Chapter 593, Investigate Him
"I am a Whisperer of the Guild, sent by the Gold-Silver Island Guild. Don't kill me! This is my proof of loyalty—I killed the church's great knight."
His voice was loud, as if he had used all his strength.
The late night was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see his face clearly.
But the words "Gold-Silver Island" still reminded Wu Heng of someone.
Babuchi!
Captain of the Flying Fish Pirates, also the friend that Philippa had gone to great lengths to protect.
Back on Gold-Silver Island, he had been sent to investigate the Destiny Cult as a way to atone for his crimes, and now he had actually ended up here.
Wu Heng immediately said, "Tie him up first."
Two skeletons took out rope and bound him.
The remaining skeletons continued to charge toward the others around them, the sounds of shouting and killing still filling the air.
...…
Gradually, the entire area fell silent.
The bodies in the corners, as well as those outside the village, were all dragged out.
They were piled up in the center of the village.
Wu Heng brought Slater into the village and hung a lightstone inside a house that wasn't completely collapsed.
He briefly explained the situation to her.
Then, he put on the 'Faceless One's Human Skin' again, transforming into the appearance of a middle-aged fisherman.
"Bring the captured prisoner over," Wu Heng said.
Not long after, the door opened.
'Babuchi,' with his hands bound, was led inside.
Compared to when they last met on Gold-Silver Island, he looked somewhat different—he had gained a lot of weight and had grown a thick beard again.
Babuchi, under the light of the lightstone, carefully examined the person in front of him.
Not the island lord of Gold-Silver Island, but a middle-aged man.
Why were necromancers always this terrifying?
Wiping out an entire faction felt as effortless as flattening a piece of land.
Wu Heng spoke in a deep voice, "We are from the Blackstone Town Guild. You claim to be a spy from Gold-Silver Island?"
"Yes, yes! I was sent by Gold-Silver Island to investigate the Destiny Cult. The island's steward is Sheila Grey, and the island lord is Wu Heng. He also comes from your Ekow Kingdom! You can send a letter to Gold-Silver Island—I'm telling the truth!" Babuchi spoke quickly.
Afraid that if he spoke too slowly, they would assume he was making things up.
Wu Heng said, "We will confirm with Gold-Silver Island. Since you're a spy, what have you found out?"
Babuchi hesitated for a moment. "I was just following them around. I hadn't even sent out any intel before you guys wiped them out."
"So, you did nothing?"
Wu Heng felt a bit dissatisfied. Even Benny, a mere tavern maid, had been executed for trying to send intelligence out.
Yet this guy was a spy, a former pirate, and higher level than Benny.
And he hadn't done a thing?
Wu Heng even suspected that Babuchi had just been wasting time here.
Babuchi immediately explained, "When I first arrived, a woman from Blackstone Town got caught trying to pass information. After that, the bishop tightened security, and I had even fewer chances to get messages to Gold-Silver Island."
Wu Heng still felt like that was just an excuse.
His tone turned cold. "Just answer my questions."
"Alright!"
"Can you confirm that this bishop was the leader of the Destiny Cult?"
"Yes, I can confirm that. And there was no so-called 'main god'—he was just having the believers worship him." Babuchi said.
"Are there other branches outside?"
Babuchi thought for a moment before answering, "There should be. I heard there are still two more Protectors and a great knight."
Wu Heng continued asking, "They're outside? They won't be returning?"
Babuchi answered, "No. This bishop was leading us westward. We were supposed to rendezvous at 'Elgiro City' to gather all the remaining members."
More of them!
"Elgiro City—is that also a city of the Ekow Kingdom?" Wu Heng asked.
Babuchi answered, "Yes."
"You killed the great knight? How did you kill him?"
Babuchi hadn't expected such a sudden shift in topic, going straight to the great knight.
He answered, "He was injured—one of those things that fell from the sky hit him. When I went to help him, I took the chance to kill him."
After all the questions were asked,
Wu Heng then said, "Alright. So far, your answers are acceptable. Tomorrow, you're coming back to Blackstone Town with us. We will confirm your identity with Gold-Silver Island. If there's no issue, you'll be released."
"Thank you, Steward!" Babuchi immediately expressed his gratitude, his face showing the joy of surviving a disaster.
"Release him."
A skeleton stepped forward and untied him.
Babuchi stretched his wrists.
Wu Heng warned, "Find a room and rest. Don't wander around at night. If the undead think you're trying to escape and kill you, there'll be nothing I can do."
Babuchi's eyes hardened. "I won't leave my room tonight—not even for piss or shit."
Wu Heng nodded. Babuchi left the room and found one that was still in relatively good condition, shutting the door tightly.
...…
After dealing with Babuchi,
Wu Heng stepped out of the room again.
He looked at the gathered corpses.
The most notable ones were the Level 18 corpse and the decapitated great knight's Level 17 corpse.
"How do we handle them?" Slater asked.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and said, "Take the Level 18 body back for an autopsy and report it to the guild. After that, I'll convert it."
He took a straw mat out of his spatial ring.
Rolling up the corpse, Slater stored it in her own spatial ring.
Wu Heng then continued converting the remaining corpses.
The great knight's body was turned into a Level 17 warrior skeleton.
That one was worth nurturing.
It might even reach Level 18.
Once everything was handled, the two of them returned to the room, closing their eyes to rest until dawn.
The next morning,
Wu Heng cast [Mansion Technique], storing all the skeletons back into the armory.
Bringing only Kashu, along with Slater and Babuchi, they set off for Blackstone Town.
...…
Afternoon, Blackstone Town Guild.
Underground, morgue.
Slater said, "The autopsy is complete. The coroner and investigators have documented everything. I'll write a report when we return and send it to headquarters. Should I mention your name?"
"Just include me directly. If Blackstone Town alone claims to have wiped out an 18th-level Professional from the Destiny Cult, it'll sound unconvincing. Also, include Benny's case to connect the whole incident." Wu Heng thought for a moment before answering.
A cult designated as heretical by the guild, possessing an 18th-level leader and multiple high-level Professionals.
If the report claimed Blackstone Town took them down, headquarters would be skeptical.
Adding Wu Heng to the report made it more plausible.
After all, he had an 18th-level skeletal attendant, plus those powerful weapons that had wiped out all the pirates of Emerald Sea.
Eliminating a newly emerging cult wasn't surprising.
And for Wu Heng himself, he needed credit for the 18th level.
The Hundred Arms Set's components and 18th-level skill books required first-tier merits for exchange.
So, his name had to be reported.
"Alright, I'll write the letter when I return." Slater smiled.
With this achievement, Slater would undoubtedly receive a promotion.
It was a good outcome for everyone.
Wu Heng nodded and continued, "Is this corpse still useful?"
"Aren't you going to convert it?"
"If you don't need it anymore, I'll convert it."
"Go ahead."
"Wait outside. Once I'm done, you can come in." Wu Heng instructed.
Slater didn't say much and simply stepped outside.
She stood at the door, crossing her arms and waiting.
Wu Heng placed [Faceless One's Human Skin] on the corpse's face. The mask fused with the skin, recording its appearance.
Then, he removed the skin and cast [Raise Skeleton] on the corpse.
The flesh peeled away, and the bones slowly stood up.
[Skeletal Deceptive Swordsman (Level 18)]
As expected, a special class.
"Come down. Follow me outside."
The skeleton leapt off the iron bed and followed Wu Heng out the door.
Wu Heng pointed at Slater and said to the skeleton, "From now on, your job is to protect her."
The skeleton immediately walked behind Slater like a personal guard.
Slater raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise and delight appearing in her eyes. "An 18th-level attendant, protecting me?"
"The Ekow Kingdom is too unstable, and you take too much responsibility. It will protect you from now on," Wu Heng said.
If he had arrived just one day later,
Slater would have been the second Benny, and Yuli the third—leaving him with two more wraiths.
While they would still be by his side, Wu Heng didn't want them to be in actual danger.
Especially now, with the Ekow Kingdom in a state resembling lawlessness.
It was truly concerning.
"Thank you," Slater said sincerely.
She wasn't particularly fond of skeletons, but an 18th-level skeleton—that was a treasure.
"No need to be polite!" Wu Heng smiled, then added, "Gold-Silver Island's new district has been completed. I reserved a building for you to operate Golden Cat there. Do you want to come with me? You can stay for a few days."
The idea of expanding Golden Cat had already been discussed between them in their letters.
It was considered a necessary boost to the entertainment industry.
Slater thought for a moment and said, "I can't leave right now. I'll arrange for someone to go later. If I leave now, Blackstone Town and the surrounding areas will become even more chaotic."
"That works too." Wu Heng nodded.
"What about that spy from Gold-Silver Island?" Slater asked.
Wu Heng replied, "No need to send a letter to Gold-Silver Island. In two days, just tell him Gold-Silver Island has responded and that he should continue investigating the remaining Destiny Cult members in Elgiro City."
"Understood."
The two continued talking in the underground chamber.
Wu Heng put his mask back on and left, with Slater escorting him to the outskirts of the city.
She watched him disappear into the distance.
In a secluded area, he put on the conductor's hat and boarded the train.
...…
Guild Headquarters, Hall of Honor.
The pristine white floor emitted a soft glow, while the domed ceiling displayed exquisite murals depicting the honor and duty of heroes and adventurers.
The Level 18 Mage, 'Moffat,' arrived at a chamber with his apprentice, 'Luan Randolph.'
He knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside.
Inside, a young elven man sat behind a desk.
Moffat and Luan bowed slightly and said, "Lord Calles."
The elf nodded and smiled. "Moffat, you're back. This journey must have been quite enlightening for your apprentice."
"He has gained considerable insight," Moffat nodded with a smile before his expression turned serious. "My lord, while passing through Gold-Silver Island, we discovered something concerning the island lord, the necromancer Wu Heng. We suspect he has used some kind of ritual to possess or reincarnate into a new body."
"Wu Heng? The young man that Imiro favored? Explain." The elf's expression grew solemn.
Moffat took a seat and began a detailed explanation.
From rumors among the islanders, to Wu Heng's control over the island, and his rapid, almost exaggerated level progression.
He provided a well-reasoned analysis and deduction.
"That's why I'm certain there's something wrong. I suggest sending an 18th-level inspector to investigate." Moffat stated bluntly.
The elf furrowed his brows, deep in thought.
The room fell silent.
Knock knock knock~!
The door was knocked again.
Another figure entered, glanced at the two occupants, then hesitated briefly.
He bowed slightly and said, "Lord Calles, Gold-Silver Island has sent a publication called a 'newspaper.' Leader Lilith instructed that copies be distributed to everyone to review its contents."
The three people in the room exchanged glances.
They had just been discussing Gold-Silver Island, and now a newspaper arrived from there.
"Let me see it. We were just talking about Gold-Silver Island." The elf said.
The newspaper was handed over.
As he read the headline, his eyes widened slightly.
He glanced at the master and apprentice beside him, his expression turning peculiar.