Chapter 662, The Rentam Alliance
"What's her name?" Glenda and Benny also flew over.
"Wu Qin!"
"Strange name, but it fits your naming customs over there." Glenda repeated it twice, then said, "Next time I have a good story idea, I'll include your daughter in it."
"Then as a famous author, go easy on her. Make her a good character," Wu Heng said with a smile.
The protagonist of a book often becomes the foundation of future fame.
Glenda having such an idea was a good thing for the child.
"Sure." Glenda nodded in agreement.
Footsteps came from the doorway.
The phantoms concealed themselves, and Xiaoxiao stopped teasing the baby and vanished.
Immediately after, the door opened and Wen Mansa entered with the housekeeper.
She glanced at the smiling baby and gently picked her up, "Time to sleep."
Saying so, she handed the baby to the housekeeper and left the room.
Wen Mansa continued, "We found the parents of those children. Two were taken by their fathers and never returned—likely killed by the Hag. The other two were said to be stolen. We've returned the children, and we'll arrange for follow-up investigations."
"Pretty efficient," Wu Heng said.
"Intelligence work is our specialty, and things like this are easy to uncover." Wen Mansa sat down nearby and added, "This morning, a messenger from the First Prince of the Ekow Kingdom came."
"What for?" Wu Heng asked curiously.
"He wants Rentam City to join the Ekow Kingdom, promising I'd remain the City Lord. There were verbal promises of resource support. He also said tens of thousands of troops were stationed on the border, implying that if we don't agree, they'll attack and take the city." Wen Mansa's tone turned serious.
Wu Heng's brows furrowed.
That Ekow Kingdom really had its eyes on this place.
Last time, the enemies he killed were related to the Ekow Kingdom, and they still hadn't given up.
They couldn't even handle their own internal affairs, yet they kept trying to drag others down with them.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Do you know where that guy is?"
"Staying at the Windgrass Tavern, his name is 'Robien'. He's a man around fifty, tall and thin, wearing Warlock robes." Wen Mansa recalled and described his appearance, then added, "Don't kill him yet. There are too many such messengers, we can't kill them all, and it would damage Rentam City's reputation."
Wu Heng glanced sideways, and a hidden phantom flew out.
Then, Wen Mansa described the current situation in the city.
These sorts of incidents were common—tests from within the Ekow Kingdom, and enticements from various sects and powers.
Owning a city, it was hard to avoid such things.
Wen Mansa had gotten somewhat used to it.
Besides, with the skeleton army in the city, no one had really posed a threat to Rentam City so far.
After chatting for a bit, Wen Mansa went downstairs again to handle affairs.
Wu Heng remained upstairs in the study, casually flipping through the city's financial records.
...…
After a while, the phantom returned from outside.
Seeing no one else in the room—
Glenda said, "Found him. He's drinking with someone at the tavern. Judging by the conversation, he's indeed with the First Prince. He also sent a letter reporting his meeting with Wen Mansa."
Benny added, "After they finished eating, I followed the other person. He has a place in the city, and judging by his attire, he looks like a mercenary."
Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement nearby.
"No armies near the city, right?"
"None. If there were, we'd spot them instantly," Glenda said.
With Spirit Vision, they could see level beams.
Armies would appear as dense beams of light, easily detected.
"There shouldn't be a problem," Wu Heng nodded.
Glenda thought for a moment, "Need me to kill him for you? I can make it look like a suicide."
"No need. He's no threat to the city. Killing him might actually stir up trouble. Just have Wen Mansa assign someone to keep an eye on him," Wu Heng replied.
What truly threatened Rentam City were the troops he mentioned.
Killing him wouldn't change anything.
"You're the boss," Glenda nodded.
They sat for a while in the study.
Then a call for dinner came from downstairs, and Wu Heng went down to eat.
...…
It was Wu Heng's fifth day in Rentam City.
During these days, his visits to the zombie world had lessened. He spent time with Wen Mansa and her daughter, and arranged phantoms to monitor the city's situation.
Other than the earlier news from the messenger about troop gatherings at the border, no further information about the army had come.
Wu Heng even took the ghost train to visit the border personally.
The atmosphere in the city was tense, but he saw no sign of tens of thousands of troops.
It seemed more like Wen Mansa made up that threat to strengthen her position after rejecting their proposal.
"Master, Shaman Aiskar is here," the housekeeper came upstairs and said softly.
"I'll go down now." Wu Heng packed up and headed downstairs.
Upon reaching the first-floor hall, he saw the elderly Orc Shaman standing in front of an oil painting, looking up at it.
Hearing footsteps, the Shaman turned around and smiled with his wrinkled face, "Deputy Steward Wu Heng."
"Mr. Aiskar, long time no see."
"Not that long."
"Please, have a seat!" Wu Heng gestured.
The Orc sat across from him. A maid served tea and pastries.
"Did you come here for something, Aiskar?" Wu Heng asked directly.
Beastmen were straightforward. Aiskar replied bluntly, "I heard a messenger from the Ekow Kingdom came, saying they want to incorporate Rentam City into their territory."
"That did happen," Wu Heng nodded.
The Orc's eyes widened slightly, then asked, "What are you and City Lord Wen Mansa planning to do?"
Wu Heng pondered a moment and said, "Of course we don't believe their words."
The Orc took a sip from his cup, his large mouth and fangs making the cup look tiny.
Setting the cup down, he said, "In recent days, a few tribes have approached me. They expressed support for Rentam City and respect for City Lord Wen Mansa. If real danger arises, the Orc tribes will support Rentam City."
Wu Heng looked surprised, then asked, "How many tribes in total?"
The news about the Ekow Kingdom had been intentionally leaked by Wu Heng.
Compared to anyone else, those who least wanted Rentam City to join the Ekow Kingdom were the Beastmen within the city.
Half of the Beastmen in the city relied on this place to survive.
Tribes like the Maoliao Tribe, the Blackstone Tribe—all depended entirely on the city.
Joining the Ekow Kingdom and becoming a vassal human city—
The Beastmen would suffer unbearable losses.
And indeed, once the news spread—
This Orc Shaman came over immediately.
"Currently, it's five tribes. As for numbers, we could rally a few thousand people," the old Orc said directly.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and said, "Wen Mansa and I agree. We trust our Orc brothers more. Recently, we've also created many jobs and conveniences for the Beastmen in the city."
"I know that. That's why we're willing to support Rentam City," the old Orc said sincerely.
Wu Heng said, "The Ekow Kingdom's plans may not unfold right away. They could try to sow discord between us or pick us off one by one. You Beastmen must be especially cautious."
"We will."
Wu Heng continued, "Actually, Rentam City and the Orc tribes could become even closer."
The old Orc narrowed his eyes, "You mean?"
"It's just a sudden thought. Hear me out, and let's see if it's feasible."
The old Orc nodded.
Wu Heng continued, "How about we form a Rentam Alliance? Whether it's defending against external enemies, trading goods, or cooperating in other areas, a united front would make everything easier."