Xinjiang is not entirely yellow earth and desert; there are large areas of green vegetation.
Just like here, surrounded by lush grass and even a few mature old trees, leaning sideways, but without a single red date on them.
Soon, the village secretary led Zhang Tian and a few others to a farmhouse courtyard.
Crystal clear grapes hung above the courtyard.
Beneath the grapevines, there were several stone tables with a game of chess on them.
"Chess again?"
Seeing the chess, Zhang Qilin couldn't help but look away. This thing was a terrible affliction.
How could such a thing be everywhere?
"Grapes in the courtyard, attracting ghosts and evil."
Hu Bayi looked at the grapevines that almost covered the entire courtyard and said in a low voice.
"Old Hu, what do you mean by that?"
Fatty asked excitedly from the side.
"In Feng Shui, grapevines are considered yin and should not be planted. If you must plant them, you should choose the northwest corner or the south corner, and finally place a Bagua mirror under the grapevines."
"This way, the Bagua mirror will suppress the evil spirits, and the grapevines will symbolize love, and the Feng Shui will gradually improve."
As Hu Bayi spoke, Shirley Yang's eyes lit up, her big eyes blinking at Hu Bayi.
She hadn't expected such a small grape vine to have such a significant effect.
Hu Bayi's voice also reached the village secretary's ears.
The village secretary looked at Hu Bayi.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He looked at the identification card, confirming he was an expert, but it was the first time he had met an expert who could speak such philosophical words.
For a moment, he looked at Hu Bayi with newfound respect.
"I didn't expect some of our experts to be superstitious."
The village secretary sat on a stone stool with a smile.
Seeing that the village secretary had no ill intentions, Zhang Tian smiled and replied.
"Although times change, beliefs in our hearts are eternal. Believing excessively in one thing is superstition, don't you think?"
Zhang Tian said, and the village secretary smiled.
"You are the most unusual expedition team I have ever met. Someone actually believes in this."
He said, glancing at Hu Bayi, then walked into the house.
Under Zhang Tian and the others' gaze, the village secretary took out a teapot and poured some tea.
"Have some date tea. You are here for?"
The village secretary asked, and Shirley Yang replied generously.
"We are here for the ancient city? Do you know if you can get into the desert?"
"The ancient city, it's all for the ancient city."
The village secretary looked at the sky.
"If you want to enter the desert, our town has a guide, but I advise you to be careful."
"Over the years, too many people who came to Xinjiang to explore have gone missing. I know your stubbornness, and I won't try to dissuade you. Just take care of yourselves."
The village secretary said, his demeanor was different from what Zhang Tian had expected. Logically, the village secretary should have been gentle and refined, but why did this one seem so agitated?
"Then, do you know who can take us into the desert?"
Shirley Yang asked again.
"An Liman. He is a well-known desert guide in town and has guided many people into the desert."
"But..."
The village secretary sighed here and didn't continue.
It was obvious that the latter half should have been, but few came out.
"Thank you, Village Secretary."
Shirley Yang expressed her gratitude, and the village secretary waved his hand, saying nothing more.
Zhang Tian could tell that the village secretary had been through a lot.
Indeed, the Jingjue Ancient City had been passed down for so long, and Shirley Yang's father had also been here.
Perhaps the village secretary had also hosted them back then.
Having seen too many people die in the desert, he might have become numb.
"Let's go, we'll go find An Liman."
Zhang Tian stood up and said, and everyone drank the tea on the table.
"I hope you can find him. An Liman's house is on the west side of town, the last one. If you see camels, you've arrived."
"He's a bit greedy, though."
The village secretary said, and Zhang Tian waved his hand, and the group disappeared from the courtyard.
After leaving the courtyard, Zhang Tian looked at Shirley Yang.
"Miss Yang, was that diary you had just now yours? Your father's diary?"
Zhang Tian asked.
Logically, the diary should have been found in the Kunlun Mountains, but he didn't expect Shirley Yang to have obtained it in advance.
"Yes, I found it accidentally."
Shirley Yang nodded, her eyes shifting, and her movements were unnatural. She even twitched her nose!
It was clear that this person was not telling the truth.
He didn't ask further. After all, it was her secret, and prying into it would not benefit Zhang Tian.
"This village secretary seems really strange. I always feel something is off. He speaks weirdly and doesn't explain things clearly. Fatty doesn't like it. If possible, boss, I want to stab the village secretary's butt!"
Fatty made a middle finger gesture.
"Fatty, we are an archaeological team, be more cultured, at least don't speak so refreshingly."
"Use some positive words."
Hu Bayi said from the side, and Fatty scratched his head.
"Old Hu, Fatty is just keeping up with the times!"
Fatty said, and Hu Bayi rolled his eyes at Fatty.
Fatty grinned.
"This is protecting chastity, protecting myself for Fei Fei. Old Hu, you don't understand anything."
Fatty grinned, and Hu Bayi rolled his eyes at Fatty and ignored him.
This guy, he's quite good at talking nonsense.
Zhang Tian didn't bother with Fatty. It was fortunate that Wang Fei hadn't come, or he would have been thoroughly disciplined.
The scene continued.
At this time, Zhang Tian and his group had arrived at the westernmost part of the town.
There was a small adobe house here, and several strong camels were tied outside.
Looking at the small house not far away, Zhang Tian knew they had come to the right place.
(Good heavens, as soon as they mentioned going to the ancient city, they started raising camels lol)