Chapter 692, The Woman Is Still Alive
Level 15?
That didn't match Glenda's intel.
Glenda's report said the City Lord was level 16, and he matched the person the Fifth Princess described—but this Commander was definitely someone else.
"The current city commander is a level 18 Fist Master. Can you guess who he is?" Wu Heng asked.
"Fist Master?" The Fifth Princess frowned and thought, then shook her head. "No clue. I wasn't interested in that stuff before. I didn't know many people or their levels. If I had a portrait, maybe."
"Big build, square face, thick beard," Wu Heng described.
"Doesn't ring a bell," she shook her head again.
"Alright, no big deal," Wu Heng nodded.
The Fifth Princess added, "I'll go into the city with you. I can ask Daxil directly—he's always been polite to me."
"It's not time for you to show yourself. You'd only attract the attention of those in the shadows."
The Fifth Princess hesitated. "Then... alright."
"Don't worry. If we need you, we'll call on you."
She nodded and stayed quiet.
Wu Heng turned to Philipa. "Everything alright on the ship?"
"Don't worry. I've got the fleet running smoothly," Philipa patted her chest confidently.
She had been a captain—this kind of thing was easy for her.
"I'll head back now. I set up a radio in my room. Contact me if anything comes up."
"Got it."
Confirming there were no issues—
Wu Heng disembarked.
......
Walking back along the road—
The once-bustling streets remained eerily quiet.
Back when he first went to Gold-Silver Island, he'd bought many weapons and armors here—he was quite a big spender.
Now, the shops on both sides had all shut their doors.
Only a few grain and general stores kept half a door open for business.
Wu Heng spotted an armor shop in the distance.
Its doors were closed. He'd bought armor there and had even chatted with the shop's proprietress.
Wu Heng slipped into a nearby alley and had Xiaoxiao check for anyone tailing him.
He put on his skin mask and stored his two skeleton attendants with [Mansion Spell].
Stepping out of the alley, he arrived at the armor shop.
He knocked hard. After a moment, a woman in her 50s opened the door slightly and sized him up. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to see the proprietress. I ordered goods from her before," Wu Heng said.
Her eyes shifted slightly. She replied coldly, "She's not here. The shop's closed."
She moved to shut the door.
Wu Heng held it and pushed slightly, forcing it open.
He walked in. "You can't just disappear after selling things. I need to see your boss."
The older woman tried to yell and stop him.
A woman's voice came from inside. "Please, sir, come to the sitting room."
The older woman glared at Wu Heng and muttered, "Think you can bully us just because there are no men left."
Wu Heng ignored her and followed into the main room.
The shop was empty of goods, with only some tools left on the counter.
Soon, footsteps sounded.
A disheveled woman emerged, deliberately dressed down, her face covered in dark oil.
"What did you buy, sir?"
"Let's talk privately," Wu Heng said.
She narrowed her eyes and told the others, "Wait outside."
The older woman and a few others left. The door shut.
From the footsteps, it sounded like they stayed nearby.
"We've got work to do. What's your business, sir?" the proprietress urged.
Wu Heng removed his mask. "Do you remember me?"
Her eyes widened. "Gold-Silver..."
She cut herself off.
She stepped to the door and called out, "This gentleman was sent by a friend. You can all get back to work."
"Alright, madam. Call us if you need anything."
She returned and sat across from Wu Heng.
"Milord, what brings you here?"
"I came with the Guild. Now that they're in the city, things should calm down."
"That's a relief. Life was unbearable."
Wu Heng asked, "Tell me about the city. We're investigating."
She hesitated, then began.
It started with the clash between two armies. Local men were conscripted by force.
"Later, when Netare City nearly fell, reinforcements came and drove the enemy off. They were fierce—just as strong as the army."
Wu Heng raised a brow. "Weren't the reinforcements from the Kingdom?"
"Not in military uniform when they arrived," she recalled. "They looked like mercenaries—wore all kinds of gear."
"Anything else?" Wu Heng pressed.
"No, we only saw that when we were forced to fix their armor."
"Did you see their leader?"
"Yes. Big man, square face, thick beard. More hair on his face than on his head," she remembered.
Matched Glenda's description of the barracks commander.
Which meant the commander the Princess remembered had been replaced by this one.
It made sense.
In this world, power was ranked by level. Level 18 replacing level 15 wasn't odd.
"Thanks. That's helpful," Wu Heng nodded.
The proprietress hesitated, then asked, "Milord, when you leave, can you take us with you? We have skills—we can help on Gold-Silver Island."
"You want to leave?"
"No one knows how long the fighting will last. Everyone who could already left. We'll all die if we stay," she said urgently.
"Alright. I promise—but don't spread it around. I'll notify you before we go."
Her face lit up. "Thank you, Milord."
"If you get intel, deliver it straight to the Guild."
"Understood, Milord."
Wu Heng replaced his mask. "I'll go now. Stay safe."
She nodded and walked him to the door.
She said a few parting words—about fixing armor again—and waved goodbye.
Wu Heng left immediately.
......
Back at the Guild—
Wu Heng had just entered the hall.
Someone hurried over. "Lord Wu Heng, Dean Janvito found a lead. He told me to wait for your return."
A lead?
Their side was more efficient than his.
Wu Heng asked, "What lead?"
"We checked city records. Comparing portraits, we found the secret messenger's residence."
"Let's go see."
He followed the guide to the location.
The Guild had already searched the place.
"No useful clues, but it's clear two people lived here—one should be a woman," Janvito said.
Wu Heng looked inside. "Bring me a woman's garment."
A piece of intimate clothing was handed over.
Wu Heng took out the [Tracking Pendant], dropped blood on it, and had the skull bite the garment.
A bluish soul form struggled and pointed in a direction.
Wu Heng and Janvito's eyes lit up.
She was still alive!