Chapter 130: Map Acquired

Taking the gold, Xi Meng didn't care whether it was clean, hurriedly took a bite, and, seeing the bite mark, said joyfully.

"In the sea several thousand kilometers from Dongzhou Port lies a large island hidden in fog; it is said to be cursed. Any ship that enters the fog loses its way and cannot leave, and danger also lurks on the outskirts—occasionally a head as massive as a mountain rises from the water to devour passing cargo ships."

"For centuries countless cargo ships have vanished in that sea, and all who die there are corroded by the curse, their souls unable to rest, trapped as water ghosts that crawl onto ships at midnight seeking a replacement victim."

"A head as massive as a mountain? You don't mean that turtle‑type demon beast with transcendent cultivation, do you?"

Chen Shicheng frowned and asked, "If that's the case, how did you survive? You're probably just spouting a legend to swindle money, aren't you?"

"How can you doubt my credibility!" Xi Meng said in a furious tone. "Back then the cargo ship I was on mistakenly entered that sea, drifted aimlessly for half a month, then that huge head broke the surface and swallowed my ship whole. Hundreds of sailors were killed or wounded. I can vouch with my name that it was a turtle‑type demon beast."

After speaking, his expression changed; he pulled a sheepskin scroll from his body and, flattering, said, "Because of the massive wave raised by that head, I escaped to the heavens, and only thanks to a secret treasure could I reach shore. This is the map I drew afterward, marking the spots where the turtle head appears. Now you only need to spend a little more silver to buy this map, what do you think?"

Sure enough, a swindler!

First he lets out a bit of information to bait them, then boasts how hard it was to escape, and finally opens his mouth wide like a lion! "Let me see the map first!" Chen Shicheng reaches for the map.

"That won't do, money in one hand, goods in the other." Xi Meng quickly, warily, folds the scroll.

"Tell me, how much for this scroll?"

"As expected, just 500 taels of gold will do." Xi Meng said greedily.

Chen Shicheng's face twitched involuntarily; at this price, converted to RMB, one could buy a two‑bedroom apartment in real Shanghai, yet he licked his big face and claimed it wasn't expensive.

"This price."

"This price is absolutely worth every coin." Xi Meng hurriedly urged, "Esteemed sir, think about it: with this map, whether you wish to find that turtle demon beast or avoid it and set foot on that island, this mysterious island surely hides treasure. 500 taels of gold is a surefire profitable deal."

Chen Shicheng sneered inwardly; the swindler only mentioned the benefits, never a word about the danger.

How could that island be so easily reachable? He never mentioned the surrounding fog or the giant turtle, only the countless sailors who died there and became water ghosts, yet he expects ordinary people to lose their lives. Even cultivators would be flustered without some means, facing certain death.

That fellow probably wants to trick me into a death trap and then sell the intel to others! "How can I be sure your map is genuine? What if you're deceiving me?" Chen Shicheng thought, asking in a doubtful tone.

"You can rest assured, for orders involving large sums, I can provide a Blood Pact free of charge, absolutely genuine."

Seeing Chen Shicheng show interest, Xi Meng quickly pulls another sheepskin scroll from his body.

【Blood Pact: Both parties use pure blood as ink to sign the contract; the violator will suffer inescapable real injury, the lightest losing cultivation, the worst losing soul.】

Sure enough, the swindler has good stuff! Chen Shicheng remains expressionless, his gaze scanning Xi Meng's stall, then shaking his head, "Is this all you have, junk? It makes me doubt the authenticity of your map and Blood Pact."

"There's more!" Hearing Chen Shicheng's doubt, Xi Meng, to push the deal, quickly produces two items, a ruby and a breathing apparatus. "Look, this is a Blood Demon Stone, can be socketed into equipment, price 70 gold."

"And this, the latest alchemical gear from goblins, lets you breathe underwater like a fish, price 100 gold. It's a specialty of our side, rare in your country, price definitely not high!"

"Just average."

Looking at the two Western‑style items, Chen Shicheng knows the swindler surely has more good stuff hidden, but his primary goal remains the map; the rest are merely side deals, and he doesn't want endless arguing that might raise suspicion.

"Give me the map and sign the Blood Pact, and our transaction is complete," Chen Shicheng says nonchalantly.

Hearing that, Xi Meng rejoices, hurriedly pulls out the map and the Blood Pact.

But the moment the map appeared, Chen Shicheng, at lightning speed, snatched the items from his hand, then activated the Eight‑Step Quick‑Cicada technique, and vanished in a puff at the alley's end.

Xi Meng, startled by the sudden turn, stared blankly at his empty palm, took a moment to recover, then a sharp, mournful shout rang across half of Dongzhou Port.

"Help! It's a robbery! I'm done for!"

At this moment, no matter how loudly Xi Meng shouted, it was useless; Chen Shicheng had already fled beyond his sight into a deserted corner.

The incident was severe; Dongzhou Port's soldiers were furious—someone dared to rob openly here, showing blatant contempt!

Stung by the humiliation, the patrolling guards erupted with zeal; within the time it takes a incense stick to burn, a wanted notice was freshly issued.

Scores of patrol soldiers, torches in hand, weapons drawn, rushed through the city alleys; the leader held the wanted notice, comparing it against every night‑wanderer.

From a distance, Chen Shicheng, with superhuman sight, saw the portrait on the notice—it was the rugged man he now masqueraded as.

But what good does it do? He calmly used the Relic to alter his appearance, donned a coarse hemp robe, blending with ordinary passersby, then deliberately walked around the patrolling soldiers a few times, pretending to pass by by chance.

The patrolling soldiers merely glanced at the notice and immediately turned away, ignoring him entirely.

Seeing this, Chen Shicheng couldn't help but grow more satisfied with the "Ever‑Changing" Relic.

Don't be fooled by its lack of Combat Power boost, but the mask's ability in certain moments is unbelievably effective, truly a must‑have divine artifact for killing and looting!

(End of Chapter)