Chapter 402: Exaggerated Bounty
The provincial district also wants to exchange for food?
The news about exchanging gold has always been communicated through local channels.
The provincial district likely received the news from the former military shelter, which relayed the situation here.
Given the current circumstances,
Gold holds no value, while food is a necessity for survival.
"Over such a long distance, did they mention how the exchange would be conducted?" Wu Heng continued to ask.
The quantity of gold exchanged locally will only decrease, so expanding the trading market is necessary.
"They did. When the military retreated, they left via the railway. If both parties want to trade, it can also be conducted through the railway," Qi Hancai replied.
Railways are built on the outskirts of cities, where the number of zombies is low, and they facilitate long-distance transportation.
If this route is safe, it won't just benefit both parties' trade.
Wu Heng's side could also use the railway to reach the provincial district and clear out zombies.
"How did you respond to them?"
Qi Hancai said, "I didn't give a direct answer. I told them we'd discuss it here first and let them know afterward."
Wu Heng thought for a moment and said, "The exchange can proceed, but they must also sell advanced weapons and equipment. Simply trading gold for food won't work."
"Alright, I'll communicate with them again. Food is a universal commodity; selling it won't be a problem," Qi Hancai agreed.
Wu Heng added, "You can also try contacting nearby cities. Those capable of trading can exchange food with us, primarily for gold and corpse cores."
Trade with the provincial district and surrounding areas began.
Qi Hancai's eyes wandered slightly.
The shelter had grown from a small place to its current scale without notice.
It might even become the primary trading hub for nearby cities.
"If we go public with this, we must consider two things," Qi Hancai leaned forward, paused, and continued, "Food consumption will increase, putting two to three times more pressure on supplies.
Secondly, it will attract other shelters to this area. Everyone knows we have food, and the territory is safe. People might gather here by any means, posing a security risk."
Wu Heng nodded slightly, feeling her analysis made sense.
Releasing such news could cause a chain reaction.
After some thought, he said, "Food isn't an issue. You don't need to worry about that during management. Shelters gathering here might happen, but with zombies occupying most areas, it'll still be challenging for them to reach us. We have ample time to address this."
The potential issues still existed.
But they couldn't hinder outward expansion.
"Alright, we'll make some preliminary arrangements," Qi Hancai nodded in understanding.
The main concern was food. As long as food wasn't an issue,
With the shelter's current strength, any gatherings from other shelters would cause minor troubles rather than significant dangers.
"By the way, has Li Yanhong been here recently?" Wu Heng asked.
Qi Hancai smiled and said, "Yanhong's younger sister is here today. Should I call her up?"
"Perfect, have her come up. I need to talk to you both."
"Alright!" Qi Hancai switched the walkie-talkie to another channel and spoke briefly.
Shortly after, Li Yanhong entered wearing a short white down jacket, carrying a backpack.
She glanced at Wu Heng and walked in directly.
With a "thud," she placed the backpack on the table. "This is the gold and corpse cores exchanged recently at the mall and bus station."
It had indeed been a while since she last came to deliver gold and corpse cores.
Wu Heng opened the backpack and glanced inside. There were about 30 kilograms of gold, with corpse cores separately packed in plastic bags. Judging by the frost on them, they had just been taken out of a refrigerator or freezer.
Twelve first-level corpse cores, two second-level corpse cores.
As the market developed, the amount of gold they could exchange was decreasing, while the number of corpse cores was increasing.
Wu Heng stored the gold and corpse cores, then handed a few potions to the two women. "Two bottles each, and Qi Hancai, deliver the remaining one to Xiaoxiao's mother."
Seeing the potions,
Both women were delighted. These potions, capable of directly enhancing their constitution, were akin to miraculous elixirs.
While others might catch colds or fall ill, they hadn't experienced such issues even once.
"Thank you!" They accepted the potions gratefully and put them away.
Wu Heng continued, "After you return, screen trustworthy people and recommend one each. Let me know next time."
Corpse cores were increasing.
Qi Hancai and Li Yanhong had already used them many times. Based on previous experiences, the potions' effects would likely diminish.
It was time to nurture other trustworthy individuals.
The two women were momentarily stunned but quickly understood his intent, nodding in agreement. "Alright!"
With this matter settled,
Qi Hancai added, "I've noted two areas where zombie clusters are concentrated. They need to be cleared."
Wu Heng stood up. "Let's go today."
"Alright!"
The two women got up and followed him outside.
Although it was snowing, the snow wasn't heavy enough to block the roads.
After preparing vehicles, they headed to the areas with the zombie clusters.
...…
Night fell.
In a dormitory building near the mall,
Warm water gently rippled in a spacious bathtub.
Li Yanhong leaned tightly against Wu Heng's chest, submerged in the water, their bodies intimately entwined.
Her wet hair hung with water droplets, drifting in the water.
After a soft sigh of relief, Li Yanhong's face blushed, her body gradually relaxing.
"Do you remember Ma Zhiyong?" Li Yanhong asked, her eyes half-closed.
"Yes, the disaster relief commander from the county."
"Well, it seems he didn't leave with the local military," Li Yanhong said directly.
Wu Heng frowned slightly.
Ma Zhiyong was undoubtedly connected to the military. From his equipment and familiarity with weapons, it was evident.
Why hadn't he left?
"Why?"
"Not sure," Li Yanhong shook her head, then added, "Maybe some terms weren't agreed upon."
At the time, Wu Heng had cleared the road completely.
There shouldn't have been any transportation issues.
It must have been a problem between them.
"It doesn't concern us much. We might meet again during future trades with the provincial district," Wu Heng said.
"Mm!" Li Yanhong nodded.
She then felt herself gently lifted and set down again.
With a soft hum, she leaned her head back and complained, "Why does this never end?"
Wu Heng cupped her face and leaned down.
...…
The next morning.
Li Yanhong left with a convoy back to the county, while Wu Heng returned to Gold-Silver Island via the gateway.
It was already bright outside.
From downstairs came the sound of a skeleton chef cooking.
Wu Heng delivered the corpse cores to the alchemy lab and returned to his study.
He retrieved five bottles of second-level corpse core potions from his spatial ring.
Two bottles were "High-Efficiency Intelligence Potions," and three were "High-Efficiency Strengthening Potions."
The intelligence potions were crafted from Big-Head Zombie cores, while the strengthening potions were made from Big Guy Zombie and Crawler Zombie cores.
Without hesitation, he drank one bottle of "High-Efficiency Intelligence Potion."
A bitter, acidic taste slid down his throat and into his stomach.
Then, his heart began racing as though it would burst from his chest.
His breathing grew labored, and a splitting headache followed, as if countless needles were stirring his brain. His vision swam with dizziness.
The sensations lasted about three minutes.
The discomfort gradually subsided.
A system notification echoed in his ears.
[Intelligence +2, Perception +1, Charisma +1.]
Wu Heng exhaled deeply and got up.
The effects of the intelligence potion differed from the strengthening potion.
Strengthening potions caused muscle and bone pain.
This potion seemed to enhance the brain.
It was much more uncomfortable.
After a brief rest, he drank a second bottle.
The same splitting headache and dizziness returned.
[Intelligence +2, Perception +2.]
The attributes increased by four points.
After finishing two intelligence potions, he drank one "High-Efficiency Strengthening Potion."
Muscle and bone pain immediately spread throughout his body.
It wasn't much better than before.
[Strength +1, Agility +1.]
Only two points were added this time.
"Second-level corpse cores have decreased effectiveness," Wu Heng wiped away sweat.
Two attribute points felt too low.
He decided not to consume the remaining two potions.
Consuming three potions in a day was already taxing on the body.
Moreover, the results were disappointing. He considered using them to enhance the strength of his two maids instead.
With the enemies becoming increasingly dangerous,
Strengthening Minnie and the others would make them safer.
He checked his attributes.
[Attributes: Strength 41, Agility 31, Constitution 44, Intelligence 43, Perception 28, Charisma 29.]
Intelligence once again surpassed Strength.
He was still a mage!
Knock, knock, knock~!
A knock came at the door.
Minnie's voice called from outside.
"Master, it's time to eat!"
Wu Heng opened the door and headed downstairs.
"Are you hot, Master? Why are you sweating so much?" Minnie asked.
"The room was stuffy; it's fine."
"Oh."
They went downstairs together and started breakfast.
...…
After breakfast,
Andviel tidied up and left for the guild with her little owl.
Wu Heng went upstairs to the radio room.
During breakfast, Minnie mentioned seeing the pirate lady wanting to talk to him in the morning.
He headed upstairs directly.
Glancing at the skeleton investigator's records,
He picked up the microphone and said, "Philipa, you wanted to talk to me?"
"Damn, you scared me! Could you not speak so suddenly in the morning?" Philipa replied angrily.
"The sun's up. Why are you still sleeping?"
"I'm in the cabin. Where would I see the sun?" Philipa muttered.
Wu Heng didn't want to waste time and asked directly, "What's up?"
"Oh, good news! Your bounty has increased again. Your head is now worth 1,000 gold coins. Excited?"