Chapter 324: The Steward Is Absent
As Wu Heng reviewed the notes in his hand, he instantly became alert.
Philipa was actually joining forces with other pirate crews to attack the Guild's ships.
This...
An informant attacking our own — has she lost her mind?
Just two days ago, Philipa had sent a message about a few pirate crews discussing an attack on the Guild's ships.
Wu Heng had even told her to keep a close eye on it.
And now she's directly involved.
If any Guild members really die here, and it's known that Philipa participated, it'd be nearly impossible to get her off the Guild's wanted list.
She'd be permanently exiled to the high seas.
Wu Heng read through the content again, picked up the receiver, and said, "Philipa! Can you hear me?"
"I can hear you; finally decided to talk, huh!"
"What's going on? Explain in detail," Wu Heng demanded.
"Oh! When I was on the island, I recruited some sailors, planning to leave the next day. Those pirate crews I mentioned before found me and said they needed extra hands for their nighttime raid on the Guild's ships. They asked if I'd join, and I thought it'd be a good chance to gather information on pirate activity, so I agreed," Philipa explained, sounding somewhat proud.
So, originally, Philipa's crew wasn't involved in the plan.
It was only a last-minute change that brought them in.
It seems Philipa had fully embraced her undercover role — even showing a bit of excitement.
"And now?" Wu Heng asked again.
"We're already at sea."
"How are the Guild's ships faring?"
"They're fleeing, with several pirate ships in pursuit. I haven't landed a single hit on them, though; if they die, it's got nothing to do with me," Philipa continued.
"Who's onboard?"
"A lot of Guild members, and they're pretty tough. Despite all the ships attacking them and countless crossbow bolts fired, they've managed to break through so far."
Wu Heng pondered and asked, "Is there an elven woman, blond, wearing silver armor?"
"There is! She's strong, too — so she's one of yours?" Philipa responded, a bit surprised.
Wu Heng felt a chill in his heart.
It was indeed Sheila Grey's squad.
They went out to capture pirates, and now they were almost being captured themselves.
After thinking it over, he said, "Is there a way you can keep them alive?"
"I can help collect their bodies for you if they die."
If they're dead, what's the point of recovering the bodies?
"Tell me your location, the number of pirate ships, and the level of their leaders," Wu Heng said.
"I'm not entirely sure of the location. They're fleeing in the direction of Gold-Silver Island, likely nearing Scorpion Claw Island. Seven pirate ships, all small vessels. The leaders are two: the highest is the 'Poison Blade' crew leader, level 12; the other is level 10."
Wu Heng checked the wanted list on his tablet.
The "Poison Blade" pirate crew's leader, level 12, was on the level-3 wanted list for killing an Guild team leader.
Lovely.
So he's already killed Guild crew members before.
It seems he has a personal vendetta against the Guild, specifically targeting isolated members.
After confirming the wanted information, Wu Heng said, "Alright, if possible, try to save the blond elf. She's a deputy steward in the Guild."
"Got it; I'll do it if I can."
After hearing that, Wu Heng hung up the receiver.
He went downstairs, threw on a coat, and headed out.
Minnie, who was watering flowers in the yard, called out as she saw him hurrying off, "Master, breakfast is ready!"
"Something came up at the Guild. I'll eat tonight."
With that, he left through the gate.
He hailed a carriage and headed straight for the Guild.
......
In the Steward's office.
After knocking on the door and hearing the assistant Moia's response, he pushed the door open and entered.
The office held only Moia, who was sorting stacks of paperwork behind the desk.
"Where's the Steward?" Wu Heng asked.
"The Steward isn't here. What's the rush?" Moia asked.
Wu Heng glanced at her and said, "Call the Steward back. I have important pirate information to discuss with him."
Moia hesitated before explaining, "The Steward set out to meet Deputy Steward Sheila Grey's team and isn't currently on the island."
She added, "Please keep this to yourself to prevent any complications."
Hearing this, Wu Heng frowned.
Imirro went out to rescue Sheila Grey?
So who is Philipa's group pursuing?
Judging by appearances, the ship should indeed be Sheila Grey's team.
"When did the Steward leave?"
"Two days ago. According to the plan, he should reach the meeting point by noon."
If they set out two days ago, how did they still encounter pirate ships?
Did the pirates corner even the Steward?
Impossible — pirates wouldn't dare approach Gold-Silver Island with Imirro overseeing it.
A level-12 pirate wouldn't likely challenge Imirro.
It's more probable that something went wrong with the timing, and the two parties missed each other, while Sheila Grey's team got pursued all over.
"Is something wrong?" Moia asked, noticing his frown.
Wu Heng looked up and relayed the information he had gathered and his thoughts on it.
After hearing him out, Moia's brows also furrowed.
"You may be right. I'll try to contact the Steward. Ask that pirate girl to ensure the Guild members' safety as much as possible."
Wu Heng hesitated but eventually replied, "Alright."
Watching Moia hurry off, Wu Heng also left the office.
After a brief moment of thought,
He headed to the office of Deputy Steward Sheila Grey.
Standing in front of the door, he gave the handle a hard turn, but it wouldn't open.
Since Sheila Grey didn't have an assistant, no one was in the room in her absence.
"Got a key to this room?" he asked a passing staff member.
The staffer looked between him and the office, shaking his head, "Nope!"
"Find me a thief to pick the lock… Never mind, Skull-Crusher, you do it," Wu Heng ordered.
Skull-Crusher took two steps back, ran, and kicked the door, causing it to rattle violently.
Then he lifted his war hammer and struck the lock.
With a loud crack, the lock broke, and another kick pushed the door open.
Wu Heng stepped inside and glanced around.
He opened the desk drawer, finding an assortment of daily items.
Among them, he found a cream-colored corset and a blue hair ribbon. He put the corset back and kept the hair ribbon.
Footsteps thudded outside.
The Guild guards responsible for maintaining order pushed through the crowd, frowning slightly at the violently opened door and Wu Heng rummaging inside.
"Deputy Steward Wu Heng, what are you doing?" the guard asked.
Wu Heng got up to leave and replied, "Post a guard here; make sure nothing is taken. I'll explain to the Steward and Sheila Grey afterward."
"Understood!" The guard nodded.
He instructed others to prop the door and post guards.
......
At the port.
Wu Heng boarded one of his ships.
Entering the cabin, he saw Sharktooth and a squad of skeletal sailors waiting.
"Set sail for Scorpion Claw Island!"
At once,
All the waiting skeletons sprang into action.
Sharktooth headed for the helm, while the skeleton crew stormed the deck, untying ropes and retracting the gangway.
They prepared to set sail.
Meanwhile, on the docks,
The sudden appearance of undead quickly caught everyone's attention.
"Damn it, how are there so many undead here?"
"They're seizing the Guild's ship. Go get the guards!"
"Damn it, attack! There aren't many undead; kill them and claim the Guild's bounty!"
The port was in chaos.
Meanwhile, the ship carrying the undead troops sailed out of sight.
......
The ship sped across the water.
Sharktooth's attributes included seafaring skills.
He skillfully controlled the ship, which moved quickly through the waves.
On deck, Wu Heng held the [Tracking Pendant], following its directional pull.
This artifact's main function was to locate a target.
Last time, it had worked wonders.
This time, he was also counting on it to find Sheila Grey and her team.
The ship surged forward.
Just then, the ghost lookout, "Glenda," floated down from above. "I see several ships flying pirate flags. Those should be your targets."
Wu Heng shaded his eyes and looked forward.
Through the mist over the vast sea, he could see nothing.
"I can't see them. Come back down here so I can take a look through your eyes," Wu Heng said.
Glenda entered his body, sharing the vision.
On the distant waters, he could see several pirate ships.
They had a single ship surrounded, attacking it.
It seemed Sheila Grey's team was still alive, at least judging by the fact they were still fighting the pirates.
Wu Heng released Glenda, instructing Sharktooth to draw closer.
Glenda hovered in the air. "You sure about this? Eight pirate ships — you're certain you're here to save people, not join the dead?"
Philipa's intel had mentioned seven pirate ships, not including her own.
What Glenda had seen totaled eight.
Wu Heng thought for a moment, then pulled out the heavy cannon from his space ring, fixing it to the deck with the skeletons' help.
He told Glenda, "I've got a big toy here, cost me a good bit; time to test its firepower."
Glenda floated above the cannon, eyeing the strange contraption. "Another one of your odd machines?"
"Yep!"
The ship drew closer to the battle.
Wu Heng continued arming the skeletons with heavy machine guns, rifles, and rocket launchers.