Chapter 717
Chapter 717
At the same time, beneath the Henderson family estate in Hasen City, the Hall of Eternity–which was once bustling with guests has stood easily en for the past two days.
In the secret chamber, the Henderson family’s butler stood nervously aside.
He spoke humbly. “Master, Lord Beard has sent someone to inquire again. He says his supply of Immortality Pills is running low and asks when n you might reopen the Hall of Eternity?”
Due to the recent crackdown on foreign spies, Fletcher lost several of his key operatives.
With things so tense right now, no one dared to draw too much attention.
Naturally, the Henderson family’s Hall of Eternity beneath their estate had to be temporarily shut down as well
“No way! Not now! The heat’s still on, what’s his damn hurry?” Fletcher held a scalpel in one hand and waved the other impatiently.
“Tell him I say wait. Can’t wait? Then let him die,” he added.
The butler discreetly wiped the sweat from his brow; he wouldn’t dare deliver such a blunt reply.
Seeing Fletcher completely absorbed in arranging the corpse parts on the table, he decided to change the subject.
“My lord, there’s been some movement at Lord Mowbay’s estate these past two days, just as you instructed us to keep watch,” he reported.
“So he really did go after Dale?” Fletcher asked, his tone sharp.
“My lord, your foresight is truly remarkable,” the butler replied respectfully. “Lord Mowbay has nearly wiped out the Nevill family, but it seems one survivor managed to escape and fled to Mount Westin just outside the city.”
“Who?” Fletcher snapped, finally pausing what he was doing.
He frowned and said, “Since when did that old fool, Lord Mowbay, become so damn useless? Can’t even finish off a few people properly.”
His scowl deepened. ‘And to think he even let someone escape to Mount Westin.‘
‘Mount Westin? Of all places?!‘ Fletcher thought, his frown deepening.
‘That’s the one spot both the King and the Prince Nolan have their eyes on.
‘Letting someone escape there, isn’t that just asking for more trouble?!
And to top it off, there’s that damn troublesome girl hiding out in there, too.‘
Fletcher pinched the bridge of his nose. “So, what’s the latest from the Duke’s estate? Any new movements?”
The butler shook his head respectfully. “My lord, our men aren’t capable enough to dig up more. The estate seems to have quieted down, though whether His Grace has truly given up the chase remains unclear.”
Fletcher sneered coldly. “With Lord Mowbay’s vindictive nature, how could he possibly stay calm after such a major blunder?”
He stroked his beard thoughtfully, then ordered, “Send word to Her Ladyship. Have her keep tabs on his movements in the palace and report any developments immediately.”
“At once, my lord,” the butler replied.
After the butler withdrew, Fletcher picked up his scalpel again. He measured the corpse parts on the table, then sliced off the uneven edges with a
1/3
Chapter 717
precise cut.
Next, he brought over the other pieces, aligned them carefully, and snapped them into place with a sharp “crack.”
A grotesque, fist–sized parasite immediately leaped onto the body, using its razor–sharp fangs and viscous saliva to swiftly suture and fuse the sections, us together.
When the work was finally done, Fletcher pressed a hand to his aching back as he rose, a complete corpse finally took shape before him.
If Eliza had been here, she would have immediately recognized that the upper half of this stitched–together corpse was none other than Sophie’s, the very part that Raisa had forcibly taken from her.
Fletcher muttered to himself, “All the pieces are in place, but who knows if this corpse can really be brought back to life.”
He set down his tools, washed the blood from his hands, then accepted a towel from a mute attendant to wipe them clean.
Returning to the corpse, he commanded, “Bring it here.”
Another mute servant carefully approached, holding a lacquered wooden box.
Fletcher opened the box, took out a fingernail–sized black parasite, and placed it right between the corpse’s brows.
The moment the parasite touched flesh, it instantly burrowed beneath the skin and vanished completely.
In the end, only a tiny blood spot remained at the center of the corpse’s brow.
Fletcher waited in silence for about fifteen minutes before making another move,
This time, he gripped the corpse’s throat and snapped harshly, “Wake up now!”
The corpse responded as if summoned, its eyes snapping open.
For a moment, it gave an eerie semblance of Sophie’s revival, but those eyes were utterly lifeless, devoid of any spark.
Awake, yet still unmistakably a corpse.
Fletcher peeled open the corpse’s eyelids with two fingers, then commanded the parasite to conduct a thorough inspection from head to toe. Only after verifying everything was in order did he finally ease his vigilance.
“This corpse is controlled by corpse–controlling parasites, but it’ll only last at most three months,” Fletcher murmured to himself. “To truly refine it into an corpse puppet, only Master could do that.”
Suddenly, he spoke up. “Have you found any trace of him?”
Ashadow guard emerged soundlessly behind Fletcher, as if conjured from the darkness itself.
The guard saluted and reported respectfully, “Master Thorne’s whereabouts remain unknown. However, we recently uncovered a lead; about a hundred miles outside the capital, someone spotted a venerable monk carrying a staff. Based on the witness’s description, it’s high likely to be him.”
Fletcher’s eyes blazed with excitement at those words. He cried out with delight, “Is Master Thorne coming to Hasen City?”
The shadow guard hesitated, unsure, and dared not answer.
However, Fletcher didn’t need his reply.
Just the thought of Master Thorne’s arrival sent Fletcher into a frenzy, he clapped his hands with glee and paced excitedly. “If Master Thorne is truly on his way… then nothing can stop what’s coming.”
“Go now, have our men ready everything outside the city. I’ll greet Master Thorne myself when he arrives.” Fletcher was practically buzzing with
2/3
Chapter 717
anticipation.
He turned to go but stopped at the door, barking over his shoulder at the mute servant. “Get her cleaned up, dressed properly, and brought back hard ha
The mute servant gave a silent nod.
After Fletchere left, the mute servant finally approached the stone slab. She reached out to lift the corpse, but suddenly sensed something was off.
The mute servant froze mid–motion.
‘Did… did the corpse’s eyes just flicker?‘ she wondered, a chill running down her spine.
