76. There are statues of you all over the world

Sitting across from He Shenyan, Strange found himself afraid to speak for a moment.

The horse-faced mage was more or less falling apart inside. How could he not know by now that Chthon had played him? Holding a funeral for someone who was still alive had a pretty dark sense of humor to it.

Fortunately, He Shenyan did not blame him.

Perhaps because he had vented his anger, the mage's expression was fairly calm now. He glanced at the uneasy Strange and sighed. "Don't look like you've done something wrong. What could I blame you for?"

"Just... be more careful with Chthon. You can only believe half of what he says. That bastard is reliable only a small fraction of the time. Most of the time, he's a hopeless idiot."

With a sigh, He Shenyan stood. He had not forgotten his promise. He still had two matters piled up on his hands.

He pulled the necklace from his neck, and the red gemstone reflected the light.

Within it was the sleeping face of a woman. He Shenyan tossed it gently upward. The necklace's chain fell away on its own, transforming into an exquisite long table, and the gemstone slowly descended, settling on top of it.

"This is...?" Strange frowned. "Wanda?"

"More or less."

He Shenyan gave an ambiguous answer. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the gemstone began to glow.

Tendrils of psychic power forcefully cut off any influence the gemstone might exert on reality. A massive amount of magic surged out of The Void, and in the span of an instant, after the light flashed, Wanda was lying on the broad long table, her brows tightly furrowed as though she were in great pain.

Then he raised his hand and brushed Wanda's forehead. Strange faintly heard a scream filled with