Chapter 499, The Rentam City Crisis
For merchant guilds wanting to conduct business from the island or transit goods,
maintaining close cooperation with the Island Lord's Office is a great opportunity to strengthen their relationship, especially for those who didn't previously write recommendation letters to help Wu Heng become the Island Lord.
They are even more eager to seize this cooperation opportunity.
Each of them seemed quite enthusiastic.
On Wu Heng's side, he preferred to have Shanaila assist with merchant guild procurement.
However, Shanaila had just returned to the Wood Elf tribe and would need some time to come back.
The merchant guild representative from the Starflower Guild was also present, holding the same status as the other guild representatives.
"These are the items I need to procure. Take a look first." Wu Heng handed out several neatly arranged material lists to the guild representatives present.
The material lists had been reorganized by the Mechanist.
They included items like 3mm copper plates, white powder, lead, and a few other materials.
White powder was similar to modern smokeless powder but differed in its material composition.
The gunpowder in this world was mixed with the scale powder of fire-element magical beasts.
The Mechanist made adjustments while organizing the materials.
As the guild representatives looked over the material lists, some showed joy on their faces, while others shook their heads helplessly.
One representative stood up and said, "Island Lord, at the Snake Emblem Consortium's previous auction, we acquired the mining rights for the eastern copper mines in 'Rochefort.' We can supply your copper needs."
Another representative immediately stood up, "My Lord, we also export large amounts of copper and can meet your required specifications and deliver it to you."
"We can supply white powder as well…"
"…."
Several representatives stood up in succession, offering materials for collaboration.
Wu Heng sat to the side, listening.
Knowing everything could be procured smoothly gave him a sense of relief.
He waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit down.
He said, "Go back and compile the material types and prices you can collaborate on. Once finalized, send them directly to the City Hall. We will select a few guilds to sign agreements for procurement based on price and transportation terms. Don't worry about payment; everything will be settled properly."
"Yes, yes!" Everyone nodded compliantly.
"Alright then, hurry up with your quotations so we can make a choice." Wu Heng added.
The representatives stood and saluted, then exited together.
...…
After everyone had left,
Wu Heng also departed from the guild.
He boarded a carriage and returned to the Island Lord's Manor. After donning the [Conductor's Hat], the Ghost Train appeared.
He headed straight to the Ekow Kingdom's 'Netarei City.'
The train stopped in an uninhabited area, and Wu Heng, cloaked and veiled, entered the city directly.
Unlike before,
the streets of Netarei City were less crowded than a few days ago. Pedestrians hurried along, and many shops were closed.
At an alchemy shop and a mining goods store, he purchased some materials temporarily, then headed to the Snake Emblem Consortium's semi-underground facility at the Mermaid Tavern.
The Snake Emblem Consortium was also less lively than usual.
Two scattered individuals stood in front of the bulletin board, conversing in low tones.
Wu Heng entered the predetermined room directly.
Shortly after, a young woman he didn't recognize entered cautiously.
She glanced at Wu Heng and respectfully asked, "Sir, are you here to exchange potions?"
Wu Heng sized her up and nodded, "It wasn't you before, was it?"
"My lady is attending to some matters and instructed me to handle the transaction with you. Don't worry, she has fully briefed me," the woman replied, leaning slightly forward in a half-bow.
Wu Heng continued scrutinizing her.
She spoke again, "My lady also said that if you wish to help her refine potions, her previous promises remain valid, and she can offer better terms."
Bringing this up was to prove her identity.
After all, the terms between the two were known only to them, unless the blonde woman revealed them herself.
"Hmm." Wu Heng nodded and placed two potions on the table.
The woman took out an ornate box from her spatial ring.
Carefully opening it, she pushed it across the table.
Inside was a vibrant floral crown.
[Fairy Crown]
(Description: A crown woven by reclusive fairies, granting effects like self-healing, body nourishment, and Beast Speech.)
This wasn't a peculiar item but a magical artifact.
Yet its effects were quite good.
Some magical artifacts had effects on par with peculiar items, and they lacked side effects.
This 'Fairy Crown' was decent. Though it wasn't a combat item, its self-healing effect made it unsuitable for battle, as wearing a crown during combat was impractical.
It was more suited for post-battle recovery or everyday use, where it could also nourish the body.
The woman introduced it softly, "This fairy crown offers a self-healing effect equivalent to a mid-grade healing potion. Wearing it daily nourishes the body and enables communication with animals and beasts."
So Beast Speech was quite literal—it allowed communication with beasts.
After the introduction,
the woman cautiously asked, "Sir, are you satisfied with the item?"
"Hmm, it's acceptable." Wu Heng took it directly.
Hearing his satisfaction, the woman smiled and retrieved the potions.
With the transaction complete, Wu Heng asked, "Why are the streets so empty?"
The woman shook her head gently. "I'm sorry, but I can't speak on this and don't want to give you a perfunctory answer."
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow.
He was somewhat surprised by this response.
Standing up, he said, "No problem. I'll head back now."
The woman bowed again.
Wu Heng walked out directly.
He didn't linger outside, boarding the Ghost Train in an unpopulated area to return to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
Upon returning home,
Wu Heng sat in the living room, chatting with Minnie for a while. After resting enough, he went back upstairs.
He opened the portal to the Zombie World.
Adding some of the materials he'd procured into the production line machines.
Several people stood by silently, waiting.
Soon, the sound of machines running filled the air, and the production process began.
Copper plates were cut into coin-sized discs, which were then pressed into hollow bullet casings.
Next came the base fixing, gunpowder filling, and bullet tip attachment.
Wu Heng had reviewed the schematics and understood the general process.
For Qi Hancai and the others, it was their first time witnessing bullet production, and they were filled with curiosity.
But once the process was complete and the bullets were fully manufactured, it seemed less complex than they had anticipated.
"These materials may not sustain production for long," Qi Hancai remarked.
"I'll figure something out when the time comes. No need to worry."
Qi Hancai thought for a moment. "I can arrange for copper items to be collected from various places, but sourcing gunpowder will be much harder."
"Alright, focus on collecting copper items first. I'll handle the gunpowder and lead."
"Understood!"
Once some bullets were produced, Wu Heng instructed the machines to stop.
He gathered the newly manufactured bullets.
They exited the workshop together and stepped outside.
Wu Heng handed the bullets to a skeleton armed with a machine gun. "Load these bullets."
The skeleton opened the magazine and loaded the new bullets.
It fired into the distance.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of gunshots rang out, with bullets hitting a distant wooden target.
There were no issues with trajectory or range.
This confirmed that not only was the white powder substitution successful, but the entire production line was also up to standard.
"It seems the results are quite good," Qi Hancai commented, glancing at the wooden target.
"Yes, it's indeed quite good."
Wu Heng then directed the skeleton to return to its post.
Wu Heng and Qi Hancai walked back together.
They returned directly to their respective residences.
...…
The next day, at the Island Lord's Manor.
Wu Heng was sunbathing on a lounge chair while Minnie tended to the flowers in the flower bed nearby.
Knock, knock, knock~!
The manor's gate was being knocked on.
Minnie wiped her hands on her apron and quickly ran over to open the door.
She exchanged a few words with the person outside.
Then returned with a letter in her hand.
"Master, there's a letter for you from the guild. They sent it directly here."
"A letter, huh." Wu Heng sat up and took it to take a look.
He tore open the envelope and poured out the letter.
Line by line of writing appeared.
It was a letter from Wen Mansa.
「Master:
I received the letter you sent. I'm very happy, but its sudden appearance on my pillow gave me quite a fright.
Right now, I really can't handle being startled.
You said you'd come back to see me, but it's been several days with no news. I couldn't wait any longer and decided to write you this letter.
I just hope you won't miss it and that you'll read it when you can.
Rentam City has been quite unsettled recently. Two days ago, there was an assassination incident involving gangs in the outer city. Several City Hall officials were assassinated, and there were signs of interrogation.
After investigations and arrests of several gangs,
we've obtained some information indicating that high-level Professionals have entered the city and are plotting something.
I've already arranged for additional patrols and guards in the city, but some officials, under pressure, have chosen to leave.
Steward Slater has visited a few times, but she can't stay in the city for long and doesn't have a solid solution.
If Master were here, these things wouldn't have happened...
I just hope I'm not doing too poorly and haven't let you down.
Waiting for your return.
——Wen Mansa」
Reading the contents of the letter, Wu Heng furrowed his brows slightly.
The letters sent before were all about how great Rentam City was doing, with rapid urban development and rising tax revenue.
Plus, with the Golden Cat running smoothly, it had become an entertainment hub for nearby cities.
A true city that never sleeps.
But today's letter was clearly filled with concern.
High-level Professionals, assassinating officials, interfering with Rentam City's development.
A place like Rentam City, which lacked support from a Kingdom or faction, was indeed the kind of place where regimes were easiest to overthrow.
It seemed he really had to make a trip back.
"Is it Sister Wen Mansa?" Minnie asked from the side.
"You're so smart!"
"I just knew it was her. She's probably gone crazy missing you," Minnie teased from the side.
Even Andviel had mentioned it before.
Among the three maids in Rentam City, Wen Mansa was the clingiest.
It seemed Minnie shared the same sentiment.
Wu Heng put the letter away and said, "Wen Mansa mentioned that there are high-level Professionals causing trouble in Rentam City."
"Didn't you leave a high-level skeleton there? Are they stronger than that?"
Rentam City hadn't been particularly noteworthy before.
Judging by the feeling of playing games, it resembled the kind of city surrounding a beginner's village.
Slightly more advanced than Blackstone Town, but far inferior to Gold-Silver Island.
Level 15 Professionals were considered top-tier there.
Back then, a Level 15 Warhammer faction leader, Skull-Crusher, nearly captured the entire city.
But now, with tax revenues soaring,
it had drawn the attention of high-level Professionals.
"Perhaps they want to take it over," Wu Heng said.
Minnie glanced over and asked, "Are you going back?"
"Yes, I'll go back to take a look. At the very least, I'll install a radio for her so she doesn't have to keep writing letters."
"True. And you should keep Wen Mansa company. Being there alone must be quite lonely for her," Minnie added.
Wu Heng nodded, mentally planning his departure.
Gold-Silver Island was stable and didn't require much attention for the time being.
The main concern was the Zombie World.
Negotiations with the Provincial Rescue Team still hadn't concluded.
He needed to resolve that quickly before heading to Rentam City.
...…
In the afternoon,
he went straight to the Zombie World.
More people had been brought over, and the factory was bustling with activity.
Wu Heng descended from the upper floor.
Qi Hancai quickly came in from outside, her expression serious. "Please come over."
Seeing her expression, he followed her to an area behind the building.
In the middle of an open space, a corpse was laid out.
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow. "Someone's dead?"
Qi Hancai shook her head. "Not one of ours. They were caught climbing over the wall last night and killed by a skeleton."
Not one of their own.
Yet trying to sneak in?
Wu Heng guessed, "Provincial Rescue Team?"
After all, his people were here, and only the Rescue Team knew about it.
"Possibly. They weren't wearing Rescue Team uniforms but had a handgun. It's probably not far off."
Wu Heng nodded and used [Speak with the Dead] on the corpse.
The corpse sat up from the ground, its cloudy eyes turning toward them.
Wu Heng asked directly, "Which base are you from?"
The corpse answered, "East Camp Street, Little Rock Base."
Little Rock Base referred to the Provincial Rescue Team's base of operations.
Some called it the Rescue Team Base, others Little Rock Base—just different names.
But it confirmed their suspicions: the person was from the Provincial Rescue Team.
Wu Heng continued, "Why did you come here?"
The corpse replied, "Boss Huang gave us orders to gather intelligence here in exchange for food."
Boss Huang!
He was still unwilling to give up.
Wu Heng asked again, "What kind of intelligence?"
"Information on the missing squad, the factory's defensive plans, and what's being done inside."
The two exchanged glances.
Qi Hancai remained silent, but her face grew increasingly grave.
They were still gathering information on their defenses—this intent was clear.
Even if they weren't planning an immediate attack, they were preparing for the possibility.
Wu Heng gestured for Qi Hancai to stay calm.
He asked the corpse, "Was this just Boss Huang's decision, or did the entire Rescue Team agree to investigate here?"
"Only Boss Huang, acting in secret without the other two factions' knowledge."
One last question.
"How many weapons does Boss Huang have?"
"Four armored vehicles, and plenty of guns, but I don't know the exact number."
After answering five questions,
the corpse lay back down.
It seemed Boss Huang had already pinned the issue on them.
Whether it was truly a disappearance or a death elsewhere,
none of that mattered anymore.
They were convinced it was their fault.