Chapter 431: Take Her Away
Wu Heng's eyes widened slightly.
Suddenly, he recalled something mentioned in the Pirate History.
The Pirate King's appearance united the pirates, stopping their internal conflicts and reclaiming their sea territories.
With the emergence of the blank envelopes, even those unaware of the Pirate King's legend followed the letters, which accurately predicted merchant ship schedules, acting as their guide.
Upon reflection…
At the time, the Devil's Hand ambushed Wu Heng and the Adventurer's Guild personnel on a pirate ship.
He couldn't understand why, given the Devil's Hand's strength and the five additional pirate leaders at Level 15.
The bounty on his head wasn't enough to divide among them, yet they were determined to kill him.
Now it seemed, it wasn't just about the bounty.
More likely, they were acting according to the instructions in the letter.
"So, I suspect the old pirate factions know some insider information," Philipa continued.
Wu Heng pondered, "I questioned the Devil's Hand's captain posthumously but learned nothing about the letters or the people behind them."
Philipa thought for a moment, "Next time, try a different approach. Ask how the letters are delivered or who the previous Pirate King was."
Previously, Wu Heng hadn't gathered any information on the Pirate King.
So, during the questioning, he focused more on the mastermind behind the letters.
Philipa's suggestion made sense; he could ask about the Pirate King's identity or the letters' origin.
"Alright, next time I capture a pirate, I'll ask that. You keep gathering relevant intel and inform me if you find anything."
"Okay," Philipa agreed, then added, "Has my Whisperer identity been approved yet?"
"No news yet. I'll check with the Guild tomorrow."
"Oh, when it's approved, tell my mom loudly how brave and smart I am to be specially accepted by the Guild," Philipa said with rising enthusiasm.
"Alright, I'll make it look as formal as possible."
"Good, you really understand me," Philipa seemed pleased but quickly shifted the topic, "Recently, there's this sailor's scarf making rounds—green ones. They say wearing it grants blessings from the Sea God."
"A relic, or just an accessory?"
"Neither, just something woven by the Bermita people. Many have bought it," Philipa explained.
Wu Heng remarked, "Nonsense. Their tribe's crafts can't possibly rival relics."
"A lot of people bought them, claiming it helped them avoid shipwrecks or become invulnerable in battles."
"Superstitions."
"Some even said they found money with it!"
"Well, find out where they bought it."
"Alright. Enough about this, I'm heading out," Philipa said.
"Okay."
Ending the conversation, Wu Heng hung up the receiver.
Leaning against the desk, he reorganized Philipa's intel.
Previously, old pirate factions searched for the Pirate King's treasure.
Now, the blank envelopes' emergence made them believe the treasure had been found, driving them to follow the instructions instead.
Meanwhile, newer pirates, unaware of the Pirate King's tale…
Were still drawn by the envelopes, which provided accurate merchant convoy schedules, incentivizing them with profits.
"Even with pirates scattered, the blank envelopes could unite them under its influence."
"Damn, what if they all converge on this island to kill me?"
Unlikely.
Pirates wouldn't be foolish enough to do that.
After mulling it over briefly, he left the room.
Downstairs, he chatted with Minnie for a while.
When Andviel returned, they had dinner together before retiring for the night.
...…
Morning at the Guild.
Imiro sat on the couch, polishing his sword. Seeing Wu Heng enter, he asked, "Here early again? Got something new?"
Wu Heng wanted to examine the sword's properties.
But Imiro handed it to Moya instead, sitting down to face him.
Left with no choice, Wu Heng said, "Philipa sent some intel. I thought I'd report it to you."
"Let's hear it."
Wu Heng organized his thoughts and explained, "Philipa said the old pirate factions were previously searching for the Pirate King's treasure. After the envelopes appeared, they stopped searching and started acting according to the letters."
There wasn't much Wu Heng could do about pirates.
Imiro, being strong and equally an enemy to pirates, was better suited to handle these matters.
After all, Wu Heng was part of the Guild now; leveraging resources was logical.
"Hmm?" Imiro raised a brow. "You think the book's claims are true?"
"I believe the Pirate King's story isn't fabricated. Otherwise, the old pirate factions wouldn't be so convinced of his existence. Now, the blank envelopes are guiding pirates, and given time, they might unite, posing a major threat," Wu Heng analyzed.
"What's your suggestion?"
"Reduce the number of convoys along trade routes to limit pirate actions based on the letters. Additionally, infiltrate the old pirate factions for intel. It could reveal something useful," Wu Heng proposed.
The Guild likely had its own network of informants.
Collectively, the information sources would be more comprehensive.
Imiro considered it. "We can't interfere with international trade convoys, but gathering intel on old pirate factions can be implemented."
"Alright, nothing else from me," Wu Heng replied.
Imiro retrieved a copper-colored emblem from a drawer. "Here's the Whisperer emblem for your pirate lady. Also, the merits for killing those two pirates have been processed; don't forget to claim them."
"Got it," Wu Heng said, pocketing the emblem and leaving the study.
...…
In the corridor, he first visited the morgue to store the two pirate captains' bodies in his spatial ring.
Then headed to the main hall.
Lately, the Guild's hall was bustling.
Many discussed the island's fleet and guard formation.
The benefits seemed appealing; for those uninterested in being mercenaries, joining the guard was a viable option.
Wu Heng lingered to eavesdrop for a moment.
The island's guard seemed to be garnering attention.
Such enforcement teams were always attractive opportunities.
At the reception desk, the staff greeted him warmly, "Deputy Steward, how can I assist you?"
"I have two merits to exchange," Wu Heng informed.
"Please wait," the staff quickly checked records. "You have two third-tier merits. What type of reward would you prefer?"
"Mage skill books."
"Understood," the staff promptly left and returned with several books. "Deputy Steward, feel free to select."
Wu Heng scanned the options, recognizing many as skills he had already learned.
Finally, he chose two.
[Mirror Image]
(Description: Create up to three illusionary clones and command them to perform simple actions.)
[Preset Armor]
(Description: Bestow a target with a protective force field that activates upon attack until the spell ends.)
One was an illusion spell, capable of creating clones.
Mirror Image shared similarities with Philipa's Phantom Blade.
It could confuse enemies, even momentarily, proving useful.
The second skill, Preset Armor, allowed preemptive protection that triggered automatically when attacked.
Both had practical applications.
"I'll take these two," Wu Heng decided.
The staff nodded. "Understood, they're yours."
Wu Heng nodded and returned to his study.
...…
In a dimly lit mansion on Snowburn Street…
Two men sat inside.
One, middle-aged with slicked-back hair and a full beard, wore a blue noble's suit, well-groomed and poised.
The other, younger with brown hair and green eyes, donned silver armor, exuding a commanding presence.
"Greco, any updates?" asked the bearded man.
"The tavern was purchased by the Guild. It's either his informant or lover," replied Greco in a flat tone.
"How can you be certain?"
"He's just a mid-level mage. He can't hide from me," Greco sneered.
The older man pressed further, "What's your plan?"
Greco brushed a hand over his armor's insignia. "Wait for him at the tavern, then burn it with him inside."
The man shook his head. "Too conspicuous. Lighthouse Street is crowded; it'd be hard to contain."
Greco suggested, "Then we kidnap the woman, lure him to the sea, and kill him there."
The man nodded slightly. "Don't underestimate him. He's killed plenty of pirates. If he survives, it'll be trouble for us."
"Don't worry. Without his skeleton minions, he's nothing," Greco assured.