Chapter 413, Funeral
The bald man yanked the gnome's hair, forcing his face upward.
The blood-streaked face bore a centipede-shaped scar on the lower lip.
"Found in the Sea Dog Gang, a dark sorcerer with a level above ten," the bald man from the Old Barrel Tavern explained.
Members of the guild and the guards frowned collectively.
The guard commander looked at the gnome. "Are you certain it was this gnome?"
The bald man glanced sideways and replied, "Yes."
The commander followed his gaze to where Wu Heng and Squad Eleven stood.
It seemed the Old Barrel Tavern and the guild had intel he wasn't privy to.
The commander's eyes swept over the chaotic scene and the workers crowding the alleyway.
He spoke again, "Leave some people to clean up. The rest can disperse. You, bring this gnome back with me. If he's truly guilty, compensation will suffice."
"Understood, Commander," the bald man replied.
Turning back, he gave a few orders.
The armed thugs from the Old Barrel Tavern gradually dispersed.
The bald man approached Wu Heng. "Thank you, Deputy Steward, for your investigation. I'll have someone deliver the promised reward to the guild."
Wu Heng glanced at him, refraining from mentioning that he had been ready to apprehend the man himself.
He simply nodded, watching as the bald man walked toward the guards.
Dragging the barely alive gnome, they departed.
Kavina asked, "What's next?"
"We're heading back. The rest is no longer our concern," Wu Heng said, turning to leave with his team.
Whether it was gang conflicts or the Old Barrel's mass killings,
none of it had much to do with the guild.
These were matters for the guards to handle.
In other words, as long as guild members' safety wasn't compromised and no bounty was issued, there was no justification for intervention.
Now that the culprit behind Macintosh's death had been found, the mission was considered complete.
They exited the area.
Hailing a carriage, they returned to the guild.
Back at the guild.
Squad Eleven returned to the rest area, while Wu Heng went to the steward's office to report the outcome to Imiro.
Imiro didn't say much.
He simply remarked that the port would remain unstable for a while and instructed the squads to intensify surveillance.
...…
That afternoon, Macintosh's funeral took place.
The casket rested quietly before the gravestone, surrounded by pure white flowers.
Only at this moment
did various factions realize Macintosh was dead, and last night's battle was related to her death.
Imiro and Wu Heng attended the funeral on behalf of the guild.
It wasn't overly somber, but it did evoke some reflection.
A leader who had dominated the port for so many years had died so unceremoniously on her own turf.
The funeral was simple.
After the ceremony, people murmured about the event and began leaving.
Returning to the guild afterward,
Wu Heng took Andviel home with him.
...…
As night fell,
Wu Heng stepped out of his room and saw Shanaila cautiously descending.
"I saw you at the funeral," Shanaila said softly as she hopped down.
"I saw you too," Wu Heng replied, taking her hand as they headed to the bedroom.
Lifting her skirt, Shanaila instinctively raised her arms.
Making it easier to remove her nightgown.
Covering her important parts with her hands, she slipped under the blanket. "I went to the port this afternoon. Operations have mostly stopped, and many fleets will likely be delayed for a few days."
Wu Heng pulled her soft body into his embrace. "The Old Barrel wiped out the Sea Dog Gang in a single night."
Shanaila's brows furrowed. "That quickly?"
"Yes, faster than you'd expect. It only took a few hours."
For a gang to mobilize such strength was beyond his expectations.
Even though the city's streets weren't as wide as those in the modern world, they had been packed with people, torches forming a long line.
Besides the gang members, most of them were port workers reliant on the Old Barrel for their livelihood.
In places like this,
levels weren't necessarily high, but physical strength was exceptional.
As for the Sea Dog Gang, notorious for snatching business like rabid dogs, they had been completely eradicated overnight.
"Who will control the port now?" Shanaila asked.
"No idea. With Macintosh gone, it's hard to say if the Old Barrel can maintain its authority."
"True. Hopefully, it won't disrupt port operations," Shanaila said with concern.
Wu Heng smiled. "It'll just be a change of power. Nothing catastrophic will happen."
"You're probably right," Shanaila replied, planting a light kiss on his lips.
Wu Heng held her tighter.
Flipping her soft body on top.
Shanaila sat on his waist, looking at him. "You're slacking again."
"You're in control tonight."
"Annoying."
The two intertwined their fingers as Shanaila's waist moved rhythmically.
...…
The next morning.
After Shanaila left, Wu Heng had breakfast and headed to the zombie world from his study.
Stepping through the gateway, he found himself back in the manager's office.
Looking out the window, he surveyed the scene.
The cold wind howled, with white snow blanketing treetops and rooftops.
The number of caravans exchanging goods had significantly dwindled. Only two modified SUVs appeared to be from outside.
Picking up the nearby radio, he called Qi Hancai.
Soon, Qi Hancai arrived, dressed in a long black down coat and black Martin boots.
Sitting nearby, she took out a plastic bag from her pocket.
It contained some gold and silver jewelry.
"The roads are tough. Few shelters come to trade, and exchanges are sporadic," she explained.
"We'll wait for spring," Wu Heng said, putting the jewelry away. "Anything new?"
Qi Hancai pulled out a small notebook and read aloud, "The military was pleased with the first transaction, commending our selflessness in sharing resources.
The second trade is being arranged. They'll provide two machine guns and 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Blueprints will be priced separately."
In this environment, trading gold for food was indeed shocking.
The opposing base must have been astonished.
They'd likely work to maintain such trade relationships, especially during winter.
Agreeing to sell machine guns and ammunition was a sign of this.
Wu Heng noted the rising bounties on Gold-Silver Island.
Even without plans to leave, the island seemed shrouded in a looming threat.
Preparing self-defense measures was essential.
"What's the price for the machine guns and ammunition?" Wu Heng asked.
"They're sticking to the previous military market prices. No changes," Qi Hancai replied.
"Good. Let them know we're also buying corpse cores for trade," Wu Heng said.
"Understood," Qi Hancai nodded. "East An Village and the prison have been closed. Skeletons are stationed there, and personnel have been relocated to the bus terminal and mall."
Wu Heng nodded.
Qi Hancai continued, "As for the train, we've scouted the road to the North Station. Driving there is fine, but it's unclear if any trains remain."
The provincial train had inspired them.
Turning it into a mobile fortress for intercity trade was an intriguing prospect.
Train personnel weren't hard to find.
During a rescue mission at Xiaodong Repair Shop, they'd saved some station workers.
However, that location was just a small stopover.
Finding a train there was unlikely.
After Qi Hancai finished speaking,
Wu Heng said, "Have the convoy prepared. Let's head to the station now."
"Understood!"
Qi Hancai switched radio channels and gave the order to prepare the convoy.
...…
The convoy departed from the mall, heading for the North Station.
Wu Heng sat in the passenger seat, glancing at the map. "Any updates from the headquarters?"
Qi Hancai, hands on the wheel, replied, "Besides survival tips, they announced new zombie types."
"What kinds?"
"Level-two mutated zombies include venom zombies, nicknamed spitters. They spray corrosive venom that infects after contact. There's also wild monkey zombies, more agile than before, possibly a result of evolved zombies. The answer isn't confirmed yet.
Animal variants now include mutated birds. Their corpse cores are level one, but their danger level is classified as level two.
Level-three mutated zombies added butcher zombies, standing about four meters tall and wielding weapons."
Wu Heng nodded.
Level-two mutations corresponded to level ten, and level-three to level fifteen.
With caution and protection from his skeleton army, handling them shouldn't be an issue.
On the flip side,
Wu Heng considered the zombie cores valuable for potion materials. Clear information would drive him to hunt them.
Qi Hancai added, "Headquarters also mentioned a ghost type that forces people to commit suicide. It's classified as level four danger, with no known solution."