Chapter 578: Chapter 414: The Chaotic Map_2

“To answer Your Excellency, the old wandering poet did not explain the matter of the ‘key’ clearly.”

With an embarrassed smile, the unkempt swordsman scratched his head and added, “However, according to the old wandering poet, it seems that this ‘key’ was personally designed by the creator of the Map of Chaos, and each Map of Chaos is different.”

Only the one who the creator of the Map expected to solve the riddle would have the chance to find the ‘key,’ and ultimately restore the Map of Chaos to its original state.

The location marked on the Map of Chaos could either be a treasure hiding place or the resting place of the creator, just waiting for the one who solves the riddle to come and inherit the creator’s treasure or legacy.

Moreover, it is certain that the creator of the Map of Chaos is not an ordinary strong person. Therefore, as long as one can find the real location marked on the Map, the treasure hunter will undoubtedly obtain great benefits!”

“I see, so the so-called ‘key’ is actually the crucial element to restore the Map of Chaos to its original appearance?”

Nodding thoughtfully, Leo Ray continued to ask, “What else did the old wandering poet say about the ‘key’?”

On the other hand, the unkempt swordsman thought for a moment with rolling eyes and then spoke, “The other party mentioned that clues to find the ‘key’ are very likely to be in the original picture of the Map of Chaos!”

“I understand.”

Hearing this, Leo Ray started to ponder while stroking his chin, “Based on the current information, I can basically confirm that the strange treasure map I have is indeed a Map of Chaos. Since there’s nothing to do this afternoon, I should try to decipher this Map of Chaos. Perhaps, at the real marked location on the map, I might find some unexpected treasure.”

Making up his mind, Leo Ray confirmed that the unkempt swordsman didn’t have any other useful information.

Then, together with Taylor and the others, under the admiring and respectful gazes of the surrounding guests and maids, he left the open-air tavern directly.

Immediately after, Leo Ray and his party returned to Firsdale City’s City Lord Mansion.

And ordered Tran to find a quiet meeting room in the castle.

When seated on the sofa, Leo Ray’s thoughts moved, and a yellowed, mottled parchment appeared in his palm.

At the same time, accompanied by the appearance of the mottled parchment, a faint musty smell immediately entered Leo Ray’s nostrils.

As he savored the ancient taste brought by the passage of time, Leo Ray narrowed his eyes and began to take a closer look at the Map.

First, the edge of the Map did not have any cut marks, and there were no lines around the edges, indicating that it is a complete map.

Next, in the center of the parchment, was a map-like image drawn in thick black lines.

However, upon close observation, this image was indeed like a jigsaw puzzle randomly put together, extremely chaotic.

Besides the patterns of mountains and trees.

It was almost impossible to determine which side was the actual front.

Lastly, also at the center of the parchment, there was a striking red cross mark.

Surrounding the cross seemed to be mountains or mountain streams.

However, due to its extremely fragmented nature, it was impossible to determine the specific location.

In addition, possibly because of the fading with age.

The red cross was not drawn by a solid line but by a dashed one.

Most crucially, this Map of Chaos was not made up of pieces like a real jigsaw puzzle.

As long as one carefully observed the pattern and contours, it could be eventually pieced together.

Instead, every symbol and even every line on it is completely disrupted and distorted, with no discernible rules or patterns.

If one were to try piecing it together, undoubtedly, ten million different maps could be formed, making it impossible to differentiate.

“It seems that the only way is to find the secret-‘key’- as that mercenary mentioned before.”

Thinking of this, Leo Ray laid the parchment on the wooden tea table in front of him, and gestured for his subordinates to study it together.Leo Ray couldn’t help but ponder, “Just as I thought earlier. Before this, I’ve discussed it with my subordinates many times, but we haven’t made any progress.”

“The mercenary also mentioned that the clue about the ‘key’ is within the Map of Chaos itself. It seems we must find the secret from the map first.”

As Leo Ray was thinking this,

Scarlett, who was at his side, blinked her big, bright eyes, nibbling on a creamy toast that Tran had just sent as a dessert, and said thoughtfully, “Lord, where is the hint of the ‘key’ in this Map of Chaos?”

“Before this, we’ve tried different types of energy infusion or using detection spells to reveal it, but none of it worked.”

“That’s right, we’ve also tried conventional methods like heating and soaking, and the parchment itself doesn’t have any hidden layers.”

Meanwhile, Gideon Black adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and frowned, “Since neither conventional nor unconventional methods work, where exactly is the secret of this Map of Chaos?”

“Lord, have you ever felt that the red cross is somewhat obtrusive?”

After hesitating for a moment, Bianca White said doubtfully while holding a chocolate cookie.

“That’s obviously the specific location of the treasure.”

Leo Ray nodded slightly in response.

“But, Lord, this map is so complicated that it’s impossible to make sense of. Marking the treasure’s location now seems to be useless.”

Bianca White’s fluffy ears twitched, and she looked puzzled.

“Bianca, are you saying… that the red X isn’t the location of the treasure, but indicates something else?”

Upon hearing this, Leo Ray seemed to realize something. His eyes lit up as he said, “I see. It seems that the red mark itself is an important clue to the ‘key’ of this Map of Chaos!”

“I understand now. This is a riddle set by the other party using our conventional thinking. Since this is a treasure map, we naturally assume that the red X marks the treasure’s location. However, by doing so, we fall into their trap and enter a dead-end in our thinking.”

At this point, Gideon Black’s gold-rimmed glasses reflected a hint of white light, and he continued, “Lord, in this case, if the red cross is not the location of the treasure but points to something else,

combined with the fact that it’s formed by dotted lines, the answer is naturally very obvious.”

“It’s a folding line!”

Scarlett’s signature big eyes brightened as she blurted out, “As long as we fold the Map of Chaos according to the marks, we’ll be fine!”

“Let’s begin.”

Leo Ray nodded slightly and gestured for Gideon Black to proceed.

“As you command, Lord.”

Gideon Black bowed elegantly to Leo Ray and began folding the yellowed, ancient parchment according to the marked directions.

As expected, the next second, accompanied by a faint ripple of energy,

when Gideon Black unfolded the parchment again,

this time, although the surface still appeared chaotic,

a new oval-shaped pattern had appeared in the bottom left corner.

“It seems to be a mirror!”

Scarlett’s big eyes sparkled as she blurted out, “It seems that the true appearance of this Map of Chaos can only be revealed in the mirror!”

However, when Leo Ray signaled Taylor to bring over the large wardrobe mirror from the room,

the ancient Map of Chaos in the mirror still did not change.

“What’s going on? The drawing clearly shows a mirror.”

At this point, Scarlett scratched her head, her pretty face full of confusion.