Chapter 416, You're Truly Kind
The actions of the Old Barrel's members made Wu Heng frown deeply.
When a faction's leader falls,
it's normal for the members to fight internally and divide the remaining resources.
Yet, they maintained peace and chose to leave together.
It was perplexing.
Even in the Ekow Kingdom, where the old king had fallen into a coma, political parties supporting different princes caused national tensions.
But here, a pirate island gang remained so harmonious. It was truly strange.
The most likely explanation was the presence of the level 15 professional.
They likely prevented internal strife within the Old Barrel.
Xiaoxiao continued to share her vision. The Old Barrel members paddled their boat, moving away from the island.
Their glowing auras were as conspicuous as light sources in the dark night.
Xiaoxiao followed them for a while.
In the distance, a freighter lay anchored in the darkness of the sea.
As the group approached, a rope ladder was lowered, and they were brought aboard.
Then, the freighter slowly departed.
The Old Barrel had left.
They had abandoned Golden-Silver Island entirely.
Why?
They gave up their established territory after so many years?
Or had they sensed impending danger on Golden-Silver Island?
These thoughts led Wu Heng to ponder.
Xiaoxiao's excitement over her new ability faded, replaced by a growing unease.
A vague tension crept into his heart.
He released Xiaoxiao again.
Hovering midair, she said, "See? They ran away."
"Yes, but we don't know why," Wu Heng replied, lying back down with his hands behind his head.
"Maybe it's because of that murder last time," Xiaoxiao speculated.
"Perhaps."
Xiaoxiao circled in midair. "Go to sleep. I'm off to watch cartoons."
"Keep the volume down so you don't disturb anyone," Wu Heng reminded.
"Got it!"
Xiaoxiao agreed cheerfully, phasing through the wall.
...…
Wu Heng lay in bed, contemplating the recent events before sleep.
"The manuscript is fine. For the remaining rituals, I just need to gather materials for the spirits. It's best to diversify Xiaoxiao and Glenda's types to avoid redundant abilities."
"The Old Barrel's members leaving might be due to their leader's death, fear of retaliation, or perhaps they sensed some looming danger. Either way, leveling up and expediting the Tier 3 potion development is crucial to avoid mishaps."
Currently, on Golden-Silver Island,
with Imiro's protection, things were relatively safe.
However, blank envelopes, rising bounties, and the Old Barrel's departure
suggested increasing danger.
"It's wise to trade for more weapons to bolster crisis response capabilities."
Even a level 15 professional couldn't withstand rocket launchers or a Barrett rifle.
Special artifacts or high-tier tools might provide some defense, but concentrated firepower could destroy them.
If missiles were obtainable, they could level a city.
Modern weapons remained a reliable advantage.
With these thoughts, sleep overtook Wu Heng.
...…
The next morning.
"Uncle, wake up. Humans are so troublesome; you even need to sleep," Xiaoxiao's voice grumbled in his ear.
Wu Heng awoke to find her floating above him, arms crossed, muttering.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, instantly alert.
Xiaoxiao circled above, pointing next door. "I noticed the auntie next door is also a high-level professional, just like you."
Next door? Auntie?
"Who?"
"The pretty lady who sometimes sneaks over at night, but she's strict. I mean the stern auntie from her household," Xiaoxiao explained.
Someone who comes over at night?
Shanaila?
The head of the largest elven merchant guild. Her guards weren't low-level.
That wasn't surprising.
But the "strict auntie" likely referred to her housekeeper.
"Let me see."
Xiaoxiao reentered his body, sharing her vision.
The perspective showed the courtyard from above. Guards stood vigilant, each emanating the aura of a level 10 professional.
A deep red figure emerged from the building.
As expected, it was the housekeeper.
She was a level 15 professional—no wonder her demeanor was always cold and formal, speaking with deference to everyone.
After seeing this, Wu Heng released Xiaoxiao. "That's the housekeeper. The pretty lady is Shanaila."
"Got it! What's a housekeeper?"
"They manage daily affairs like meals and coordinating staff. Minnie is our housekeeper," Wu Heng explained while dressing.
"Oh, I understand."
"Go fetch Glenda. I need to head out soon."
"Okay!"
Xiaoxiao flew off and quickly returned with Glenda.
The two spirits reentered Wu Heng's body as he went downstairs for breakfast.
...…
After breakfast,
Wu Heng rode a bicycle, giving Andviel a ride to the guild.
After sitting in his study for a while,
finding no pressing matters, he left the guild.
Crossing to the Snake Emblem Consortium,
he entered the hall.
The staff led him to a VIP room in the back.
Soon, the middle-aged man who usually attended to him entered.
Bowing slightly, he greeted, "Good morning, sir."
Wu Heng presented his crest. "Any updates on the previous commissions?"
Between the pirate village and investigating the Old Barrel leader's death, his schedule had been tight lately.
The Snake Emblem Consortium hadn't been visited in a while.
"Understood, sir." The man took the crest and left.
He returned shortly,
carrying a spatial sachet.
In the center of the room, he took out eight coffins.
"Sir, there are eight bodies of level 10 professionals, one wyvern corpse, and the 'Water Element Well' magical structure you ordered. Space constraints prevent a full display."
It seemed all his previous orders had arrived.
"Alright. Tell me about the bodies first," Wu Heng said.
The consortium's reputation for reliability was well-earned.
Even if the goods came from dubious sources, customer satisfaction was guaranteed.
"The eight bodies include four blacksmiths, two tanners, one alchemist, and one brewer, all above level 10."
There was no mention of names, ages, or causes of death—just their levels.
All were level 10 professionals.
But still no level 15 corpses.
Wu Heng glanced at the coffins. "Pack them up. How much is the balance?"
The man calculated. "You owe 22 gold coins."
Wu Heng handed over the payment.
"Draft another commission," he instructed.
The man, prepared, pulled out a fresh form. "Still seeking professional corpses?"
"Yes," Wu Heng confirmed. Before the man could write, he added, "Specify level 15 professionals this time. The reward can be higher."
Commissioning level 15 professional corpses?
That was bold.
Slightly stunned, the man asked, "No restrictions on profession type?"
"None."
"What's the new reward amount?"
"Increase it by 50%."
Doubling down on a higher price—necromancers were truly wealthy.
The man filled out the form and stamped it with Wu Heng's crest.
"It's ready, sir."
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "Add another commission: 10g of post-sunlight spectral dust, 5g of abyssal devilfish blood, and one intact mindflayer corpse."
These were materials noted in the manuscript.
Since the alchemy shop didn't stock them, the consortium was the next best option.
Collecting them individually would take years.
The man quickly jotted it down and stamped the form.
"Done, sir."
"Publish it as soon as possible," Wu Heng said. "What about transporting the coffins and structures?"
His spatial sachet couldn't be used openly here—it might expose him as a recent auction buyer.
While not necessarily dangerous, caution was prudent.
"I'll have someone deliver them to your residence," the man said, repacking the coffins into the sachet.
"Alright, let's go."
Wu Heng left with a staff member from the consortium.
...…
At a coastal town tavern,
Philipa sipped her drink, eyeing the bearded man opposite her. "So, you just gave your woman to him? Don't tell me you couldn't beat him."
The bearded man downed his drink, wiping foam from his beard. "Nonsense. We won. I just wasn't interested in her. If that cripple fancies her, he can have her."
Philipa stared at him. "Really? You're so kind. Join the guild already. Why stay a pirate?"
Nearby pirates spat out their drinks, stifling laughter as they looked away.
"To hell with your guild! You and your whole family are guild material," the bearded man cursed.
Philipa remained unbothered, continuing, "You spent years with her. At night, don't you miss her? Passing by her old haunts, you've never caught her shadow?"
The bearded man, once boisterous, fell silent, his gaze distant.
"Never mind. Drink up. This round's on me. Unlike you, money makes me happy," Philipa said.
The bearded man slammed the table. "Bring me your best wine!"
After a few more drinks,
Philipa set down her glass. "Any news lately?"
The bearded man burped. "News? The Deputy Steward of Golden-Silver Island had his bounty raised again. Does that count?"
Philipa frowned. "When did this happen? Why haven't I heard?"
"Out late with a man? Or can't decide between men and women?"
"I like your mom. Now spill."
The bearded man took another swig. "The bounty's now at 1,200 gold coins. The intel's more detailed, too.
"He always has two skeletal followers: a vagabond and a warrior, both over level 15. Better come prepared with ways to counter them."
Philipa's eyes widened slightly.
"Why does the intel suddenly include his skeletal followers?"