Chapter 42 The Head of the Gao Family

"Divided into four?" Yan Chu's expression flickered slightly.

He suddenly remembered the torn map he had previously confiscated from the flower-thieving bandit, Hua Feifei.

Could this be one of those four map pieces?

He remained composed, listening as Zeng Tianxiang continued.

"I received news this time that one of those four maps is hidden in the home of a wealthy Family in Linshui City."

"I originally intended to sneak into that household to steal the map, but since the Gao Family is currently searching the entire city for us, we might as well release this news. By muddying the waters of Linshui City, we might actually have a chance to escape."

"Heh!" Yan Chu was somewhat unimpressed. "How can a mere torn map muddy the waters?"

"Besides, the Gao Family dominates Linshui Prefecture. If they make a demand, wouldn't that Family obediently hand over the map? Who would dare to contend with them?"

"Brother Yan, you don't know!" Zeng Tianxiang shook his head and chuckled lightly. "You don't understand how great the temptation of a Grandmaster's Treasure Trove is to the people of the Jianghu!"

"That is a Grandmaster's Legacy! Perhaps there are even countless resources to Cultivate! Many old Seniors who have been trapped in their martial Dao for a long time are willing to risk their lives for a Grandmaster's Legacy!"

"Even if it is just an incomplete map, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, people will flock to it like ducks!"

"Even the Gao Family cannot completely suppress it!"

"The Three Rivers Alliance at its Peak was far stronger than the current Gao Family, and no matter how much of a Prodigy Gao Yang is, achieving the Grandmaster Realm is not something that can be done in a few years!"

"But if one can achieve the Grandmaster Realm by relying on Ye Dinghan's Legacy, the world is theirs to roam! Even those top-tier aristocratic Sects would have to treat them as guests of honor!"

"Is that so..." After hearing Zeng Tianxiang's words, Yan Chu nodded slowly.

The other party made sense.

In this world where martial prowess reigns supreme, indeed, nothing is more attractive than improving one's Realm.

Immediately, the two began to discuss within the abandoned house how to stir up the whole city in the shortest amount of time.

The news released certainly couldn't just be one-quarter of the map; it had to be at least half, so that the attraction would be great enough.

For some people, half a map is enough to pinpoint the location of the Treasure Trove...

Early the next morning, Lu Heng, the shopkeeper of Renhe Hall, opened the door.

He was about to sit on his small stool at the entrance to drink tea and soak up the sun as usual, when he suddenly saw a piece of paper stuck to the door.

"What is this?" Out of curiosity, he tore it off and took a look.

There were only a few words on it, but they made his expression change.

Glancing left and right, seeing that no one noticed, he hurriedly stuffed the paper into his chest and closed the newly opened door again.

"It's actually the whereabouts of Ye Dinghan's Legacy?" Lu Heng's expression was agitated.

He was also a veteran Fourth Realm Martial Artist in Linshui Prefecture; it was impossible to say he had no pursuit for the higher Peaks of the martial Dao.

"I'll go explore the situation there at night!"

No matter the intentions of the person who posted the note, as long as there was an opportunity, it was worth the risk.

If the situation looked bad, he could just retreat!

He believed that with his strength, saving his own life shouldn't be difficult.

The Xu Family was one of the smaller families in Linshui Prefecture.

Relying on their relationship as in-laws with a branch of the Gao Family, they managed a portion of the jade business in Linshui City.

The Family head, Xu Chengye, was at the Middle Stage of the Fourth Realm.

Early in the morning, while he was eating with his wife and children, the butler rushed in.

"What is the matter, being so jumpy?" Xu Chengye frowned and scolded coldly.

This butler had been with him for many years, yet he was still so unsteady in his actions.

"Master, look!" The butler didn't care about the reprimand and took out a folded piece of paper to hand to Xu Chengye.

After one glance, his brows immediately furrowed tightly.

"Where was this found?"

"A servant was cleaning outside the courtyard this morning, and it was stuck on our front door!"

Xu Chengye pondered for a moment, then instructed with a cold Face: "Do not let word of this spread. I am going to the Gao Family!"

"Yes!"

At the same time, many other people in Linshui City received the same paper.

These people had one thing in common: they were all well-known figures in Linshui Prefecture.

In fact, anyone capable of establishing a significant Family business in Linshui Prefecture possessed considerable cultivation.

If these people united, they would be a force not to be underestimated, and even the Gao Family dared not go too far and drive everyone away.

Those who found the paper made different choices.

Some hid it directly and remained tight-lipped, some took the paper straight to the Gao Family, and others sent it to the Six Doors.

Even without deliberate publicity, the news about the appearance of the Grandmaster's Treasure Trove spread quickly.

Restaurants and teahouses were discussing it everywhere...

In the central area of Linshui City, the Gao Family estate covered a thousand acres.

The gilded plaque shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

Inside the courtyard, pavilions and towers were arranged in an orderly manner, with exquisite brick carvings, showing a sense of prestige and wealth.

Ever since Gao Yang joined the Hidden Sword Palace and his cultivation soared, the Gao Family had become increasingly wealthy and powerful.

By now, even the Six Doors had to give the Gao Family some Face.

At this moment, in the Family head's room, the Gao Family Head, Gao Lingyue, sat at his desk, with Gao Shize standing beside him.

On the table lay three sheets of white paper, the content on them identical.

"Big Brother, what exactly is this person in the shadows planning?" Gao Shize frowned.

Since they had discovered the treasure map, why make it known to the whole world?

Gao Lingyue was a square-faced middle-aged man.

He sat with his back straight, wearing a confident expression on his Face, as if everything was within his grasp.

"What else could it be? This is aimed at us!"

"Big Brother, you mean?"

Gao Lingyue sneered, "If I am not mistaken, it should be those two little mice who spread the news.

They want to divert our attention to the treasure map so they can take the opportunity to escape!"

"What? It's those two?" Gao Shize was shocked. "Could the treasure map be with them?"

Gao Lingyue shook his head. "It shouldn't be.

The news about the map should be true; otherwise, without the real thing, it wouldn't be enough to attract others.

I estimate the treasure map should only be one-quarter."

"But one-quarter is enough. Combined with the one-quarter in our hands, the location where Ye Dinghan passed away should be identifiable."

"Heh! They thought that releasing this news would drain much of our energy, but they didn't know that over the years, our Gao Family has long since managed Linshui City like an iron bucket. This map is simply a gift they sent up."

Gao Lingyue was worthy of being the head of the Gao Family.

In a few words, he deduced the full picture of the situation.

If Zeng Tianxiang were to hear this, he would likely lament how terrifying this person was.

"Big Brother is wise!" Gao Shize said excitedly. "These two mice in the sewer thought they could escape, but they didn't know that in the end, they still couldn't escape death!"

"Hmm!" Gao Lingyue nodded and ordered, "Go and take care of this matter!"

"Send a message to the Li Family, let them obediently hand over the map. If they dare to defy me, exterminate the Family directly, and scrape the ground three feet deep!"

"I want to see how many bugs dare to pull teeth from the tiger's mouth of my Gao Family!"