the inn and rented a large house with a small courtyard, providing them with an open space for their daily practice.
---
The next day, they learned that Yulansar was celebrating its Founding Day Festival that evening.
As night fell, Kanoru and Asuna left their rented house and stepped into the lively streets. The entire city was ablaze with light—oil lamps and lanterns hung from balconies and trees, casting a warm glow over the crowd.
As they walked hand in hand, they immersed themselves in the festivities—
- Tossing rings at bottles for small prizes.
- Watching a shadow puppet show, its dancing figures telling a tale of ancient desert kings.
- Enjoying a performance by a traveling circus, where acrobats flipped and spun through the air with breathtaking skill.
The aroma of roasted nuts, sweet dates, and spiced meats filled the streets. They sampled several snacks, enjoying the lively atmosphere.
As they made their way home, Kanoru glanced at Asuna, noting how her face glowed beneath the lantern lights. He squeezed her hand slightly, and she smiled, leaning into him as they strolled back to their rented house.
---
But while they celebrated, others were watching.
Inside a lavish chamber at the royal palace, Gu Mingzhu sat across from a tall, imposing man, her caretaker standing silently behind her. Moments later, the guard who had escorted her from the boat entered the room and knelt respectfully.
"Princess, I've found someone to participate in the royal hunt on your behalf," the guard announced.
Gu Mingzhu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who?"
The guard smirked.
"That man who fought against and repelled Ji An."
The caretaker immediately shook her head.
"He won't do. The man has no connection in the kingdom. You'll need that connection if you want to secure the throne after emerging victorious in the royal hunt."
The tall man, clearly someone of authority, leaned forward slightly.
"Tell me everything about him," he ordered.
Gu Mingzhu hesitated briefly, then began recounting what she knew.
"I don't know much. His name is Kanoru. He helped us when the Sand Thieves attacked the boat."
She described the fight in detail—from the moment Kanoru drew his sword to his battle against Ji An, the sand thief leader.
The caretaker added cautiously,
"He was injured in the battle, sir."
The man, unfazed, smiled faintly.
"Of course he was. A samurai without his sword is at a disadvantage. The elements are his weakness without a proper weapon."
Gu Mingzhu frowned slightly.
"He is strong… but he can't participate in the royal hunt. He's already married."
The man's eyes narrowed, and he waved dismissively.
"That doesn't matter. Your father had five wives, including your mother. You need a powerful man by your side, not one bound by desert traditions."
Gu Mingzhu opened her mouth to object, but the man cut her off.
"You don't understand. When Kanoru defeated Ji An, he wasn't using his full strength."
The caretaker raised a brow.
"How do you know that?"
The man's voice was calm but firm.
"A samurai can't unleash their true power without a weapon. Kanoru was not fighting with his full strength."
Gu Mingzhu pursed her lips, still uncertain.
"I doubt he'll agree to participate."
The man's eyes glimmered with confidence.
"He will. I have something that will make him agree and significantly raise our chances of winning the royal hunt."
Gu Mingzhu exchanged a wary glance with her caretaker. Though she still had her doubts, she knew the man before her was not one to make empty promises.