Chapter 417, Help Me Capture Them
"How would I know? The information in the letters is always accurate; it can't be fake," the burly man Babuqi emphasized.
Philipa raised her fist-sized mug, covering her face.
She mentally noted the matter.
Information about the skeleton retainers wasn't difficult to obtain.
But why was such information suddenly added?
Did the envelope previously not know about the strength of his retainers? Or did they believe the earlier pirates had failed and specifically included this as a reminder for preparation?
"What? Are you planning to kill that Deputy Steward?" the burly man asked, staring at her.
"1,200 gold coins… Don't you want that?"
"No. Even if we went, we might not win. Why provoke him?"
Philipa stared at him seriously. "I'm begging you—join the guild."
The burly man ignored her teasing and continued, "I've gathered two pirate crews, each with a leader around level 12. We're planning to rob a merchant convoy. Since you bought me drinks today, I'll count you in. Want to join?"
Philipa sipped her drink and eyed him suspiciously. "You're not an informant for the guild, are you? Trying to lure me in?"
"Your bounty is so low even a dog would piss on it before walking away." The burly man stood, waving to his crew to leave. "You're paying for the drinks. See you next time."
Philipa had her first mate pay the tab and immediately caught up, throwing her arm around the burly man's shoulder. "Don't be mad. I'm in. What's the convoy carrying? Is it worth it?"
"Of course it's worth it. There's enough to make you rich."
"Babuqi, you're a truly kind pirate."
"Damn it!"
...…
Placing the purchased items in the courtyard,
Wu Heng returned the guild's spatial pouch to the staff member who had followed him there.
The staff member bowed and left immediately.
After storing all the items, Wu Heng informed Minnie before heading to the fourth floor.
He opened the portal and entered the zombie world.
On the other side was the old factory dormitory.
Last time, Xiaoxiao missed her mother, so he brought her here for a visit before returning to Golden-Silver Island.
Releasing Xiaoxiao to see her mother, Wu Heng descended the stairs.
He walked to the back of the old factory dormitory building.
There, he took out the coffins and wyvern corpse he had purchased.
Activating the [Battlefield of the Dead], the corpses rose, shaking off bits of flesh, and marched to one side.
Afterward, Wu Heng led the skeletons back to the old factory.
As he entered the yard, Xiaoxiao's mother, Zhao Yanqiu, approached.
"My King, what are your orders?" Zhao Yanqiu glanced at the skeletons behind him.
"These four are blacksmiths, and these two are leatherworkers. Assign them to the workshop," Wu Heng directed.
Then, he ordered the skeletons, "From now on, follow her commands."
Clatter!
The skeletons moved, standing beside Zhao Yanqiu.
"Understood. Anything else?" Zhao Yanqiu asked.
"No, that's all. You may go."
"Alright."
Zhao Yanqiu left with the skeletons.
Wu Heng sent the skeleton brewer and skeleton alchemist through the portal.
Then, he rode the skeleton wyvern directly to the captured northern station.
...…
Upon landing,
a survivor ran over.
In a hushed tone, he said, "Someone from the provincial district is here. They're talking with Sister Qi in the meeting room."
"This morning?"
The survivor replied, "They just arrived, about ten minutes ago."
"Got it. I'll check it out."
The survivor nodded and returned to his post.
Wu Heng approached the refurbished meeting room, pulling out the Relic Preacher's Codex and tucking it to one side. He knocked and entered.
Inside were Qi Hancai and, near the door, Deputy Commander Liu and a bright-eyed young man he hadn't met before.
"Deputy Commander Liu, apologies for being late," Wu Heng greeted with a smile as he entered.
The middle-aged deputy commander stood and smiled back. "We just arrived. Perfect timing."
After shaking hands,
Qi Hancai stood and offered Wu Heng her seat.
Once seated,
the deputy commander began, "We brought 30 kilograms of gold, two autocannons, 2,000 shells, and some blueprints you requested."
The items had been reviewed beforehand.
Liu reiterated the details.
"Where are the blueprints?" Wu Heng asked.
Qi Hancai retrieved several stacks of printed blueprints from a nearby shelf.
Wu Heng examined them.
The deputy commander explained, "Three types: Type 56 rifle, grenade, and ammunition structural blueprints."
Wu Heng compared the diagrams. Despite being printed, they were clear.
Dimensions, designs, and material structures were meticulously labeled.
These were standard technical drawings.
The deputy commander smiled. "The blueprints are a gift. In these dangerous times, every place must contribute what it can—effort, technology, or resources—to overcome the crisis together."
The blueprints were replicas. Given the conditions of most shelters, they wouldn't be able to manufacture much anyway.
The central station often shared weapon-making methods publicly, though not as clearly as these blueprints.
"Thank you." Wu Heng handed the blueprints back to Qi Hancai, then asked, "Do you have blueprints for the autocannons and shells?"
The deputy commander frowned. "You need those?"
"Yes. I hope to trade for them next time. A production line blueprint would be even better."
The deputy commander fell silent. "Even with blueprints, production isn't feasible under current conditions. Why insist?"
"I want my team to study them. Besides, I've always been a military enthusiast. It's just a personal interest. I hope the provincial district can accommodate," Wu Heng said, fiddling with the codex.
"Alright. I'll report this to my superiors when I return."
"Thank you."
With the exchange matters settled, the deputy commander casually asked, "You captured this station. Do you have any plans? Can you share?"
"Nothing special. Seeing your modified train inspired me to create one of our own. In case of danger, we can ride it to seek refuge with you."
The deputy commander was momentarily stunned before laughing. "Haha! You'd be most welcome. If you come, I might even lose my position as deputy commander to you."
"Thanks, Liu. I'll count on you then."
"The future is in your hands, young people."
After some more conversation,
the outside transactions for food were completed.
Deputy Commander Liu and his team boarded their train and departed.
...…
Inside one of the station's warehouses,
tarps were removed, revealing two autocannons.
There were two types.
One was the previously purchased twin-barreled autocannon, compatible with 23mm shells.
The other was a massive six-barreled cannon resembling an oversized Gatling gun.
This one was a Gatling autocannon.
"Is this new equipment?" Wu Heng asked Qi Hancai.
His claim of being a gun enthusiast was largely based on games like PUBG.
"Here's the manual. The price doubled for this autocannon. It sounds impressive."
Wu Heng took the manual and skimmed it. It was indeed superior to the original autocannon.
"Yes, it's quite good. We should continue trading with them."
"Understood."
Wu Heng stored the autocannons and shells.
He then moved to another warehouse.
In a blue canopy workshop, several welders were modifying the train.
Thicker steel plates and battering rams were being installed.
Its appearance increasingly resembled the provincial district's mobile fortress train.
Achieving that level would suffice.
It would meet all transportation and operational needs.
After Qi Hancai briefed him on the current situation,
Wu Heng stored the exchanged gold and blueprints and returned to Golden-Silver Island.
...…
Upon descending the stairs,
Minnie said, "Master, the pirate lady wants to see you."
Wu Heng paused, then returned upstairs.
In the radio room, he checked the skeleton investigator's logbook.
Picking up the microphone, he called, "Philipa, are you there?"
A drowsy voice replied, "I am. Why do you always call when I'm sleeping?"
"Why are you sleeping during the day?"
"In a ship's cabin, there's no day or night."
Wu Heng didn't argue. "You called for me?"
"Oh, yes. Your bounty is now 1,200 gold coins. Pirates also have details about your two retainers," Philipa said.
Huh…
Wu Heng wasn't too surprised about his bounty increase.
"What's the intel on my retainers? Let's hear it."
"Two skeleton retainers, both over level 15. One is a ronin, the other a hammer warrior. That's it."
"Not much of a secret. It's not a big deal."
Philipa added, "I joined a pirate fleet, three crews in total. Help me take them down."