Chapter Forty-One: Haibodong

A few days later, Lin An and his companions appeared in Mo City.

This was also the last place where they could resupply before entering the Tagore Desert.

"Young Master, after we restock in Mo City, are we heading out to seek the Heavenly Flame?" Yun Shan asked.

"We are not seeking the Heavenly Flame, because the Green Lotus Core Flame is already in Medusa's possession. So our purpose this time is to go directly and ask her for it," Lin An replied. "But before that, let's go meet someone."

With those words, he strode into Mo City.

The Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, was known for selling maps of the Tagore Desert here in Mo City. A casual inquiry among the locals was enough to easily find his location.

Most of the people who came to Hai Bodong's shop for maps were first-timers entering the Tagore Desert, so usually his shop wasn’t particularly crowded.

When Lin An and his party of three entered the shop, Hai Bodong immediately took notice.

"Are you here to buy a map of the Tagore Desert?" Hai Bodong asked.

"We do indeed need a map, but I also have another matter," Lin An responded.

"And what matter would that be?"

"I heard you came into possession of a mysterious fragment of a map. I'm quite interested," Lin An said with a smile.

"Mysterious map fragment? I have no idea what you're talking about." Hai Bodong replied without a hint of embarrassment, though inside he was deeply puzzled. No one else knew of the mysterious map fragment—how could this young man have heard about it?

"Hai Bodong, is there any point in feigning ignorance? You were once one of the top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, after all," Lin An said.

Without further prompting, Yun Shan released a powerful aura that made Hai Bodong's heart race.

"You are... Yun Shan of the Yun Lan Sect?" Hai Bodong cried out in shock.

As one of the former top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, he was naturally familiar with Yun Shan.

"You've broken through to the Douzong level?" Hai Bodong could hardly believe that Yun Shan would not only appear here, but also have reached the Douzong realm.

"Indeed, it is I," Yun Shan affirmed.

"You've had that map fragment for many years now, and have yet to decipher anything from it. Keeping it is nothing but a waste," Lin An continued.

"Are you planning to enter the Tagore Desert to stir up trouble with the Snake-People Tribe?" Hai Bodong asked, sidestepping Lin An's question as he tried to discern their true intentions.

Hai Bodong did not believe that Lin An and his group had come to this remote town merely for a map fragment. If their goal truly was Medusa and, with Yun Shan among them, their chances of success were high. If they succeeded, perhaps the seal placed on him could be lifted, and he would regain his former Douhuang strength.

"That's one way to put it," Lin An nodded.

"I can give you the map fragment, but it's only part of what I acquired. Another piece is hidden by me somewhere in the Tagore Desert. If you want it, I can fetch it for you," Hai Bodong offered. "If you agree to one condition, I might even accompany you into the Tagore Desert," his eyes gleaming with intent.

Lin An smiled, already guessing what Hai Bodong wanted.

With Yun Shan's cultivation, facing Queen Medusa, he would be in a position to negotiate. With a word, he could have the restriction on Hai Bodong lifted.

What Lin An hadn’t expected was that Hai Bodong would be willing to accompany them into the desert.

"I can agree to your condition," Lin An replied without hesitation.

"Aren’t you going to ask what my condition is?" Hai Bodong had expected Lin An to at least hear him out before agreeing.

He hadn’t anticipated that Lin An would accept without even listening.

"Isn’t it just to have Queen Medusa remove the seal she placed on you? Such a thing is hardly worth mentioning to me," Lin An said.

Hai Bodong was even more astonished. This youth seemed to know everything, even matters like this.

"However, I have one condition of my own," Lin An added.

"And what is that?" Hai Bodong asked.

"From now on, I want your allegiance," Lin An declared.

Lin An didn’t wish to subdue Hai Bodong merely because he would be a Douhuang expert once his strength was restored. Rather, it was because of Mo City itself. This was far from a peaceful place; warriors died here every day. Lin An needed Hai Bodong to remain and collect the souls of the fallen for him.

"This..." Hai Bodong hesitated.

"You have no right to refuse," Lin An said flatly.

Hai Bodong sighed. It was as Lin An said—even at his peak, he would have been no match for Yun Shan, let alone now, when his cultivation had fallen so low.

...

"When this journey into the Tagore Desert is over, you will remain in Mo City. I will send some underworld messengers to serve under you; each day you will collect the souls of the dead for me," Lin An instructed.

"Yes," Hai Bodong replied.

His cultivation had been fully restored, and he even looked years younger. No wonder Yun Shan had managed to reach the Douzong realm; with such a master and such miraculous means, perhaps one day he too could break through to Douzong.

The treasure map was soon handed over to Lin An. After that, Hai Bodong left to enter the desert and search for the other map fragment he had hidden there.

After a night's rest, Lin An and his companions prepared to set out for the Tagore Desert.

Yet they had barely left the inn when a flustered young girl crashed into Lin An.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—I really didn't mean to," she stammered before Lin An could even see her face. Even as she lay on the ground, she hadn't stood up, her tone and posture full of self-effacing humility.

"Scales on her arms—she must be the child of a human and a snake-person," Yao Chen remarked.

After his words, Lin An noticed the girl's exposed arm, covered in scales.

Children born of humans and snake-people rarely survived, and few lived past the age of two or three. Both humans and snake-people saw such offspring as cursed, and wherever they were, they suffered scorn and disdain.

The girl before them was probably in her early teens. Years of contempt had left her deeply insecure; she apologized instinctively, whether or not she was at fault.

Having heard Yao Chen's comment, she hurried to cover her scaled arm.

"There she is, up ahead! That wretched creature, can't even do a simple task—because of her, the captain chewed me out. Today, when I find her, I'll be sure to teach her a lesson!"

Shortly after, four middle-aged men came chasing after her. Hearing their words, the girl's body trembled uncontrollably—it was clear this was far from the first time she had been treated this way.