Chapter 437: Deadly “Reward”
The trade fair’s day one was over. Chen Rui’s stall was the most enviable one. Not to mention he flirted for a few hours, the mysterious lady even bought everything in his stall in the end. The guy actually dressed up as a customer while leisurely wandering around in the trade fair, and he bought many things.
Despite spending a lot of money, everyone knew that this “Simon” was obviously the only stall in the entire fair that satisfied the distinguished lady. Furthermore, it was not an average satisfaction. It seemed that he would get the 10 times reward. No matter what, this guy still made a huge profit today.
In fact, money was really unimportant for Chen Rui. The real gain this time was that he got valuable clues about Fertile Yuan Soil and bought many rare things including artifact materials. It was considered a worthwhile trip.
Sure enough, Chen Rui left the fair with a guard by noon under everyone’s envious gazes.
The guard escorted Chen Rui out of the bustling trade fair all the way to the outskirts of the western city. Chen Rui was a little surprised. Why should the reward be cashed in such a place?
When he came to a remote hut, there was a thin and strange man with a cold complexion. He waved his hand at the guard, and the guard left after saluting.
“My name is Mentila, and I’m the leader of the secret intelligence department of the capital. The secret intelligence department is the secret legion responsible for the safety of the capital. From now on, I will ask 1 question and you will give 1 answer. If there is any fraud or omission. Don’t think of getting out of here alive.”
The secret intelligence department? Chen Rui thought about it. It should be an Intelligence Department with the same nature as Dark Demon. It seems that the 10 times reward this time is really a “surprise”.
“Sir, isn’t there a 10 times reward? I…”
“Didn’t I say, I ask 1 question and you give 1 answer?” Mentila suddenly exuded a Demon King-level aura which caused Chen Rui, the small “Intermediate Demon”, to stand unsteadily. He was also very cooperative to make it seemed like he almost fell to the ground.
Mentila looked at the effect of his aura with satisfaction and said, “What did you sell to that lady?”
Chen Rui replied timidly, “Those are some gadgets I made by myself. I used the magic circles to bring some entertainment effects. They have no special effect.”
“I know your crappy things that are worthless. What I’m asking now is the item that the young lady is obsessed with.”
“That’s called the Tetris crystal board. It’s a magic item that I have collected for many years which was left behind by an elder. Unfortunately, there is only one.”
“Tetris crystal board? Are you sure there is only one? Can you make the same thing?” Mentila narrowed his eyes, “If you can make a similar item, in addition to the 10 times reward, you will get unimaginable wealth.”
Chen Rui’s eyes seemed to glow, but he shook his head regretfully, “That is the only precious item. I have tried it many times, but I can’t imitate it. Otherwise, I will display it and sell it to Ms. Tiffany.”
“Very well, then it’s useless to keep you.” A murderous intent flashed past Mentila’s eyes. What “Simon” explained is basically the same as the intel I got from the store, so there should be no problem.
Chen Rui had long felt that this guy had killing intent. From the time he revealed that he was a secret intelligence part leader in the beginning, he probably had no intention of letting “Simon” leave alive, but he still felt strange about the motive of killing him. He pretended to be very shocked and stepped back step by step, “Why? Didn’t you say I can get 10 times the reward for satisfying that lady?”
“Originally, you should have a reward, but because you dared to recklessly get close to the young lady, you have offended the taboo of a sir. Just knowing her name is enough to die 100 times! But! You have only 1 life. I will torture you 100 times until you die.” Mentila was full of murderous aura as he said in a gloomy tone, “Not only you, but everyone related to you will be exterminated!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt his head tightened. A hand had already clasped his skull like iron claws. Mentila was shocked. He instinctively felt that this terrifying hand could completely shatter his head with just a little effort. His Demon King-level strength was unable to resist at all!
“Who is the so-called sir? I give you 10 seconds to answer. If you want your head to explode, you can try to remain silent.” The cold voice of the other party sounded. Mentila never expected that this weak vendor actually transformed into a powerhouse with terrifying power. That kind of unbridled aura alone was enough to make him crawl on the ground. This person… is a Great Demon King? No! He’s not just a Great Demon King!
“Who are you!” Mentila’s heart tightened suddenly.
“There are still 5 seconds.” Chen Rui added a little force, and Mentila felt that the blood in his brain seemed to have accelerated dozens of times to the point of almost bursting, but he gritted to bite something off. His complexion quickly turned green and his gaze began to lose focus.
Chen Rui knew that something was wrong. When he let go, Mentila’s body softened and fell to the ground. His iron-green face had turned gray with green blood flowing out of the corner of his mouth. Apparently, he committed suicide by taking poison.
It seemed that this Mentila was really a member of the Bloody Empire’s secret Intelligence department. He was determined and resolute; he even committed suicide without any hesitation in order not to reveal the intel. However, Mentila’s “killing all related people” shocked Chen Rui. I entered the special trade fair through Tess. In this way, Tess is in danger!
As soon as he thought of this, the figure in the hut disappeared instantly.
Chen Rui disguised his face and sprinted all the way to Tess’ hotel in the southern suburbs. Before reaching the southern suburbs, he saw the skyrocketing fire and smoke from that direction. A bad omen suddenly surged in his heart, and he quickly accelerated.
However, he was still a step too late. When Chen Rui arrived at Tess’ hotel, the fire was nearing its end and was extinguished by nearby residents. The entire hotel was burnt down. Among them, several bodies that had not been completely charred were retrieved. Tess’ appearance was vaguely visible in the corpse of a succubus.
Although Tess was not very powerful, as the head of Dark Demon in the Bloody Empire, intelligence and resilience were the best choices. Chen Rui could be sure that she was killed first before being set on fire. Not only Tess, even a few guests in the hotel suffered. Perhaps due to the fact that the southern suburbs were remotely located, or the guards responsible for the capital’s public security had all devoted their energy to the trade fair, they only came when the fire was about to be completely put out.
The cause of this incident should not be the exposure of Tess and Dark Demon’s power, but “some powerful man” made this killing move out of some jealousy or other considerations because Simon, whom Chen Rui disguised as, was too close with the girl called Tiffany. Chen Rui had no idea of his identity. He is actually so vicious. Not only myself, he didn’t even spare Tess, who appeared to be just a “distant relative”, and even the innocent travelers!
There was a strong anger and killing intent in Chen Rui’s heart. I didn’t expect Tess will be involved in this way. Although Tess died, the Bloody Empire still has Dark Demon members. I must thoroughly investigate this matter. Regardless who is behind this, I have to make the other party pay the price!
With a shift of mind, Chen Rui returned to the western suburbs as quickly as possible. At this time, the Mentila’s corpse in the hut was still lying on the ground. Judging from the surrounding traces, no one had been here. Obviously, it was a breeze for Mentila to kill “Simon”. There was no need to arrange more manpower.
Chen Rui put away Mentila’s body, then he used [Camouflage] to transform into his appearance, and he walked out majestically.
The vendor “Simon” must disappear so as not to cause too much suspicion. As for the secret intelligence department where Mentila was located, it should be the most secret intel organization in the Bloody Empire. Judging from the decisiveness of Mentila’s immediate suicide, it should be very difficult to get in. Therefore, “Mentila” must “disappear” for a period of time after the damn vendor Simon was dealt with, and his corpse might come in handy when necessary.
The urgent task now was to gather the remaining Dark Demon members first. Before Isabella was formally appointed as the new person in charge, he needed to maintain the continuity of the intel at the Bloody Empire side. He also needed to focus on investigating the related intel of Tiffany and the sir.
The next day, a man wearing a mechanic attire appeared in front of the Mechanic Association Building in the Bloody Empire.
The Bloody Empire’s Mechanic Association was much larger than the Dark Shadow Empire and the Fallen Angel Empire. President Nate was known as the top mechanical master of the Demon Realm, but this place seemed relatively deserted today because the Mechanic Association had a dedicated store at the trade fair to sell equipment and materials to the outside world. The business was very good, so most of the manpower was invested there.
“Fill out this form, then pay the assessment fee of 100 black crystal coins, and you can go to the assessment center on the fourth floor to participate in the assessment and certification.”
“100 black crystal coins?” Chen Rui was startled. I used only 50 black crystal coins for the Dark Shadow Empire’s Mechanic Association assessment. How come the price here is twice as expensive when it is also an ordinary mechanic’s assessment?
“You’re from another place right?” The registrant raised his head and looked at him a few times. He said annoyingly, “We, the Bloody Empire’s Mechanic Association, have the top mechanic master in the Demon Realm, and our mechanic is also the best in the same level. The mechanics that you successfully certified in the Bloody Empire and in other empires are basically 2 different grades. Whether these 100 black crystal coins are worthy, think about it yourself.”
There is even a brand effect? Chen Rui secretly chuckled. If you really want to compare it, that Nate may not be the real top mechanic in the Demon Realm. He just makes use of the rule of the masters contest to win by trick. In terms of metal proficiency alone, Master Anderson of the Dark Shadow Empire is better than Nate. Besides, Nate still has some shameful matters.
Despite thinking that way, he still happily took out the black crystal coins, “I see. I have been studying with my teacher in the remote estate. Then my teacher died, so I came for the capital assessment. I don’t understand these rules. Sorry, thanks for explaining, sir.”
The registrant saw the extra 20 black crystal coins and Chen Rui’s deep smile. He glanced around carefully, and put it away calmly. His impression for the apprentice from another place suddenly increased by a lot in his heart.
“Richard, you are a smart person.” The registrant glanced over the name on the form and said with a smile, “There are several masters on the fourth floor who are qualified for the certification examination. You can choose the corresponding master according to your most proficiency, then the chances of passing the test are much higher. For example, Office 7’s Master Olastan is good at metal proficiency and likes fire element magic materials; Office 4’s Master Turia is good at leather proficiency and likes strong liquor…”
Under Chen Rui’s small bribery, the registrant confided all the likes and temperaments of the association masters. At the end, he specially reminded, “By the way, you better not go to Office 13, which is Sir President Nate’s secret disciple, Sir Horford. Samael. This sir is a genius mechanic master who is proficient in metal and leather, and is also the most hopeful genius mechanic master to inherit the president. When Master Nate goes for closed-door experimenting, Sir Horford’s has always been handling the association matters temporarily. However, Sir Horford has a weird temperament and is not easy to get along with. If you are not confident, don’t set yourself for failure.”
Horford? Chen Rui immediately thought of the duo-specialized master whom he defeated in the Dark Shadow Empire’s mechanic contest. It seemed that he actually used his real name. He probably wanted to become famous in that mechanical contest. Unfortunately, he encountered the evildoer Chen Rui and miserably became a supporting character instead.
Not only that, after Chen Rui entered the Crystal Valley as a spy, he also encountered Horford. When there was chaos in the Crystal Valley later, Chen Rui also destroyed the Mystic Valley by scheme. Horford went missing. Unexpectedly, he did not die and returned to the Dark Shadow Empire.
Chen Rui could be sure that Horford and the Bloodfall were absolutely related, and the Bloody Empire’s First General Gustav (Bridget) was the current patriarch of the Samael Royal Family. Horford was likely to be an important member of the Bloodfall organization.
However, Chen Rui did not rush to decide to investigate Horford. He sneaked into the Mechanic Association this time for more important matter.
“By the way, sir, my teacher said before his death that there are countless precious mechanics classics and materials in the Mechanic Association. I have always been eager for this. May I browse through and read them?”
“The classics and materials here are the richest among the 3 empires, and there is a dedicated Book Collection Hall,” The registrant said proudly. “However, the Book Collection Hall has strict authority restrictions. Only mechanics that are certified by the empire’s association can enter. The higher the level, the higher the contribution points and permissions required.”
The registrant who received the bribe was very enthusiastic and introduced in detail. He even helped Chen Rui to make plans, “For newcomers, contribution points are more difficult to accumulate. Moreover, some levels are only accessible to master level. If you are not there yet, it is also a shortcut to get a master as a teacher. However, even if the master’s contribution points may not be able to review to core-level information, you need to get special permission from Sir President Nate.”
Chen Rui nodded. The rules of the Bloody Empire Book Collection Hall are similar to the ancient magic towers of the Dark Shadow Empire. At the moment, it is better to pass the mechanics test first.
He bade farewell to the “enthusiastic” registrant and went straight to the assessment center on the fourth floor.
Tiffany vs Zola 🤔, who is greater in terms of magic?
