CHAPTER 220: CHAPTER 218 INTELLIGENCE PORTER_1

After experiencing just how corrupt and exorbitant the Assassin’s Guild was, Yan Xing began devising a way to enter the game himself. However, Nuta City’s Assassin’s Guild had been operating for so long that it possessed an extremely solid foundation, making it difficult to simply step in. It required meticulous planning. Taking inspiration from online e-commerce platforms, Yan Xing designed his own Assassin’s Guild platform. By incorporating membership and ranking levels, he then developed the blueprint for the ’Creed’ Assassin’s Guild.

The ’Creed’ wouldn’t directly engage in information gathering; instead, it would act merely as an information conduit. Utilizing Chui Chui’s information-handling capabilities and algorithms, it would calculate the optimal routes for both information seekers and providers. Anyone could obtain a card. Members would earn points for publishing and completing tasks, and upon accumulating a certain number of points, they could level up to gain higher privileges. This ranking system was designed to enhance the bond between clients and the ’Creed’.

"Additionally, the ’Creed Card’ also has a money storage function," Yan Xing explained to the seven assassins, detailing the card’s features. "All members holding a ’Creed Card’ can open an account with the Eternal Commerce Guild and deposit money. The amounts will then be reflected on their Creed Cards. This way, after you complete tasks, the payment can be directly transferred to your accounts. You can then go to the Eternal Commerce Guild to withdraw your rewards, minimizing the risk of transporting large sums of money."

The business philosophy and technological approach Yan Xing proposed for the ’Creed’ Assassin’s Guild represented an overwhelmingly superior strategy—a crushing blow to Nuta City’s existing Assassin’s Guild. It was cheap, convenient, fast, and safe. The plan involved funding it heavily in the early stages, providing member benefits, and even offering food and money just for signing up. There was no doubt this network would spread far and wide. Once the current Assassin’s Guild was squeezed out of the market, it would be time to reap the rewards.

The plan was beautiful, and the prospects vast. Properly executing this first step was precisely why Yan Xing had brought these assassins here. Giving them seven diamond ’Creed Cards’ was like signing seven superstars as endorsers. Moreover, they now believed the Assassin’s Guild had betrayed them. Once they left, they would undoubtedly vent their fury publicly. Especially since the Assassin’s Guild still held their 15,500 gold deposit, the group was certain to curse even louder. The Assassin’s Guild would undoubtedly be deeply troubled by this credibility crisis, allowing the ’Creed’ to seize the opportunity to develop its business.

As Yan Xing introduced the business scope of the ’Creed’ Assassin’s Guild, the seven assassins operated the touch-screen desktops before them, their faces alight with surprise. The more they interacted with the devices, the more amazed they became.

What kind of alchemy is this! How was the magical image inside produced? And how can it be modified at will?

Naisike watched and listened, his head spinning. His previous understanding of the Assassin’s Guild was collapsing.

If everything Lord Yan Xing says is true, and just one alchemical device can handle publishing, accepting, and completing tasks, then what Assassin’s Guild could possibly compete with the ’Creed’?

He couldn’t help but ask Yan Xing, "Lord Yan Xing, how does this alchemical device achieve the functions you’ve mentioned?"

Yan Xing smiled. "It involves alchemical matters from the Thunderous Swamp, which I am not at liberty to discuss," he said. "Here are eight ’Creed Card’ mission terminals. You can switch seats and try publishing and accepting tasks among yourselves.

"Following the voice prompts, you can complete most of the operations.

"Well, I must attend to the guests outside. Once you understand how the ’Creed Card’ works, you can leave on your own. If you wish to stay and play, feel free to do so. If you wish to leave, my men will lead you through a safe passage.

"I bid you farewell..."

With that, Yan Xing turned and left the room, leaving the stunned assassins behind.

The more confidently I behave, the less these assassins will dare to be reckless. Besides, their minds are probably completely focused on the ’Creed Card’ and the mission terminals; they’ve likely already forgotten the purpose of their visit to the embassy. Let them play with the touchscreen computers. The more they play, the more interesting they’ll find it.

The assassins remained, fiddling with the touchscreen computers while the system’s voice prompts answered their various questions.

Meanwhile, their assistants were the ones suffering. Executing an assassination mission required a meticulous plan covering entry, execution, and retreat. The assistants weren’t just there to confirm the assassination’s results but also to provide timely intelligence on the changing conditions at the complex scene. However, they all soon discovered that the assassins they were responsible for were not in their designated positions! Where had they gone? What could have happened?

Then, reports of these unexpected developments all converged on Li Jiya. As a senior spy, Li Jiya was the overall commander of the operation to assassinate Yan Xing. Her cover was a temporary waitress recruited for the banquet. Carrying a tray of drinks, she moved throughout the feast, allowing her to monitor the situation everywhere. Soon, she discovered that Terence, like the other assassins, had also vanished.

A sense of dread quickly set in. She looked around at the bright lights and felt immense pressure.

Should I report to Lady Karol? No! If I’m not certain whether I’ve been exposed, I absolutely mustn’t lead Lady Karol into danger. I must leave immediately.

Li Jiya issued a retreat order to all the assistants. Some people, under the watchful eyes of hidden cameras, quietly left the embassy.

Good, they’ve left...

Yan Xing, dressed in formal attire, entered the main hall of the embassy. By this time, Count Theodore, Grand Priest Lancelot, Lady Karol, and other prominent figures from Nuta City were already waiting there. Everyone was once again awestruck by the lights inside and outside the embassy, their perception of Thunderous Swamp fundamentally shifting.

In the past, it was universally acknowledged common knowledge that the Swamp Tribe were uncivilized barbarians. Although exquisitely crafted alchemical products from Thunderous Swamp had frequently appeared recently—even the Ice Jade Porcelain, imitating Angelic tableware, originated there—these individual highlights couldn’t change people’s overall impression of the Swamp Tribe. Yet now, the lights at Thunderous Swamp’s Nuta City embassy had finally bestowed upon the Swamp Tribe the label of ’civilized’.

During the embassy’s open house, they could appreciate these lights up close. The dignitaries discovered that while standing in the main hall, they couldn’t even tell it was nighttime unless they looked out a window. The illumination here was more than just light; Thunderous Swamp could seemingly bring daylight into the night.

Upon seeing Yan Xing, Count Theodore immediately pulled him aside. "I sent people to look for you several times," he pressed, "and your attendant said you were very busy. Now, you must explain clearly: how did you do this? Why are the magic lamps here different from those at my place? How much energy does it take to keep so many magic lamps constantly lit? ..."