Reeves's face lit up with surprise as she took out her phone to snap a photo, then her expression turned to confusion. "Why is your map smaller than mine?"
Walker replied, "If all the maps were the same, we would never be able to piece together the complete map."
"You're right, Your Honor," Reeves shrugged and started studying the 'new treasure map.'
If the previous treasure map was just a corner, then this corner could find multiple similar spots in Big Bear Lake. Merging the maps, the treasure map gained a more complete terrain and vegetation features, allowing for a precise location of the treasure.
The three of them compared the treasure maps while also looking at a map of Big Bear Lake, though each used a different tool: Walker used a paper map, Reeves a smartphone, and Luke a tablet.
As paper maps can't be zoomed in and smartphone screens are small, eventually, both of them gathered around Luke's tablet.
Walker muttered under his breath, "It appears that enjoying oneself is not a bad thing after all."
Twenty minutes later, after a careful comparison, they finally determined the range of the treasure map, about three miles from their location.
However, although they had determined the area to search, the complete treasure map still did not clearly mark the spot where the treasure was hidden, and the area was still quite large.
Walker picked up the spliced map, "Could there still be clues hidden on the map that we just haven't found?"
Reeves also leaned in to inspect and pointed at both sides of the map, "Your map has a sun, and my map also has a sun phantom. Why are there two suns?"
Luke also came over to observe carefully. "Though both look like suns, there is a certain color difference. Why are the colors of the two suns different? Does it represent different times?"
"Time?" Walker muttered, stroking his chin in thought, "At what time would there appear to be two suns in the sky?"
Reeves had a sudden realization and snapped her fingers. "I've got it. It's not two suns, but a moon and a sun. That's why the sun on your map is darker and the moon on my map is lighter.
And they are positioned at different heights as well."
"Sun and moon shining together!" the three exclaimed in unison.
The three exchanged glances and laughed together, spontaneously. This was the joy of adventuring and treasure hunting.
Through the limited clues, deciphering the thick mysteries to find the burial site of the treasure and to gain immense wealth.
And in this process, pooling ideas and working together also constituted a precious wealth and cherished memory.
Luke felt that when he grew old, this adventure would become a fond memory.
Walker looked down at his watch, "This usually happens at dusk.
Fellows, we must reach the treasure site within an hour."
Reeves pointed to her SUV, "What are we waiting for? Let's get in the car."
The three drove to the treasure location.
The area of the treasure site was still not small, covering nearly a mile, making the search area extensive.
The terrain also proved complex with lakes, forests, and hills, making it difficult to search quickly.
Reeves parked the car, Walker got out of the car, took the treasure map, and compared it to the surrounding terrain without finding any obvious anomalies.
Luke said, "It's just past four in the afternoon, and we have less than three hours until it gets dark. I suggest we split up and search in three different directions from the lakeside as the starting point. This would be more efficient."
Reeves shook her head, "nonono, I don't think that's a good idea. Treasure isn't so easy to find, and the treasure site might have traps.
I think it's safer if we stick together."
Walker nodded, "I agree with Reeves's suggestion. Since we have already pinpointed the treasure location, and it's not going anywhere, it's better to stick together."
"OK." Luke shrugged, outnumbered two to one, so he had to compromise.
Then, he figured out the reason.
Walker trusted himself more; logically, he should have supported him. So why did he agree with Reeves's suggestion?
And Reeves had said she preferred hunting treasure alone, truly a tough woman. Why was she suddenly holding back?
If it was against common sense, there must be a reason.
Luke guessed it was probably because of the treasure.
If the three of them split up, whoever found the treasure might be tempted to keep it for themselves, which could cause conflict. That was probably what the two were worried about.
As a treasure-hunting rookie, Luke was a bit slower in understanding this aspect.
However, his strength was in analysis, and realizing this wasn't difficult.
This also highlighted the importance of teamwork; knowing that splitting up would be more efficient and the distances wouldn't be too far, allowing for mutual oversight.
But due to a lack of trust, they had to choose a less efficient method.
Although everyone understood this, sometimes human nature is unsolvable, and compromise is the lubricant for peaceful coexistence.
Subsequently, the three of them spaced out about ten meters apart within sight of each other as they moved forward in their search…
After searching for more than an hour, the sun set, and the sky gradually darkened.
"I need a break," Walker said, sitting down on the ground and breathing heavily.
Luke took out a bottle of beer from his backpack and handed it to him.
Luke then took out two more bottles of beer, handed one to Reeves, and drank one himself.
"Glug glug…" Luke drank most of the bottle of beer, quenching his thirst and replenishing his energy.
Walker was noticeably older and took a while to catch his breath before taking out the map again to study it. "I don't think this is working. It's about to get dark, and we can't possibly search the entire area on the map."