Chapter 725: Chapter 588, Waiting for Reinforcements Chapter 725: Chapter 588, Waiting for Reinforcements The next day, early in the morning.

Iron Rock Village.

The team of professionals staying overnight had not slept well.

The matter of the Evil Cult hung over them like a massive stone, oppressively heavy.

If they didn’t investigate, the cult would continue to wreak havoc, leading to more deaths.

If they proceeded with the investigation, they were likely to encounter danger, and given the current state of Yeko Kingdom, it seemed unlikely they could muster military support.

The preparations were almost complete.

Yuli, showing some dark circles under her eyes, lightly knocked on a door.

“Auntie, we’re all ready, we can leave now,” she said.

“Release the Tamed Beast first, I’ll be out soon,” Slyther said, turning her head as she sat at the table.

“Okay!” Yuli turned and left.

Slyther turned back and finished penning the last bit of a letter on the table.

Picking up the letter, she glanced at it.

“Hope it’s not needed.”

Taking a deep breath, she neatly packed the letter away to one side.

She began to pack up the pillows and bedding beside her, putting everything into the Space Ring.

As she was packing the pillows, a blank envelope slipped to the side.

Slyther’s eyes narrowed.

Surprise, doubt, and joy flashed through her eyes next.

She picked up the letter and quickly unfolded it.

The contents appeared before her eyes.

“Slyther:
We’ve investigated Bella’s death thoroughly. The sect responsible is called the Heaven Destiny Cult and was officially declared an Evil Cult by the association two months ago.

The leader is called ‘Fateh’ and is above level 18, though his profession is still undetermined.

As of the latest intelligence, the cult may possess two professionals at level 18 and several at level 15.

I have arrived in Lundham City and will head to Black Stone Town after arrangements here are done.

Do not act rashly before I arrive.

If Heaven Destiny Cult directly threatens you, first ensure your own safety.”

The letter wasn’t long, but aside from mentioning the Heaven Destiny Cult, it included no other content.

After reading it, Slyther’s forehead was covered in sweat.

More than one professional at level 18, several at level 15.

Even just reading the description made her spine chill and her heart beat violently.

With such forces, why would they appear here?

Forget about attacking nearby villages, even if they swept through the surrounding towns, no one could stop them.

If they really followed them, she feared none would return.

“Auntie, are you not ready yet? Everyone is waiting at the door,” Yuli’s urging voice came through again.

Slyther took a deep breath, calming her heart.

The words on the letter had disappeared, leaving behind only blank paper and an envelope.

She put the letter into the Space Ring.

Slyther, accompanied by Cheetah, opened the door and saw Yuli standing outside.

Yuli asked, “Auntie, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” Slyther pinched her cheek.

“What was that for!” Yuli muttered discontentedly.

They walked together to the village gate.

Slyther scanned the prepared carriages and a few small teams.

In a stern voice, she ordered, “Cancel the tracking operations. We’ll station ourselves in Iron Rock Village. Send one team back to Black Stone Town to bring reinforcements here.”

…

“Extra, extra, read all about it from Lundham…”

“Newspapers released by the city hall. Sit at home and know the world’s affairs. Internal turmoil in Yeko Kingdom, level 18 Evil Cult slaughters villagers, the killer of the Blood Python Gang’s leader is actually among us, Legendary City Lord, Mr. Wu Heng’s rise from a nobody to Association Island Master… all written in the newspaper.”

The newspaper boy’s voice rose in the main streets of the city.

Holding the newspapers high, he shouted loudly, drawing the attention of those passing by.

No one knew what the newspaper was.

But listening to those few shouted lines, it seemed quite appealing.

“This newspaper… can I take one?”

A large Beastman, encouraged by others nearby, stepped forward to ask.

The newspaper boy stopped shouting and looked down at him, “65 copper coins.”

“Had I known it cost money, I wouldn’t have crowded over here,” he said.

“I’ll take one.” A well-dressed merchant came over to buy.

Those who weren’t interested in buying retreated to the back to watch the excitement.

Those who wanted to see what it was about paid for a newspaper.

…

Wind Drooping Grass Tavern.

A few scattered patrons occupied about a third of the place.

A human-dressed bard, after whispering something to the owner, walked straight to a wooden platform on one side.

After tapping on the counter, he announced loudly, “Everyone, this morning the City Lord’s Mansion released something called a newspaper. It costs 65 copper coins a piece and covers news from the surrounding cities, information about local gangs, and stories about the esteemed Wu Heng. Luckily, I had some spare change and bought a copy to share with you all.”

All eyes in the tavern turned to him.

Most of the tavern’s patrons were beastmen, and few could read.

Seeing that it was new and that they didn’t have to pay for it, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.

“Quick, tell us quick!”

“This is good, spending money for one but everyone gets to hear what’s written.”

“Quick, start talking before I get too drunk to understand.”

The bard smiled and began.

“The first piece of news, the old king of Yeko Kingdom has died… power struggle… Wu Heng, master of Gold and Silver Island, defeated Prince Lu An*Randolph of Celt Kingdom, a human race genius, in a fair competition held by the association…”

…

“Gold and Silver Island? Wu Heng? Why does that sound so familiar?”

“That captain from the association, the one who repelled the Hammer Party, the real city lord of Lundham City.”

“I knew it sounded familiar!”

“Now he’s an island master too, and he even defeated a prince.”

“No wonder he didn’t want this city, it’s simply beneath him.”

The tavern became noisy with the news.

It was chaotic, everyone discussing Wu Heng, some even sharing rumors they had heard.

The bard was in no hurry to continue.

He waited for their discussions, letting newcomers realize who Wu Heng was
and what he had done in this city.

Unlike in Gold and Silver Island.

The bards in Lundham City’s taverns were specially arranged by the city hall.

Each one placed in a spot to read the newspaper free of charge to the patrons.

This was because Lundham City, unlike Gold and Silver Island,
was spread out with fewer high-level professionals, and even fewer literate individuals willing to buy publications.

Getting them to buy a newspaper, or finding a bard willing to read it, was a difficult task.

So they just arranged it themselves, until it became a habit.

The tavern would eventually hire its own bard to be a permanent fixture.

…

After finishing the report from the newspaper,
the bard started telling the following story, and all the patrons again fell silent, the tavern was unusually quiet.

Only the bard’s voice echoed through the tavern.

“Wu Heng glanced over and immediately said, ‘Are you looking at that retired soldier?'”
“I chuckled to myself, this sly fellow, knowing I couldn’t verify it, just bluffed.”

“…I planned to expose Wu Heng’s conspiracy to embarrass him… just then, a letter carrier came out, catching up to ask, ‘Excuse me, what is your profession?'”
“I once was a soldier for the kingdom.”

“Wu Heng’s theory was proven right again, I was so shocked it was unbelievable, I couldn’t help but ask, ‘How did you figure that out?'”
“‘It’s quite simple,’ Wu Heng explained with a smile. ‘The letter carrier’s hands had calluses, and his wrist was tattooed with a sword and a flag; his demeanor carried the air of an infantryman, his tone of speech, and his confident posture led me to believe he had served in the military. Plus the symbols on his hands identified him as from the light infantry.'”
The patrons gently nodded, even the reluctant beastmen.

They understood the basis of the analysis.

It was reasonable.

The story continued uninterrupted by the patrons’ admiration.

Watson admired Wu Heng’s deductions and handed him the letter that had just arrived.

Watson picked up the letter, reading its contents: a murder case had occurred on Lauriston Garden Street, inviting Wu Heng to investigate.

This is where the story, identical to the first issue on Gold and Silver Island, ended.

While everyone was engrossed,
the bard clapped his hands gently, “Well, that’s the end of the story. The second half will be published in the next issue of the newspaper.”

The crowd was dazed, then looked at each other.

“It’s over? This thing can stop midway?”

“Damn, I hate it when people stop talking halfway through.”

“Slam! Come with me to the city hall!”

“That’s 50 copper coins for the mug.”

“Dammit…”