Chapter 225 - 221: Wireless Walkie-talkie
As far as Ye Xing knew, the Liu Family was a major clan in Biluo City, but they had no Innate Realm experts within their ranks. Their strongest member was the Liu Family Head, Liu Liqun, who was ranked a mere 106th on the Wind and Cloud List, placing him below Gao Zhisong. With Gao Zhisong’s power, ranked 79th on the Wind and Cloud List, he could easily serve as an Honored Guest Elder for an Innate Clan if he so wished. There was absolutely no reason for him to take up such a post with a minor clan like the Liu Family.
"Because of a treasure!" Gao Zhisong said in a low voice. "This mountain closure was actually a joint operation by the Cao Family from Red Sun Main City and the Liu Family from Biluo City. The Liu and Cao Families each possess a Treasure Map Fragment, and the treasure’s location points right to Biluo Mountain. That’s why the two families joined forces to seal off the mountain and search for the treasure. The Liu Family is the weaker party and was worried the Cao Family would take the treasure for themselves, so they invited me to become their Honored Guest Elder. When this is over, I’m to receive thirty percent of the treasure the Liu Family acquires!"
"That’s strange. If they have the Treasure Map, can’t they just go directly to the treasure’s location? Why seal the whole mountain?" Ye Xing asked, confused. "Could it be that the Treasure Map is—"
"Yes. The Treasure Map is incomplete. Even when the Liu and Cao Families’ Treasure Map Fragments are put together, it’s still not whole. It’s missing the middle piece, so they don’t even know the name of the treasure," Gao Zhisong said. "Based on the incomplete map, all they know is that the treasure’s location is somewhere here in Biluo Mountain. That’s why the two families sent their men to seal the mountain and conduct a massive search. Biluo Mountain isn’t huge, but it’s not small, either. If they search for long enough, there’s a decent chance they’ll find the spot."
"A Treasure Map Fragment?" Ye Xing’s eyes lit up. "Have you seen their map? I have a Treasure Map Fragment too. Why don’t you take a look?"
"Alright," Gao Zhisong said with a slight nod. "I got a look at theirs from a distance. If it’s from the same Treasure Map, I should be able to tell." Internally, he wasn’t very hopeful. ’The chances of finding a fragment from the same map are just too low.’
Ye Xing immediately opened his Qiankun Bag, took out a Treasure Map Fragment, and handed it to Gao Zhisong.
The Treasure Map Fragment was only about the size of a palm. It was made of parchment, its surface a dark yellow, clearly showing its age.
Gao Zhisong took the Treasure Map Fragment and turned it over to the back.
The standard way to determine if multiple Treasure Map Fragments belonged to the same map was to check the back. The pattern on the back of every complete Treasure Map was unique. If several fragments shared the same backing pattern, it meant they all came from the same map. By piecing all such fragments together, one could assemble a complete Treasure Map.
"The pattern is different. It’s not the same map," Gao Zhisong said, shaking his head as he handed the Treasure Map Fragment back to Ye Xing.
"Don’t be so quick. I have another one. Take a look at this!" Ye Xing said, pulling another Treasure Map Fragment from his Qiankun Bag.
Ye Xing currently had a total of two Treasure Map Fragments. One was obtained from the Thousand-faced Man, Hu Yinjiu, and the other was taken from the bandits at Triangular Mountain.
𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
On the Martial Arts Continent, sects had risen and fallen, and dynasties had changed over countless years, leaving behind numerous treasures. Treasure Maps were scattered far and wide; even within the Southern Tang Country, there were many such fragments. Every treasure generally held vast riches and Secret Manuals, enough to make anyone burn with envy. However, piecing together a complete Treasure Map from the myriad fragments scattered across the lands was an incredibly difficult task.
"This... This is... it’s the same... It’s the same! HAHAHA!"
Gao Zhisong’s hands trembled as he held the second Treasure Map Fragment from Ye Xing, his entire being overcome with ecstatic joy.
"Uh, are you sure it’s real?" Ye Xing asked, taken aback himself.
"There’s no mistake. I’m almost certain it’s from the same map. This backing pattern is identical," Gao Zhisong said with conviction.
Ye Xing took the Treasure Map Fragment back from Gao Zhisong and flipped it to the front. His brow furrowed slightly as he read the text. "Daluo Sect Treasure," he mused. "This must be a treasure map for the Daluo Sect. What kind of Sect is that? Have you ever heard of it?"
Gao Zhisong thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Never heard of it! It’s either from too long ago, or it wasn’t a very famous Sect!"
"But whether it was a Major Sect or not, the entire wealth of a sect is nothing to scoff at. If we’re lucky, the fortune we find might even be enough to purchase an Innate Demon Beast." Gao Zhisong’s eyes burned with fervor as he continued, "Now that we have this Treasure Map Fragment, our strength is more than enough to demand a three-way split of the treasure with the Cao and Liu Families!"
"Not so fast," Ye Xing said, his eyes glinting. "What are the specific strengths of the Cao and Liu Families?"
"The Cao Family is a major clan from Red Sun Main City in Red Sun Province. They’re the strongest of the three parties involved. Their Patriarch, Cao Bohao, is ranked seventy-first on the Wind and Cloud List, making him slightly stronger than me. The Cao Family also has two other powerful experts: one is Cao Weifang, who has a cultivation at the Martial Arts Ninth Layer, and the other is Cao Weiyuan, who is also at the Martial Arts Ninth Layer. As for the Liu Family of Biluo City, the Liu Family Head, Liu Liqun, has a cultivation at the Martial Arts Ninth Layer and is ranked 106th on the Wind and Cloud List. Their Liu Family Grand Elder, Liu Lihong, has a cultivation at the Martial Arts Eighth Layer. You could say there’s a huge disparity between the Liu Family’s strength and the Cao Family’s. It was Liu Liqun who, feeling the pressure, invited me as outside help," Gao Zhisong explained in detail.
"Yes. With the Liu Family’s strength alone, the Cao Family could indeed take the treasure for themselves if they were willing to pay a bloody price. But with you, Gao Zhisong of the Seven-Snake Centipede Whip, joining them, the Cao Family probably wouldn’t dare act rashly." Ye Xing’s eyes glinted as his mind raced, weighing the pros and cons. He then said in a low voice, "It’s best if we don’t reveal ourselves. You continue to hide within the Liu Family’s camp and wait for an opportunity. We’ll be in the shadows while they are in the open. Watching the Cao and Liu Families fight each other is what’s most advantageous for us! If we go public and become a third party, both the Cao and Liu Families will see us as a thorn in their side. The situation will become far more complicated, making it difficult for us to move about undetected."
"Yes, My Lord, you make a good point. I’ll continue to lie low in the Liu Family’s camp. By the way, who should deliver this Treasure Map Fragment? Without it, the Cao and Liu Families could search for two or three months with their incomplete map and still not find the treasure land," Gao Zhisong said gravely.
"I’ll deliver the Treasure Map Fragment, of course. If I go alone, a mere Martial Artist at the Martial Arts Sixth Realm like me won’t arouse much suspicion. You head back first. I’ll make my way to your encampment later." Ye Xing paused, then pointed to Liu Zhiping’s body on the ground. "What was this Liu Zhiping’s status in the Liu Family? The Patriarch’s son?"
"No, he was just a disciple from a side branch. An insignificant nobody. Now that he’s dead, he’s dead. Liu Liqun probably won’t even bother to ask about it. Of course, if necessary, we could always frame the Cao Family." Gao Zhisong cupped his fists toward Ye Xing. "Then this subordinate will take his leave! My Lord, please be careful."
With that, Gao Zhisong turned to return to the Liu Family’s encampment.
"Wait!" Ye Xing’s eyes flashed, and he suddenly stopped Gao Zhisong.
Gao Zhisong froze, turning back to look at Ye Xing with a puzzled expression.
Ye Xing opened his Qiankun Bag, took out a black, block-shaped object, and handed it to Gao Zhisong. "This is a walkie-talkie. Take it!"
"A walkie-talkie?" Gao Zhisong’s expression was one of utter confusion, mixed with curiosity as he stared at the blocky object in his hand.
"Yes. As long as we’re not too far apart, this walkie-talkie will let us communicate at any time, making things more convenient. Here, let me teach you how to use it!"
With that, Ye Xing immediately began to teach Gao Zhisong how to use the walkie-talkie.