The group came to the police station, and Chen Jiuren issued a letter of introduction and work permit to prove their official status as an archaeological team.

After carefully checking it over and over again, Director Wang put down the letter of introduction and work permit, and said with some helplessness: "You are professors and cadres from the central government. Of course we at the local level must actively cooperate, but An Liman is not easy to deal with.

I don’t have much confidence in persuading him to be your guide.”

"It's okay, we are sure to convince him." Zhang Jin said.

"Well, come with me." Director Wang stood up and led them the way.

Shirley Yang asked Zhang Jin: "Are you really sure?"

"I don't, but he does." Zhang Jin pointed at Hu Bayi.

Hu Bayi wondered: "I haven't even seen the face of this old man An Liman, how can I be sure to convince him?"

Wang Kaixuan interrupted: "You didn't figure this out again, right?"

"You will understand then." Zhang Jin smiled.

Seeing that he was lying, the three of them didn't bother to continue asking questions. The answer would be revealed soon anyway.

On the way there, Zhang Jin had already told several people that if he wanted to persuade An Liman, an old man, to help, he would have to use coercion, inducement and various means.

"You threaten." Zhang Jin pointed at Hu Bayi, then looked at Shirley Yang, "You lured."

Hu Bayi said dissatisfied: "Why should I threaten you? Do I look like a bad person?"

Zhang Jin said: "How about you induce me? Do you have money?"

Hu Bayi was stunned for a moment, and Wang Kaixuan next to him said: "Old Hu, why don't you do the intimidation?"

"I'll do it...just me," Hu Bayi said depressedly.

Under the leadership of Director Wang, the group quickly arrived at the detention room and saw old man An Liman who was praying.

After previous discussions, Shirley Yang, Hu Bayi and Chen Jiuren took turns to lure, coerce and plead, and finally convinced An Liman to act as a guide and take them into the desert to find the ancient city of Jingjue.

"You are still right. In the end, it is up to Hu Bayi to convince An Liman." Shirley Yang said, "Do you know what he said to An Liman?"

"Secrets, everyone has secrets." Zhang Jin did not answer.

What Hu Bayi actually said to An Liman is different from the drama version and the novel, but judging from the information given, An Liman is probably related to the tomb robbery, and Hu Bayi used this to threaten him.

After Anliman was settled, two days later, the archaeological team officially set off on a desert adventure to find the ancient city of Jingjue.

Zhang Jin handed over the several camels and food he bought to An Liman. Initially, the old man refused, saying that the camels he raised were not easy to manage, until Zhang Jin said that these camels would be his after he came back.

After that, he immediately agreed.

Led by An Liman, the archaeological team set out from Bosten Lake and followed the ancient Kongque River into the depths of the desert.

Professor Hao's three young students came to the desert for the first time. They were deeply attracted by the beautiful scenery of the desert in front of them. The sky was high and the sky was high. They couldn't help but sing loudly. There was a relaxed and joyful atmosphere in the team.

But as they went deeper and deeper into the desert, the hot and dry weather and the unchanging scenery soon made everyone lose their previous cheerful mood, and they felt deeply tired from traveling every morning and evening.

This morning, the archaeological team that had been marching for a long time stopped. An Liman got off the camel, stood on the sand dune and looked at the fiery red clouds in the eastern sky, and then explained to Hu Bayi who came to inquire.

The weather may change and strong winds may blow.

Hu Bayi explained the situation to the members of the archaeological team again. Chen Jiuren said that he was the team leader and everyone listened to him.

"What suggestions do you have?" Hu Bayi asked Zhang Jin.

"My suggestion is to drink more water quickly." Zhang Jin pointed at An Liman, who was holding a blanket and preparing to pray not far away. "Even if he is still in the mood to pray, he will be the first to run after praying.

So everyone, hurry up and get on the camel, don’t be left behind later.”

With Zhang Jin's reminder, the archaeological team did not lose their position when they escaped.

The group of people ran wildly in the wind and sand for a long time, and gradually became exhausted. Chen Jiuren even fell behind the team. Fortunately, Zhang Jin was well prepared and did not delay everyone's escape.

In the wind and sand, it was almost impossible to see the scene ahead. The only thing everyone could do was to hold on to the camel tightly and let the camel follow the leader in front.

The members of the archaeological team, being chased by Hyacinthus, experienced for the first time the danger and terror of the desert!

Zhang Jin also experienced a desert storm for the first time. The yellow sand rolled in the wind, blocking most of his field of vision. Even though he was wearing goggles and a scarf to cover his mouth and nose, he still felt that the wind and sand seemed to be drilling into his face pervasively.

However, no matter how fast the camels ran, they could not keep up with the speed of the sandstorm, and everyone was still involved in the black sandstorm.

"I hope God will bless you!" An Liman prayed loudly.

"No need, God, do you think there are ruins of the ancient city over there?" Zhang Jin pointed to the front.

"Great! Keep up, keep up! If it's too late, you'll be buried in the black sandstorm!" An Liman urged as he rushed out first.

The camels seemed to know that the place ahead was where they could save their lives, and they all ran away with all their strength.

Finally, the archaeological team arrived at the ruins of an ancient city ahead before they were caught in the storm again and unable to escape.

An Liman and Hu Bayi settled the camels, while Wang Kaixuan led everyone to find a ruined house that was mostly buried under the yellow sand and the main structure was still intact and strong to hide from the wind and sand.

Under the command of Hu Bayi, everyone moved in daily necessities and sleeping bags, and dug some dry firewood around to light a fire, intending to wait here until the black sand storm was over.

"Uncle An Liman, when will this sandstorm end?" Sa Di Peng asked with some worry, "We won't be trapped here forever, right?"

"You have to ask God about this. It could be as short as three to five days or as long as one week!" An Liman said.

Wang Kaixuan pointed to the side: "Hey, Sa Di Peng, if you ask God, why don't you ask Master Zhang, maybe he can figure it out."

"Can it really be calculated, Brother Zhang?" Ye Yixin also asked.

"It will stop tomorrow, you don't have to worry too much," Zhang Jin said.

"Are you so sure?" Shirley Yang also joined in.

Zhang Jin tore open the dried meat and chewed it while saying, "If we don't stop tomorrow, we will be in danger."

"What do you mean? Will we be buried by the strong wind and sand?" Hao Aiguo asked.

"It's worse than this." Zhang Jin raised the dried meat in his hand, "It was buried by the wind and sand, at least a mummy can be left."

"Brother Zhang, don't scare me!" Ye Yixin said nervously.

Zhang Jin pointed behind her and said, "I'm not scaring you, look what's behind you?"

Ye Yixin looked back and screamed in fright. She quickly hid behind Sa Di Peng, looked at the ground and trembled: "Bones, bones! So many people's bones!"

"Are we archaeologists still afraid of bones?" Hao Aiguo said as he stood up to inspect, "These really seem to be human bones!"

Everyone gathered around to watch, and Hu Bayi discovered something unusual: "Professor Hao, these bones are a bit strange. The bones and flesh of the deceased in the desert will not rot. Half of them were naturally dried and became mummies."

Shirley Yang continued: "But there is not even a bit of skin and flesh on these white bones."
Chapter completed!