Chapter 401: The Pirate's Insider
The corpse spoke, "Amnesty for crimes, establishment of a self-governing island."
As soon as these words were uttered, the scene fell silent.
This promise was undeniably shocking.
It wasn't an exaggerated bounty, but rather a startling proposition.
Who dared promise amnesty and the establishment of a self-governing island?
The last to receive such privileges was Gold-Silver Island's owner, 'Occam,' an 18th-level pirate leader pardoned by the guild and various nations.
Was this related to the guild?
Otherwise, why would such a promise be made?
Everyone's eyes shifted to Imiro, who stood with his hands behind his back, lost in thought but showing no visible reaction.
Imiro then asked, "Why did you believe the Blank Envelope would fulfill its promise?"
The corpse replied, "The Blank Envelope's messages were always accurate. At the time, I believed the assassination couldn't fail. I had no reason to doubt."
Considering the situation in the pirate village,
The pirates had thoroughly prepared. If not for Wu Heng's tricks,
Any Deputy Steward would have failed against them.
From the perspective of the Devil's Hand captain, there was no reason to refuse.
Imiro paused for a few seconds. After the investigators finished recording, he asked, "Do you have any clues about the people behind the Blank Envelope?"
The corpse hesitated before replying, "The letters appear in the hands of established pirate crews. New pirates don't receive them. There's also a legend among pirates that a Pirate King can control all pirates in the sea. Many believe this Pirate King has reappeared, commanding pirates to reclaim the seas."
Established pirate crews!
The legend of the Pirate King.
Wu Heng vaguely remembered hearing something similar from Philipa but couldn't recall the exact details.
He'd have to ask Philipa about it later.
Imiro looked at Wu Heng and Sheila Grey. "Do you have any questions?"
Two questions remained.
"I have nothing to ask," Wu Heng said.
His two main concerns had already been addressed by Imiro.
Sheila Grey also shook her head.
Imiro turned back to the corpse. "Who else cooperated with you in the attempt to assassinate the Gold-Silver Island Deputy Steward?"
"Guardian of the Divine Punishment Sect—Viola, and Lopez City guild assistant—Vinsmoke."
Hearing these names,
Wu Heng and Sheila Grey narrowed their eyes.
Wu Heng was startled by the mention of the Divine Punishment Sect. In Blackstone Town, he had killed 'Bagdong,' a local elder of the sect. Now, another Guardian appeared.
Sheila Grey, on the other hand, was shocked by the involvement of Lopez City.
Many had suspected someone in the guild was aiding the pirates. Deputy Stewards were suspected, as were Stewards.
Now the suspicion fell on an assistant.
Someone not directly part of the guild but controlling significant local affairs.
One last question.
"Reveal all the pirate strongholds you know."
The pirate began listing strongholds one by one.
Moya and the investigators recorded them quickly.
The five questions concluded.
The corpse fell back onto the iron table.
Imiro's face darkened, as though suppressing his anger.
He addressed Wu Heng and the others. "Rest for now. We'll discuss this further tomorrow."
Then, turning to his assistant, Moya, he said, "Prepare a carriage for Lighthouse Street."
"Yes," Moya replied, leaving immediately.
Imiro was about to leave as well.
Wu Heng quickly called out, "Steward!"
Imiro turned back. "What is it?"
"I killed five pirate captains during the fight, but due to the urgency, I transformed them into skeletons," Wu Heng explained.
Imiro glanced at the skeletons behind Wu Heng and said, "Let the coroner verify their bones and traits. Match them with the wanted notices and calculate the merits accordingly."
"Thank you, Steward!" Wu Heng expressed his gratitude.
Imiro left without another word.
...…
In the morgue, a few remained.
The coroner began verifying the skeletons' identities.
Identifying skeletons after death was much harder than examining corpses.
Rough matches were made, with the rest depending on the informant's details.
While this was underway,
Wu Heng said, "Everyone, go rest."
The two squads nodded and headed upstairs together.
For them,
The mission had been dangerous but immensely rewarding.
Even though Wu Heng killed the pirates, the merit rewards would be shared.
Six level-15 pirate leaders!
An enormous fortune.
Sheila Grey glanced at Wu Heng and said, "Finish the verification and rest early."
"By the way, who is the Guardian of the Divine Punishment Sect mentioned by the corpse? Is their body among the dead?" Wu Heng asked.
"Probably not. I've seen these pirates on wanted notices," Sheila Grey replied after some thought. "Before we left, the Steward mentioned a strong individual arriving on the island. It might be them."
Wu Heng narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Oh, they came to the island."
"Most likely. Be careful and stay safe," Sheila Grey warned.
"Understood!" Wu Heng smiled.
Sheila Grey returned the smile. "I'll head out. Let's talk tomorrow."
"Alright!"
Sheila Grey left, and Wu Heng waited for the verification to complete.
After confirming the skeletons against the wanted notices,
The coroner found no issues and recorded everything.
Wu Heng then led his skeleton servants upstairs.
...…
Returning to his office,
Several skeleton servants followed, startling Andviel.
When she saw Wu Heng enter, her wary expression turned to joy. She pushed a small owl aside and rushed over.
Throwing her arms around him, she softly said, "Master, you're back!"
Wu Heng wrapped his arms around the little fox's waist, spinning her once before setting her down. "I'm back. Did you miss me?"
"Missed you terribly!" Andviel's cheeks flushed.
"Good girl. Everything okay at home?"
"Everything's fine. Sister Shanaila visited twice, but there were no issues," Andviel replied.
"Alright. Wait for me a bit. We'll go home together later."
"Okay!"
Wu Heng sat at his desk, pulling out stationery and laying it on the surface.
He began writing:
"To Lilith Anne Besmit, Leader:
Deputy Steward Wu Heng of Gold-Silver Island, during a mission investigating cult activity in a Lopez City village, encountered a pirate ambush designed to kill him. He eliminated several pirate leaders and collaborators disguised as villagers.
In the village, we rescued Whisperer Wilhelm, who had been imprisoned by pirates for five years and subjected to severe torture.
Despite his deranged state, he attempted to expose the pirates' crimes through blood-stained cloth.
This letter is to clear Wilhelm's name and acknowledge the Whisperers' silent contributions to the guild.
—Deputy Steward Wu Heng of Gold-Silver Island."
After revising, he finalized the letter.
Satisfied, he sealed it in an envelope.
Wilhelm's efforts were significant and moving.
The letter also served to document Wu Heng's experience and the events for guild headquarters.
In case Lopez City distorted the details, it provided him with indirect protection.
Although addressed to Lilith, his past letters had been well-received.
Each one prompted action.
For instance, the investigations into the Secret Cult and the vampiric nobles began after he wrote to Lilith.
Sealing the letter, Wu Heng handed it to Andviel. "Take this to the front desk for mailing."
"Yes, Master," Andviel replied, leaving to deliver it.
Shortly after, she returned.
Wu Heng tidied his belongings and left the guild with his skeleton servants.
Heading home.
...…
Lighthouse Street.
Imiro sat in a carriage.
Outside, a guild squad member approached quickly.
Speaking softly, "Steward, the person left. We checked with the tavern owner and the port. They departed on a cargo ship this afternoon."
Left the island.
Swift action indeed.
Imiro glanced toward the port and waved. "Alright, have everyone stand down. Let's head back."
"Yes, Steward."
The squad disbanded.
The carriage returned to the guild.
...…
Late at night.
Wu Heng woke up, carefully withdrawing his arms from beneath the heads of two young maids.
Tucking them in, he quietly stepped out of the room.
As he opened the door, he saw a graceful figure descending from the rooftop.
Dressed in a pink nightgown, her delicate face carried a faint smile.
She quickly approached and threw herself into his arms, whispering, "Was your mission successful?"
"Very successful. Sorry to make you worry."
"Were you hurt?"
Wu Heng lifted her chin, looking into her gem-like eyes. "Want to check?"
Shanaila blushed. "Check what? Always teasing me."
Wu Heng scooped her up. "Hold onto me."
"Okay." Shanaila clung tightly to him.
Wu Heng smiled, sliding her shoulder straps off. Her silk nightgown slipped to her waist.
Her full, fair figure was exposed.
Carrying her to the side, Wu Heng moved purposefully.
Shanaila held onto him, resting her head on his shoulder, and said coyly, "Not to the bedroom? Where are we going?"
"To the study."
Kicking open the study door, Wu Heng placed Shanaila on the desk.
Her nightgown fluttered lightly at the edge.
...…
The next morning.
Knock, knock, knock~!
The door rattled, waking Wu Heng and Shanaila from the bearskin rug on the floor.
"Master, are you in the study? Breakfast is ready," Minnie called out.
Wu Heng cleared his throat and replied, "Coming down soon."
"Okay," Minnie's voice faded.
Golden sunlight streamed through the window.
Wu Heng gazed at Shanaila and pulled her close, kissing her lips.
Shanaila returned the kiss briefly and said, "Alright, I should go. It'd be awkward if Minnie or the others find out."
"I could take you downstairs. They'll find out eventually," Wu Heng suggested.
"No," Shanaila replied, slipping on her nightgown. "Give me more time. I'm not ready yet."
Wu Heng didn't press her and nodded in agreement.
After dressing, Wu Heng opened the door, glanced at the hallway, and escorted Shanaila to the rooftop, returning her to the neighboring residence.
Wu Heng then went downstairs to join the two maids for breakfast.
...…
After breakfast,
Wu Heng checked on the alchemy lab. On one of the shelves, there were already several bottles of first-level corpse core potions and second-level corpse core potions.
After storing them all,
He opened the gateway in his study and headed to the zombie world.
They had only spent a night in the village,
But the round trip consumed four days.
It was still quite a long journey.
Leaving the manager's office, a chill hit him.
Looking out through the window,
The dark sky was filled with drifting snowflakes.
Wu Heng picked up the charging walkie-talkie beside him and said, "Qi Hancai, are you there?"
"Here, one moment please."
Soon, the sound of footsteps approached.
Qi Hancai, dressed in a long black down coat, quickly walked up.
"Great King!"
Wu Heng motioned for her to sit down and then asked, "How's the development going here?"
Qi Hancai recounted the changes over the past few days.
It was mainly about clearing the surrounding areas and preparing the necessary supplies for survivors to endure the winter.
After finishing her report, she added, "Yesterday, the provincial rescue team contacted us, asking if gold could still be exchanged for food."