Chapter 221, Keep the Sun in the Sky

Chapter 221, Keep the Sun in the Sky

After a light knock on the door, a voice from inside responded.

Wu Heng pushed the door open and walked in.

Steward Gomez was sitting behind his desk, holding a flyer and reading its contents. When he saw Wu Heng enter, he put the flyer down.

"Steward!" Wu Heng spoke first.

"I heard you assisted the Knights in dealing with the Warhammer Party," Gomez said directly.

"It was my duty."

Seeing Wu Heng admit it, a flash of surprise crossed Gomez's eyes.

After returning yesterday, some news had reached his ears.

It wasn't just that the Warhammer Party had failed.

What was most surprising was that Wu Heng had gathered tens of thousands of Rotting Corpses, defeated the Warhammer Party, and seized half of Rentam City.

Becoming the lord with jurisdiction over half the city.

Since he hadn't had time to verify this information, Gomez hadn't fully believed it.

Now that Wu Heng confirmed it, the truth of the matter was settled.

After being away for only a few days, the newest squad leader in the Guild hadn't died on the battlefield. Instead, he had resolved the incident and gained control over half a city.

Even after confirming it, it was still hard to believe.

Gomez glanced again at the flyer on his desk and said, "Tell me what happened that day."

Wu Heng briefly explained the situation and how the city lord relinquished half the city.

As for Gomez running away for several days, Wu Heng didn't comment.

He didn't like that approach, but if he had known about the Warhammer Party's attack in advance.

He might have chosen to flee the city for a few days and then return as well.

"Quite a lot happened," Gomez said with some emotion.

Wu Heng continued, "Steward, our squad killed the leader of the Warhammer Party and two key members. Since they were turned into undead servants, the coroner said it would require your confirmation."

Hearing that Wu Heng's squad had killed Skull-Crusher, Gomez's eyes narrowed again.

Skull-Crusher was killed by him?

Does he have the strength to defeat a fourth-tier powerhouse?

Gomez began to doubt if Wu Heng's background was really what it seemed.

Killing the leader of the Warhammer Party didn't seem like something a squad leader from a small town could do.

Though he had his doubts, his expression didn't change much, and he said, "Alright, bring in your undead servants."

Gomez called for the coroner, and Wu Heng had the three Orc Skeletons enter.

After a series of comparisons and checks.

Gomez said, "No issues, report it to the Guild. Credit goes to Squad 12."

"Yes, Steward!" The coroner nodded and left.

......

Gomez gestured for Wu Heng to sit down.

He asked, "Now that you're a city lord, what are your plans?"

Wu Heng didn't expect him to ask that and replied, "No plans yet, I'll take it one step at a time."

Gomez nodded, "The Guild doesn't interfere with members' lives, but you should manage your roles as both a squad leader and a city lord."

"Understood."

"Good, we're all part of the Guild. If you need any help, feel free to ask," Gomez added.

It was as if Gomez had become a different person.

In the past, his conversations with Wu Heng were mostly about assigning tasks, often in a commanding tone.

Even when Wu Heng's squad took down several wanted criminals, Gomez hadn't paid much attention.

Now, he seemed more like a leader looking out for his subordinate, full of warmth and kindness.

It made Wu Heng feel a bit uneasy.

"Thank you, Steward. If I need anything, I'll ask."

"You've earned a second-tier merit. I'll recommend you to the Guild for promotion to Deputy Steward. Any place you'd like to be assigned?" Gomez continued.

Wu Heng glanced at him, surprised he would bring this up.

A Steward's recommendation was an important path to promotion.

"I haven't thought about it yet. My level and strength haven't met the requirements," Wu Heng said.

"Take your time. You're still young, and the future belongs to people like you," Gomez replied.

They exchanged a few casual words.

A squad leader from another team knocked and entered the room.

He glanced at the two inside.

"Steward, Captain Wu Heng."

Gomez nodded, "Wu Heng, you can go now. I'll notify you if there are any tasks."

"Alright." Wu Heng agreed, nodded to the other captain, and left the room.

After closing the door, he could faintly hear them discussing wanted criminals.

......

Returning to the squad's lounge.

The other two members were sitting inside.

"Captain, how'd it go?" Duke asked directly.

"Everything's fine. I reported the Warhammer Party incident to the Steward, and our squad will receive the merit," Wu Heng replied.

Hearing this, the other three members smiled with joy.

One second-tier merit and two third-tier merits— even if it was just recorded as a supporting kill, it would make their resumes look impressive.

A promotion to captain in the future would be no problem.

"It's all thanks to you, Captain. We're just riding your coattails," Duke said, scratching his head and flattering him.

The others chimed in with agreement.

"Alright, everyone contributed," Wu Heng said, then turned to the swordsman in leather armor, "Gaul Bory!"

"Captain!"

Gaul Bory had lucked into these merits.

He had joined the squad with an agenda, and within just a few days, he had racked up several merits.

He was probably the fastest in the Guild to accumulate merits.

It was the kind of luck that no one would believe if they heard about it.

"The compensation money is in. Go to the front desk and collect it, then take it to Burke's family. You don't need to say much, just give them the money," Wu Heng said.

"Got it, Captain."

Wu Heng glanced at the others, "Alright, nothing much going on in the Guild. Go home, share the good news with your families, and celebrate."

"Thanks, Captain."

The group thanked him and left the Guild.

......

After leaving the Guild.

Wu Heng walked straight to the Snake Emblem Consortium across the street.

Entering the lounge.

Lecia followed him inside.

She raised an eyebrow, "What brings the city lord here today?"

"Just wanted to see you," Wu Heng said with a smile.

"Yeah, right."

"Any news on the skill book acquisition?" Wu Heng asked.

Lecia sat down, her slender neck adorned with the gold necklace Wu Heng had given her.

It made her skin look even more radiant.

"The Warhammer Party incident just ended. It'll take a while. I'll let you know when I hear something."

Wu Heng nodded, not surprised.

Gomez had just returned, so the collection of items would take even longer.

"I want to ask you about someone."

"Information comes at a price."

"That's fine." Wu Heng leaned in and said, "Momlo, probably a noble from the inner city."

Lecia frowned, thought for a moment, then shook her head, "Never heard of him. I could put out a request and have others gather the information."

Putting out a request would mean everyone, including 'Momlo' himself, would know about it.

Wu Heng didn't want that to happen yet.

"No need, I was just asking. If you don't know, that's fine… You don't charge for not knowing, right?"

"No charge, really, and you're supposed to be a city lord!"

Wu Heng continued chatting with her, making small talk.

Then he shifted the conversation, "About that map we used to pick shop locations last time, could I take another look?"

"The map?"

"Yeah, the one of Rentam City," Wu Heng clarified.

"Sure." Lecia called for someone outside, and soon a map of both the inner and outer city was spread across the table.

Some details might have been off, but the overall layout and streets of the city were clearly accurate.

Wu Heng studied the map carefully.

Lecia sat nearby, legs crossed as she sipped tea, her pale legs lightly swinging in the air, "Checking out your jurisdiction?"

"Yep."

Wu Heng stood up, pulled out a tablet, and took a picture of the entire map.

Lecia frowned slightly and stood up to look at the tablet.

She had never seen anything that could capture a map so clearly like this.

Wu Heng put the tablet away and asked, "Do you think extending shop hours would help the city's development?"

"You mean, keeping the shops open longer?"

"Yeah, what do you think?" Wu Heng asked.

Lecia laughed, "Unless you can keep the sun in the sky."

"What if I could?"

"Then this would become the most prosperous city between the orcs and humans."

"Makes sense." Wu Heng nodded in agreement.

"By that time, if you could control the sun, would you still care whether the shops stayed open?" Lecia added.

Wu Heng shrugged, not saying much more.

After spending a little more time at the consortium, he got up and left.

......

Wu Heng returned home.

He took a nap in the bedroom.

Around dusk, Minnie and Andviel came back from outside.

They chattered excitedly about the reopening of shops that day when they saw Wu Heng at home.

Wu Heng sat and listened as they spoke.

As night approached.

Minnie and Andviel went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and Wen Mansa also returned from outside.

She smiled when she saw Wu Heng.

After dinner.

Minnie practiced her punches with Bagdong on the side.

Wu Heng sat on the sofa and said, "Wen Mansa!"

Wen Mansa poured herself a cup of tea and sat closely beside him, "What is it, Master?"

Wu Heng opened the tablet, pulled up the map he had taken earlier, and said, "I need you to arrange for people to dig some deep pits along these two main streets and erect metal pipes in them."