In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Snapped!

Another gavel struck, and the crowd, drawn in by the noise, all looked at the old man with curiosity, their eyes filled with anticipation and a hint of mockery.

"Speaking of treasure maps, as far as I know, there are dozens of them in total;"

Old Master Xiang of Cangyun Manor, the Soul-Hooking Swordsman Shen Wuchang, Little Guan Yu Guan Shan Ke... these people all have a treasure map and are currently being chased.

Furthermore, these people had no prior connection, so why did the same treasure map suddenly appear in the hands of so many people?

Ah!

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression suddenly changed.

If they can't detect the trickery involved, they've wasted all these years, and it seems that's true.

Someone wanted to use the treasure map to incite them to fight each other.

"Old warehouseman, tell me, what exactly happened?"

Suddenly, a flash of silver light appeared, and a small silver ingot weighing at least five taels appeared on the old man's appraisal table.

Seeing such a generous reward, the old man was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude:

"This old man thanks Lord Long for the reward. Since that's the case, this old man won't waste any more words."

The treasure map we're talking about today actually dates back to last year when Young Master Zhang from Lin'an went west to Dali.

As you all know, Young Master Zhang's journey to Dali was not peaceful. What I'm about to tell you is that Young Master Zhang encountered a strange event at the border between Dali and Miao territory, which is also known as the place where treasure is hidden.

As you all know, there are extraordinary beings in the world, beings far more powerful than ordinary livestock:

In the northern grasslands, there is a divine steed called Black Narcissus, which not only possesses the strength of a dragon and an elephant but can also travel ten thousand miles a day, making it incomparably magnificent; on the snowy mountains, there is a snow mastiff as tall as a man, capable of fighting the most ferocious tigers and leopards, and even when encountering the most terrifying snow wolf packs, it can move freely; in the desert, there is a white camel, said to be one in a million, which is the incarnation of a god.

For travelers and merchants lost in the desert, in their deepest despair, if they can see its silhouette, it will guide them to a water source in the desert…

Hearing what the old warehouse manager said, everyone knew that this strange event might be related to the legendary alien species.

Such stories are most likely to pique people's curiosity.

Especially since this matter is related to that young master Zhang, even the Dragon Lord, who is in the center of everyone's attention, frowned deeply.

This is getting more and more bizarre.

"In Miao territory, there is a unique species of rooster that resembles a phoenix and has a lifespan of over ten years, called the Angry Sun Rooster."

The Angry Sun Chicken is the nemesis of all poisonous insects in the world. Not only are its claws sharper than those of an eagle, but its sharp beak can poke a hole in even the hardest skull with a single peck.

Miao territory is a remote mountainous region in the southwest, teeming with poisonous creatures. Therefore, the Angry Sun Chicken was suppressed by bloodline.

On that day, Young Master Zhang arrived at this place...

As the old warehouseman slowly recounted the story, everyone was even more incredulous upon hearing about the three-zhang-long evil dragon.

After all, a three-zhang-long python is already an incredibly terrifying and transcendent being, let alone that scaly monster that is neither snake nor fish, and is extremely venomous.

They simply couldn't believe that such a terrifying monster was no match for a rooster.

"Please don't disbelieve me, everyone. There's something even more mysterious coming up, namely, the so-called treasure trove—"

Bottle Mountain! "

"The treasure trove—Ping Mountain?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the old man with strange expressions and disbelief.

Good heavens, they knew the location of the treasure without even looking at the treasure map.

Chosen Ones? And so many of them?

"That day, Young Master Zhang saved a Miao man who had been injured by a wicked dragon, who was also the owner of the Angry Sun Chicken."

To repay Young Master Zhang for saving his life, the Miao people led him to a place with auspicious energy that was leaking out and shrouded in towering clouds—Ping Mountain!

The Miao man said to Young Master Zhang:

Ping Mountain was originally just an ordinary mountain. Later, Yuan Tiangang, the first national teacher of the Martial Tang Dynasty and a Taoist master, came here to refine the elixir of immortality. A problem occurred during the refining process, causing the mountain's precious energy to leak out, thus forming the treasure mountain we see today.

From afar, the clouds stretched out in countless hues, shrouded in auspicious mists, resembling a celestial paradise, a grand grotto heaven.

"Old Cangtou, are you telling a story here?"

"Exactly, I thought you had some real news, pshaw!"

“Master Long, you can get your five taels of silver back. This old bastard is just a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

···

'Snapped! '

Seeing the chaos below, a single thud of the gavel silenced the clamor once more. At this moment, the old warehouse manager said solemnly:

"At that time, when Young Master Zhang looked at that treasure mountain, the ten-mile-long Bottle Mountain, only the outer perimeter was densely covered with evil dragons, and the danger inside was unknown."

To find out who this Yuan Tiangang is...

In the present day, the foremost Taoist master in China is undoubtedly Zhang Zhenren of Wudang, but throughout the millennia, Yuan Tiangang is also second to none.

Since this Daoist Yuan is refining the elixir of immortality here, the danger inside must be even greater to prevent others from disturbing his alchemy. It is a place of extreme danger, full of traps and mechanisms.

So Young Master Zhang withdrew and continued on his way!

Upon hearing this, the crowd became even more disdainful.

Only the Dragon Lord looked solemn and said:

"Old Granary, are you saying that this treasure map was distributed by Young Master Zhang?"

"Of course not. The Zhang family has such a good reputation, how could they do such a heinous thing?"

Rather, someone wanted to use this opportunity to incite martial arts practitioners to fight each other, using the treasure as bait to trap and kill those treasure hunters in Ping Mountain, and then pin the blame on Young Master Zhang.

After all, although Young Master Zhang wasn't the first to discover Ping Mountain, this incident ultimately stemmed from him.

Hiss...

Everyone who heard this felt a chill run down their spine.

I never imagined this was their true purpose. If what the old warehouse keeper said is true, then this person's intentions are truly sinister...

"As for why it is said to be related to Young Master Zhang?"

This story begins several months ago, when the Persian delegation arrived and met at the Zhang family's residence...

As the old warehouse manager explained the whole story, everything seemed to become clear.

In particular, of the hundred Persian followers who went, less than ten returned, and they didn't even make it past the outermost edge of Bottle Mountain.

Such a dangerous place would likely result in the death of many martial arts heroes who recklessly ventured in.

Do you all know how strong the Persians are this time?

There are four top masters in the martial arts world alone, three of whom are of noble status and were the three leaders of the previous generation of Persian Zoroastrianism.

Young Master Zhang's assessment of them was that the three's skill level and combined attack formation were comparable to the Vajra Subduing Demon Circle of the previous generation of Shaolin masters.

However, one is the orthodox path of Buddhism, and the other is a heretical path.

Even so, once inside, they encountered a three-zhang-long (approximately 10 meters) six-winged centipede, as well as a swarm of centipedes and scorpions that seemed to descend upon them like a vast ocean...

In less than an hour, they suffered heavy losses. If it weren't for the profound skills of several elders who suppressed the deadly poison within their bodies and made it to the Zhang family, where they were able to neutralize the poison that even the Venerable Master Jialan couldn't alleviate, the entire army would likely have been wiped out.

"As a result, within just a few days, a mysterious treasure map appeared in the martial arts world."

As you all know, the Zhang family is powerful. After obtaining the treasure map, Young Master Zhang discovered that its destination was actually Ping Mountain, the very place that had nearly wiped out the Persian delegation.

Immediately, Young Master Zhang realized that this was a conspiracy to incite a catastrophe in the martial arts world.

So Young Master Zhang quickly compiled a list of the origins, process, and conspiracy behind this matter...

To be honest, I'm sharing this news with you all: you can also receive ten taels of silver from the Zhang family's shop every month. You can all go and confirm it!

Wow!

If the old warehouse keeper had just made it up, they could treat it as a joke.

But now that the Zhang family is personally involved, the credibility has been elevated from a joke to a chilling major event in the martial arts world.

After all, the Zhang family's reputation is a golden brand.

The deadly Ping Mountain, the calamity of the martial world – the treasure map, the living Buddha of ten thousand families – the Zhang family!

The combination of these words caused an uproar throughout the martial arts world.

The sudden appearance of so many treasure maps was already highly suspicious, and now that the Zhang family had emerged, the fighting instantly ceased.

The person who possessed the treasure map, upon comparison, indeed discovered that the treasure's location was at the intersection of Dali and Miao territory—

Bottle Mountain.

What a vicious conspiracy!

After the news was fully confirmed, the entire martial arts world was in an uproar.

If it weren't for the news suddenly released by the Zhang family, not to mention the battle caused by the treasure map, the final victors would have undoubtedly been the various heroes of the martial arts world. The terrible consequences of their entry into Ping Mountain are terrifying to even think about.

At that time, the entire martial arts world of Kyushu may regress by twenty or thirty years.

Chapter 299 The Blood Droplets Strik Again: Murong Zhengde's Birthday

Jiangnan!

Jiang Biehe, known as the great hero of Jiangnan and a rival to Meng Chang, was filled with unease, and the entire Jiang mansion was unusually quiet.

During the day, when he heard the news circulating in the city, he knew that things were not going well.

Unexpectedly, the matter of the treasure map had not been brewing for long before the Zhang family swiftly and decisively extinguished any sparks of interest.

If it were any other force, it would naturally be unable to control the greed of the people.

But the Zhang family is different. Their reputation extends beyond ordinary people; the entire martial arts world of Kyushu holds them in awe.

If everyone were willing to listen to the Zhang family's strange changes, they would discover many suspicious points.

Once they realize something is wrong, all the conspiracies will naturally fall apart.

"Jiang Qin, come out and face your death!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and the entire Jiang mansion, illuminated by lightning and thunder, resembled a sinister and eerie palace of Yama, sending chills down one's spine.

Jiang Biehe, looking somber in his study, knew he was doomed.

Unexpectedly, his supposedly flawless plan was found out so quickly, leaving him no chance to catch his breath.

As for escaping?

Last time he betrayed his master, Jiang Feng died, and even Yan Nantian was nearly killed by his schemes.

But this time it's different. The Zhang family is ten times more terrifying than the Yihua Palace.

His schemes were extinguished before they could even spread in front of the Zhang family, and even his supposedly highly secretive actions could not be hidden from them.

Jiang Qin, what an ancient name!

For a moment, Jiang Biehe's eyes were filled with determination.

Offending the Zhang family means there's nowhere for Jiang Biehe to hide, neither in heaven nor on earth.

This is the Zhang family's domineering nature.

"Hahaha···"

hum!

A fire suddenly broke out in Jiang Biehe's study.

The fire quickly spread, and the flames, reaching the heavens, were impossible to extinguish.

An hour later, the fire, which had gone unattended, gradually died down, leaving only ruins.

As for the outside world, when everyone saw the blood-red robe, flying wheel, and straight sword appearing in the firelight, the constables and martial artists alike trembled.

Bloody drops!

A terrifying weapon belonging only to the Zhang family, hidden in the darkness, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

They knew this attack was no ordinary one, and coupled with the rumors circulating during the day, a chilling speculation began to surface in everyone's minds.