Chapter 600, How Did He Do It
"If it's just level 5 or above, it shouldn't be too difficult."
Inside the room, Letilie crossed her arms over her chest and spoke softly.
Wu Heng looked at her and asked, "From your tone, is it harder to collect than civilian corpses?"
Letilie's sapphire-like eyes glanced at him before she smiled. "Literacy, intelligence, years of research—each of these factors eliminates a large number of people. Not just anyone qualifies to be a mage."
Unlike in games…
In this world, mages were not a common profession.
Even if job change scrolls were available, very few people would choose them.
First was literacy—understanding many technical terms and magical phrases required a certain level of knowledge.
It wasn't just about personal understanding; more importantly, a teacher was needed to pass it down.
Otherwise, even a skill book would be incomprehensible.
Then came financial conditions.
Not everyone could afford to spend time studying magic without worrying about daily living costs.
Of course, Wu Heng also noticed that her words carried a hint of flattery.
She had guessed that he was a mage.
And she was also praising the power of mages.
"Write up the commission and try to collect them," Wu Heng said calmly.
"Alright." Letilie nodded and leaned forward to fill out the commission form, her low-cut collar revealing a glimpse of fair skin.
She casually added, "The surrounding kingdoms have been a bit chaotic lately—there might be some unexpected gains."
"Hmm." Wu Heng didn't say much. Even though he needed corpses, he didn't actually wish for any kingdom to fall into turmoil.
Blackstone Town was proof of that.
When a nation descended into chaos, ordinary civilians suffered the most.
A newly established Destiny Sect had already slaughtered so many people.
After the commission was filled out, Letilie handed it to a staff member outside the door.
Wu Heng had no intention of staying longer.
He stood up. "I'll head back first. I'll come again next time."
"I'll walk you out!" Letilie stepped forward, intimately linking arms with him.
Wu Heng paused mid-step.
Letilie also halted, a trace of self-doubt flashing in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I…"
Wu Heng glanced at her and naturally wrapped an arm around her waist, feeling the smoothness of her skin. "Aren't you afraid I might be an old man?"
Letilie's smile returned. "There's no way you're an old man."
"That confident?" Wu Heng was curious.
Letilie replied confidently, "A woman's intuition. And mine is always accurate."
The two walked along the corridor. As they approached the main hall and were about to step outside…
They subtly increased the distance between them.
Letilie still needed to maintain her public image.
She escorted Wu Heng out the main entrance and waved goodbye.
...…
Gold-Silver Island.
Vergil walked through the streets with his attendants, observing the island.
The bustling crowds flowed like a river—workers in brown short-sleeved shirts carried goods, merchants in crisp suits walked with elegance, and noblewomen in luxurious gowns strolled about, the feathers on their hats swaying in the breeze.
Street vendors shouted to sell their wares, while flower girls promoted the fresh blooms in their baskets.
A lively, prosperous island.
The three of them exchanged strange looks.
Before coming, they had specifically researched the island's background—it was originally built as a pirate haven.
Even with Wu Heng as the Island Lord…
He hadn't ruled for very long.
Yet now, there was nothing that resembled a pirate stronghold—it looked more like the prosperous royal city of a nation.
After walking a bit further, a loud voice called out ahead.
"Newspapers, newspapers! 65 copper per copy! Latest intelligence from the surrounding kingdoms! Miss Benny's story!"
"If you can't read, don't buy it! Go to the tavern and listen to a bard read it aloud!"
"Miss, I'm selling newspapers, not offering other services. Please remove your hand from my backside—it's not part of the deal."
Looking up, they saw a newspaper boy standing on the edge of a flowerbed, waving a newspaper in his hand.
He even took the time to banter with the surrounding crowd.
"Buy a copy—we should take a look," said the mage, Vergil, to the attendant beside him.
One of his attendants stepped forward.
Squeezing through the crowd, he purchased a newspaper and returned.
Walking back quickly, he said, "This is the sixth issue. The story is about a tavern maid."
Vergil took the newspaper and skimmed through it.
He soon saw the title of the story.
"The Blushing Maid Benny"
Surprisingly, it wasn't about Wu Heng himself.
Was the newspaper story just for sales?
After glancing quickly at the content, he stored it in his spatial ring. "Let's go. We'll check out a tavern first."
...…
Golden Sail Tavern.
As they entered the tavern, they heard a bard's voice.
"At nineteen, she had already worked in the tavern for seven years… living an ordinary life."
"Then, one day, a strangely dressed guest entered the tavern. He was fair-skinned, with black hair, as if he were wearing a black hat."
The bartender approached with an apologetic look. "Sir, we're full."
Vergil nodded. "Let's go. We'll try another place."
...…
Black Crow's Nest Tavern.
"The next day, Wu Heng brought Benny her share of the bounty and told her about the rescue of the child in the city…" The bard glanced at the newspaper as he spoke.
"Sir, the private rooms are also full. You should try another place," the bartender said.
The three of them left again, searching for another tavern.
...…
Red Shell Tavern.
"Benny showed reluctance, but she still lacked the courage to step forward…"
The three of them glanced at the completely packed tavern.
Without waiting for the bartender, they turned and left.
...…
Drunken Moon Inn.
A tavern that seemed to have been converted from an inn.
"Are there any seats?" one of the attendants asked.
After checking multiple places, their patience was running thin.
This island was strange.
How could every tavern be packed at midday?
"Yes, three seats—this way, please." The bartender quickly cleared a spot.
The three of them sighed in relief.
They followed and sat down.
At a nearby table sat a burly dwarf with a thick beard.
But that didn't matter—having a seat was enough.
They ordered drinks and food, then focused their attention on the bard on stage.
"Benny, from being fearful and timid, gradually grew determined, cursing the level 18 cult leader and all the cultists who had slaughtered villagers."
"Benny knocked over the oil lamp and stood amidst the flames. Her voice carried no fear, only hatred for the cultists outside as she shouted: 'Wu Heng will return and avenge me and the villagers!'"
"The fire blazed even more fiercely, engulfing her entirely."
Sniff, sniff~!
From a corner, faint sobbing could be heard.
Bang~!
The bearded dwarf at their table slammed his hand on the table in fury. "Was the Guild eating shit?! Why would they send her to investigate a level 18 Professional?!"
...…
The three mages looked at the furious dwarf.
They felt as if they had been scolded.
But thinking carefully, the blame was on the local Guild for sending the maid on such a mission.
Still, they were surprised.
This newspaper was powerful enough to stir such strong emotions in people.
Even they felt a pang of regret for this 'Benny.'
What a kind girl, yet she died just like that.
"This Island Lord is quite something. What an impressive idea," one attendant said.
Another added, "Newspapers aren't rare. The difference is that his writer knows how to captivate people."
Vergil took a sip of his drink and said flatly, "Now I'm curious about him. Let's see what kind of person he really is."
"Could it really be like what 'Moffat' said—a soul reincarnation?"
"If that were true, Moffat would have had a reason to act on the spot. Would he really just stand by and watch his disciple get bullied?"
Vergil took a sip of his drink and said calmly, "I'm curious about him too. Let's see what kind of person he really is when the time comes."
The bearded dwarf at the same table, after cursing,
Sat back down and glanced at the three of them in confusion.
"When did you guys switch seats?"
...…
The Ghost Train appeared.
Wu Heng stepped off the train with Kashu.
Returning to the city, he hailed a carriage and headed back to the Island Lord's Manor.
Sitting inside the carriage, he slightly pulled back the curtain and glanced outside as they passed by a newspaper stand.
A large crowd had gathered around the stand.
In addition to those buying newspapers, some were reading them aloud for others.
As a result, more and more people gathered.
"Why are so many women buying newspapers?"
"It's because of this issue's story. The tavern maids are each buying multiple copies, saying they want to push this issue's sales to the top."
"Princess, we've bought the newspapers. There are too many people here—let's leave first."
As the carriage passed, the conversation drifted into the cabin.
...…
Returning to the Island Lord's Manor.
Minnie helped him take off his coat and hung it up.
She asked softly, "Master, did you have lunch?"
Wu Heng checked how he felt and said, "Not really hungry. Let's just have dinner together later."
"Then I'll make something extra delicious tonight." Minnie smiled.
Wu Heng patted her small head. "Alright, I'll listen to you."
He sat in the living room for a while, enjoying the air conditioning.
The courtyard gate was knocked on, and Minnie quickly went to open it.
Shortly after, she returned with 'McIntosh,' the six-armed individual.
McIntosh wore a deep gray-purple cloak with a hood, a dark blue dress underneath, golden earrings, and a matching golden necklace.
A very distinctive appearance.
Entering the living room, McIntosh folded three of her arms over her chest and bowed. "Lord of the Island."
"Have a seat," Wu Heng said.
McIntosh took a seat nearby while Minnie served cold tea.
"My Lord, just past noon, three people arrived on the island. One of them should be a mage, while the other two are attendants. Their levels are likely 15 or above—perhaps even 18." McIntosh got straight to the point.