Chapter 404: Come Have a Late-Night Snack
As the pirates were escorted off the ships, cheers erupted again at the port.
Okam's simple white robe and calm gaze were complemented by the bright armor and steady steps of the soldiers behind him.
They exuded the demeanor of a well-trained elite force.
Wu Heng stood amidst the crowd, observing the scene before him.
A recently pardoned pirate now leading a fleet to hunt other pirates.
This guy seemed to have forgotten his roots.
After glancing from afar and deeming it unrelated to him, Wu Heng hailed a carriage to return home.
...…
Pushing open the courtyard gate.
Minnie was training in the yard.
Seeing Wu Heng return, she dashed over and leaped into his arms, playfully clinging to him.
Holding her, Wu Heng walked inside and asked, "What's the stone house in the yard being used for now?"
Minnie turned to look at the stone house on one side of the courtyard and replied, "It's storing some yard-cleaning tools. Why?"
"Have the skeletons clean it out; I'll assign it a new purpose."
"Oh, alright!" Minnie hopped down and called over a few skeletons to move all the tools out.
The stone house was quite spacious inside, with a floor of ordinary bluestone tiles and walls made of original stone bricks.
Once everything was cleared out.
Wu Heng summoned the skeleton bomb-maker in the yard and said, "From now on, this will be your laboratory. You'll work on making alchemical grenades with various effects. If you need materials, write a list for me or her."
As he spoke, he gestured toward Minnie.
The skeleton bomb-maker didn't respond but walked straight into the stone house, starting to arrange the interior.
The skeleton bomb-maker was a Level 15 Alchemical Bomb Sorcerer.
It could craft various alchemical grenades.
Now turned into a skeleton, Wu Heng had no intention of sending it into battle.
Instead, it would stay here to produce grenades.
These alchemical grenades were, well, quite effective.
Their only drawback was the need to light a fuse, which took time.
If the enemy was prepared, they might even throw it back before it detonated.
Later on, Wu Heng planned to incorporate modern grenade-triggering mechanisms.
To create a new type of alchemical grenade.
Minnie peeked her head out from behind and asked, "Is it also an alchemist?"
"Yes, but with alchemical bombs!"
Minnie's eyes widened, and she suspiciously said, "Then… is it safe? This house is rented."
During their journey to the Golden-Silver Island, Minnie had seen the pirates' alchemical bombs.
They created wind and fire, which were pretty terrifying.
Wu Heng patted her on the head and said, "Don't worry, it's not that powerful."
"Oh, good then."
After arranging a workbench and some cabinets in the laboratory, the two returned to their rooms.
Tomorrow, Minnie would follow the material list to buy items for the skeleton bomb-maker's grenade production.
...…
Dusk.
Andviel returned from outside.
The three of them sat at the dining table, eating dinner.
Andviel chewed her food lightly and said, "Master, this afternoon while you were away, the island's owner visited the guild. A lot of people went to watch."
Wu Heng raised his head, curious, "What did he go to the guild for?"
"He met with the steward, but what it was about, I'm not sure," Andviel said with a hint of curiosity. "Isn't he said to have been a pirate? He doesn't look like one. With those guards he brought, they're even more disciplined than Rentam City's Iron Guards."
At the port, Wu Heng had the same impression.
It wasn't so much the fact that he brought guards.
But it felt like he was trying to prove he wasn't a pirate.
"Maybe he's trying to shake off the pirate image," Wu Heng speculated.
"Yeah, probably," Andviel agreed.
Minnie sat to the side, listening to their conversation.
When they finished, she asked, "Sister Viel, is the island owner a man or a woman?"
"A man, I think. Looks to be in his forties."
"Oh, I see!"
After dinner.
As the two girls were about to train in the courtyard.
Wu Heng called them into the living room.
He placed two bottles of potions on the table and said, "The previous potions I gave you are less effective now. These are higher-grade potions; one for each of you."
Hearing they were new potions.
The girls' expressions changed slightly.
Minnie was delighted, excited to get something new, while Andviel was surprised yet pleased.
Though Andviel had rarely participated in combat while working as an assistant at the guild.
She had seen others train and spar.
With her heightened perception and reaction abilities from previous potions, she could easily outmatch ordinary team captains.
Now, with higher-grade potions, her strength would undoubtedly improve further.
"Thank you, Master," Minnie said joyfully, taking her potion.
Andviel, after glancing at Minnie, took hers as well. "Thank you, Master."
Wu Heng nodded and said, "Taking these will cause some pain, but it's normal. Just endure it, and it'll pass. Take them now, and I'll watch over you."
The two exchanged a glance, then opened their potions and drank them.
The effects Wu Heng had experienced began to manifest in them.
Their skin reddened, veins bulged, and they groaned in pain.
After some time, Andviel began to recover, sitting upright and marveling at her body's enhancement.
The Tier 2 potions' effects were akin to Tier 3 enhancements initially.
The improvement was substantial.
Wu Heng gestured for her to familiarize herself with her body while focusing on Minnie, who was still struggling.
Perhaps due to her lower level, Minnie endured the potion's effects longer.
Just as Wu Heng began to worry, her bulging veins finally subsided.
"How do you feel?" Wu Heng asked, gently patting her back.
Minnie took a deep breath and said, "I thought I was going to die."
"Nonsense, that's not going to happen," Wu Heng replied.
Suddenly, Minnie raised her hand, staring at it in confusion. Moments later, a scorching flame ignited in her palm.
Staring at the flame, Minnie's eyes filled with disbelief.
Then she screamed, "Ah, my hand's on fire! Help me!"
Wu Heng, equally surprised, watched the scene unfold.
This same effect had occurred before with Ma Zhiyong in the Flaming God Shelter.
Minnie had awakened an ability!
What kind of luck was this?
Wu Heng opened a window and said, "Throw it outside."
"Huh?" Minnie, bewildered, mimicked a throwing motion.
The flame condensed into a fireball.
It flew out the window, crashing into a distant flowerbed with a "boom" and sending up a cloud of smoke.
The explosion startled nearby skeletons.
They immediately rushed to the flowerbed, then entered the room to investigate.
Wu Heng waved them away to resume their duties.
Looking back at Minnie, she was tearfully blowing on her hand while Andviel tried to soothe her.
Minnie asked, "Master, what is this?"
Wu Heng had the two sit down and explained, "We call this an ability. Sometimes potions can unlock latent potential, leading to abilities like this."
"So, this is a good thing?"
"A very good thing. Many would envy you for it."
Minnie's fear turned into a bright smile.
Abilities didn't cause burns; she had just been startled.
Andviel pondered aloud, "This ability seems similar to a sorcerer's awakened bloodline."
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it does sound similar."
When he learned about sorcerers, Wu Heng had thought their abilities closely resembled awakened powers.
Both drew on latent potential, though their manifestations varied.
Sorcerers had structured systems, and their abilities improved through practice.
Survivors in the zombie world, however, prioritized survival, leaving little time to study or develop their abilities.
After discussing for a while, Wu Heng advised Minnie to practice in secret and not reveal it to others.
As the sky darkened, they each went upstairs.
...…
Back in the study.
Wu Heng sat at his desk, sipping tea as he planned his next steps.
The greatest threat remained the pirates' 1,000-gold bounty—an absurdly high figure.
"Five hundred gold already attracted so many pirates. At 1,000 gold, some might risk coming straight to the island."
"Why is the Blank Envelope targeting me? What's their motive?"
Wu Heng suspected the Secret Cult, but their methods were different.
If the Secret Cult offered 1,000 gold, they'd hire an assassin to kill him directly.
They wouldn't resort to goading pirates.
Did he even have enemies?
The Divine Punishment Sect?
A Guardian of the Divine Punishment Sect had visited the island, but it seemed unrelated.
Taking a deep breath, Wu Heng resolved, "I'll keep Phillipa investigating and focus on leveling up. Once I reach Level 18, no bounty increase will pose a threat, and the guild will protect me."
"I also need to push forward with Tier 3 potions, establish trade with the province and nearby cities, and visit Wen Mansa and Slater soon."
Reviewing his to-do list in his mind, Wu Heng felt more organized.
His progress since arriving on the Golden-Silver Island had been significant.
Knowledge and opportunities here far surpassed those in Rentam City.
He needed to maintain this momentum.
By enhancing resource exchanges between the two worlds, he could grow stronger.
"If reaching divinity is possible, it might even solve the zombie problem once and for all."
...…
Knock, knock~!
The study door opened.
Andviel stood there, her head lowered.
Sensing something was off, Wu Heng asked, "Viel, what's wrong?"
She raised her head, looking dejected. "Master, will there be more chances for abilities? Did I disappoint you?"
"There will be more chances for abilities. But abilities aren't everything; combat skills and overall attributes matter more."
"Awakened bloodlines always make one stronger."
"That's different. I drank many potions before I gained a temporary strength boost."
"I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean it that way."
Wu Heng ruffled her hair to comfort her. "It's fine. There'll be more opportunities. Even without abilities, it's no big deal."
"Thank you, Master. Can I stay with you for a while?"
Wu Heng lifted her onto the desk, setting aside her nightgown and marveling at the softness of her skin.
...…
Knock, knock~!
Soon, the door opened slightly.
Minnie peeked in, "Master, you're not asleep yet?"
Wu Heng paused for two seconds and said, "About to."
"Sister Viel fell asleep. I'll keep you company." Minnie approached, then spotted Andviel kneeling by the desk.
Frowning, she said, "Sister Viel isn't asleep."
Wu Heng gently cupped Andviel's face. "Come out; you've been discovered."
Andviel awkwardly crawled out, wiping her lips with her thumb. "Why aren't you asleep? Can you still get up to make breakfast?"
"Hmph, why do you get a late-night snack?"
"Nonsense."
Wu Heng chuckled, wrapping his arms around them both and heading to the bedroom. "Let's go. Time for bed."
On the rooftop, Shanaila patted her chest in relief.
Quietly, she tiptoed back to her own quarters.
...…
The next day, after breakfast.
Minnie donned her training clothes and went outside to practice.
Wu Heng packed up and returned to the zombie world.
The temperature had plummeted, with howling winds audible through the windows.
He left his room and headed to the conference room on the mall's second floor, summoning Qi Hancai to join him.
After waiting in the conference room for a while, Qi Hancai, Li Yanhong, Qiangzi, and Wang Chengang arrived.
After they were seated.
Qi Hancai said, "Regarding your earlier request for personnel recommendations, I've suggested Wang Chengang, while Li Yanhong recommended Qiangzi."
Li Yanhong's choice of Qiangzi didn't surprise Wu Heng.
Qiangzi was a trusted confidant.
Naturally, she'd think of her own people for opportunities.
However, Qi Hancai's choice of Wang Chengang was unexpected.
Qi Hancai had her own group from the Dong'an Shelter.
It was surprising that she didn't pick from there but instead chose Wang Chengang
Wu Heng nodded and, seeing the slightly puzzled expressions on both men's faces, directly said, "The base intends to cultivate trustworthy individuals by having them use corpse cores to enhance their physique."
"Boss, the death rate with corpse cores is high," Qiangzi blurted out.
Li Yanhong immediately punched him on the shoulder. "Shut up. Do you think he'd harm you?"
Qiangzi instantly fell silent, choosing not to speak further.
Wu Heng continued, "You're both veterans of this base, so naturally, you'll be the first to benefit. However, this is a matter of the base's safety, so ensure that it remains confidential."
For ordinary people, low-level potions—specifically, those suitable for Level 1 users—offered growth potential up to Level 5.
Given Wu Heng's current strength and level, he wasn't concerned that these individuals would pose any threat to him after using the potions.
In the zombie world, as the territory expanded, there was a growing need for more trustworthy individuals.
By controlling the army and the supply of corpse core potions, Wu Heng effectively ensured his dominance over all authority.
He had no fear of significant problems arising.
Wang Chengang nodded. "Boss, you can trust us. Without you, we'd already be dead. We know what to say and what not to say."
Qiangzi also added, "Me too. I swear I won't leak anything."
Wu Heng nodded.
Taking out two bottles of Level 1 corpse core potions, he handed them over. "One bottle each. Drink it immediately."
The two hesitated briefly before taking the potions, pondering for a moment, and then drinking them down.
After a short bout of pain.
Both men's faces lit up with joy.
No wonder they were told to keep it secret.
A potion free of the virus was nothing short of miraculous.
"Thank you, Boss. We won't say a word about this," Wang Chengang assured.
"Me too. I promise to keep it quiet," Qiangzi said, thumping his chest for emphasis.
Wu Heng nodded. "Alright, I trust you. Go about your duties now."
"Understood."
The two exited the room.
...…
After they left, only three people remained in the conference room.
Qi Hancai spoke up. "We've already contacted the provincial zone. They're expected to arrive this afternoon."