Chapter 10: Embarking on the Quest

Months later, the village’s reconstruction was nearly complete. The newly built houses stood neatly arranged, crops flourished once more in the fields, and the villagers’ new ventures had begun to show promise. Laughter and joy once again filled the mountain village. Seeing that the time was right, Lin Yue and Zhao Yu decided to embark on their journey to uncover the secrets of the mysterious map.

Before departing, Lin Yue carefully explained the upcoming production plans to the villagers, reminding everyone to look after one another. The old clan leader, along with the village elders, came to see them off. With deep gratitude, he said, “Miss Lin, Zhao lad, you must be careful on this journey. The village stands strong today because of you both. If you ever run into trouble, come back—we are all here for you.”

Lin Yue and Zhao Yu thanked everyone sincerely. Carrying only simple belongings and leading a single horse, they set off in the direction indicated by the map.

The journey was treacherous, with rolling mountains and rugged, winding paths. Using her modern geographical knowledge and cross-referencing ancient maps with natural landmarks, Lin Yue continuously adjusted their route. At night, they built campfires in the wilderness. Zhao Yu took on the responsibility of hunting for food, while Lin Yue used her simple tools to carefully study the map.

The symbols on the map were enigmatic—some resembled ancient script, while others appeared to be special markings. As she examined them, she shared her theories with Zhao Yu. “These symbols might be linked to a mysterious ancient organization or a lost civilization. If a treasure truly exists, it could be a fortune capable of changing many lives.”

Zhao Yu listened attentively, admiration shining in his eyes. “No matter what we encounter, I’ll be right here with you.”