Chapter 487 - 483: Treasure Location

Chapter 487: Chapter 483: Treasure Location

"Luck? This was no luck!"

Chen Tianyuan looked at Fang Han, the surprise in his warm, gentle eyes growing more intense.

He knew, of course, that Fang Han was skilled at Tracking.

When the Beishan herb fields were robbed, he had sent Fang Han to track the Black Crow Thieves precisely because of Fang Han’s considerable skill in the art of Tracking.

On several missions since, Fang Han’s Tracking ability had proven its worth time and again.

But he had never imagined that Fang Han’s Tracking Technique had reached such a profound level.

A Grandmaster Powerhouse’s control over their own body was far beyond that of an ordinary Martial Artist.

Even without practicing a high-level Breath Concealment Secret Technique, they could suppress their aura to the absolute limit just by finely controlling their blood, Inner Qi, and even the pores of their skin.

Even a First Grade Martial Artist would have difficulty detecting a Grandmaster Powerhouse who was Concealing Breath.

And yet, Fang Han had detected him.

This meant Fang Han’s mastery of Tracking Secret Techniques could already be called the best in the Qingxuan Sect.

"Sect Leader, with Fang Han’s skill in Tracking Secret Techniques, perhaps... he could track that escaped Grandmaster-Level Demon," Chen Wanjun said.

"Fang Han."

Chen Tianyuan looked at Fang Han, his pleasure evident.

"What is the name of that Tracking Secret Technique you practice?"

"Replying to the Sect Leader, it is called ’Thousand-Mile Soul Lock.’ It is a Top-Grade Tracking Secret Technique," Fang Han replied with a cupped-fist salute.

"What Realm have you cultivated it to?"

"Great Success," Fang Han answered again.

"You’ve actually reached Great Success. No wonder..."

Chen Tianyuan’s brow twitched slightly.

If practiced carelessly, Tracking-type Secret Techniques could cause permanent physical damage, so not many Martial Artists were willing to study them.

For Fang Han to cultivate a Top-Grade Tracking Secret Technique to Great Success truly put him above the other Elders in the sect who specialized in Tracking.

"In the coming days, focus on cultivating this Secret Technique. It would be best if you could advance it further, to the Perfection Realm."

His voice was solemn, and his warm, gentle eyes held a hint of expectation.

"We might truly need you to track that Grandmaster-Level Demon."

"This disciple understands. I will devote myself to cultivating ’Thousand-Mile Soul Lock’ and strive to reach Perfection as soon as possible."

Fang Han’s expression turned serious as he gave another solemn, cupped-fist salute.

"Go. Rest well and tend to your injuries."

Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Yes."

Fang Han and Chen Wanjun rose at the same time, bowed, and turned to leave the Sect Leader’s Hall.

The afternoon sun poured down through the ornate eaves and brackets, casting a warm golden layer on the flagstone ground.

In the distance, mountains rose and fell, and lush green trees swayed gently in the wind. The occasional birdsong from the forest only accentuated the mountain’s tranquility.

The two walked down the stone steps, their footsteps echoing on the empty mountain path.

"Your injuries haven’t healed yet. Go back and rest well."

When they reached the fork in the road leading to the Elder Courtyard and the True Inheritance Courtyard, Chen Wanjun stopped and turned to Fang Han.

"And don’t slack off on your Cultivation of ’Thousand-Mile Soul Lock’."

"Yes," Fang Han replied with a cupped-fist salute.

Chen Wanjun nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to walk toward the Elder Courtyard.

His dark cyan figure receded down the mountain path, soon disappearing among the screening trees.

Fang Han watched him go, then turned and set foot on the small stone path leading to the True Inheritance Courtyard.

The gate to Villa Thirty-Five was ajar, and the wind lantern hanging under the eaves swayed gently in the afternoon breeze.

Fang Han pushed the gate open and entered. Inside, a grove of bamboo was a luscious green, RUSTLING in the gentle wind.

"Senior Brother is back!"

Qiu Lan was chatting idly with two other Maids. Hearing the gate, she looked up.

A delighted smile bloomed on her face as she hurried forward to greet him.

"Help me prepare something to eat," Fang Han instructed with a slight nod.

"Something light will be fine."

"Yes."

Qiu Lan replied and was about to turn to give the order.

"Wait," Fang Han stopped her.

"Send someone to Tingyu Hall to get a complete map of the Great Chu Dynasty’s One Hundred and Eight Counties. Make sure it’s the most detailed one they have."

"Yes, Senior Brother. I’ll have someone see to it right away," Qiu Lan said with a bow, only slightly taken aback, but she didn’t ask any questions.

She turned and hurried away, her footsteps quickly fading at the end of the corridor.

Fang Han crossed the courtyard and walked into the side hall.

He sat down in a pearwood chair, closed his eyes, and let out a long, turbid breath.

The exhaustion from days of travel finally found an outlet, surging up from deep within his bones to envelop his entire being.

Before long, Qiu Lan returned with a tray.

On the tray was a bowl of rice and a few small side dishes.

The dishes were light but prepared with great care, and the ingredients were substantial, meant to nourish one’s blood and qi.

"Senior Brother, please take your time."

Qiu Lan placed the tray on the table and bowed, stepping aside.

Fang Han picked up his chopsticks. He ate not quickly, but steadily, and the bowl of rice and several side dishes were soon swept clean.

The gnawing hunger in his stomach finally dissipated, replaced by the pleasant feeling of a full meal.

He put down his chopsticks, picked up a teacup for a small sip, and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to enjoy the rare moment of peace.

About half an hour later, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

The servant who had been sent to Tingyu Hall for the map had returned. He walked into the side hall, holding a long, oilcloth-wrapped object in both hands.

"Senior Brother, I’ve brought the map."

The servant bowed, presenting the oilcloth package with both hands.

Fang Han took the package and waved the servant away.

He unwrapped the oilcloth, revealing a thick, rolled-up map. It was mounted on tough animal hide and, when unrolled, was about ten feet square.

On the map, the mountains, rivers, cities, and strategic passes of the Great Chu Dynasty’s One Hundred and Eight Counties were all marked with perfect clarity, the dense script exceptionally neat.

Compared to the maps of his previous life, it wasn’t particularly detailed, but in this world, it could be considered an extremely fine map.

He rolled up the map and rose to walk toward the Quiet Chamber.

Inside the Quiet Chamber, sandalwood incense swirled in the air. Light filtered through the cracks in the window lattice, casting long, thin shadows on the floor.

He closed the door behind him, fully unrolled the map on the flagstone floor, and used a few books to weigh down the corners.

’I wonder if I’ll be able to find it?’

Sitting cross-legged before the map, Fang Han’s thoughts stirred, and he retrieved the Jade Box from his Storage Ring.

He opened the box, took out the neatly folded, light-brown animal hide, and carefully spread it out beside him.

His gaze swept back and forth between the two maps as he began a point-by-point comparison.

The terrain depicted on the Treasure Map was from a distant age.

Back then, the Great Chu Dynasty did not yet exist.

Time changes all things; rivers may have changed course, lakes may have dried up, and mountains may have settled.

Finding the corresponding location would not be an easy task.

’I hope the terrain hasn’t changed too much!’

Fang Han started from Shuofeng County at the northernmost edge, comparing the maps county by county.

Shuofeng County, no match.

Hanshan County, no match.

Yunzhong County, no match.

Canglan County, no match.

His eyes moved slowly across the map, his finger tracing the lines of the mountains on the Treasure Map, verifying them one by one against the terrain on the map of the Great Chu Dynasty.

The dense mountain ranges, winding rivers, and scattered lakes formed a three-dimensional image in his mind, allowing for a detailed comparison with the terrain on the Treasure Map.

Time passed quietly in the silence.

One county, two counties, three counties... thirty counties...

’Wangxi County?’

Fang Han’s eyes were starting to feel dry, but his gaze remained focused.

The courses of the mountains and rivers constantly combined, separated, and compared themselves in his mind, like a silent puzzle.

Finally, as his eyes fell upon a place called Wangxi County, his finger paused.

Wangxi County was located in the central-western part of the Great Chu Dynasty. Its territory was filled with mountains and hills, and the terrain was treacherous.

On the map of the Great Chu Dynasty, the northern part of Wangxi County featured a continuous mountain range running from northwest to southeast. Several rivers were nestled between the mountains, with deep valleys and complex terrain.

His gaze was fixed on the course of that mountain range. He then looked down at the lines representing the mountains on the Treasure Map.

He extended a finger, tracing the path of the mountains on the Treasure Map, then drew the same trajectory on the map of Wangxi County.

’A match!’

The direction of the mountain range, the curve of its arc, the angle of its branches—it all matched. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Fang Han’s breathing grew slightly heavier.

He continued by comparing the rivers.

On the Treasure Map, two main rivers were nestled between the mountains. One flowed from northwest to southeast, while the other ran from northeast to southwest. The two rivers converged at the southern foot of the mountain range, forming a ’Y’-shaped confluence.

On the map of Wangxi County, there were also two rivers, with the same courses and the same confluence.

’Another match!’

Fang Han’s finger continued to move downward.

On the Treasure Map, after the two rivers converged, they flowed south for about a hundred li before emptying into a massive lake.

The lake was an irregular, elongated shape, about several dozen li long from north to south and a dozen or so li wide from east to west.

On the map of Wangxi County, that same lake existed. Its shape, size, and location—all a perfect match.

"This is it," Fang Han said in a low voice, his words echoing softly in the Quiet Chamber.

His gaze fell upon the red dot marked not far from the lake’s northern shore.

The location marked on the Treasure Map was very likely here.

’I wonder what kind of treasure this is!’

Fang Han carefully folded the Treasure Map, placed it back in the Jade Box, and stored it in his Storage Ring.

He then rolled up the complete map of the Great Chu Dynasty, re-wrapped it in the oilcloth, and also put it into his Storage Ring.

It was now almost certain that the location marked on the Treasure Map was in Wangxi County.

A powerful desire rose in his heart—a desire to go to the place marked on the map and see if there was truly a treasure there.

’Now is not the time to go!’

Fang Han shook his head. Even though he now knew the location, he had no intention of heading there immediately.

Wangxi County was a full five counties away from Qingyang County, a journey of no less than ten thousand li.

On such a long journey, there was no telling what dangers he might encounter.

Demons in the deep mountains and dense forests, bandits in the remote wilderness, or even other Martial Artists with malicious intent—any one of these could fill the trip with uncertainty.

With his current Cultivation at the Middle Stage of Third Grade, combined with his Sky-Splitting Sword Technique at the Minor Achievement Realm and his Wind God Step at the Entry Realm, his combat strength was enough to contend with a Late-Stage Second Grade Martial Artist. But against a First Grade Martial Artist, he would be outmatched.

In his battle with Xue Yuanlang, if his opponent hadn’t first been ambushed and seriously injured by Chen Wanjun, and then had an arm severed by Fang Han himself, he would have had no chance of victory.

And while First Grade Martial Artists were not numerous even among top-level forces, they were not nonexistent either.

If a First Grade Martial Artist were to harbor ill intentions toward him on the journey there or back, he had no confidence he could escape in one piece.

He would need strength comparable to a First Grade Martial Artist to be truly safe.