Chapter 590, So It Was Your Tamed Beast
City Lord's Mansion.
Wu Heng looked at the reputation panel.
[Reputation: Level 18 (33574/48000)]
The reputation growth rate was quite good.
In just a morning, it had increased by nearly 600–700 points.
Based on his experience from Gold-Silver Island…
The first issue's release was only a warm-up; the real explosion in reputation would come with the second and third issues.
At his current 33,000 reputation points, he might be able to max it out directly.
That would fulfill the conditions for Level 19.
At that point, all he would need to do was kill zombies to gain experience.
As he was thinking about this, Xiaoxiao was the first to return.
Xiaoxiao immediately said, "Uncle, because the story ended on a cliffhanger, the bard who was telling it got beaten up—his whole face was covered in blood."
Wu Heng immediately sat up. "What the hell?! That bad?"
"Really! The guy who hit him was taken away by the patrols," Xiaoxiao said.
…
It seemed that Rentam City was even more hot-blooded than Gold-Silver Island.
Shortly after, Glenda and Beni also returned.
After two days of adapting, Beni had fully accepted her new form and could now skillfully switch between invisibility and visibility.
Glenda said, "The story's reception is quite good, and people are discussing it a lot!"
Beni added, "The taverns are lively, but not many people are actually buying newspapers."
"That's fine. We're not expecting to make money from this. As long as the newspaper keeps running, it's all good," Wu Heng said with a smile.
The main goal was reputation collection—it was enough if the newspapers weren't losing money.
The three ghosts nodded and said no more.
After confirming there were no issues with the newspaper distribution…
Wu Heng opened the door and headed downstairs.
...…
In the living room, Wen Mansa was nibbling on pastries.
Seeing Wu Heng coming down, she smiled. "The newspaper is a success. I had someone go check."
Wu Heng sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Keep distributing the next issues. I've prepared the upcoming stories for you. The rest, I'll transmit through the radio."
Wen Mansa tilted her head and looked at him. "You're leaving?"
"There's still the cult problem to deal with, and I can't be away from Gold-Silver Island for too long," Wu Heng explained softly.
He had stayed in Rentam City for three days.
The power plant equipment had arrived, and now it was just a matter of assembly and laying down power lines.
Once the wiring was completed, the city would have electricity.
Now that the newspaper was also distributed, all of Wu Heng's plans had been successfully set in motion.
"But you just got here," Wen Mansa murmured, leaning into him.
"Come with me to Gold-Silver Island," Wu Heng suggested, looking at her.
Wen Mansa thought for a moment but still shook her head. "How could I leave Rentam City? Even if I go, I'd have to return in a day or two, which means most of the time would be wasted on travel. Just come back sooner next time."
"Alright, I'll stay longer next time," Wu Heng cupped her chin and kissed her gently.
The two shared a moment of intimacy before slowly pulling apart.
Wen Mansa then asked, "Master, when will you leave?"
"Right after this."
Wen Mansa nodded and turned to the side. "Hartel."
"Madam." The female steward stepped forward.
"Prepare some travel supplies for the Master. Also, calculate the tax revenue for the past few months and give half to the Master," Wen Mansa instructed.
"Yes, Madam." The steward acknowledged and turned to make the preparations.
Wu Heng didn't say much more. He simply held Wen Mansa close and comforted her softly.
By noon, Wu Heng was ready to depart. He waved goodbye to the two women, put on [The Conductor's Hat], and boarded the train.
The whistle blew, and the train vanished.
...…
The train reappeared.
It stopped in a barren area outside Blackstone Town.
Wu Heng put on [Faceless One Skin], transforming into the appearance of a 'fisherman,' and walked toward the city.
As he approached the city gates, the guards stopped him.
"What's your business?"
Wu Heng took out his Guild emblem. "I'm with the Guild. Here to see Madam Slater."
The two gate guards looked at the emblem, frowning.
They hesitated, glanced at the two figures behind Wu Heng, but eventually stepped aside. "Behave yourself. Don't cause trouble."
Wu Heng ignored them and walked straight into the city.
Blackstone Town felt eerily quiet.
Occasionally, he would see some hurried townsfolk, but they didn't talk to each other—they just kept their heads down and moved quickly.
The stark contrast between Rentam City's bustling activity and Blackstone Town's tense atmosphere was clear.
Wu Heng arrived at the Guild Hall.
He walked straight inside and headed to the Steward's Office, knocking on the door. No one responded.
He sent out a ghost to investigate inside.
The room was empty, and judging by the dust, it had been vacant for a few days.
What the hell is going on in Blackstone Town?
Wu Heng returned to the front desk and asked, "I need to see Madam Slater. We had an appointment."
"And you are?" The receptionist scrutinized him.
Wu Heng took out his Guild emblem again to prove his identity.
"Why do you need to see the Steward?" the receptionist continued, even after confirming his identity.
"We arranged to carry out a mission together," Wu Heng frowned, trying to gauge the meaning behind the question.
The receptionist suddenly understood. "The mission about investigating the cult?"
"Yes."
"Please wait a moment." The receptionist left and soon returned with a squad member.
Wu Heng recognized him—he was part of Madam Slater's team.
"Sir, Madam Slater and the others are stationed at Iron Rock Village. She told me to bring you there when you arrived."
Wu Heng glanced at him and asked, "Wasn't the meeting point supposed to be Blackstone Town? Why did they move to Iron Rock Village?"
The squad member hesitated before pulling Wu Heng aside. "By the time I left to return, we had already tracked the cultists to Iron Rock Village."
"The cult problem?"
"Yes. Several villages along the way were wiped out. The Kingdom's military refused to act, so Madam Slater took us to investigate on our own."
Wu Heng nodded. "Time is tight. Just tell me where Iron Rock Village is—I'll go ahead first."
The squad member pulled out a map and pointed to the village's location.
"Give me the map. I'll head out first. You can come after you're ready." Wu Heng took the map and left the Guild immediately.
Once outside the city…
He unleashed his motorcycle and sped toward Iron Rock Village.
...…
Iron Rock Village.
The Guild had been stationed there for three days.
Madam Slater and Yuli both had spatial rings, so they had enough food and water.
As Yuli ate, she grumbled, "Aunt, where's this reinforcement you mentioned? We could've gone back to Blackstone Town by now."
"They should be close," Madam Slater replied.
"How do you know?" Yuli sipped her soup and suddenly gasped. "Wait—it's that disappearing letter thing again, isn't it?! Your man!"
Smack!
Madam Slater slapped the back of Yuli's head. "Stop talking nonsense."
Yuli's eyes sparkled as she whispered, "Well, if you won't say, how am I supposed to know?"
Madam Slater didn't answer, but her heart was unsettled.
Wu Heng coming personally… Was this brat actually right?
Outside the village…
A ranger rushed back at full speed.
"Steward! We've tracked them near Tur Village!"
The gathered team frowned.
That village was outside Blackstone Town's jurisdiction, belonging to another city's territory.
"Aunt, that's not our…"
Before she could finish speaking—
The Golden Leopard suddenly stood up, baring its fangs toward the village outskirts.
From the dense forest, a cloaked figure emerged.
The black-robed man, wearing a mask, exuded a sinister presence.
He lifted his head, gazing at the guarded village.
"So… it was your tamed beast that led me all this way."