Chapter 89: The Person in This Dou Qi Projection… Is It You?
He quietly observed the old man meticulously drawing a map, not interrupting him. Xiao Yuan's gaze swept across the numerous maps on the counter, and he picked one up to examine it with interest. The clear routes marked on it made him nod in satisfaction.
Such professionalism and dedication to one's craft was truly admirable.
As he felt the Ice-type Dou Qi in his body becoming more active, Xiao Yuan knew—he had come to the right place.
He looked around the room.
There were only two other customers inside—a man and a woman.
The man had a bare upper body and tanned skin, clearly lean and muscular. The woman's skin was also dark, but in a bronze, sensual tone.
Moreover, her clothing style was nothing like the reserved elegance of women from within the empire. A tight leather outfit barely covered her chest and a portion beneath, leaving her slender waist boldly exposed.
Her long, taut legs were wrapped in short shorts that revealed far more than they concealed—provocative and daring.
Xiao Yuan merely glanced her way, not daring to look longer, lest it invite unnecessary trouble.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he walked over to an old wooden rack in the corner of the shop.
This rack looked quite aged, and inside were stacks of yellowing maps. Judging by the worn edges, these seemed to be failed drafts.
Xiao Yuan gave the focused old man at the counter a glance, then casually smiled and impolitely rummaged through the pile. He found a palm-sized, tattered map fragment.
The familiar texture brought him joy. He ignored the musty smell as he held the map and smiled, preparing to speak.
Just then, although the old man behind the counter—Haibo Dong—didn't lift his head, he seemed to sense that Xiao Yuan had found something unusual. His aged voice echoed plainly through the room:
"You're looking for a map of the Tagor Desert?"
Hearing the question, Xiao Yuan slowly approached the counter, nodded with a smile, and said, "Sir, would you happen to have the most detailed and accurate map of the desert?"
"They're on the counter. Pick what you like."
The old man didn't even look up, his tone indifferent. He didn't sound like someone who wanted to do business.
No wonder the shop was empty—this attitude would drive off any potential customer.
Playing dumb, huh?
Xiao Yuan understood that Haibo Dong had only spoken up because he noticed the map fragment Xiao Yuan had found. Since there were no other customers around, he decided to drop the act and get straight to the point.
Smiling casually, he opened his palm and revealed the ancient map fragment. "Sir, do you have any more fragments like this one?"
At this, the old man's hand trembled slightly. The fine lines he was drawing on the map shifted off course.
Haibo Dong frowned slightly and finally looked up. His old eyes swept across the fragment in Xiao Yuan's hand, revealing a hint of something indescribable.
Seeing the raised, weathered face, Xiao Yuan confirmed once more—though a hideous scar ran from the left cheek to the eye, and age had etched deep lines into his face, the man's youthful looks must have once been exceptional.
The portrait that Elder Teng Shan had given Xiao Yuan, supposedly an aged likeness of Hai Lao, still looked younger than the man before him—and without the scar.
"You… you've seen this map fragment before?"
Haibo Dong studied Xiao Yuan and was shocked to find he couldn't sense his aura at all. He looked puzzled for a moment, then asked, "Where did you see it?"
"I've seen it. That's why I want to study it."
Xiao Yuan answered briefly.
"Oh."
The old man's interest clearly dropped. "No more. I found that one by chance. Based on my years of cartography experience, it seems to be just a small piece of a larger map."
Xiao Yuan nodded, a strange gleam flashing through his eyes. Then he pulled out a purple-gold card and slid it across the counter, holding the map fragment in his other hand.
"Sir, would you be willing to sell this piece? I'm prepared to pay generously."
At the sight of the card, Haibo Dong's pupils constricted sharply.
"You… from the Mittel Clan?"
After a brief pause, he asked seriously.
"Barely count as half, maybe."
Xiao Yuan thought for a moment and replied vaguely.
"Oh. Then no sale."
Haibo Dong shook his head firmly and went back to drawing his map.
Xiao Yuan internally rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Old Hai, you wouldn't want Elder Teng Shan to find out you're hiding here with your strength sealed… would you?"
At those words, the old man's brush snapped with a sharp crack.
Staring at the large ink blotch on his map, Haibo Dong slowly looked up and locked eyes with Xiao Yuan. After a long moment, he said:
"You've got the wrong person, kid."
As the room's temperature began to drop, Xiao Yuan shook his head and pulled out the jade token Elder Teng Shan had given him. He activated it.
A tall, aged yet imposing figure appeared from the projection, his aura still majestic.
"Old Hai, the person in this Dou Qi projection… is it you?"
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"It's not."
Haibo Dong shook his head.
"I think it is. Back then, you were still strong, younger than now. You were one of the ten most respected powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire."
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"He doesn't have a scar. Take the map. Now leave."
As his voice fell, the temperature in the room dropped again. A powerful aura began to rise.
The message was clear: get lost, or he'd personally kick you out.
But Xiao Yuan only looked more comfortable.
Even Haibo Dong was stunned.
This kid… not ordinary.
"Old Hai, we're on the same side here. No need to keep up the act."
Xiao Yuan shrugged. A black Dou Qi robe laced with frost emerged over his body.
"Ice attribute Dou Qi?"
Sensing the familiar aura, Haibo Dong stared, astonished.
(END CHAPTER)
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