Chapter 66: The Spy’s First Move

Before I could even set out to find him, he eagerly sought me out.

Having neglected to wear my veil, he recognized me instantly: “Beauty, could I borrow a moment of your time to speak privately?”

“I was just about to suggest the same,” I declared, striking what I imagined was a dashing fist-and-palm salute. Yet, the man across from me visibly struggled to suppress his laughter.

‘What was so amusing? Was it not dashing? I used to perform this very gesture before committing any mischief in my previous life! Could it truly be so uncool? Was I nothing more than a clown in my past existence?!’

We soon located a secluded spot, devoid of other players, and began our private conversation.

“On behalf of our guild leader, Jiangu, and all members of our guild, I formally invite you to join Sword Sweeping the World!”

“Certainly,” I responded, my voice carrying an air of easy agreement.

Evidently, he hadn’t anticipated such a decisive acceptance. He must have assumed that a highly sought-after asset like myself would undoubtedly present a list of extravagant demands.

Such demands would have been entirely reasonable, considering I was a rare combination of beauty and formidable skill—an asset as crucial as a guild’s very signboard!

Moreover, with my captivating looks, becoming the ‘guild flower’ upon joining Sword Sweeping the World was an absolute certainty.

Black Mirror Healer was overcome with delight, never imagining that the task Jiangu had assigned him could be accomplished so swiftly…

‘Could the future foremost beauty of Sword Sweeping the World truly be so simple to recruit?’

“Allow me to reintroduce myself then,” Black Mirror Healer began, patting his chest with an air of pride. “My name is Black Mirror Healer, and I am the leader of the First Healing Regiment within Sword Sweeping the World’s main guild. When I say ‘First Regiment,’ I refer to a full ten-regiment establishment, comprising a total of one thousand members.”

His position was indeed significant, and speaking of it before a beautiful woman undoubtedly brought him immense satisfaction and prestige.

Indeed, outward appearances could be incredibly disarming. Black Mirror Healer harbored not the slightest suspicion regarding my true intentions, which only reinforced the notion that beautiful women were always the most sought-after assets in the world of espionage.

“Greetings, esteemed Regiment Leader~ I do, however, have one request,” I said, my smile unwavering and sweet.

“Oh?” he mused, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. “So, there *is* a condition after all! I knew inviting a beautiful expert to join us wouldn’t be quite so straightforward!” Nevertheless, Black Mirror Healer clapped his chest with a hearty laugh. “Don’t hesitate to state whatever demands you have!”

“I wish to lead a branch guild of my own,” I stated, my flawless smile still in place, “one that would operate on the periphery, offering support to Sword Sweeping the World.”

“Lead a guild?” Black Mirror Healer was utterly stunned by my proposition.

Aside from the feasibility of the idea or whether I could be trusted, a beautiful branch guild leader was a far grander and more dazzling ‘signboard’ than even a beautiful expert!

Furthermore, the fact that I would proactively propose managing a guild myself… that was truly unexpected.

Managing a guild was an arduous task, taxing both mind and spirit. Few women willingly shouldered the burden of a guild leader, as their desire for power paled in comparison to their yearning for enjoyment. Most women, rather than aspiring to be a guild leader, harbored a greater ambition of becoming a guild master’s wife.

Yet, if I were to lead a small guild, the advantages for them would be absolutely immense!

Even if I proved entirely inept at guild management, the main guild could simply dispatch a few ‘dog-headed strategists’ (TL Note: A derogatory term for incompetent or overly cautious advisors) to assist in its administration!

Her beauty! Her sheer beauty! This, indeed, was a woman’s most formidable weapon! Nothing else could ever compare to those two words!

Especially a clever woman, who could make every man in the realm bow before her! Even a regional emperor would be powerless against such a ‘disaster water’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘huoshui,’ referring to a femme fatale whose beauty brings ruin)—a soft blade that pierced deeper than any steel!

This beautiful woman possessed commendable skill and was clearly no fool. Such a terrifying weapon simply *must* be kept within Sword Sweeping the World! Whether for attracting new members or for subtly influencing enemies in the future, her effect would undoubtedly be exceptional! Moreover, the small guild she led would surely expand at an incredibly rapid pace, swiftly elevating Sword Sweeping the World’s overall strength!

“Excellent!” he exclaimed. “I’ll agree to your demand of becoming a branch guild leader on behalf of our boss!”

‘Of course he had to agree!’

‘Provided she wasn’t a spy for a rival guild, this arrangement would bring a hundred benefits to Sword Sweeping the World with absolutely no drawbacks!’

Observing Black Mirror Healer’s rapidly shifting expressions, I offered him another sweet, innocent smile.

‘My apologies, but I am, in fact, the spy~’

And so…

Phase one of the plan—accomplished!

Phase two—have Oleander lead Sword Sweeping the World’s branch guild in an assault against Gunfire Rose!

After all, roses are not merely delicate hothouse flowers.