CHAPTER 219: CHAPTER 217: PUTTING THE ASSASSIN INDUSTRY ON THE RIGHT TRACK_1

Yan Xing carried himself as if everything was within his grasp, exuding an air of complete confidence.

His self-assuredness made the assembled assassins even more subdued.

Glancing at the one empty seat, Yan Xing began to speak, "Although I regret that Mr. Terence has not accepted our invitation, the official banquet is about to begin, and we will not wait for him.

"Perhaps... he has sensed something and has chosen not to appear.

"However, having you all here is a great honor for me.

"I know you have many questions, but due to time constraints, I can only answer three. After I’ve answered them, I will tell you my purpose for inviting you all here."

After he finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence.

The seven assassins couldn’t help but look towards the empty seat, So the recently infamous Terence also accepted the task to assassinate Yan Xing, they thought.

Originally, as rivals are often wary of each other, the assassins held doubts about this legendary thief who had suddenly emerged. Now, of the eight assassins tasked with killing Yan Xing, seven had been invited here. Only Terence had managed to elude Yan Xing’s detection. The disparity in professional skill was clear at a glance. The seven assassins were genuinely impressed.

One of the assassins asked Yan Xing, "Master Yan Xing, the precision with which you found us, does it mean we were betrayed by the Assassin’s Guild?"

Yan Xing replied, "As for the specifics of how I precisely located you, it’s not convenient for me to answer in too much detail.

"In any case, there is a major vulnerability within the Assassin’s Guild here in Nuta City—and as you can see, it’s an extremely critical one."

Yan Xing’s answer led the assassins to believe there had been a leak of sensitive information from within the Assassin’s Guild. Considering that the seven assassins present didn’t even know each other, yet Yan Xing had managed to invite each one here, the extent of the Assassin’s Guild’s information leak became alarmingly clear. This also served as a definitive answer.

Another assassin asked, "Master Yan Xing, does the Assassin’s Guild leaking our secrets mean we won’t be able to leave here alive?"

The assassins waited intently for Yan Xing’s response.

If the Assassin’s Guild had leaked information to Yan Xing, they certainly hoped that Yan Xing would kill all the assassins who came. Even if Yan Xing didn’t kill them, the Assassin’s Guild would still eliminate them to prevent the scandal from being exposed, they thought.

Yan Xing said, "As long as you are here as guests, I guarantee your safety. As for what happens after you leave the Envoy Mansion... that should be none of my concern, right?"

Yan Xing’s reply virtually confirmed the assassins’ suspicions.

They would be silenced by the Assassin’s Guild.

This conclusion made the assassins tense. Although they were confident in their own abilities, they also feared the reach of the Assassin’s Guild in Nuta City.

Only one question remained, and Naisike hurried to ask, "Mr. Yan Xing... inviting us here surely wasn’t part of your deal with the Assassin’s Guild.

"Letting us go will inevitably affect your relationship with the Assassin’s Guild. Aren’t you afraid of their retaliation?"

Yan Xing laughed, "What should I fear from an Assassin’s Guild that can leak your information?

"I have Thunderous Swamp, I have Count Theodore, I have the Eternal Commerce Guild.

"And I have you standing with me..."

Yan Xing’s words once again brought silence to the room.

Indeed. Being inside this brightly lit room was like being in a world completely different from the darkness outside. This alone hinted at the kind of power Master Yan Xing possessed.

He had accurately obtained the files on all eight assassins from the Assassin’s Guild; why would he fear retaliation from such a compromised organization? But what did his last sentence mean?

"Now that I have answered all three questions..." Yan Xing glanced at his wristwatch and sped up his speech, "Now let’s talk about why I invited you here."

Yan Xing adjusted the large screen behind him, and an image appeared. It showed five IC cards, differentiated by their colors and patterns, labeled underneath as "Bronze," "Silver," "Gold," "Diamond," and "King."

Simultaneously, maids placed seven "Diamond" IC cards, one on each assassin’s table.

The assassins looked at the cards, puzzled about what they represented. They could only recognize the word "Creed" printed in an artistic design on them.

Yan Xing said, "The Assassin’s Guild of Nuta City now faces a major internal problem, an issue that is bound to severely affect the credibility of the current Guild.

"Henceforth, I will not dare to cooperate with the current Assassin’s Guild.

"The intelligence industry of Nuta City, or rather, the entire Wildwind Highlands, will undergo a major shake-up and reorganization because of this incident.

"Therefore, I have decided to establish the ’Creed’ Assassin’s Guild to fill the void in the intelligence industry."

The assassins were shocked upon hearing Yan Xing’s ambition. None of them had anticipated that Yan Xing would dare to compete with the Assassin’s Guild for business; this was no longer just a matter of retaliation. The Assassin’s Guild would undoubtedly fight them to the bitter end.

Naisike, holding the card, asked Yan Xing, "Master Yan Xing, are you asking us to join your ’Creed’?"

Yan Xing laughed, "No... the cards in your hands are merely for the convenience of using our ’intelligence system’ and ’mission system.’

"See the protrusion on your table? Please place your cards on top of it..."

The assassins placed their cards on the protrusions. Their tables immediately lit up, displaying a series of information and many options.

Yan Xing explained, "Anyone willing to serve the ’Creed’ Assassin’s Guild can obtain a personal card from us.

"This card is unique and allows you to access your personal information, privileges, and the intelligence and missions available under those privileges through ’Creed’s proprietary devices.

"The card levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and King.

"Different cards grant different privileges.

"Different privileges grant varying discounts on intelligence purchases and determine the level of missions you are eligible to accept.

"To upgrade your privileges, you must accumulate personal points. Selling intelligence earns you bounty and points; completing missions earns you bounty and points.

"Once you accumulate enough points, you can upgrade your card level to increase your privileges.

"With this card, you can independently perform nearly all business operations on the ’Creed’ operation terminals provided in the secret chambers.

"Just like the terminals you are currently facing, you operate it with your fingertips. The absence of reception personnel will greatly reduce the possibility of leaks.

"As the first batch of ’Creed’ users, I will exceptionally grant you a ’Diamond’ card. Mission commissions will be reduced to five percent, and the cost of intelligence purchases will be reduced by fifty percent.

"Another benefit for being a user of ’Creed’ is that, unless in special circumstances, all ’Creed’ Assassin’s Guild missions will no longer proactively require a deposit but will use a point-based collateral system instead..."