I walk sideways in the game world

Chapter 173 The storm is coming again, the treasure map appears

Eunuch Qian unrolled the scroll, revealing a simple map and rumors of a hidden treasure. Legend has it that this treasure, a relic of a supreme martial artist from centuries past, possessed the power to destroy heaven and earth. Now, the treasure map had resurfaced, naturally attracting the covetous attention of various factions.

"Your Majesty is concerned that this secret treasure will fall into the hands of lawless individuals, causing a bloody storm," Eunuch Qian said solemnly, "hence, he has specifically ordered me to come here. I ask the general to investigate this matter and ensure the truth is revealed to ensure peace in the martial arts world."

Ren Xiaoyao took the scroll and carefully examined the pattern on it, his mind swirling with thoughts. He knew the weight of this responsibility was immense, bearing not only on the stability of the martial arts world but also the safety of the empire.

"I obey your order!" Ren Xiaoyao looked determined and bowed his hands to accept the order.

Xia Lin frowned slightly and looked at Ren Xiaoyao worriedly, "This world is dangerous. You just came back from the battlefield, and now you have to..."

"I understand," Ren Xiaoyao held Xia Lin's hand and gave her a reassuring look, "but this matter is of no small importance. As a general protecting the country, I have no choice but to take responsibility."

"I will try my best to collect intelligence and lend you a hand," Xia Lin knew Ren Xiaoyao's character very well, and no longer tried to dissuade him, but chose to fully support him.

Seeing this, Eunuch Qian clapped his hands and smiled, "That's excellent! I'll return to the palace to report immediately. I wish the general success!"

After sending Eunuch Qian away, Ren Xiaoyao immediately gathered his confidants and began to plan his actions. He decided to go on a secret visit and personally go to the Jianghu to investigate the secret of the treasure map.

As night fell, Ren Xiaoyao changed into a black suit and quietly left the general's residence, leaving only one sentence echoing in Xia Lin's ears: "Wait for me to come back..."

After Ren Xiaoyao's departure, Xia Lin's heart was in suspense. But she was no weakling, and she quickly cast her worries aside to begin investigating the treasure map. She mobilized her extensive intelligence network, gathering information everywhere. Over the course of several days, the treasure map's past and present gradually unfolded before her.

It turns out that this treasure map was not created by a single hand, but is made up of four fragments. According to legend, these four fragments are held by the four great families of the martial arts world. Each fragment contains a clue to the secret treasure of the martial arts world. Only by collecting all four fragments can the true treasure be found.

"The Four Great Families..." Xia Lin muttered to herself, her mind racing. She knew full well that these four great families were powerful figures in the martial arts world, with deep connections and complex networks of influence. Obtaining the treasure map from them would be no easy task.

At that moment, a black-clad detective quietly approached Xia Lin and handed her a secret letter. "Miss, this is a secret letter we intercepted during our investigation. It seems to be related to the treasure map."

Xia Lin took the secret letter, quickly skimmed it, and her expression suddenly changed. The letter contained little, but it revealed a startling piece of information: someone was secretly manipulating all of this, attempting to use the treasure map to cause unrest and subvert the entire martial arts world!

"How dare you!" Xia Lin's eyebrows arched, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She finally understood that the secret behind this treasure map was far more complex and dangerous than she had imagined!

Meanwhile, Ren Xiaoyao has disguised himself as a wandering knight, mingling in the streets. Following the information provided by Xia Lin, he tracks down the whereabouts of one of the treasure maps.

In the dead of night, Ren Xiaoyao infiltrated a heavily guarded mansion. According to intelligence, the treasure map was hidden in a secret room within the mansion. With his superb martial arts and extraordinary courage, he evaded the numerous guards and finally found the entrance.

"who is it?!"

Just as Ren Xiaoyao was about to enter the secret room, a sharp shout suddenly rang out, and two figures flashed out from the darkness, blocking his way. "How dare you trespass into the Tang family's important territory? You're courting death!"

Ren Xiaoyao took a closer look and saw that the visitors were none other than Tang Tianxiong, the head of the Tang family, and his son Tang Hao. The Tang family was one of the four great families and controlled one of the treasure maps.

"So it's Patriarch Tang," Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, cupping his hands and smiling. "I mean no harm. I just want to borrow something from your house. Could you please help me?"

"How dare you!" Tang Hao shouted angrily, "How can a nobody like you get your hands on the things of my Tang family?! If you know what's good for you, surrender obediently, otherwise..."

"How else?"

A cold voice came from outside the door, and then a graceful figure floated over. It was Xia Lin who arrived in time.

"Xiaoyao, I'm here to help you!"

Xia Lin's sudden appearance startled Tang Tianxiong and Tang Hao. They hadn't expected that this seemingly ordinary chivalrous knight would have such a powerful helper.

"Who are you?" Tang Tianxiong narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice.

"I'm Xia Lin, Xiaoyao's friend." Xia Lin's tone was calm, yet it exuded an unquestionable authority. "Today's matter is between us and Patriarch Tang. I hope Mr. Tang will not interfere."

Tang Hao was furious upon hearing this, about to explode, but was stopped by Tang Tianxiong. Tang Tianxiong knew Xia Lin's background well, and he knew his son's impulsiveness would only lead to harm. He suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Okay, I won't argue with you about what happened today. But the treasure map belongs to my Tang family, and you have no right to touch it!"

"Master Tang has misunderstood. We are not trying to steal the treasure map," Ren Xiaoyao stepped forward and explained, "We simply wish to borrow it. After we find out the truth, we will return it intact."

"The truth?" Tang Tianxiong sneered. "What truth? This treasure map originally belongs to my Tang family. How can there be any truth?"

"Why is Patriarch Tang so stubborn?" Xia Lin said calmly. "This treasure map is of great importance and is not just a matter for your family. If it is not handled properly, it could trigger a catastrophe in the martial arts world. By then, I'm afraid the Tang family won't be able to escape unscathed."

Tang Tianxiong remained silent, evidently Xia Lin's words had struck a chord with him. He knew that if the treasure map were to become public, it would inevitably spark a fight among various factions, plunging the entire martial arts world into chaos.

"How about this," Ren Xiaoyao said, seeing Tang Tianxiong wavering, "We can work together to explore the secrets of the treasure map. How about that?"

Tang Tianxiong hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded in agreement. He knew that with his own family's strength, he couldn't possibly keep the treasure map. Rather than sit and wait for death, he thought it would be better to cooperate with Ren Xiaoyao and the others, perhaps even get a share of the profits.

In this way, Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin reached a cooperation with the Tang family. They took a fragment of the treasure map provided by the Tang family and embarked on a journey to find other fragments.

Along the way, they met some like-minded people from the martial arts world, including chivalrous swordsmen and extraordinary people who are proficient in mechanical devices and hidden weapons. They were impressed by the character of Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin and decided to join their team to explore the secrets of the treasure map.

However, their actions also attracted the attention of other forces. They encountered numerous ambushes and challenges, including from some of the most renowned martial artists. But thanks to Ren Xiaoyao's wisdom and Xia Lin's wit, they overcame danger time and time again, ultimately resolving the crisis.

During a fight with a mysterious man in black, Ren Xiaoyao discovered that the martial arts he used seemed familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen them before. He had a vague feeling that there seemed to be a huge conspiracy behind this...

After some twists and turns, they finally found all the clues to the treasure map and discovered that the treasure was not gold or silver, but an ancient legend...

"What's recorded here is actually..." Xia Lin's face suddenly changed as she looked at the parchment scroll in her hand.

"It seems that our journey has just begun." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes were firm, and there was a subtle solemnity in his tone...

"What's recorded here... is actually the legend of the founding emperor's lost treasure!" Xia Lin held the yellowed parchment scroll, her tone full of disbelief.

Ren Xiaoyao frowned slightly and took the scroll for a closer look. This parchment scroll was clearly very old, with a strange script inscribed on it: Legend has it that after unifying the country, the founding emperor secretly collected a treasure trove of priceless treasures and hid them in a secluded location, leaving only a treasure map. It was rumored that this treasure held the key to the empire's future for a century.

"So that's how it is..." Ren Xiaoyao muttered to himself. He finally understood why this treasure map had caused such a stir in the martial arts world. This was not only a priceless treasure, but also a secret that held the fate of the empire!

"Xiaoyao, what are you going to do?" Xia Lin asked. She knew Ren Xiaoyao and knew that this man would never let such an important thing get lost.

"This treasure is of great importance. I must bring it back to the imperial capital and present it to His Majesty!" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes were firm, his tone filled with unquestionable determination. He knew that the empire was currently plagued by constant wars on its borders and the treasury was empty. If this treasure could be found, it would undoubtedly greatly alleviate the empire's plight and bring benefits to the people.

"But now, all the forces in the martial arts world are eyeing this batch of treasures. It may not be so easy for us to stand out from them." Xia Lin frowned slightly, with a hint of worry in her tone.

"I know, but we have to do this, and we have to act as soon as possible!" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes were firm. He knew very well that this matter could not be delayed. The longer it was delayed, the more variables there would be.

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away." Xia Lin nodded. She had absolute trust in Ren Xiaoyao. Since he had made the decision, she would fully support him.

After some discussion, the two decided to split into two groups: Xia Lin would be responsible for secretly collecting intelligence and finding out the movements of various forces, while Ren Xiaoyao would take the fragments of the treasure map provided by the Tang family and go to the location recorded on the scroll to look for clues to the treasure.

News spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world. The news that General Ren Xiaoyao, the protector of the nation, had obtained the treasure map spread like wildfire, instantly causing a turbulent storm in the martial arts world. Various factions were eager to take action, sending their experts to the treasure's location. A storm of competition for the treasure was about to sweep in...

At the same time, in the imperial palace, the emperor's close attendant, Eunuch Qian, was whispering something to a middle-aged man in a dragon robe.

"Your Majesty, the news about the founding emperor's treasure is spreading like wildfire in the martial arts world. It is said that the Protector General Ren Xiaoyao is also involved..."

After hearing this, the middle-aged man put down the memorial in his hand, a gleam in his eyes, and said lightly: "Ren Xiaoyao... my good general, I hope you will not let me down..."