Chapter 667, Leave the Head
"Start from the beginning," Wu Heng asked with a slight frown.
On the other end, Macintosh replied, "After we received suspicious reports about this ship, we began gathering intel. The ship has been docked at the port for four days. Other than the first day when a large quantity of cargo was unloaded, it's just stayed there.
But every day, someone delivers a lot of supplies to the ship. After investigating, we found it was mostly food and fresh water.
Just based on this, we can conclude that many people remain onboard. It's impossible they're just beasts or slaves; they wouldn't be eating this well. Someone's hiding a lot of people in there, but their purpose is still unclear.
So I decided to call and inform you."
Macintosh spoke quickly, but the meaning was clear.
The ship had been docked for four days, with food and water sent daily.
That alone was enough to raise suspicion.
Nearly a hundred unidentified individuals camped at the port was definitely a concern.
"Who's delivering food to the ship?" Wu Heng asked.
"A servant from a mansion on the island. Their identity is still under investigation, but likely someone among the new aristocrats who recently bought property," Macintosh answered.
Wu Heng fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Which berth is the ship docked at? Any distinguishing features?"
Macintosh replied, "Berth 5. It's a large commercial freighter flying a flag with a red beak on a blue background."
"Got it. Have someone continue watching them from your side too. Don't alert them yet."
"Understood."
...…
After hanging up, Wu Heng leaned on the desk, deep in thought.
Clearly, those on the ship weren't familiar with coastal routines.
They didn't realize that even a dock worker could estimate the number of people on board based on the amount of supplies delivered.
Of course, it's also possible they thought the port was too chaotic, or their stay too short, for anyone to notice.
Either way, it was evident that nearly a hundred people were hiding onboard, with unknown intentions.
Possibly related to some recently released island products.
Especially the potions—they represented significant value.
Wu Heng quickly reviewed the facts and drew several conclusions:
They're outsiders, unfamiliar with local practices.
Around a hundred people, highly disciplined, confident in their goal on Gold-Silver Island.
The only missing piece was their motive.
"Master, is there any danger?" Minnie asked softly.
Wu Heng gathered his thoughts, "Not exactly danger. A ship is docked at the port, and Macintosh suspects people are hiding onboard. Have Annette and Robe stay in today. Just in case."
"Understood, Master. We get it," Minnie nodded with a smile.
Wu Heng didn't elaborate further and went upstairs to his study.
...…
In the study, the three specters were still busy with their tasks.
Wu Heng said to Glenda, "I need you to go check something out."
"What is it?" Glenda asked curiously.
"Macintosh just called. She said a suspicious ship at the port has been getting food and water deliveries enough for about a hundred people, yet no one's been seen coming or going. She suspects people are hiding onboard." Wu Heng sat down and summarized what Macintosh had said.
Glenda asked, "Do we know which ship?"
Wu Heng said, "Berth 5. A large freighter flying a flag with a red beak on a blue background. Find out who's onboard and their purpose—preferably without being noticed."
Glenda nodded, "Alright. I'm on it."
With that, she phased through the wall and vanished.
Xiaoxiao, who had been eavesdropping, flew over. "I want to go too."
"No, you stay," Wu Heng stopped her immediately.
"Huh? Why not?"
"You and Beni should patrol the island lord's mansion area. See if anyone suspicious shows up," Wu Heng instructed.
"Oh, okay!"
Xiaoxiao and Beni flew out to start their patrol.
...…
After waiting for a while—
Xiaoxiao and Beni returned.
"Nothing suspicious," Xiaoxiao reported.
Beni added, "I stopped by Madam Shanaila's residence. All clear there too."
As they spoke, Glenda flew back in.
She said directly, "They're vampires, all low-level. From what I overheard, their target is you. They're waiting for the right moment."
Vampires?
That wasn't entirely unexpected.
After all, Wu Heng had helped Lilith kill some of their kin—it made sense they wanted revenge.
He had imagined them coming arrogantly, head-on.
But it seemed they had their concerns.
They intended to take him out quietly.
"What's the highest level among them?" Wu Heng asked.
Glenda shook her head, "There are a few level 15s in the cabin. No stronger individuals spotted, but likely hidden. To dare attack you here, there's surely at least one level 18."
"Guess I've made quite an impression."
"Rumors say you're level 15, but given how many high-level foes you've killed, they know something's off. I suspect there's more than one level 18," Glenda speculated.
"Makes sense."
Glenda asked, "What's your plan?"
"Since they've made their move, we won't just sit around. Best to lure them out and eliminate them."
They didn't want a public scene, and neither did he.
Their goals were aligned in that sense.
"How do you want to do it?"
Wu Heng stood up, putting on his armor, "Let's head to the port."
...…
Inside the dimly lit ship cabin.
A pale-faced man with shoulder-length curls held a newspaper, reading the story on it.
"Quite the interesting fellow. Luke losing to him doesn't seem so unjust now."
Knock knock~!
At that moment, the cabin door was lightly knocked.
A figure swiftly slipped into the room.
The man frowned, displeased. "What is it? Such recklessness."
The intruder quickly said, "My lord, that island master has appeared at the port."
The man set the newspaper down, frowning as he stared at the speaker. "What's he doing there?"
"He boarded a ship larger than a warship and headed east."
"He went out to sea?" the man muttered, then broke into a smile. "He actually dares to go out to sea at a time like this. Notify the captain, follow him immediately. If you lose him, I'll twist your head off."
"Yes, my lord!"
Just as the subordinate was about to leave, the man added, "Wait."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Go tell Radwan, we'll deal with the island master ourselves. Tonight, have him lead men to storm the island master's mansion—kill everyone inside."
...…
The wind howled, waves crashing in their ears.
After sailing for some distance—
The skeleton removed the human-skin mask and returned it to Wu Heng.
The figure that had boarded the ship at the port was a skeleton wearing a human-skin mask, a precaution in case the enemy attacked during the boarding.
That way, Wu Heng would have time to react.
Fortunately, the enemy hadn't made a move, clearly unwilling to act in such a crowded place.
They had their own concerns.
Philipa picked up a telescope and glanced backward. "Not following? Did those guys lose us?"
She walked into the cockpit and muttered to the skeleton, "Slow down a bit. At this speed, what are you guys in a rush to reincarnate for?"
"What kind of talk is that!" Wu Heng scolded from the side.
Philipa pouted and whispered, "I'm just worried their crappy ship can't keep up and we'll lose them."
Wu Heng glanced at the radar screen—no targets in pursuit.
But when they left port, that ship had been following. At this speed, it shouldn't have fallen behind.
He took out the Emerald Sea's sand table for a look.
Behind them, a ship was indeed approaching quickly.
"They're following—just waiting for nightfall."
...…
As darkness fell, the sea became shrouded in a curtain of black.
On the deck, a vampire man in a black formal suit stood with hands behind his back. His blood-red eyes seemed able to pierce the night and see the distant scene.
Behind him, a large group of vampire members emerged.
Some dragged several blood-drained corpses and casually tossed them overboard into the sea.
"My lord, we can see their ship now!" the lookout atop the mast shouted.
The man nodded, speaking calmly, "He's capable. Go all out—kill everyone on board. And don't damage his face. I'm taking his head to Moffat."
"Yes, my lord," the others responded in unison.
"Increase speed."
The ship surged forward at full speed, quickly closing in on the distant target.
A cold smile spread across the man's face, as if he could already see the island master—known for his high prestige—kneeling in misery before him.
And himself, receiving rewards from the family patriarch for removing that man's head.
And mocking Moffat and his apprentice's incompetence.
All that remained was to get a little closer.
Suddenly, a flash of fire burst from the distant ship.
The sea beneath his feet exploded violently.