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nChapter 221: He Will Make This Deal (2)

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

nTeleportation Necklace

nTier: 4-star treasure

nEffect: Allows the wearer to teleport to a designated location up to 5 kilometers away.

nCooldown: 72 hours

nOne of the masterpieces by the Orleans Kingdom’s master blacksmith, Samora Veil, possessing a powerful life-saving ability in spatial treasure

nSamora Veil: No one understands blacksmithing better than me

nA 4-star spatial treasure?

nJi Chen was amazed for a moment. Anything related to spatial manipulation was certainly not something ordinary.

nThis teleportation necklace was clearly specialized in escaping and self-preservation.

nA distance of five kilometers was enough to successfully escape in most situations.

nAlthough it seemed very tempting, he didn’t intend to accept the necklace that a father had given to his daughter.

n“You can keep it. No need for such a gesture. This necklace was made by Samora Veil?”

nMonica was taken aback, then nodded, saying, “Yes, Master Samora Veil has a good relationship with my father. So, he entrusted him to create this necklace as my coming-of-age gift.”

n“But why are you asking about this, Your Excellency?”

n“Nothing much, I obtained an item made by Samora Veil as well. Just curious.”

n“I see… If Your Excellency wishes to commission Master Samora or have an artifact repaired, I might be able to convey the message for you.”

nUpon hearing this, Ji Chen’s interest was immediately piqued.

nThis is something he needed!

nLizardmen excelled in forging, but they couldn’t repair advanced artifacts like the Dragon Slayer Great Sword.

nSomeone capable of crafting a 4-star spatial treasure, this Master Samora might not be an ordinary person. Perhaps he could inquire whether the sword could be repaired.

nWith a smile, Ji Chen said, “That would be appreciated, Monica. I happen to have an item that needs repairing.”

nMonica smiled back, saying, “It would be my pleasure if 1 can assist Your Excellency.”

nTo seek help from others, one must first offer help.

nMonica’s proactive assistance indicated that she had something that she needed his help with.

nHe couldn’t believe that a woman born into the Grand Duke’s family would be as innocent and naive as she seemed on the outside. Only Anina, the fool, would be easily deceived.

n“Monica.”

n“Your Excellency, I’m here.”

n“I heard that your ship was attacked and ultimately sank in the Stormy Sea. Can you tell me who attacked you and for what reasons?”

nHearing this, Monica’s face showed a trace of difficulty, “This…”

n“Your ship has already sunk, and if you want to cross the ocean to return to the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, you definitely need my help to make it back.”

nJi Chen squinted his eyes and continued, “However, obviously, 1 won’t assist someone who might potentially bring unnecessary trouble to me without knowing the full story. You should understand this principle very well.”

nMonica contemplated for a while, a bitter smile forming on her face.

n“Lord Ji Chen, this concerns the safety of the Lienhardt Grand Duchy. I implore you not to disclose this to anyone after hearing it.”

n“Please continue. I do understand the importance of keeping secrets.”

nSeeing this, Monica seemed to relax a bit and began to explain the situation.

nOn the northwest coast of the North Continent, there were four kingdoms and duchies in total, and one of them was the Lienhardt Grand Duchy.

nHowever, due to maritime routes and the precious coastline, conflicts occasionally arose among the four kingdoms and duchies.

nNot long ago, the Lienhardt Grand Duchy and its neighboring country had clashed once again over territorial disputes along the coastline.

nThe ambitious current Grand Duke of the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, who was also Monica’s father, had lost all patience for the conflicts that had occurred for centuries. He resolved to solve such issues during his reign.

nUp until this point, Ji Chen was still within his knowledge range.

nPreviously, from chat channels and forums, he had come across a fair amount of information about the Lienhardt Grand Duchy.

nThese were things that most players were aware of.

nBut what Monica said next was something not known to outsiders.

n“But my father doesn’t know that, except for the kingdom that doesn’t border the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, the other two neighboring nations have secretly formed an alliance.

nOn the surface, they maintain control over conflicts just as they have done previously, but behind closed doors, they have been covertly reassigning fleets and troops, with the intention of annihilating the Lienhardt Grand Duchy’s naval forces in a single decisive strike. Their goal is to seize maritime dominance and subsequently lay claim to the coastal territories.

nEven more concerning is their apparent alliance with a neighboring inland nation. Once the initial phase of their scheme is accomplished, these three nations will launch a coordinated assault on the Lienhardt Grand Duchy from the mainland, aiming to obliterate it entirely from existence.

nWe learned of this plan while on a diplomatic mission to another country. Through certain channels, we found out about this. That’s why we were pursued by both nations on our way back and had to risk entering the Stormy Sea for refuge.”

nFinishing her explanation, Monica’s expression was incredibly sincere as she continued, “Lord Ji Chen, I beseech you to send us back to the Grand Duchy on a ship. Only if I return in person will my father believe these claims.

nBoth I and everyone aboard the Radiant Envoy will be immensely grateful to you. The Lienhardt Grand Duchy will not forget anyone who extends their helping hand.”

nJi Chen took a deep breath, his expression serious.

nAt this moment, he was caught in unprecedented turmoil.

nKingdoms, duchies.

nThese powers at the tier of kingdoms and duchies weren’t comparable to the Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce, Bauhinia Alliance, and other small entities.

nEven their weakest presence had a fleet of over a thousand ships.

nThese weren’t wooden vessels anymore, but ironclad ships forged from steel.

nThey were equipped not with ordinary cannons, but more powerful alchemical cannons.

nThe strength of the sailors and soldiers aboard was dozens of times greater than that of the Chamber of Commerce guards, and their numbers were in the tens of thousands.

nCould he really intervene in conflicts and battles between nations?

nEven if today he simply helped Monica and her companions return with ease, if two nations found out, they would certainly hold a grudge. Sending just one or two fleets could spell trouble for him.

nConsidering from a standpoint of interests, there were three options.

nThe first was to ignore Monica and keep her here, making it as if nothing had happened. After the dust settled outside, she could be released.

nThe second was to send them all to the hostile countries directly, which might earn goodwill from the two nations, but it wasn’t guaranteed.

nThe third was to send Monica back to the Lienhardt Grand Duchy. This would most likely win the gratitude of her father and the entire Grand Duchy.

nAfter pondering for a moment, Ji Chen looked down at Monica with a serious expression, his voice low.

n“If I help you, what kind of benefit can 1 gain from it?”

nUpon hearing this, Monica’s expression turned equally serious and earnest. “If Lord Ji Chen can assist the Lienhardt Grand Duchy in overcoming this crisis, then for as long as my father and I live, the Lienhardt Grand Duchy will forever be your greatest friend.

nBe it alchemical technology, resources, military aid, or any other thing, whatever the Lienhardt Grand Duchy possesses, we will support you to the best of our ability.

nWith the name of Valencia Family, the daughter of the Grand Duke of the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, and the guarantee of honor!”

nJi Chen looked at the resolute Monica, squinting his eyes slightly, contemplating.

nNot helping her would result in neither gain nor loss.

nBut if he took the risk to help her, and as long as the information remained confidential, the potential gains in the future would be significant.

nSetting aside the strength of a duchy, just the ironclad shipbuilding technology possessed by duchies and kingdoms alone was enough to pique his interest.

nNot to mention the alchemical cannons and various advanced alchemical technologies.

nAny one of these items would be enough to drive any player crazy due to their value.

nThe saying goes, “You won’t know if you don’t try.”

nOne of the reasons why Crown of the Ocean had grown so rapidly and outpaced most players was because Ji Chen was willing to take risks.

nThe greater the risk, the greater the reward.

nThis principle was understood by everyone, but only those who took actual steps could truly reap the rewards.

nWith this thought, Ji Chen’s brow furrowed.

nHe decided to make this deal!

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