Chapter 734: Like a Magic Scroll
He sat in the study for a while.
The three phantoms returned one after another from outside.
Xiaoxiao said, "I didn't see anyone with a blue hood on my side, but I did see two orcs dueling—one even lost a tooth."
Beni said, "I didn't spot anyone dressed like that in my area either."
Both phantoms had no leads.
Wu Heng turned to Glenda.
Each phantom covered a different area. Glenda, being higher level with better stats, was responsible for a larger zone.
Noticing his gaze,
Glenda said, "I found someone dressed like that—a Warrior class, staying in the outer district at Giant Tail Tavern, second floor, innermost room."
Sure enough, Glenda had a clue.
"Was there a beast handler delivering messages to him?" Wu Heng asked.
Finding these people meant little; the real goal was locating the hidden commander.
Glenda shook her head. "I watched for a while. Didn't see any sign of a beast handler, nor did he receive any messages."
"Let me take a look," Wu Heng said.
Glenda entered his body, and a shared image appeared in his mind.
Blue hood, a red cloth tied at the waist—not a belt, but likely their target.
He browsed a few stalls before returning to the tavern.
In the room, five people sat in silence, chatting casually about what they'd seen since arriving—just waiting.
Even when Glenda left, none of them had received any intel.
The vision ended, and Glenda emerged from his body.
"Should we grab them now?" Glenda asked.
"Not much point in that," Wu Heng glanced at the darkening sky. "You all keep at it—leave one watching the City Lord's Mansion. The rest rotate monitoring those guys. If a beast handler brings a message, follow them to the source."
Glenda said, "Xiaoxiao will stay to guard you, I'll take Beni to the outer district."
"Alright," Beni nodded.
Xiaoxiao patted her chest. "Leave it to me—don't worry."
With that, the two phantoms flew off.
Wu Heng also stood up. "Xiaoxiao, I'm counting on you. I'm heading to rest."
"Can I go see my little sister later?" Xiaoxiao floated nearby.
"Sure, but don't wake her. If she cries, that'll be trouble," Wu Heng warned.
"Got it. I'll just peek from afar," Xiaoxiao nodded.
Wu Heng waved to her and headed for the bedroom.
...…
Inside the bedroom.
Wen Mansa lay on the bed in a red lace gown, fabric draping over her figure, highlighting her curves.
Seeing Wu Heng enter, she put aside the documents in her hand.
"Master, any findings?"
Wu Heng got into bed and gently pulled her into his arms. "We found someone dressed like that. The phantoms are watching him. If someone delivers a message, they'll track them."
"Having you here really makes one feel safe," Wen Mansa murmured, her hands slipping under his clothes, groping aimlessly.
Wu Heng continued, "There aren't many of them. Not enough to pose much danger to you or the city. We'll uncover them soon."
Wen Mansa nodded and lifted his shirt. "Leave all that to you. Right now, your job is to comfort your little maid."
Tossing her clothes aside, she gave a seductive smile. "Don't you want to punish the wicked mafia sister-in-law, the gang boss's wife?"
"Buffing time, huh?"
"Huh? What did you say?"
Wu Heng grabbed her chin and lightly tapped her cheek. "Nothing. Turn around."
Wen Mansa's eyes gleamed with desire as she slowly turned over.
...…
Morning.
After breakfast, Wen Mansa went to the main hall to assign tasks to city officials.
Wu Heng left the City Lord's Mansion and took a carriage to the inner district's commercial street.
Before long, the carriage stopped in front of a magic item shop. Wearing a human-skin mask, Wu Heng stepped out slowly.
Two skeletal attendants followed behind him.
He looked up at the sign above.
It read: "Huìlíng Magic Item Shop"—five characters.
Confirming the location,
Wu Heng walked in. A few customers were browsing inside.
A shop assistant approached at once. "Sir, are you looking for lifestyle tools or combat gear? I can help you find something."
Wu Heng said, "I was referred by Miss Hatel from the City Lord's Mansion. I've already arranged a meeting with your rune master."
Hearing it was a referral from the City Lord's Mansion, the assistant's attitude became more respectful.
"Mr. Malcolm has been informed. Right this way."
Wu Heng nodded and followed the assistant through the hall to a back room.
The assistant knocked gently. "Mr. Malcolm, the guest referred by the City Lord's Mansion has arrived."
"Let him in."
"Please, sir."
The door opened, and Wu Heng stepped inside.
The room was about thirty square meters, surrounded by shelves full of items. A man in his forties sat at an old wooden desk, working on a ring.
It looked like he was repairing a damaged item.
"Something broken? Repairs carry risks. A failed fix could affect future restorations," the man said directly.
Wu Heng took a seat. "Not for repairs. I have an item I'd like you to examine."
Examine an item?
The man turned and sized him up. "What is it? Let me see."
Wu Heng took out the talisman and placed it on the table between them.
"Yellow paper?"
The man looked confused and glanced up at Wu Heng.
Being referred by the City Lord's Mansion—and dressed the way he was—this guest wasn't here to joke around.
"What do you want me to check?"
"I acquired this by chance. It seems to protect against phantoms. Can you figure out why?" Wu Heng said directly.
His purpose today was simple:
To ask the city's rune master about the talisman.
It wasn't clear whether its effect on phantoms was due to the pattern or the materials.
The middle-aged man frowned and carefully unfolded the featherlight yellow paper.
The markings on the talisman came into view.
"A tool? Or a mysterious object?"
"Not sure."
If classified, it fit neither category exactly.
The man turned to his workbench and fetched several tools, placing them on the table.
He poured a liquid—maybe a reagent—into a copper basin.
Then he brought the talisman close to the basin.
The ink seemed to react, dispersing outward slowly as if pushed by energy.
"It does have an effect," the man said, slightly surprised. "But it's so weak, it's practically useless."
He put away the basin and the reagent.
Then he donned a monocle to closely examine the markings.
He said, "It's probably a mysterious item. Its effect on phantoms is very weak."
A mysterious item!
Wu Heng wasn't quite satisfied with that. "Is there a way to test whether the effect comes from the material or the design?"
"You suspect it's an inscribed magic scroll?" the man asked.