I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

The door of the police station closed behind Ji Tian, ​​shutting out the noise from the dock.

The reception room was fairly spacious, with an old long table in the center, several documents spread out on the table, and a bookshelf in the corner that was only half full, the gold lettering on the spines of the books worn and illegible.

The window was half-open, and the salty sea breeze seeped in through the cracks, causing the edges of the papers on the table to curl slightly.

The sheriff visibly relaxed after closing the door, a professional smile plastered on his face, but it seemed somewhat strained to maintain under Ji Tian's gaze.

"Hero, please have a seat."

He stepped aside to lead Ji Tian to the head of the long table and invited his teammates to sit on either side, before giving a wink to the clerk at the door:

"Go make some tea, use the best jar in the cabinet—yes, the one from the ancient tree that's said to be the oldest existing tea tree, estimated to be three thousand years old!"

Three thousand years old? The oldest?

Could it be that fellow villager from the first hero's hometown who did it again?

But upon closer reflection, it seems reasonable.

The clerk responded and left.

The sheriff himself sat down in the seat opposite Ji Tianzheng, occupying only a third of the chair, his back straight and his posture upright.

"Hero, it is an honor for our small town of White Gull Harbor to have you visit. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Inspection."

"Oh, inspection, inspection is good! Inspection is necessary."

The sheriff nodded repeatedly. "The scenery in the southern region is beautiful, and the seafood is fresh. If you need anything, just let me know, and I will do my best to cooperate."

Ji Tian took the tea from the clerk and placed it on the table, his gaze falling on the clerk's face:

"Very well, I do have something I'd like to ask you, Sheriff."

"Please speak, please speak."

"Recently, a batch of new cannons has appeared at sea, with a range and accuracy far exceeding that of ordinary bronze cannons, and many pirates have already equipped themselves with them. I'd like to know where these cannons came from?"

The sheriff's smile faltered for a moment, then he resumed his warm demeanor.

"Um, well, news about things at sea travels slowly, and I've only heard bits and pieces... But I heard that some merchant guild in the south got their goods from the dwarves, but I haven't received any definite information about which one..."

It is well known that dwarves mostly enjoy forging, and given this stereotype, it is naturally convincing to say that the goods were imported from the dwarves.

Ji Tian listened quietly, waiting for him to finish his rambling before speaking:

You're lying.

"Pfft—cough cough!"

Lilith couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Master, are you kidding me?

But as she thought about it, her smile froze.

Make up the difference! I think he teased me like that before.

The sheriff's smile also froze on his face.

You know I'm lying, yet you've listened for so long? Are you deliberately trying to make fun of me?

"I……"

"How long did you stay at the police station?"

"It's been almost twenty years."

"Twenty years later, the sheriff of a port city tells me he's only 'heard of it vaguely'? Don't you know how many merchant ships pirates have hijacked with their new cannons?"

"Oh, this."

Before the other party could say anything more, Ji Tian pressed on, "You don't know who the supplier is, you don't know the transportation route, you don't know where it goes—then what do you know?"

The sheriff's smile completely vanished.

He lowered his head, crossed his hands on the table, and then, as if to say, "It's not easy for me either," he continued.

"Alas, hero, you are unaware of my true nature. I am but a nobody. This city is nominally under the kingdom's control, but you should know who is in charge in reality."

If I say something carelessly, tomorrow it might not just be a matter of losing my job. I have a wife and three children at home; they can't be without support.

Ji Tian glanced at Ophelia, and seeing her nod to indicate that the other party was not lying, he continued to ask:

"I'll ask you a few questions. You just need to nod or shake your head, and afterwards pretend I didn't ask anything and you didn't say anything."

The sheriff hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.

"The second young master of the William family, who was struck by lightning and fell into a coma a while ago, is connected to the factory that manufactures new artillery, right?"

The sheriff instinctively wanted to shake his head, but seeing Ji Tian's sharp gaze, he nodded instead.

Just as Ji Tian was about to ask if the other party knew the address of the arms factory, a rhythmic knocking sound came from the door.

Thump, thump, thump.

The sheriff, as if grasping at a straw, suddenly stood up, strode to the door, and opened it.

Standing outside the door was a tall, well-dressed young man with sharp features and an innate composure.

He nodded slightly to the sheriff, his gaze falling on Ji Tian and his group.

"My lord, I am Maximilian von Wilhelm. My father was honored to hear of your arrival at White Gull Harbor, but unfortunately he is unwell and unable to greet you in person. He has prepared a banquet at the manor and would be honored if you would grace us with your presence."

Ji Tian leaned back in his chair, looking at the young man at the door.

The eldest son of Earl William and heir to the William family.

The sheriff's expression of relief just now showed that the William family's information network was indeed excellent.

Ji Tian stood up and walked towards the door:

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Ji Tian didn't make things difficult for the sheriff anymore and followed Maximilian out of the sheriff's office.

A dark-colored carriage was parked outside the door, without even the coat of arms of the William family on its body, making it seem unremarkable for an earl's heir.

Maximilian adopted a humble posture, personally turning to open the car door for Ji Tian and the others before getting into the opposite seat himself.

The carriage moved smoothly along the street. Seeing that the members of the hero's party remained silent, Maximilian took the initiative to start a conversation:

"My father has long admired the hero's name and has always wanted to meet you in person. Upon hearing of your arrival, he immediately sent me to fetch you."

This was just polite talk. This newly minted hero had only been out of the game for less than a month, but considering the other party's statement that they had "long heard of the hero's great name," it wasn't entirely untrue.

"Your father is very kind."

"My father specifically instructed that if the hero has anything of interest, he should feel free to ask. Although he is no longer in the capital, he can still say a few words about matters in the southern region."

It seems he really is a master.

Since they dared to let me ask this directly, it means that they have already dealt with all the clues that might be detrimental to the family.

"Then I'll be frank. How much does the William family know about those new cannons that have recently appeared at sea?"

"As expected, you, hero, have come to investigate this matter. To be honest, my father was also very concerned when he heard about it, and he has recently sent people to secretly investigate the source of the cannons."

My good-for-nothing cousin did indeed invest in an arms factory, but he's the kind of person who only has a three-minute attention span. He probably doesn't even know what that factory actually produces or who it sells to.

Of course, I'm not trying to excuse him; he was recently assassinated and is currently in a coma. Once he wakes up, his family will hold him accountable for his crimes.

First, express approval; then, clearly define the boundaries of responsibility; and finally, state that you will take responsibility.

It's a shame that the eldest son of the William family isn't in public relations.

"So where is that factory?"

Maximilian's smile remained gentle:

"On Castro Island, about half a day's voyage north of Baigu Port, the place is very secluded. The entrance is hidden behind rocks on the coast and is almost invisible from the sea. I only recently learned the exact location."

After listening, Ji Tian remained noncommittal and said:

"When we arrive at the manor, will I be able to see your father?"

"Of course, my father is already waiting."

The carriage traveled through the main street of White Gull Harbour and onto a tree-lined avenue with tall palm trees on both sides. After passing through an iron gate, a sprawling manor came into view.

We've arrived at William's estate.