Chapter 777, Returning to Xinfu City
Seeing the Corpse King showing fear toward the machine guns.
Wu Heng was also a bit surprised.
It seemed that with the feeding of corpse cores, the Corpse King's intelligence was steadily rising.
It might not recognize the machine guns, but it definitely understood that they were weapons capable of killing it—thus staying quiet to avoid angering him.
No—maybe the Corpse King had seen machine guns before.
The place where it was captured had been raided by Korean rescue forces, who definitely deployed modern weapons.
Maybe it knew the weapons' power, which is why it chose to stay quiet.
Either way, it proved the Corpse King's intelligence was increasing.
Who knew if it would eventually evolve to human-like intelligence?
If it did, would that count as a new race?
Like all those weird races in other worlds.
These thoughts flicked through his mind. The skeletons guarding it also entered the Mansion Technique space, posted around the Corpse King.
Once everything was confirmed safe, Wu Heng deactivated the Mansion Technique.
All done.
As Wu Heng walked outside, Xiaoxiao floated nearby. "Uncle, are we going back to Xinfu City?"
"We're flying back tomorrow morning."
"Oh, then I want to tell my mom first," said Xiaoxiao.
"Sure."
Returning to the base at Mount Cauldron Harbor—there were still people stationed here.
After giving a couple instructions to the stationed troops, Wu Heng headed to his bedroom.
...…
Back on Gold-Silver Island.
The sky had already turned dark again.
Every time he returned these days, it was already nighttime, and the maids had gone to rest.
Wu Heng grabbed a bite, soaked in the bath, and while drying his hair, headed back to his study.
Glenda was reading a book. Benny had unlocked telekinetic push and was playing a movie on her tablet by herself.
"Where's Xiaoxiao?" Wu Heng poured himself a cup of tea.
"She went out to play with her friends," said Benny.
Wu Heng frowned as he sipped the tea. "What do her friends do? Why are they still out playing this late?"
The two specters were stunned.
"Want me to follow her tomorrow and see? Just to make sure they're not a bad influence," said Glenda.
"That might be too much. Benny, try asking her sometime. What the hell are they playing this late?" Wu Heng said bluntly.
Benny nodded. "Okay, I'll find time to ask her tomorrow."
Wu Heng continued, "Benny, after level 20, specters can start learning some spells. There are necromancy spells on the shelf—read through them when you get a chance."
"Really? I can learn magic now?" Benny beamed.
"Theoretically, yes," Wu Heng said, glancing at Glenda.
Glenda noticed the look and said to Benny, "According to Wu Heng's theory, yeah. I still haven't learned a single spell."
Benny looked a bit discouraged. "If even Lady Glenda hasn't learned anything, it's going to be even harder for me."
Stat-wise, Glenda had higher intelligence. Benny had better agility.
Plus, Glenda came from a privileged background, reading all sorts of books during her life. Benny, though literate, had worked in a tavern. Big difference.
"Just read casually. We've got time."
"True," Benny nodded.
"Alright, you guys carry on. I'm off to bed." Wu Heng downed his tea and stretched.
"Good night."
"Rest well."
Wu Heng nodded and left the study to return to his bedroom.
He lay in bed for a while and gradually drifted off to sleep.
...…
The next day.
After breakfast, the maids gave a report on island matters.
Wu Heng then headed upstairs to the zombie world.
He didn't bring any skeleton guards—just got into a truck and drove straight to the Korean rescue base.
In a room inside the base—
Wu Heng said to Qi Hancai, "I've taken the Corpse King from Mount Cauldron Harbor."
"That's pretty dangerous. I still think you should've killed it," Qi Hancai said cautiously.
Some big shelters had released news about zombie research.
But keeping a Corpse King locked up and feeding it corpse cores for evolution? That was probably something only they did.
They might accidentally create a new monster.
"Relax, it'll be fine," Wu Heng reassured her.
Qi Hancai said no more. She took out two bulky satellite phones. "These are for Li Yanhong and Gao Rong. Use them if anything comes up."
Domestic bases had already set up phone lines.
But with Qi Hancai, they still relied on radio.
The problem with radios: anyone could tune in. It was like a group chat.
With satellite phones, they could finally talk about sensitive stuff.
Wu Heng put away the phones and said, "You handle things here. Be cautious."
"You're not coming back?" Qi Hancai looked up, eyes full of reluctance.
Wu Heng patted his leg, and once she sat on his lap, said, "There are planes now. It's just a 3–4 hour trip. Miss me? Fly over."
Qi Hancai pouted, "Sounds like a long-distance relationship."
"Come back with me, then? Be a sweet little wife?" Wu Heng grinned.
Qi Hancai straightened her chest. "I'm not the type to be kept at home. I've got people under me, too."
"See?"
"Alright, alright. I'll come visit you by plane when I miss you," she said with a smile.
Soon, the radio announced that the plane was ready.
Wu Heng and Qi Hancai went downstairs.
They walked down the building.
Wu Heng waved goodbye and boarded the plane.
A little later, Xiaoxiao flew in. "Uncle, you're already on the plane?"
"Said goodbye to your mom?"
"Mm, I did," Xiaoxiao nodded.
Wu Heng smiled. "We'll go first. If we stay long on the other side, we'll bring your mom over."
"Okay." Xiaoxiao smiled.
With the three specters around him, Wu Heng said, "Let's fly. Destination: Yangtong City Airport."
The plane started up, trembling slightly as it rose into the sky.
...…
About three and a half hours later—
The plane landed at Yangtong City Airport.
Wu Heng rode a skeleton wyvern straight to the munitions factory.
The wyvern descended, kicking up a storm of dust.
Wu Heng flipped off its back and headed toward an office building, radioing Gao Rong.
Just as he reached the door, Gao Rong came out.
"Leader!" Gao Rong saluted.
Wu Heng nodded. "How many machine guns are finished?"
"We've got 72 complete units," Gao Rong replied.
"Take me there."
"This way, Leader…" Gao Rong led the way to the warehouse.
On the way, he briefed Wu Heng on the base's progress.
Wu Heng didn't say much, but it was clear—there hadn't been much progress since his last visit.
Any visible developments were just increased production of existing gear.
They arrived at the gun warehouse. Inside the wooden crates were shiny new twin-barrel machine guns.
"They just need assembly to function," Gao Rong said.
"Is it hard to assemble?" Wu Heng asked.
"Not really. The barrels are pre-assembled—just attach the stands and ammo belts," Gao Rong explained.
Wu Heng nodded and stored all the guns. "Take me to the ammo warehouse next."
Gao Rong led the way—various bullet and shell types appeared.
Wu Heng didn't waste time—he stored everything.
Then handed over a satellite phone. "Use this to contact me or the other bases if anything serious comes up."
Gao Rong took it. "Understood, Leader."
"Is the train at the station? I need to go to Xinfu City."
"I'll arrange it now."
Wu Heng got into a jeep and headed to the station.
...…
On the train.
The rhythmic clatter echoed in his ears.
Wu Heng took out the meat pie Minnie had packed for breakfast and reclined as he ate.
Glenda said, "I visited a few labs. Folks there aren't as motivated anymore."
Benny added, "Same here. Looks pretty chill."
"Let me see." Wu Heng said directly.
The specters entered his body, sharing their vision.
In the lab, machines hummed—but no one was at their stations. People were chatting, sipping tea, even dating.
No wonder Gao Rong reported no real progress.
Looks like comfort had bred laziness.
Wu Heng released the specters.
"Seems like they've slacked off," Glenda commented.
"The factory's gotten too cozy. Time to cut some staff and supplies," Wu Heng said.
Back when the base was first built, things were very different.
Everyone had been grinding hard.
Orders got results in days.
Of course, Wu Heng had been present then—no one dared slack off.
Wu Heng understood slacking on the job.
But this wasn't the time. Others were risking their lives. The factory had a mission too.
He wasn't providing top-tier resources just so they could lounge around.
"Work planning alone won't fix this. Look at the Guild's model—set up some inspectors or performance ratings," Glenda suggested.
"Might be worth considering," Wu Heng nodded.
...…
At 3 PM, the train arrived in Xinfu City.
He rode a jeep to the central office.
Unlike other locations, Xinfu City looked like a pre-apocalypse metropolis.
People dressed normally, chatting in groups, smiling.
Wu Heng entered the office building. Survivors lined up to sign for canned food.
He glanced at the crowd, then went upstairs.
At an office door, he knocked lightly and walked in.
Inside, Li Yanhong looked up from her desk.
She frowned, eyes scanning him. "What do you want?"
Wu Heng removed his mask, revealing his face. "Don't recognize me anymore?"
Her eyes lit up. She rolled her eyes. "Wearing a mask—how was I supposed to know?"
"These days I'm super cautious, so no one finds out." Wu Heng sat down.
"You're not a celebrity. Why so cautious?"
"I'm serious." Wu Heng began recounting what happened in Korea.
How they tried to hit him with missiles—and he wiped out their base overnight.
Li Yanhong's jaw dropped. Her face filled with disbelief.
"Damn, you guys really went that hard? Straight-up missile fights?"
"Yeah, that's why I keep my movements secret."
She nodded solemnly. "Right, don't bring missiles here."
"Cold-hearted woman."
She laughed. "HQ still hasn't sent the talisman books."
"They're probably treating them like treasure."
She asked seriously, "Do they work?"
"If you mean the book—nope!"
"And the talismans?"
"How do I put it… Maybe a little comfort. Like spiritual support." Wu Heng chuckled.
The effect was minimal—hardly practical.
More like praying or spiritual reassurance.
She rolled her eyes. "You did that on purpose. HQ's probably losing their minds trying to figure out that book."
"I was just curious. Didn't think they'd go nuts over it."
They exchanged updates. Then she asked, "Got any plans? I want to be prepared."
"I brought some crop-boosting potion and grain. All for you," Wu Heng said.
Her eyes lit up. "Seriously? That's great!"
"Let's go. Get me a warehouse."
"Alright!"
They both stood and headed out.
Wu Heng pulled out crate after crate of potion, stacking them in a warehouse. He also wrote usage instructions.
Then Li Yanhong arranged for transport.
Wu Heng went to another warehouse, directing skeletons to transfer the grain.
Once everything was handled, he left things in her hands and went to his dorm.
...…
The next day.
Three trucks sped down the road.
Near Xinfu Prison, the convoy slowed.
They stopped at the gates. Wu Heng, Li Yanhong, and others got out.
"Brings back memories," Li Yanhong suddenly said.
This used to be their base—taken from prisoners. Back then, they lost quite a few skeletons seizing it.
Now, no survivors remained—only skeleton guards.
"Let's go check inside," Wu Heng said, leading them forward.
At the gate, he shouted for them to open up.
The heavy iron gate creaked open.
Wu Heng walked straight in.
It was still tidy. One side had spear-wielding skeletons—and a huge black-furred spider.
On its back, countless baby spiders.
"You check the vehicles. I'll go look inside," Wu Heng said.
Li Yanhong nodded and directed the trucks through the gate.
Wu Heng entered a prison block and activated the Mansion Technique.
"Drag out the Corpse King."