Chapter 686, The Rain-Making Array
The Fifth Princess boarded the ship?
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow, quickly running through the possibilities in his mind.
Most of the ships under his command were filled with skeletons—no outside personnel had been recruited.
The only likely place was the guild's headquarters ship.
It had stayed on the island for a day and recruited some sailors and support crew.
"Just found out today?" Wu Heng asked.
"Steward Sheila Grey started investigating yesterday. It was confirmed this morning she left the island. The steward said she must have a detection-blocking item or artifact, the Skeleton Seer couldn't locate her," Minnie said, recalling.
Having an anti-detection item wasn't strange.
After all, she was a fugitive.
"Got it. Let me know right away if you hear anything else," Wu Heng said.
"Okay, Master. Take care of yourself and come back soon."
"I'll bring you all gifts."
"Hehe, thank you, Master."
He ended the transmission.
Wu Heng went to the cabin where the ghosts were.
Two of them were watching a movie. One was still reading.
"Glenda, help me find someone," Wu Heng said.
Glenda had reached level 20. Her legendary stealth made her even harder to detect.
"What's up?" Glenda asked.
"Remember the Fifth Princess? Sheila Grey said she might have snuck into the fleet. See if she's on the headquarters ship."
"Ekow Kingdom, the one who played your role?"
"Right. She's probably in disguise."
"Got it." Glenda nodded and flew out.
Wu Heng stayed behind and chatted with the other two ghosts.
Glenda quickly returned. "She's in the ship's kitchen. Looks like she's in trouble."
...…
On the guild ship, kitchen.
Fifth Princess "Brittany" and her maid stood to the side, a bit dusty.
Surrounded by others from the kitchen, including sailors.
Opposite them sat a man with slicked-back hair and a full beard.
A sailor leaned in and whispered, "Sir, they're both women in disguise."
The bearded man narrowed his eyes and looked them over.
Then said directly, "Speak."
The sailor said, "I saw them with a wristwatch. I suspect they stole it from one of the officers."
He handed over the watch in his palm.
It immediately drew everyone's attention.
A watch like that cost several gold coins.
Ordinary people couldn't afford it—especially kitchen workers.
"Where'd the watch come from?" the bearded man asked.
"We bought it ourselves. Just checked the time and he saw us," the maid retorted.
"You expect us to believe you bought that and are still working in the kitchen?" the sailor scoffed.
The surrounding crowd murmured in doubt.
Clearly, they didn't believe her.
The maid tried to continue, but the Princess stopped her. "Ask the guild if anyone's missing a watch. That'll settle it."
"Like we can just meet with the guild's officers? You probably stole it on the island and planned to escape on this ship," the sailor said, handing the watch to the bearded man. "Better keep it safe, sir."
The bearded man grinned approvingly and took it.
"Trying to rob people? On the headquarters' ship?" the Princess snapped.
"Alright, back to work. If no one reports a theft, you'll get it back," the man said.
"Give it back. I don't want to fight here," the Princess stepped forward.
The man's face turned cold. "You defying me?"
"Return it…"
"Hold her down. Time to teach her a lesson."
As he spoke, the kitchen staff and sailors began surrounding them.
A few workers recruited from Gold-Silver Island tried to calm things down, warning that the officers would be angry.
But no one listened.
The Princess reached into her robe for her spatial ring.
If they forced her hand, she'd fight.
But she couldn't let them keep the watch.
Who knew what they'd try to take next?
Just as things were about to explode—
Bang~!
A loud crash. The door burst open.
"Having a meeting? What's the gathering for?" Philipa strode in with her parrot on her shoulder, surveying the room.
The Princess and her maid immediately lowered their heads.
They shuffled off to the side.
The bearded man approached quickly. "Captain Philipa, are you here for the officers?"
"Nope, looking for two people." Her gaze scanned the room.
It landed on the two who kept their heads down.
Philipa marched up and grabbed the Princess's chin, lifting it. "You're good at hiding. Come with me—Wu Heng wants to see you."
Caught, the Princess had no choice.
And with the situation blown up, staying would mean fighting.
"I'll go with you." She took her maid's hand and followed.
At the door—
The maid said, "Philipa, they tried to take our watch."
Philipa followed her pointing finger.
The crowd parted. The bearded man glanced around and handed over the watch. "Someone suspected it was stolen—I just kept it safe."
Then he looked to the side. "Come apologize."
The sailor walked over, his smile forced. "My mistake, ladies. Please forgive me."
Philipa snatched the watch and tossed it to the maid.
Then said, "Next time I see you bullying someone, I'll skin you both for sails."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
Philipa turned and led them to the deck.
They boarded a Wyvern and flew back to the escort ship.
...…
Escort ship cabin.
Wu Heng frowned at the dusty, kitchen-attired duo. "You really followed us."
The Princess took a deep breath and lifted her chin defiantly. "I want to go back."
"This is an investigation. What would you do there?"
"I know Netare City. I can help. In return, help me reclaim my kingdom," she said like she was negotiating.
Wu Heng frowned.
Completely unequal terms—but she said it like it was fair.
Help solve a case, and he'd help reclaim a kingdom?
Catching a killer and fighting an army weren't the same.
Wu Heng thought for a long time before answering, "I don't need your help. And I'm not helping you seize a kingdom."
"I know it's a stretch. But I saw the Island Lord's announcement. I just want to go back and see it. I don't want my kingdom to end like this," she said, voice softening.
Right now, sending her back to Gold-Silver Island wasn't possible.
He thought for a moment. "You can come—but only if you agree to my rules."
"Say it—but don't go overboard."
"From now on, you do exactly what I say. Everything. No exceptions," Wu Heng emphasized.
"I agree."
"Remember your words."
Wu Heng looked at Philipa. "Take them to wash up and get them a room."
"Got it!" Philipa nodded. "Come on—I'll teach you how to shower."
Shower...?
The two frowned and followed her.
...…
Bathroom.
Water streamed down like a goddess' cascade from above.
Used to royal baths, the Princess jumped, eyes wide.
She gaped in shock.
Reaching out to touch the spray, it gently splashed against her palm.
Her maid cried from the next stall, "Princess, is it raining on your head?"
"It's the same here. Stop yelling—they'll think we've never seen this."
"But Princess, I really haven't! It feels like a rain array—it's so nice."
...…
Four days passed.
While nothing went wrong, the trip was tiring.
Only Philipa enjoyed herself at sea. She even became close with the Princess and her maid.
They played Five-in-a-Row together every day—taught by Wu Heng.
Wu Heng stood on deck in the sea breeze, thinking about how to start the investigation in Netare City.
He wanted to get involved in Ekow Kingdom—but still needed to solve the case.
His Great Detective image had to be maintained.
If he'd known, he wouldn't have let Glenda hype him up so much.
It was getting tough!
Deep in thought—
Three ships appeared ahead.
They flew Ekow Kingdom's navy flags, with uniformed sailors visible on deck.
They eagerly approached.
But upon seeing the massive ships and flags, they slowed immediately. The deck broke into chaos.
Ekow Kingdom ships?
Weren't they supposed to be blockading the port?
Wu Heng tilted his head slightly and said into the air beside him, "Xiaoxiao, Beni, go see what those ships are doing."
"Okay, Uncle."
"Sure."
Two voices replied. The ghosts flew off.
Moments later, Xiaoxiao and Beni returned.
"Xiaoxiao, you go ahead."
Xiaoxiao said, "Uncle, those are bad guys' ships. There are people locked up inside—like slaves."
Slave ships flying Ekow Kingdom's flag?
"Let me see!"
Xiaoxiao spun and entered his body.
A vision was shared.
Inside a dark ship, iron cages lined the walls.
Women and children sat inside, weary and miserable.