Chapter 738: Very Likely to Come Ashore
After confirming the radio call time with Minnie, the communication was ended.
Wu Heng sat in the chair, pondering the intel he had just received.
A level 15 wanted criminal committing murder on Gold-Silver Island might have some consequences.
But nothing too serious.
Before leaving, he had restructured the skeleton forces on the island.
All were replaced with skeletons above level 10, and many critical positions had level 15 skeletons.
Moreover, the skeleton troops were now equipped with a certain amount of firearms.
Capturing a level 15 criminal was no issue, and even level 18 fugitives had no escape once discovered.
The zombie world was like a leveling arena.
With so many high-level skeletons, defending even several Gold-Silver Islands wouldn't be a problem.
What concerned him more was the hero dispatched by headquarters.
"The religious leader seems to have a bias against me."
Holy Radiance Arbiter—Saidu Livingston, leader of the Orthodox Faith, the only human hero among headquarters' ruling heroes.
Him being sent to investigate matters in Ekow Kingdom seemed reasonable.
After all, it involved humanity and many religious factions.
But to Wu Heng, he didn't have a good impression of the leader.
His Tier 1 reward [Pure Radiance] was a religious-type artifact.
It must've come from the religious faction.
Seemingly a reward, but more of a warning and deterrent.
Wearing the artifact protected one's mind, summoned a Light Knight, but caused evildoers to spontaneously combust.
Giving it to a necromancer—it was lucky he survived at all.
"He's passing through Gold-Silver Island to get to Ekow Kingdom..."
"Why does it have to be him!"
The island was full of skeletons. Who knows if that orthodox leader would nitpick upon seeing them.
Then there was the Ekow Kingdom side.
Having him deal with the cultists wasn't bad—it could suppress and strike them down.
But the skeleton army of Rentam City was also attacking Ekow Kingdom.
Would he turn his attention to the battlefield after handling the cults?
"Still better to monitor him, in case we need to adjust."
At least don't give him something to criticize.
"Is there really a god in this world?"
If there were, clashing with the religious leader could become messy.
The legends of gods were quite frightening.
And no one knew exactly how divine power worked.
"But wait, even cultists have divine connections, yet the Guild puts them on wanted lists—it seems they don't fear their gods."
It didn't make much sense.
Best to avoid conflict altogether.
And if there really were gods, it's better not to draw their attention.
His spatial ring and zombie world had to stay secret.
After thinking through everything, he let a skeleton investigator take over and went downstairs.
He didn't see Wen Mansa and didn't go looking.
Standing at the front gate for a moment, he headed to the back courtyard of the City Lord's Mansion.
...
The back courtyard of the mansion had some flowers and plants.
Likely planted low for safety, so as not to block line of sight.
Wu Heng found a storage shed and used the door to open a Realm Gate.
He transferred in three skeleton wyverns.
The skeleton wyverns stood in the courtyard, swaying their tails, knocking over a rockery and trampling many plants.
The noise instantly drew skeletons to the scene.
Along with Wen Mansa, who hurriedly arrived.
Seeing the three terrifying massive wyverns, Wen Mansa's face filled with fear. She instinctively stepped back to hide behind the skeletons.
Then she saw Wu Heng standing in front of the beasts.
He seemed to be scolding them—their tails had knocked over the rockery.
"Master, these are...?" Wen Mansa asked quietly, peeking out.
After calming down, she realized.
These were likely her master's undead units.
But their size far surpassed any undead seen before.
"Wen Mansa, come here!" Wu Heng called her over.
Wen Mansa cautiously walked over and hugged his waist. "Are these dragons?"
"Skeleton wyverns—they'll stay here to protect you," Wu Heng explained gently.
Skeleton wyverns?
Actual dragons—the terrifying beasts of legend.
Now being used to protect her.
"Are these your summons?"
"Yes, they're around level 13. Their strengths are flight and carrying weight. From now on, they'll deliver letters and special items. You can also ride them for travel or escape," Wu Heng explained, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Wen Mansa said quietly, "Better to have them protect you—such undead must be rare."
"They're common around the Emerald Sea. I brought them to protect you," Wu Heng replied, then said to the wyverns, "From now on, follow her commands."
The skeleton wyverns stomped in place, crushing more plants.
Wen Mansa looked at the wrecked garden, took a deep breath, and said calmly, "Then I'll keep them."
Then she looked at the wyverns, "You three, move to that open space and stay still. I'll find you a spot later."
The wyverns moved to the open area but still swayed their tails.
Wen Mansa felt a bit sad about the ruined flowers.
The skeleton wyverns stopped wandering.
The two of them returned to their residence.
At noon, Wu Heng watched the baby nursing in Wen Mansa's arms and gently touched the child's soft cheek.
"She sure eats well. Three meals a day."
Wen Mansa chuckled while rocking the baby, "More than three—sometimes several times a day."
"It's fine. Your mom has enough milk for you."
Wen Mansa rolled her eyes, "Still need to feed the big baby tonight. No matter how much milk, it's not enough for both of you."
"Don't ruin my bond with our daughter. What's wrong with sharing? Baby's happy to share with Dad, right?" Wu Heng teased the child.
Wen Mansa pursed her lips, smiling while rocking the baby.
As they played with the baby, a knock came from outside.
Then the housekeeper's voice followed, "Master, Madam, the squad leaders sent out for arrests have returned."
"Give me a moment," Wen Mansa replied softly.
"Yes, Madam."
After feeding for a bit, the skeleton hag shifted back into Wen Mansa's form to keep entertaining the baby.
They both left the room.
Housekeeper Hartel still waited at the door and bowed slightly, "Master, Madam, the city defense leaders are in the parlor."
Wu Heng said, "You go. It's best not too many know what I've been doing here."
Wen Mansa nodded, "Alright, I'll report to you later."
She followed the housekeeper downstairs.
Along the way, the maid whispered, "Madam, there are a few dragon-shaped skeletons in the back garden."
"Don't worry, Master sent them to protect us."
"Understood, Madam."
...
Wu Heng didn't appear.
But he used the [Divine Descent] trait to send his consciousness into a skeleton guard in the hall.
[Divine Descent] was a trait unlocked at level 15.
It allowed one's consciousness to descend into a 'subordinate' summon.
He'd used it before to control skeletons in suicide missions.
Like using the Cursed Sword: Silent Edge.
Once the descent succeeded, he could see and hear through the skeleton.
In the hall stood four commanders in different armor—three men and one woman.
Wu Heng had seen two of them before—they were Wen Mansa's original gang leaders.
The other two were unfamiliar—possibly new recruits or from the original group.
Just then, Wen Mansa and the maid returned from the back.
She confidently sat at the head seat.
Her aura surpassed that of a mafia boss—more like a queen with real power.
"Have all the targets been brought back?" Wen Mansa asked coldly.
"City Lord, we arrested the listed targets by district. Over half were killed; the rest were captured," one stepped forward and said.
"Casualties?"
"Under enemy resistance, we lost over ten skeletons."
Wen Mansa nodded in satisfaction, then added, "This incident serves as a reminder. Let's discuss how to prevent enemy spies from sneaking into Rentam City again."
The four pondered, and one said, "We can add checkpoints along the roads and increase patrols..."
Wu Heng listened through the skeleton's senses.
Once confirmed all spies were caught—
He lifted the [Divine Descent] and returned to his body.
He walked upstairs to the study.
He told Glenda and the three specters that all enemies had been captured.
Since they were involved, they deserved to know the outcome.
...
After dusk—
Wu Heng sat at the radio and contacted Gold-Silver Island again.
"Looking for me?" came the voice of Steward Sheila Grey.
"Yeah, miss me?" Wu Heng asked with a smile.
"Ahem~! Speak seriously," Sheila Grey coughed lightly, her tone serious.
Seems others were present in the room.
Wu Heng said directly, "Headquarters is sending a hero to Ekow Kingdom?"
"They sent notice to Gold-Silver Island to prepare supplies. The leader is Hero—Saidu."
"That religious leader?"
"Yes."
Wu Heng paused in thought, "Anyone else?"
"Not specified. It could just be him with some level 18 Professionals, or maybe other leaders too—though that's unlikely. Just to deal with cultists, that many leaders aren't needed," Sheila Grey added.
So it really was the religious leader leading the mission.
Wu Heng asked, "Will he come ashore?"
Sheila Grey said, "He'll pass by here, and it's very likely. Gold-Silver Island is quite well-known now—especially to headquarters. Passing by, there's a good chance he'll stop and take a look."