Chapter 707, What Did Xiaoxiao Say to You?
"Steward!" Wu Heng also addressed her by title.
Sheila Grey continued, "Minnie said the investigation team was attacked by Netarei City's military. Were you hurt?"
"No. The team's safe. Some members were slightly injured, but they've been treated," Wu Heng replied.
"That's good!" Sheila Grey sighed in relief.
Then Shiali's voice came through, "Ask him when he's coming back."
Sheila Grey said, "Shiali's asking when you're coming back."
Shiali quickly added, "I'm asking for you."
"You sound more anxious than I am."
Ignoring the sisters' banter, Wu Heng said, "It might be a while. Elder's plan is to wait for headquarters' instructions, then act accordingly."
It wasn't just Tapani's decision—it had been discussed by all Guild members.
Wu Heng included.
If the Guild left, the city might fall into deeper chaos and more people would die.
"Take care of yourself," Sheila Grey said.
"Don't worry. If there's danger, the elders are the ones on the front line," Wu Heng said, then asked, "Everything okay on Gold-Silver Island?"
"All good. A few wanted criminals showed up recently, but the Guild took care of them. Everything's safe," Sheila Grey said with a smile.
"With you in charge, I'm always at ease."
Sheila Grey smiled faintly. "Always flattering. I just wanted to check on you. As long as you're safe, we'll talk more when you return."
"Alright. I'll bring you gifts when I come back."
No reply came—just the end of the call.
Sheila Grey calling from the island lord's mansion was unexpected.
It didn't seem like her style.
But Wu Heng still felt happy. It showed she cared.
He sat in the chair for a while as night deepened.
After greeting the wraiths, Wu Heng returned to his room to rest.
...…
Morning.
Day three of the Fifth Princess managing Netarei City.
The city was still bleak, but better than before. Some shops in the commercial district were opening.
Though there wasn't much merchandise, most were just cleaning.
The Fifth Princess had many tasks—appointing officials, handling city documents, managing affairs.
She claimed she'd never done it and feared doing poorly.
But she did quite well—she had a clear plan of what to do first and what came next.
After all, she was royalty. She'd picked up on these things from her upbringing.
Wu Heng also assigned skeleton guards to accompany her everywhere.
At the Guild, Elder Tapani assigned morning duties again.
Level 15 Professionals and Guild team members were all given tasks.
Aside from city patrols, teams were sent with skeletons to nearby villages for investigation.
Wu Heng still wasn't assigned a task.
You could say his duties had been given to skeletons and Philipa.
As long as nothing happened to him, the skeletons could handle most emergencies.
They'd rather he stayed put than ran around.
...…
After the meeting.
Wu Heng followed the crowd outside.
Archmage Janvito quickly caught up. "Wu Heng, done learning the spell? Give the book back!"
Wu Heng immediately returned [Teleportation]. "Thanks, Director."
Janvito took it and asked, "Have you studied enchantment before?"
Wu Heng blinked. "I know a few basic spells from a couple of schools."
"No wonder—you've got a foundation." Janvito stroked his beard and added, "Why would a necromancer study other schools' magic?"
Wu Heng replied as they walked, "Back in Ekow Kingdom, I'd changed class to necromancer, but had no chance to learn related skills. So I learned bits and pieces."
Janvito nodded. That matched his background.
Still, his learning ability was impressive.
Wu Heng saw Janvito had no follow-up, so he said, "Director, got more books? Let me borrow a few."
Janvito looked at him. "What's the trade this time?"
"A watch! Same as the heroes, just a different style," Wu Heng whispered.
Janvito squinted. "How do I know what the heroes wear?"
"I made all the watches. No need to lie."
"Fair point."
Janvito flipped his hand, pulling out a spellbook from his space ring. "Here. Return it when you're done."
[Summon Lightning]
(Description: Creates a storm cloud in a cast area. You may target a visible point under the cloud. One or more lightning bolts will strike that point. If you're within the cloud's area, effects double and mana cost reduces.)
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow.
Janvito's signature spell—the one that summoned lightning from the sky.
He'd seen him use it several times in battle.
The only difference was whether it hit one or multiple targets.
In terms of damage type, Wu Heng felt it was like his [Lightning Beam].
[Lightning Beam] released a horizontal arc that shocked a target.
[Summon Lightning] dropped bolts from the sky—like thunder during a storm.
If Janvito relied on it this much, it had to be good.
Wu Heng tucked the book away. "Director, any more? We've been through life and death—lend me a couple."
Janvito hesitated, then pulled out another. "Don't try to learn everything. Your energy is limited. These are tough. If you can't learn them, so be it."
[Summon Arrow Rain]
(Description: Fire a non-magical projectile or throw a non-magical weapon upward. It will serve as a model to summon a cone-shaped volley of the same type ahead. These summoned weapons disappear after attacking.)
Huh?
Seeing the second book, Wu Heng's eyes sharpened.
Using a non-magical item as a base to summon a whole wave of similar ones.
What kind of spell was this?
He hadn't seen Janvito use it before.
"Thanks a lot!" Wu Heng quickly stored it.
Janvito warned again, "Don't damage or lose them. Return them before we part."
"Relax. I'll turn pages gently."
"Alright, just be careful."
They walked down the corridor and eventually went their separate ways.
Wu Heng exited the Guild and returned to the city lord's mansion.
...…
No one was home when he got back.
Wu Heng went to the study, took some wraiths, and headed to the zombie world.
The rising heat made the dorm a bit stuffy.
He opened the window for air and released the wraiths—one went to visit its mom, the others scattered nearby.
He grabbed the radio. "Qi Hancai, are the boats ready?"
"Ready anytime," Qi Hancai replied.
Yesterday, she had updated him on other bases.
The weapons factory was assembling the autocannon line. Li Yanhong was waiting for the alchemy skeleton to start making pills.
Plus, he hadn't shown his face in a while. Time to visit.
"Alright. I'll head down soon," Wu Heng said.
"Understood."
While waiting in the room—
Xiaoxiao flew in first. "Uncle, are the new skill books translated?"
"All done."
"My mom just got off work. I'll send her to get them." Xiaoxiao zipped out through the wall.
After two or three minutes, there was a knock.
Wu Heng opened the door. Xiaoxiao's mom, Zhao Yanqiu, was there.
White blouse, navy skirt, light makeup, a delicate pearl necklace on her fair, slender neck.
Head lowered, she exuded gentle maturity.
As a bard, her grace was even more pronounced than before.
"Lord, Xiaoxiao said to pick up the skill books," Zhao Yanqiu said softly, head still down.
"Come in. I prepared a few for you," Wu Heng stepped aside.
Zhao Yanqiu walked in with small, quiet steps.
Wu Heng took out the books. "Sit—I'll explain what each does."
Zhao Yanqiu adjusted her skirt and sat down gently. "Alright."
Wu Heng said, "The first is Message Spell. You can send a private message to a chosen target. Think of it like a voice message—no one else can hear.
The other three enhance your state. This one boosts courage, this one expands vocal range, and this one improves speech skills."
Zhao Yanqiu listened, surprised.
Private messages? Like in those fantasy dramas.
And the others improved your own traits.
"Are they… hard to learn?" she asked hesitantly.
Xiaoxiao immediately said, "If it were Uncle, he'd learn them easily. You… well, try hard."
Zhao Yanqiu gave her a look.
Wu Heng chuckled. "It's normal to learn slowly at first. No pressure if you don't get it."
Xiaoxiao pouted.
"Thank you, Lord," Zhao Yanqiu said.
Xiaoxiao flipped over and said, "Uncle, the ring! You got Mom a ring!"
Wu Heng took out the [Universal Language Ring]. "This one's for you. It'll help with your class."
Xiaoxiao chimed in, "Uncle picked it specially—it's the prettiest!"
Zhao Yanqiu suddenly looked up. "Xiaoxiao, step outside. I need a word with your uncle."
"Why are you hiding things from me!" Xiaoxiao complained.
Wu Heng chuckled. "Xiaoxiao, we're heading to the weapons plant soon. Go get the others."
Xiaoxiao glanced at the two. "Fine."
She phased through the wall.
Zhao Yanqiu still had her head lowered. "I know what you've done for me and my daughter. I don't know what the right choice is."
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow. "What did Xiaoxiao say to you?"