Chapter 739: Serted Fortress
Damn!
After Sheila Grey's analysis, it really seemed like that religious hero would come ashore.
With Gold-Silver Island's current reputation, anyone passing by would want to check it out.
Join the excitement and see for themselves what the newspapers were talking about.
Sheila Grey laughed and added, "Worried he'll cause trouble for you when he gets there?"
"Of course I'm worried—everything I own is on that island!" Wu Heng replied helplessly.
Sheila Grey said, "I'll tag along when he arrives. We'll have fewer skeletons around, and Ekow Kingdom is waiting—he won't stay long."
"Keep them away from key places like the factory, the Island Lord's Mansion, and the power plant. Just say I ordered it," Wu Heng advised.
"Got it. I'll make sure of that," Sheila Grey promised.
There really wasn't much to be done about the religious leader.
He represented one of the ruling heroes of headquarters and held significant authority. Since he was only passing by Gold-Silver Island, there was no good reason to deny entry.
Blocking him forcefully would only pique his curiosity.
As Sheila Grey said, Ekow Kingdom was more urgent than the island.
At most, he'd stay a day—no time to nitpick.
And honestly, there wasn't much to find.
"By the way, I wrote to Hongwen of headquarters. If any replies or items arrive at Gold-Silver Island, keep an eye out."
Sheila Grey casually asked, "What did you write about?"
"Some questions about inscribing scrolls."
"You're researching magic scrolls again? What is it this time?" Suddenly, Shiyali's voice came through, a bit louder than usual.
"You startled me," Sheila Grey scolded, then asked into the mic, "What are you up to this time?"
To the elf sisters, Wu Heng was not a typical necromancer—he didn't experiment, study magic, or read much.
Instead, he produced amazing results in machinery, formations, and inscriptions.
Hard to say if he had chosen the wrong class or was just unorthodox.
Now he wanted to study inscribed scrolls again—it was suspicious he was cooking up something new.
They couldn't help feeling a bit curious.
Wu Heng said, "Can't say yet—it's just some ideas. If they work out, I'll let you know."
"So mysterious!" Sheila Grey muttered.
Wu Heng checked the time. "Let's stop here. Let me know if anything comes up."
"Alright."
Ending the call, Wu Heng opened the door and stepped out.
By the time he came downstairs, dinner was ready.
He sat at the table and the dishes were served.
Wen Mansa asked, "Who were you talking to for so long?"
"The steward of Gold-Silver Island. I was asking about the situation over there."
"That elf woman?" Wen Mansa looked up at him and asked, "Do you have feelings for her too, Master?"
"What do you mean 'too'? Sounds like there are many."
Wen Mansa continued, "Will she become our lady as well?"
"We're not at that point yet. She has an older sister who's a bit off," Wu Heng said while eating.
Wen Mansa's eyes lit up like she had just heard a secret. "Tell us—what's off about her?"
Wu Heng told the whole story.
Of course, he didn't mention the little gestures Sheila Grey's sister made when things were going well between them.
After hearing it all, Wen Mansa put down her utensils and said softly, "She must like you too. If she's good-looking, be bolder next time. She probably won't turn you down."
"That 'probably' makes it feel like a gamble."
"Woman's intuition—don't be afraid. If she says no, just pretend you mistook her for her sister. They do look alike," Wen Mansa said with a laugh.
Wow—she even came up with an excuse.
Wu Heng glanced at her, "Forget it. You all already keep me busy enough."
"You're too easy to please. Rich merchants have way more women than you."
......
The next morning—
Hartel came downstairs with some parcels in hand.
"Master, the luggage and supplies are ready."
Wu Heng nodded and stored them in his spatial ring.
After staying in Rentam City for a few days and confirming with the specters that the city was safe—
He planned to leave today.
Wen Mansa, rocking the baby in her arms, asked with a bit of sadness, "Master, when will you come back?"
"I'll return when I get the chance," Wu Heng replied.
Wen Mansa smiled gently and rocked the baby, "Say goodbye to Daddy!"
The baby stared at him with big curious eyes.
Wu Heng touched the baby's cheek, "Goodbye, my sweet daughter. Grow up strong."
Then, he kissed Wen Mansa on the cheek, "I'm off."
"Master, you should've come earlier—Hartel and I could've served you," Wen Mansa said directly.
Wu Heng froze and glanced at the respectful housekeeper beside him. Her face was flushed, but she stood straight and subconsciously adjusted her glasses.
"Always spouting nonsense," Wu Heng said, pinching Wen Mansa's cheek.
Leaving the hall, he put on the [Conductor's Hat] in the courtyard.
The Ghost Train appeared. He waved goodbye to Wen Mansa and boarded the train.
Disappearing from view.
......
Late night. The sky was pitch-black.
Serted Fortress.
The skeleton army surged like a tide. Siege ladders were propped against the walls, and shield-bearing skeletons began to climb.
Whoosh!
Fire oil poured from the walls, forming a blazing waterfall.
It engulfed the climbing skeletons and the gathering hordes below, creating a sea of flames.
On the walls, human soldiers ducked from incoming bullets, glancing down when they could to toss rocks, logs, hot oil, or bombs.
The whole battlefield was covered in smoke.
Curses, commands from commanders, explosions below, and the crackling of burning bones filled the air.
After a while, the skeletons' assault slowed. Then, shield in hand, they began retreating step by step.
The skeletons had retreated again.
Cheers broke out on the wall as the humans smiled in relief.
On one side of the wall, an old, white-bearded commander looked down at the retreating skeletons and headed down the steps.
"Don't let your guard down. Be ready for another undead assault."
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded.
Several commanders followed the elder down.
Someone said, "They really are just mindless skeletons—charging forward with no brains."
"Which wave is this? Once they run out of bones, we'll counterattack and take Rentam City in one go."
"Don't get careless," the old commander said, though he was smiling. These undead weren't so scary after all.
Then he added, "Have the refugees go out and collect arrows and dropped weapons."
One person said, "Sir, a batch died last time. Now no one wants to go."
"Don't want to? If the undead break through, no one survives. Everyone must go. No reentry until they've gathered enough."
"Yes, sir."
......
Outside the fortress.
The Rentam City allied forces stood in the distance, looking at the towering fortress ahead.
It stood tall in the valley, like an unshakable monolith.
At that moment, the fortress gates opened.
Hunched, frightened figures were driven out the gates and scattered to collect arrows, bolts, and reusable stones.
"What do we do? Send the cavalry in for a charge?"
"Forget it. Let them pick up stuff—they're just women and children."
"What's the plan now?"
Ignoring the scavenging crowd, someone brought the discussion back to their current dilemma.
The easier the previous battles were, the harder this one proved.
And their numbers dwindled with each assault.
"No word from Lady Wen Mansa yet?"
"If we keep attacking like this, we'll just bleed ourselves dry. Go tell the skeleton commander—stop the assault."
"Yeah, let's take the long way. It's slower, but better than this stalemate."