Chapter 447, A Bad Omen
Redily furrowed her brows slightly.
She thought of tools, rare items, or some unique materials.
The last thing she expected was that this customer, who had swept up all the tool-based auction items last time, was here to buy corpses.
However, this piece of information gave her some insight into his identity.
"Of course," Redily said after some thought, then continued, "Does the alchemist have any specific project requirements? What about the machinist's research direction?"
"For the alchemist, pharmacology or potion development is preferred. The machinist doesn't have specific requirements; their level is what matters," Wu Heng replied.
Redily nodded. "I'll prepare the commission for you."
Saying this, she stepped out of the room.
Upon returning, she knelt beside the tea table and began drafting the commission.
Wu Heng sat silently nearby, waiting.
The main purpose of this trip was to collect corpses.
There were definite issues with the consortium on Gold-Silver Island. The corpse collection commissions he issued there initially yielded level 15 corpses, but now even ordinary corpses were hard to procure.
Though he wasn't sure what exactly was wrong,
He couldn't afford to waste time, especially since Gold-Silver Island no longer felt as safe as before.
So he came here to issue the commission anew.
"The commission is ready, sir. A deposit of 100 gold coins is required," Redily said, pushing the document toward him.
Wu Heng glanced at it, paid the amount, and stamped it with his insignia.
The commission was activated.
Redily handed the completed commission to the staff outside and returned to Wu Heng.
"How should we notify you when the commission is completed? If possible, could you leave an address so we can deliver it or send a letter?"
"No need. I'll come by in a while."
Redily didn't press further and maintained her smile. "Understood."
Wu Heng thought for a moment and added, "I also need an item or rare tool to conceal my identity, one that even level-15 Professionals can't see through."
"Please wait while I check the local inventory," Redily replied, stepping out again.
Wu Heng stood and looked around at the paintings on the walls.
Redily returned, carrying a black cloak.
[Concealment Cloak]
(Description: A cloak engraved with numerous runes, capable of masking one's face and blocking special marks and senses.)
Wu Heng recognized it from the consortium's auctions, where everyone had one.
It could block anyone's probing abilities.
Were they planning to sell him this?
Redily placed the cloak on the tea table. "Sir, we currently don't have items matching your requirements in stock. However, we can draft a purchase commission to source the appropriate item. In the meantime, you can temporarily use this consortium's 'Concealment Cloak'—provided you ensure its return without damage or loss."
Well, that's a thorough service.
Besides, the item's effect was excellent.
He had wanted one back then anyway.
"Thank you. Go ahead and draft the commission," Wu Heng said.
Redily drafted another commission, and Wu Heng put away the cloak.
With everything settled,
Wu Heng asked, "Has the annual gold collection target been met this year?"
Redily froze momentarily before responding awkwardly, "Not yet."
"How much is left?"
"We're short by over 5,000 grams. Recently, maritime issues and unstable routes have caused delays…"
"Prepare the silver coins. I'll help you complete it," Wu Heng said.
Redily's explanation was abruptly cut short. She could hardly believe her ears.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Are you serious?"
"Yes. I'll be leaving soon. It won't take long."
Redily was overjoyed.
"I'll prepare it immediately," she said.
...…
Upon returning to Gold-Silver Island, it was nearing dusk.
After dinner, Wu Heng went straight to his study on the fourth floor.
He changed back into the [Hundred-Arms Robe] and activated its ability.
Six identical versions of Wu Heng appeared in the center of the study.
Six pairs of eyes examined each other.
Observing oneself from this perspective was far stranger than looking in a mirror.
The first Wu Heng said, "Let's first confirm whether we can access the panel in this state."
The others nodded.
They began testing.
"I can't access it," one reported.
"Neither can I," another added.
"No response here either."
"…"
All six reported the same result: the panel couldn't be accessed.
It was confirmed that the panel was unavailable in this state.
The first Wu Heng continued, "Next experiment: Can we use the spatial ring?"
"I can't use mine," one said.
"Neither can I," another echoed.
The third Wu Heng retrieved a staff and raised it. "I can access mine."
Among the six, only the third could use the spatial ring.
This made sense; the others' rings appeared to be ordinary replicas.
The six then tested their abilities.
As in the previous experiment in his study,
Each Wu Heng could only use abilities from one magical school.
Even if the knowledge existed in their minds, they couldn't use spells outside their designated school.
"So the six of us exist because we've learned spells from six schools," one said.
Another leaned against a cabinet and added, "Which means, if we also learn Enchantment and Transmutation, we could create two more bodies."
A third suggested, "The next third-class merits could be exchanged for skills from these schools to create more bodies."
"Agreed. We don't need powerful spells; we could all use firearms."
"That's a viable plan."
The six discussed for a while.
They had tested nearly everything.
With a thought, the six bodies began vibrating at high frequency and merged back into one.
Immediately, dizziness and sharp pain followed.
Countless fragmented images and thoughts flooded his mind.
This splitting truly created an unsettling sense of discord.
Activating [Animate Objects], a nearby kettle poured a cup of water.
Wu Heng sipped it, organizing the experimental results.
In the split state, the panel couldn't be accessed, and only one spatial ring functioned.
The number of bodies likely depended on the number of magical schools learned.
With six schools mastered, six bodies were created.
If all eight traditional schools were mastered, it was unclear whether two more could be added.
Remaining tests included distance limits and duration of separated bodies, as well as the effects of a body being destroyed.
"Testing destruction isn't worth the risk. I don't want to end up with cognitive damage," he muttered.
"I should ask Moya if the Guild's records include relevant data."
Knock, knock, knock~!
Just then, the door was knocked.
Minnie's voice came through, "Master, the bathwater is ready, and the little fox is too."
"Minnie, stop saying nonsense," Andviel's voice called from below.
Wu Heng stretched, releasing two specters to roam the study.
He opened the door and stepped out.
Wrapping an arm around Minnie's shoulder, he asked, "What's Shanaila been up to lately?"
"I saw her earlier. She's been busy with consortium matters. Something seems to have come up," Minnie said softly, holding his waist. "Shanaila's wonderful, but you shouldn't spend all your time apart."
Hearing Minnie's jealous tone,
Wu Heng chuckled and lightly patted her backside. "Go tell the little fox to be ready. We'll sleep together tonight."
"She's already prepared."
Opening the bathroom door,
Andviel, wrapped in a towel covering her chest and upper thighs, greeted him. "Master."
Minnie, changing her clothes, teased, "See? She's more impatient than you."
"Let's bathe quickly and rest early," Wu Heng said, leading them into the bathroom.
...…
The next day, in the zombie world,
Outside the military district,
The skeletal army charged forward, toppling the remaining zombies.
Their spears and axes struck relentlessly at the already broken bodies.
When the sounds of slashing and stabbing ceased,
The vast area was shrouded in a crimson energy.
"Clear the battlefield," Wu Heng commanded.
The skeletal soldiers moved to action.
Corpses blocking the roads were moved aside. Mutated and evolved zombie bodies were brought to Wu Heng.
Activating [Raise Skeleton], the corpses were transformed, and their cores collected.
Meanwhile, the convoy drove up.
Qihan Cai stepped out. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Let's go inside and take a look."
Other survivors stayed ahead, searching the office buildings.
Wu Heng and Qihan Cai headed to the backyard.
One warehouse after another came into view.
"Open these," Wu Heng instructed.
Heavy iron doors were swung open.
Rows of armored vehicles were parked inside.
Machine guns, cannons, and vehicles equipped with various antennae and receivers looked intact.
"There's so much," Qihan Cai said, eyes shining.
Even with prior intelligence,
It had been vague. If all these warehouses were full, the amount was staggering.
They'd hit the jackpot.
Even with some intelligence gathered,
It was still rather vague. If all these warehouses were opened, how much would there be?
It's an absolute fortune.
Wu Heng didn't open all the warehouses one by one but used Xiaoxiao's perspective to locate the warehouses storing ammunition and firearms.
He gathered all these weapons.
Later, they would be distributed among skeletons with precise aiming talents.
"Should we take over this place?"
Wu Heng said, "Yes, let's occupy this area first. Inventory the supplies and keep an eye on the new survivors. Don't let them handle weapons to prevent any harm to our people."
Qihan Cai understood the gravity of the situation. "Got it, I'll ensure they're monitored."
"Also, bring over the skeletons trained by Li Yanhong to operate and drive the machine guns and cannons. Have the train transport them here," Wu Heng added, surveying the surroundings. "Repair the main gate. We'll stay here temporarily until all the supplies are moved, then proceed to the next step."
"Understood, I'll arrange it immediately."
Qihan Cai began organizing, while Wu Heng searched for a room.
He returned to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
Coming downstairs,
Shanaila was sitting in the living room, chatting with Minnie.
Wu Heng sat down on the first floor, pulling the two of them into his arms on either side.
Minnie giggled, while Shanaila blushed. "Why are you like this in the living room?"
Wu Heng asked, "You haven't been here for days."
Shanaila's face reddened further. "I can't come every day. What if someone finds out?"
"What's there to be afraid of? We could just live together," Minnie said from the other side.
"It's not that simple," Shanaila replied, though she left the second part—"I'm not like you"—unsaid.
"What's so difficult?" Minnie muttered under her breath.
Shanaila looked up at Wu Heng. "I have a question for you."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Has the Guild mentioned any news about the joint fleet recently? It's been out at sea for quite some time, and there's been no word," Shanaila asked.
Wu Heng frowned. "Is it just the Starflower fleet that hasn't returned, or are other merchant guilds also unaccounted for?"
"None of them have returned. These are the merchant guild's escorts and also serve as garrisons for various factions and nations on Gold-Silver Island. Their prolonged absence gives me a bad feeling," Shanaila said with a tinge of concern.