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 couldnât 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 didnât say anything along the way. He had an indifferent expression on his face. Willow felt a little uneasy.
âYour Excellency, how much longer do we have to walk? We have been walking forâŠâ
âWeâre here.â
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 Willowâs 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, Willowâs eyes quickly flashed with greed and ecstasy.
This territory soon belonged to the Hanseatic Chamber of CommerceâŠAll, no, it belonged to Lord Gassani.
Jichen turned around and pointed to the right, âThe housing in the territory is limited, so you will stay in those two houses tonight.â
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 wasnât 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!?
âYour Excellency, arenât there better accommodations available?â His face turned slightly unnatural as he gestured towards the rows of luxurious villas.
Ji Chen looked at him with slight surprise. âThose are for my subjects.â
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. Shouldnât all members be treated as honored guests wherever they go?
Even if he was just one of the subordinates, whatâs 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.
âYour Excellency, you truly care for your people. Becoming your subject is an incredibly fortunate thing.â
At this moment, a few citizens who were passing by heard these words and immediately straightened their chests proudly.
âThat goes without saying. Lord Ji Chen is our savior. Without him, we would have perished in this jungle long ago.â
âWith a lord like him who can resist and kill any invaders, we can build a great territory.â
Willowâs face momentarily froze, but he felt a twinge of anger inside.
Were they insulting us?
âThese insolent peasants dared to spout such arrogant words. Once we occupied this territory, 1â11 throw them into the sea to feed the fish!â 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.
âBe careful not to go to the beach at night. There may be sea monsters there. But donât worry, I have stationed guards there⊠Dinner will be delivered to you.â
Willow quickly nodded, âWe understand.â
As they closed the dilapidated door, one of his subordinates voiced concerns in a low voice.
âLord Willow, do you think heâs starting to suspect our identities? We are âRaymondâs subordinatesâ, and they wouldnât have placed guests in such accommodations, right?â
âIâm thinking the same thing. And that lord looks indifferent, not like someone welcoming guestsâŠâ
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, âWe havenât shown any flaws along the way. This suspicion might arise simply because they havenât seen Raymond in person. Think about it, if a prearranged meeting suddenly changes the contact person, wouldnât you become wary?â
As he spoke, even he started to believe his own words.
âYou make a valid point. It seems plausible!â
âLord Willow, you are mighty. Truly the smartest aide under Lord Gassani!â
His subordinates began to flatter him, making Willow feel elated.
âLord Willow, I secretly observed the military strength of this territory just now. Besides those pirates, I didnât see the unique warriors that Raymond mentioned. Should we proceed with the original plan?â
Willow rubbed his chin and a disdainful expression appeared on his face. âThose 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.. Letâs stick to the original plan! There will be people stationed at the beach, so weâll quietly return through the jungle late at night and inform the two warships to make their move!â
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