CHAPTER 236: CHAPTER 234: HOT POTATO

Lin Xiao was shocked. Inside the iron box was a palm-sized piece of sheepskin, identical to the one he had found in the scroll painting. Although he still didn’t know if this object was the legendary Mountain and River Map, he was already shocked enough just seeing it in Yuan Guihai’s possession.

He took out the palm-sized sheepskin scroll. It was covered in dense topographical markings, completely different from the map on his other scroll. After staring at it for a moment, Lin Xiao asked in a deep voice, "Old Master, where did you get this?"

Yuan Guihai didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he sat down in a chair, staring at the iron box in Lin Xiao’s hands as if lost in memory.

After a while, Yuan Guihai said gravely, "About twenty years ago—I can’t remember the exact date, but I remember the weather was just like it is today. I was out collecting rent with a few of my men. On the way back, I met a woman, a truly beautiful woman. She seemed to be injured, so I saved her and found a doctor to treat her wounds. When she left, she gave me this iron box. I asked her what it was, but unfortunately, she wouldn’t say. She only told me it was incredibly valuable—so valuable that if its existence became known, it would surely unleash a storm of blood and violence!"

Lin Xiao’s heart skipped a beat.

Could the sheepskin in his hands really be the Mountain and River Map? But that wasn’t the crucial point. The real question was why Yuan Guihai was giving it to him.

"Old Master, since this is so precious, why are you giving it to me?"

Yuan Guihai chuckled. "It’s simple. First, you extended my life, allowing me to survive for a few more years. A debt of such magnitude must be repaid. Second, when that woman left all those years ago, she told me that if I ever met ’the destined one,’ I could give it to them!"

Lin Xiao smiled as well. "Old Master, how can you be sure that I am ’the destined one’?"

"Young Master, you are the future hope of our Heavenly Machine Pavilion. While I don’t know what this sheepskin scroll is, I know it is no ordinary item. It might even have some connection to the legendary Mountain and River Map. If it truly is the Mountain and River Map, then that’s all the more reason I must give it to you."

"What, you know about the Mountain and River Map?" Lin Xiao asked gravely.

Yuan Guihai chuckled. "Young Master, you seem to have forgotten that I’m also a man of the Jianghu. After knocking around the martial world for so many years, how could I not have heard of the Mountain and River Map?"

Lin Xiao laughed. "What if it really is the Mountain and River Map? Isn’t it a pity to just give it to me like that? After all, you are well aware of its value."

"A pity? Not at all. If this truly is the Mountain and River Map, I would only feel at ease giving it to you, Young Master. After all, it’s no ordinary object. If others learned it was in my possession, it would certainly bring a fatal disaster upon me."

To be fair, while Yuan Guihai’s words might have sounded like a joke, they were the absolute truth. If word of this item were to leak, it would undoubtedly draw countless experts to fight over it. Even if it wasn’t the real Mountain and River Map, Yuan Guihai would still be in peril.

Just as Lin Xiao was about to speak, Yuan Guihai added, "Actually, I had considered handing this over to the Pavilion Master, but my plan was shelved when I suddenly fell ill. However, giving it to you now, Young Master, is just the same."

"Alright, I’ll accept it then!" Lin Xiao said earnestly.

Never mind whether this was the real Mountain and River Map, or the fact that Yuan Guihai would surely find some other way to persuade him if he refused. The mere fact that this thing was a hot potato right now was reason enough for him to accept it. Besides, the entire purpose of his trip down the mountain was to find the Mountain and River Map. What if this was it?

Seeing Lin Xiao accept it, Yuan Guihai quickly rose to his feet. Clasping his fists in a respectful salute, he said, "Thank you, Young Master, for resolving this matter that weighed on my mind!"

Lin Xiao smiled. "Old Master, you’re being too formal. I should be the one thanking you. By the way, do you know the name of the woman who gave you this?"

Yuan Guihai shook his head. "I don’t. She was like a mystery. She stayed at my place for three days and then left. Her departure was so sudden, I never even had the chance to ask for her name. But one thing is certain: she was no ordinary person. In all my years knocking around the Jianghu, I have never seen a woman as regal and inscrutable as her!"

Lin Xiao nodded and fell silent.

Who could that regal woman Yuan Guihai spoke of possibly be?

But sadly, no one could answer his question.

"Young Master, how is the Pavilion Master these days?" Yuan Guihai suddenly asked.

Lin Xiao snapped out of his reverie. "Not bad. He’s as fond of drinking as ever."

Yuan Guihai smiled. "Speaking of which, it’s been over ten years since I last saw the Pavilion Master. I really do miss him!"

"If you want to see him, I can take you to him!" Lin Xiao offered with a smile.

Yuan Guihai’s eyes lit up for a moment, but he quickly waved his hand. "Let’s not. My status is lowly, and the Pavilion Master is busy managing countless affairs. It’s best not to trouble him."

"Managing countless affairs, my ass! He spends all day drinking!" Lin Xiao groused.

Yuan Guihai burst out laughing. "Young Master, only you would dare to complain about the Pavilion Master like that!"

"Old Master, it’s not a complaint. It’s the truth!"

Yuan Guihai laughed. "Young Master, the Pavilion Master can afford to live such a carefree and joyful life entirely because he has a disciple like you. If I had you, I would rest easy too."

"That much is true," Lin Xiao said with a grin.

Yuan Guihai smiled, his eyes full of affection as he looked at Lin Xiao, as if gazing upon his own kin. His expression was one of profound contentment.

"By the way, Old Master, does Xiao Shixiong know about this?" Lin Xiao asked.

"To be honest, he doesn’t. I never told him. After all, this thing is a hot potato; the fewer people who know, the better."

Lin Xiao nodded. "You’re right, Old Master. The fewer people who know about this, the better. If word got out, it would surely bring disaster."

"Indeed. That boy, Xiao Shixiong, is someone I raised with my own hands. I don’t want him to meet with any misfortune," Yuan Guihai added.

Lin Xiao hummed in agreement and put away the palm-sized sheepskin. This time, no one would be able to steal it from him.

They chatted idly for a while longer. Noticing that Yuan Guihai was becoming drowsy, Lin Xiao stood up to take his leave.

Yuan Guihai did not see him out. He simply watched Lin Xiao’s receding figure.

His expression suddenly grew dim. After a long silence, Yuan Guihai muttered to himself, "Alliance Hierarch, the boy is so much like you."