Do You Want to Live the Rest of Your Life as a Coward?

"Something's not right. Perhaps I'm overthinking it..."

After that thought surfaced, the old man shook his head again.

He believed that if someone had discovered he was here, they would have come straight for this place.

Yet now, an incense stick's worth of time had passed, and there was still no movement on his end.

Meanwhile, as the Amethyst Winged Lion King flew away from above the city, the unrest within Desert City gradually subsided as well.

Thus, he dismissed his concerns.

"Are you full?"

On the balcony of a restaurant called Liyang Restaurant in Desert City, Gu Fei looked at Xiao Yi Xian across from him with a faint smile.

"Mm! I'm full!"

Xiao Yi Xian smiled and nodded. Then, she took out the handkerchief she carried with her and wiped the slight grease from the corner of her lips.

Though their exchange was exceedingly ordinary, it was precisely that ordinariness that showed how much closer their relationship had become.

By now, neither of them had the restraint they had when they first met. Everything was relaxed and casual, and this way of getting along was the most comfortable of all.

"Then come buy maps with me!"

Gu Fei stood up and left the restaurant with Xiao Yi Xian.

Afterward, Gu Fei and Xiao Yi Xian walked through several streets before soon arriving outside that old-fashioned shop.

The shop was named Ancient Map. Unlike other shops, it was neither luxurious nor ostentatious, and at first glance, it gave off a faintly antique air.

Gu Fei and Xiao Yi Xian entered the shop side by side. Its interior was not particularly spacious, but the soft glow of two moonlight stones illuminated it quite brightly. There were not many people inside buying maps, making the place seem somewhat deserted.

Gu Fei glanced around before finally fixing his gaze on an old man behind the counter, who had his head lowered as he carefully drew a map.

The old man was clearly quite advanced in age. Although his hair was entirely white, the hand holding the black pen remained steady and strong.

"So this man is Hai Bodong."

Gu Fei smiled to himself but did not go directly to the counter to ask.

At that moment, Gu Fei had completely concealed his aura.

Even Hai Bodong, once a Dou Emperor, could not discern Gu Fei's aura.

Therefore, Hai Bodong paid no attention to Gu Fei and Xiao Yi Xian entering the shop.

Next, Gu Fei went alone to an old wooden rack in the corner of the shop.

The rack was clearly extremely old, its surface covered in holes left by decaying wood.

Several yellowed maps had been casually piled atop it. Judging by the damaged marks on their surfaces, they seemed to be failed products from the mapmaking process.

And this was precisely Gu Fei's target. He casually flipped through the yellowed maps, and a faint musty smell hit his face, making him frown slightly.

The next moment, Gu Fei picked up a stack of failed maps and gave it a light shake.

As he shook them, a damaged scrap of a map no larger than a palm suddenly fell from the stack.

"It really is here!"

Seeing the remnant map fall, Gu Fei was not surprised. He had known all along.

Once the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame's remnant map was fully assembled, it could become a secret means of restraining the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame when it emerged.

"What is that? It looks like some kind of treasure map, but it's badly incomplete!"

Xiao Yi Xian glanced at the remnant map in Gu Fei's hand, curious why he had picked up such a thing.

"Hehe, it's a good item."

Gu Fei smiled without explaining much. Instead, he took the remnant map to the counter and asked, "Sir, do you have any other remnant maps like this?"

Gu Fei knew that Hai Bodong had another remnant map here. Back then, after obtaining the remnant map and studying it for a long time without finding any answers, Hai Bodong had split his own portion into two.

As soon as Gu Fei's words fell, the old man behind the counter finally stopped drawing his map and abruptly raised his head.

His gaze was somewhat fierce, and a terrifying scar stretched from his left cheek to the corner of his eye. It frightened Xiao Yi Xian, and she instinctively tightened her grip on Gu Fei's sleeve.

"Don't be afraid."

Noticing Xiao Yi Xian's reaction, Gu Fei gently stroked her head.

"Have you seen this kind of remnant map before?"

The old man asked in surprise.

Hai Bodong felt surprised. Emotion Value +80

"Mm, I've seen one before. I wonder if you would be willing to part with this treasure map and sell it to me?" Gu Fei asked with a smile and a nod.

"Not for sale."

The old man shook his head. Though his tone was calm, it carried an unquestionable finality.

"Sir, as long as you're willing to sell, name your price!"

Although Hai Bodong had refused him, Gu Fei still did not give up.

He was determined to obtain the Demon Fire Remnant Map.

"Young man, stop setting your sights on my remnant map. I have no use for money, and don't even think about trying to snatch it by force. That won't end well for you!"

The old man behind the counter waved his hand and spoke indifferently. He did not seem afraid that Gu Fei would simply take the Demon Fire Remnant Map in his hand and run.

"Big Brother Gu Fei! Since the old gentleman has made up his mind not to sell it, let's go!"

Xiao Yi Xian said innocently. She did not want Gu Fei to come into conflict with the old man.

Besides, in her view, Gu Fei would never do something like robbery.

"Don't worry. He'll choose to sell it..."

Hearing this, Gu Fei smiled at Xiao Yi Xian, then turned to look at the old man. "Isn't that right, former Dou Emperor?"

"Who exactly are you?"

As soon as Gu Fei finished speaking, a vicious glint surged into the old man's eyes behind the counter, and a powerful aura spread outward.

Hai Bodong felt shock and suspicion. Emotion Value +80

"What's going on?"

This sudden turn of events left Xiao Yi Xian somewhat surprised. However, she now had some understanding of Gu Fei's strength, so she did not panic.

On Gu Fei's side, a strand of warm aura spread out to shield Xiao Yi Xian, protecting her from the bone-piercing cold aura.

"Young man, I didn't expect you to have some skill."

Seeing that Gu Fei had remained completely unharmed under his aura, even the white-haired old man could not help but speak in surprise.

"So, what is your choice now, sir?" Gu Fei nodded slightly without comment and smiled.

"I've already said that I will not sell it to anyone. If you intend to take it by force, then don't blame this old man for bullying the young..."

The old man spoke calmly, and the white hair behind him began to move despite the absence of wind.

Icy Dou Qi coiled around his body.

At this moment, Xiao Yi Xian stood obediently to the side without interrupting.

"What if I said I could undo the seal inside your body? Would you still refuse to consider it?"

"Could it be that you want to spend your entire life holed up in this remote border town, as an ordinary map shop owner?"