Chapter 98: Why Search? Lin Ye’s Solution!

[🎉 Shoutout to SASQS_asQSzS, Toad, Derek & Natalie for joining patreon. Thank you very much.🤗]

Hearing Hu Liena's promise, Lin Ye fell into deep thought.

If there's adequate reward and safety, going there doesn't seem to be a problem...

But then again...

Lin Ye suddenly recalled something.

Didn't she mention a group that specifically disguises themselves as nobles to lure Soul Hunting Teams into the Eternal Night Forest with false missions?

Why not figure out a way to capture them and interrogate them for information about the group of Evil Soul Masters hiding in the forest?

"Why do you have to go into the Eternal Night Forest to hunt the Evil Soul Masters? Can't you set a trap instead?" Lin Ye asked, his expression contemplative.

Hearing this, Hu Liena smiled bitterly.

She understood what Lin Ye meant. After all, this was a question that Elder Mu Yan had raised before.

"I've considered that," Hu Liena admitted. "But even if I hadn't already announced the presence of Evil Soul Masters in the Eternal Night Forest, there's still no way for our Spirit Hall to fully control the area around it.

"We can manage Soul Hunting Teams to some extent, but there are also teachers and students from soul master academies, nobles, and spirit master families who frequently venture into the forest. These groups are beyond our control. If they wander into the Eternal Night Forest, they'll be walking right into the Evil Soul Masters' trap.

"You're aware of what Evil Soul Masters are capable of—they can increase their cultivation by consuming martial souls, flesh, and even spirits. And the Blood Infant you mentioned? Our Spirit Hall has records of it. He's currently the leader of the Evil Soul Masters, and his strength has likely reached level eighty-nine. He's on the verge of breaking through to level ninety and becoming a Titled Douluo.

"A Titled Douluo stands at the pinnacle of strength on the Douluo Continent. If an Evil Soul Master were to reach that level, even the Spirit Hall would struggle to handle him. We absolutely cannot let that happen.

"To thwart the Evil Soul Masters' plans, I had no choice but to adopt this rather clumsy approach.

"Yes, it's a 'kill one thousand, lose eight hundred' scenario. But as long as it disrupts their schemes, it's worth it."

After listening to Hu Liena's explanation, Lin Ye fell silent for a moment, then a sudden idea flashed through his mind.

"Envoy Hu Liena, I think I've come up with a plan!" Lin Ye said slowly, looking directly at her.

"What's your plan?" Hu Liena asked curiously.

"This is how it works…"

After organizing his thoughts briefly, Lin Ye began to explain.

"First, let's address the core issue. As you mentioned, announcing the presence of Evil Soul Masters in the Eternal Night Forest was necessary to prevent soul masters from flocking there unchecked. Without this announcement, even the Spirit Hall couldn't manage the situation effectively.

"But now that the announcement is out, it's likely drawn the attention of the Evil Soul Masters. If you launch a search operation in the forest now, it'll probably yield no results.

"With sufficient manpower and time, you might find some clues. But the problem is, you don't have either."

"The Eternal Night Forest is too important to the surrounding cities and towns. If this drags on, the people of Eternal Night City and the neighboring areas will start blaming the Spirit Hall. I've heard some complaints myself in taverns—most of them stirred up by the nobles.

"While the common folk don't understand the intricacies, they care about what they see in front of them. Spirit Hall's authority may compel obedience, but you still need tangible results. That's why you came to me, correct?"

"Exactly!" Hu Liena nodded, admiration flashing in her eyes.

Lin Ye had pinpointed the Spirit Hall's dilemma—caught between a rock and a hard place.

Lin Ye smiled faintly before continuing.

"Envoy Hu Liena, your current predicament might seem dire, but it can actually be turned to your advantage."

"Turned to our advantage?" Hu Liena asked, puzzled.

"Yes. Take the negative rumors spreading about the Spirit Hall, for instance. While they originated with the nobles, those nobles aren't truly your enemies. They can be leveraged."

"Leverage the nobles?" Hu Liena murmured, still uncertain. "How?"

Lin Ye's expression grew serious.

"Right now, the announcement about the Evil Soul Masters has halted the influx of outside soul masters into the forest. As long as the Spirit Hall doesn't retract this statement, that situation won't change.

"But the Evil Soul Masters don't know that no one else is coming. This ignorance can be exploited.

"Rumors are already circulating that the Spirit Hall fabricated the existence of Evil Soul Masters because you've failed to produce any results. You could capitalize on this by claiming that the higher-ups in the main hall are questioning whether there are Evil Soul Masters in the Eternal Night Forest at all. Say you're under pressure to withdraw from the investigation. This would lull the Evil Soul Masters into a false sense of security.

"At the same time, loosen your restrictions on Soul Hunting Teams. Let someone disguise themselves as nobles and hire Soul Hunting Teams to venture into the forest—and then emerge unscathed. This will further convince people that the Evil Soul Masters are a baseless rumor.

"Meanwhile, focus on identifying those who pose as nobles to lure hunting teams into the forest. These are likely Evil Soul Masters in disguise. Then, plant someone to pose as a hunting team and accept their mission. Arrange for backup to follow discreetly.

"When the Evil Soul Masters reveal themselves to lead the hunting team deeper into the forest, your backup can move in and capture them, along with anyone hiding in the forest."

A faint smile played on Lin Ye's lips as he finished.

Hu Liena's eyes lit up as realization dawned.

"Brilliant…" she murmured.

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator

🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.

https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y