Chapter 782, Trying to Steal Your Woman
What's up with these sisters—one's brains, the other's brawn.
No way, Shiyali is clearly more dangerous than Sheila Grey. Better not mess with her in the future.
Anyway, things still turned out okay.
The three of them didn't end up with any big issues.
...…
Sitting in the living room, he waited for a while.
Andviel and Annette walked in from outside.
The family sat at the dining table, eating and chatting about the city's recent changes.
Security on Gold-Silver Island was getting better and better. Even across the entire Emerald Sea, pirate ships were rarely seen now.
It was a far cry from the old pirate days when you'd see pirate ships everywhere along the trade routes.
Of course, aside from Wu Heng and the others' efforts, Lilith making her residence public on the island also surely played a role.
At this time, a level-20 Hero and also a Guild leader?
To ordinary Professionals, that was like having a gun pointed at your forehead. Who dared mess around here?
Just after dinner, the skeleton guarding the radio station rushed down.
It pointed upstairs, indicating a message had come in.
Wu Heng followed it up to the radio room.
...…
"Wen Mansa, looking for me?" Wu Heng asked softly, holding the mic.
Wen Mansa's gentle voice came through the radio, "Master, how have you been lately?"
"Pretty good. How are you and the baby?" Wu Heng leaned back in his chair.
"Also good. Aside from missing Daddy, the baby eats well, sleeps well."
"Sounds like it's the baby's mom who's missing Daddy."
"Sharp guess," Wen Mansa chuckled, then got straight to the point. "Today, the second prince of the Ekow Kingdom sent an envoy."
The second prince sent someone to Rentam City?
"To reconcile?" Wu Heng asked.
The war situation was obvious. The skeleton army steamrolled everything, while the human legions kept retreating.
Even with level-18 Professionals in their ranks, it was hard to change the tide of a large-scale war.
Coming to talk now probably meant they were hoping to make peace.
"Doesn't seem like peace, but the goal is a ceasefire. Guess what he said?" Wen Mansa's voice held amusement.
Wu Heng guessed uncertainly, "Apology, reparations?"
"He said the second prince wants to marry me. Promised that after reclaiming the Kingdom, I'd be queen," Wen Mansa said flatly.
"What the fuck, is he nuts?" Wu Heng blurted.
Getting wrecked by Rentam City's troops, and still thinking about marrying Wen Mansa?
Actually, thinking about it, the motive was obvious.
Wen Mansa was a former gang member and had even borne Wu Heng's child—by royal standards, she'd never be considered consort material.
But now the second prince needed help and was losing to Rentam City.
If he could marry Wen Mansa, not only would he lose an enemy, Rentam City would become an ally.
Pretty slick plan.
"What did you say?" Wu Heng asked.
Wen Mansa chuckled, "Didn't kill the envoy. Didn't want to disrupt the ceasefire balance. But I've got eyes on him—once the investigation team leaves, his head's going up on the city wall."
Then her tone softened, "What else could I do? My body and heart belong to you, and with the baby now, I'm even more tied to you."
Wu Heng nodded instinctively. Wen Mansa was bound by a contract and couldn't betray him under any circumstance.
And their relationship was solid. This ruthless gang Sister-in-law was surprisingly clingy in private.
"That second prince doesn't deserve you. I'll make you queen someday too," Wu Heng said.
"No thanks. Managing Rentam City is exhausting—who the hell wants to be queen?" Wen Mansa replied, then added, "I contacted you to ask about the Guild's investigation team. The second prince clearly hasn't given up on Rentam City. If this drags out, he might actually find a way to turn the tables."
Rentam's skeleton army specialized in blitz warfare.
The trick was to advance while the enemy was still reacting.
With Wu Heng's modern weapons, it had become an outright slaughter.
This pause was mainly to avoid the Guild's investigation team—but it also gave the enemy time to regroup.
Proposing marriage was likely a tactic—or at least a probe.
Wu Heng said, "According to intel, the Guild's investigation team has entered the Ekow Kingdom's capital and had some conflicts with certain cults, but there's no detailed info."
A pause on the other end. Then Wen Mansa asked, "So we continue the ceasefire?"
"Pause for now. Let me dig up more intel, then we'll decide the next step," Wu Heng said after a moment.
"Got it," Wen Mansa nodded.
Wu Heng continued, "How's the railway construction going?"
"Still laying track. Won't be long before it reaches Rentam City."
"Good. Have someone promote our rule in the occupied cities. Send bards to perform those early detective stories too," Wu Heng ordered.
With so many cities now under control, it was time to build some fame.
"Alright."
Holding the mic, Wu Heng added, "Keep me posted. And be careful. Don't let those shady envoys into the Lord's Manor."
"Got it, Master."
"That's it for now. Stay in touch."
"Mhm."
Hanging up the radio, Wu Heng sat in his chair, thinking.
That second prince—why does he always pop up unexpectedly?
If he didn't, no one would even notice him.
Now he's even trying marriage proposals. Feels like he's totally out of options.
The only missing piece now was intel from the Guild's investigation team.
Lilith probably had it—but she definitely wouldn't share it with him directly.
He got up and left the radio room.
A few maids were gaming in the media room.
Wu Heng told them not to stay up too late, then headed upstairs back to the study.
...…
In the study—
The three wraiths were all there today.
Wu Heng poured himself a cup of tea. Xiaoxiao floated over a little shyly.
"Uncle, are we good or not?"
"Tell me what you want first, then I'll tell you," Wu Heng said.
Hmph!
Xiaoxiao snorted, then said, "My friend's leaving. I want to give her a tablet so she can take photos and show me the outside when she visits again."
Lilith's leaving?
Yeah, she's been on the island for a while. Most of the auction guests had left already.
"Sure, but teach her how to use it. She might not be tech-savvy," Wu Heng agreed easily.
In the zombie world, tablets and smartphones were everywhere.
Probably the most common loot.
Wu Heng had even given tablets as gifts to Sheila Grey, Imiro, and the others.
"Yay! Uncle's the best!" Xiaoxiao cheered.
Wu Heng pulled out a new tablet and said, "Let a skeleton deliver it with you. If outsiders see it flying, they'll freak."
Xiaoxiao thought about it, realized it made sense, and nodded. "Okay."
Wu Heng arranged for a skeleton to accompany her.
After Xiaoxiao left—
Glenda asked, "Lilith's leaving?"
Wu Heng replied, "Seems like it. She's been on the island long enough. Leaders like her probably can't stay outside too long."
"True."
No one brought up Lilith again. Wu Heng said, "Wen Mansa just contacted me. Said the second prince sent an envoy asking to marry her."
The two wraiths turned sharply, surprised.
Glenda exclaimed, "You're getting your woman stolen?"
"What kind of line is that? Wen Mansa would never agree to it. Besides, the target isn't her—it's Rentam City," Wu Heng shot her a look.
Glenda thought for a moment. "Does he not know Wen Mansa's yours?"
"He probably knows. Might just be testing her. As a prince, his status may seem more attractive than a Guild member like me."
Wen Mansa said, "I think you should speed up your plans for Ekow Kingdom."
"We'll see," Wu Heng replied, then added, "I heard the crown prince is over 40. Wonder how old the second prince is."
"Fifth princess should know!" Glenda said.
Benny chimed in, "I heard at the tavern he's in his early 30s. Very handsome."
"What's his class?"
"No idea. But people say he represents the Kingdom's artistic side—loves poetry and painting. Some even say he likes men."
Glenda grinned, "Makes sense now. Maybe he's trying to get to you through Wen Mansa."
She looked seriously at Wu Heng. "Have you considered men?"
"Read some normal books for once. The ones you've been reading lately are messed up," Wu Heng shot back.
Glenda just smiled and dropped it.
Benny continued, "Tavern folks say the second prince was never in line for the throne. No idea how things ended up like this."
"Maybe there's another reason."
If the rumors were true and he loved the arts, he likely never planned to fight for the throne.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have focused so much on those things.
But rumors aren't always reliable.
"Once things settle here, let's head back to Rentam City."
Wu Heng stood up and said, "I'm heading back."
"Good night," the two wraiths waved.
Leaving the study, Wu Heng returned to his bedroom to rest.
...…
The next morning.
In the study—
Just as Wu Heng entered, Xiaoxiao flew over with a jade stone and dropped it in his hand.
"Look! Her return gift! I told her my uncle's rich and has everything, but she still insisted on giving me something," Xiaoxiao said proudly.
[Companion Yin Jade (Rare Item)]
[Effect: Boosts necromantic power, nourishes spirit minions.]
[Side Effect: Cold aura.]
(Description: A naturally-formed rare jade that provides necromantic power.)
Wu Heng had received a similar one as a reward from the Guild before.
But this one was at least twice the size.
The other was a level-2 merit item—this one probably counted as level-1.
No need to guess. It had to be from Lilith.
No one else on the island could give out something like this.
Rich girl!
Maybe he should prepare a gift for her departure too.
"This isn't cheap," Wu Heng commented.
"Aunt Glenda said it's really good stuff," Xiaoxiao grinned.
Wu Heng nodded, "Since it's from your friend, take good care of it. Don't break it."
"It's on the desk. Aunt and sis can feel its effects too."
"Xiaoxiao is the best," Wu Heng praised.
The other two wraiths smiled as well.
Xiaoxiao beamed, floating the jade to hang on a brass stand on the desk.
Wu Heng said, "Let's go. Time to head to the zombie world."
The three wraiths merged into his body. Wu Heng opened the realm gate and stepped in.
...…
Rentam City.
Inside a tavern room—
A tall, thin figure spun a ring on his finger and asked, "Still no word from Wen Mansa?"
"No word at all," the bulky figure opposite him replied coldly.
"That cheap woman—just because she's got a city, she thinks she's changed classes," the thin figure muttered.
He had thought that, given Wen Mansa's background and status, hearing 'second prince' and 'queen' would've won her over easily.
But turns out—nothing.
After a moment of silence, the tall man said, "Send word to the second prince. Time to proceed with the next plan."
"Yes, sir."