Chapter 386: The Woman Who Followed Inside
The pursuing figure halted in their steps.
She looked ahead with a hint of surprise.
She had been curious why he suddenly turned into the alleyway. It turned out he noticed her following him and was waiting for her to catch up.
Standing at the entrance of the alley, she directly said, "That artifact was sold by me."
Wu Heng looked at the figure who had followed him.
She wore a hood, its brim pulled low. Through the gaps on either side, strands of golden hair were visible.
Her voice was feminine, and she seemed young.
He had initially thought she might be an alchemist from the consortium since a staff member had just passed along a message, saying someone wanted to speak with him.
Clearly, he had guessed wrong.
She was likely the person from the auction ship who had made a verbal agreement with him.
"You've been waiting here for me?" Wu Heng asked curiously.
"I saw you cancel the commission."
"Our deal is done. What else do you want?" Wu Heng's tone was still somewhat hostile.
Following someone wasn't exactly a friendly act.
"I apologize for my earlier actions," the woman said, bowing slightly. "I know you wish to keep your identity hidden, so I didn't approach you within the consortium. I followed you out because I wanted to talk."
"Talk about what?"
She continued, "I just wanted to confirm how I could continue exchanging for this potion in the future."
Wu Heng looked at her in confusion. "This potion has usage limits for individuals. It can't be taken indefinitely. Buying too much would be pointless."
"I understand. But if I want to exchange again, how can I find you?" the woman asked again.
"You can continue posting a commission with the consortium. I'll check in from time to time," Wu Heng replied.
"Can you give me a specific address? I can bring the items directly to you."
Wu Heng said bluntly, "Potion-making isn't as simple as you think. Let's just use the consortium. I'll keep an eye on it."
"I see… Very well. If the exchange terms don't satisfy you, you can have the consortium contact me, and we can renegotiate."
"That works."
"Then I won't disturb you further," she said, giving a noble curtsy before retreating from the alley.
Returning to the Mermaid Tavern.
Wu Heng watched her leave and continued walking a bit further.
Along the way, he cast [Eagle Eye Spell] and sent Glenda to scout, ensuring no one else was following him.
He flagged down a passing carriage and headed toward the city outskirts.
Selling the potion this time wasn't just to trade for the artifact.
He also wanted to gauge external attitudes toward the potion.
The alchemist who examined it seemed quite interested but didn't exhibit the exaggerated enthusiasm he had expected.
The woman just now likely came from a distinguished background.
She must be facing some kind of hardship, requiring this potion.
He decided to return in a while to see if there might be further opportunities for trades involving artifacts or tools.
The carriage eventually reached the city gate.
Wu Heng disembarked and began walking toward the outskirts.
Finding a secluded spot, he boarded the ghost train to return to Golden-Silver Island.
...…
Upon returning to Golden-Silver Island, it was already near dusk.
After dining with his two maids, he went from the rooftop to "Shanaila's" residence.
As soon as he descended the roof, the housekeeper appeared from ahead.
Wu Heng paused, sensing his method of arrival might be misconstrued.
Just as he was about to explain, the housekeeper bowed slightly, "Master Wu Heng!"
"Where's Shanaila?"
"Madam is in the study. Are you staying over tonight?" the housekeeper asked further.
"Yes."
"The guards have been adjusted. If you're staying, please leave before breakfast to avoid causing any undue misunderstandings for Madam."
"Got it," Wu Heng nodded and walked straight to the study.
Pushing open the door slightly, he saw Shanaila sitting at her desk, seemingly lost in thought.
Upon seeing him enter, her absent-minded expression turned into one of delight.
Barefooted, she ran over and threw herself into his arms.
"You're back!"
"Yeah. I saw your housekeeper in the hallway. She told me to leave before breakfast," Wu Heng said.
Shanaila tilted her head up at him. "You could also stay in the room without going out, and no one would know."
Wu Heng smiled, lifting her up and placing her on the desk, kissing her deeply.
The hem of her skirt slid down the desk edge, swaying rhythmically.
[Summoned Entity – Skeleton Mage: Skill "Raise Skeleton" unlocked.]
Huh?
Before he could think further, Shanaila asked, "What's wrong?"
Wu Heng smiled, gently caressing her cheek. "You're stunning."
"Why say such things now? Honestly!" Shanaila turned her head away bashfully.
...…
The next morning.
Wu Heng returned from Shanaila's residence.
After coming downstairs and having breakfast with his two maids.
He headed back to the fourth floor.
In his study, he opened a portal to the zombie world.
He arrived again in the manager's lounge, standing by the window, gazing outside.
As the weather grew colder, the winds carried sand and fallen leaves, swirling about.
Previously, this hadn't been a concern, as there were people to clean the streets.
But now, with insufficient manpower, the streets were littered with dry, yellow leaves flying everywhere.
Without summoning Qi Hancai, he went straight downstairs and rode a wyvern to the old factory zone.
A journey still just a few minutes long.
As the wyvern landed on the rooftop, Wu Heng dismounted and spat out sand from his mouth.
He descended the roof.
Entering his quarters.
Inside, the skeleton mage "Kalema" sat at a desk, already engrossed in another book.
Wu Heng approached and glanced at the skeleton's skills.
The skill bar, previously showing only [Sustenance Spell], now included [Raise Skeleton (Subordinate)].
Kalema had indeed learned Raise Skeleton.
The "subordinate" designation signified its status as a bound summon, remaining under Wu Heng's command.
Kalema, being a level 15 mage, had clear intellectual advantages.
His skill-learning pace wasn't slow.
Wu Heng recalled the skeletal witches he had transformed earlier, who struggled to learn any skills.
Eventually, he abandoned them, leaving them behind in the prison.
Without taking Kalema out immediately, he stepped outside, heading downstairs.
On the third floor, he encountered "Zhao Yanqiu," Xiaoxiao's mother, carrying a lunchbox upstairs.
She paused in surprise before smiling, "My King!"
"Just had a meal?"
"The factory cafeteria serves at fixed times. Have you come with instructions this time?" Zhao Yanqiu asked.
"Nothing in particular. Just here to check on things."
"Wait a moment," she said, placing the lunchbox back in her room before returning. "I'll accompany you to take a look."
Wu Heng nodded and proceeded downstairs.
Together, they toured the factory's front and back courtyards.
The entire old factory zone was now under Zhao Yanqiu's management, primarily handling production.
From skeleton weaponry to winter clothing for survivors, as well as solid iron bullets produced at the forge.
It essentially functioned as the base's factory.
It played a crucial role.
Zhao Yanqiu provided a thorough briefing while Wu Heng listened.
Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly.
Returning to his quarters.
Wu Heng summoned Xiaoxiao, allowing her to visit her mother.
Meanwhile, he chatted with Glenda inside the room.
...…
"Why do you think your husband is still alive?" Wu Heng asked the ghost floating in the air, curious.
"It's something I've analyzed over the years after my death. Early in our marriage, he was obsessed with books about altering human lifespans or constitutions. I suspect he survived and hope he hasn't died so easily," Glenda explained.
In her story…
She was murdered by her husband in their basement, followed by him setting the building ablaze.
That was the manor Wu Heng encountered her in.
At the time, Glenda agreed to accompany him on the condition that if they encountered her husband, he would help kill him.
Today, Glenda had been reading a book about husbands killing their wives to monopolize wealth, which brought the conversation to this point.
"If he did survive, his power would likely have reached considerable heights," Wu Heng remarked.
"You'll help me, won't you? We agreed on this," Glenda leaned closer, staring into his eyes.
Wu Heng responded directly, "Of course I'll help. Just don't go soft like the women in novels, forgiving him and getting back together or something."