Chapter 824, A New Plan
Wu Heng shot her a glare.
"You actually believed what those people in the tavern said?!"
Most of Beni's intel came from her time working at taverns.
And she had really bought into the rumor that the Second Prince liked men.
Glenda laughed and said, "I don't know whether he liked men or not, but there's definitely a woman in that residence they call the consort. The Second Prince wouldn't be hiding another prince's woman, right?"
"She should be his wife. The Second Prince isn't young. For a human, it's only natural to have a family by now," Wu Heng reasoned. He continued, "Only one consort?"
With the consort here, some things became easier to infer.
The Second Prince was in Nirali City, while his family was kept here, likely to protect them from danger.
"Only her and a few maids were found. Whether there are other family members, it's hard to say. Just judging by appearances, we can't tell if they're related to the Second Prince," Glenda explained.
Wu Heng nodded in understanding.
Glenda asked, "So what now? It's getting dark. Are you planning to sleep outside?"
"I haven't figured that out yet."
Glenda hovered in the air, thought a moment, then said, "You could try pretending to be the Second Prince. If that doesn't work, then we come up with something else."
"Pretend to be the Second Prince and return to this city?"
"Yes. Say the Second Prince escaped an ambush in Nirali City and made it back here. It normally takes three days to travel between the two cities. The news won't travel that fast," Glenda said as she floated in a circle.
Wu Heng thought about it. It might be worth a shot.
"Let's ask the corpse first. Better to clarify before entering."
The three wraiths nodded.
Wu Heng pulled the corpses back out.
He used the Faceless Mask to replicate the Second Prince's face.
Then he cast [Speak with Dead] on the prince's corpse.
The dead body sat up, eyes turning toward them.
......
Wu Heng asked, "What agreement did you make with the Secret Cult?"
The corpse answered, "They provided funds and personnel to help me claim the throne. Once I became king, we would jointly govern the Kingdom."
As expected—it was the Secret Cult's Kirin Path plan.
The Secret Cult used all kinds of methods to place their own people or proxies in control of nations or powers, aiming for full influence.
Wu Heng remembered Beni once saying there were rumors the Second Prince had no real interest in the throne.
His focus had been entirely on arts and culture.
But then he suddenly started competing with the First Prince, and it turned into an all-out fight. That had to be the Secret Cult manipulating things.
Next question: "Aside from the Secret Cult members who boarded the train with you, were there others?"
"In Nirali City—the Finance Officer and the City Minister."
Wu Heng asked, "If I want to impersonate you and enter Sidi City, what should I watch out for?"
The corpse replied, "As planned, wear the royal crest on your chest and claim to be a relative of Minister Edwin."
Wu Heng nodded, then asked, "Who are the main leaders in Sidi City?"
"Minister Edwin and Commander Russell."
One last question:
"What are the names of your family members in the city?"
The corpse answered, "My wife, Natalia."
With the five questions asked, the corpse lay back down.
......
Glenda asked, "Why didn't you ask about Nirali City's officials?"
"Still got three more Secret Cult corpses. They were officials in the city for a long time. I'll question them when I need to," Wu Heng replied.
"As long as you've thought it through," Glenda said indifferently.
Wu Heng found a fresh robe among the Second Prince's clothes, put it on, and said as he donned the mask, "Glenda, possess one of the cultist corpses. Let's coordinate."
Glenda glanced at the remaining corpses and cast [Possess Corpse].
With a sickening crack, the body slowly stood, its bones creaking into place.
After a while, the movements looked natural.
She rubbed her forehead and said, "Next time, don't hit the head. It's hard to cover up."
After using [Possess Corpse], the bullet wound in the forehead had been repaired.
But a noticeable dent could still be felt.
Like crushed bone barely covered by skin.
"I'll be more careful next time," Wu Heng said.
He stored the rest of the corpses, rumpled the clothing, and headed quickly toward the city wall.
......
Whoosh whoosh~!
Two arrows flew from the wall and struck the ground ahead.
"Who goes there? The gate is closed. Come back tomorrow."
The guards shouted.
Wu Heng, now disguised as the Second Prince, held up the royal crest in one hand and a Lightstone in the other. He shouted, "We are with the Kingdom! Relatives of Minister Edwin! Go get him!"
The guards on the wall whispered among themselves.
One shouted, "Wait there!"
Wu Heng and Glenda halted in silence.
About half an hour later, more soldiers appeared on the wall, including a middle-aged man who leaned over, squinting down.
He called out, "Bring the Lightstone closer so I can see your face."
Xiaoxiao whispered in Wu Heng's ear, "Uncle, he's level 12."
Level 12—not bad.
That would place him around the level of a local Steward.
Wu Heng raised the Lightstone, revealing his anxious and exhausted expression.
Creak~!
The gates opened. Guards surged out.
The man from earlier came walking quickly, scrutinizing Wu Heng and the possessed cultist body Glenda was using.
"Let us in," Wu Heng said solemnly.
"Very well," the man nodded slightly.
They were escorted into the city.
A carriage took them to a mansion in the city center.
A moment later, a burly commander in armor entered.
"Your Highness!" he saluted.
Wu Heng sat in a chair, rubbing his temples. "Nirali City was attacked by multiple level-18 Professionals. Send people to investigate and let them know I'm safe. We can't risk morale collapsing."
Hearing of such a siege, the two men tensed.
But hearing he wanted scouts sent to Nirali City eased their suspicions.
The commander said, "Understood. I'll dispatch them at once."
He left to issue orders, then returned.
The minister asked, "Your Highness, do we know who the attackers were? Should we increase security here?"
"They were likely sent by the royal capital. I returned secretly, so they shouldn't know I'm here. Increase defenses, but keep it subtle."
"Yes, understood," they both nodded.
Wu Heng sighed and said, "Don't worry. They won't follow me here. I'll rest for now. We can plan tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Highness," they said and bowed.
Wu Heng rose and walked toward his quarters with Glenda, still discussing strategy.
......
Inside the residence.
Wu Heng had a maid prepare bathwater and stepped into the study.
Thanks to the wraiths scouting ahead, he already knew the layout. No risk of entering the wrong room.
He exhaled deeply in the study.
Loosened the stiff collar.
These noble outfits got uncomfortable after wearing them too long.
The door opened.
A young woman with chestnut hair entered. She was tall and striking.
"Your Highness."
Wu Heng eyed her outfit and the space ring on her hand. "Natalia."
Her eyes narrowed. "I heard Your Highness was in danger. Are you injured?"
Wu Heng was just about to reply—
When a longsword appeared in her hand.
With the grace of a hawk, she lunged forward, blade swinging down.