Sword Among Us

Chapter 1146: “Please Give Me This Book!”

After Happy weighed which was more important between the treasures and an elite at the later stage of Myth Realm, he knew clearly just which was more important. Besides, he was a great thief with astonishing achievements.

As expected, Thousand-faced Human Fox put on a bitter expression.

“I’m fine with agreeing to be your follower, but you must agree that during the half a year I serve as your follower, you must not tell others my real name.” No matter what, Thousand-faced Human Fox was a famous person in the world of wanderers and one of the four Divine Thieves, and he cared about his dignity a lot.

He stared at Happy, and Thousand-faced Human Fox told him seriously, “Once the news of me being your follower is leaked, I’d rather destroy our promise.”

“Don’t worry.” Happy nodded.

All Divine Thieves were arrogant people who did things their own way. If news of him humbling himself to become Happy’s follower was leaked, Thousand-faced Human Fox’s reputation would definitely be affected. Happy agreed without hesitation.

The clear sound of the system’s notification rose.

“Ding!

“You formed a pact!

“Thousand-faced Human Fox has agreed to work for you for half a year. During the half a year, he will do as you command, but within half a year, you are not to reveal his information to anyone, or else the pact will be automatically destroyed. Thousand-faced Human Fox will break his promise with you and leave.”

“I will not be able to use Thousand-faced Human Fox during the next half a year. Please give me a name, master.” Thousand-faced Human Fox sighed in lamentation. He bowed down in the manner of a follower.

The clear sound of the system’s notification traveled into Happy’s ears again.

“Ding!

“Please give your follower a name.”

When he heard those words, Happy could not help but fall into contemplation.

Since he was a follower, his name must naturally not lower Happy’s prestige. His name must be strong and vibrant.

Also, in the next half a year, when Thousand-faced Human Fox followed him, Happy would also have to look for a good reason to explain his existence, or else, when he started staying next to Happy for a long period of time, the world would definitely start suspecting why he was always next to Happy.

He could not even reveal Thousand-faced Human Fox’s existence to Wandering Know-it-all...

“What name should I give you?”

The gears in Happy’s mind started moving.

Chu Liuxiang was a womanizer who had a great reputation that will last through generations. Thousand-faced Human Fox’s reputation did not seem to be very good. When he ran into an accident, he always thought about slandering Chu Liuxiang. It would be strange if a person like this did not have a bad reputation.

Should he just call him Ten Thousand Years...?

He could throw in the word vengeance as well. After all, revenge was always a bad thing.

“I’ll call you Ten Thousand Years’ Vengeance in the future, how does that sound?” Happy asked uncertainly, worried that Thousand-faced Human Fox would be able to see his real motive.

The thief repeated the name multiple times.

“Ten Thousand Years’ Vengeance... Ten Thousand Years... Not bad, it sounds cool, and the nickname is unique. It’s a domineering name, and it’s pretty interesting. Next time, I shall be known as Ten Thousand Years’ Vengeance!”

Thousand-faced Human Fox did not know of Happy’s trick. He seemed to be very happy with his name, because he nodded and agreed to it, satisfied.

Happy saw this and cackled in his heart.

“Ten Thousand Years’ Vengeance!”

“Here!”

Thousand-faced Human Fox took a step forward respectfully and wrapped his fist in his palm. “What orders do you have for me, master?”

Happy smiled in satisfaction and said, “Tell me what sort of abilities you have and what you can do for me aside from stealing things.”

“Aside from having pretty good attainments in thievery that is on par with the other three Divine Thieves in the world of martial arts, I am skilled with Turtle Breathing, concealment skills, traps and machines, and opening locks. Also, I have some knowledge regarding medicine. Aside from that, I have the knowledge of the sects in the Chinese plains and the map in my head. If you want to go to Shaolin Temple’s library, Wudang Sect’s Taichi Temple, Emei Sect’s Heaven Pavillion, Kunlun Sect’s cave abode, or the other sect’s treasure houses, I can bring you there.”

Happy was tempted when he heard this.

These places were all the treasure houses of the sects, and they stored the best martial art manuals and ultimate techniques of the sects! The defense over there could be said to be very tight.

“You went to these places before?”

“Yes.” Thousand-faced Human Fox nodded.

Happy frowned.

“Since you went to those places before, there is no way you came back empty-handed. Did you steal the items in there?”

“Master, you overestimate me.” Thousand-faced Human Fox shook his head. “Aside from the strength they display on the surface, the sects have at least one elite who is at the level of a monster behind their backs. They are all martial artists who have been in isolated training for years to reach the dao of heaven or are former sect masters. I’ve been to Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect before. Shaolin Temple has three eminent monks who are at the dao of heaven. One is Sweeping Monk, one is a divine monk who practices silent mantras, and one is said to be imprisoned at Punishment Mount.”

When he heard Thousand-faced Human Fox’s answer, Happy’s heart trembled slightly.

He knew that there were two martial artists who were at the dao of heaven in Shaolin Temple. Sweeping Monk stayed in the library, and there were few who saw him. Mad Monk was Happy’s master, and the other one... was someone Happy had never heard of.

By the looks of it now, there was a reason why Shaolin Temple was considered as the leader of the countless sects in the world of martial artists!

They had three elites who were at the dao of heaven. This strength was something a normal sect could not even imagine themselves obtaining.

“What about Wudang Sect?”

“Wudang Sect has Zhang Sanfeng, the person who created the sect. There is also Zhang Wuji, the cult master. They have multiple sword formations, and even I can’t get close to the most important secrets stored in Taichi Temple.”

Happy nodded slowly.

Just as expected, even though he obtained Thousand-faced Human Fox, it did not mean that he could easily obtain the most important treasures of the major sects. The foundations of the sects were not to be invaded.

He sighed in his heart. Happy resolutely gave up on this idea. He did not want to make enemies of even more sects and elites in the dao of heaven.

As his follower, Thousand-faced Human Fox could be considered to be a force that could help Happy. More of his uses would only be displayed when he ran into quests.

Fortunately, he had a pretty good chance right now.

Happy had a treasure map in a place that was considered a forbidden land called Dragon Gate Inn, and it must be activated within half a month. Right now, Happy had ten days left, and he could bring the new Thousand-faced Human Fox—Ten Thousand Years’ Vengeance—to the treasure place in the forbidden place to search for the secrets of the palace that was buried in the desert.

A quest in a forbidden land!

This was something the Chinese plains and the whole world had never heard of before, and he had no idea what would happen inside. With an elite in traps, machines, lightness skill, and opening locks beside him, he should be able to get quite a few pleasant surprises.

“Ten Thousand Years, take a look at this.”

When he thought of this, Happy had a thought appear in his mind. Against his expectations, he brought out the treasure map he obtained at the tower located at the core of the Mountain Villa of Ten Thousand Beasts.

“This is...”

As expected of an elite in the thieving field. When Thousand-faced Human Fox saw the map, he could immediately tell that map was rather extraordinary. He took it in his hand and observed it carefully, and his eyes gradually lit up. His tone gained a surprised edge.

“If my guess is correct, this paper is created with lambskin parchment used in West Region. It cannot be destroyed by fire and water, and it’s usually used to store very important information. The place indicated on the map seems to be a small town I’ve been to once in West Region.”

“A small town in West Region?”

Happy was a little stunned.

He originally did not have a lot of hope in Thousand-faced Human Fox figuring out the place. After all, this thing was stored in the Mountain Villa of Ten Thousand Beasts, and no one knew about it. He did not expect that Thousand-faced Human Fox would be able to give his views of the opinion, and he became even more certain of his views as he continued to speak.

“That’s right. By the looks of it, it’s not too far away from the map. When I was in West Region, I also heard of a legend related to it. The place seems to be overlapping with the spot marked on the map.”

“Is what you said true?!”

Happy was instantly incredibly excited. His gaze started burning, and he stared at Thousand-faced Human Fox in delight.

Right now, the quest had not been activated. If Thousand-faced Human Fox could bring him to the spot on the map beforehand, he should be able to get a headstart and gain more chances than others!

“The map is drawn with a rather old method. Right now, the sages in the Chinese plains and even West Region might not be able to analyze it within a short period of time. But I’ve obtained an ancient text before, and on it is the method to read this sort of map.” Thousand-faced Human Fox poured his whole attention on the map, and he spoke carefully, “Looks like the legend I heard of at that time is real.”

“Are you talking about the palace that is buried in the desert!”

“That’s right!” Thousand-faced Human Fox was so excited that his face lit up. “I heard from the locals that as long as a person can find the palace, they will be able to immediately gain countless treasures. At the same time, they can obtain many of the peerless martial art manuals that are sealed in there, along with divine weapons and miraculous medicines.” That was a whole palace’s worth of treasures, and it immediately stirred up the divine thief’s interest. “Master, should we go and search for it?”

“...Of course we have to search for it...” Happy instinctively replied.

Since Thousand-faced Human Fox could read the contents of the map, it was good. Happy’s original plan was to enter West Region and activate the quest, but by the looks of it now, he could head straight to Dragon Gate Inn and activate the quest on the ruins itself. Before Hu Baiwan’s people arrived, he would enter the ruins of Dragon Gate In and even enter the palace in the desert.

“By the way, take a look at this book for me as well.”

Happy brought out a worn down book from his Universe Bag that was almost covered in dust by now. It was the Amazing Log of the Seas and Mountains. He tossed it to Thousand-faced Human Fox, who looked puzzled.

“This is...?”

Thousand-faced Human Fox reluctantly returned the map to Happy and just as reluctantly looked away from it. His gaze fell on the Amazing Log of the Seas and Mountains.

Ten seconds passed, Thousand-faced Human Fox’s unconcerned expression slowly faded away before it disappeared.

Half a minute passed. Excitement shone in Thousand-faced Human Fox, and it burned brightly.

One minute passed.

Happy held his breath as Thousand-faced Human Fox quickly flipped through the pages, and as his eyes chased after the contents in the book, they shone even more brilliantly than before.

“This is the Amazing Log of the Seas and Mountains?! So, it is this book!”

“What’s the purpose of this book?” Happy could tell that Thousand-faced Human Fox seemed to have forgotten about the treasure map, and his full attention was on the strange book. There was no way Happy would not understand by this point that he had cast aside this book because he thought it was useless.

“This book is written by a legendary person in the Chinese plains. But it’s not very useful to us wanderers.” When he heard Happy’s question, Thousand-faced Human Fox finally moved his eyes away from the book. He said with a sigh, “This book is worth cities. Not only does it have the legends of other countries in it, it also has locations recorded in it. Those locations lead to top-grade herbs, spirit beasts, and many amazing places that normal people will not be able to enter. Master, if you give this book to me... we can go to places outside the country. There are even methods of how to communicate with foreigners listed here.”

Thousand-faced Human Fox fixed a burning gaze on Happy. “Master, please give me this book!”