"After carefully examining these maps, they seem excessively abstract," Liang En remarked as he looked up from the maps, addressing his employer, Bruce.
"Thus, I may require some time for analysis. Can you provide a secure and reliable setting?" he inquired.
"Certainly, I have well-equipped guest rooms in this building," Bruce nodded, then added, "Do you have any specific requirements for this room?"
"I need a computer capable of swift online searches, and daily meals delivered on schedule will suffice," Liang En responded, picking up the notebook from the table. "Of course, I also need this notebook for reference."
Over the next three days, Liang En commenced his analysis within the guest room of the building. Truth be told, there wasn't much on the maps to analyze. They depicted a collection of doodles consisting of triangles, squares, lines, and red dots.
According to Liang En's conjecture, these different symbols might represent landmarks known only to treasure hunters. However, without a legend, ordinary individuals wouldn't stand a chance of finding these locations unless they got extremely lucky.
Yet Liang En wasn't an ordinary person, and his busyness over these three days was simply a pretense. The real reliance rested upon the card labeled [Detection (R)] within his mind.
His "golden finger" didn't let him down either. Right after he employed the card on his notebook, a location in Utah materialized within his mind.
Evidently, it's much easier to draw a target after shooting an arrow than to hit the bullseye. Thus, Liang En swiftly deciphered the secret of one of the hand-drawn maps through the surrounding satellite imagery of that location.
In essence, the map wasn't that complicated. The triangles on the map should denote mountain peaks, squares representing buildings, while the lines could be rivers or roads.
However, because the artist's drawing was too rough and the proportions were entirely off, it was extremely challenging for a regular person to connect this map to any specific location unless they knew in advance.
"So, you're suggesting that you believe this red dot is located near the hometown of Butch Cassidy in Utah?" Bruce, gazing at Liang En seated across from him, seemed somewhat puzzled by his analysis.
"However, after becoming a famous outlaw, both the local sheriff and the FBI, as well as Pinkerton detectives, dispatched personnel to his hometown for investigation. Yet those people didn't discover any treasure," Bruce elaborated.
"But if we focus solely on the lines in the final map from the diary you gave me, it does indeed bear some resemblance to a river a few kilometers away from the ranch where he was born—" Liang En started explaining after hearing Bruce's remarks. However, before he could finish his sentence, his employer, Mr. Bruce, waved his hand, interrupting him.
"Since I've hired you, I naturally believe in all your judgments in this field. So, you need not explain your analysis to me. Just inform me of what you require for your upcoming expedition."
Early the next morning, Liang En boarded a flight to Salt Lake City. He then met up with Bruce's associate at the airport in Utah, and together, they set off toward their destination in the associate's pickup truck.
This associate of Bruce's was named Barry. He would be Liang En's assistant during this treasure hunt, a role that Liang En had proactively requested.
On one hand, the density of various forms of racism was somewhat higher in the central United States, especially in more remote areas. Given that this was an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous place, Liang En indeed needed an assistant to help tackle various challenges.
On the other hand, this was Liang En's first collaboration with Mr. Bruce. Even though preliminary mutual trust had been established through intermediaries, sometimes one party had to take initiative to strengthen the bond.
When Liang En proposed that Mr. Bruce assign someone to accompany him, the latter noticeably breathed a sigh of relief. Subsequently, Mr. Bruce willingly provided all necessary assistance for their upcoming journey.
Not far from the airport, the car stopped in a parking lot. The reason for this stop was to shop at a supermarket located across from the parking lot.
Upon entering the supermarket, the two men purchased food and water before heading to the section at the back selling sports equipment. As they rounded the last shelf, a wall of firearms appeared before Liang En.
In the United States, selling firearms in supermarkets was quite normal. They were neatly displayed here for anyone to choose from, seeming no different from buying a fishing rod or a tennis racket.
"We need to purchase some firearms here temporarily," the young man with brown hair named Barry informed Liang En. "Because the place we're heading to is very remote, you'll need weapons for both wild animals and, well, certain individuals."
Although Liang En was a foreigner, he could still legally buy firearms here because Mr. Bruce had already arranged a hunting license for him to hunt deer.
"As a non-U.S. citizen, you can only purchase rifles or air guns. Handguns are not available to you," the attendant told Liang En after confirming the authenticity of his passport and hunting permit.
"I'm here to buy a rifle specifically. It's not a good idea to use handguns for hunting large animals," Liang En shrugged and replied. "Back in my hometown, I've only used double-barreled shotguns. Can you recommend something?"
"If you're hunting deer, I have just the right rifle for you," the attendant said after pondering for a few seconds, then retrieved a box from behind the counter.
Once the box was placed on the counter, Liang En noticed that there were Chinese characters on it. "Chinese-made SKS, excellent value for the price, suitable power for deer hunting."
The clerk opened the box and took one rifle out. "This is quite popular; oftentimes, it's hard to get your hands on."
The so-called "Chinese SKS" was essentially the famous Type 56. As an export version, these rifles were almost identical to the genuine military version, with the bayonet lug removed to meet regulations.
Due to memories from a former East German soldier, Liang En proficiently inspected the rifle. Once he confirmed that the condition was indeed good, he purchased it.
In addition, Liang En casually bought 15 stripper clips loaded with 10 rounds each, 150 loose rounds in foam plastic boxes, and a tactical vest for carrying ammunition.
As for Barry, he had his own gun in the car: a MINI-14 semi-automatic rifle. Hence, he didn't need to buy firearms here.
However, due to the impressive discount on 5.56×45mm NATO rifle ammunition in the supermarket that day, he also purchased an extra 300 rounds.
After leaving the supermarket, Liang En followed regulations and separated the guns and ammunition, placing them in the toolbox beneath the back seat. Then, the two of them drove toward their destination, which was over a hundred kilometers away.
However, once their vehicle entered the boundaries of a national park, it suddenly slowed down. Liang En and Barry hoped to find a spot to test their guns, assessing their firearm skills and the newly acquired weapons' conditions.
This way, in case they encountered any issues, they could make appropriate arrangements in case of emergency.