A treasure. Luo Dahai said that the men who had sought out his grandfather and taken him to sea all those years ago had been searching for a treasure.
Yet for some unknown reason, they had chosen to remain on that island forever and never returned.
Of the father and son who had chosen to return, one had died inexplicably.
The other now lived a life worse than death.
"That island must conceal an enormous secret, and someone is still guarding it."
Yang Qing and the others left Luo Dahai's home and returned to their carriage.
"Even if no one is guarding it, poisonous creatures are."
Yang Qing said, "Otherwise, why would people in their right minds leave and never think to return? Something must have bewitched those men."
Bu Er held a yellowed parchment scroll in his hands, studying it closely.
"Young master, judging by the route drawn on this map, if we truly intend to visit this island, we'll need an excellent ship, along with plenty of food and water."
The route marked on the map was far from short.
Even on land, they would have needed ample provisions, let alone at sea.
This was a route none of them had ever traveled.
They could not predict how many dangers lurked within that boundless ocean.
Yang Qing fell silent. "We do need to prepare thoroughly."
He could foresee that the thing they wanted lay on this so-called Immortal Island.
But he could foresee even more clearly that this journey would not be smooth sailing. Danger might lurk on every side.
They might even leave and never return.
In the past, before making a decision, Yang Qing would have considered every possible development before taking that step.
Now, however, he could no longer predict his next step.
Because this