Chapter 516, The Black Robe Crew and the Stone Coffin
"This is Xingfeng City. When will the base in Xinfu City arrive here?"
"I'm bowing to you! Thank you for the supplies."
The radio channels were abuzz with activity.
There was a liveliness that hadn't been seen in a while.
It truly felt like the new year.
...…
Military Factory
Wu Heng observed his rising reputation, still feeling it was progressing too slowly.
He wondered if others were facing similar slow gains or if his methods were simply wrong.
But it wasn't something he could confirm.
After all, others didn't have a panel to provide concrete feedback.
For now, accumulating reputation would have to be a gradual process.
He sat on the chair, waiting.
Qi Hancai came over. "The supply drops went smoothly, and the radio is full of discussions. We're becoming famous."
Suddenly, all frequencies were talking about their shelter.
The excitement was palpable throughout the base.
"Yes, our growth does require a bit of publicity," Wu Heng remarked casually.
Qi Hancai nodded and handed over the backpack she was carrying. "The parts you ordered are all in here."
Wu Heng opened it and took a look.
Axles, bow limbs, adjustment bolts, and various components were inside.
These were the parts Qi Hancai had arranged for manufacturing based on the compound bow blueprint he had given her.
"Good." Wu Heng nodded and stored the items away.
"Will you be joining us for the New Year celebration tonight?" Qi Hancai asked.
"No, you can organize it. Make sure there are some activities planned," Wu Heng replied.
"Alright, that works." Qi Hancai added, "Yanhong has been thinking of visiting, probably because she misses you."
It had indeed been a while since he'd seen Li Yanhong.
"Let me know when she arrives."
"Okay."
"I'll leave things to you here. Wish everyone a happy New Year for me."
Qi Hancai smiled and nodded. "Happy New Year to you too."
Wu Heng left the room and went upstairs to his quarters.
He then opened the dimensional gate and traveled to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
Coming downstairs—
"Minnie!" Wu Heng called.
"Yes, Master?" Minnie came running over in small steps.
"Are the bow limbs and bowstrings we ordered finished yet?"
The compound bow parts had been divided into two categories.
Components like axles, bow limbs, and bolts were manufactured in the modern world, while the bow limbs and bowstrings were sourced from the alternate world.
Especially the bowstrings—finding ones meeting the standards was difficult in the post-apocalyptic world.
But the alternate world was different.
They had a wide variety of bowstrings, with more options than one could imagine.
"I'll go check. They should be ready."
"Okay!"
Minnie changed into new clothes, boarded the skeleton carriage with a skeleton attendant, and left the island master's estate.
Not long after, she returned on the same carriage.
"Master, they're ready," Minnie said, handing over the items.
Wu Heng checked them and then handed over the previous parts to her. "Take these to the mechanical engineers upstairs and have them assemble and test everything."
"Understood," Minnie nodded and ran upstairs.
Soon after, the mechanical engineers came downstairs.
They began assembling the compound bow for testing.
Thump, thump—the sound of arrows piercing wooden targets echoed continuously in the courtyard.
The engineers stood by, taking notes.
Wu Heng returned to his room.
He pulled out two books and sat at the desk to read.
...…
As dusk approached—
The door was knocked on again.
Minnie's voice came from outside. "Master, Steward Sheila Grey is here and waiting in the living room."
Sheila Grey?
"I'll be right down."
Wu Heng descended the stairs and saw the blonde-haired elf steward sitting quietly on the living room sofa.
Seeing him approach, she smiled.
"Good evening, Steward Grey," Wu Heng greeted her with a smile and sat opposite her.
"It's not evening yet," Sheila Grey rolled her eyes before adding, "I'm here on official business."
"What business?"
"Have you heard of Antler Island?" Sheila Grey asked, looking at him.
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow and shook his head.
He had originally thought this would be about Philipa's pirate friend.
But it seemed he had guessed wrong.
Sheila Grey explained, "I've received intelligence suggesting suspicious individuals have gathered on Antler Island, including traces of slaves or refugees."
"You didn't send anyone to investigate?"
"No, according to the report, there are high-level Professionals among them, making it risky to send ordinary teams."
"What's your plan?"
Sheila Grey met his gaze. "Let's go together and check it out to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Wu Heng felt a bit speechless.
Sheila Grey was a steward, and he was the master of Gold-Silver Island.
The idea of the two of them investigating a potentially dangerous situation seemed odd.
But on further thought, they really were the island's only high-level Professionals.
"Aren't you worried this could be a trap to lure us away and take over the island?" Wu Heng asked.
"No. The information was passed to me discreetly, and Antler Island isn't far from Gold-Silver Island. With your skeletons, the island can hold out until we return."
Seeing her serious demeanor, Wu Heng asked directly, "When do we leave?"
"Tonight. Don't tell anyone—we'll depart quietly."
"Alright, I'll meet you at the port."
"I'll head back and prepare."
With that, she stood up and left.
Wu Heng instructed Minnie about his departure and asked her to prepare some things for him.
...…
Late at night.
Wu Heng, along with the skeleton attendants, arrived at the port and boarded the prepared ship.
Philipa, looking excited, saw Wu Heng boarding and leaned over to ask, "When are we departing?"
"Where's Sheila Grey?"
"She's in the cabin with two teams."
As they spoke, Sheila Grey, draped in a cloak, came up and said, "No issues here. Let's set sail. Staying too long might attract attention."
"Got it." Philipa responded and began directing the skeleton crew.
The ship slowly left the port, heading into the depths of the sea.
Wu Heng and Sheila Grey entered a cabin.
"See? Separating the dedicated and civilian ports has its benefits. Next time, we won't need to be this cautious when leaving," Wu Heng mentioned again.
"You've thought it through. Happy now?" Sheila Grey said while pulling out a blanket and making the bed.
Wu Heng asked, "Are you going to rest?"
"I'll chat with you for a bit, then rest."
"By the way, why haven't we received our last rewards? It's been quite some time," Wu Heng asked directly.
Sheila Grey thought for a moment, sounding unsure. "Maybe it's because there are too many to distribute. They haven't been handed out yet."
"When they arrive, we'll be rich."
"Yeah, if they're as generous as last time, that would be great. It would be a huge boost to individual combat power," Sheila Grey agreed.
"Imiro, being stationed at headquarters, has it easier—he can pick rewards directly."
"Jealous, huh? You could apply for a transfer to headquarters," Sheila Grey teased.
Wu Heng shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine staying on the island. Headquarters is filled with heroes and leaders. I'd rather enjoy the freedom of being the island's owner."
"You've really thought this through."
Seeing her finish making the bed, Wu Heng got up and stretched his neck. "Get some rest. I'll head back to my room. We have several Level 15 skeleton attendants aboard, so no need to worry about anyone boarding the ship."
Sheila Grey smiled. "Who would dare board this ghost ship anyway? It's full of skeletons, with glowing blue eyes."
"Isn't a ship manned by skeletons pretty cool?"
"Necromancers are definitely different from others."
"Alright, have a good rest."
"Mm."
They said their goodbyes, and Wu Heng left the room.
He went to his cabin, made his bed, and prepared to rest.
...…
Before he could sleep—
There was a knock at the door. Philipa peeked in.
"Everything's set. The skeletons are handling the navigation."
After speaking, she removed her coat and leather armor, then climbed into Wu Heng's bed and into his arms.
"It's too cramped. Let's do it on the floor," Philipa suggested directly.
Wu Heng laid a blanket on the floor. Philipa lay on her back, arms wide open. "Come on, let me show you my strength."
He placed the [Soundproof Jug] beside them, activating the barrier.
This item hadn't been used much since acquiring it.
He hadn't expected to use it in a situation like this.
Wu Heng gently pressed down on her and whispered, "Don't make any noise. It'd be bad if someone hears."
"Let them hear. So what?"
"Be good, keep it down," Wu Heng coaxed softly.
Philipa's cheeks flushed. "The way you're talking is making me feel weird."
"You like it, huh?"
"Daddy, I love you so much."
...…
The next afternoon.
They gathered on the deck.
Philipa pointed toward the island at the horizon. "That's Antler Island."
Wu Heng lifted his binoculars, scanning the island and spotting two ships nearby.
They weren't flying any flags, making it hard to determine their identity.
"Release the trained beasts," Sheila Grey ordered.
One by one, the beasts took flight, heading toward the distant island.
Wu Heng quietly released the wraiths—Xiaoxiao kept watch, while Glenda scouted the island.
The wraiths moved much faster than the beasts.
Glenda returned, merging into Wu Heng's body and sharing the island's visuals.
The view began from the sea's surface.
The two ships were checked first. They were in disarray, with no flags onboard.
However, they bore characteristics typical of pirate ships.
Leaving the ships, Glenda moved along the coastline and into the island's interior.
The first thing spotted was a group of guards in leather armor and black cloaks, stationed along the road.
Beyond them was a large group of slaves in chains, both men and women, numbering nearly a hundred.
They were guarded by a larger force of black-cloaked individuals.
Using spirit vision, the highest level identified was 15, with most of the others around Level 10.
From Wu Heng's perspective, they weren't high-level threats.
However, by general standards, they were a sizable force.
Even former pirate crews with Level 15 leaders and hundreds of members were considered large pirate factions.
Glenda circled above the group.
She noticed a lone figure in a black robe entering a nearby building.
She quickly adjusted course and flew toward the structure, phasing through the roof to observe from above.
At the center of the room was a circular formation.
In the middle of the formation stood a stone coffin engraved with intricate patterns and designs.
A stone coffin?
Glenda attempted to move closer to investigate.
Suddenly, she sensed danger.
Her form swiftly retreated beyond the walls.
After hesitating briefly, she flew back to Wu Heng's location.