Chapter 412, Found
The carriage returned.
Everyone went their separate ways.
Wu Heng altered his appearance at the guild and rode a carriage back to Lighthouse Street.
He entered the Nautilus Tavern.
At this hour, the tavern was bustling.
People came and went, filling the tavern completely.
Upon entering, Wu Heng caught Milisen's glance as he briefly looked upstairs before continuing to attend to the guests.
Wu Heng went upstairs and entered a room at the back.
The room was clean. Aside from some fresh bedding, its layout was identical to before.
Wu Heng released two spirits.
"You didn't find him?" Glenda asked.
Xiaoxiao added, "Why not capture the whole gang, lock them up, and feed them to zombies until they talk?"
"What? So cruel?" Wu Heng looked at her.
"We're villains, aren't we? We should act like villains."
Wu Heng gave her an exasperated look. "That's a movie line. I've seen it. You don't even act like a villain."
"Really? Impossible. I won an award in kindergarten."
Wu Heng dismissed the kindergarten discussion and said, "Go monitor the Sea Dog Gang. With the current situation, they'll likely arrange for him to leave Gold-Silver Island. Find him."
The two spirits understood his instructions.
Glenda asked, "Your description isn't specific. It might be hard to identify him."
"Don't make it complicated. Just note who meets with the dwarf leader," Wu Heng said.
The spirits nodded and phased through the walls, vanishing into the night sky.
Wu Heng stood by the window, gazing toward the Sea Dog Gang's territory.
If all went well, this matter could end today.
...…
The sky gradually darkened.
Milisen came upstairs.
Quietly shutting the door, he bowed. "Deputy Steward, sir."
"Finished with work?"
"Yes. The crowd has thinned, and the staff can handle the tavern now," Milisen replied softly.
"The Sea Dog Gang. Do you know about them?" Wu Heng asked directly.
Milisen nodded immediately. "Yes, they're the local gang in this area. The tavern pays them 12 silver coins monthly for management fees. With business improving recently, they've been pushing for an increase."
Gangs managing areas often collected protection fees.
Part of these fees went to the guards or the city lord's mansion.
This was why the city tolerated their presence.
"What do you know about this gang?"
Milisen hesitated. "Not much. They don't have a good reputation."
"Do you recall a gnome with a scar on his lower lip?"
Milisen thought briefly but shook his head. "No impression. Gangs often keep people for dirty work."
Wu Heng nodded, not expecting useful information.
He continued, "Prepare a room. I'll stay here tonight."
"Understood. Please wait," Milisen nodded and left.
...…
Milisen soon returned.
He carried bedding and, after a careful glance, said, "Sir, all the rooms are full. If you don't mind, you can stay in my room tonight."
"All the rooms are full?"
"Yes. Several shops outside have closed recently, and our rooms have been booked. If it's inconvenient, I can sleep in the kitchen," Milisen explained.
"You rest as usual. I'll sit here for a while. I might act later," Wu Heng said, dismissing further discussion.
"Understood, sir." Milisen still laid out fresh bedding on the bed.
He spread his own set on the floor.
Wu Heng didn't comment, simply sitting nearby to wait.
Milisen left again.
When he returned, he carried a wooden basin, his gaze shyly avoiding eye contact. "Sir, there's no bath barrel prepared. Let me wash your feet instead."
Wu Heng frowned at him. "Milisen, there's no need for this. I'll leave after sitting for a while."
Milisen took a deep breath, looked up, and said, "Sir, if you don't mind, let me help. You've had a long day."
Wu Heng regarded him silently before sitting on the bed.
Milisen placed the basin on the floor and gently washed his feet.
His long hair draped over both sides, swaying slightly with his movements. His smooth shoulders exuded a mature charm.
"Milisen, are you adapting well to life here?" Wu Heng asked awkwardly, unsure what else to say.
Milisen looked up and smiled. "Very well. Good food, good clothing, and no fear of being kidnapped by pirates. It's the life I dreamed of."
"Do you miss your village?"
"No. If you don't need us anymore someday, we'll return," Milisen said softly.
Wu Heng nodded. "Stay safe and gather more intelligence. Things will only get better from here."
"Thank you, sir."
Milisen gently dried his feet with a cloth and said, "Lie down, sir. I'll give you a massage."
Wu Heng lay on the bed.
Milisen sat on the edge, lifting one of his arms to massage it gently.
...…
Suddenly, noise erupted outside the window.
Two spirits, still cloaked in invisibility, returned and entered Wu Heng's body.
Two visions simultaneously played in his mind.
The Sea Dog Gang was indeed planning to smuggle someone out, but not only was Wu Heng watching, the Old Barrel Tavern's people were too.
Wu Heng immediately sat up and moved to the window, looking into the distance.
At the end of a road, countless torches formed a long line.
The street was packed.
Armed people with torches gathered on every street, converging on the Sea Dog Gang's location.
The Old Barrel had decided not to wait any longer.
They might have alerted the guild and guards to prove their legitimacy.
In gang conflicts, problems were ultimately solved through combat.
More and more torches gathered, all moving toward the Sea Dog Gang's base.
"Avenge the leader!" a voice shouted from afar.
"Avenge the leader!" the crowd echoed.
The cries spread like waves, rolling backward.
Armed with weapons, the crowd charged forward.
The brawl began.
Shouts and the clash of weapons filled the area.
Milisen ran out of the room, directing staff to barricade the tavern doors.
To avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Wu Heng could only watch the scene from the room.
Once the fight started, no one could intervene.
It wouldn't stop until one side was defeated.
...…
The next morning.
The shouting stopped, and the area reeked of blood.
Wu Heng changed his appearance in a secluded alley and approached the battleground.
The guards and guild squads had already arrived.
Corpses littered the ground, blood pooling everywhere.
The bald man from the Old Barrel Tavern, drenched in blood, dragged a barely-alive gnome forward with a few others.
The gnome's lower lip bore a scar.
The bald man wiped the blood from his face. "We found him. He's from the Sea Dog Gang."