Chapter 429: Untouched Armory
Before the headquarters personnel arrived, the steward disappeared.
It seems that the matter concerning the Devil's Hand Pirate Crew has some connection with this steward.
If it were an act of pirate revenge, it would likely have targeted the deputy steward who accompanied them to the pirate village or escalated into a conflict with the entire local guild.
But only the steward quietly disappeared.
A more probable scenario is that the person ran away.
Even if it has nothing to do with the Devil's Hand, there is likely some association with pirates.
"Sheila Grey and her group aren't in any danger, right?" Wu Heng tightened his grip slightly.
Andviel curled into his embrace, "No, they just assisted briefly and then returned."
"Good, as long as they're fine." Wu Heng released his hold and stood, pulling up Andviel's nightgown.
The little fox's face turned red. She raised her arms to facilitate its removal.
Revealing her smooth, fair figure.
Andviel clung to his arm, her voice soft, "Let's go to the bedroom, Master."
Wu Heng signaled to Minnie with a glance. She giggled and pounced on the little fox, hugging her tightly, "Come on, Master."
Andviel turned entirely crimson, pinned down but not resisting. "It's so embarrassing here."
"What's there to be embarrassed about? It's our home."
Minnie chimed in, "Exactly, Master says wherever is fine."
Andviel turned her head aside, choosing not to reply.
Wu Heng simply undressed and gently pressed against the two of them.
Minnie frowned slightly, "Master, you've got the wrong person."
"You first."
"Master, you're so..." Minnie muttered but soon went limp, sprawled atop the fox girl.
...…
The next morning, Wu Heng rose on time.
First, he visited the tavern near the guild to order some food. On the way, he stopped by a general store to purchase beast fodder.
The fodder came in several varieties.
Some even contained chunks of magical beast meat, looking better than human meals.
He bought two kinds and stored them in his spatial ring.
Then, he headed straight for the Nautilus Tavern.
Early in the morning, the tavern had yet to open, and the bartenders were absent.
Philipa, her dreadlocks undone, was wiping tables on the first floor.
Upon seeing Wu Heng enter, she threw the cloth to the floor. "Hurry up and leave; this place is unbearable."
Milisen emerged from the back, carrying prepared food items, holding her hand and offering reminders.
Philipa gathered the items. "Alright, I'll come back in a while."
Milisen glanced at Wu Heng waiting at the door, said no more, and nodded, watching the two leave.
They exited the city.
Summoned the ghost train and set off for Scorpion Claw Island.
When they arrived on the island.
Three ships remained docked at the port, and near the shore were several burnt-out bonfires.
It seemed the Iron Barrel Pirates had lit fires by the shore last night.
Wu Heng retrieved the items he had bought.
After Philipa collected them, she looked at him, "When will you pick me up again?"
"Whenever you feel like seeing your mother again, I'll come get you."
"My mom scolded me last night."
"What did she scold you for?"
"She told me not to act like a lunatic. Do I look like a lunatic?" Philipa adjusted her captain's hat.
"Uh… not really."
"See? I'm just cheerful… Stupid woman doesn't get it." Philipa said.
Wu Heng glanced at the distant pirate ships and added, "Alright, head back. Remember your duties; don't just play around."
"Got it."
Philipa waved and walked away.
As she neared the fleet, a green-feathered parrot returned, landing on her shoulder.
Philipa approached the bonfires and started kicking the drunkards scattered about, calling everyone to board the ship.
The pirates gathered their belongings and hustled about.
Then, steering their pirate ship, they sailed away.
Wu Heng summoned the ghost train again, returning to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
Back on Gold-Silver Island.
Wu Heng went straight to the guild.
After yawning twice in his office, he left and headed to Sheila Grey's office.
He knocked lightly. Upon receiving a response, he entered.
Sheila Grey sat behind her desk, smiling as he entered. "I wondered where you were when I didn't see you back."
Wu Heng took a seat on the sofa. "When did you get back?"
"Yesterday at noon. Just accompanied headquarters for some investigation, nothing major," Sheila Grey replied.
"I heard the steward over there disappeared?" Wu Heng inquired.
"Yes, by the time we arrived, the person was already gone. The deputy steward is managing the guild, and they've conducted inspections. A new steward will be assigned, and the missing one will be investigated later," Sheila Grey explained briefly.
Even stewards are connected to pirates.
It's no surprise a village was replaced by pirates.
Wu Heng continued, "Headquarters must be taking this seriously?"
Sheila Grey stood, poured two cups of tea, and handed him one. "Coastal guilds will undergo inspections, especially after the 'Kalema' disappearance. It's suspected of pirate collusion. Things are serious; many places will see personnel changes."
"That's for the best," Wu Heng nodded.
Sheila Grey leaned against her desk, looking at him. "How's the investigation on Old Barrel's case? I've been too busy to ask since returning."
When tasks were assigned by Imiro.
Sheila Grey handled Lopez City, while Wu Heng investigated Old Barrel Tavern.
"Found the culprit, a warlock trained secretly by the Sea Dog Gang. Now, the gang's been wiped out by Old Barrel's people, and their base leveled," Wu Heng explained.
"The culprit? Are you saying Macintosh is dead?" Sheila Grey paused mid-sip.
When she left, Macintosh was reported injured in an attack.
Now he's dead?
"Dead. By the time I got there, he was already cold."
Sheila Grey didn't respond for a long moment.
A woman who controlled the port for so many years, dead at the hands of a new gang's henchman.
Unbelievable yet pitiful.
Even though Sheila Grey despised gangs and saw them as urban hazards.
She couldn't deny Macintosh managed Old Barrel decently.
A woman managing so many people with just wit wasn't easy.
And now, she's just gone.
"Why did she die? Normal means shouldn't have killed her, right?"
Wu Heng looked at her puzzled and shocked face, saying, "Old Barrel claimed snake venom, but due to the Bervera tribe's customs, there was no autopsy. The island's guards confirmed the body belonged to Macintosh."
"Sigh~! A prophet, dying in her own domain," Sheila Grey sighed.
"Indeed."
"The island's forming guard units and such. Seems chaotic. Be careful yourself," Sheila Grey advised.
"I will."
After chatting briefly, Wu Heng didn't linger.
Sheila Grey went to deliver documents, and Wu Heng returned to his office for a while.
Then he left the guild, hailed a carriage, and returned home.
...…
At home, he greeted Minnie.
And then entered the zombie world.
Coming out of the bedroom.
The entire waiting hall was filled with survivors.
Moreover, all sorts of tools and equipment were much more complete.
It seemed the train had brought in new supplies.
As he descended the stairs, Qi Hancai received the news and approached.
She said, "We've found a local map and confirmed with the radio and nearby shelters."
A long map was unfurled, revealing 'Anhuishi City's' buildings and routes.
Wu Heng helped hold one side as Qi Hancai pointed to two locations, "Here is the city's commercial street. It's confirmed to have many jewelry stores and malls for the supplies we need. Over here is the military zone. Occupying it could yield ammunition and equipment."
Military zone?
Wu Heng asked, "Isn't there a military market here?"
"No, maybe they didn't take too many weapons when leaving, and no market was set up."
In other words…
There's an untouched armory.