Chapter 819, So It Was Her
Nilari City, the wilderness.
Nightfall weighed heavily over the land, with insect chirps and beastly howls echoing from the forest.
Inside an abandoned hunter's wooden cabin, a dim lightstone hung from the ceiling, barely casting a glow.
Several figures sat in solemn silence around the cabin.
After a brief exchange of intel—
The hawk-eyed man by the door spoke. "The prince is about to deliver a speech at the central plaza. You've heard, haven't you?"
"He's giving that speech now to calm the people, but truthfully, it's to flush out the one secretly assassinating officials." He paused. "Of course, that prince suspects it's us."
Someone asked, "So is this speech real or fake?"
"Definitely not the real prince. It's all a setup to bait the real assassin."
"We'll see if the real one takes the bait."
"I doubt it. If he could abduct two level-18s without a trace, he'll see through a trick like this easily."
The group whispered among themselves.
A woman across from them said, "The second prince does want to calm his men—but not the common folk. I'm talking about the city's elites."
She took out a crumpled piece of parchment and floated it over the smoke to the center of the wooden table.
"This is the list of noble merchants who left the city today. He may be hiding safely, but other officials don't think the same. If we kill the stand-in during the speech, more officials and elites will flee, and the city won't be able to function."
Everyone in the cabin paused, surprised she had thought that far ahead.
They passed the list around.
One said, "Risky, but I support it."
"Worth a shot."
Others agreed. The idea was doable.
The man by the door finally said, "Then prepare. If the timing is right, kill the stand-in."
Everyone nodded.
The cabin door opened, and the group scattered into the night.
...…
The next morning.
After breakfast, Wen Mansa and Hartle went straight to the radio room.
They issued orders to Rentam City, secretly eliminating those on the infiltrator list.
A full sweep should calm Rentam City down for a while.
Wu Heng didn't involve himself in Rentam matters. He opened the planar gate in the study and stepped through.
On the other side—still the surveillance room.
He released the ghostly souls and sat down in front of the monitors.
"Pull up feeds for cells 202, 203, and 204."
The skeletal operator brought up all three.
On-screen, the three Zombies no longer looked remotely human. Their skin had turned bluish-black, like rotting soaked wood, peeling in large chunks to expose the dark red fibers beneath.
They thrashed restlessly, straining against chains and snarling at the watching skeletons.
Huff~!
Xiaoxiao and Beni flew back in.
"Uncle, still level 19. Not a single level-up overnight."
Apparently, the ghost duo had gone to check levels.
"No rush. Keep feeding them. They'll hit level 20 sooner or later," said Wu Heng.
Getting them to 19 in a single day was already a solid result.
Keep feeding them corpse cores, and hitting 20 wouldn't be hard.
Plus, from his own estimation—
These profession-converted Zombies evolved easier than standard ones.
"Ooh! I get to name them again, right?" Xiaoxiao grinned.
Wu Heng said, "Glenda, you each get one."
"Sure!" Xiaoxiao agreed.
Beni added, "Let Xiaoxiao do it. I don't have good names anyway."
"It's about participation! If Uncle names them, it's always Number One, Number Two—so lame!" Xiaoxiao floated over.
Damn, are they fighting over naming rights 'cause my names suck?
"I'll start brainstorming now before I blank later," said Beni.
Glenda looked up from her book, watching the commotion.
Wu Heng added, "Xiaoxiao, go fetch the skeletal alchemist—bring its notebook."
"Oh, okay!" Xiaoxiao responded and zipped out.
Wu Heng waited in the surveillance room.
Xiaoxiao floated back through the wall and pointed to the door. "He's here."
Creak~!
The door opened. The skeletal alchemist entered, holding its notebook.
It bowed slightly from a distance.
"At ease!" Xiaoxiao puffed her chest and said.
Wu Heng shot her a look, then said to the skeleton, "Let me see that notebook."
The notebook was handed over. Wu Heng flipped it open.
The writing used a foreign script—useless to others even if lost.
He flipped to the latest entries.
"Basic Experimental Data: Lab 202
1. Physical Traits:
Skin: bluish-purple, darker than standard Zombies, peeling in transition.
Areas such as elbows, knees, and spine show deeper coloration—nearly black patches.
Height now 2 meters. Limbs are bulked, muscles swollen and defined.
All three subjects show ~5cm wing nubs on their backs—similar to rhinoceros beetle wings. Likely functional organs for gliding or flight.
Note: Subject in Lab 203 displays new eye outlines above the brow ridge. Evolution path unclear.
2. Behavioral Traits:
Irritable, violent, uncommunicative.
3. Future Experiment Plans:
Virus samples can be prepped. Dissection possible before transformation finishes to analyze organ structure or medicinal value."
Wu Heng frowned reading the report.
All three Zombies were sprouting wings.
That must be related to the virus injected.
The corpse virus was originally extracted from 'Shiny' while still a Corpse King.
Shiny's signature was a rhinoceros beetle form—flight-capable.
Not bad, really. Flying was a tactical advantage.
As for the Lab 203 subject's new eyes—we'll see where that mutation goes.
"Well?" Glenda asked.
Wu Heng handed her the logbook. Glenda and Beni read it together while Xiaoxiao had her read aloud.
Once finished, they returned the notebook to the alchemist.
Wu Heng said, "Keep feeding them corpse cores. As for dissection—we'll wait until they hit level 20, then I'll call in a coroner."
The skeletal alchemist nodded, bowed again, and left.
Glenda said, "So far, smooth sailing."
"Yeah. At this rate, we're looking at another power spike soon," Wu Heng nodded.
Xiaoxiao asked, "Uncle, what'll you tell the Divine Punishment Sect when they see flying skeletons?"
"I've got so many level 20 skeletons now—who needs explanations?" Wu Heng straightened his collar.
"Pfft, Uncle, you're so dumb."
"What the hell. Anyway, let me check in with Sister Hong first. If she's got nothing, we'll head back."
The three ghostly girls nodded and drifted to the side to chat.
Wu Heng pulled out the satellite phone and dialed Sister Hong.
...…
The call was picked up after two rings.
"Hello!" Li Yanhong's voice came through.
"It's me, where are you?" Wu Heng asked directly.
Li Yanhong said, "I'm over at the pharmaceutical plant! Do you need me to come over now?"
"No need, it's fine over the phone. Has there been any recent change at the base?" Wu Heng leaned back and asked casually.
These past few days, he had been busy investigating the Second Prince and capturing level-18 Professionals, and hadn't paid much attention to the base.
Now that he had the time, it was a good chance to check in on things.
Li Yanhong paused for a moment, then said, "There are two main updates. First, Qi Hancai's Korean base has started a grain trade with several Western bases. Second, the central office in Yangtong City sent over some talisman books. They're photocopies though, not the originals. If we want the originals, we'll have to negotiate."
They had previously contacted the Western bases via radio about the grain trade.
It had been delayed due to transportation issues, but now it seemed the trade was finally happening.
As for the talisman books, they had indeed been delivered.
Although they were just copies, that wasn't a big problem. The main goal was to see if there was any useful knowledge within.
Photocopies were acceptable.
"No problem, the copies are fine," Wu Heng said.
"Once they arrive from Yangtong City, I'll send them to you," Li Yanhong said.
"Alright." Wu Heng then asked, "How's the pharmaceutical plant?"
"Doing well. We can produce 50,000 tablets a day. Plus, this drug helps treat some basic illnesses too. Everyone's calling it a miracle medicine," Li Yanhong said, clearly excited.
"As long as it works. Do we still have enough raw materials?"
"At the current rate, we can last about another week. After that, we'll need resupply."
"Maintain the output. I'll find a way to get more materials."
"Got it. Once the photocopies arrive, I'll bring them to you."
Wu Heng smiled. "Good."
After ending the call, Wu Heng got up and called the phantoms back.
He opened the portal and returned to Serted Fortress.
...…
Dinner!
Wu Heng sat at the dining table.
Wen Mansa only ate a little before setting down her utensils. She softly said, "Master, the messengers are already on their way. Once they arrive, we can discuss and head to the city where the Second Prince is."
Wu Heng figured he wouldn't make it in time to meet the messengers.
After all, he still had to return and watch the Second Prince's speech.
"You take care of the arrangements."
"Alright. Also, the little girl you gave us yesterday has been placed with the local guild. She's not a full member yet, just a helper, but she'll be around Professionals and can start learning to read and write," Wen Mansa said.
Since having a child, Wen Mansa had become gentler and kinder.
She even placed the girl in the local guild.
"In her eyes, we're traitors to humanity."
"That's all propaganda from the other side. What would a little girl know? She'll understand eventually," Wen Mansa said with a smile.
"As long as she doesn't cause us any trouble, you handle it."
Wen Mansa nodded. "Master, what's next?"
"I'm heading back to hear the Second Prince's speech. If anything changes, I'll let you know," Wu Heng said as he put down his chopsticks.
Wen Mansa smiled and nodded. "We still have two more days with you."
Hartle also glanced over subtly.
...…
Wu Heng stayed in Serted Fortress for two more days.
He put on the [Conductor's Hat], and the Ghost Train appeared before him.
"If there's danger, use the ticket to go to Gold-Silver Island. Staying alive is what matters most," Wu Heng reminded them again.
"Got it, Master," Wen Mansa replied with a smile, then shifted the baby in her arms. "Say goodbye to Daddy."
Wu Heng chuckled. "Bye-bye."
Then he boarded the train and disappeared.
Arriving at Nilari City—
He teleported into an empty room, waiting for the speech the next day.
...…
Nilari City!
The white marble platform shimmered under the sunlight with a warm glow.
Soon after, large groups of guards arrived.
Once the area and surroundings were secured, a blond man in an ornate golden robe and jeweled crown appeared at the base of the platform.
A group of bards began casting amplification magic.
To enhance his image and voice.
Once everything was ready—
A stirring trumpet blast pierced the air, and the square fell silent.
The Second Prince steadily walked to the edge of the platform, standing tall and proud, wearing a confident smile as he waved to the crowd.
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes—
"Looking back, our Kingdom has weathered countless storms, endless hardships trying to block our path forward…"
The Second Prince stood on the platform, smiling as he began speaking loudly.
...…
Wu Heng sat in a private room at the tavern.
Using [Divine Descent], he observed the speech through the eyes of a skeletal sparrow perched under a nearby eave.
Knowing full well it was a trap, there was no reason to take risks by being there in person.
Before long, the three phantoms returned, and Wu Heng lifted the [Divine Descent].
"How was it?" Wu Heng asked.
Glenda said, "Level-12 Professional, spoke with a lot of presence. The crowd got riled up easily. Can't say for sure if it's the real Second Prince."
Benny followed up, "Appearance matches public descriptions, but if it's a stand-in, they could've picked someone who looks alike or used an item to change their face."
Xiaoxiao frowned. "So is it him or not?"
Wu Heng said, "Definitely a stand-in."
"Yeah, I think so too," Glenda agreed.
"Let's see how things play out."
Wu Heng cast [Divine Descent] again, linking with the skeletal sparrow.
The three phantoms phased through the wall and floated up into the air to watch the excitement at the square.
When the speech ended, the Second Prince stepped down amid chants of "Long live the Prince, glory to the Kingdom," and left in a carriage.
...…
"Xiaoxiao, stay with me. Glenda and Benny, follow the carriage," Wu Heng instructed quickly.
"Got it!" the three phantoms answered in unison.
Xiaoxiao stayed by his side while the other two flew off.
The square began to empty, people flooding out.
Under the magical enhancements, the crowd was fired up and passionately discussing clearing rebels and reclaiming the land from the undead.
Wu Heng listened through the window.
Boom~!
Suddenly, a loud explosion came from outside the window.
Wu Heng immediately went into combat mode. Xiaoxiao flew back and said, "Uncle, it's the direction the Second Prince's carriage went. Did someone fall for the trap?"
"Not sure," Wu Heng replied, peering out the window toward the sound.
Smoke was already rising in the distance.
"Should we check it out?" Xiaoxiao asked.
"No need. It's probably the ones who attacked the Prince's mansion earlier. Glenda and Benny are there. We don't need to get involved."
"Okay!" Xiaoxiao nodded but still floated up a bit higher to watch from afar.
...…
Half an hour later—
Glenda returned.
She said, "The carriage was ambushed by a group in black robes. The stand-in is dead. But… we saw someone familiar."
"Someone familiar?" Wu Heng frowned.
"See for yourself."
Glenda entered his body, sharing the vision.
In the chaos of battle—
A cloaked woman exhaled a puff of smoke, which turned into a pack of charging beasts attacking the guards.
It was her!
The witch from the Divine Punishment Sect.