The Amusing Adventures of a Directionally Challenged Dad and Daughter

Three pairs of eyes turned in unison, and seeing that the forceful strike had worked, the young man grew excited. He raised his sword and slashed three more times at the small box.

With a sharp snap, the box split cleanly down the middle.

So it was just slow to react???

Seventh Uncle stepped forward and pried open the broken box. Inside lay nothing but an old piece of sheepskin.

He pulled it out and unfolded it, revealing a painting—an unremarkable landscape of mountains and rivers.

Three heads huddled together, scrutinizing it from every angle, yet failing to uncover anything extraordinary.

"Guarded so fiercely, and it turns out to be just a worthless painting," the young man muttered, waving dismissively before sheathing his sword and retreating to the ship’s cabin.

Seventh Uncle turned to Qing. "What do you think?"

"There must be more to this," Qing replied, taking the painting from Seventh Uncle’s hands.

He held it up to the sunlight—nothing unusual. Then against the light—still no hidden clues.

Finding no answers outside, the uncle and nephew carried the painting back into the cabin.

The interior was adorned with elegant, classical furnishings. Seventh Uncle dismissed the attendants and spread the painting across the desk.

They examined every inch meticulously, yet still found nothing.

"Seventh Uncle, doesn’t this sheepskin feel unusually thick?" Qing instinctively ran his fingers along the edge. Their family owned another sheepskin scroll, slightly thinner. Could the difference lie in the animal itself?

Seventh Uncle considered this and inspected it closely. Indeed, it was thicker than usual. His focus had been on the painting, not the material.

He retrieved a fresh dagger and carefully tested the edge of the sheepskin, finally discovering a flaw at one corner.

With a delicate slice, he set the dagger aside and gently peeled the corner inward.

Qing watched, holding his breath, eyes wide with astonishment.

The landscape painting was actually drawn on an ultra-thin film—so delicate it resembled the translucent membrane beneath a boiled egg’s shell.

Even peeling an eggshell might not leave such a fragile layer intact.

Afraid his breathing might disturb Seventh Uncle, Qing remained utterly still. After what felt like an eternity, the painting was finally separated from its backing.

His chest ached from the tension as he stepped forward to examine the newly revealed image—and gasped.

It was a map, with small seal-script characters inscribed in one corner:

"Treasure Vault of the Yuan Clan—Liangzhou County."

Seriously? Who drew this? Were they trying to announce it was a treasure map?

"Liangzhou County lies southwest, within Prince Qi’s domain," Seventh Uncle mused while studying the map.

"With the chaos of war, domains mean nothing now," Qing remarked, leaning in. He pointed at a tiny flag marked on a mountain. "Could this be the treasure site?"

"Not just here—seven or eight mountains bear these flags," Seventh Uncle countered, indicating another.

"But not all mountains have them. We could search the flagged ones—maybe the treasure’s scattered."

Seventh Uncle nodded. "A sound plan." Then, sternly, he added, "No one outside our direct lineage must know of this."

Qing nodded solemnly. "Understood."

A thought struck him. "Seventh Uncle, that father and daughter on the fishing boat saw me retrieve the box."

"No matter. They saw nothing inside," Seventh Uncle reassured.

Chang'an and Old Gu Six: If only we’d grabbed it first.

But who said they hadn’t glimpsed the contents? Flaunting treasure outdoors instead of hiding it—what idiots.

On their small fishing boat, Chang'an and Old Gu Six were also speculating about the sheepskin.

"Dad, what if it’s a treasure map?"

"You want it?" Old Gu Six’s eyes gleamed, fists clenching as if ready to snatch it for her.

"Don’t be rash! We don’t even know for sure. Let them scout first—we’ll take the leftovers."

Chang'an restrained her eager father.

Old Gu Six turned to the two wolves lying listlessly nearby. He nudged them lightly with his foot.

"Ever fancied sailing on a big ship?"

The wolves whimpered weakly—We would, if you had one.

As if reading their minds, Old Gu Six grinned wickedly. "See that ship behind us? I’ll get you aboard."

The wolves: ???

"We’ll track their route. If it aligns with ours, follow them ashore. If not, jump onto their ship when we’re close—stick with them no matter where they go."

"Chang'an and I will meet you in Liangzhou County. Don’t worry, they’ve never seen you. Even if you appear on deck, they won’t know where you came from."

"As long as you don’t attack, they’ll probably adopt you. Then we’ll reunite and hunt the treasure together."

The wolves: Spies? Is this how humans play?

A ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍defiant growl: Too dangerous. No.

"Refuse, and I’ll toss you overboard right now." Old Gu Six grabbed their hind legs, feigning a throw.

A panicked yelp: Fine, we’ll go!

We know we’re beasts, but you’re truly ruthless.

After days of observation, the large ship’s course matched theirs.

"Dad, what’s their purpose here?"

Old Gu Six shrugged. "You said that island’s good for growing mushrooms. Maybe they’re mushroom farmers too?"

Chang'an: "..."

Definitely not the same kind.

Seven days later, they docked. Chang'an stomped on solid ground, relieved to feel steady again.

The large ship’s crew disembarked shortly after. Neither party acknowledged the other. Once they’d vanished, Old Gu Six released the wolves.

Following his instructions, the wolves bolted into the distance—on a mission to "accidentally" join the strangers.

Chang'an had initially planned to blow up the island. With nothing of value left, why not?

But now, with outsiders present, they needed to know their intentions.

If these people had settled here permanently, the explosion would take them too. If they were just passing through, the demolition could wait.

Father and daughter trailed the group, arriving after half an hour at a small village.

The locals dressed identically to that despicable ancient race from her past life.

Chang'an’s resolve hardened: This island must be obliterated—shattered to dust.

From a distance, they watched as the ship’s crew was welcomed into a grand courtyard by a local man, a woman, and three young girls.