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nChapter 359: Industry Situation, Monkey Gifts’ Choice, and Information

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

nHaving heard that, Monkey Gift Hair also thought so. With the generous help of Mr. Zhao, they would surely make more money than those heartless natives’ commissions.

nWith this thought, he felt his future life was filled with brightness and instantly became cheerful.

nMonkey Gift emphasized, “Since we’ve agreed to Mr. Zhao, we must watch our mouths and not reveal anything we saw today. Let’s work well for Mr. Zhao. Sooner or later, we’ll be in a position to give those who look down on us a good slap!”

n“I understand. Let them know what it means not to underestimate the young and the poor!!”

nThe two walked away with their arms around each other.

nIn a hidden corner, Alice slowly withdrew her gaze and returned to the mansion.

nInside the mansion, Ji Chen looked at Luo Yang and asked, “Is there still a Deceiver lurking in Maple City?”

n“Yes, whenever they require my assistance, there’s always a representative who contacts me,” Luo Yang explained. “However, whenever they approach me, they take great precautions, wearing masks that completely conceal their identity. It’s impossible to determine their gender or even if they’re human.

nHowever, although I’ve done things for them before, I’ve also kept an eye on them secretly.

nTheir meeting place seems to be in Maple City…”

nJi Chen’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know this location?”

nLuo Yang nodded. “1 know the approximate location, but not specifically. 1 dare not get too involved, afraid they’ll notice if I send someone to track them.”

nHe didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, “Draw it.”

nUpon hearing this, Luo Yang didn’t hold back either. He took the map of Maple City and a pen, drawing a circle on it.

nUpon closer examination, it was somewhat surprising.

nGoodness, it’s actually near the center of the prosperous area in the city. There’s frequent patrol activity and a large number of guards and soldiers stationed there. In terms of security, it’s definitely one of the safest places in Maple City.

nIs this what they mean by hiding in plain sight?

nTime was of the essence, so they had someone invite Kris.

nJi Chen’s mansion was not far from the elf fleet’s base, and the straight-line distance was only a few hundred meters. Kris coming here could be considered a casual visit.

nSoon, the heroic figure of Kris appeared at the door. “Lord Ji Chen, is there something you need me for?”

n“I have a map here that’s suspected to be the gathering place of the Deceivers in Maple City.”

nUpon hearing this, Kris’s face showed a hint of surprise and seriousness. She looked at Luo Yang, who stood aside like a subordinate, seeming to know something.

nShe quickly took the map.

nAfter looking at the markings on the map, she was also somewhat surprised. “The Deceivers have the audacity to set their meeting place in such a location?”

n“The most dangerous place is often the safest place. I guess the Maple Principality didn’t think of that.”

nJi Chen clapped his hands. “Kris, you’d better go inform the Maple Principality now. Otherwise, because of the events earlier, they might become paranoid and withdraw prematurely.”

n“You’re right, 1’11 go inform them right away.” Kris nodded, “If we can find this group of rats hiding in the sewers this time, Lord Ji Chen, you will be the greatest hero.”

nDeceivers had always harbored hostility toward the divine races, including the elves. Over thousands of years, Deceivers had caused constant trouble for the elves in secret, assassinations, stirring racial disputes, inciting wars, and more.

nBoth sides have long-standing and irreconcilable blood feuds.

nThe elves would love to exterminate these scoundrels, but the Deceivers always operate in secrecy, preferring subterfuge to direct confrontation. If they could wipe out the entire Deceiver presence in Maple City or even most of the Deceivers in the Maple Principality, it would be a cause for great celebration.

nAfter seeing Kris off, Ji Chen pondered for a moment.

n“For the next few days, stay in this mansion temporarily for safety. Wait until the Maple Principality and the elves have thoroughly searched that area and ensured there is no danger before returning.”

nLuo Yang nodded respectfully.

n“I’ll follow your instructions.”

nJi Chen was quite satisfied with his attitude. Abilities were secondary; the most important thing was obedience.

nNow it seemed that Luo Yang was very wise.

nHe immediately had the mansion’s steward escort Luo Yang to a secluded residence.

nLocated in the heart of Maple Harbor, even if the Deceivers were present, they wouldn’t dare to act openly here. Moreover, there were quite a few soldiers patrolling in this mansion area, so there was some assurance of safety.

nAfter handling these matters, Ji Chen felt the exhaustion from days of travel rush over him.

nHe stretched and instructed Raymond to call him if there was anything, then went upstairs to sleep with Alice.

nThis sleep lasted until early the next morning.

nIn the early morning.

nKris brought some good news.

nThe Maple Principality, in collaboration with the elves stationed in Maple City, successfully wiped out the gathering point of the Deceivers.

nWith the information provided by Ji Chen, the Maple Principality and the elves conducted a secret investigation in that area. In the past, when they were looking for Deceivers, they always focused on areas outside the city or remote civilian areas.

nAfter all, these places had lax security and were subjectively more conducive to covert activities.

nThe results were evident. They had always come up empty-handed when focusing on those areas.

nHowever, this time, when they shifted their focus to the prosperous central district of the city, they quickly discovered the faint traces of the Deceivers and pinpointed the exact meeting location without their awareness.

nThe outcome was clear. Under the sudden joint assault by both parties, not a single Deceiver managed to escape from that location.

nOver a hundred Deceivers were killed on the spot, and there were no captives. This was because, aside from those who resisted to the end and were directly killed, the rest chose to commit suicide when they saw there was no hope of escape.

nBefore their suicides, they attempted to set fires, intending to destroy any incriminating information and suspicious items inside.

nHowever, this intent was thwarted by the experienced elves who had dealt with them for a long time. They used magic to extinguish the fires in advance, securing a significant amount of highly valuable information and items.

nAccording to Kris, this was the largest haul in recent years.

nUnfortunately, not all of the Deceivers operating near Maple City were present at the secret gathering place.

nBased on the information that remained, it appeared that half of the Deceivers were located in a secret coastal base on the outskirts of the city, seemingly preparing for an attack plan.

nUpon learning the exact location of the secret base, the Maple Kingdom and the elves promptly continued their assault. They gathered a large army and marched through the night to reach the base, even mobilizing a fleet to surround it from the sea.

n“Your Excellency, we have already surrounded the Deceivers’ secret coastal base. If all goes well, the Deceivers in Maple City will suffer a devastating blow and be completely annihilated!” Kris exclaimed excitedly.

nJi Chen was also in high spirits. He had just provided intelligence, and now he discovered that half of their enemies had already been wiped out, while the other half was on the countdown to extinction.

nSuch an efficient rate of elimination made anyone happy.

nIt was even more exhilarating than receiving a next-day parcel delivery!

nHowever, Ji Chen had a thought and inquired, “Can 1 go to the Deceivers’ secret coastal base? After all, they plotted against me once, and 1 feel like 1 should bid them farewell.”

n“I don’t see a problem with that. Without the information you provided, we wouldn’t have achieved such great results,” Kris replied readily. “1’11 go ask General Brett for permission right away.”

nKris hurriedly left and soon returned with good news.

nGeneral Brett welcomed Ji Chen’s participation in the operation to eliminate the Deceivers at their secret coastal base.

nUpon receiving the news, Ji Chen immediately led the remaining troops and joined Kris, along with the final group of elves. They rushed to the destination.

nThey reached their destination quickly.

nA coastal cliff.

nAt this moment, over ten thousand soldiers from the Maple Kingdom and two thousand elven warriors were stationed here, surrounding the Deceivers’ secret base built into the cliff.

nAccording to the information, this secret base not only stored a significant amount of strategic supplies and war machinery but also housed a substantial force of Deceivers—war puppets.

nTo eliminate them, a battle would be necessary..

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