Chapter 470, I Can Be the Bait
"A blank envelope?"
Andviel immediately thought of the mysterious letters used to send intelligence to the pirates.
"Andviel, you're as sharp as ever," Wu Heng praised.
"Not really! It's just that you've mentioned these kinds of letters so many times before," Andviel replied softly.
"Don't mention this to anyone. Keep it completely confidential," Wu Heng instructed as he began tidying up the desk.
"Understood," Andviel nodded in agreement.
Whether it was a tool or a peculiar artifact, the ability to send letters out of thin air was undoubtedly extraordinary.
Most of the pirates who knew about these blank envelopes were now dead.
No one else had brought it up recently, so letting the matter fade into obscurity seemed like the best outcome.
Making a big deal of it now would only invite more trouble.
Wu Heng sipped his tea and suddenly thought about Andviel's kin. "Andviel, do you want to write a letter to your family?"
"Thank you, Master, but not for now. Sister Wen Mansa will take good care of them," Andviel said, walking over to kiss him lightly on the cheek.
"Next time we visit, we can set up a radio station there. That'll make communication much easier."
"Good idea."
Things had changed since the beginning. Whether through trade or seizing military warehouses, they now had plenty of radios.
Leaving one behind in Rentam City would be far more convenient than sending letters.
By the afternoon...
Wu Heng took Squad Eleven out on patrol.
The Steward hadn't specifically required deputy stewards to lead patrols, but Hecate was diligently active on her side.
Wu Heng made an effort to show up occasionally, maintaining a presence and avoiding the appearance of slacking off.
...…
On the road through Lighthouse Street...
Kavina squeezed past a skeleton to walk beside Wu Heng. "I received a letter from Steward Slater. She mentioned things about Blackstone Town and our squad captain."
Wu Heng glanced at her.
So Slater wasn't just writing to him.
"What did she say?" Wu Heng asked casually.
"She mentioned that the Ekow Kingdom is unstable and said leaving was a wise choice. She also said the Island Master of Gold-Silver Island was an 18th-level pardoned pirate and warned us to be careful," Kavina said with a slight smile. "If she knew you killed the 18th-level Island Master, she'd be shocked."
"Did you tell Slater about the island?"
"No, I'm waiting for her to hear the news later and come to me in disbelief," Kavina said with a mischievous smile.
As a witness, she knew firsthand how terrifying Wu Heng's strength was.
He had repelled a dense fleet of pirate ships and killed the 18th-level Island Master of Gold-Silver Island.
In Blackstone Town, an 18th-level Professional was a legendary figure.
No matter their background, such a person dying at Wu Heng's hands was shocking.
Kavina glanced cautiously at him. She had been the one to introduce him to the guild.
If only she had known how talented he was back then...
She thought she should have secured him early when he was still a novice.
Now, with his elven deputy and other close companions, she felt she had no chance.
"Are there still pirates left on the island?" Wu Heng asked casually.
Kavina snapped out of her thoughts. "Huh? What did you say?"
"Are there still pirates or wanted criminals on the island?" Wu Heng repeated.
"The guild's crackdown on pirates has spread widely. It's rare to see pirates on the island now, but the number of merchants keeps increasing. It seems everyone has their eyes on this area," Kavina explained softly.
Passing by the Nautilus Tavern...
Wu Heng glanced at Millison's room.
It was likely a busy time, as neither mother nor daughter was in sight.
He didn't plan to enter and simply walked past the tavern.
...…
At dusk...
Wu Heng bid farewell to Squad Eleven and returned home.
Back at the residence, Andviel had already returned, and Minnie had prepared dinner.
The three of them sat down together to eat. Minnie placed a piece of shellfish in Wu Heng's bowl. "Master, eat this. It's good for men—perfect for dealing with the little fox tonight."
Andviel, while picking at her fish, said calmly, "You're the one who can't hold back."
"No! I'm just saying we should discipline the naughty fox," Minnie argued.
Wu Heng ate as he asked, "Why haven't I seen Shanaila these past two days?"
"Oh, I know! She's been busy with merchant guild matters. I asked her earlier, and that's what she told me," Minnie replied.
"Merchant guild, huh? Busy indeed," Wu Heng nodded.
Minnie and Andviel didn't continue their playful banter about who needed disciplining.
They finished their meal peacefully.
After dinner, Wu Heng went straight to the room where the Skeleton Mechanic was stationed.
Opening the door...
The Skeleton Mechanic was standing at a drafting table, redrawing and annotating blueprints.
Wu Heng walked over to take a look.
The designs and content hadn't changed much but were now annotated in this world's format.
Parts like barrels and components were redrawn with detailed specifications.
The annotations included material grades and forging requirements.
Some items were marked separately for human and dwarven craftsmen, reflecting cross-racial techniques.
It seemed different from Wu Heng's intended development path.
Wu Heng envisioned the Mechanic designing a mass-production assembly line.
But the Skeleton Mechanic seemed to prefer outsourcing parts to various craftsmen and assembling them afterward.
It was a viable approach but posed risks, as someone could analyze the parts and recreate the firearm.
Firearms were entirely feasible with this world's level of technology. They just hadn't been a focus before.
Wu Heng decided to let the Mechanic continue drafting and revisit the issue later.
Leaving the Mechanic's room, Wu Heng went to the alchemy lab.
Several 15th-level Skeleton Alchemists were busy at the lab benches.
They were refining materials and blending potions.
Wu Heng observed briefly before returning to his study.
...…
Back in the study, Wu Heng sat behind the desk, contemplating future plans.
The Mechanic seemed capable of recreating modern firearms.
Firearms might not matter as much as the mass production of bullets and shells.
He already had blueprints for bullets. Finding designs for other firearms and shells wouldn't be too difficult.
"It all depends on how the guild decides to deploy me," Wu Heng mused, tapping his desk.
If he were appointed Island Master, he could use the land to build factories and produce weapons.
If they transferred him elsewhere, trusting him less, things would get complicated.
Wu Heng pondered whether Shanaila would leave with him.
Much of the procurement for future supplies depended on her.
Suddenly, he sensed something unusual.
With a flick of his wrist, he donned a black cloak that concealed detection and put on his illusion veil.
Disguised as a woman, he waited.
A transparent scouting spell flew into the room, circled, and then left.
Someone was probing him?
Wu Heng summoned Grenda and Xiaoxiao.
Xiaoxiao, curious, asked, "Uncle, why are you dressed like that at home?"
Wu Heng replied, "Someone cast a scouting spell on my residence. Grenda, follow them but keep your distance. Xiaoxiao, stay alert around the house and inform me of any danger."
"Got it!"
Grenda flew out the window to track the spellcaster, while Xiaoxiao descended through the roof to guard the perimeter.
Wu Heng positioned skeletons around the house as backup.
A while later, Grenda returned.
"Found them," she said seriously.
"Who is it?" Wu Heng asked.
"A cloaked figure, broad and muscular. Level 18 Professional," Grenda reported.
Level 18!
Wu Heng's eyelid twitched.
Had he become so noteworthy that 18th-level Professionals were scouting him?
"Where are they now?" Wu Heng asked grimly.
"They left, heading toward Lighthouse Street. I didn't follow too closely to avoid being spotted," Grenda explained.
"Good. Keep watch around the house and notify me of any danger."
"Don't worry. An 18th-level Professional shines like a beacon to us. We'll spot them if they approach," Grenda reassured.
Wu Heng nodded as Grenda flew off to join Xiaoxiao in patrolling the area.
Back at his desk, Wu Heng frowned, pondering the intruder's identity.
On the island, the known 18th-level Professionals were Imiro and the old mage, Janvito.
It couldn't be Janvito. They could meet at the guild, and the scouting spell didn't seem like a mage's method.
Then who?
Wu Heng's mind flashed to the wanted notice he had seen earlier:
The 18th-level Witch.
A Guardian of the Divine Punishment Sect!
"But Grenda described the figure as broad and muscular… Could it still be her?"
Unable to piece it together, Wu Heng decided against leaving for the zombie world, lest his maids get caught in the crossfire.
Instead, he slept in his cloak and veil.
...…
At dawn, in the port cabin...
The bald, thick-browed Guardian folded his arms. "We can't afford to waste more time."
A woman's voice replied, "Then what's your plan? Storm the island?"
"If we don't find an opportunity by tonight, we'll capture the women around him. That'll draw him out," the bald man said.
"He'll just alert Imiro. Only an idiot would walk into a trap," the woman mocked.
"Then we kill the women and leave. The bishop will understand," the bald man insisted.
"You're insane! What's the point of killing them? It won't help us," the woman exclaimed.
She wanted no part in the pirate business.
The Gold-Silver Island failure had already put her on a wanted list.
Now they were targeting the deputy steward.
What good would killing him do?
Killing his associates would make reconciliation impossible.
"If we can't kill him, we'll make him pay. That's what the bishop wants," the bald man said, wiping his head with a towel. "If you're scared, go to the Nautilus Tavern. One of his spies is there. I'll handle the others."
The woman hesitated before replying, "Do what you want."
...…
At the guild...
Wu Heng brought Minnie and Andviel to the guild for safety.
Leaving them in his study, he headed to the Steward's office.
Gently knocking on the door and receiving a response,
Wu Heng walked straight in.
Inside the room, besides Imiro, the white-bearded old mage was also present, holding a wooden staff in one hand and sipping tea with the other.
"Steward, Dean," Wu Heng greeted.
The old mage nodded.
Imiro asked, "What brings you here?"
Wu Heng glanced at the old mage on the sofa before speaking, "Steward, last night an 18th-level Professional scouted my house—not by entering, but by using a detection scroll outside."
As soon as he said this, the room fell silent.
Imiro turned to look at the old mage on the sofa.
The old mage's gaze remained fixed on Wu Heng. "Are you sure it was an 18th-level Professional?"
"I'm certain," Wu Heng said solemnly.
Imiro followed up, "Since you saw them, do you know what they looked like or any distinguishing features?"
When Wu Heng first mentioned an 18th-level Professional,
Imiro briefly suspected the old mage, especially given the mage's prior interest in Wu Heng.
But it was clear this wasn't the case, and the mage wouldn't use such clumsy methods.
Now, he was more curious as to why another 18th-level Professional was on the island.
And why they had come so discreetly to scout the guild's deputy steward.
Wu Heng replied, "I didn't see their face; it was late at night. The person was cloaked and had a broad, muscular build."
He added, "I can't confirm whether they used any appearance-altering tools."
The study fell into a brief silence.
Imiro turned to the old mage. "Dean Janvito, it seems your departure will need to be delayed."
It appeared that the guild's reinforcements had been planning to leave soon.
The old mage replied calmly, "Postponing our schedule is fine. We're here to support Gold-Silver Island, after all. If it's just one person, the two of us can handle it."
"We can deal with an 18th-level Professional, but we must plan carefully to avoid civilian casualties. Otherwise, we'll have to answer to the guild," Imiro said.
"Of course. Any confrontation must occur in a remote area."
This situation was different from the pirate attack.
The pirate assault had forced them into defense, allowing for some flexibility in decisions.
Now, they had to consider many more factors.
An 18th-level Professional's combat prowess was immense—comparable to a bomber in destructive capacity.
While others might disregard civilian safety, the guild could not.
"To prevent the battle from affecting the city's residents, the fight must be staged at sea or in undeveloped areas," Imiro suggested, pointing to suitable locations on the island map.
The old mage nodded in agreement.
Imiro then looked at Wu Heng. "Do you have any ideas on how to lure them to such a location?"
Wu Heng glanced at him, speechless.
Was that even a necessary question?
But since he was the one in danger and needed their help,
he replied resolutely, "I can be the bait to draw them out."