Chapter 265: They Mentioned You
"Tell me the details," Wu Heng said.
"Following the association's instructions, we returned the human girls to their homes. We also learned that others have gone missing—young girls," the dwarf Orlin said.
Wu Heng frowned slightly. "So, this has happened several times already."
"We suspect that a cult might be collecting sacrifices to perform some kind of ritual," Orlin stroked his beard and continued, "We don't have any leads, so we wanted to see if you, Deputy Steward, have any ideas."
"What about the bodies of those pirates and buyers from last time?" Wu Heng planned to question the dead.
"Burned," Orlin replied.
Damn.
No chance to question the corpses.
Right, when he went to extract the internal organs last time, the coroners mentioned they would be incinerated the next day.
He hadn't thought at the time that others were missing.
Orlin immediately said, "Deputy Steward, some families who've lost their children are at the association. Should I bring them over for you to question?"
Wu Heng thought for a moment and glanced at Andviel beside him.
"Andviel, go with him to gather information. Record the missing persons' appearances and locations, then draft a commission to post."
"Yes!" Andviel nodded.
The dwarf Orlin stood up and led Andviel out.
Wu Heng suddenly thought of something else and added, "Andviel, ask if any of them have personal items of the missing girls—something they carried regularly. If they do, bring it back."
"Alright!"
Andviel agreed and followed the dwarf out.
......
Not long after,
Andviel returned.
She held some documents and a blue hair tie.
"The most recent disappearance was just yesterday. This is the hair tie her mother brought," Andviel said, handing over the tie.
Wu Heng took it and retrieved the Tracking Pendant from his spatial ring.
Holding the thin chain, the walnut-sized skull head swayed slightly.
He brought the hair tie close, pressing the two items together.
Nothing happened.
"Is that not how it's used?"
He reread the artifact's description to confirm he wasn't missing anything.
Thinking for a moment, he picked up a fruit knife and pricked a small cut on his fingertip.
Squeezing out a drop of blood, he let it fall onto the skull.
The next second, blue flames ignited in the skull's eye sockets.
Its mouth opened, biting a corner of the hair tie and beginning to chew.
It seemed to struggle.
After chewing three or four times, a blue soul fire emerged from the skull.
The tail end was still connected to the skull, while the other end tilted in a certain direction.
Like a ghost trying to break free.
So it did react.
......
At this moment, Andviel had finished writing the commission.
She stamped it with the Deputy Steward's seal.
Wu Heng said, "Andviel, have Team 3 prepare a carriage; we have a lead."
"Okay, should I still post the commission?"
"Yes, go ahead. We might not get results otherwise." Wu Heng stood up, hung the pendant on a coat rack, and began putting on his armor. "By the way, Andviel, you don't need to come. You can head home to rest."
"Let me go with you; I can take care of you if anything happens."
Wu Heng patted her head. "Don't worry; if there's danger, I can run. You stay at the association."
"Alright, I'll go notify Team 3." Andviel said and quickly walked out.
Not long after, the carriage was ready.
Wu Heng grabbed the pendant and left with his skeleton servants.
......
On the Yani Saint cargo ship.
Though it was a freighter, the massive central cabin was lavishly decorated.
The floor was covered with soft carpets; intricately carved wall panels displayed valuable paintings.
Calling it a cargo ship, it resembled more a grand mansion's hall.
Malik, the ship's owner, emerged slowly, wearing a dark suit and holding a wooden cane.
Beside him was a stunning woman in a deep green, low-cut, form-fitting gown.
"Mr. Malik, Madam!"
"You're looking well today, Lord Malik, and Madam, you're as beautiful as ever."
Guests in the hall greeted them warmly.
Malik walked slowly, nodding and exchanging pleasantries with everyone.
Just then, a young man with curly hair strode in. Seeing Malik, he immediately smiled, "Mr. Malik, I hope I haven't missed your banquet."
Malik laughed heartily, "My brother, you arrived just in time. The banquet wouldn't start without you."
Saying this, the two embraced.
After exchanging greetings, the man looked at the stunning woman beside them, bent down, and kissed her fingertips. "You are as lovely as ever."
The woman smiled and lightly scratched his palm. "You're as charming as always."
They exchanged glances and smiled.
Gradually, the invited guests arrived.
The banquet was about to begin.
......
Malik lightly clapped his hands.
After plates of gourmet food were brought out,
Several armored guards emerged from one side of the cabin.
They escorted more than six pale-faced young girls, bringing them before the banquet guests.
Eager guests pricked the girls' wrists with their nails. Fresh red blood flowed into goblets, which they sipped, savoring the taste.
Some directly bit the wrist wounds, greedily drinking.
Their faces showed utter enjoyment.
The smell of blood filled the air.
The servants and guards around the banquet hall acted as if nothing unusual was happening.
After their indulgence,
The girls began to sway from blood loss.
Malik gestured slightly, and the guards took them away.
In this world, potions are effective; such blood loss wouldn't kill them.
But they'd be kept as future blood sources.
Malik took another sip from his blood-filled cup and said softly, "That Wu Heng who took the Blood Cup is coming. I've put out word—20 gold coins for his head before he reaches Gold-Silver Island. Pay attention when you're at sea; kill him and bring back those two artifacts."
"Mr. Malik, you really value him. A Level 3 wanted criminal—how much is his bounty? You're offering 20 gold coins for his head."
"Indeed, he's not worth that much."
Malik shook his head. "Better to be cautious. Let's retrieve the artifacts first."
"When he comes, killing him won't be hard."
"True!"
Malik smiled, "As long as you're confident. We must kill him before he officially becomes Deputy Steward."
"Understood!"
The guests nodded as they sipped their drinks.
......
On the sea.
Wu Heng held the pendant, sitting in a small boat.
Beside him were Skull-Crusher and Blood Axe. The amphibious Sharktooth floated on the water's surface, arms resting on the boat's edge.
At this moment, the ghost Glenda flew back toward them.
Hovering mid-air, she said, "A group of vampires is holding a banquet."
"Vampires?" Wu Heng frowned. "Did you see the missing girls?"
"Yes, they were bled a bit but are otherwise fine."
"Are there many people?" Wu Heng continued to ask.
"Not many at the banquet. Guards and sailors number over a hundred," Glenda said, then added, "They mentioned you."
"Me?"
"Yes, they said there's a 20-gold-coin bounty on your head before you reach Gold-Silver Island." Glenda floated in the air, smiling.
Wu Heng was stunned, furrowing his brows in thought.
"They're not vampires; they're bloodthirsty beings created by the Blood Cup," he said.
According to normal train schedules, he hadn't yet arrived at Gold-Silver Island.
"Smart!" Glenda praised.
"Let me see what's happening inside," Wu Heng continued.
Glenda directly entered his body.
The ship's scenes appeared in his mind.
The nobles attending the banquet, the girls brought out, and the intoxicated expressions as they tasted blood.
Indeed, they were a group suffering the aftereffects of using the Blood Cup—bloodthirsty beings.
So the Blood Cup hadn't just appeared in Rentam City but had been in many places.
Then, Wu Heng heard them discussing him.
A group sat together, belittling him while talking about how to kill him.
Before he took up his position.
Afterward, Wu Heng released Glenda.
"What are you planning to do?" Glenda asked.
Wu Heng closed his eyes in thought. "Kill them. Once the banquet ends and they disperse, it'll be hard to find them."
"Just like your usual style."
Wu Heng glanced at Sharktooth beside him. "Approach the cargo ship."
Sharktooth dove into the water.
He began pushing the wooden boat, swiftly moving closer.
......
As the boat neared the cargo ship, several sailors leaned over the railing.
"Who goes there?"
Wu Heng looked up and shouted, "Is this Mr. Malik's ship? I hope I haven't missed his banquet."
The sailors exchanged glances.
They threw down a rope ladder.
Wu Heng climbed up with Skull-Crusher and Blood Axe.
Standing on the deck, Wu Heng glanced around.
Guards in various armors, sailors, pirates—there were indeed nearly a hundred people.
They were probably the guards of those attending the banquet below.
"Sir, your invitation?" Two armored guards approached.
Wu Heng ignored them and flipped his hand to take out the Spinal Bone Serpent Staff.
He said to those outside, "Come, look at me!"
The many guards and sailors outside looked at him in confusion.
Wu Heng gripped the staff and swiped his hand downward. "Sleep!"
Whoosh~!
A large number of sailors and pirates collapsed to the ground.
Only a few scattered individuals remained standing, looking over in horror.
Wu Heng glanced at the remaining few and said directly, "Kill them."
Skull-Crusher and Blood Axe charged toward the remaining people.