Chapter 1147: “Give this book to me!”

Happy was well aware of the difference between precious treasures and experts at the late stage of the Mythical Realm, let alone someone who was an astonishingly skilled thief. As expected…
The Face-Shifting Fox showed a bitter expression.
“I can agree to be your retainer, but you must promise me that during the half year I serve as your retainer, you won’t reveal my true name to anyone…” After all, the Face-Shifting Fox was a prominent figure in the martial world, one of the Four Great Thieves, and he valued his reputation greatly.
Looking at Happy, the Face-Shifting Fox earnestly instructed, “If word gets out that I’m your retainer, I’d rather break my promise.”
“Don’t worry.”
Happy nodded.
Thieves were usually proud and preferred to work alone. For him to humble himself and become a retainer, such news would surely harm the Face-Shifting Fox’s reputation. Without hesitation, Happy agreed.
Ding!
A clear system notification sounded:
“The contract is established!”
“The Face-Shifting Fox agrees to stay by your side and serve you for half a year. During that time, he will follow your orders. However… he must not reveal any information about himself to anyone. Otherwise, the contract will be voided, and he will abandon his promise and leave.”
“During these six months, my name cannot be used. Please give me a new name, master.” The Face-Shifting Fox sighed thoughtfully before bending down to assume his retainer role.
Ding!
Another clear system notification reached his ears:
“Assign a name to your retainer.”
Hearing this, Happy began to ponder:
Since it was a retainer, his own name couldn’t be weakened—its reputation had to be strong. Moreover, since the retainer would be by his side for half a year, he needed a good reason to explain it, otherwise, doubts would arise over time.
Even Bai Xiaosheng couldn’t reveal anything about the Face-Shifting Fox…
“What name should I choose?”
Happy’s eyes darted around.
Chu Liu Xiang was a legendary romantic figure in the martial world, but the Face-Shifting Fox didn’t seem to have such noble virtues. If something went wrong, he’d try to shift the blame onto Chu Liu Xiang. Such a person would never be forgotten…
How about “Wan Nian”?
As for the surname, it sounded similar to “Chou” (enmity) and “Zhou” (stench).
“From now on, you’ll be called Chou Wan Nian! How does that sound?” Happy asked, somewhat uncertain, fearing the Face-Shifting Fox might see through his intentions.
The latter repeated the name over and over: “Chou Wan Nian… Wan Nian… Not bad. It’s domineering, the surname is unique, and the name is powerful. It’s interesting. From now on, I’ll be called Chou Wan Nian!”

The Thousand-Faced Fox had no idea of any ulterior motives behind happiness; it seemed quite satisfied with its own name as well. It nodded in contentment and agreed. Happy watched this with joy in his heart.
“Qiu Wannian!”
“Your servant is here!”
The Thousand-Faced Fox stepped forward respectfully, clasping its fists and saying, “I’m at your service, master.”
Happy smiled in satisfaction and asked, “Tell me what skills you possess and what you can do for me, aside from theft.”
“In reply to my master, aside from my proficiency in theft, which rivals that of the three greatest thieves in the jianghu, I am also skilled in the art of hiding, the art of setting traps, and lock-picking. Additionally, I have some knowledge of medicine… Moreover, I have all the information and maps related to the major sects in the Central Plains in my mind. If my master wishes to visit the Shaolin Scripture Pavilion, the Wudang Taiji Hall, the Emei Yitian Pavilion, the Kunlun Cave Residence, or any other sacred place of the major sects, I can show them the way.”
Happy’s mind was stirred upon hearing this…
These places were all treasured sites of the major sects, containing their most advanced martial arts secrets and unique techniques! Their defenses were extremely strict!
“Have you been to all these places?”
“Yes,” the Thousand-Faced Fox nodded.
Happy frowned:
“Since you’ve been to all these places, how could you possibly return empty-handed? Have you touched anything inside?”
“You overestimate me, master,” the Thousand-Faced Fox shook its head. “Among the major sects in the jianghu, aside from the strength they show on the surface, there is at least one expert at the level of an ancient demon behind each one—someone who has been in seclusion for years striving to reach the realm of heaven, or a supreme sect leader. I’ve been to Shaolin and Wudang… Shaolin has three monks at the realm of heaven: a monk who sweeps the floors, a monk who practices silent meditation, and another who is said to be imprisoned on the Peak of Punishment…”
“…”
Hearing the Thousand-Faced Fox’s reply, Happy’s heart trembled slightly.
He was familiar with the two experts at the realm of heaven in Shaolin. The monk who sweeps the floors was in the Scripture Pavilion, seen by very few; the mad monk was his master; as for the other one… he had never even heard of him.
It seemed there was indeed a reason why Shaolin was regarded as the leader among countless sects in the jianghu!
Three experts at the realm of heaven—such strength was beyond what ordinary sects could imagine.
“What about Wudang?”
“Wudang has its founder Zhang Sanfeng, as well as the great sect leader Zhang Wuji. With their layered sword formations, even I cannot approach the core secrets of the Taiji Hall…”
Happy nodded slowly.
As expected.

Although he had obtained the Thousand-Faced Fox, it didn’t mean he could easily get hold of the core treasures of various martial sects in the world—no sect’s heritage could be violated. With a sigh, Happy resolutely gave up on this idea; he didn’t want to anger more experts from the Heavenly Dao or become an enemy of these sects. With the Thousand-Faced Fox as his companion, he now had an extra asset, though its true value would only be revealed when facing tasks. Fortunately, there was a good opportunity right now. The restricted-level treasure site, the “Dragon Gate Inn,” had to be opened within half a month, and with ten days left, it was the perfect time to take his new Thousand-Faced Fox, “Qiu Wannian,” to this restricted treasure site to search for the secret treasures buried in the desert. A restricted-level mission! Such a thing had never been heard of in the Central Plains martial world or even in the world at large. Who knew what kind of place it would be? Having a master lockpicker skilled in traps and agile in movement by his side should bring quite a few surprises. “Wannian, help me take a look at this.” With this thought, Happy was inspired and instinctively took out the treasure map he had obtained from the core altar of the Myriad Beasts Villa. “This is…” The Thousand-Faced Fox, being an expert in this field, immediately recognized the significance of the map in Happy’s hands. After examining it carefully, its eyes gradually lit up, and its tone became astonished: “If I’m not mistaken, this is made from parchment gold paper from the Western Regions—it’s resistant to water and fire and is usually used to preserve extremely important contents… The places marked on this map seem to be a small town in the Western Regions I’ve been to before.” “A Western Regions town?” Happy was slightly surprised. He hadn’t held much hope for the Thousand-Faced Fox, as the map had been locked away in the Myriad Beasts Villa and unknown to anyone. Unexpectedly, the Thousand-Faced Fox offered insights and grew more confident: “Exactly. It seems not far away. When I was in the Western Regions, I heard a related legend… The location seems to overlap with what’s marked here.” “Is that true?!” Happy was extremely excited, his gaze burning with enthusiasm as he looked at the Thousand-Faced Fox in delight… Since the mission hadn’t started yet, if the Thousand-Faced Fox could take him to the location marked on the map in advance, he would gain more time and opportunities!

“This map was drawn using rather ancient techniques. Even the most skilled experts in the Central Plains or the Western Regions might not be able to decipher it in a short time. But… I happened to come across an ancient book that described how to read such maps.” The Face-Shifting Fox focused all his attention on it, speaking very carefully: “It seems the legends I heard back then were true.” “You mean the palace submerged in the desert?” “Exactly!” The Face-Shifting Fox’s face lit up with excitement: “According to the locals, as long as one can find this palace, they can obtain countless riches, along with many peerless martial arts secrets, divine weapons, and miraculous medicines… All the wealth of an entire palace! This immediately piqued the thief’s interest: ‘Master, shall we set out to look for it right away?’ ‘…We should look for it, of course…’ Happy replied instinctively. Since the Face-Shifting Fox understood the content of the map, that was perfect. He had originally planned to start the mission once he entered the Western Regions, but now it seemed he could go even further and start the mission right at the ruins of Longmen Inn, entering those ruins—and even the desert palace—before Hu Baiwan’s troops arrived. “By the way, help me take a look at this book too.” Happy took out a tattered, almost forgotten book from his Qiken Bag—*The Records of Strange People and the Mountains and Seas*—and handed it to the puzzled Face-Shifting Fox. “This is…” The Face-Shifting Fox reluctantly watched Happy take the map back, then reluctantly turned his gaze to *The Records of Strange People and the Mountains and Seas*. Ten seconds passed. The Face-Shifting Fox’s casual expression gradually faded away. Half a minute later, a glint appeared in his eyes, replaced by an intense gaze! One minute passed… Happy held his breath as he watched the Face-Shifting Fox quickly flip through the pages, his eyes growing more and more animated as he delved into its contents. “*The Records of Strange People and the Mountains and Seas*—it’s actually this amazing book!” “What’s the use of this book?” Happy realized the Face-Shifting Fox seemed to have forgotten about the treasure map, completely absorbed in this strange book. How could he not remember that what he once thought was trash was actually valuable?

“This book was written by a remarkable man from the Central Plains. However, it’s of no use to us in the martial arts world.” Hearing Happy’s question, the Face-Shifting Fox finally took his gaze away and said with emotion, “This book is invaluable. It contains many legends about foreign lands, as well as information on locations, top-grade herbs, mystical beasts, and many wonderful places that ordinary people cannot access. Master, if you give this book to me… I could travel beyond the Central Plains… It even includes methods for communicating with foreigners!”
The Face-Shifting Fox stared at Happy with intense eyes:
“Master, please grant this book to me!”