Chapter 825, Is This to Satisfy Some Kind of Fetish?
Wu Heng, disguised as the Second Prince, remained extremely cautious, watching her expressions closely.
The moment the long sword appeared in the Princess Consort's hand, he was already prepared to fight.
Her skirt fluttered like a butterfly as she dashed in a flash to his side.
Wu Heng ducked to dodge, raised a hand and caught her wrist, applying slight pressure. The sword clattered to the floor.
The Princess Consort winced in pain, trying to retaliate and retreat.
But her body froze in place, even her fingers unable to move.
It was like she'd lost control of her body—only her consciousness remained.
Her face could no longer stay calm, now full of fear and unease.
The person in front of her was definitely a high-level Professional.
If he'd gotten in here, it likely meant the Second Prince wasn't coming back, and her own life was in danger.
"What's your purpose?" she asked coldly.
The sweat on her forehead had soaked her bangs, plastering them to her skin.
Wu Heng didn't respond, simply stared at her in surprise.
He wasn't surprised she attacked—but surprised by the swordsmanship she used. It felt familiar.
The Grayhawk Sword Technique.
A sword technique he'd acquired back in Blackstone Town.
But over time, he'd had fewer chances to use it—it couldn't compare to firearms or spells.
So he rarely practiced it.
Only occasionally during training with the maids.
And this Princess Consort had used it as her opener.
No idea where she'd learned it.
Hearing her voice pulled Wu Heng out of his thoughts. He said, "Not planning to call the guards?"
"You just want an excuse to kill me?" she said, meeting his gaze.
Now that she was under control—
There was no more killing intent in her eyes, nor any obvious hatred.
What remained was the heaviness and unease of someone captured.
"How did you realize I wasn't the Second Prince?" Wu Heng asked.
"Just some small details," she replied, then countered, "So, the Second Prince died at your hands?"
"He's dead," Wu Heng said flatly.
Her eyes widened briefly, then returned to normal. "So, you came here just to kill me?"
"You could say that."
"There's no need to take that risk. I'm worthless in their structure. The Second Prince is dead—I naturally lose my status."
"Sounds like you two weren't close."
She gave a stiff smile. "What, want to hear royal secrets?"
"Not interested," Wu Heng replied curtly.
The Princess Consort stood frozen, eyes watching him, seemingly thinking.
Then she said, "What do I need to do to not die?"
Wu Heng raised his head. "There's no need to kill you."
"What do I have to give in exchange?"
"You seem to know the Second Prince well. I need you to help me deceive those ministers loyal to him."
"That's all? I can agree to that," she said immediately.
"I need you to sign a slave contract. You've heard of it, right? If I die, at best you'll end up a vegetable," Wu Heng explained.
"Uncle, she might not know what a vegetable is!" Xiaoxiao's voice chimed in.
The Princess Consort's eyes sharpened, her gaze scanning for the source of the voice.
Wu Heng added, "A vegetable means your soul's damaged—you'll be bedridden forever."
She didn't find the source, so she looked back. "With your strength and status, you must not lack women. Making a Princess your slave—is that to satisfy some kind of fetish?"
"Your title means nothing to me," Wu Heng said. "Be straight with me—agree or not. If you stall, I'll assume you're stalling for time."
She hesitated, then exhaled slowly. "Two conditions. One: tell me who you are. Two: promise my future status and life. Do that, and I'll agree."
She added, "With your strength, I assume you'll keep your word."
Wu Heng nodded lightly. "Fine."
......
Commander-in-Chief's Residence.
The glowstone cast a faint halo, illuminating the carpet in the center of the hall.
Shields, swords, and the kingdom's banners adorned the surrounding walls.
Commander-in-Chief Russell sat upright, watching the approaching Minister of Administration. "Edwin, didn't you leave? Why are you back again?"
Minister Edwin took a seat across from him and said, "On the way back, I kept thinking... Something about the Second Prince felt off."
Russell's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, off?"
"It was a brief meeting, so I can't pinpoint it exactly. But I've been by his side since he was young. Something's not right." Edwin frowned.
"I'll rally the men. Let's go see His Highness again."
Edwin shook his head. "This is a serious matter. His Highness returned secretly after an ambush. If my guess is wrong, a public confrontation could leak the secret. Let's go together tomorrow and confirm."
Russell was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. It's getting late anyway."
"Good. I'll head back, then." Edwin left without another word.
......
Princess Consort's Estate.
Inside the study.
After a brief exchange, the two reached an agreement.
Wu Heng took out a slave contract from his space ring. "Get ready."
The princess consort's face paled further. Even with lingering defiance in her eyes, she knew this was her only chance to survive.
She bit her lip and nodded.
Wu Heng picked up her dropped sword and lightly drew it across his finger. Drops of crimson blood fell.
He tore open the scroll and pressed his bleeding finger onto it.
The scroll absorbed the blood, drawing a strand of Wu Heng's spiritual power into her brow, branding her soul.
A glowing rune appeared on her forehead before quickly fading.
Contract complete.
The princess consort's complexion and lips turned even paler.
"Let her go," Wu Heng ordered.
Beni exited the woman's body, and the princess consort, as if losing all support, staggered.
A stark contrast from the sword-wielding fighter who first entered.
Wu Heng flicked his fingers, shooting a pill into her mouth. "Sit. Let's talk."
With the contract sealed, rules now bound her.
Her heart could no longer harbor hostility toward Wu Heng.
Cautiously standing, her gaze now carried reverence.
She sat down and asked, "My lord, can you reveal your identity now?"
Wu Heng removed his mask, revealing his true face.
The princess consort sized him up, her eyes full of confusion and doubt.
A human—so young!
"You're Prince Kurt... Luan?"
Wu Heng blinked. "You don't recognize me?"
The princess consort looked even more confused. "Have we met?"
Well, alright then.
Seems not everyone in Blackstone Town knows him.
Wu Heng introduced himself. "I'm Wu Heng. The Second Prince attacked Rentam City—my territory."
"So you killed him because of that, not because the First Prince hired you?" she raised a brow.
"He kept harassing Rentam City, even sent 18th-level assassins after my people. He had to die for peace to return." Wu Heng said.
The princess consort looked resigned. "He fought the First Prince for so long, only to die by your hand."
Wu Heng said nothing. He didn't want to dwell on it.
He asked, "How did you realize I wasn't him?"
"Your speech and behavior were too different. If you had only shown your face and left, it might've passed. But managing this city in his guise? The officials will notice—especially Minister Edwin, who was once his tutor."
Wu Heng nodded. "Summarize the key differences and tell me later how I can get by."
"Now?"
"Prepare it. I'm heading out. When I return, I'll need it all ready," Wu Heng said. "If anyone comes, cover for me."
The princess consort frowned deeply.
She didn't understand. He was impersonating the Second Prince, yet going out?
"You didn't just sign that contract to turn me into your puppet, did you?"
Wu Heng chuckled. "Depends how well you cover for me."
A wraith entered his body and shared its vision.
Wu Heng cast [Teleportation]. The magic circle formed, and he vanished.
The princess consort's eyes widened, staring at where he disappeared.
A mage?
A mage who dodged her attack at close range!
Clearly, she was out of touch. She hadn't even heard of this man before.
Knock knock knock~!
The door sounded. A servant's voice followed.
"Your Highness, the bath is ready."
The princess consort opened the door. "His Highness is resting. Do not disturb him."
"Yes." The servant bowed.
The princess consort slowly undressed and entered the bath herself.
......
Outside the city, in the deserted forest.
Pairs of ghostly green eyes stared through bushes, fixed on the figure on the road.
"Uncle, where are we going this late?"
"Back to Nilari City," Wu Heng replied.
"Which city?" Xiaoxiao asked.
Beni answered, "The one we came from."
"Oh~ Beni-jie remembers! Why does Uncle remember too?" Xiaoxiao lay on Wu Heng's shoulder, mumbling.
Wu Heng said, "I need to write the destination on the Ghost Train. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother."
"Hehe, I'm just like Uncle—don't like using my brain."
Beni pouted. "You two really are starting to look like father and daughter."
Once far from the city—
Wu Heng donned the [Conductor's Hat] and boarded the train.
He wrote Nilari City on the schedule.
The door closed. The train vanished.
......
Nilari City, outskirts.
The pitch-black night weighed heavy over the wildlands beyond the city.
Thump thump thump~!
Rapid, chaotic footsteps tore through the silence.
Soldiers clad in armor, steel blades in hand, surged like a black tide down the dirt roads.
Whoosh~!
A ranger swiftly doubled back from ahead.
Standing beside the general, he saluted. "My lord, the enemy stopped at the rocky ground ahead. Seems they're not planning to run."
The general, clad in iron armor, narrowed his eyes. "How many?"
"Still three."
"Any ambush or traps?"
The ranger hesitated. "None spotted so far. No signs of hidden forces or traps."
The general nodded and barked, "They're exhausted. Slow the march—rest while we move. Prepare for the final battle."
The troops stopped charging.
They marched in formation, recovering their stamina.
None of the enemy must escape.
......
The army approached the rocky outcrop.
In the distance, they saw the three black-robed assassins ready for battle.
One held a longsword, another a pair of swords, and the last—a woman—kept her arms hidden beneath her cloak.
"Kill them! Leave no one alive!" the general roared.
His voice thundered across the plains. The troops surged forward.
Kill!
Shouts and roars erupted as the army charged.
In the rear, three 18th-level commanders drew their weapons.
They exchanged looks—and joined the fray.
Chaos and battle cries filled the battlefield.
......
In the distance, the Ghost Train stopped.
Wu Heng stepped off.
The moment he disembarked, he heard the battle cries and saw orange torchlight ahead.
Frowning, Wu Heng released his wraiths. "Beni, go check it out."
Beni nodded and flew off.
Wu Heng followed at a steady pace.
On the way, Beni returned. "The army is slaughtering those assassins. Just ahead."
"Still fighting since this morning?"
"Looks like it. The outcome should be decided tonight," Beni said.
"How many high-level Professionals?"
"Six in total. Three black-robed assassins remain. The army has three 18th-levels, five 15th-levels, and over a hundred elite soldiers."
"Let's go. We'll take a look," Wu Heng said.
As they neared the battlefield—
The sounds of battle grew sharper.
The fighting intensified.
"Uncle, what now?" Xiaoxiao whispered.
"Charge in."
Wu Heng said, casually opening [Mansion Spell].
To Shiny and Kashu inside, he pointed toward the battlefield. "Go. Take out the high-level Professionals first."
Buzz~!
Shiny turned into a streak of light, bursting forward. Her wings flapped rapidly, her form expanding into a massive three-meter skeleton.
Massive horns aimed forward, like a flying cannonball.
She smashed into the battlefield.
Her wings stirred fierce winds, flinging dust and sand. Soldiers were tossed aside in her wake.
In a flash, she reached the center and rammed into two 18th-level Professionals mid-fight.
Boom~!
A heavy impact rang out.
Before they could react, they were sent flying, crashing into a pile of boulders with a cloud of smoke.
The battlefield froze.
All eyes stared in shock at the giant skeleton and the two 18th-levels sent flying.
Thanks to 08a for the reward