Humans and yao walk different paths

Without the special area of Qinmeng Ruins, or by going to remote mountainous areas, many people would rarely have the concept of getting lost.

Modern maps and vehicles have made travel easier and shortened long journeys.

It can be said that modern travelers, with the help of transportation, almost all possess Zhang Xuezhou's flying skills, thus unafraid of high mountains and dangerous obstacles.

Only when you venture into regions like Qinling and Mengxi do geographical issues become apparent.

In this world, the means of transportation is the horse, and many people can only travel on foot, making the influence of the geographical environment particularly pronounced.

Heading to a well-known city is one thing; with repeated searching and asking for directions, one can eventually find their destination. But seeking opportunities in an unfamiliar environment is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult task.

This is also why Zhang Xuezhou and others were not optimistic about the outcome of the legion's attack.

When the new emperor mentioned the map, Zhang Xuezhou's eyes lit up.

But as the new emperor went to the main hall of the Weiyang Palace and saw the map, the glimmer of light in his eyes quickly faded.

"Take a look. You've flown high in the sky before, so you should be able to read a map of Pilan!"

The new emperor unfurled a map made of cloth. The cloth was very new, and it was clear that the painter had imitated an old object to depict it.

The artist was probably completely bewildered when he tried to imitate it, and Zhang Xuezhou was just as confused after seeing it.

A normal map is simply a combination of lines, with horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and diagonal strokes that are easy to understand and can clearly show the general shape of mountains and rivers. But the lines on this map are arcs or semicircles, which intertwine to resemble a maze.

"What did Pilan say?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"This is how Pilan observed from above; look at this map of the palace she drew," the new emperor said.

"Isn't this a bird's nest?"

When the new emperor produced another picture, Zhang Xuezhou initially thought it was a bird's nest that the new emperor had built for the little bird demon Sichen, never imagining that this was the imperial palace in Pilan's eyes.

Like a nest of herbs, the palace in Bilan's painting is layered and looks almost unrelated to the palace itself.

"Weiyang Palace is here, this is Anle Palace, this is Changxin Palace, and Jiaofang Palace is here!"

The new emperor pointed to the palace map and indicated the directions.

Mountains and rivers are difficult to compare, but verifying the imperial palace map is not.

The new emperor initially doubted whether Bilan was just making things up, but after repeated tests, he realized that everything Bilan saw was exactly what was shown in the picture.

The perspective from high above is different from the normal viewpoint, and the observations of birds and humans are also different, ultimately resulting in the current situation.

"I bet a lot of people have studied this map, right?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"Can't you crack it either?"

The new emperor nodded, indicating that he had indeed gathered many people to conduct research, but no one could transform the map of Pilan into a normal form that humans could see.

Seeing that Zhang Xuezhou was at a loss, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Do you think Kong Ning's understanding is a bit higher than that of Pi Lan?" the new emperor asked.

"Hard to say!"

Humans have their language, and birds have theirs. The new emperor is currently seeking a translator who is familiar with what birds see from high above and also understands human vision before they can translate maps.

He pinned some of his hopes on Kong Ning, and had tried to contact Kong Ning quite a bit these days, but the results were not good, let alone asking Kong Ning to translate.

He really hoped that Zhang Xuezhou could persuade Kong Ning to help, and Zhang Xuezhou didn't refuse too much, taking the map and leaving.

From the mansion to the palace, and back again, Zhang Xuezhou and his group didn't spend much time; it was only just getting light.

"Can't a person get any sleep?"

Zhang Xuezhou reached out and knocked on the door. Dissatisfied voices came from inside the room, which prompted Zhang Xuezhou to lift the large urn in his right hand.

"Time for breakfast!"

Zhang Xuezhou shouted, and the door to the side room was quickly opened, with Kong Ning's head popping out.

"Why are you the one preparing breakfast today?" Kong Ning asked curiously. "What are we eating?"

"There are four well-cooked pig legs, each weighing about fifteen jin, a bear paw weighing about five jin, and ten jin of braised beef," Zhang Xuezhou, lifting up the large urn.

"Oh dear, I need to maintain my figure, I can't eat that much in one meal!"

Kong Ning hesitated for a moment, but quickly reached out and took the large urn that Zhang Xuezhou was carrying.

"Help me take a look at this map. If you can help us understand it, I'll treat you to a big meal whenever I get my hands on some dragon oil," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Map? Dragon oil?"

Kong Ning glanced at Zhang Xuezhou, then at the new emperor behind Zhang Xuezhou, before taking the bundle of cloth from Zhang Xuezhou's hand.

Kong Ning slowly unfurled the map, his brow furrowing.

"This map is drawn fairly well, how come you can't understand it?" Kong Ning asked doubtfully.

"We really don't understand it," Zhang Xuezhou said, shaking his head.

"You can't understand me... It's difficult for demons to learn human arts, and it's also difficult for humans to learn demon arts. You really shouldn't be able to understand me!"

Kong Ning was about to think that Zhang Xuezhou was playing a trick on him, but his mind quickly caught on.

The arts of demons and humans are different, making it difficult for their arts to merge. Demons also have a different understanding of graphic characters than humans. This is also related to the different races of demons, whose languages are completely different. It is only by transforming into humans that they can have a more unified way of communication.

What may seem like just a map depicting terrain can indeed create a generation gap.

Kong Ning finds it difficult to bridge this generation gap. She can understand the map of Pilan, but she has not been in human society for long. Apart from language communication, there are obstacles everywhere else. At present, she can't even recognize all the characters on the gate plaque.

"I can understand it, but I lack the ability to translate it into something you can comprehend!"

Kong Ning shrugged, indicating that he couldn't do such a thing right now.

"I had hoped to obtain some dragon oil from Erlang True Lord at Guan River Mouth and share it with you, but alas," Zhang Xuezhou sighed.

"I'm really incompetent. I can't even understand your books, how could I possibly write or draw for you!"

Kong Ning is not proactive in other things, but he is very proactive when it comes to eating.

The dragon oil Zhang Xuezhou mentioned was interesting, but only somewhat interesting. Kong Ning, though tempted, could resist the urge. However, if the identity of the dragon oil's owner was to be specified, Kong Ning couldn't sit still.

She found the delicious food Zhang Xuezhou had brought starting to taste bland, and she couldn't resist the urge to eat it.

"What a pity!"

Zhang Xuezhou waved his hand, then took the map and turned to leave.

"Aren't you going to say a few more words?" the new emperor asked.

"They don't know how, and they don't want to learn!"

Zhang Xuezhou sighed in regret, and the new emperor couldn't help but sigh as well.

"I can learn it!"

Kong Ning, carrying a jar of meat, looked at the bamboo scrolls left behind by Gongsun Hong with a headache, his face alternating between red and white.

Learning Great Han characters is boring, learning to paint is even more boring, but eating dragon oil is very interesting.

Kong Ning's studies did not require her to be extremely knowledgeable; she only needed to study subjects such as geography and become familiar with human maps, which would enable her to translate maps.

"Let's talk about it after you've learned it!"

More than ten meters away, Zhang Xuezhou waved, clearly not paying much attention to Kong Ning's assurance.

"That damn Tolkien, sickly as he is, yet so arrogant. How did he get involved with Guan River Mouth? Erlang True Lord has always been haughty and disdainful of his father..."

Kong Ning couldn't understand how Zhang Xuezhou had gotten involved with Yang Jian and was even able to get Yang Jian's personal goods.

Kong Ning wasn't afraid that the thing was fake; if it was fake and she couldn't have it, it wasn't a problem. What she was afraid of was that it was real, which would be like fortuitous opportunity being offered to her but being turned down.