Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Battle with Hai Bodong!**

"Xiao Ning, is this the place?" the Little Medical Fairy asked, her voice low as she glanced around the shop, her expression filled with confusion.

The shop didn't look particularly impressive, and there were no other businesses nearby.

It seemed more like a mansion than a map shop.

If it weren't for the two bright characters on the sign, the Little Medical Fairy would never have believed that this was the best map shop in Mocheng, as Xiao Ning had claimed.

"Of course," Xiao Ning nodded confidently.

He cast a quick glance at the white-haired old man inside, who was busily drawing something, and then smiled at the Little Medical Fairy.

"Don't judge everything by its appearance.

Come on, let's go in quietly."

With that, Xiao Ning took the Little Medical Fairy's hand and led her into the shop.

As they entered, it became clear that the interior was far different from the plain exterior.

While the space wasn't large, it was filled with numerous bookshelves and bookcases, all packed with various map scrolls.

Labels indicated the specific areas that each map recorded.

Two moonstones hung from the ceiling, emitting a faint light that clearly illuminated the shop.

As it was nearing night, there weren't many customers, and the shop felt somewhat deserted.

As they walked further inside, Xiao Ning's eyes briefly lingered on the old man behind the counter, who was meticulously drawing something with his head bowed.

The old man appeared very aged, but the steady hand holding the brush betrayed none of the frailty one might expect from someone of his years.

On the table before him lay a partially unrolled, yellowed map, indicating that the old man was carefully replicating it.

As a time traveler who had read the original story, Xiao Ning knew exactly who this old man was.

Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Ning discreetly turned his gaze away and moved toward a nearby bookshelf.

'The Ice King, Hai Bodong,'Xiao Ning thought to himself, recognizing the old man's true identity.

In the original story, Xiao Yan had first encountered Hai Bodong here, obtaining a fragment of a map in the process. That encounter had almost led to a fight, and if not for the intervention of Yao Lao, Xiao Yan would have suffered a significant loss.

Xiao Ning's goal, however, wasn't just to buy a map of the Tagore Desert he was also after the map fragment!

But to obtain the map fragment, he knew he would have to provoke the old man, who was notoriously difficult to deal with.

Another confrontation seemed inevitable, as Hai Bodong was deeply obsessed with the residual map fragments.

Recalling the details from the original story, Xiao Ning quickly and purposefully searched through the shop. Before long, he led the Little Medical Fairy to a quaint, worn-out bookshelf in a corner of the store.

This wooden shelf was old and riddled with holes from decay.

On it, several yellowed maps were haphazardly piled. Judging by the signs of wear, these maps were likely unsellable and had been left to gather dust.

As Xiao Ning casually sifted through the maps, his hand quickly located what he was searching for a palm-sized, yellowed map fragment.

With a quick scan, he confirmed that it matched the one he had found in the cave in the Warcraft Mountains.

Satisfied, he took the fragment in hand.

"Let's go," he said, leading the Little Medical Fairy towards the counter.

On the way, he randomly picked up a complete map of the Tagore Desert and then addressed the old man behind the counter:

"Boss, I'm ready to check out!"

The white-haired old man, Hai Bodong, had just finished drawing the map in front of him, but he didn't look up.

In a calm, aged voice, he responded, "The prices are marked on the items just pay accordingly."

Xiao Ning grinned and lowered his voice, saying, "However, the price of this particular item isn't listed.

Perhaps the old gentleman should take a closer look."

Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong slowly raised his head, his eyes scrutinizing the yellowed map fragment.

An inexplicable look flickered in his old, clouded eyes.

As Xiao Ning observed the old man's face, he noticed a frightening scar that ran from Hai Bodong's left cheek up to his eye.

Although Hai Bodong's expression remained calm, there was an underlying hint of ferocity.

"Have you encountered a map fragment like this before?" Hai Bodong asked, ignoring Xiao Ning's comment about the price.

The sudden shift in the atmosphere made the Little Medical Fairy uneasy.

She sensed that something was wrong and anxiously tightened her grip on Xiao Ning's sleeve.

Xiao Ning gently patted her hand to reassure her.

"It's nothing don't worry,you should step outside.

I have some matters to discuss with this old gentleman."

Hai Bodong's eyes narrowed slightly at Xiao Ning's words.

The Little Medical Fairy hesitated, but knowing Xiao Ning's formidable strength, she realized she wouldn't be much help if things escalated.

After a moment, she nodded and softly said, "Be careful,I'll be waiting for you outside."

She gave Xiao Ning a long, worried look before quietly leaving the shop.

Once she was gone, leaving only Hai Bodong and Xiao Ning in the store, the old man's gaze grew more intense. But Xiao Ning remained unbothered, chuckling as he replied lightly, "Yes, I have seen a map fragment like this before.

But I'm curious, what do you intend to do with that information?"

Hai Bodong continued to stare at Xiao Ning's calm expression before sneering.

With a wave of his sleeve, he responded, "This map fragment is not for sale now, leave at once."

Though Hai Bodong's tone was even, his words carried an undeniable finality.

Xiao Ning's smile widened, and his eyes narrowed.

He had expected this response from Hai Bodong.

While he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against Hai Bodong in his prime, the current Hai Bodong's strength was suppressed to the level of a Dou Ling, making him a feasible opponent.

"What if I insist on buying it by force?" Xiao Ning challenged.

Hai Bodong's expression darkened.

He raised his head, locked eyes with Xiao Ning, and slowly warned, "Young man, put down the map fragment, or you'll lose your life."

As he spoke, a powerful aura emanated from the old man's body.

His clothes rustled as though caught in a strong breeze, the light in the shop dimmed slightly, and the temperature began to drop steadily.

A Dou Ling-level aura radiated from Hai Bodong!

Xiao Ning could feel the cold seeping into the room.

But he had come prepared.

Taking a step forward, he laughed and declared, "Haha! Today, I want to see just how strong you are, senior!"

As he spoke, Xiao Ning threw a powerful punch.

The muscles in his arm tensed, nearly tearing his sleeve apart, and with a tremendous burst of strength, his fist shot toward Hai Bodong with a force that caused the very air to explode around it!