Chapter 107: Ice Emperor, Long Time No See

  pting the Green Lotus Core Fme map, Gu He smiled subtly. Opting not to disturb the others, he began perusing the ter beside him.

  Arranged on these ters were numerous maps.

  Gu He meticulously examined each map, occasionally giving them a gentle shake. He recalled that in the inal story, Hai Bo Dong had hidden the Green Lotus Core Fme map among these maps.

  As he studied the maps with clearly marked routes, a glint of surprise flickered in Gu He's eyes. The maps offered incredibly detailed information about various secret locations withiagre Desert. It expined why someone like Hai Bo Dong, known for his temperament, could operate a store like "A Maps" and make it so renowned i City; the quality of the maps spoke for itself.

  For someoo the Tagre Desert, these detailed maps would undoubtedly be immensely helpful.

  After iing the maps for a while, Gu He had not yet found the Green Lotus Core Fme map. He g the still-busy Hai Bo Dong, pursed his lips, and then leisurely moved to a er of the shop. There, an aged wooden stand filled with yellowed maps caught his attention.

  This wooden stand seemed quite old, covered in holes and cracks. On it y some yellowed maps with signs of damage, as if they were unsuccessful attempts during the map-making process.

  Gu He casually sifted through these yellowed maps, and a faint musty odor filled the air, causing him to furrow his brow slightly.

  With a light shake of his hand, one of the failed maps slipped from the stad nded on the floor. Seeing this, Gu He's eyes sharpened.

  Bending down to retrieve the fallen map, he carefully examihe somewhat familiar, mysterious route marked on it.

  After a while, Gu He squinted his eyes, and a satisfied smile curled at the ers of his mouth. "Indeed, it's the Green Lotus Core Fme map."

  While he still couldn't fully prehend the mysteries behind these routes, the tours and patterns on this map had a somewhat familiar quality. It reminded him of a simir mysterious map he had seen within a cave in the Magic Beast Mountain Range when he had been on an adveh Xiao Yixian.

  Gu He smiled and, while Hai Bo Dong was still engrossed in his work, quietly stashed the map into his spatial ring.

  Then, he slowly walked further inside.

  As footsteps approached from behind, Hai Bo Dong, who was still immersed in mapmaking, paused briefly. He furrowed his brows slightly but didn't raise his head, simply saying, "I'm sorry, but the store is closed for the day. If you o purchase a map, please e baorrow."

  Hearing Hai Bo Dong's somewhat indifferent response, Gu He couldn't help but shake his head. He found the store owner's disposition rather peculiar for a shopkeeper.

  As Gu He was about to leave, two burly men suddenly blocked his path, their hands gripping the ons at their waists. They gred menagly at him.

  "Uh?"

  The sudden turn of events left Gu He momentarily stunned, and he furrowed his brow.

  He turned his head slightly and gazed at the elegant red-dressed woman standing across from him, eared to hold a respectable position iy.

  "Master Ice doesn't like to be disturbed when he's making maps, so I kindly ask that you leave," the beautiful red-dressed woman, the red dress atuatiunning figure, approached calmly and said in a geone.

  The woman's voice, though quite gentle, carried a hint of dominand arrogance.

  "...Could it be that these people already know Hai Bo Dong's identity?"

  Seeing how the woman in the red dress was showing such respect for Hai Bo Dong, Gu He was momentarily taken aback.

  Hai Bo Dong had been living in seclusion here; he shouldn't have revealed his true identity. Otherwise, the Mittel Family would have likely e looking for him by now.

  What Gu He didn't know was that the young dy in the red dress was currently feeling a bit irritated as well. She was the daughter of the lord of Desert City and was aced to being pampered. When had she ever shown such respeeone?

  But her father had told her that the owner of this small shop was likely a powerful individual. As a result, her father often instructed her to help the elderly man at the shop, hoping to earn the favor of this powerful figure.

  The young dy took her father's words to heart and did her best to provide the elderly man with the best care. However, she felt frustrated that he seemed unrespoo her efforts.

  Each time she helped at the shop, the elderly maed her with indifference, leaving her feeling unappreciated. This situation was hard to bear for the typically proud young dy.

  heless, even though the elderly man had never shown her a warm reception, she firmly believed her father's words. And on a certain day, she iently felt the aura the elderly man unsciously emitted.

  That aura was incredibly terrifying, sending shivers down her spine and leaving a sting impression ohis was why the elderly man's cold demeanor didn't deter her, and she tio treat him with respect.

  This obedient and respectful demeanor ofte her friends in disbelief. Was this the same girl who had ourned Desert City upside down?

  Today, the young dy had e to the shop to help the elderly man, just like she did on other days. The elderly man's attitude remained as cold as ever. He gave her a brief gnce before paying her no further attention.

  The proud young dy couldn't hide her frustration, and when Gu He boldly entered, he became the target for her annoyance.

  She wao seize this opportunity to assert herself in front of the elderly man.

  Gu He paid little attention to the young dy's rebuke. He merely gave her a quice, set aside the map he held, and gracefully sidestepped the two burly men who blocked his way.

  Seeing that Gu He not only ignored her orders but had directly intruded, the young dy's eyes fshed with anger.

  She slightly raised her snow-white , casting a sful look at Gu He, whom she regarded as highly esteemed by the elderly man. But just when she was about to witness him plead for mercy, Gu He did something that left her pletely fbbergasted.

  Gu He suddenly gathered a ball of dou qi in his hand and flung it aggressively toward the elderly man, whom the young dy held in high regard. As he did so, Gu He spoke slowly, "Old Man Hai, an old friend has e to see you. Is this how you treat yuests?"

  (End of this chapter)

  {Due to some work I post only one chapter till Tuesday week. chey patreon to read 20 chapters ahead.}