Chapter 380, I Saved Your Head
Philipa shouted, her voice full of excitement.
This was a weapon worth hundreds of gold, enough to arm the fleet of a large pirate group.
"Giving you this weapon isn't for combat; use the illusion to confuse enemies and escape when in danger," Wu Heng reminded her.
"Uh-huh, thanks, Dad!" Philipa took a deep breath to calm herself, then asked, "What about these two potions? Are they poison?"
"Those are strength-enhancing potions, after taking them, they can directly improve your physical attributes, approximately the effect of one to two levels."
There was a sudden silence on the other end.
After two or three seconds, Philipa said skeptically, "Can it directly level up?"
"Not directly level up, just provides the effect of a level increase."
"Never heard of such a potion!"
Wu Heng said, "They're precious, not less valuable than the weapon I gave you, keep it secret."
"Oh, got it! My lips are sealed."
After explaining the items given to her.
Wu Heng continued to ask, "Have you heard of the Devil's Hand pirate group?"
"Yes, very famous pirate group."
"Tell me what you know about this pirate group."
Philipa thought for a moment and then said, "I've never dealt with them, but I've heard about them. The Devil's Hand is a large pirate group, with two or three fleets. Their captain must be above Level 15, and many of their crew are strong. They're not in this area, why are you asking about them?"
A large pirate group, with a captain above Level 15.
Indeed, they had some strength.
"I got some information that they're planning to assassinate me."
"What!" Philipa instinctively shouted and then asked skeptically, "Is that reliable? Their scale, they wouldn't come after you just for 500 gold, would they?"
"It could be rumors, but if there's a chance, keep an eye out."
"Alright, your 500 gold head, I'll protect it." Philipa said solemnly.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, let's stop here for now, contact me if there's anything."
"Mm."
Putting the microphone back, Wu Heng walked out of the room and headed downstairs.
...
Iron Barrel Pirate Group, Captain's Cabin.
Philipa had her legs up on the desk, wrapping strips of cloth around the scabbard of the 'Illusory Blade'.
Weapons with special effects needed to be disguised.
Otherwise, enemies would devise plans to kill you based on the type of equipment you had.
After finishing the wrapping, she hugged it affectionately.
"Being a pirate isn't as fast as this for making money."
She hung both weapons on her waist, stroking the red-crested green-feathered parrot beside her forcefully, "Isn't that right?"
"Idiot!" the parrot cursed.
"Shut up, dumb bird."
The parrot flapped its wings and flew to a nearby perch, swinging gently.
Philipa stood up and moved to the open space in the room.
She drew the twin blades at her waist.
After focusing for a moment, her figure began to distort, splitting into two identical images on her left and right, both posing the same way.
Philipa's eyes were filled with delight.
With a thought, the two clones instantly launched attacks.
Although upon closer inspection, differences from the real body could be seen, it was enough to be effective in battle, influencing the course of a fight.
Philipa, satisfied, sheathed her weapons, and the illusions vanished.
Sitting back down at the desk, her gaze fell on the remaining items.
A bag of gold coins and two potions.
She put away the gold coins and took a closer look at the potions.
Supposedly, the potions could have the effect of leveling up, but the colors looked more like antidotes sold in alchemy shops.
She doubted whether the potions really had the effect he claimed.
Though she didn't believe Wu Heng would harm her, it was still hard to imagine a potion that could directly enhance physical attributes.
If such potions existed, wouldn't powerful people just rely on drinking potions to grow stronger?
Whoever held the formula for such potions would wield world-changing power.
And yet, they ended up in the hands of a small-time pirate through a deputy steward.
It was somewhat suspicious.
But Wu Heng had always been good to her, giving her weapons and money. It wouldn't make sense for him to harm her in this matter.
Thinking this, she glanced at the parrot standing on the brass perch.
She called, "Hey, I've got a task for you."
The parrot looked at her but flew over anyway.
Philipa quickly grabbed the parrot and pressed it onto the table.
The parrot flapped its wings in panic, eyes full of fear, struggling continuously.
Philipa drew a weapon and pressed it against its neck, making the parrot stare wide-eyed, afraid to move.
"Pirate code," the parrot cried out.
Philipa bit the cork off the bottle and poured the potion directly down the parrot's throat.
After ingesting the potion, the parrot got up again.
It took two steps on the table, then its eyes rolled back, and it fell, convulsing violently.
"Damn, it's really poison." Philipa regretted giving it to the parrot; after all, it was her trained animal.
If it died, she'd have to find a new one.
Just as she was about to step forward to try to save it.
The parrot stopped convulsing.
Its body visibly plumped up, and its feathers became shinier.
The parrot stood up again, its eyes seemingly filled with more intelligence.
It shook its head and said, "Praise the captain!"
Philipa's eyes widened instantly.
It had really changed, and seemed smarter.
Philipa looked again at the remaining potion, opened the bottle, and drank it directly.
A bitter taste filled her mouth.
Then an indescribable stinging pain spread through her entire body, as if her bones and muscles were being pricked by tiny needles.
She curled up on the chair for a long while.
Gradually, the sensation disappeared, replaced by a feeling of amplified strength throughout her body.
She could clearly feel that her body had been strengthened.
"Amazing, who am I even following here?" Philipa said, her gaze falling back on the parrot, ignoring its praises, and grabbing its neck to shake it, "Spit it out, you dumb bird."
The parrot wobbled, turning its head to the side.
...
Gold-Silver Island.
At the dining table, besides Wu Heng and the two maids, Shanaila had also come to join the meal.
Shanaila wore a light blue dress, and an amber pendant hung from her fair neck, reaching her chest, hidden beneath the fullness.
Noticing the gaze from across the table, Shanaila looked up and gave a mild scowl before lowering her head slightly.
Wu Heng asked, "What have you been busy with lately?"
"Still handling things for the trade group. How about you?"
"Not bad either, just dealing with some pirate matters. Don't go out to sea anytime soon, it's not very safe," Wu Heng warned.
Shanaila smiled, "After the last incident, I hardly go out to sea anymore, feels safer staying here."
"Mm, if there's any danger, come to me."
"Got it!" Shanaila looked at him with soft affection.
Wu Heng raised his glass and took a sip, "When can I expect the goods I ordered last time?"
"They should be delivered within five days, I'll let you know when they arrive."
"By the way, can you order magical weapons and equipment?" Wu Heng asked again.
"Depends on what kind you need, but the output is limited, certainly not in quantities like your usual orders of thousands at a time," Shanaila put down her knife and fork, looking at him, "If you want to equip an army, magical weapons and armor aren't suitable for battlefields."
"How so?" Wu Heng looked at her.
"Magical items provide many special effects, but frequent combat or even minor damage can make the inscribed runes fail. For personal use, it's okay, but for mass equipping, it's not worth it. Better to buy a batch of high-quality standard gear, much more practical than magical weapons," Shanaila explained.
Wu Heng listened, understanding her point.
In other words, for occasional battles, like Wu Heng's bounty hunting or pirates raiding ships, magical weapons and armor could offer effects that standard equipment couldn't.
But for equipping an army, not to mention the cost.
The rigorous training and massive battles involving thousands could easily cause issues.
Even if an army was outfitted, weapons would likely be ruined after a single campaign.
Better to use more durable weapons.
Wu Heng agreed that she made sense.
"You have a point. Any recommendations?" Wu Heng asked.
"For instance, long swords or battle axes made of refined iron can be quite effective. High output and the price won't be as outrageous as magical items," Shanaila continued.
For the market, Shanaila had to know which weapons suited which buyers.
Running the largest merchant guild for wood elves wasn't just about good looks and selling goods.
"Sounds good. Can armor be customized? I have a few friends with unique builds who need custom armor," Wu Heng said.
Shanaila nodded, "When you're ready, send me the designs, and I'll have them made for you."
"Alright!"
As the two continued talking, Minnie and Andviel started clearing the table.
Then they said, "We're going outside to kick the shuttlecock, Shanaila sister, come join us when you're done."
"Alright, I'll be right there." Shanaila smiled in agreement.
Minnie and Andviel left the room, and in the yard, they started playing shuttlecock a dozen meters apart.
The little owl followed them, flying back and forth.
Squeaking non-stop.
...
Wu Heng glanced outside.
He stood up and walked over, looking down at the wood elf in the light blue dress, staring into her gem-like eyes.
Shanaila, shy, dodged his gaze, whispering, "What are you doing, they're still outside."