90: Map in hand

The map of Azure Flame was broad and vague; besides the Seven Commanderies and One Capital, and marking borders and some large Sects, it lacked geographical details and contour lines.

It was like a shoddy, mass-produced item from a small workshop.

The only useful information was that on this map of Black Stone City, Jiang Hanwen saw one of his targets—Dongxi Village.

Wu Cheng had said this was where the Wu Family and the imperial family clashed, and also where the Mystic Ice Jade Lion appeared.

Furthermore, because it focused on the area near Black Stone City, this map was much more detailed, indicating where the mountains were, where savage beasts and Spirit Beasts made it impassable, where lakes were, and the direction of rivers.

However, in these clearly marked areas, Jiang Hanwen did not see a snow mountain!

Mystic Ice Jade Lions are gregarious Mystic Beasts that dwell in snow mountains for long periods.

There were no high-altitude areas near Dongxi Village, only plains and warm regions.

Was its appearance too abrupt?

It was like a gorilla that loves abundant moisture and fruit, constantly stationed in a tropical rainforest, suddenly having its tracks discovered in a desert one day.

When things are out of the ordinary, there must be mischief.

Jiang Hanwen recalled Xiao Lingtong, who had mentioned that his mother had status and could summon small savage beasts to spar with him.

A bold thought formed in his mind, and Jiang Hanwen looked up: “Are there any more detailed maps within the Azure Flame territory?”

“No, there aren’t,” the servant shook his head.

Jiang Hanwen sighed, “Then you may go.”

However, this time, upon hearing Jiang Hanwen’s command, the servant did not leave but stood rooted to the spot.

“What is it?” He looked over; this was the young, inexperienced man who had been subtly following him since the first day.

The youth, about fifteen or sixteen, had a hesitant expression.

“I... I heard there’s a more complete map over there,” the servant pointed to the opposite side of Jiang Hanwen.

Following the direction of his finger, Jiang Hanwen saw a lit room—that was Zhuang Xian’s pavilion.

“What is your name?” he asked.

“This humble one is Zhang Ping.”

“Go tell the steward that starting today, you will work in the Medicine Field.”

Although it was a rumor, since he dared to “leak secrets,” if Zhuang Xian investigated, it would certainly mean death.

This young man was risking his life to give him a hint.

As a courtesy, Jiang Hanwen gave him an opportunity.

“Lord Jiang, can I... can I follow you?” Zhang Ping mustered all his courage, looking directly into Jiang Hanwen’s eyes.

Jiang Hanwen was a bit bewildered; what he saw in the child’s eyes was almost entirely burning, fervent admiration.

A fan, or someone sent to spy?

Never mind, who cares? Most likely, he was an eye sent to monitor him, but Jiang Hanwen had nothing to fear, so let him monitor.

“I’ll give you a chance. If you satisfy me in one month, you can continue to stay by my side. Now, go pack your things and report to the Medicine Field.”

“Yes!” Zhang Ping turned around and rushed out of the room like a gust of wind.

After the maid announced him, Jiang Hanwen arrived at the opposite pavilion.

Zhuang Xian, clad in a gray robe, sat on the corridor, and on the tea table lay a long scroll, which was likely the map he wanted to see.

“Take it,” Zhuang Xian pushed the item over.

Jiang Hanwen did not reach for it but instead recounted Zhang Ping’s situation, openly requesting the person.

Although Zhuang Xian was now old enough to have one foot in the grave, he was, after all, the old family head, and Jiang Hanwen had to show him the proper respect.

Moreover, he was able to bring his father over because Zhuang Xian had agreed, and although it was due to the fertilizer fruit, the old man hadn't made things difficult for him.

Jiang Hanwen disdained doing things like abandoning someone once their usefulness was over, which would be disgraceful.

“Zhang Ping?” Zhuang Xian frowned, his already aged face scrunching up, as if recalling was a strenuous task.

After a while, Zhuang Xian remembered.

“Oh, you mean him,” the old man motioned for Jiang Hanwen to sit down and said slowly, “You don’t need to worry about whose eyes he is. That boy greatly admires you, and being by your side can be considered his good fortune.”

“Admires?” Jiang Hanwen looked bewildered. If he remembered correctly, this was the first time he had met him. How could there be admiration without having met?

“You should have met his father, the coroner who examined Old Du’s body. He caught a cold and died last month while examining a body in the back courtyard. He was a sensible man. I felt sorry for him, so I let him come to the library.”

Zhuang Xian briefly explained Zhang Ping’s background.

In the Zhuang Family, could someone still die from a cold?

What a joke.

He likely died not from illness, but from human malice.

The back courtyard, that was where the female family members resided.

The old man’s words, “sensible man,” further reminded Jiang Hanwen that the young man knew nothing about his father’s death, assuring him that he could use him without worry.

Recalling the coroner he had met, he was clear-headed and intelligent, but unfortunately, he valued money over his life. Perhaps he was saving for his son?

Alas, with his kind of work, telling the truth was risky, and telling lies was equally so.

He was constantly walking on a tightrope, and over time, problems were bound to arise.

It’s just that everyone has to live, don’t they?

What surprised Jiang Hanwen, however, was that Zhuang Xian, who had sown the seeds of internal strife, would actually extend a helping hand to save someone?

Had he grown old, realized his mistakes, and wanted to make amends?

“Then he truly is fortunate to receive the family head’s protection.” As he spoke, Jiang Hanwen reached for the map.

Zhuang Xian pressed down on the other side of the map, his murky eyes seriously fixed on Jiang Hanwen:

“If he were fortunate, he wouldn’t have been born into the Zhuang Family.”

Saying this, the old man released the map, leaned back into his chair, and spoke with a regretful tone:

“He respects you greatly. If possible, I hope you can persuade them. They are family; they shouldn’t be too ruthless.”

Jiang Hanwen understood. Saying this, it was clear that Zhuang Xian had still heard rumors of the brothers’ discord during the discussions two days prior.

Asking him to intervene and reconcile the two brothers?

That was ridiculous.

Being a person means having self-awareness.

The family matters that their own father couldn’t handle, and he was supposed to interfere as an outsider? Had his brain gone soft?

Though he thought this, the old man was asking for his help, which clearly meant he was at his wit's end, so Jiang Hanwen had to comfort him.

Jiang Hanwen cupped his hands:

“Family Head, I will fulfill the trust you place in me and keep the Medicine Field in good shape.

However, only the one who tied the bell can untie it. I am an outsider, after all, and some words I am not qualified to bluster about, lest they backfire. Don’t you agree?”

Zhuang Xian paused for three breaths, meticulously scrutinizing Jiang Hanwen from top to bottom, then slowly nodded.

“Go on, the map is yours.”

After Jiang Hanwen left, the old man’s gaze focused on the celadon teacup in his hand, and he murmured in an envious tone:

“Old fellow, you truly found a good disciple.”

In his palm, on the pale green, lustrous glaze, was a very fine black character ‘Du,’ clearly a gift from someone who had passed away.

Jiang Hanwen, having obtained the map, unrolled the scroll in a bright spot.

Unlike the new map he had seen before, this map, besides having an outer layer of paper, had its central map section made from unknown beast hide.

The brownish-gray background had a strong sense of age, and when unrolled, it was a full six feet long, encompassing the entire Azure Flame and half of the neighboring Xuanhao and Tianyao nations.

The content on the map was much more detailed: where there were high mountains, deep lakes, endless scorching plains, and the Lightning Trap Mountains where lightning struck every rainy season—everything was clearly marked.

It was also with this detailed map that Jiang Hanwen truly felt the grandeur of the Azure Flame nation for the first time. Though it sounded like only Seven Commanderies and One Capital, its scope was vast, far exceeding ten Dragon Nations from his previous life combined.

Any mountain range marked as a Mystic Beast level was the size of two or three cities.

Not to mention those areas marked with red death dots, places where groups of demons gathered, easily stretching for a thousand miles.

Searching carefully, in the upper-left corner of the map, Jiang Hanwen finally saw his target.