Chapter 803, I'll Bring Them to Keep You Company
Inside the dim detention cell.
Wu Heng sat across from him and got straight to the point, "Who gave you the Ghost Train ticket?"
The rogue squinted, a vicious glint in his eyes, and shot back, "If I tell you, will you let me go?"
"Do you really think you're walking out of here after coming in?" Wu Heng said bluntly.
The rogue's eyes grew fiercer. He gritted his teeth and snapped, "Then why even ask!"
"Answer what I ask. It'll make your stay a bit more comfortable."
"Hehehe\~!" The rogue sneered, eyes locked on him. "Falling into the hands of a necromancer, you think comfort's an option? I'll kill myself. That way you won't get to run your experiments."
"I know Resurrection. I'll bring you back."
The rogue went dead silent. Bloodshot veins crept across his eyes.
Wu Heng continued, "I also know Soul Summoning. Even if you die, I can keep experimenting on your soul."
"You bastard!" the rogue spat through clenched teeth.
"Let me change the deal. Give me something useful, and I'll drag those people here to keep you company," Wu Heng offered again.
The rogue's eyes narrowed, then he suddenly laughed. "You? A necromancer who's only been classed for under two years?"
In his mind, his failure wasn't just a matter of strength.
It was due to leaked intel from Rentam City, letting the enemy prepare in advance. That's why he lost.
If he had a real shot at assassinating Wu Heng, he'd never lose.
"You won't know till you try! They fed you false intel, got you caught, and they're out there eating and drinking. Even if I can't capture them, I'll make them bleed," Wu Heng leaned back and stared him down.
The rogue's eyes narrowed, then he smiled. "Ask. But I want the first deal too."
"Just like that, you're selling out your client?"
"You overestimate my professional integrity," the rogue said flatly.
Wu Heng went straight to it: "Who gave you the train ticket?"
"Blaise. An old merchant from the Kingdom of Ekow. He offered 200 gold to kill Wen Mansa, plus two tickets."
Wu Heng gave him a glance.
"Do you know how he got the tickets?"
"How would I know that?"
"Where did he hire you?"
"Nirali City."
"Ever met the Second Prince?"
"I take money, do the job. Why would I meet him?" the rogue sneered.
Wu Heng asked, "How many high-level Professionals are on their side?"
The rogue's expression shifted. "Plenty. They're rich. The ones they fund and hire—your skeletons don't compare. What, still feeling confident?"
"Do they have any level 20 heroes?" Wu Heng asked calmly.
The rogue froze. "No way."
"Give me an estimate. How many level-18s?"
"I don't know exactly, but definitely not few. They've got an army too," the rogue answered.
Wu Heng nodded. "Who do you want me to bring back?"
"You're really gonna try? Then Blaise. That old bastard only paid me 200 gold—he deserves to die."
"Got it," Wu Heng said, turning to leave.
The rogue called out behind him, "Or you can just chicken out and pretend you never heard. You look the type."
The iron door slammed shut, cutting off his voice.
...…
Wu Heng walked down the corridor. The phantoms materialized beside him.
Glenda asked, "Think he's telling the truth?"
Benny added, "Doesn't feel right. He gave up the info too easily."
Xiaoxiao lay on Wu Heng's shoulder, "He keeps giggling like a lunatic. Maybe he got smacked silly."
Heading toward the surveillance room, Wu Heng said, "We can't believe everything, but the location he gave for the Second Prince matches what we got from the corpses. That part checks out."
"You really going after him?" Glenda asked.
"We'll scope it out first. If the chance is there, I'll take him out," Wu Heng said with a grin.
"Fair enough," Glenda nodded.
The other two phantoms had no objections.
Even if they entered the Second Prince's city, Wu Heng's disguise should be enough. If something went wrong, he had ways to escape.
They headed back to the surveillance room.
Wu Heng zoomed in on the rogue's cell again.
The rogue still sat on the iron bed, elbows on knees, lost in thought.
He minimized the screen.
Then leaned back in his chair, running over the next steps in his mind.
He was nearly certain about the Second Prince's location. Kill him, and Wen Mansa's assassination attempt would be resolved.
But that would only be a temporary fix. The First Prince was still out there.
Killing the Second Prince and occupying Ekow territory—either one gave the First Prince a reason to strike Rentam City.
This really was never-ending.
But for now, there was no better option. One step at a time—deal with the Second Prince first.
The First Prince was entangled with the guild's investigation team and wouldn't be paying much attention for now.
Stalling for time was the best strategy.
By the time he faced the First Prince, maybe he'd be level 20—with new ways to handle it.
With his mind made up, Wu Heng stood up. "Let's go back."
The three phantoms returned and merged into his body.
Wu Heng told the skeleton to keep watch on the rogue, opened a gate, and stepped through.
...…
Back at Serted Fortress, the sun was setting.
He came down from upstairs.
Wen Mansa was chatting with Hartle. Seeing him, she smiled and said, "Master's down. Hartle, have dinner sent in."
"Yes, Madam," Hartle said, heading out to give the order.
Among the skeletons they'd brought in were plenty of former tradespeople, now reassigned to daily tasks.
They weren't high level, but they reduced risks like poisonings.
Dinner was served.
Wu Heng and Wen Mansa sat down. Hartle, ever the steward, sat off to the side.
"Master, eat more—you'll need the energy tonight," Wen Mansa said, placing meat in his bowl.
After living with Wu Heng, she'd gotten used to using chopsticks.
Wu Heng gave her a side-eye. "Watch yourself. You're the city lord now."
Wen Mansa chuckled, "We're at home. Hartle's not an outsider, right, Hartle?"
"Thank you, Madam, for the trust," Hartle replied, standing upright, eyes forward.
Wen Mansa smiled and nodded.
After eating a bit, Wu Heng wiped his mouth and set his chopsticks down.
Wen Mansa said, "Master, let's check on the baby. Hartle, get ready after dinner."
"Yes, Madam," Hartle bowed.
Wu Heng got up and followed Wen Mansa upstairs.
...…
They fed the baby.
Then handed her back to the Skeleton Banshee.
But Wen Mansa found it strange—she'd heard the baby laughing outside the door, and the laughter stopped the moment she entered.
Same thing happened back in Rentam City.
The baby would widen her eyes and reach upward like playing with someone.
She was a little worried.
Wu Heng, of course, knew the reason. The three phantoms didn't have much to do—they either wandered outside or played with the baby.
He just vaguely explained that the baby was in a good mood. It would pass.
...…
Night fell.
In the bedroom, moonlight filtered through sheer curtains, casting a soft glow.
Wen Mansa leaned against him and whispered, "Master, we have so many cities now. I'm afraid I can't manage them all."
The war had gone on for a while—they had more than just one city now.
They'd allied with the Orc tribes in the north, helping with infrastructure. In the south, they'd taken a lot of Ekow territory.
It was a sizable domain now.
Wu Heng slid a hand into her robe, gently rubbing her shoulder. "Don't sell yourself short. You managed Rentam City just fine. You'll do fine with the rest."
"Sometimes I feel like I'm dreaming. I used to manage a handful of people in a gang. Now look at me," Wen Mansa said with a sigh.
"Yeah, time really flies," Wu Heng said, pulling her closer.
Wen Mansa glanced at the moonlight and smiled. "Will Master always like me?"
"Of course. You're sweet and obedient," Wu Heng replied with a grin.
"Then I've prepared a gift for you," Wen Mansa said with a smile, eyes curling like crescents.
Wu Heng raised a brow, signaling her to go ahead.
Wen Mansa sat up slightly and called out toward the door, "Hartle, come in."
The door creaked open. Housekeeper Hartle quietly stepped in.
Wu Heng looked at Wen Mansa in confusion and pulled the blanket over himself.
Hartle's long brown hair was tied up. She wore a black cat-ear hairband and her signature black-rimmed glasses.
She was wrapped in a brown ladies' coat, walking in slowly. She gave a polite bow. "Master. Madam."
Wen Mansa smiled and took Wu Heng's hand, speaking softly, "Master, there's been so much going on in Rentam lately. People worry about us. Hartle's always reliable. Let her assist you tonight—help ease your stress."
She gently patted the back of his hand.