828: Chapter 238_6 828: Chapter 238_6 “Is this a map?” Linghu Gudu asked Cao Zhen in bewilderment, “Where did you get such a map from?”
“Where the map came from is none of your concern; I have my means.
What I must say is, the map here contains both truths and lies.
We can’t be certain about the authenticity of another map we have, but I can assure you that this one is genuine,”
Cao Zhen said, pausing briefly before continuing with a grave expression on his face, “However, if we go to the location outlined on this map, we are likely to encounter formidable foes, extremely powerful enemies.
Once we’re there, the chances are we might not have any opportunity to explore but rather be embroiled in conflict continuously.
Actually, you don’t have to join us; you can leave on your own.”
He intended to take action against the fourth prince and his group, but Linghu Gudu held no grudge against them; there was no need to drag Linghu Gudu into the fray.
Moreover, since Linghu Gudu was someone they had met only upon entering the ruins, Cao Zhen couldn’t fully trust him when it came to critical moments; that’s why he suggested that Linghu Gudu could leave first.
“Leave?
You’re basically telling me to get lost,” Linghu Gudu blurted out in astonishment, then immediately raised his voice, “You want to discard me after I have served my purpose, but I won’t leave.
I want you to join me in steering towards the greatest treasure!
Besides, danger is desirable.
The presence of danger indicates that the potential rewards could be even greater.
No more talk needed, I’ll go with you.”
He had come to realize that his luck had been extraordinarily good since he teamed up with Cao Zhen and the others.
Although they encountered dangers, the dangers he faced when alone in the past were much greater and more perilous!
Yet, in such dangerous situations, he wasn’t guaranteed to gain anything.
But after joining forces with Cao Zhen and his group, there was always a reward whenever there was danger.
Under these circumstances, he certainly wasn’t going to split from Cao Zhen and the others.
“Good,” Cao Zhen, hearing Linghu Gudu’s decision, looked at him solemnly and said in a deep voice, “Since you still wish to accompany us, and considering there might be a major battle ahead, let me warn you not to show any cowardice or attempt to flee if we truly engage with the enemy.”
“Rest assured, I, Linghu Gudu, am not such a person!”
Linghu Gudu patted his chest, assuring them of his integrity.
Li Ke, although not participating in the conversation between the two men, quietly sent a message to Cao Zhen, “Has Dragon senior contacted you?
The place we’re going to, is the map you drew given to you by Dragon senior?”
“What do you think?”
Cao Zhen did not directly answer Li Ke’s question, leaving her to guess.
As a night swiftly passed by unnoticed, Cao Zhen and his companions wasted no time in leaving the cave and followed the map drawn by Cao Zhen, flying in a different direction.
Seven days!
It took seven days for Cao Zhen and his group to finally reach the end of the map.
By that time, Li Ke had fully recovered, and even her aura seemed much stronger than before.
A colossal palace appeared before them, and Cao Zhen led his companions into it.
Soon, they were confronted with a series of branching paths.
“Divided paths?” Linghu Gudu turned back to Cao Zhen and asked, “Should we split up and go our separate ways?”
“No.
Together!
Look at this door; it could open at any moment.
We have no idea how many people have entered this place.
If we split up and encounter a powerful enemy, what then?” Cao Zhen firmly shook his head.
At present, he had no clue if the fourth prince and his party had entered, nor did he know how many were with the fourth prince.
However, judging by the third prince’s entourage and considering what Qian Jiao had said, it was likely that the fourth prince’s group was no smaller and no weaker than the third prince’s.
If they split up now, what would they do if they ran into the fourth prince’s people?
Linghu Gudu nodded repeatedly; staying together was good, he had merely asked casually, to begin with.
Cao Zhen thought for a moment and decided to choose the same branching path the third prince had entered before and followed it.
After all, he could monitor the situation of the Eclipse Demon and his group through China Cloud, so there was no need to enter the path they’d taken.
Instead, he was curious to see where the third prince and his men had ventured before.
Upon entering the branching path, he walked steadily forward while also glancing at the stone walls on either side.
However, as he reached the end of the corridor and confronted another branching path, he saw no marks left behind.
The third prince had left no marks!
Cao Zhen’s brows furrowed tightly.
The third prince had said earlier that everyone should leave marks, and when Qian Wu encountered the Eclipse Demon and Qian Jiao before, he had even questioned them about why they hadn’t left any marks.
Consequently, it had seemed natural to Cao Zhen that apart from the traitor Qian Jiao, everyone else should have left marks.
He had previously thought it would be straightforward: he’d enter, see the marks, and then retreat and try another path until he found one that the third prince’s men hadn’t taken.
That would have meant the third prince’s group had scouted for him, potentially allowing him to claim the biggest treasure there.
But now, the path taken by the third prince also lacked marks.
Was it because the third prince, like Qian Jiao, had left marks elsewhere, or was it something else?
“Let’s search around; this is the initial entrance.
If anyone has come in here, they might have left marks.”
Without hurrying through the current branching passageway, Cao Zhen looked around at his companions and gestured for everyone to search for marks.
Despite a lengthy search, no marks were found.
So…
The third prince had truly not left any marks.
Cao Zhen realized that none of these so-called princes were to be underestimated.
The fourth prince had a spy overtly placed in the third prince’s company, and the third prince himself didn’t seem to trust his subordinates, refraining from leaving any marks at all.
Or perhaps, the only person the third prince truly trusted was the middle-aged man always by his side?
“Well then, no marks; we’ll just continue forward.”
After considering the situation, Cao Zhen decided not to change his planned route and to press on.