As soon as these words were spoken, someone asked, "Thunder Manor? Which Thunder Manor?"
After all, there was more than one Thunder Manor, and none of them were particularly famous. So naturally, no one knew which one Quentin Hua was referring to.
Quentin Hua picked up the wine cup on the table and drained it in one gulp. Glancing at Felix Yu’s grim expression, he smiled and said, "The one in Jadecrest City!"
Upon hearing this, Morgan Shangguan paused in her movements and glanced at Damien Gray.
That farcical scene at the Evil Path Gathering had seemed like nothing more than a jealous quarrel, but Morgan Shangguan felt there was more to it. The delicate woman, called a vixen by others, showed no fear before the Ghostmaster, even crying to him and asking him to stand up for her—clearly not an ordinary woman. Then there was the burly man, obviously terrified of the Ghostmaster, yet willing to strike his own wife in front of him just to protect that woman, as if bewitched. Something was off. Morgan suspected the woman practiced seduction arts. So even though the three of them were thrown into the lake to feed the fish without resistance, Morgan still had someone investigate their identities!
That burly man was Raymond Lei, the head of Thunder Manor in Jadecrest City, and the plump woman was indeed his wife. But the delicate beauty was someone they had met on the road to the Evil Path Gathering—her identity was impossible to trace!
After Raymond Lei disappeared and never returned, Thunder Manor fell into chaos. Now, there were hardly any people left. Morgan Shangguan couldn’t find any more clues, and the matter was eventually dropped. But she remained uneasy about it.
Damien Gray was not a careless person—otherwise, how could Ghost Gate have grown so powerful so quietly? Anything Morgan Shangguan noticed, he would notice too. But at the time, he was busy trying to win Morgan over, so he merely had Gu Yihan investigate and didn’t pursue it further. Gu Yihan, however, dutifully reported the findings: that woman seemed to have appeared out of thin air, with no traceable identity.
Everyone who heard Quentin Hua’s words looked at Felix Yu. Thunder Manor belonged to the demonic faction, and Felix Yu was a leader among the righteous. Why would he send someone to Thunder Manor for no reason? And Thunder Manor wasn’t even a major force among the demonic sects—what could it possibly have to offer?
Seeing how things had developed, Felix Yu realized he could no longer keep it secret. He said, "Thunder Manor is now empty. Neither Ghost Gate nor Cloud Guild has taken it over." As he spoke, he glanced at Damien Gray and Morgan Shangguan—Thunder Manor probably wasn’t worth their attention. Although Cloud Guild had been swallowing up small factions before, once it grew, it stopped doing so. Compared to the current Cloud Guild, Thunder Manor really was insignificant.
Felix Yu withdrew his gaze and continued, "I was originally interested in that plot of land. It was the perfect location for a restaurant, so I sent someone to take a look. Getting that thing was pure coincidence!" Although he was a respected figure among the righteous, he was nothing like Ryan Ouyang, who hated evil with a passion and refused to associate with the demonic path at all.
Someone, seeing that he still hadn't gotten to the point, couldn't help but urge, "So what exactly did Manor Master Yu get?"
Felix Yu was silent for a moment before he uttered three words, "Treasure Map!" He glanced at Quentin Hua and added, "But it's only a quarter!"
Morgan Shangguan raised an eyebrow. Treasure Map? What kind of treasure could it be hiding?
A chorus of astonishment echoed in the hall. Thunder Manor actually had a Treasure Map? Did Raymond Lei not know? If he did, why didn't he try to find the other three quarters and seek the treasure himself?
Noticing everyone's confusion, Quentin Hua explained, "The Treasure Map looks like an ordinary piece of leather, but it only reveals itself when it comes into contact with blood!"
Felix Yu narrowed his eyes at him and asked, "And how did Lotus Sect Master learn of this?" He was still a bit angry with Quentin Hua, but also curious how he knew so much, since Felix's own discovery had been nothing but a fluke.
Back then, it had happened by accident—he'd carelessly shattered the exquisite jade figurine brought back from Thunder Manor, and happened to cut his finger. When his blood dripped onto the leather inside, the map appeared. He had only learned it was a Treasure Map, and that there were three other pieces, because of the instructions on the back; but while it mentioned three more maps, it did not say where they were hidden.
Quentin Hua curled his lips into a smile and said, "Not only do I know this, I also know where the other three pieces are!"
At these words, everyone perked up, especially Felix Yu, who clenched his fists in obvious tension. Morgan Shangguan glanced at Damien Gray; even he narrowed his eyes slightly. Judging by Felix Yu's reaction, this treasure was clearly more than just gold and silver!
Quentin Hua swept his gaze lightly over those present, smiling as he said, "The other three pieces are in the World's First Manor, Medical Immortal Valley, and Ye Sect!"
At this, Ye Sect Master Ye Shuyang immediately retorted, "Impossible! If Ye Sect had a Treasure Map, how could I not know?"
Ye Shuyang glared at Quentin Hua, anger burning in his eyes. This was clearly slander—Ye Sect had no such Treasure Map! If everyone believed him and forced Ye Sect to hand it over, what then? For Ye Sect, it would be a disaster!
Quentin Hua kept smiling. "Don't be anxious, Ye Sect Master. I am not making baseless claims. Think carefully—does your family have any heirlooms?"
Ye Shuyang frowned and thought for a moment. "The only family heirloom is a jade bamboo." Of course, this wasn't real bamboo, but a bamboo-shaped artifact made of jade.
Quentin Hua smiled. "That's it. Ye Sect Master, you've probably never looked inside, have you?"
Ye Shuyang frowned. How could he possibly break the family heirloom just to see what's inside? Could it be that there really was a Treasure Map hidden within? Now, even he was beginning to doubt.
At this moment, Duanmu Li spoke up, "Lotus Sect Master, how do you know something even the owner doesn't?" He knew that World's First Manor had its own heirloom, but he'd never heard of a Treasure Map.
As for Medical Immortal Valley, only two disciples had come, so naturally, they wouldn't know much.