Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 1598: Chapter 1578: Wu Wen of Freedom City

”But this map, where does it lead to?” Luo Qianqian continued to stare at the map in Wang Mazi’s hand, this time not daring to touch it for fear of damaging it beyond compensation: ”Where did you pick it up? I might go there someday; maybe I’ll find some treasure.”

”...From a dead man.” Wang Mazi hesitated for a moment before saying, ”He died in front of me and stuffed it into my hands, and then he was gone without saying a word. I don’t know what he was trying to do.”

”Uh... Could it be that you’re his long-lost son?” Luo Qianqian immediately began letting her imagination run wild, scrutinizing Wang Mazi for a long time, but then shook her head. It doesn’t make sense; if they were family, he would’ve reached out about this long ago. How could he leave this trouble at his death?

It seems more likely they were enemies!

”Investigated, no relation. He was affiliated with one of the three major gangs in Freedom Town, but this gang never reacted or sent anyone to us.” Wang Mazi observed Luo Qianqian seeming to seriously consider this and immediately divulged all he knew.

The man was Wu Wen, leader of Green Wood Hall within the Crouching Dragon Gang, one of the three major gangs in Freedom Town. He was Wu Yong’s brother, a strategist for the gang.

Considering the valuable map and his relation to a gang strategist or even an ordinary gang member being killed, it shouldn’t have ended so simply. Someone ought to have sought revenge.

That’s the supposed gang ethics. Yet, there was nothing—not even a message.

This confusion led Wang Mazi to think the item was deliberately given to them, leaving him perplexed.

But having the item seems useless since there’s no information, neither lines nor words.

Even trying water, fire, or blood, it still doesn’t reveal its true appearance.

Even injecting spiritual power, both spiritual power and spirit power combined didn’t change it at all.

At times Wang Mazi wondered if he was fooled, thinking it’s just a plain animal hide.

Only the fact that it neither burns with fire, nor retains marks from water, nor changes when pulled hard convinces him it might be something more.

But holding the item now offers no solutions, adding to his frustration.

”Uh... so you’re saying his background is pretty impressive?” Luo Qianqian, not knowing much more, just reacted from hearing about Freedom Town and barely having heard of it outside of a few mentions.

”...Yes.” Wang Mazi never expected Luo Qianqian to ask such a question, sighed at her ignorance, then nodded in agreement, lips twitching.

It was evident she had no idea what he was talking about.

Still, understanding her confusion, he chose not to elaborate.

”Are they waiting for the right moment to approach you?” Luo Qianqian speculated, eyeing the seemingly ordinary animal hide warily: ”You must know the proverb ’possessing a treasure can lead to disaster.’ Even if you haven’t done anything, possessing something beyond your capability could lead to trouble.”

Wang Mazi nodded; his worries aligned with hers.

But with a map worth a fortune before him, lingering too long seemed unjustified. With little time to hesitate, he grabbed the map and left.

Despite being skilled, if faced with consecutive attacks or fighting multiple opponents alone, he might slowly fall.

So, without hesitation, he closed Wu Wen’s eyes, quickly left, leaving no trace behind.

From then on, even while carefully observing his surroundings, he never noticed anyone following them.

Instead, their over-alertness left them mentally exhausted.

It was only after entering Southern Li that they could properly rest.

Without fully recuperating, they returned to the Imperial City, where word quickly reached them that Luo Qianqian had returned, prompting them to gather.

Yet, arriving offered no solution, as those cooking had already left infatuated.

The reduction in people due to the Nine Heavens Pavilion’s heavy casualties during the regional ranks, and Luo Shufan’s half-dead state left them unconcerned about few people there.

Especially since Luo Qianqian had initiated a killing spree; to prevent family worry, not inviting them and avoiding cheering support was perhaps the wisest choice.

Meanwhile, while discussing, others were busy dissecting animal carcasses in the courtyard.

Animal pelts were casually tossed aside as the Sky Inquiry Tower’s seven-member group, under Luo Qianqian’s wise leadership, evolved into culinary experts unbothered by inedible items.

Although to women, animal pelts resemble fur coats, not everyone treasures such items.

Processing animal meat proved a knack for them.

Whether skinning, deboning, slicing, cutting into strips, or dicing into mincemeat—such knife skills rivaled Five-Star chefs. Thus, even when He Wenyu remained at home, she never lifted a finger, only providing verbal guidance.

As such, Luo Qianqian and Wang Mazi’s cheerful conversation found parallel joy in their busy preparation.

Although Nine Heavens Pavilion members apparently decided on vegetarianism, their meat-eating wouldn’t be disturbed.

”But, if neglected, does it mean the map carries a curse? Maybe heating it on fire longer—perhaps boil it while burning it?” Luo Qianqian speculated wildly once again, leaving Wang Mazi speechless, unsure how to respond.

”A curse? Is there a seal?” Mo, overhearing, joined in, finding interest in a map worth thirty thousand Intermediate Spirit Stones, feeling unexposed.

Mo picked up the animal hide, examining it thoroughly: ”What kind of animal is this? Do we perhaps need that specific animal’s blood?”

Mo’s words left Luo Qianqian dumbfounded; of course, there’s a possibility like this.

However, determining species from a single pelt seems absurd.

Hey, pelt, what kind are you?