Chapter 830, The Cursed Doll
The old man understood what was implied and turned to say a few more words to the villagers behind him.
They hurried home and brought out some copper and silver coins, pooling them together.
The old man brought the money over.
The squad captain reached out and took it, counted the silver coins, weighed the pouch of copper, and said, "Let them go."
The villagers on the ground were released, their whip-scarred bodies helped away by others.
The captain pulled out a few wanted posters and tossed them to the old man who handed over the money, saying coldly, "These are official warrants—two men and one woman. Height and characteristics listed. Watch for outsiders."
The old man quickly picked them up, nodding repeatedly.
He ordered the posters be put up on the most visible wall in the square.
The posters had no detailed portraits, only silhouettes of different black-robed figures and skill descriptions.
After wrapping things up—
The guards and gang members started walking out, with the villagers following behind.
They noisily walked to the village gate and saw three men and a woman carrying firewood.
The guards and gang members narrowed their eyes, especially scanning the woman carefully.
"Still missed a few. Test their levels—anyone above level 5, take them," the captain ordered with a wave.
The villagers' faces turned grim.
Why did they have to come back at this time?
Walking right into the net!
Following the order, guards and gang members approached with a level-testing crystal. "Hold it."
The three men looked upset but still complied under pressure.
Two showed level 5, one was level 6.
The guards and gang members sneered. "Wasn't expecting that."
Then they held the crystal in front of the woman. "Hold it."
Viola's eyes narrowed as she looked at the crystal.
The three villagers, who had dropped their firewood and been restrained, shouted, "She's not from our village! Why are you grabbing her?"
"She's from the city. You can't control her!"
From the city?
The captain's head snapped up, eyes scrutinizing her.
His gaze flicked to the wanted posters on the wall. His expression shifted.
He said, "If she's not local, forget it. It's chaotic out there lately. Don't wander too far."
"Thank you for the reminder, sir," Viola replied with a smile, then pulled out some silver coins. "This is their money."
The captain accepted it. "Let them go."
The guards and gang members were stunned, giving the captain odd looks.
Since when was he this easygoing?
The three villagers were released.
The guards walked off without another word.
......
After the soldiers left—
The villagers immediately gathered around, asking the three what happened.
Upon learning they met Viola on the road, many looked confused.
The elder who had been speaking with the soldiers, likely the village chief, forced a smile. "Thank you, miss. We'll return the money as soon as we can."
Viola smiled. "I'd like to rest here for a night. Consider it payment for the lodging."
"Such a small place doesn't need that much."
"Then I'll collect next time I pass by."
The village chief smiled with his wrinkled face. "I'll get your room ready."
"Alright."
They walked to the village center. The chief gave her a private room.
He also sent someone to prepare dinner.
Once the villagers left, Viola shut the door tightly and opened the window to glance outside.
She turned into smoke and flew out.
......
In the dense forest—
Once out of the village's line of sight, the squad veered off-road, heading straight into the forest.
The path was rough, and their pace quickened. The lower-level gang members began to sweat.
"Captain, why the rush?" someone called.
"Get back early, split the loot early."
The captain glanced back and quickened his pace.
Thinking about that woman at the gate, something didn't feel right.
Their mission—
Officially to conscript villagers, but really to post wanted posters around.
Nilari City had been attacked—with heavy casualties, so they heard.
They were just here to squeeze commoners for profit.
Who actually wanted to catch those targets?
They weren't even capable.
Still, running into that woman at the gate—too suspicious.
Couldn't be a coincidence… right?
He hoped not.
Rustle rustle~!
Suddenly, movement sounded from the bushes behind them.
Everyone stopped and looked back.
The next second, several beasts made of smoke lunged from the brush, killing everyone.
Then the smoke reformed into 'Viola'. She looked at the corpses littering the ground.
"I was in a foul mood. Sucks to be you."
She bent down to take their money pouches, then swept up the corpses and stored them in her spatial ring.
She turned into smoke again and returned to the village.
......
Zombie world, monitoring room.
On the satellite phone, Li Yanhong's voice came through. "Hello?"
"It's me. Where are you?" Wu Heng asked.
"Central plaza. Want me to come over?" Li Yanhong replied.
Wu Heng checked the time—if she came, it would be dark.
Plus, he needed to return to the other world to keep playing the role of the Second Prince. He had to stay there for now.
Wu Heng said, "I'll visit in a couple of days."
"Alright."
Wu Heng continued, "Quick question. Is there anywhere in Xinfu City left with zombies to clear?"
Aside from killing the Second Prince, his biggest gain this time was the 'Ghost Train Ticket Machine'.
Even though he had the [Conductor's Hat], the machine's tickets could be used by his subordinates.
So the plan included collecting remnant souls and studying ticket production.
Li Yanhong paused, then replied, "There's nothing left in the city. But maybe some surrounding villages. I'll have someone check. I'll let you know."
Xinfu City, being the starting city, had the cleanest zombie sweep.
You couldn't even find a missed spot now.
"Got it," Wu Heng nodded.
They chatted a bit about the base.
After wrapping up, he hung up.
Then Wu Heng pulled out five spatial rings and began unpacking them.
The rings belonged to the five imprisoned 18th-level Professionals—he hadn't checked them until now.
Daily goods, coin pouches, property deeds, scrolls, potions—a wide range.
He pushed the mundane stuff aside.
His eyes landed on a bronze-rusted oil lamp.
[Soul-Chasing Lantern (Exotic Item)]
[Effect: Tracks a target.]
[Side Effect: Consumes vitality.]
(Description: Blow to ignite the wick, then drip in blood, hair, or other body tissue to reveal the target's location.)
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow.
So this was the Exotic Item the assassins used to find the Second Prince.
Its function was similar to his own 'Tracking Pendant'—both used to locate targets.
Even the side effects were similar.
The pendant required a blood drop, the lantern consumed vitality.
Why do all tracking tools need blood?
The difference was the method: the pendant required clothing or belongings; the lantern used blood, hair, or body parts.
Still, it gave him another way to track targets.
Though the 'blow to ignite' part felt odd—people usually blow out a flame, not light it.
"What is that, Uncle?" Xiaoxiao flew over curiously.
The other two looked over too.
The three wraiths had just finished sorting the other loot—scrolls and coins in separate piles.
"It's an Exotic Item. You burn someone's hair or blood to track them," Wu Heng said, holding up the lantern.
Glenda muttered, "So that's what the assassins used to find the Second Prince?"
"Should be."
"Then how'd they get his hair?" Xiaoxiao asked.
Wu Heng shook his head. "No idea."
Glenda said, "Doesn't matter how. Just be careful out there—don't leave hair behind."
"Might as well seal me in concrete. I can't even shed hair now?" Wu Heng grumbled.
"If it falls out, pick it up," Glenda replied.
Xiaoxiao and Beni giggled nearby.
After sorting all the loot—
Wu Heng stored it by category into his spatial rings.
"Get back in—we're heading out."
The three wraiths entered his body, and Wu Heng opened a Realm Gate and stepped through.
......
Back at the Princess Residence, it was already dusk.
After letting the three wraiths out for free activity, Wu Heng washed his face and went downstairs wearing the mask.
After going downstairs—
The princess rose and said, "Your Highness, dinner is ready. It includes a few of your favorite dishes."
"Let's go."
They walked into the dining room together. Dinner had already been served on the table.
Since there were always servants nearby, Wu Heng kept his mask on the entire time.
Their conversation was just casual small talk, nothing serious.
After dinner—
The servants cleared all the dishes.
Wu Heng returned to the bedroom with her.
Two maids were making the bed in the room.
The princess said, "You may all go rest. We won't need you tonight."
"Yes!" The maids all left.
Only the two of them were left in the bedroom.
Wu Heng took off the mask, sat at the table, and poured himself a cup of tea.
He looked carefully at the princess who had forcibly signed a contract.
She didn't look very old, around 20, about shoulder height to Wu Heng.
Slim figure, good-looking face.
To become a princess, her looks were certainly above average.
Opposite him, the princess noticed his stare and blushed, lowering her head.
Wu Heng looked away and asked, "How old are you?"
"22."
"What about the Second Prince?"
"34," the princess replied.
The Second Prince was already 34?
Didn't really look like it.
He had expected him to be younger.
Wu Heng asked again, "How old is the First Prince?"
The princess said, "I'm not sure exactly, but probably over 45."
The First Prince was over 40, Second Prince 34, the Fifth Princess probably in her 20s.
The old king sure had energy.
The age gap was huge.
"What exactly happened in the kingdom? How did it end up like this?" Wu Heng asked.
He had pieced together bits of info from outside sources.
But whether it was accurate or not, he couldn't be sure.
The princess frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "I don't know the details. I only heard that suddenly it was said the First Prince killed the old king, and then Clifford took us out of the royal city and occupied this place."
Wu Heng paused, realizing that Clifford was the Second Prince's name.
"You're a princess and you don't know anything?" Wu Heng was surprised.
"They needed a princess, and I just happened to fit the role," the princess said with a bitter smile, then added, "If one day all this ends, please allow me to go outside and see the world."
"Play your part as the Second Prince's consort for now, and you can go wherever you want later."
She nodded.
Having asked what he wanted to know, Wu Heng had nothing else to inquire.
He got up, planning to rest.
Seeing him rise, the princess's body trembled. Her hands tightly gripped the bedding.
After a while, she heard footsteps heading for the door, and only then did she look up.
Wu Heng said, "Rest. I'm sleeping next door."
"You're going next door?"
Wu Heng looked at her and asked, "Are you ready?"
"N-no."
She knew what usually happened when a man and woman signed a slave contract.
She'd been mentally preparing for over a day.
Especially with the contract preventing her from harboring any resentment toward her master—so it was only a matter of time.
"Then wait until you're ready. Rest early." Wu Heng opened the door and walked out.
The princess also stepped to the doorway, listening as the next room's door opened and closed.
Her heart was still pounding.
Apparently, the man she signed the contract with wasn't as cruel as she had imagined.
......
Buzz buzz buzz~!
The piercing roar of an engine shattered the silence of the night.
Under the silver moonlight, a black motorcycle roared past and stopped before an old mansion.
Lilith, dressed in a black leather jacket and black boots, took off her helmet and tossed back her messy long hair.
She hung the helmet on the handlebar and stepped into the mansion.
Ding-a-ling~!
As the door opened, a pleasant chime rang out.
A scent of old wood immediately filled the air.
Thud thud~!
Footsteps echoed from the wooden stairs leading upstairs.
A gnome wearing a monocle slowly descended and bowed respectfully, "Leader Lilith."
As he spoke, he snapped his fingers.
A round table with eight legs crawled over from afar. Next came stiffly moving puppets carrying teacups and pastries, placing them on the table.
Lilith nodded and said, "Is my order ready?"
"Of course!" The gnome pulled out a large gift box, placed it on the table, and lifted the black silk to reveal a delicately crafted doll.
"This item you ordered—I gave it my all. It can meet all your requirements, including hosting a wraith."
The gnome spoke with a hint of madness in his tone.
Clatter~!
Lilith casually tossed over a pouch of gold coins and picked up the gift box. "It'd better work as well as you say."
"Even with my bad reputation, I'd never dare lie to Leader Lilith," the gnome said, speeding up to follow her as she left. A horde of puppets clattered behind.
He continued, "Leader, the vehicle you left out front—is it an Exotic Item or a new tool? Would you mind letting me study it a bit? Its structure looks quite special."
"Maybe I'll introduce you to the maker sometime."
Lilith walked straight out of the mansion without turning back.
Under the gaze of the gnome and the strange puppets, she put on her helmet and mounted the motorcycle.
Vroom~!
With a single rev, the bike roared away.
In the blink of an eye, she vanished into the night.
......
Two days later.
Council Hall.
The Chief Minister and Commander-in-Chief rushed in.
The Commander saluted and said, "Your Highness, the soldier who went to Nilari City to deliver intel has returned."
"What's the situation over there?" Wu Heng asked.
The Commander frowned, his expression grave. "On the day you left, three Level-18 Professionals led troops out of the city to pursue enemies and have not returned. The remaining Level-18 Professional in the city also left the next day citing personal matters—and all valuables in his residence were cleared out."
Wu Heng's eyes narrowed—first shock, then anger and fear.
His voice trembled. "How could this happen!"
Those three who left the city—he had captured and locked in prison.
The one who stayed likely got scared and ran.
The Chief Minister quickly said, "Your Highness, please stay calm. We'll find a way if you keep your head."
Wu Heng took a deep breath and sat back down.
The Commander continued, "Your Highness, another message—the envoy from Rentam City has arrived. He's been placed in a tavern in Nilari City."