Chapter 599: The Sacred Mountain, Black Adam, and the Wizard Society
The Price of Survival
Luke was right; the Khandaqi are desperately poor, lacking even enough clothes to wear.
It wasn't like this a few years ago, but since the Arabs arrived, everything changed. Those zealots treated them like vermin.
They are constantly in hiding, cornered in the canyons. Every time they go out, it's a race against death. This life is truly too difficult.
A middle-aged Khandaqi hesitated.
"Those two don't look like government troops." Seeing the chief unresponsive, he mustered his courage. "I think we should call them back. Eighty thousand dollars' worth of supplies is enough to help us overcome our immediate crisis."
Chief Khalist's voice was cold. "Their target is the Wizards!"
The middle-aged man muttered, "The Sacred Mountain has been empty for decades. Even if there was someone there, they're probably dead by now."
"Silence!"
The chief's stern shout was like a thunderclap. Everyone lowered their heads, daring not to meet his gaze.
At that moment, two more men entered, reporting the latest movements.
"They're still heading toward the exit. They'll be out of the canyon in ten minutes at most."
The chief could no longer sit still, his face etched with struggle. He genuinely needed those supplies but didn't want to reveal the location of the Sacred Mountain. He was torn.
Time ticked by.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. No one spoke, their eyes showing deep disappointment.
Eighty thousand dollars—no, eight hundred thousand dollars—was enough to change the tribe's current situation, clothe the women, feed the children meat, and update their weapons and equipment. They might even be able to break the siege and defeat the damned Arabs.
Such a golden opportunity was slipping away. The thought was painful.
The chief noticed the collective mood, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh.
"Go. Invite them back."
Everyone was overjoyed. They quickly left the room and sprinted toward the canyon exit.
A Deal is Struck
Half an hour later, the two returned to the cave. Both looked displeased. Luke even mocked them.
"I've been alive this long, and this is the first time I've seen anyone conduct business this way."
"I said it beforehand, it's only seven hundred thousand now, not a cent more."
Everyone's face stiffened, about to argue, but the chief stopped them.
"Mr. Lucio, we were wrong before. Such a major decision couldn't be made by me alone; it required group consultation. We apologize for the unfair treatment you received because of this."
Luke impatiently waved his hand. "Cut the nonsense. Let's make the deal. I have places to be."
The chief lowered his voice. "The money then?"
"I already said, only seven hundred thousand."
"Eighty hundred thousand. I'll give you a guide to take you to the Sacred Mountain."
"What is the Sacred Mountain?"
"The person you are looking for is there."
Luke's heart stirred, and he sank into thought. Finally, under the nervous gaze of everyone present, he nodded.
"Eight hundred thousand it is. Do you want cash or something else?"
The chief suppressed his joy. "Five hundred thousand dollars in cash. The remaining three hundred thousand should be converted into AK rifles and 7.62mm ammunition."
Supplies are easy to dilute, but cash and guns are different. With the equipment, they could break through the Arab encirclement and buy necessities in other cities.
Once the agreement was reached, Luke took out his phone and called Number Four.
Soon, a truck loaded with weapons and supplies appeared at the canyon entrance: forty AKs, fifty crates of ammunition, and five hundred thousand dollars in cash.
Seeing these items, the old man trembled with excitement, stroking the oilcloth-wrapped AK rifles as if they were his children.
Luke's voice was cold. "I've held up my end. Now it's your turn."
The chief took a deep breath, raised his hand, and a boy of fourteen or fifteen stepped out from the crowd.
"He will guide you to the Sacred Mountain."
He then produced a leather map. "The location and landmarks are marked on it. You can ask the boy if you have any questions."
Luke was annoyed. "I paid such a high price, and you only give me a map? What if no one is on the mountain?"
The chief pulled Luke aside.
"The Sacred Mountain is the greatest secret of the Khandaqi. The Wizard is there. Whether you find him is not up to me; it depends on luck. Even if you fail the first time, you'll have a second and a third chance."
Luke pretended to be deeply contemplative, then suddenly said, "You come with me."
The old man offered a helpless, bitter smile.
"I've already witnessed your power, sir. We cannot lie to you, nor do we dare to. The map is the most help I can offer. Even if you went to other tribes, you would get the same result.
"If you don't believe me, you can try and see if I'm lying. As for me, what good would I be if I went? In the eyes of the Wizard, I am no different from an ordinary man."
With the chief having spoken his mind, Luke had to drop the matter.
It was late, so the two had to take the boy and return to Arish.
Luke didn't doubt the chief's words, but he felt something was strange. The situation was far more complicated than it seemed.
New Players and the Seal
Back in Arish, Luke took out maps of the Sinai Peninsula from different eras for comparison. He quickly determined the general location of the Sacred Mountain: it should be northwest of the Saint Catherine's Monastery, near the Tih Plateau, about 120 kilometers in a straight line.
That region has complex terrain, perfect for building underground palaces. Perhaps the ruins containing the alien spacecraft were buried beneath the Sacred Mountain.
Just then, a knock sounded. A man in military uniform with a fierce look entered. If a Palestinian were present, they would instantly recognize this man: Abla Duler, a notorious warlord in the Middle East, commanding over 150,000 armed troops.
"Why are you here?"
Abla (who is Number Four) bowed respectfully.
"I have some intelligence I needed to deliver to you personally."
"Whose intelligence?"
"The Wizard Society and a man named Black Adam."
Luke's heart jumped, and he quickly asked, "You know about Black Adam?"
"The information about Black Adam is mostly legendary. The specifics are unknown, but the Wizard Society is very concerned about him."
Luke sneered. "That group of frauds who can't even conjure a fireball don't deserve to be called wizards."
Before arriving, he was curious about the Wizard Society, but investigation revealed that the so-called wizards were just con artists selling false hope.
The Egyptian Nine Gods magic system is no longer officially passed down in Egypt; the only possible remnant is with the Khandaqi.
"The situation is different now," Abla said seriously. "A month ago, a strange man appeared in the Wizard Society. His real name is Godfrey Amon, but he calls himself Hasshett. He seems to have mastered very ancient Egyptian magic."
Hasshett?
Luke stroked his chin, wondering where he had heard that name before.
Abla continued, "His target is the same as ours: the alien spacecraft containing the Nth Metal. In addition to that, they are also searching for the Sealing Place of Black Adam, and they've already found some clues."
Oh!
Luke raised an eyebrow.
"Where are they now?"
"Two days ago, they arrived at Saint Catherine's Monastery and have been there ever since. Aside from Hasshett and his men, there is also an American named Thaddeus Sivana, who appears to be an expert in archaeology."
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