Chapter 733, Enemies Outside the City
The Warrior charged with his shield.
The Skeleton Knight tugged the reins, and the skeletal horse surged forward, narrowly dodging the side strike.
But several others had already rushed out, blocking the road ahead.
The Skeleton Knight's hollow eye sockets glanced back at the shield-bearing Warrior, then at those blocking the road ahead.
Slowly, he drew the longsword from his waist.
The skeletal horse pawed the ground, preparing to charge.
From afar, Wu Heng saw the Skeleton Knight dodge the strike.
He said, "Restrain them."
Three phantoms flew out directly, heading toward the people blocking the road.
As the phantoms entered their bodies, the team ready for battle suddenly stiffened.
Terror filled their eyes.
One threw down his weapon and punched his own nose.
Crack~!
His nose was deformed, blood spurting out.
Another spun around and kicked his teammate in the groin.
The shield-bearing Warrior, screaming in fear, threw away his shield and smashed his head against a nearby tree.
The Skeleton Knight, who had been ready for battle, watched as the enemy fell into sudden chaos.
He tilted his skull slightly.
With a flick of the reins, the skeletal horse leapt over the crowd and galloped away.
...…
Wu Heng walked over with his skeleton attendants.
The phantom-afflicted group eyed the three approaching figures warily.
"Was that you?" the bloodied Warrior stared at Wu Heng.
"Tie them up," Wu Heng ordered.
"You bastard!" The thief at the front leapt up, dual daggers in hand.
Bang~!
In midair, Kashu kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying four to five meters.
He vomited bile and blood.
The rest were shocked—he was a high-level Professional.
"Sir, there's a misunderstanding. We were just passing by."
Wu Heng had no patience. "Tie them up. If they resist, break their limbs."
Kashu and Keramu stepped forward swiftly. With the skeletons already injured, the five captives couldn't resist.
They were tied up tightly like a bundle.
Wu Heng casually opened [Mansion Spell], "Take them inside. You two stay and watch them. Don't damage the equipment."
Seeing a spatial rift suddenly open, the five captives' eyes widened.
Even the most ignorant among them knew this wasn't a normal Professional's ability.
It was over—they were doomed.
"Please spare us, sir!"
"We just wanted to snatch some stuff and trade it at the City Lord's Mansion for liquor money."
"We were wrong—give us another chance!"
"No, no, I don't want to go in..."
Four of the five begged loudly. One was still coughing blood.
The two skeletons dragged the group into a corner of the mansion, keeping them a distance from the electromagnetic cannon equipment.
Once everyone was inside, Wu Heng closed the Mansion Spell.
The cries for mercy vanished. Silence returned.
"Uncle, they don't seem very smart," Xiaoxiao said.
"Probably part of a local gang. Not many literate ones among them," Wu Heng replied.
Glenda asked, "Aren't you going to question them?"
"Let Wen Mansa handle it later. She's in charge of the skeleton army anyway. She can question them and set up new message routes," Wu Heng said.
"True," Glenda nodded.
Wu Heng pulled a motorcycle from his spatial ring.
Mounting it, he sped toward Rentam City.
The three phantoms followed swiftly.
Flying while chatting.
Soon, they approached the outer city area.
Wu Heng stored the motorcycle, put on a hood, and blended into the crowd.
At the city wall in the outer district, security checks had tightened.
All entrants had to show ID—residents or visiting merchants. Wu Heng used his guild insignia and passed easily.
The checks were fairly strict.
Understandable, given the ongoing conflict involving Rentam City and the need to prevent danger.
Wu Heng made his way into the inner city.
The city hadn't changed much. People didn't seem tense about the war.
He reached the City Lord's Mansion and went inside.
...…
"Master, you're back!"
The housekeeper Hatel, dressed in a black butler uniform, adjusted her glasses and walked over quickly.
"Where's Wen Mansa?" Wu Heng asked directly.
"Madam is in the main hall. The skeleton rider just delivered intelligence," Hatel replied.
"Anyone else here?" Wu Heng entered through a side door.
Hatel helped him take off his coat and hung it up. "No, just Madam. She hasn't summoned the other commanders yet."
"Take me to her. I saw that skeleton rider on the way here," Wu Heng said.
"This way, sir."
Hatel led him straight to the hall. Wen Mansa was seated on the lord's throne, with the skeleton rider below.
Hearing footsteps, Wen Mansa turned in confusion.
Seeing Wu Heng walk in, her eyes lit up with joy. "Master."
Wen Mansa looked well. She seemed to be recovering nicely postpartum, with a rosy complexion.
In a beige embroidered gown, she resembled a noblewoman enjoying her leisure.
"What's the report?" Wu Heng asked.
"Two things: the skeleton army encountered and annihilated a flanking enemy squad. But it's possible small teams might try to bypass and attack Rentam City."
"Second, the skeleton army is about to reach Seted Fortress. Scattered intel suggests the Ekow Kingdom army is gathering there, likely preparing for a decisive battle."
The bypassing enemies weren't enough to threaten Rentam City.
It was more likely they aimed for assassinations of key leaders.
Since Wu Heng was here, he wasn't worried about Wen Mansa's safety.
As for Seted Fortress, the Ekow forces were gathering for a showdown with the skeletons.
It meant the earlier retreats weren't simply fleeing—they were regrouping to make a stand at the fortress.
To halt the skeleton army.
"Can this fortress stop the skeletons?" Wu Heng asked.
Wen Mansa pulled him to sit with her on the throne. "Seted was a person's name. In early wars between the kingdom and orc tribes, when the orcs launched a major assault, it was General Seted who led the humans from this fortress to victory. That's how the border was established."
"The fortress was later named Seted Fortress. For the Ekow Kingdom, it symbolizes resolve—if it could repel orcs, it can repel the undead. It's also a naturally defensible position."
The skeleton army had advanced continuously, forcing humans to retreat.
They needed something to turn the tide.
"Got it," Wu Heng nodded.
"Didn't you hear about this fortress while in Blackstone Town?" Wen Mansa asked with a smile.
"No one told me. And as a necromancer, I wasn't popular there," Wu Heng said wryly.
He'd only been a member of Blackstone Town for a little over a month.
He hadn't even explored the town properly before leaving.
And given how watched he'd been, no one would bring up something like this.
Wen Mansa thought for a moment. "Do you have any plans?"
"Stick to your plan. I'm mainly here to deliver ammunition," Wu Heng said directly.
Wen Mansa nodded. "Hatel, get some stationery."
The housekeeper returned with paper. Wen Mansa began outlining the next phase.
The main point: stabilize the current occupied cities. Once resupplied, they'd consider attacking Seted Fortress.
"Is that okay?" Wen Mansa looked to Wu Heng.
"No problem. I'm not a military expert—you handle it," Wu Heng said. "By the way, I ran into a team trying to intercept a skeleton rider. Is message delivery too risky?"
"What happened? Where?" Wen Mansa's expression turned serious.
Wu Heng recounted the encounter. "I brought all five of them back. You can interrogate them later."
"Where are they?" Wen Mansa asked.
Wu Heng stepped down from the platform and casually opened [Mansion Spell], revealing two skeletons and five bound figures. "Bring them out."
The five were dragged out by the skeletons.
They collapsed on the ground, looking around in fear. When they saw Wen Mansa, they gave her a once-over.
A flicker of menace appeared in their eyes.
Wen Mansa said, "Don't send the messages yet. Take these men away. I'll interrogate them shortly."
The housekeeper waved. A few guard skeletons entered and hauled the captives away.
The hall was quiet again, just the two of them.
"Where's our daughter?"
"Napping upstairs. I'll take you," Wen Mansa smiled and led him upstairs.
They tiptoed into the room and saw the child in the crib.
Four skeletal crones stood silently guarding the room.
"Sleeping soundly."
"With so many skeletons playing with her every day, she gets tired and sleeps well," Wen Mansa whispered.
"Isn't she afraid of skeletons?"
"Takes after her father—not afraid at all," Wen Mansa said with a smile.
"I used to be a bit scared too, but not anymore."
"Then our daughter is braver than her father."
Wu Heng smiled and gently kissed the child's fair cheek. "Let's go. Don't disturb her nap."
Wen Mansa nodded and gave instructions to the skeletons standing by.
The two of them quietly left the room.
"Master, I'll go interrogate those people. Give me the ammo you brought later. I'll schedule the delivery," Wen Mansa said in the corridor.
"I'll go to the radio room to check in with Minnie and the others, then I'll come find you," Wu Heng replied.
Wen Mansa nodded and hurried downstairs.
Wu Heng headed to the room with the radio.
...…
Wen Mansa's radio was placed in the room next to the bedroom.
Wu Heng entered, motioned for the skeleton on standby to move aside, and sat in the chair.
He picked up the microphone. "Go get Minnie."
Soon, Minnie's voice came through, "Sister Wen Mansa?"
"It's me."
"Master, you've arrived over there!" Minnie's voice brightened.
"I have. Everything okay on Gold-Silver Island?" Wu Heng asked.
The journey had taken several days, and he was still concerned about the island's safety.
"All's well. Philipa took the tinkerers to Netalei City. The island theater started public screenings two days ago. A new wave of excitement has taken over—it's lively!" Minnie said cheerfully.
"No security issues?"
"Nope. Steward Sheila Grey is handling everything. She even came by yesterday for afternoon tea with us."
Since becoming closer to Sheila Grey, he had also started interacting more with the maids of the Lord's Mansion.
That was a good thing.
Wu Heng also hoped they would all get along.
"Glad to hear it," Wu Heng said.
"Yes, Master," Minnie replied. "Oh, Master, the skeleton side has finished translating a new movie. Can we watch it first?"
"Go ahead. Bring Sheila Grey and Macintosh."
"Okay!" Minnie said excitedly.
Cheers from Robé and Annette came from behind.
"Alright, let me know if anything comes up. I've got work to do."
"Goodbye, Master."
Wu Heng ended the call and summoned the phantoms back.
He headed to the zombie world.
There, Li Yanhong gave him a report on the situation.
Not much had happened while he was away.
The skeletons for training had been sent to the central station. The alchemical pills were still under development, with no breakthrough yet.
In short, everything was stable.
Wu Heng spent some time with Li Yanhong, then returned to the other world.
...…
Coming downstairs.
Wen Mansa was in the hall nursing the baby.
Seeing Wu Heng, she uncovered the other side and raised an eyebrow.
"No need, thanks," Wu Heng politely declined, sat beside them, played with the baby, and asked, "How'd the interrogation go?"
"Not from the city's gangs. We'll need you to confirm with a corpse later," Wen Mansa said softly.
"What's going on?"
"Hatel, explain," Wen Mansa said, rocking the baby.
The housekeeper Hatel spoke, "We interrogated them separately. The conclusion: they're active soldiers of the Ekow Kingdom. Their mission was to intercept the message-sending skeleton horse and verify the contents."
So they really were from Ekow Kingdom.
"How did they know the time and route of the skeleton rider?"
The housekeeper continued, "They claimed to have calculated the timing and waited nearby."
Thinking back, they did come running from afar.
And the Warrior's charge at the horse had seemed rushed.
"Where are they now?"
The housekeeper looked at Wen Mansa and answered, "Dead."
"We'll question the corpses then," Wu Heng nodded.
Soon, the baby spat out the pacifier and burped.
Wen Mansa handed her to a nearby skeletal crone. "Play with her for a while, then put her to sleep."
The crone immediately cast a spell, transforming to look exactly like Wen Mansa. She took the baby and floated gently.
Illusion form!
A retained skill of the skeletal crones.
A type of illusion spell. High-level Professionals could see through it, but it could only take the form of a woman.
The crone cradled the baby and floated upstairs.
A clever solution.
A natural babysitter.
Wu Heng followed Wen Mansa outside.
...…
Dungeon.
There lay five corpses, covered with straw mats.
Compared to regular interrogation, killing and questioning the dead seemed more humane.
"Think of what you want to ask. Just ask when it starts," Wu Heng said.
"Alright."
Wu Heng cast [Speak with Dead]. The first corpse sat up abruptly, straw falling aside.
Wu Heng stepped back and signaled Wen Mansa.
Wen Mansa asked, "What's your real identity?"
The corpse replied, "Fourth Light Infantry Regiment, Ekow Kingdom."
So the initial intel was correct—they were Ekow troops.
Wen Mansa continued, "Why did you come here?"
"By orders—to create chaos in Rentam City and carry out our mission."
"Whose orders?"
"The mission commander."
There was a commander.
The two exchanged glances.
Wen Mansa asked again, "Where is this commander?"
The corpse hesitated. "Don't know."
Final question, "Is the commander in one of Rentam City's three districts?"
"Yes."
After five questions, the corpse lay back down.
Wen Mansa's expression turned serious. "Looks like quite a few have made it in."
"Let's ask the others," Wu Heng cast [Speak with Dead] again. The second corpse sat up.
Wen Mansa resumed the questioning.
...…
They questioned each corpse.
The situation was more or less confirmed.
As suspected, these were troops who'd bypassed the skeleton army and gathered near Rentam City.
To maintain secrecy, they would enter wearing blue hoods and red belts.
Someone would assign them accommodations and use beast tamers to give them tasks.
The intercepted skeleton rider had been targeted the same way.
As for the commander's identity and whether more agents were in place, they had no clues.
All commands were one-way.
That made it hard to track the source.
"Full city search?" Wen Mansa looked to Wu Heng.
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "No rush. Too much commotion might cause panic—or tip them off."
"Any better ideas?" Wen Mansa asked.
"The blue hood and red belt are good clues. Tomorrow, send agents disguised like that into the city. See if we can draw something out," Wu Heng suggested.
"Alright. Let's do that," Wen Mansa smiled. "Now let's eat. I had a grand dinner prepared."
"Let's go."
Back at the City Lord's Mansion, Wen Mansa went upstairs to check on the baby. The housekeeper went to check on dinner.
...…
Outer city district, general store.
A figure rushed in, glanced around,
Approached the counter and lowered his voice. "The squad sent to kill the skeleton rider is missing. Everyone hide. Cancel all prior identifiers. Spread the word. If you can't reach someone, stop contacting them."
With that, he turned and left.