"Note: For anyone who was subscribed to my previous Patreon, please send me a message on my new account. If I recognize you from before, I'll happily give you a free month."
Chapter 581, Did you know he was once a detective?
Phillipa appeared with a skeleton, causing both sides of the standoff to momentarily fall silent.
The wood elves blocking the way also became serious.
The order received was to confirm Shanaila's assets on Gold-Silver Island, but at the same time, there was also an order to maintain friendly relations with Gold-Silver Island and sustain commercial cooperation.
For a moment, it was somewhat awkward.
The leading wood elf gave a slight bow, "Captain Phillipa, this should be an internal matter of Starflower. Please do not interfere."
Phillipa raised an eyebrow, "Cut the crap, or I'll throw you into the sea to wake you up."
The wood elf frowned, "Captain Phillipa, you are now the captain of Gold-Silver Island. Please watch your words."
"You should be grateful you made it to Gold-Silver Island! Now scram!" Phillipa waved her hand behind her.
The skeleton cleared the way ahead, while Phillipa and Shanaila followed, passing through the obstructing group.
They got into a carriage by the roadside and headed toward the Island Lord's mansion.
Inside the carriage.
Phillipa sprawled out casually, "There are too many people here. I'll help you get back at them when we get a chance."
Shanaila smiled, "No need. It's fine as it is now. You already scared them."
"Really? I've changed a lot. Back when I was a pirate…" Phillipa started, then stopped, "Never mind that. I was undercover then, so it doesn't count as piracy."
Shanaila wasn't very interested in Phillipa's past as a pirate and changed the subject.
"Let's not talk about them. Tell me, how's Gold-Silver Island been lately? It looks like a lot has changed."
Phillipa leaned closer, sitting directly next to Shanaila, speaking excitedly, "Let me tell you, did you know Wu Heng used to be a detective? The kind who doesn't rely on Professional abilities but solves cases just by examining corpses…"
...…
On the road.
Phillipa continued talking nonstop.
Shanaila's eyes widened, full of surprise and disbelief.
"And then?"
"That's it. The newspaper only printed up to this point. Oh, it's called a serial. Wu Heng said so," Phillipa explained.
Shanaila nodded and fell silent again.
She hadn't expected so much to have happened on Gold-Silver Island while she was away.
Moreover, they had even started publishing newspapers.
Wu Heng had already reached level 15 before, so he was probably preparing for level 18 now.
Not bad. He was laying the groundwork for his future.
She thought to herself.
Phillipa pulled back the carriage curtain and stretched out her arm, "Give me a newspaper."
A newspaper boy quickly approached, took the money, and handed over a newspaper.
Phillipa withdrew her hand and passed it to Shanaila, "This is the newspaper. His story is in it. This is the third issue. The first two were sold out earlier."
Shanaila took it and started reading.
...…
Zombie World, conference room.
Zhao Yanqiu, having completed her class transition, stood in place, looking at the opposite side.
"I can feel changes in my body, but I don't know exactly what has changed."
Xiaoxiao flew over and boasted, "Mom, you're a Professional now, not an ordinary person anymore."
"Be specific. What's the benefit?" Zhao Yanqiu looked at her daughter.
"Uh…" Xiaoxiao turned to Wu Heng for help, "Uncle, what does it do?"
Wu Heng thought for a moment about his understanding of Bards and said, "You can think of being a Professional as setting a direction for your own development, thereby enhancing your various abilities.
Simply put, as long as you keep following the path of this profession, it's like continuously taking corpse core potions—except without side effects or worrying about the virus affecting your body."
Zhao Yanqiu didn't understand much else, but she grasped the last sentence.
It worked like continuously taking corpse core potions.
And it had no side effects.
Even if she didn't understand much, she knew this news would shake the whole world once it got out.
And it had been entrusted to her.
Her face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Chief."
Xiaoxiao politely flew over and patted Zhao Yanqiu's shoulder in midair, "No need to be so polite, Mom. We're family, right, Uncle?"
"Ah, yes!" Wu Heng nodded.
Zhao Yanqiu shot a glare at her daughter, then asked, "What do I need to do to strengthen my profession?"
Xiaoxiao turned her head again, "What should she do?"
Wu Heng explained, "Your profession is called Bard. There are two main directions I know of—one is folklore knowledge, which includes collecting stories and works. The second is performance and speech, which, as the name suggests, involves performing or giving speeches to enhance abilities."
Xiaoxiao nodded, "That's right!"
The Bard's characteristics were closer to artistic performances. Many of its abilities were transmitted through words, influencing minds or inspiring souls.
Of course, that applied to the normal progression of the profession. Manipulators and tricksters often came from the same path.
Zhao Yanqiu listened and nodded, "I understand."
Xiaoxiao pondered, "Mom, you could become a star. Didn't you love singing before? This profession suits you."
"There are no stars in this world anymore," Zhao Yanqiu replied.
Wu Heng continued, "A Professional is definitely something beneficial with no downsides. You should first get used to your abilities, and I'll find a couple of books for you later."
"Yes, Chief." Zhao Yanqiu bowed again in thanks.
"Don't spread this news around. Otherwise, it'll bring trouble for all of us," Wu Heng warned.
"I understand."
Wu Heng nodded and stood up. "You two talk. I'm going to check on the factory."
Zhao Yanqiu bowed again, her attitude extremely respectful.
Wu Heng didn't say more and walked out.
Behind him, Xiaoxiao's voice rang out, "Mom, I chose this profession for you. It suits you! Now you can improve just by talking. You love to chatter—uh, I mean, it's simple."
Wu Heng walked out of the conference room.
He and Qi Hancai headed toward the bullet production factory.
They inspected the factory and warehouse, confirming the quantity of required materials.
After completing the inspection, they had lunch together in the cafeteria.
Wu Heng returned to his dormitory and chatted with Glenda in his room.
Xiaoxiao flew back as well.
"So? Is your mom satisfied?" Wu Heng asked.
Xiaoxiao lazily floated in midair, "She's satisfied, just a bit dumb—she doesn't understand anything."
"After all, the cultures of two worlds are different. It's normal to take time to adapt," Wu Heng explained.
Xiaoxiao nodded, "I hope so."
Wu Heng glanced at Xiaoxiao and asked, "Xiaoxiao, how do you think we should help your mom advance? Other professions can have skeletons assist in training, but Bards are a bit different."
Skeletons couldn't speak, making it difficult for them to provide effective guidance for a Bard.
Xiaoxiao frowned in thought, "Let's go with what you said, Uncle—pick a few simple skill books for my mom to try."
"That works, but you'll have to translate them yourself. Your mom won't understand another world's language."
"I can't read them either!" Xiaoxiao immediately protested.
"Ask Aunt Glenda to teach you. Your mom's level-up depends on you."
Xiaoxiao hadn't expected to be assigned a task and grumbled, "We should train a couple of skeletons for translation."
Seeing Xiaoxiao's sudden disappointment, both Wu Heng and Glenda smiled.
No matter how much combat and scouting she did, Xiaoxiao never saw them as a chore.
But when it came to reading or studying…
Her mood shifted instantly—and very quickly.
Wu Heng had asked Xiaoxiao because of [Unfinished Business].
But it seemed her mother's class change hadn't unlocked that state.
So, he could only ask her what direction she wanted to take next.
Slowly exploring.
After chatting with two specters, he opened the portal and stepped inside.
...…
Returning to Gold-Silver Island, he changed into his clothes here.
He opened the door and walked downstairs.
As he reached the second floor, he heard the maids laughing and chatting below.
What's got them so happy today?
As he descended the stairs and glanced into the living room, he saw 'Shanaila' sitting gracefully in an elegant long dress.
Mature and voluptuous.
She smiled warmly while chatting with the maids about what had happened after she left.
Behind Shanaila, the middle-aged housekeeper still stood properly at attention.
A stark contrast to the lively maids of the Island Lord's mansion.
Hearing footsteps, they all turned toward the stairs.
Seeing Wu Heng approach…
Their faces lit up with smiles.
"Master…"
"Master, Sister Shanaila is back."
The maids greeted him.
Shanaila looked at him with gentle affection, "It's been a long time."