Chapter 515, Have Zombies Eaten Your Brain?
The news of distributing supplies for the New Year spread rapidly across various frequencies in different regions, instantly causing a stir.
It was hard to imagine that in such dire circumstances, someone would provide free food to shelters.
And it wasn't even under the banner of an official rescue team.
The names Xinfu City Base and King of Hell became even more well-known.
...…
Military Factory, Conference Room.
Wu Heng sat in a chair, looking at his interface panel.
[Reputation: Level 18 (7351/48000)]
Since the radio broadcast began, Wu Heng had been monitoring the changes in his reputation.
It had risen from 7242 to 7351.
The increase was relatively small, but it proved that the radio broadcasts were effective.
Actions carried out under the name of "King of Hell" were reflected in his reputation.
This part confused him.
How did the system determine that "King of Hell" referred to him and not the mythical figure?
Regardless, it was a good thing—just a bit slow.
Knock knock~!
The door knocked, and Qi Hancai walked in directly.
"The notification has been sent. Tomorrow, we will distribute supplies to the shelters that have marked locations."
Wu Heng nodded. "Let everyone work hard and get the supplies packed."
"Preparations are already underway," Qi Hancai said. "Also, Wang Haibing reported that the power lines to the factory have been repaired. The transformer components were taken from other places. Once the power is connected, further testing will be required."
"The power lines are fixed?"
It had indeed been some time.
"I see. Once the furnace is ready, we'll test its performance."
"Alright."
They exchanged a few more words.
Qi Hancai left to organize further preparations for the supply drops.
Wu Heng returned to his room.
...…
Back at Gold-Silver Island, the sky was nearing dusk.
As he descended the stairs, he saw Philipa with one foot on a stone chair, enthusiastically recounting her glorious sea adventures to Robe and Annette.
The two beast girls, who had just arrived on the island, gazed at her with admiration.
Philipa was happily speaking when she instinctively turned and saw Wu Heng walking out.
She quickly told the two maids something before jogging over.
Clinging to his arm, she said, "Come with me."
Wu Heng was pulled back into the living room and curiously asked, "What's going on?"
Philipa naturally sat on his lap and asked, "Did you take care of my friend's matter?"
So, it was about the pirate captain.
Wu Heng said, "I talked to Sheila Grey. Your friend plundered merchant ships and killed people. Even dying eight times wouldn't be enough to atone."
"He's a pirate, of course, he's robbed merchant ships," Philipa emphasized.
"That's why it's tricky. Remember when you received that blank letter and went after the merchant fleets? I always told you to let them go after chasing them a bit because I knew it could be hard to explain later," Wu Heng explained.
"So, does he really have to die?" Philipa looked disappointed. "If I had known, I would've let him go at sea. I thought we could save him."
Wu Heng gently embraced her, letting her lean into him, and said, "I discussed it with Sheila Grey. We'll report his case to the headquarters. Since he saved you before, if they're willing to give him a chance, he might be spared. But if they don't think he's redeemable, then…"
"Then what?"
"At least, we'll give him a dignified send-off."
Philipa frowned. "What's the point of dignity if he's dead?"
"It'll at least prove that the captain of the Flying Fish Pirates was a significant figure."
Philipa sighed. "Then let's give him a sea burial. Pirates should return to the sea."
Wu Heng chuckled and said, "I promised Sheila Grey I'd install that cooling device for her. Tomorrow, you take the skeletons and install it, then check in with her."
"Got it. You mages really think things through," Philipa nodded, understanding his intentions.
Wu Heng patted her gently. "Be more composed when you talk. Don't sound like a pirate all the time, and watch the swearing."
"Don't worry, I get it."
With the matter settled, Philipa asked, "When will we go back to sea? It's so boring on the island."
"Why are you so obsessed with going to sea?"
Philipa lifted her shirt slightly, revealing her fair skin. "I'm almost as pale as the inside of my clothes."
Wu Heng slid his hand in and held her chest. "What's wrong with being fair?"
"It looks weak, like I have no fighting spirit."
"We'll head out when necessary. If you want to maintain your tan, just sunbathe more."
"Alright then!"
The two chatted for a while.
Minnie approached them.
"Master, it's time for dinner."
Wu Heng stood up and walked toward the dining room with her.
...…
After dinner, the maids headed to the training room for practice.
Wu Heng went to the courtyard to continue studying his skills.
[Mordenkainen's Mansion Spell] was cast, and the massive, ancient stone door reappeared, slowly opening to reveal the luxurious living room he had previously decorated.
Nothing had changed—it was exactly as he had left it.
During the day, he had reviewed the instructions for the mansion spell.
He confirmed the conditions under which dangers could arise.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the mansion through the stone door.
He stomped on the floor and sat down on the living room sofa.
Everything in the room felt as real as the outside world, with no discernible difference.
He picked up a nearby flower pot.
He walked directly toward the outside.
He smoothly passed through the stone door, but the mentally constructed flower pot didn't follow him out.
It remained on the ground inside the doorway.
"So, you can't take things from inside out?"
"Items from the outside can be brought in, but those created through mental construction can only exist within the opened space."
Wu Heng concluded.
He quickly pondered over it in his mind.
His gaze shifted around and landed on a straight wooden stick.
"Go grab that stick for me."
A skeleton quickly walked over and picked up the stick.
Wu Heng took it in hand and re-entered the constructed space.
Using his mental power, he formed a ballista in front of him, aiming it outward.
He loaded the wooden stick as a bolt onto the ballista.
Bang~!
The string vibrated with a loud twang.
The wooden stick shot straight through the stone door and slammed into the opposite wall.
The tremendous force caused the stick to shatter into pieces.
"It really works!" Wu Heng was thrilled.
While items inside couldn't be taken directly out, launching objects brought in from the outside worked perfectly.
Arrows, ballista bolts, or even missiles and projectiles could be used this way.
"It's definitely useful."
Of course! A skill that could only be unlocked at level 18 couldn't possibly be useless.
Anyone reaching level 18 would already have considerable status.
They wouldn't spend so much effort creating such a space for nothing.
He continued to maintain the Mordenkainen's Mansion Spell.
Then, he conducted further experiments.
With a thought, two wraiths emerged from his body, floating to his left and right.
The moment they appeared, they both noticed the luxurious hall behind the stone door.
"Uncle, did you switch houses again?"
"Is this an illusion?"
Wu Heng explained, "Remember the mansion spell I bought at the auction?"
"The one you could never figure out how to use?" Glenda asked.
"Yeah, I've finally unlocked it. This is the result."
"Wow! This is awesome," Xiaoxiao exclaimed enthusiastically and flew straight inside.
Glenda followed, curiously inspecting the room.
Wu Heng entered as well.
Based on Xiaoxiao and Glenda's suggestions, he added a few more pieces of furniture to the space.
It now had a blend of modern and old European aesthetics.
"Alright, let's head out for now. Maintaining this skill consumes a lot of mental energy," Wu Heng said.
He led the two wraiths back through the stone door.
He canceled the skill, causing the rift and the door to vanish together.
Letting the wraiths move freely, Wu Heng walked back into his room.
As he entered through the main door—
Philipa came running toward him from a distance. "I'm staying with you tonight."
Minnie followed closely behind. "Stay where? Go back to your tavern!"
"No! I rarely get to come here. Why are you doing this?"
"It's not far. You make it sound like you live halfway across the world."
"You get to be with him every day, and now you're competing with me."
Wu Heng wrapped an arm around both of them and said, "Stay together. The bed's big enough."
Then, he looked toward the back. "Veil, you joining?"
Andviel's cheeks flushed as she hesitated.
Wu Heng smiled. "Come on, let's take a bath together."
"Yes, Master." Andviel nodded and walked over.
Together, they headed upstairs.
The two newly arrived maids blushed as they watched the group head up.
...…
The next day, in the zombie world—
Skeleton wyverns circled repeatedly in the skies over the province.
They dropped supplies at locations marked with identifiers.
Meanwhile, the radio transmissions were buzzing with chatter.
"We've received supplies! There really are supplies!"
"Who said there'd be beef? I don't see any beef. Hey, boss, where's my beef?"
"The cows are all dead, you idiot! Has a zombie eaten your brain? Why'd you believe there'd be beef?"