Chapter 753, Can He Be Killed?
Hartl's expression was still gloomy. He responded instinctively, "Alright."
"Any news from the south lately?" Wu Heng continued.
Hartl replied, "Yesterday we captured a few scouts. After interrogating the corpses through the Skeleton Mage, we learned they were from the Ekow Kingdom's recon team. They were investigating why the transport convoy hadn't returned."
So, the investigators had already come.
"Were they all killed?"
"Everyone we found was. But it's unclear if others scouted too," Hartl answered.
"Any other intel?"
Hartl continued, "The corpses also said their army received orders from higher up to tighten formation and avoid conflict lately."
The Second Prince's army was also keeping a low profile?
Probably due to news about the Guild investigation team.
"Any intel on the Second Prince himself?"
"No related intel."
"Keep an eye out. Inform me immediately if anything comes up."
"Yes, sir."
Wu Heng stood. "Come, let's pick some high-level skeletons for you. Any profession preference?"
"As you see fit, sir."
After all the battles, the squad now had quite a few level 15+ skeletons.
Wu Heng reinforced defenses around the command estate, then selected six level 15 skeletons of various professions to serve as Hartl's personal guard.
After all, this was the frontline—more danger was to be expected.
Once everything was arranged—
Wu Heng headed upstairs again to the study and returned to the zombie world.
...…
He stepped out of the portal.
Wu Heng released the three specters.
They walked outside together.
Last night was too dark to see clearly. Now, the road was covered in a carpet of rotten flesh and gore.
Some from skeleton conversions, some from the zombie skirmish.
"Go get some tools. Clean up the rotting flesh along the road," Wu Heng ordered.
The skeletons moved to find tools and started cleaning up the area.
Wu Heng entered a nearby room with the specters and two skeleton attendants.
The room was over thirty square meters.
A Corpse King, with horned head and insect-like armor skin, was chained tightly in the center.
Blood splatters covered the surrounding walls.
It seemed it hadn't behaved last night—the skeleton guards had pierced it many times.
When Wu Heng entered—
The Corpse King snarled with a chained mouth, its eyes full of hatred and ferocity.
Like a starved, furious beast.
"Weren't you going back to Gold-Silver Island? Are you bringing this thing with you?" Glenda asked.
Xiaoxiao cautiously hid on Wu Heng's shoulder. "Its eyes are scary."
"No rush. Let's observe it for a couple of days first." Wu Heng turned to the skeletons. "Watch it closely. If it moves, don't hold back."
The skeletons stepped in tighter.
Forming a ring, their hollow eye sockets locked onto the Corpse King.
The Corpse King glared back at them, then squeezed its eyes shut.
...…
Leaving the building—
A mound of rotting flesh and organs had piled up by the door.
Wu Heng cast [Grease Spell] then [Fireball], setting the meat pile ablaze.
Thick black smoke rose, and fire engulfed the pile.
"Let's go. We still have time. Let's get Beni leveled up."
Wu Heng waved, and the skeleton army gathered around.
Leaving some behind to guard the Corpse King, Wu Heng rode a truck forward.
After a safe distance, zombies began to appear ahead.
Wu Heng got off and sent the Skeleton Hound to lure them, engaging the horde with a spear phalanx.
When the souls rose into the sky—
Beni rushed in to devour the scattered souls.
...…
Korea's Rescue Team Headquarters.
Knock knock knock~!
A knock came. The closed door creaked open.
A woman in professional attire entered quietly. "Director, the Info Department just called. Satellite picked up something."
Inside, a middle-aged man sat smoking. "What did they see?"
"The previously detected Corpse King zone has been completely taken over by skeletons. No zombies remain within range—only skeletons now," she reported calmly.
"That fast?"
The director frowned, surprised and a little afraid.
No need to guess who was behind it.
They'd leaked the intel to the Sambu Port people—but didn't expect such fast cleanup.
Barely a day.
Even carpet bombing wouldn't finish it this quickly.
He took a deep breath and waved her off. "You can go. I'll call the Info Department myself."
"Yes, sir." She exited.
The director picked up the phone and dialed. "Repeat the satellite report."
"It's confirmed? All skeletons?"
"Yes. Satellite imagery is very clear," came the reply.
"Can you confirm if it's a psychic?" the director asked in a low voice.
"A human figure was detected, but we can't confirm if it's the skeleton-controlling psychic."
"Any weapon we can use from this distance?"
"KTS-1 guided missile. Should be enough to destroy the target."
The director fell silent.
Should he take the gamble?
If it was that psychic, they could kill him outright.
But if it wasn't—blame another country for the missile?
No, too risky. That would be hard to cover up.
The director exhaled deeply. "No rush. Don't act yet."
...…
At dusk, Wu Heng returned with the skeletons.
Their numbers had grown again. Beni had devoured many souls.
No level-up yet, but a few more runs should get her to level 20.
He checked the imprisoned Corpse King again.
More wounds now—probably got another beating.
Seeing no issues—
Wu Heng returned to the room and stepped through the portal back to Serted Fortress.
After dinner in the dining hall, Wu Heng said goodbye to Hartl. Outside the fortress, he donned the [Conductor's Hat].
He boarded the train back to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
In the radio room—
Hartl reported, "Madam, Master has returned to Gold-Silver Island."
On the other end, Wen Mansa's voice came through as she soothed a child. "He probably has new plans. Just keep the fortress in order."
"Yes, Madam," Hartl replied. Then he added, "Master said he'll come back to see you when things are settled."
Silence from the other end.
Wen Mansa said with a soft smile, "Next time he returns, I'll have you serve Master."
"I wouldn't dare. Master belongs to you, Madam," Hartl answered nervously.
"It's fine. We're bound by contract, but I treat you like a sister. Next time, just serve him with me," Wen Mansa said playfully. "Unless you're unwilling. No need to force you."
Hartl hesitated.
Then softly said, "Thank you, Madam. I'm willing."
...…
Several days later—
Association Headquarters, Hall of Honor.
A group carried stacks of newspapers into the hall.
"New edition from Gold-Silver Island just arrived."
Rustle~!
The busy crowd all turned and gathered, grabbing papers from the front desk and dispersing.
"Gold-Silver Island is tightening control. Only Guild members may be armed. No other factions allowed. Targeting the Snake Emblem Consortium?"
"Probably. Maybe looking for a reason to drive them out."
"Look—second potion auction still on Gold-Silver Island. Same five potions."
"I'm going to Gold-Silver Island."
"Me too. Let's travel together—less lonely."
The once-quiet Guild HQ was bustling again over the newspaper.
People walked off in groups, papers in hand—
Discussing its content.
...…
In a dim castle—
A soft knock. The heavy, ornate wooden door slowly creaked open.
An elderly man in a butler uniform stepped inside.
He bowed slightly toward the wooden coffin at the center and said slowly, "Miss, Gold-Silver Island's latest newspaper has arrived. A new Detective Story installment, and a letter from Lord Wu Heng."
Silence returned to the room.
Just as the butler turned to leave and close the door—
Rustle—thud!
The coffin lid slid aside and fell onto the carpet.
Pale fingers gripped the coffin edge. Lilith slowly sat up. "What does the letter say?"
"I haven't opened it."
"Give it to me!"