Free Web NovelChapter 178: Training Spies
Long Chen knew that after Aoi’s failure this time, that organization would definitely send even stronger assassins to continue targeting him...
Because he had now assessed their level of threat to him as heightened!
No, this wouldn’t do!
He must cultivate Aoi into his own spy so he could infiltrate the Assassin Alliance’s ranks, ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
and gather intelligence from within!
Firstly, it would help him prepare for the next assassin they sent after him!
Secondly, it would help him uncover the background behind the Assassin Alliance’s power; how could they wield such influence?
And thirdly, it would help him uncover the Alliance’s ultimate goal!
This was the most perplexing question for Long Chen...
After understanding the key points, Long Chen woke Aoi up.
In a low voice, he coldly recounted the memories he had just gleaned.
As he spoke, Aoi’s face grew paler and her body trembled,
as if she were being stripped bare and examined by Long Chen...
Then Long Chen changed his tone and said:
"I know you failed this time. When you return, your master will surely execute you mercilessly, along with your sister..."
Yes, if she returned empty-handed, the Count would certainly cruelly execute her,
and her young sister too.
Thinking of this, tears welled up in Aoi’s eyes.
"But I can save you!"
Long Chen suddenly declared.
At these words, Aoi looked at Long Chen in shock.
She couldn’t understand why he would want to save her, especially after she had tried to kill him...
Used to walking in the darkness, suddenly bathed in light,
Aoi felt strangely comforted...
But this feeling only lasted a moment; soon, she regained her composure and asked calmly:
"How? And why would you want to save me?"
Long Chen stood up, smiling, and said, "Ha, you’re quite calm and smart..."
Indeed, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Long Chen knew this, and Aoi did too.
"How to save you? It’s simple. When you go back, just blame your failure on your companions. After all, they’re already dead, so there’s no way to prove otherwise!
And, in truth, they were weak and stupid!"
"But that’s not the main point. The main point is that, when you return, you tell your boss how to use the golden artifact — the Nine-Section Whip!
I believe he will spare your life for the value of this information!"
Long Chen spoke slowly.
Upon hearing this, Aoi was shocked to her core!
Wh... what!?
How did he know that the Count had previously confiscated a golden artifact, rumored to come from the mysterious land of China?
However, despite consulting numerous top craftsmen and scholars, the Count had been unable to discover the correct method of using the golden artifact — the Nine-Section Whip...
As a result, the whip had become nothing more than a decorative item, a symbol of supreme power,
but completely useless...
Just like having the world’s finest cuisine in front of you but not being able to eat it...
"How... how did you know?"
"You don’t need to worry about how I know. Just do as I say!"
"The key to using the Nine-Section Whip is the lack of one person, and that person is Zhang Jiao’s only daughter — Zhang Ning..."
Then Long Chen explained in detail how to use the Nine-Section Whip and about Zhang Ning...
He believed this information would certainly move the leader of the Assassin Alliance.
Then, he could use Zhang Ning as bait to lure the Alliance’s strong members to China!
Step by step, he would harvest their lives and gradually uncover the truth behind this organization...
Finally, with Aoi’s permission, Long Chen planted the [Blood Curse] within her.
"This is an SS-level skill, the Blood Curse. Once planted, your life and death will be entirely at my whim!"
Long Chen spoke in an ominous tone.
Aoi’s forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat.
"Wha... what do you want me to do?"
"It’s simple. Become my spy, infiltrate the Assassin Alliance, gather their intelligence, and report back to me promptly..." freёwebnovel.com
Aoi’s eyes sank.
Sigh... fine...
In the end, Aoi agreed to Long Chen’s request.
Firstly, no matter his motives, Long Chen ultimately saved her and her sister’s lives.
Secondly, her life was now in Long Chen’s hands! Although it was just a game and she could respawn after death,
she was certain that if something happened to her and she lost her current strength and abilities, the Assassin Alliance would abandon her!
They might even capture her sister in real life, because Aoi knew too much...
After resolving this matter, Long Chen felt like a weight had been lifted from his heart!
Next, he had to turn from being passive to being proactive.
His fear of the Assassin Alliance also dissipated somewhat, after all, they were in the shadows now...
In the afternoon,
Long Chen inspected Lu Kang’s work at the Prefectural Mansion of Lujiang County, with Lu Kang accompanying him like a little follower, following him all the way.
If Long Chen didn’t understand something, he would casually instruct, and Lu Kang would explain meticulously.
Just as the atmosphere was harmonious,
a court guard dressed in dark Feiyu clothing burst in from outside.
Long Chen’s eyes flashed, then he left the mansion.
After entering a hidden room, Long Chen spoke calmly:
"Speak! What’s Sun Ce’s attitude?"
Not long ago, after hearing Guo Jia’s words, Long Chen wrote a letter.
Its contents urged Sun Ce to defect to Long Chen.
It listed their good friendship with Sun Jian and the dangerous situation Sun Ce was currently in.
However, the court guard shook his head, speaking in a low and hoarse voice:
"My lord! Sun Ce refused!"
"According to our spies in Changsha County, Sun Ce originally had intentions to defect to you, my lord, but unfortunately, his military advisor Zhou Yu vehemently opposed it!"
Upon hearing this,
Long Chen furrowed his brows.
To be honest, Long Chen had always admired Zhou Yu greatly because in official history, Zhou Yu’s image was almost perfect.
If not for his early death, Eastern Wu might have had the qualifications to vie for supremacy...
However, the world setting in "Grand Lord" probably mixed up "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" with other miscellaneous elements,
leading to Zhou Yu’s character being somewhat similar to that in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", with a more petty demeanor...
Since he wasn’t willing to defect, Long Chen wouldn’t be overly saddened by it either.
"However, my lord, many of the tough soldiers in Changsha County are willing to defect to you!"
"According to our information, thousands of these tough soldiers have left Changsha County and come to your jurisdiction in Lujiang County!"
Long Chen nodded. "That’s good!"
In a flash, Long Chen spoke again with a vigilant tone:
"However, be wary of any spies or agents sent by Sun Ce among them. I leave the selection of their tasks to you, the court guards!"
"Yes, my lord!" The court guard took his leave.
Since capturing Lujiang County, which is adjacent to Changsha County, Sun Ce’s next step is likely to seize Yangzhou, possibly under Zhou Yu’s plan.
