Trading the Third Prince’s freedom for the Nine Provinces Treasure Map—this was an absolute bargain for Lance Quinn. After all, what did the Third Prince’s life or death have to do with Lance? As Lance, he had no reason to refuse.
“I can let you go, but... I only know you have the Nine Provinces Treasure Map. I don’t know if it’s real. What if you give me a fake, or you’re holding more than one map? If I don’t get the complete Nine Provinces Treasure Map, what use is it to me?”
The Nine Provinces Treasure Map is really a double-edged sword. There are nine fragments in total—missing even one makes it worthless. Only someone like Lance Quinn would care; most people wouldn’t bother with it and might never find all nine even if they spent their whole life searching.
“Whether the Nine Provinces Treasure Map is real or not, I trust you’d know at a glance, Lance. As for whether I have any other fragments, you could easily check. You know perfectly well how rare these maps are—I only managed to get one by sheer luck. I’ve spent years trying to track down the others, but there’s been no news at all.” The Third Prince wasn’t lying about that.
Although the Nine Provinces Treasure Map is a double-edged sword, anyone who knows its value would never brag about owning one. Having a fragment means you’re one step closer to the Former Dynasty’s treasure—and ensures no one else can claim it, since all nine pieces are needed.
Most people who possess a fragment of the Nine Provinces Treasure Map have the mindset: ‘If I can’t get it, no one else can either.’ That’s why nobody ever leaks news about the map. Sienna Skyvault from Skyvault Palace was a rare exception—she doesn’t count.
The Third Prince had already laid his cards on the table; if Lance kept pressing, it would seem insincere. Lance only paused for a moment before agreeing.
“You’re straightforward, Third Prince, and I’m not one for unnecessary drama. But I don’t want to get involved in your Eastlyn power struggle. I hope you’ll keep our transaction secret.”
“No problem. I won’t make things difficult for you, Lance.” The Third Prince agreed readily.
Two men with ulterior motives, each plotting their own schemes, yet at this moment their understanding was uncanny. They exchanged a knowing glance; Lance sheathed his sword without another word and asked directly, “Third Prince, where do you want me to send you?”
The Third Prince didn’t answer right away. He fell into deep thought. He had more than one base inside the Capital, but only one was truly safe—that was his old nest. The Emperor and Ninth Royal Uncle had spent half a year searching for it without success. If it was exposed...
But if he went anywhere else, the Third Prince wouldn’t feel secure. The Capital was the Emperor’s and Ninth Royal Uncle’s turf; if he slipped up under their noses, the only outcome was death.
After much hesitation, the Third Prince finally spoke up.
When Lance heard the location, his expression didn’t change, but inside he was genuinely shocked.
Who would have guessed the Third Prince’s old nest was hidden in a nunnery? Truly cunning.
Lance forced down his inner turmoil, then hoisted the Third Prince onto his back. “Careful, Third Prince.”
Lance didn’t believe the Third Prince would let him walk out of that nunnery alive, but he had no choice—because that place held not only the Nine Provinces Treasure Map, but also the Third Prince’s old nest.
“Don’t worry. I won’t be a burden, Lance. I promise you won’t be making this trip for nothing.” The Third Prince was just as wary, afraid Lance would learn his hideout and turn around to sell him out.
People like them—always ready to harm others, and never without a healthy dose of suspicion.
Dawn was breaking. Lance didn’t dare linger, so he carried the Third Prince and left. As soon as they stepped out, commotion erupted in the side courtyard. The Third Prince faintly heard the noise, and a ruthless smile flickered in his eyes.
Ninth Brother, Third Brother is leaving now, but I’ll be back soon. When I return, you won’t be so lucky.
The nunnery the Third Prince mentioned wasn’t far from the Capital. Lance rode with the Third Prince, and half an hour later, they arrived outside the nunnery. Lance didn’t take him inside; about a mile from the gate, he set the Third Prince down.
“Third Prince, I trust your character, but I also know how treacherous the world is. I won’t step into that nunnery. Just hand over the goods and I’ll leave.” Lance had already seen the killing intent in the Third Prince’s eyes, but he didn’t care—taking his life wouldn’t be so easy.
“Lance, as you can see, my legs aren’t working. Please help me all the way inside, and I’ll make sure you’re handsomely rewarded.” Now that he was on his own turf, the Third Prince was much bolder.
Now that Lance knew his hideout, and wasn’t one of his own, how could the Third Prince let him leave alive?
Lance sneered and drew his sword, pressing it to the Third Prince’s throat. “Your Highness, do you think your men are faster, or my sword?”
“What’s the meaning of this, Lance?” The Third Prince’s face changed, but he quickly realized Lance had seen through his intentions.
“Nothing much. Just hand over the map and I’ll leave. Otherwise... don’t blame me for getting rough.” Lance pressed a little harder, the blade grazing the Third Prince’s neck. The pain told him Lance was deadly serious.
“Third Prince, quit playing games. My patience is running out. If you don’t hand over the map now, your men will only find your corpse when they arrive.” Lance could tell the Third Prince’s men were close, so he stopped wasting time.
The Third Prince wanted to stall, but seeing the murderous intent in Lance’s eyes, he finally gave in.
A single map—giving it to Lance Quinn wouldn’t help much. Besides... whether Lance could even leave with the map was another question.
Once he realized this, the Third Prince decided not to gamble with his life. Right in front of Lance, he took off his left boot and tossed it over. “It’s in the center of the sole.”
Mm.
This guy... actually hid the Nine Provinces Treasure Map under his foot. That’s just...
Lance suppressed his disgust and used a dagger to slice open the Third Prince’s left boot. Sure enough, the map was inside. But Lance hesitated...
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That boot had been on the Third Prince’s foot for ages, and who knows how much sweat had soaked into the sole. Just thinking about all the stink clinging to the map made Lance’s scalp tingle—he couldn’t bring himself to reach for it.
Taking this map was truly revolting.
The Third Prince had no idea about Lance’s inner struggle. Seeing Lance hesitate, he secretly rejoiced.
His men were almost here!
Of course, Lance knew this too. In the end, he forced down his disgust, tore off a strip of his robe, and used the cloth to pick up the Nine Provinces Treasure Map from the sole, wrapping it up carefully...
Later, he’d have Vincent Su figure out how to clean it.
The Third Prince saw Lance’s caution and just assumed he was being careful, thinking nothing of it.
Just as Lance finished packing up the map, he heard the rustle of approaching footsteps. He shot a quick glance at the Third Prince, whose face didn’t change—clearly, he hadn’t realized his men had arrived.
Lance stepped forward and pressed a pressure point on the Third Prince. The Third Prince froze, unable to move or speak, panic rising. Then he heard Lance say, “Third Prince, you may be ruthless, but I won’t be unjust. Now that I have the map, I won’t take your life. I’ll take my leave.”
With that, Lance vanished in a flash. As for whether he was truly as righteous as he claimed—only heaven knew...
The Third Prince sat there, and before long his men arrived. As soon as he regained movement, he pointed in the direction Lance had disappeared and issued a cold order: “Go. Chase down the man in black with the silver mask. I don’t want him leaving this mountain alive.”
His men understood the gravity of the situation and didn’t dare delay. They immediately sent signals, mobilizing everyone at the crossroads...
Alive, bring him to me; dead, bring me the corpse!