Chapter 514, The Living Bodhisattva
The space was even larger than the main hall of the Island Lord's mansion, resembling an abandoned palace in ruins.
"What kind of mansion is this?"
Wu Heng muttered, recalling the contents of the skill book.
Since he couldn't unlock it before, he had read that book at least three or four times, and he could even recite a large portion of the introduction.
Much of the content was deeply ingrained in his memory.
According to the description in the book, this extradimensional space was created and constructed by the caster's mental power.
The interior items and furnishings could be fully realized through imagination.
His gaze remained fixed on the grand hall beyond the stone gate.
With a thought.
Brown flooring spread across the ground, chandeliers hung down from the ceiling, and large oil paintings of him and several maids adorned the walls.
After a moment's thought, feeling that portraits on the walls were a bit ominous, he replaced them with landscape paintings.
Sofas, bookshelves, luxurious carpets, and sunlight streaming through the windows.
In the blink of an eye, the previously empty room transformed into an opulent living room, filled with valuable artworks and paintings.
"This is amazing."
Wu Heng suddenly felt like a creator of worlds.
Once the decor was complete.
Wu Heng glanced around the courtyard and gestured to some skeletons in the distance, "You guys, go in and take a look."
Several rifle-wielding skeletons climbed down from the wall.
They passed through the stone gate and entered the mansion.
After confirming there was no danger, Wu Heng deactivated the skill, causing the dimensional rift and stone gate to vanish.
He moved to another section of the courtyard and cast [Mordenkainen's Mansion] again.
The stone gate opened once more, and the two skeletons stood at the entrance as if nothing had changed.
"Alright, you can come out now!"
The skeletons exited and returned to their posts.
"An interesting ability."
Wu Heng refrained from further experimentation, as maintaining the mansion consumed a significant amount of mental energy.
He planned to test its full potential gradually.
But the results were already promising.
There seemed to be plenty of practical applications for this ability.
Before long, Minnie called him for dinner.
Wu Heng headed to the dining room.
...…
At the dining table.
Wu Heng briefly inquired about everyone's training progress.
The two newly recruited maids answered earnestly.
Having lived here for two days.
They had already become somewhat familiar with the place.
There wasn't much daily work to do; most tasks were handled by the skeletons under their supervision.
They never expected that being a maid could be like this.
Even in Rentam City, the daughters of nobles didn't live this comfortably.
Residing in such a grand mansion, eating the same food as the master, and training alongside high-level skeletons.
It all felt too good to be true.
The two maids felt even more grateful to Minnie.
"Master, do you think Annette should train with a two-handed sword or a sword and shield combo?" Minnie asked while eating, curious.
The warrior class had a wide range of weapons to choose from.
Besides swords, they could specialize in common military or civilian weapons.
Weapons like staves, axes, hammers, and even bows or crossbows were viable options for specialization.
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "Let Annette decide for herself."
Minnie replied, "But Annette can't make up her mind."
Wu Heng considered it. "I think the sword and shield combo would be better. A two-handed sword requires long-term training and refined technique, and any mistake on the battlefield could be fatal. A sword and shield are more forgiving."
Annette lifted her head. "I'll listen to Master and train with a sword and shield."
"Every class requires consistent training to grow," Wu Heng said.
"Master, I'll do my best."
With that settled, Andviel began talking about matters at the city hall.
The other three listened quietly as they ate, unable to contribute to the discussion.
After dinner.
Wu Heng went upstairs, while the maids rested briefly before returning to the training room with renewed determination.
Their fighting spirit was strong.
...…
Back in the study.
Wu Heng poured himself a glass of water and sat down at the desk.
He took a sip.
His thoughts began to wander, focusing on future plans.
Now that he had reached Level 18, he was considered a top-tier powerhouse in the otherworld.
Even someone as powerful as Imiro was only Level 18.
"I need to gather some high-level skill books. Ordinary skills are starting to fall behind my current level."
The mansion spell had proven useful.
But since it wasn't directly combat-related, he needed more combat-oriented high-level skills.
"The old archmage probably has some. When I get a chance, I'll ask to borrow them—he shouldn't refuse."
Next, he considered the development of both worlds.
In the zombie world, once the power was restored, all production lines could operate, addressing the bullet shortage.
On Gold-Silver Island, expansion and material procurement would continue.
"If I only rely on buying supplies, the money will eventually run out. I should establish my own industry."
"I can't sell firearms. It's better to have exclusive technology that others can't copy."
He would have to think carefully about this.
Then there was the matter of [Heroic Shaping].
The newly added [Reputation] introduced another requirement for leveling up.
But on further reflection.
He realized he had an advantage.
In the otherworld, he had two territories: Rentam City and Gold-Silver Island. Although the population wasn't large, it provided a solid foundation.
With sufficient promotion, he could steadily increase his reputation.
In the zombie world, he controlled several bases, but the number of survivors was still relatively low.
If this were before the apocalypse, when cities had populations in the millions, his [Reputation] would be maxed out in no time.
He could use the radio to broadcast his achievements.
Especially the food-for-gold exchange program.
News of this had already spread beyond the cities where his stations were set up and had reached other countries as well.
Many were requesting his assistance in trading food for resources.
Doing so could significantly boost his reputation.
It could also help more people survive.
"How did those legendary heroes earn their fame?"
"They couldn't have traveled everywhere, could they?"
After thoroughly considering everything.
He headed downstairs again.
As he reached the staircase, Andviel, dressed in a nightgown, walked up to him.
"Master, I'm here to help you bathe."
Wu Heng smiled and wrapped his arm around the fox girl's shoulder as they headed to the bathroom.
"Where's Minnie?"
"She's with Robe and the others, reading comics!"
...…
The next day.
Wu Heng boarded the ghost train and headed for Netarei City in the Ekow Kingdom.
As he approached the city walls from the wilderness, he felt a palpable sense of tension and pressure.
The city gate was heavily guarded, and there were hardly any people entering or leaving.
Wu Heng presented his guild emblem and wasn't given any trouble.
Upon entering the city, the atmosphere was equally stifling.
There were no pedestrians on the streets, and large patrol squads frequently moved through the roads.
Along the way, he was stopped and questioned three or four times.
Without a carriage, he had to walk all the way to the Mermaid Tavern.
The tavern was closed, and the underground Snake Emblem Consortium was also shut down.
He had come this time intending to trade potions for rare items.
But it seemed that something had happened in the Ekow Kingdom.
Most of the shops in the city had already closed.
Wu Heng found a weapon shop and went inside.
Inside, only the shopkeeper was present, and it seemed like he was preparing to close as well.
"What are you looking for, customer? What's left is all on the wall," the shopkeeper said.
Wu Heng glanced around and asked, "Sold out already?"
"Uh… yeah, pretty much."
Wu Heng picked out a one-handed sword and an iron round shield. "I'll take these two."
"Alright, that'll be 375 silver. I'll wrap them up for you." The shopkeeper took some burlap to bundle the sword and shield together.
Wu Heng walked over and asked, "Shopkeeper, I just got back. What's going on in the city?"
"Don't ask questions, customer. Go home and stay there. Don't come out unless necessary," the shopkeeper warned.
Wu Heng handed him a few silver coins. "Tell me what you can, and forget the rest."
The shopkeeper hesitated before speaking softly, "Something's happened up top. The patrols are rounding people up everywhere."
"Rounding up who?"
"They say rebels."
Wu Heng narrowed his eyes and nodded.
Just then, a patrol spotted him and entered the shop to question him.
Wu Heng showed them his guild emblem, and they quickly left after urging the shopkeeper to close up to avoid trouble.
Wu Heng stored the purchased weapons and left the shop.
He exited the city and returned to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
Back at the Island Lord's mansion.
Wu Heng handed the weapons to Annette.
Although they weren't the best equipment, they were suitable for her training.
He sat in the living room and waited for a while.
Minnie arrived, riding a skeletal carriage from outside.
She said, "Master, there isn't much intel from the Nautilus Tavern. They only mentioned that many shipping fleets have canceled their trips to Netarei City. Aunt Milisen will keep monitoring it."
The information hadn't arrived yet.
Normal shipping routes took quite a bit of time.
"Understood. There may be some changes soon. Unless necessary, you all should stay indoors for now," Wu Heng advised.
"Yes, Master," the maids nodded.
Wu Heng went back upstairs.
He opened the dimensional gate and entered the zombie world.
...…
Wu Heng exited his room.
He saw survivors decorating the dormitory building and courtyard streetlights with red lanterns.
Qi Hancai walked over and said, "Tomorrow is the New Year."
"Time flies," Wu Heng sighed.
"Yeah, it does," Qi Hancai agreed. "It's hard to believe we've made it this far."
"Don't dwell on that. Things will only get better from here."
Qi Hancai smiled. "I know."
"By the way, I have a plan for the New Year. I'll need you to make an announcement."
Qi Hancai's expression turned serious. "What's the plan, and who do I notify?"
"Let's discuss it inside."
They entered a nearby building, where Wu Heng laid out his plan.
...…
Inside a residential building.
A scruffy-looking middle-aged woman sat cross-legged on the floor, cradling a young girl wrapped in a blanket.
"Mom, just go. Leave me," the girl whispered weakly.
She had a high fever that wouldn't break, no medicine, and barely any food or water.
The only outcome seemed to be death.
The middle-aged woman held her tightly and whispered, "It's going to be okay."
"I wish this was a dream. Am I dreaming? This is such a scary dream," the girl murmured, half-asleep.
Her eyes slowly closed.
Tears dripped from the woman's eyes as she lifted her daughter and carried her to the window.
Icy winds rushed into the room, and below, zombies roamed.
One step forward, and both she and her daughter would wake from this nightmare.
"Mom's with you…"
She raised her foot.
Zzzzzzz—
The sharp crackle of static burst from the old, modified radio.
A voice followed immediately.
"This is the Xinfu City Rescue Team, wishing all survivors tuning in a Happy New Year.
Starting tomorrow, we will distribute food and medical supplies to all survivors under the command of the leader, the King of Hell.
Please hang or display red markers at locations where supplies can be received for air drops.
I repeat, we will drop supplies at locations marked with red indicators.
May the New Year bring you courage and strength to overcome the challenges ahead.
Leader King of Hell, Xinfu City Rescue Team.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and all the best!"
The woman, who had one foot out the window, spun around to face the radio.
As the message repeated, she confirmed she wasn't hallucinating.
The Xinfu City Rescue Team had come to the province to deliver supplies.
She lit a small fire and boiled water, carefully feeding it to her daughter.
"Mom," the girl whispered softly.
The woman cradled her daughter, sobbing. "It's okay now. It's okay. We don't have to die. We don't have to die."
...…
The same announcement aired in Xinfu City, Anhui City, and Enzhou City.
"This is the Xinfu City Shelter, wishing everyone an early New Year. Starting tomorrow morning, shelters within the city can send representatives to pick up food supplies.
May the ringing of the New Year bring you courage and strength. Let's work together to overcome these challenges. We wish every base resilience and optimism.
With everyone's collective effort, we will rebuild a better home and welcome a brighter future.
Leader King of Hell, Xinfu City Rescue Team.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and all the best!"
Unlike the province's fixed air drops.
These three cities had largely cleared the zombies on the roads.
Supplies would be distributed at designated exchange points.
After both announcements were broadcast.
The radio channels became lively.
"Xinfu City is distributing food this time. I told you the gold trade was just an excuse—they're really here to help us."
"This guy isn't a King of Hell—he's a living Bodhisattva!"