The raging wind lifted the sand into the air.
In the midst of the swirling sand in the small town, pedestrians hurriedly walked on the streets, carrying their children to seek shelter.
This is a small town by the DuPont River, relying on the DuPont River to survive on the edge of the desert. The sand grains and the scorching sun accompany the people here throughout the year. Women casually expose their arms and thighs, while men’s hands carry the scent of smoke and alcohol.
Larry Emily pushed open the door of the tavern. Solely based on this tavern, the town could be considered a remarkable one. The smell inside the tavern was unpleasant, a mix of musk and the musty odor of wood. It assaulted the nostrils before the faint scent of alcohol could be discerned.
He hurriedly walked through the tavern. Yes, despite bearing the beautiful name Emily, Larry was a sturdy man. He pushed open the long-neglected wooden door, and it creaked with a loud sound. Larry asked the people inside, “How is he?”
Irene Emily rolled her eyes at him and whispered, “Brother, I beg you to be quieter!” She glanced at the man still drowsy on the bed, tenderly moistening the dry cracks on his lips with some alcohol. “I don’t know where you found this man. I searched him three times before and couldn’t find a Milim on him. I have to feed him some alcohol every now and then. Who will I ask for money later?”
Larry approached and looked at him, astonished, muttering softly, “He looks like this originally; truly handsome!”
Larry still remembered when he found this man; half of his body was buried in the soil, and his entire face, let alone handsome, was covered tightly by sand.
Irene picked up a semi-wet towel and wiped the man’s face. This was one of her favorite activities every day. “If it weren’t for the sake of this face, do you think I would be so kind?”
Irene’s hand reached the man’s belt, “Since he can’t produce money, why not let me take advantage of it? Maybe, Larry, you found me an ideal husband with just one pick.”
Irene’s hands skillfully unfastened the belt. Before Larry could intervene, she suddenly cried out in pain, “Ouch!”
Her delicate wrist was held by a hand with well-defined knuckles. The man lying on the bed slowly sat up, his eyes filled with a threatening glare as he looked at the two people in the room, “Who are you?”
Larry couldn’t understand the language; he found it strange and confusing. He raised his hands in panic and said, “My sister has no malicious intent. Can you let her go?”
The man’s dark eyes scanned Larry, and with a swift kick, he kicked the gun that Irene was about to grab to his side. In English, he asked again, “Who are you?”
He held Irene’s hand without any courtesy. Irene’s wrist was in excruciating pain, and she angrily exclaimed, “Is this how you treat your lifesaver?”
However, the man holding her showed no signs of easing. With a single hand, he controlled the gun and aimed it at Irene, asking, “Where am I?”
Anyone who has experienced kidnapping will never easily trust strangers again.
0046 urgently intervened, “Zong Yuan, stop!”
Zong Yuan frowned, “Who’s talking?”
There were only Larry and Irene in the room, and he hadn’t heard a third person’s voice. Zong Yuan released Irene, warily looking around. Irene staggered and ran behind Larry.
“Of course, it’s me, Zong Yuan. Who else could it be?” 0046’s voice came from the mind.
After a brief thought, Zong Yuan aimed the gun at his own temple and ordered, “Come out.”
Larry and Irene looked at him in horror.
“…” 0046 was scared. It scanned Zong Yuan’s physical condition, reported to headquarters, and then showed him the data linking them. Finally, it tentatively said, “Zong Yuan, are you playing a trick on me?”
Zong Yuan closed his eyes to receive the information. His actions seemed extremely peculiar. Larry, holding Irene, wanted to run, regretting how he had saved a madman. At this moment, Zong Yuan opened his eyes, looked at the two in front of him, and with a naturally apologetic gentleman’s smile, he said, “Hello, I’m Zong. Nice to meet you.”
He aimed the gun at himself, slowly approaching Larry and Irene. Finally, he placed the gun back in Irene’s hand and took Irene’s hand, performing a kiss-hand gesture through the air. “Dear lifesaver, can you forgive my rudeness just now?”
With such eyes hiding guilt and apology, which woman could bear to refuse him?
Irene pulled her skirt, her face slightly blushing. She was pleasantly surprised and said, “O-of course, I mean, I will forgive you.”
Zong Yuan’s lips curled up, looking relieved.
This thing claimed it could save his brother’s life. For the sake of his dear brother, these tasks were worth challenging.
Two hours later.
In the Ramaghi Town’s tavern by the DuPont River, the wind outside the window blew fiercely, making the windows rattle. The tavern barely withstood the strong wind. The sparse crowd cherished the light and scarce wine, discussing all sorts of interesting news.
Zong Yuan mingled with this group. Introduced by Larry, he smoothly entered this small circle, listening to them aimlessly chat about trivial matters.
“The daughter of the Greg family has a really good figure.”
“The homeless man on the street and another housewife are having an affair.”
…
Suddenly, Zong Yuan interjected, “I’ve heard that Ramaghi has many beautiful legends. Can someone tell me these stories?”
These people were all locals, and they had already started scrutinizing Zong Yuan’s face, which was clearly different from theirs. Now, hearing Zong Yuan’s words, they enthusiastically responded, “Although there aren’t many beautiful legends, we do have some stories that are a mix of truth and fiction.”
A middle-aged man with a beard mysteriously looked at the strong wind outside the window and lowered his voice, “Do you know about the mummy?”
Zong Yuan nodded, “A body wrapped in white cloth.”
The bearded man waved his hand at them, deliberately creating a creepy atmosphere with the howling wind. He said, “Not a corpse, but a living person.”
Turning a dead person into a mummy is a sign of respect for the deceased. However, turning a living person into a mummy indicates that the person has committed heinous crimes. 【Note】
In the desert on the left bank of the DuPont River lies such a mummy, punished and cursed for numerous evil deeds.
The door banged, making a sound, and sand was blown into the tavern by the wind. People near the door cursed and grumbled, closing the door and propping it with an idle chair.
Sand fell to the ground, with some landing on the people nearby.
The bearded man laughed heartily and joked, “Maybe this mummy heard what we were saying!”
Roars of laughter filled the room.
After the wind subsided, the sky had turned dark. The men who had spent the day in the tavern lazily walked towards their homes. Zong Yuan walked out of the tavern, gazing at the vast scenery outside.
A withered tree leaned in front of the tavern door. As Zong Yuan walked over, he accidentally stepped on a hard stone. Moving his foot, a small green corner emerged from the sand.
Zong Yuan dug out this object—a green stone crafted in the shape of a scarab beetle. He held it in his palm and found a line of words on the back.
0046 translated for him, “Imprison the heart of the dead, protect the master from danger.”
It was an amulet.
The author has something to say:
【Note】: Based on movies and the author’s imagination, there are some personal interpretations. In this story, mummies are not subjected to brain and visceral extraction.╮(╯▽╰)╭
Sorry, I originally wanted to write about the monk being the aggressor, but after sitting in front of the computer for an hour, I only came up with eight words. Then another plot idea started to stir, and I couldn’t hold it back…
