Chapter 571: A Complete Treasure Map

In the evening of the next day, Chen Rui came to the Royal Hotel in a mask and cloak. In the past 2 days, Crawford and Celine were very busy. In addition to the palace banquet, there were many invitations for entertainment which were simply overwhelming.

These invitations from large families or n.o.bles mainly implemented Shea’s strategy to tentatively probe their intention. The visit of “Aguile” at this time was naturally reasonable.

Chen Rui bowed slightly to Crawford and Celine, “General and Miss Celine are old friends of Her Majesty Shea and the Dark Moon. Since both of you are visiting as envoys, there are many inconveniences, so I came by Her Majesty Shea’s personal entrustment this time to extend my most sincere greetings to sir and madam.”

The 2 hurriedly returned the courtesy and Crawford spoke up, “I understand that the visit this time is not an ordinary friendly visit. From a friend’s point of view, I don’t want to come, but I cannot disobey Catherine the Great’s order. If there is any offense by then, plead sir to apologize to Her Majesty Shea on my behalf.”

Crawford was an experienced person. The meaning of these remarks was very obvious. This time I come as an envoy with official responsibility. I will definitely fight for every interest when negotiating and I will not compromise because of our friendly relations.h.i.+p, so I plead guilty first.

“What are you talking about?” Chen Rui said with a smile in his tone, “We are working for our own masters now. If general compromise official matters for private reasons, it is not the General Crawford whom we know, nor the father that General Monroe respects.”

These words were sarcastic. Crawford once received the devil fruit gifted by Shea, and with the help of the Dark Moon, he helped solve the big problem of the underground mineral veins in the Crystal Valley. Shea also accepted Crawford’s son Monroe, who was wanted by the entire empire. Crawford’s rewards including the goblin warriors and magician legion now seemed to be Catherine’s instruction rather than a real reward.

Crawford’s behavior was understandable from the perspective of the empire. He almost even abandoned his son for the empire. He could be regarded as loyal, but he was not authentic from the perspective of a friend.

Chen Rui’s words made Crawford’s face blush. He said, “Speaking of which, it’s such a shame for me. Sir Aguile helped solve the problem of the underground mineral veins in the Crystal Valley. Monroe was also rescued by Sir Aguile and he even holds an important position in the Dark Moon now. I never had the opportunity to repay sir. I keep this kindness in my heart. If sir has any needs in the future, you can come to the Dark Shadow Empire to find me, I will do my best and not refuse.”

Chen Rui knew that Crawford could not compromise in the negotiation because of personal relations.h.i.+ps. He did not want to make Crawford too embarra.s.sed, so he nodded, “Okay, if there are difficulties, I will definitely trouble general. I already set up a banquet in the capital’s Cloak Hot Pot Restaurant. If general and Ms. Celine don’t mind, how about going for a drink together?”

Crawford previously agreed to Stiller’s invitation. Stiller was the main person in charge of this negotiation. Crawford also wanted to explore the ability of his opponent, but unexpectedly Chen Rui came out halfway. For a moment, he was in a difficult position.

Crawford thought to himself. I just mentioned his kindness. It will be too unrighteous to refuse him now. Just as he was about to resolutely agree, Celine, who had been silent on the side, said, “General Crawford has already agreed to Madam Stiller’s invitation and he is about to go to the Boll Family. It’s inconvenient to miss the appointment. How about this? I haven’t tasted the authentic hot pot of the Dark Moon for a long time. I wonder if I have the honor to have a few drinks with Sir Aguile alone?”

As soon as she said this, it was not good for “Aguile” to reject her, so he immediately agreed. So, the 3 went out of the hotel together. Crawford took a group of people to the Boll Family to attend the banquet, while Chen Rui got into a carriage with Celine and headed toward the hot pot branch opened by the Cloak Gang in the capital in the northern suburbs.

After Crawford separated from the 2 of them, he still secretly praised Celine for her adaptability. He had no idea that Chen Rui knew that he was going to the Boll Family for a banquet long ago. He was just finding an excuse to meet Celine alone.

The hot pot restaurant was located in the northern suburbs of the capital. The scale was not small, and the business was quite good. Chen Rui and Celine came to the VIP room. The waiters all withdrew after serving the wine and dishes. Chen Rui activated the soundproof magic circle that he prepared in advance. He nodded and said, “Now you can talk.”

Celine knew the disguise of Chen Rui long ago. It was precisely when she saw his eye gesture that she offered to come to the banquet on behalf of Crawford. Now that both of them were alone, she immediately lifted her veils and bowed deeply, “Greetings, master.”

Celine was only 18 years old. She looked sweet and lovely. Especially the pair of big b.r.e.a.s.t.s that didn’t fit her age; the typical childish look with big b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She was exuding a youthful temptation. However, the seemingly innocent and lively girl fought her 2 older brothers who were fighting for the position of the patriarch and took the position of the top commercial family in the Dark Shadow Empire. Everyone in the Custer Family was obedient to her under her means.

Celine was really capable. She managed the Custer Family properly and made the family business more prosperous. She was also appreciated and valued by Empress Catherine. In fact, she still had another most important ident.i.ty that was Chen Rui’s servant. Chen Rui single-handedly contributed to Celine’s current status and power. The master-servant contract also deterred her from having ill intentions.

Celine was extremely smart. She knew that this master was the fiancé of the Fallen Angel Empire’s new empress, Shea. He was likely to control the entire empire in the future. His personal strength was equally unpredictable, so her expression was very humble.

“Sit down, don’t be overly polite.”

Celine respectfully poured a gla.s.s of wine for Chen Rui, then she sat down with him, “Master, please give me the order.”

This att.i.tude was different from the last time when they met in Town Leia. Chen Rui nodded secretly, “This time you become an envoy with Crawford, did Catherine the Great give a time limit for negotiation? Did she especially mention the bottom line of the negotiation?”

“I’m just a deputy envoy who is responsible for a.s.sisting General Crawford. Even if she did mention it, only Crawford knows about it. As for the time limit. There must be a result within 7 days after we arrived at the Fallen Angel Capital. If Shea keeps delaying, we will show this deadline on the last day and catch the Fallen Angel Empire by surprise.”

Celine did not say what would happen if “no results were negotiated within 7 days”, but Chen Rui had already guessed that the Dark Shadow Empire would not give Shea too much time. They will definitely provoke the internal strife of the Fallen Angel Empire. When the empire is in chaos, Shea will also lose her chips to fight against Catherine without even having a war. She will be fully restrained by Catherine.

“7 days…” Chen Rui pondered for a moment, then he suddenly asked, “Have Catherine the Great asked you about ‘Master Arthur’?”

“She did ask. I did what master ordered. I said that I used the power of Master Arthur and the Dark Moon to ascend the Custer Family. I initially wanted to use the seduction and family financial resources to secure Master Arthur, but I didn’t expect the master to suddenly disappear.

Before the Custer Family entered the Dark Moon, I also specifically reported and got permission from Her Majesty Catherine.”

Chen Rui nodded thoughtfully. He took out a special communication talisman and put it on the table, “You have done a good job. Your ident.i.ty is the Dark Shadow Empire envoy during this period. Don’t expose your flaws. If there is an emergency, you can use this communication talisman to contact me.”

“Got it, master.” Celine took the communication talisman and kept it as she said, “Master, you told me to look for something last time. In an accidental situation, I found this. I don’t know if it meets the requirements of master. Please have a look.”

As Celine spoke, she took out something. Chen Rui’s gaze narrowed. It turned out that Celine took out an ancient and torn leather scroll which was familiar to him because he already had 4 similar ones in his hand: Treasure Map Scroll!

This is indeed a surprise!

Chen Rui quickly took out the half-finished scroll in his hand. When the leather scroll brought by Celine approached the scroll, the scroll glowed faintly. They blended together perfectly and became a complete map.

After the map was restored intact, the original appearance suddenly changed. It moved like an animation, revealing an ocean. There was only 1 place in Demon Realm that had this geographical feature, the Dead Sea. When Chen Rui got the second fragment, the goblin profiteer once said that the treasure map recorded the location of the secret treasure in the Dead Sea. This secret treasure was the legacy of the Dark Dragon Emperor who ruled the Demon Realm hundreds of thousands of years ago. There were countless treasures in it. Now it seemed that it was not a lie.

It was just that this treasure map looked like a vast ocean. Chen Rui looked at it for a long time, but he didn’t find any special marks or prompts. He was a little bit puzzled. I got the treasure map together after much difficulty just to confirm that the location is somewhere in the Dead Sea? The Dead Sea is so vast, how can I find it? Or it will only be effective when I bring the map to the Dead Sea?

Chen Rui’s mechanic master’s eyes could identify that the treasure map was made of a special material which was definitely not as simple as it seemed. This material was very sensitive. If he used brute force to crack it, it was likely to cause the entire treasure map to be turned into ashes. It seemed that it would take a lot of research to unlock the mystery.

This time Chen Rui was planning to go to the Dead Sea. As long as he unlocked the secrets of the treasure map, there might be unexpected windfalls by then.

“You did a great job!” Chen Rui put away the treasure map while complimenting Celine, “Tell me, what reward do you want?”

Celine lowered her head and said, “I should do things for my master. I dare not ask for rewards.”

Chen Rui knew that the girl’s scheming and methods were extraordinary, and he spoke up, “I have always rewarded and punished people accordingly. I’m very satisfied with your ability and loyalty. Just say what you want, don’t be too reserved.”

Celine gave him a hesitant look as she bit her lip, “Can I be master’s concubine?”

Since the master-servant contract only had 1 spot, her master could abandon her life at any time and choose a more valuable servant. Judging from the relations.h.i.+p between “Master Arthur” and the succubus, Kia, her master treated his women very well, so Celine wanted to greatly reduce the threat of being abandoned by dedicating herself to become Chen Rui’s woman.

Not only that, her master supported Shea from the Dark Moon’s lord all the way to the Fallen Angel Capital. In the future, it was very likely that the Fallen Angel Empire would also be under the control of her master. If she was married to him, the Custer Family and she also had a way out.

Chen Rui really had no other thoughts on Celine. If you want to talk about dedication, the 2,000 lamp spirits are not inferior to Celine whether in terms of loyalty or beauty. He frowned as he faintly guessed what Celine was thinking. He shook his head, “I know what you are worried about. My power is beyond your imagination. You are not the only servant I signed the contract with. Deputy General Loki of Jergal Fortress is also one of them. He is in the capital now, do you want to meet him?”

Celine was shocked. Of course, she knew Loki who was the confidant of the Dark Shadow Empire’s First General Broc. He is also a Demon Emperor powerhouse. I didn’t expect that he would also become the servant of master. This way, master can control more than one contract! What does this represent?

Chen Rui smiled lightly as he noticed Celine’s expression. In fact, Loki was not a servant, but a puppet. However, using this “acquaintance” as an example was obviously more convincing to Celine.

“I can tell you a secret. I’m the inheritor of a Demi-G.o.d. If I fully recover, it will not be difficult to reach the Demi-G.o.d level. You are a smart person. Do you understand what I mean?”

Demi-G.o.d inheritor! This sentence gave a stronger shock to Celine, then it suddenly dawned on her: No wonder master’s power leaped so fast. In the beginning, he was only the Great Demon King in the mechanic contest. Later, when he was in Town Leia, he was able to compete with the secret guard of Empress Catherine, Terdila who is an intermediate stage of the Demon Overlord. Now, he actually beheaded the Fallen Angel Empire’s Regent Obsidian of the peak stage of the Demon Overlord. Such a terrifying advancement speed… It turns out that he is actually the inheritor of Demi-G.o.d!

Chen Rui’s second half of the sentence made Celine’s heart jump even more. It is said that only powerhouses reaching the Demi-G.o.d level can lift the contract restrictions. Then master means that when his strength is restored to the Demi-G.o.d level. …

If someone else said this, Celine would never believe it, but she had witnessed the “miracle” created by Chen Rui. Even the top powerhouse Raizen or the Dark Shadow Empire’s Catherine the Great didn’t have that kind of terrifying progress speed, and he even had the ability to have more than 1 master-servant contract.

“Understood! Master!”

Celine got rid of her last extra thoughts, and her loyalty suddenly increased to the highest point. After her master’s strength reached Demi-G.o.d, there was indeed no need to use a contract to control his servant. The Demon Realm respected the powerful ones. If she could take shelter under the power of a Demi-G.o.d powerhouse, then the Custer Family would prosper for generations. Even the emperor of the empire could not harm them.

“Since you don’t want any reward this time, I’ll just reward them together next time.” Chen Rui took out a list, “Also, do everything possible to gather the materials listed in this list. The quant.i.ty needs to be more.”

These materials were all needed for the remains of the ancient alchemy civilization. Some of them were very rare, the quant.i.ty required was ma.s.sive, and the difficulty was quite high. Celine took a look at the list and looked surprised, but she didn’t say much and carefully included it in the s.p.a.ce ring, “Don’t worry, master, I will finish it in the shortest time.”

Chen Rui nodded with satisfaction. After Celine had gathered these materials, he would go to the Dead Sea to find the blue star water and phantom coral. Then the City of Stars would be able to restore its optimal state and possess a powerful ancient alchemy civilization legion.

TL: Treasure map? What kind of treasure is waiting in the Dead Sea? Now that he knows the 7 days limit, can he do something about it?