Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: Root Out (1)
Chapter 122: Root Out (1)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the forest.
Ji Chen led fifty pirates in front, while Willow and the others followed behind.
The surrounding jungle became more and more lush, and the damp feeling made them feel sticky. The water invaded the boots under their feet, and the sharp branches like knives and guns scratched his clothes.
Not long after entering the forest, Willow lost his sense of direction and could only follow Ji Chen and the others.
This terrible situation made him curse in his heart, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel lucky.
If there was no one to lead the way, it would be extremely difficult to find a territory in such a maze-like forest.
However, he did not forget to leave some traces along the way. It was a powder unique to the Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce. It was invisible to the naked eye during the day, but at night, the glowing powder could be seen with special glasses.
As they walked deeper and deeper, Ji Chen didn’t say anything along the way. He had an indifferent expression on his face. Willow felt a little uneasy.
“Your Excellency, how much longer do we have to walk? We have been walking for…”
“We’re here.”
At this moment, they had reached the end of the lush forest, and everything before them suddenly became clear.
In the next moment, a look of shock flashed across Willow’s face.
A vast territory appeared before his eyes.
There were flat stone squares, neat houses, residents coming and going, tall warehouses, and unknown military recruitment camps.
He had never thought that there would be such a prosperous territory in such a forest.
However, Willow’s eyes quickly flashed with greed and ecstasy.
This territory soon belonged to the Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce…All, no, it belonged to Lord Gassani.
Jichen turned around and pointed to the right, “The housing in the territory is limited, so you will stay in those two houses tonight.”
Willow followed his gaze and saw two dilapidated thatched cottages.
Instantly, he felt the urge to burst out in anger.
They were guests, after all!
Willow wasn’t asking for the best house, but at least Willow and his men should be given one that could shield them from the wind and rain, right?
What was the point of giving them these thatched cottages with leaking roofs and walls full of holes!?
“Your Excellency, aren’t there better accommodations available?” His face turned slightly unnatural as he gestured towards the rows of luxurious villas.
Ji Chen looked at him with slight surprise. “Those are for my subjects.”
Since the luxurious villas were for lowly subjects, Ji Chen should have driven the subjects out of the villas for Willow and his men.
Willow screamed in his mind. The Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce was a famous trading guild in the Western Continent. Shouldn’t all members be treated as honored guests wherever they go?
Even if he was just one of the subordinates, what’s the problem with moving out some lowly subjects for their sake?
Though he was angry inside, he managed to force a smile on his face.
“Your Excellency, you truly care for your people. Becoming your subject is an incredibly fortunate thing.”
At this moment, a few citizens who were passing by heard these words and immediately straightened their chests proudly.
“That goes without saying. Lord Ji Chen is our savior. Without him, we would have perished in this jungle long ago.”
“With a lord like him who can resist and kill any invaders, we can build a great territory.”
Willow’s face momentarily froze, but he felt a twinge of anger inside.
Were they insulting us?
“These insolent peasants dared to spout such arrogant words. Once we occupied this territory, 1’11 throw them into the sea to feed the fish!” he thought fiercely in his mind.
As he watched them head towards the thatched houses, Ji Chen seemed to recall something and spoke up as a reminder.
“Be careful not to go to the beach at night. There may be sea monsters there. But don’t worry, I have stationed guards there… Dinner will be delivered to you.”
Willow quickly nodded, “We understand.”
As they closed the dilapidated door, one of his subordinates voiced concerns in a low voice.
“Lord Willow, do you think he’s starting to suspect our identities? We are ‘Raymond’s subordinates’, and they wouldn’t have placed guests in such accommodations, right?”
“I’m thinking the same thing. And that lord looks indifferent, not like someone welcoming guests…”
With that being said, Willow also began to have doubts. His face showed a mix of surprise and uncertainty, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and said, “We haven’t shown any flaws along the way. This suspicion might arise simply because they haven’t seen Raymond in person. Think about it, if a prearranged meeting suddenly changes the contact person, wouldn’t you become wary?”
As he spoke, even he started to believe his own words.
“You make a valid point. It seems plausible!”
“Lord Willow, you are mighty. Truly the smartest aide under Lord Gassani!”
His subordinates began to flatter him, making Willow feel elated.
“Lord Willow, I secretly observed the military strength of this territory just now. Besides those pirates, I didn’t see the unique warriors that Raymond mentioned. Should we proceed with the original plan?”
Willow rubbed his chin and a disdainful expression appeared on his face. “Those unique warriors are at most second-tier 5-star troops. And with only around a hundred pirates, we have hundreds of elite guards from the Chamber of Commerce.. Let’s stick to the original plan! There will be people stationed at the beach, so we’ll quietly return through the jungle late at night and inform the two warships to make their move!”