CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 300, A TRAITOR APPEARS IN THE HEAVENLY EARTH ASSOCIATION_1

At this moment, Jiang Chen wanted to use his Perception Skill to eavesdrop on the few people talking, but it was completely ineffective, as if he were enveloped by some force, rendering everything unclear.

Jiang Chen asked, "Is that the Vice President of the Heavenly Earth Association?"

Lin Yangze nodded. "Yes, he’s very powerful, almost reaching the level of what you call a Demigod. You should show him respect in the future; otherwise, if he makes a move, I won’t be able to protect you."

"He’s that formidable?"

"Nonsense. An Eighth-stage Expert is not someone you can contend with. Your Sword Qi can’t even scratch him. If they want you to join the Heavenly Earth Association, they’ll definitely want you to help with things. You don’t need to worry about your safety. Besides, you’re from the Continent of All-Gods, so they won’t fully trust you anyway."

"Weird, why would they let me join the Heavenly Earth Association?"

"It must be because something happened to the Association."

"What happened?"

"Apparently, someone in one of their branches was killed."

Jiang Chen reflected quietly.

What does it matter to me!

This has nothing to do with me.

······

「Outside the black market.」

Li Chanji said, "Jiang Chen, I need you to help me keep an eye out. Recently, several branches of the Heavenly Earth Association have been wiped out one after another, and I suspect there’s a traitor."

"You want me to investigate?"

"Yes."

"I mean, Young Master... you seem to have found the wrong person. Where am I supposed to start investigating? You aren’t going to ask me to just go out on the street and ask around, are you?"

Being suddenly asked to investigate matters of the Heavenly Earth Association, Jiang Chen didn’t know where to begin. Isn’t this the job of the police? How did this get connected to me? No one knows who it is, so how should I investigate? To him, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Li Chanji also knew it was difficult. The Heavenly Earth Association needed to place someone within the Alliance of All-Gods. After much consideration, she concluded that only Jiang Chen was suitable. He was a Swordsman and a Wanderer; no one else could be trusted.

Li Chanji nodded. "I know it’s difficult; I just hope you can keep an eye out. Besides, this also concerns you."

"How does it involve me?"

"You killed the Goddess Eleanor, and you killed her brother Harkins."

"Hold on, who is Harkins? I have never heard of him."

Woman, that amounts to slander. I would never admit to it even if I were beaten to death.

Jiang Chen continued, "And it wasn’t me who killed Eleanor; it was a Hero from the Defiled God Camp who did it."

"Can’t you be more honest?" Li Chanji said, annoyed.

Jiang Chen began to unbutton his clothes.

"What are you doing?"

"Being more honest."

If everyone is being honest, let’s talk without our clothes on.

"Can you stop joking around? This is about the life and death of the Heavenly Earth Association, the lives of thousands."

Jiang Chen buttoned up again. "Alright, go ahead."

Li Chanji rolled her eyes, "Where were we?"

"You said this has something to do with me."

Li Chanji continued, "Yes, it is somewhat related to you. You killed the Goddess, who was from the Bach Family. It must have been them who made a move."

"Your Heavenly Earth Association can’t handle the Bach Family?"

"We wouldn’t make a move unless it’s absolutely necessary."

The Bach Family, eh! After Eleanor died, it took a while before her brother Harkins showed up. But after Harkins died, there was no reaction from the Bach Family. Could it be that when Harkins was killed, the Bach Family mistook it for the work of someone from the Heavenly Earth Association? When Jiang Chen made his move, he had transformed into Chen Jinnan. Is this making the Heavenly Earth Association take the fall? Hmm... It seems like that’s the case? But whether it is or not, Jiang Chen dared not confirm.

Jiang Chen nodded. "Alright, I’ll pay attention."

"Thank you."

Jiang Chen was about to turn and leave when he looked back and asked, "If a traitor is found, how should they be dealt with?"

"If it’s inconvenient for you to take action, just notify me."

"Unless it’s some top-tier expert like the Vice President, I’d have no trouble taking action."

Jiang Chen left the black market.

This matter came too suddenly. How did I become a member of the Heavenly Earth Association! Jiang Chen didn’t understand the Bach Family either. I wonder if Aggie knows. He’s a Wanderer; he should easily hear news like this.

·······

「In a tavern.」

Jiang Chen also met with Aggie.

Aggie asked, "You looking for me?"

"Got something I need to ask about."

"Go ahead."

"Do you know about the Heavenly Earth Association affair?"

Aggie said, "I know. Dozens are dead, several branches have been wiped out. The Association is currently investigating the matter. Don’t tell me you’re with the Association?"

"You’ve got it wrong. I heard some news at the black market today. You know I’m quite interested in the Wanderers’ Alliance, so I came to ask you."

Aggie looked at Jiang Chen.

Just asking? That’s not like your style at all.

Aggie said bluntly, "Then I’ll tell you. There indeed was a traitor within the Heavenly Earth Association, and they’ve even been in contact with me."

"Contacted you?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Probably to side with the Sons of God for benefits, hoping to live on the Continent of All-Gods like we do. Christie Burton’s reputation in the Wanderers’ Alliance has always been very good."

Jiang Chen was baffled. How did Christie Burton come into the picture? And he has a good reputation? Why not just say he’s a modest man and be done with it.

Aggie continued, "But Christie Burton didn’t agree."

"Why? Isn’t he recruiting Wanderers?"

"He doesn’t just take in anyone. It’s about character and strength. Plus, they are members of the Heavenly Earth Association. If Christie Burton crosses the Association, even he can’t bear the consequences."

"You should know what it means for members of the Heavenly Earth Association to defect to the Alliance of All-Gods. It means they’re traitors, and you should understand what happens to traitors."

Jiang Chen nodded.

There’s only one word for traitors: death.

"What happened next?"

"Then they approached the Bach Family."

"Who?"

"Not clear. They were wearing masks at the encounter."

"Then how do you know they were from the Heavenly Earth Association?"

"They had their own unique markings."

Jiang Chen asked, "Overthrow the Qing to restore the Ming?"

Aggie was speechless.

Jiang Chen had gathered some information: the Heavenly Earth Association definitely had a traitor, and they had turned to the Bach Family. As to why they would kill members of the Association’s branches, could it be a pledge of allegiance? Killing them meant completely betraying the Heavenly Earth Association, thereby allowing them to live on the Continent of All-Gods. It’s the difference between bread and steamed buns. Bread is surely more fragrant than steamed buns. And of course, there are also women. That’s how Jiang Chen understood it...

As for who it was, Aggie wasn’t clear, but Jiang Chen had heard crucial news—the traitors were planning to make a move on Li Chanji.

Good heavens, that’s quite a pledge of allegiance! That’s the Young Master of the Heavenly Earth Association! But with a Demigod by Li Chanji’s side, who would dare to act? Wait a minute. What if that Vice President left? What then? No worries, Granny Jinhua is there! That’s not right. Since they’re traitors, their strength must be noteworthy, not some small fry. If not at the Vice President’s level, they must be at Elder Jinhua’s level. So... that could be dangerous. Should I inform Li Chanji? Forget it! How is this my concern? Actually, it does seem somewhat related, since I am also a member of the Heavenly Earth Association.

Jiang Chen sighed, "I just joined the Heavenly Earth Association, and I’m already about to perform a meritorious deed. Will they make me a branch leader? As for her offering herself in marriage, forget it. She doesn’t have half a pound of flesh on her; she’d need to fatten up first. What an uneconomical prospect for me!"