Yan Xing wasn’t rely speculating about the Orc Treasury. Real-world precedents supported his theory. Intelligence transactions never involved credit; there had to be an underground bank capable of quickly providing funds as needed. Heavy rewards bred brave n. The rcenaries serving the Orcs were so active precisely because they were paid well. Moreover, this world had neither paper currency nor bank transfers; they were paid with tangible gold. An excess of this gold stored anywhere in the Wildwind Highlands would be dangerously conspicuous. Only Nuta City could conceal it under the facade of bustling trade.
Therefore, Yan Xing found himself an excuse to investigate "Shortgun." Finding the Orcs’ private treasury would be ideal. If not, at least he could get Li Jiya off his back. This girl... is a bit clingy! I have so many matters to attend to every day; I can’t always be here putting on a show with you.
Since Li Jiya had promised to investigate the Orc Treasury, Yan Xing said, "Alright, an even split it is... To locate the Orc Treasury, we must first investigate ’Shortgun.’ But I don’t know more about ’Shortgun’ than you do, so I can’t be of much help. However, Grey Mouse has worked for ’Shortgun’..."
Grey Mouse imdiately objected, "I... When did I ever work for ’Shortgun’..."
Then Grey Mouse finally caught on. "Right, right, Chief Little Lillia. I understand now. The rcenary Organization Yarlin served was called ’Shortgun.’ Terence must have found at Chief Little Lillia’s Stakes Castle and followed to Nuta City..."
Grey Mouse’s words lent credence to Yan Xing’s fabricated story. Li Jiya then asked Grey Mouse in detail why he had gone to the Orcs’ Stakes Castle.
Grey Mouse recounted how Yarlin’s rcenaries had conspired with the Orcs to attack the Eternal Domain. Their allied forces, gathered outside the Eternal Domain, were ambushed from behind and annihilated by Werewolves that had followed them. Because he confessed quickly, Yan Xing had sent him to Stakes Castle to deliver the Orc commander’s head, allowing him to survive.
After finishing his story, Grey Mouse said, "The rcenary captives Yan Xing sent to Nuta City all died in their cells on the very sa day. Do you think... ’Shortgun’ might be backed by Count Theodore, or perhaps Marquis Anderson?"
Li Jiya shook her head at Grey Mouse’s speculation. "’Shortgun’ has been more active during the war than before. On several occasions, crises on the western front were caused by ’Shortgun’ collaborating with the Orcs. If ’Shortgun’ is backed by Marquis Anderson, then he’s taking too big a risk. The identity of ’Shortgun’s’ backer is still uncertain; everyone is a suspect. Since Terence can’t provide any more clues, I’ll start by investigating the Jufeng rcenary Group. Grey Mouse... are you sure you don’t have any other useful clues?"
"This..." After hesitating, Grey Mouse finally made up his mind. "Yes! Terence, I didn’t an to deceive you before; I was genuinely scared at the ti. I t Yarlin in a tavern in the southern district of the city. A few rcenaries who had worked for Yarlin with also t him in that sa tavern. This shows that Yarlin used to frequent that tavern. I can go and check it out."
Yan Xing responded, "Having a lead is always better than none. I’m sure that if you think more carefully, you’ll recall other useful details. Let’s settle the matter of the search for the Orc Treasury. Xue Jun will investigate the Jufeng rcenary Group, and Grey Mouse, you’ll look into the tavern where you t Yarlin. I... will find a way to infiltrate Yan Xing’s embassy and investigate the Assassin’s Guild leak. If any of us find any clues, let’s et back here."
"No problem!" Li Jiya said.
Grey Mouse also hurriedly said, "I have no problem with that either."
After sending Li Jiya off, Yan Xing quietly returned to his own embassy. Lady Karol had returned to her Rose Court early that morning, and it was uncertain if she would return to stay the night. In any case, her room was under twenty-four-hour surveillance. Whatever her purpose for staying at his place, she was bound to slip up eventually. As for Lady Karol, he just needed to keep an eye on her; there was no need to take the offensive. To act was to beco reactive.
After returning to the embassy, Yan Xing imdiately began preparations for opening the "Creed" Assassin’s Guild. At that ti, the Nuta City Assassin’s Guild leak was the top trending topic. This wasn’t just about the eight assassins; everyone with secret dealings with the Assassin’s Guild worried their own affairs would be exposed. The Assassin’s Guild, accustod to bullying its clients, was undoubtedly scrambling to handle the situation. This was a great opportunity to launch the "Creed" Assassin’s Guild.
However, since everyone was now sensitive to the na "Assassin’s Guild," Yan Xing decided to publicly call his new organization the "Creed Intelligence Exchange." And unlike the Assassin’s Guild, which operated in the shadows, Yan Xing established his "Creed Intelligence Exchange" openly.
A grand building with high doors and a wide entrance on Nuta City’s busiest main thoroughfare was already one of Yan Xing’s properties. This building had been undergoing secret renovations for so ti. With the embassy’s lights drawing the entire city’s attention, naturally, fewer people noticed this particular building. Now that the ti was ripe, the doors of the "Creed Intelligence Exchange" were flung open, and the newly made gilded signboard was hung.
In the most congested areas of the city, people wearing vests emblazoned with "Creed Intelligence Exchange" seed to appear out of nowhere. The temporary workers hired by the Intelligence Exchange pressed flyers into the hands of every passerby. The flyer detailed the functions and service range of the "Creed Intelligence Exchange" and proclaid the slogan, "Everyone can make money at the Creed Intelligence Exchange!"
It also emphasized in large, bold letters:
During the Creed Intelligence Exchange’s grand opening, "Creed Cards" could be obtained for free.
Completing tasks assigned on the "Creed Card" earned a reward of two eggs.
Any piece of information entered into the "Creed Database" would earn points.
This information could include details about family mbers, street nas, or interesting local events.
Points on the "Creed Card" could be exchanged for Grain Tickets issued by the Eternal Grain Bank. Holding these Grain Tickets allowed for exchange at any ti for fine grains from the Eternal Domain.
In an instant, news of the Creed Intelligence Exchange’s grand opening caused a sensation throughout Nuta City. It completely overshadowed the Assassin’s Guild leak scandal, ruthlessly crushing it. After all, the Assassin’s Guild wasn’t accessible to ordinary city residents. Their talk about it was mostly gossip, enjoying the Guild’s public embarrassnt. But the Creed Intelligence Exchange was actually giving out free eggs!
Although most people didn’t understand what the Creed Intelligence Exchange did or what a "Creed Card" was, the allure of free tangible goods still drove the masses, flyers in hand, to rush to its doors. This quickly caused significant congestion, forcing the already undermanned City Defense Force to dispatch personnel to maintain order.
Witnessing this scene, Yan Xing shook his head. The people of this otherworld are so naive, happy even when their personal information is being collected. And they’d even praise, ’Master Yan Xing is so generous and benevolent!’ as they left.
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