Tian Hao returned to their hideout with the Phoenix Pearl and map he had snatched, handing them over to Feng Mo Ran.
Feng Mo Ran took them and examined the map carefully. "The map seems genuine. However, only one location is the true treasure site. It appears Xiao Man had long unlocked the secret of the puzzle box and kept it hidden until now. She's sparing no effort to help Nangong Yu."
"Master, shall we go search for the treasure vault's location?" Tian Hao inquired. After all, Feng Mo Ran had been searching for the former Qin treasure. Now that it had appeared, along with the map and the Phoenix Pearl, all that remained was to find the actual vault.
Feng Mo Ran didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gazed at the treasure map, lost in thought. Rumors had been circulating that Xiao Man was a descendant of the former Qin dynasty. By publicly revealing the treasure map, she had shifted everyone's focus. Now that the world desired the former Qin treasure, who would bother with whether Xiao Man was a descendant or not?
"Go? Of course, we'll go." Feng Mo Ran put the map away and picked up the Phoenix Pearl. He had originally intended to use the Phoenix Pearl to lure out the hidden remnants of the former Qin tribe. But the moment the pearl appeared, it was snatched away, and he didn't even know who took it. Ironically, the thief was right by his side!
"Are we leaving now?"
Feng Mo Ran said slowly, "No rush. Let those people search first. With so many locations, it's good to have them scout the way for us."
"Master is wise."
Feng Mo Ran's expression turned somewhat somber. His face, once devoid of desires, now carried a worldly air, and his brows were etched with a sense of hardship. He wanted to know Xiao Man's next move.
"What is Nangong Yu doing now?"
"He's attacking Bei Rong. Bei Rong has repeatedly sent distress calls to Lan Yue and Yun Qi, but both Lan Yue and Yun Qi have chosen to turn a blind eye."
"Now that Xiao Man is in charge of Lan Yue and Yun Qi, and she has always protected Nangong Yu, why would she aid Bei Rong? Does she not fear that by supporting Nangong Yu, she will end up with a scoundrel, facing the same fate as Du Gu Man?" Feng Mo Ran murmured, "Are all women foolish, willing to sacrifice everything for a man?"
Tian Hao hesitated. In his understanding, Xiao Man was by no means someone who would risk everything for a man. In fact, she might even use men as stepping stones to achieve her own goals.
"Whether other women are like that, this subordinate doesn't know. However, the Empress of Lan Yue does not seem like someone who would be blinded by love for a man."
"Oh? You know her well?"
Tian Hao immediately knelt. "Master, it's not that this subordinate knows the Empress of Lan Yue well, but she herself is a person adept at using others. Whether it's Nangong Yu or Wen Mo Han, aren't they all pawns in her hands? You think the Empress of Lan Yue wishes to fulfill Nangong Yu's ambitions, but I believe she wants to use Nangong Yu to achieve her own."
Feng Mo Ran glanced at him. "You think I can't see that?"
"This subordinate dares not. This subordinate merely fears Master might, out of past affection, be unwilling to act against the Empress." Tian Hao said cautiously. If it were Lan Ruo Yu, he wouldn't worry. But with Xiao Man, Master had repeatedly shown leniency and retreated. Now, Xiao Man had left them with no room to survive. If Master retreats further, he might even lose his life.
"She has already tried to kill me. How can I be soft-hearted?" Feng Mo Ran coughed a couple of times. His body was now extremely fragile, with multiple toxins converging within him. While the direct descendants of the Lan family were indeed immune to all poisons, for others, it was a fatal poison. He had originally intended to use Lan Ruo Yu to detoxify himself, but instead of curing him, he had been poisoned further.
"Master is wise."
"For some reason, I find Xiao Man's methods somewhat familiar." Feng Mo Ran had been reflecting recently, wondering where things had gone wrong. Although he often traveled, he had always kept a close watch on Xiao Man's growth and studies. If she had changed, it wouldn't have escaped his notice.
"Like Empress Dowager Du Gu," Tian Hao said hesitantly. "Both her style of conduct and her strategies are very similar to Empress Dowager Du Gu."
A flicker of doubt crossed Feng Mo Ran's eyes. He also felt that Xiao Man's conduct was very much like Du Gu Man's. But how could one person's behavior be exactly like another's? Moreover, Du Gu Man's forces now depended on Xiao Man; Xiao Man had clearly taken Du Gu Man's place.
Du Gu Man's subordinates were all arrogant and proud, not people who would easily obey others. Not to mention Yan Yu Qing and Yu Qian Mo, even Zhan Tian Que was not someone who would submit to others.
"Xiao Man, Du Gu Man. Their names are the same, what a coincidence." Feng Mo Ran's eyes held a faint confusion. He felt there were too many similarities between these two, so many as to be unbelievable.
Feng Mo Ran fiddled with a chess piece. A white piece disappeared into the black ones, becoming untraceable. Feng Mo Ran rummaged through the black pieces, trying to find the lost white one. After a long search, he finally found the white piece hidden among the black ones.
Looking at the white piece in his palm, Feng Mo Ran suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He took out a white piece and a black piece, swapping their positions. There was no problem at all.
Tian Hao didn't understand what Feng Mo Ran was thinking. Seeing Feng Mo Ran suddenly knit his brows, he felt a vague sense of unease.
"So that's how it is! This explains everything!" A wild thought flashed through Feng Mo Ran's mind: Xiao Man was Du Gu Man. This would explain why Du Gu Man's former subordinates willingly obeyed Xiao Man's commands. It would explain why Xiao Man said she knew who had removed his mask, because Du Gu Man was the first person to remove his mask!
Feng Mo Ran suddenly stood up and walked towards the exit. Tian Hao quickly followed. "Master, where are you going?"
"To see Xiao Man." Feng Mo Ran said quickly. He had to verify his guess. Du Gu Man and Xiao Man were not the same person, and Xiao Man had no signs of disguise. Yet, Xiao Man's actions were so much like Du Gu Man's.
"Master, absolutely not!" Tian Hao quickly blocked him. "At this time, if you go out, you'll be walking into a trap. The Empress has surely set a net, waiting for you to walk right into it!"
"But there is something I must confirm."
"Master, you don't necessarily have to meet the Empress. Perhaps someone can help you find the answer." Tian Hao stood in the doorway, preventing Feng Mo Ran from leaving.
"Who?"
"The young Emperor of Yun Qi, Mu Rong Sheng Rui."
Feng Mo Ran pondered for a moment. Yes, Mu Rong Sheng Rui was the one who understood Du Gu Man the best. Perhaps Mu Rong Sheng Rui could indeed enlighten him.
"Have his whereabouts been found?"
"We have sent people to look for him. We should have news soon. Master, please wait patiently. Once we find Mu Rong Sheng Rui and his party, we will report it to Master immediately."
"As soon as possible."
"Yes, Master."