Chapter 351, It's Not My Fault
"Looks like Gold-Silver Island isn't much after all. Just a couple of pushes, and a Deputy Steward is suspended." The tattooed man placed one leg on the chair.
On the other side of the room sat a man dressed in a captain's outfit.
He smiled, casually turning the wide ring on his index finger.
He looked at the tattooed man and said, "It's just a suspension for investigation. The rest is up to you."
"Hmm, since I promised, I'll handle it," the tattooed man nodded, leaning back. "Got the info?"
The captain handed over a handwritten file.
He added, "Joined the guild less than a year ago. His level shouldn't be high, but be careful of the two attendants with him. They seem formidable."
The tattooed man glanced up, asking, "Are they connected?"
"From what I understand, no background. Came from a small town in the Ekow Kingdom. Just a high natural talent."
The tattooed man nodded, tossed the file back, and stood, saying, "Wait for my news."
"Hmm!"
At the door, the tattooed man turned back, reminding, "Have the money ready."
"Of course, this isn't our first collaboration."
The tattooed man opened the door and walked out.
...
In the office study.
After being suspended, Wu Heng's study had been left empty.
But the key was still with Wu Heng. Some things in this world weren't managed that strictly.
Wu Heng sat on the sofa, wearing headphones, listening to the bug he had planted.
This thing had a range limitation.
Unlike a radio, which could transmit over long distances.
Through the headphones, he could hear the sounds of chairs dragging, objects being moved.
It seemed like they were looking for something.
Then, there were conversations between 'Kalema' and others, mostly mundane talks, unrelated to what he wanted to eavesdrop on.
"How's it going? Any leads?" Granda floated beside him, asking.
"No, hardly anything of value," Wu Heng replied.
It seemed placing the bug in Kalema's room might not have been the best idea.
But with the size of these devices, it was hard to plant one on him directly, and his residence seemed the next best option.
"Could it be that he has nothing to do with it?" Granda speculated.
"Could be, but I have a feeling there's something off about him. Better safe than sorry."
"Hmm, true."
Wu Heng opened a portal, summoning a skeletal investigator, positioning it by the seat to continue listening and recording.
No matter if the information seemed useful or not, everything would be recorded first.
After setting things up, he exited the room.
Locking the door behind him.
...
Returning home.
Minnie and Andviel were supervising skeletons laying out bedding to air.
Although they were called maids, most of the work was handled by the skeletons. Andviel worked as the guild's assistant, while Minnie took on the role of a house manager.
Hearing the door open, the two turned their heads.
Seeing Wu Heng return, they both smiled and waved from a distance.
Minnie ran over and threw herself into his arms, nestling closer, "Master, why did you go out so early? I didn't get to see you."
"Well, you were the one sleeping in."
Minnie looked up defensively, "No way, I woke up really early today."
"When I went downstairs, you were sleeping soundly. And since Andviel didn't have to wake up early for once, I didn't want to disturb either of you."
"Master, you're the best!" Minnie praised without hesitation.
Andviel walked over too, softly asking, "Master, any progress?"
Wu Heng shook his head, "Sheila Grey is leading the investigation. There's no substantial evidence yet."
Andviel frowned, "Deputy Steward Sheila Grey will definitely find the culprit."
"Hmm," Wu Heng nodded.
Minnie listened and curiously asked, "Who is Deputy Steward Sheila Grey?"
"Another Deputy Steward from the guild. An elf, very beautiful," Andviel replied.
"Who's prettier, her or Sister Shanela?"
Andviel answered, "They're beautiful in different ways. Deputy Steward Sheila Grey looks younger, while Lady Shanela has a more mature beauty."
Minnie glanced at Wu Heng with suspicion, "Master, who do you think is prettier?"
"They're both pretty. The elves are naturally very striking," Wu Heng said.
Minnie persisted, "Are they prettier, or are we prettier, me and Sister Viel?"
Andviel also looked up expectantly.
Wu Heng smiled, hugging them both tighter, "You're all beautiful, each in your own way."
"What kind of answer is that... You're dodging the question again..." Minnie grumbled.
Wu Heng ruffled her hair, "You're all beautiful, but I like the two of you more."
"Hehe, I knew it." Minnie hugged his waist, snuggling in.
Andviel also looked joyful, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Master, should I take the bedding from your room out to air as well?" Andviel asked.
"Yes, take it out too."
Andviel nodded, giving Minnie a firm pat on her backside, "Stop clinging to the master, help me get the room ready."
"Geez." Minnie rubbed her butt, muttering as she went upstairs.
Wu Heng followed behind, saying, "By the way, don't leave the house for now. If you need anything, have Shanela's people bring it over."
"Oh, alright." The two nodded.
They then headed to the fourth floor to organize the bedroom.
Wu Heng remained on the third floor, entering the room with the radio station.
...
He picked up the skeletal investigator's record book, flipping through it.
Quite a lot had already been recorded.
"Today, we pulled up a Terragator Turtle over a meter long. They say it's good for men's health. Should I save it for you to take back, just in case age gets to you?"
"The Terragator Turtle is gone. Sold it at the dock to some old noble. I'll grab you another next time!"
"Damn it, we were attacked by a Ekow convoy. Damn bastards, we were just passing by, and they attacked us without reason."
"I can't stand it anymore. I'm telling you, they struck first, so this is retaliation..."
"...Docked now, resupplying. Might go see my mom if I have time."
"..."
"Damn, two idiotic pirate crews got into it. Do pirates just have crap for brains? Fighting all the time."
Wu Heng glanced through it.
It was quite a lot of stuff.
Though nothing directly useful—attacks from the Kingdom convoy, pirate infighting—seemed like a lot was happening.
After thinking it over, he picked up the mic and asked, "Philipa, are you there?"
"Huh? Why are you talking now?" Philipa's low voice replied.
Wu Heng asked, "Bad time to talk?"
Over the radio.
There were two shrill curses of 'stupid bird' first.
Philipa's voice then came through, "Nah, I was just chewing out the crew. If you'd called sooner, they would've heard."
Wu Heng frowned, "Don't let the crew into your quarters. If someone overhears, you'll be in danger."
"You never say anything, how would I know you'd speak up now?" Philipa protested, then added, "Alright, I won't let them in anymore. If they heard you, it'd be hard to explain."
Wu Heng said, "There are so many cabins. Set up a meeting room. Every big fleet has one, looks official."
"Good point. I'll have one set up tomorrow."
Wu Heng continued to ask, "How have things been on your side recently?"
"Not bad, there's food and drink."
Wu Heng leaned against the edge of the desk and asked, "You said two pirate crews started fighting, what's going on?"
Philipa said, "Originally, the plan was to set out to sea with the two pirate crews to see if any trade caravans passed by. But yesterday, the two of them started fighting, and someone even died, so the whole thing got delayed."
"An internal conflict?"
"It has nothing to do with me! It's 'Babuchi's' woman who got involved with the captain of another pirate crew. I just said something about how humiliating it is to be bullied like this while being a pirate, and then they started fighting that night."