Rotten to the Core

Most of the slaves packed into the hold were women and children. This made Wu Heng begin to doubt the ships' identity and purpose.

He released Xiaoxiao, who floated at his side.

"Uncle, are they bad people?"

Wu Heng glanced at the kingdom flags flying above them and the somewhat flustered kingdom sailors on deck.

"It can't be confirmed yet. They might be family members from a pirate village that was wiped out," Wu Heng said.

Pirate Islands and pirate villages did exist.

After pirates were killed, the local authorities still had to make arrangements for the women and children.

They generally would not all be killed together.

"I don't think they look like good people," Xiaoxiao muttered beside him.

"Then make them stop for an inspection." Wu Heng turned to the skeleton behind him. "Bring Philippa over."

The skeleton hurried away, then returned with Philippa and the Fifth Princess, Brittany.

Following Wu Heng's gaze, they looked ahead. "Ships from the Yeke Kingdom."

Wu Heng nodded and continued, "Could they be returning from an anti-piracy operation?"

"You mean pirates?" Philippa rested a hand on Wu Heng's shoulder. "We're almost at the kingdom's port. Have you ever seen anyone fighting pirates right outside their own doorstep?"

"Then there's probably something wrong with those ships." Seeing the other vessels preparing to detour around them and leave, Wu Heng said to Philippa, "Call out to them. Tell those three ships to stop for inspection."

Philippa froze for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "Damn, searching official ships? I like it."

She quickly entered the bridge, picked up the microphone, and said, "Yeke Kingdom ships ahead, stop and submit to inspection. I repeat, stop and submit to inspection."

Her voice carried through the ship-mounted loudspeakers and echoed across the sea.

The people aboard