Chapter 696, There's a Problem
After lunch.
While others began organizing the case files, Wu Heng left the guild and headed to the fleet.
Along the way, Xiaoxiao lay invisible on his shoulder. "Uncle, is the case closed?"
"We've started organizing the clues. That means the conclusion is being accepted."
"Aren't you afraid you've caught the wrong person?" Xiaoxiao asked curiously.
"There were no other clues in the city. This was the only one. Even if there are holes, if it clears the case, we have to proceed with it," Wu Heng explained softly.
"They're not here to investigate. They're here to earn merit."
"Yeah, most of them are here for that."
Upon reaching the port, Wu Heng boarded the ship directly.
"How's it going? Any leads today?" Philipa came over from the side.
The Fifth Princess and the princess's maid were also following behind.
Wu Heng said, "Found it. A gang leader, formerly a pirate, was discovered by the Guild steward and killed him. Then the city's army engaged in battle, and the matter was buried."
The three of them were all stunned at the news.
"See, I told you it had nothing to do with Netare City. Philipa, you lost," the Fifth Princess said with excitement.
Philipa frowned. "Was the leader caught? Did he confess?"
"He died in battle half a month ago. The clue came from a letter left by the Whisperer," Wu Heng explained.
Philipa's expression shifted. "Are you sure he did it?"
"No new clues. The elder concluded it was him," Wu Heng replied.
"I know Darsil. He's not a pirate. He wouldn't do something so foolish," the Fifth Princess said, hands behind her back, chest slightly raised.
"What do you mean? At least pirates don't sell out their own people," Philipa retorted.
"Hmph, you lost this time. No excuses," the maid chimed in.
"We'll see who really lost." Philipa looked at Wu Heng. "Why didn't you arrest the City Lord and interrogate him directly? Last time the Guild questioned you right away and even used artifacts. Why so complicated now?"
She referred to when the inspector came to the island to investigate Wu Heng.
Back then, with no evidence, they still investigated him simply for being a necromancer and even used a strange artifact.
Wu Heng replied, "That's different."
"How is it different? Aren't there two level-18s in your team? You afraid he won't cooperate?" Philipa asked.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and explained, "It's not the same. That was an internal investigation by the Guild. We're all part of the same system. But this City Lord is from the Ekow Kingdom. We need evidence to act."
Philipa pondered. "I think I understand."
"The Guild is already considered pretty forceful."
"Alright! So what's next?" Philipa continued.
"The fleet will start preparations. We'll rest one more day tomorrow, then head back to Gold-Silver Island," Wu Heng instructed.
Philipa nodded. "Alright, I'll be ready."
Wu Heng added, "I'm heading back now."
"Okay," Philipa nodded.
As Wu Heng disembarked, the maid behind mimicked in a strange voice, "Princess, what do you think we should rename the Nautilus?"
On the way, he visited the leather shop, as promised to the proprietress to take her away.
He still needed to give her a heads-up.
......
Back at the guild.
Everyone looked much more relaxed, no longer as busy as during the investigation.
Wu Heng sat in a vacant resting spot, flipping through letters that had been held by the guild.
They hadn't been sent out in a long time, all held back here.
Footsteps approached. Kavina came over. "While you were gone, the City Lord visited."
"What for?" Wu Heng asked curiously.
"To ask about those who were arrested. When he heard they were confirmed involved in the steward's death, he didn't say much more," Kavina explained, then added, "He also said he wanted to host a banquet, but the elder declined."
"He was likely fishing for information."
"Yeah, staying in the city, he seems more nervous than the real culprit."
"True."
As they talked, Kavina's team members approached from behind.
"I'll get back to work," Kavina said and stood.
"Go ahead," Wu Heng nodded.
Kavina left, and Wu Heng returned to his quarters.
......
Night fell, inside the bedroom.
Xiaoxiao peeked her head out of the wall. "Uncle, I brought them back."
As she spoke, Glenda and Benny flew in one after another.
"What's the matter?" Glenda asked.
Wu Heng closed the blueprint in his hands. "Are there any issues with those two?"
Glenda kept an eye on the level-18 army commander, while Benny monitored the City Lord's mansion.
The two had divided tasks clearly.
Glenda said, "I've been watching him since I arrived. They definitely have someone keeping tabs on the guild. Your actions are being relayed, but there's been nothing about the steward's assassination or anything unusual."
"Benny, what about your side?"
Benny replied, "Nothing suspicious at the City Lord's mansion either. Some letters were sent out, but it looks like he used some kind of artifact. I couldn't see the contents. The letters were sent beyond the city."
Wu Heng nodded. "This morning, I found the Whisperer's wife. Using the clues she provided, we found a letter that led us to the Twin Dragon Gang."
"The case's closed?"
"No new intel has emerged. Tomorrow we'll deal with the Whitewing Gang, then return to Gold-Silver Island. The others will go back to Guild HQ," Wu Heng said.
The two wraiths looked surprised.
"How was it closed?" Glenda asked.
"Auntie, I know! I'll explain!" Xiaoxiao raised her hand.
Glenda nodded. "Alright, Xiaoxiao, go ahead."
Xiaoxiao floated aside and recounted everything that happened today.
Unlike the participants, Xiaoxiao viewed the whole case from an outsider's perspective and described it in great detail.
After listening, both wraiths nodded.
Xiaoxiao added, "Auntie, can I be in the new story? I want to be a big star too."
Glenda said, "The whole case happened over two days and wasn't really story-worthy. Probably not suitable to turn into a tale."
"Huh? Because it was too fast?"
"Because it lacked storytelling potential."
Wu Heng briefly tidied up. "I'm resting. Don't go too far."
The three wraiths nodded.
Wu Heng went to bed.
......
The next morning.
In the guild's underground morgue.
Wu Heng stood to the side. Behind him were other members of the guild.
"Wu Heng, take out the corpses. Let's deal with them quickly so we can report back," Tapani said.
Wu Heng took two corpses wrapped in straw mats from his space ring.
These were members of the Whitewing Gang killed at sea earlier. Thinking they might be useful, he didn't turn them into skeletons but preserved them.
[Speak with Dead] was cast. The corpses instantly sat up.
Wu Heng asked, "What level is your leader?"
"Level 13."
"Does he hold any important role in the army?"
The corpse answered, "Mainly handles logistical coordination in the city."
Wu Heng continued, "Any identifying features?"
"Very burly. His left ear has no earlobe."
Wu Heng asked again, "Where can we find him?"
The corpse answered immediately, "There's a logistics hall in the north of the city. He stays there all the time."
Four questions asked in total.
The elder said, "No need for more. Wu Heng, have your wraiths go check that logistics hall. The rest of us wait. Once the target is found, capture him. We'll talk about the rest later."
"Alright!" Wu Heng nodded.
The magic faded, and the corpses lay back down.
The group left the basement and gathered in the first-floor hall.
Wu Heng stepped aside and gave brief instructions.
Sent the wraiths to scout.
......
The wraiths went out to investigate.
The others waited inside the guild.
The city was also monitoring every move of the guild. Once they acted, they had to capture the target as fast as possible.
Otherwise, the target might react in time.
Regarding the Whitewing Gang's leader, Elder Tapani's stance was firmer.
Capture him directly. The rest would be dealt with afterward.
"The Whisperer's wife left this morning," Janvito said as he walked over.
"Left?" Wu Heng turned, curious. "Where could she go at this time?"
"Last night, she asked Tapani to leave. Said her family came for her. With the guild stationed here, she wanted to leave the city first," Janvito explained softly.
"No need to bring her to HQ?"
"She's not a criminal. And she provided important clues in the case. That's been documented. Plus, she was in tears. We let her go," Janvito said.
"Did she get the consolation payment?"
"She's not short on money, is she? Tapani gave it. As an elder, he surely gave enough."
As if overhearing them, Elder Tapani turned and looked over.
He walked over upright. "What are you discussing?"
Elves, in appearance and form, are truly a favored race.
Still youthful, and with tall, well-proportioned figures.
"Talking about that woman who left this morning," Janvito said.
Tapani nodded. "It's better she left on her own. Her emotions weren't very stable."
The three chatted for a while.
The wraith sent out to scout flew back.
"I'll go check," Wu Heng said, stepping aside. "What's up? Found the target?"
Xiaoxiao whispered, "Found him. And there's someone else. He looked familiar."
"Who?"
"Take a look. He's talking to the Whitewing Gang leader," Xiaoxiao said, then dived into his body.
Immediately, a scene was shared in his mind.
In a dim room, two figures sat upright.
One was burly, dressed in commander's uniform, with a damaged left ear and no earlobe.
Opposite him was an old man, sitting straight, sipping tea continuously.
Wu Heng felt a stir in his heart.
The Snake Emblem Consortium's receptionist who had exchanged the brocade box using a note.