So That's How It Is

"So that's how it is."

In a safe place, Liu Zhi had finished going through the items in Perkin's bag. Using various clues, he had pieced together Perkin's purpose for this trip.

Unlike Liu Zhi, who collected various parchment maps and documents, Perkin was wealthy and influential. His bag contained not only high-calorie food and a few seemingly useless glowing items, but also a notebook, a rarity in this era.

The notebook was made of normal paper. Liu Zhi was accustomed to using such paper, but it was uncommon in this era, and its quality wasn't as good as this notebook.

The notebook was filled with a large amount of information and some illustrations.

From the contents, it was clear that Perkin was dying.

He must have contracted a severe illness, with less than three weeks left to live. His only hope was a plant in this jungle.

No one had ever brought this plant out before. The local indigenous people called it the 'Namuda (Blood Tree)', meaning 'tree with blood'. Legend had it that the tree looked like any ordinary tree, making it impossible to distinguish from its leaves or other parts.

The only known information was that the tree grew by a cliff waterfall, requiring abundant moisture and air.

Every seven years, on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, when the moon was full, the tree would bloom a red flower within three days, shedding all its leaves and becoming a red tree.

Under the moonlight, the tree would look like a blood-colored tree, which was why the locals called it the 'tree with blood'.

What truly attracted Perkin was not the tree's flower, but the fruit that grew after it bloomed, resembling a peach.

The fruit was small, only the size of a thumb, but it had the effect of inhibiting diseases and prolonging life.

Perkin only needed a few fruits to alleviate his illness. If he obtained all the fruits this time, he might even achieve immortality.

Looking at the ambition recorded in the notebook, Liu Zhi couldn't help but shake his head.

It seemed this was Perkin's goal: to save his life on one hand, and to secure his future power on the other. Bringing such a thing back to human society would undoubtedly be a stepping stone into high society.

The wealthy and powerful would spare no expense to prolong their lives.

But what did that have to do with him?

After flipping through the rest of the notebook, Liu Zhi put it away. Immortality held no meaning for him, nor did the power in this world.

He would only stay in this world for a maximum of 180 days. What use would it be to develop great power?

Instead, the 'Golden City' was more appealing to him. At the very least, the existence of the 'Golden City' was related to his mandatory identity quest.

Therefore, this notebook, which would be considered a treasure by some adventurers in this world, was placed at the very bottom of Liu Zhi's backpack.

However, other items in Perkin's backpack caught Liu Zhi's attention.

The two items Perkin had taken out of his bag twice before proved that the glowing objects were not ordinary items.

So, Liu Zhi was more curious about what the remaining items were.

There were four items left in the bag. Liu Zhi did not underestimate them because of their unassuming appearance; instead, he carefully and meticulously put them away.

These four items were: a piece of hide from an unknown beast, the fur on the other side still looking quite fresh.

Something like a quill pen. The feather was a normal white, and the nib was decorated with copper, looking like it could last a long time. If it weren't for the white light emanating from it, Liu Zhi would have thought it was meant to be used with the notebook.

A tube that looked like lipstick. Liu Zhi wondered if they had developed lipstick in this era.

Finally, there was something like a water flask. It was made of pure silver, engraved with patterns of ancient mythology. When gently shaken, it made a sound inside.

Without knowing what was inside, Liu Zhi had no intention of looking.

After putting everything away, Liu Zhi simply dismantled Perkin's backpack.

He found two items resembling land deeds hidden in the seams of the backpack. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were property deeds for a nearby port. He didn't know if this was Perkin's final preparation or his secret base.

After confirming that no other items were missed, Liu Zhi slung his own backpack back on, took out his map to check the direction, and headed towards the 'Golden City'.

Meanwhile, Perkin and Lloyd were cautiously advancing through the jungle.

Perkin's face was somewhat sallow, his lips slightly purple, but he forced himself to keep walking, not allowing himself to stop.

Lloyd, supporting Perkin, said, "Uncle, shouldn't we just go back?"

"No, we've come this far. I'm not willing to turn back. Besides, are you willing? This is the hope for our family's resurgence."

"But so many of us entered the jungle, and now only the two of us remain. I'm worried..."

"There's nothing to worry about. All the information is in my head. As long as we can still walk, we will reach the Blood Tree."

"No, Uncle, that's not what I'm worried about. You saw it along the way, so many giant snakes. I'm worried if there's something wrong here."

Perkin chuckled when he heard this, "Do you think I didn't notice? You've been adventuring with me for so many years, don't you have any observational skills? Didn't you realize that those giant snakes were ordinary species? What does that tell you? It means the legend of the Blood Tree is true. Those snakes ate the fruit of the Blood Tree and have lived since ancient times. Unlike humans, snakes shed their skin once a year, growing larger. This tells us the legend is true, and immortality is within reach."

Hearing Perkin's explanation, Lloyd seemed to believe him. "But Uncle, with just the two of us, can we steal the fruit of the Blood Tree?"

"It's not just the two of us. My bag was taken. The person who took my bag will definitely find the information I left behind. Anyone would be tempted by immortality. When we get there, we'll find a place to ambush. We'll wait for the thief who took my bag to come. Let him go first. Once he gets the fruit, you'll make your move, Lloyd. How has your swordsmanship practice been lately?"

"Don't worry, Uncle, I've already mastered it..."