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Chapter 575, Trample Him Underfoot
"Don't worry. Even if there's danger, the ones going up first will be skeletons. I won't abandon you," Wu Heng said, taking out a scroll from his spatial ring.
Macintosh stepped forward, pricked her fingertip, and let a drop of blood fall onto the scroll.
The scroll quickly absorbed the blood, drawing Wu Heng's spiritual energy as it burrowed into Macintosh's forehead, branding her soul.
Macintosh's body wavered slightly, feeling a bit weak.
But as a level 15, she recovered quickly.
The contract was complete.
Wu Heng smiled and said, "Welcome to Gold-Silver Island, Macintosh."
Macintosh looked somewhat relieved as well. "Should I call you Island Lord or Master now?"
"Island Lord. When you return, start preparing to resume intelligence operations. In the next two days, I'll pick a location for your office," Wu Heng instructed.
Macintosh had no objections and added, "I plan to gather some of my former subordinates as well."
"That's fine, but remember, you're now the head of Gold-Silver Island's intelligence department. You're no longer a pirate or a gang leader. You need to keep your subordinates in check. This island is under the guild's jurisdiction," Wu Heng said sternly.
"Don't worry. Since I've joined Gold-Silver Island, I understand what should and shouldn't be done," Macintosh replied seriously.
"Good."
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back. If you need me, just find me at the Golden Sail Tavern." Macintosh pulled her hood back up.
"I'll have someone escort you back."
"No need. My people are waiting for me in the central district. No need to worry," Macintosh replied.
Wu Heng didn't say much more, escorting her to the courtyard gate.
As Macintosh stepped through the gate, she turned and bowed once more. "I'll be counting on your guidance, Island Lord."
"And thank you for choosing to join Gold-Silver Island."
Macintosh nodded and left.
The courtyard gate closed again as Wu Heng and Minnie returned to the house.
Minnie skipped toward the training room.
Wu Heng went straight upstairs to his study.
"Did that lady join us?" Xiaoxiao flew over and asked.
"She did. She was just wandering around outside, too embarrassed to bring it up," Wu Heng sat down.
Hearing them talk, Glenda asked curiously, "Which lady?"
Xiaoxiao flew over. "The one with six arms—the one who faked her death, and we found her out. She was circling outside for a long time. But this time, she accepted Uncle's offer and joined us."
"Oh, her! She didn't have much of a choice. Even if she left, at most, she'd find some remote place to be a gang leader again. Staying here lets her take a different path," Glenda said.
"That makes sense," Wu Heng nodded in agreement.
Glenda didn't say more, returning to her writing, while Xiaoxiao floated back to her corner and started watching cartoons.
Wu Heng poured himself a glass of water and sat down.
His mind drifted to future plans.
In the zombie world, skeletons were clearing out nearby cities on his behalf. Progress was going well.
He didn't even need to do it himself—just sitting at home, he could see his experience points increasing.
Once a city was taken over, he could freely loot its resources.
On Gold-Silver Island, the newspaper had become a powerful promotional tool.
If the zombie world provided him with experience, the sheer number of zombies globally was enough to push him to the rank of a hero.
Meanwhile, this other world was where he built his reputation.
The newspaper must continue being published.
Those three trading fleets planning to sell it outside the island would serve as his test case.
Were delayed newspapers still worth selling?
Or should he take a modern approach…
Establishing newspapers in various locations to publish and distribute simultaneously while gathering intelligence.
The issue was still information transmission.
If needed, he could use radio to transmit the reports to other newspaper offices, which would record and publish them simultaneously.
It was a bit clumsy, but it could work.
Sitting in his chair, he pondered for a while.
Then he stretched and said, "I'm going to rest. You guys don't overwork yourselves either."
Xiaoxiao, without looking back, said, "Uncle, we're ghosts! I've told you so many times. You're becoming more and more like my mom."
"Alright, I'm going."
"Good night, Uncle."
Wu Heng left the study.
Glancing downstairs, he walked to Minnie's door, knocked twice, and stepped inside.
"Master!" Minnie cheered and leaped at him.
The next day, zombie world.
Wu Heng stood in the dense forest behind the factory, taking out coffin after coffin.
"Open all the lids."
The skeletons stepped forward and lifted the lids, revealing mostly human corpses inside.
According to Ledily, most of these bodies came from the Yeke Kingdom—victims of the civil war and faction battles, which had even affected level 15 professionals.
Even gardeners had died—it had become pure slaughter.
Wu Heng cast [Raise Skeleton], and one by one, skeletons rose from the coffins.
The sight was eerie.
19 administrative skeletons, 13 level 15 combat-class skeletons.
He quickly scanned them.
Among them were three tailor skeletons, whose specialty was cutting and making clothes.
Perfect for his clothing factory, which needed workers like them.
No need to trouble Andviel to recruit more tailors.
"Come with me." Wu Heng gave the command.
The skeletons clattered out of their coffins, shaking off bits of flesh, and followed Wu Heng toward the factory.
As they neared the dormitory building…
Qi Hancai stood at the entrance. On her shoulder, a tiny owl wore a red sweater and a matching hat.
Wu Heng had never seen anyone dress up a tamed beast so flamboyantly before.
As if afraid no one would notice.
But it didn't matter. This world lacked clear class distinctions, so it was basically treated like a pet.
"Wait a moment," Wu Heng said, then led the skeletons upstairs.
He quickly returned and took Qi Hancai into the conference room.
Sitting in a chair…
Qi Hancai got straight to the point. "Bai Qing's offensive is going well. Two groups of survivors have already been rescued, and supplies are being sent to them.
Also, the necromantic structure Burial Grounds—Yahong said it's being loaded onto the trucks and will arrive in the next two days."
According to the plan…
The necromantic structure 'Burial Grounds' from Xinfu Prison was to be excavated and transported to Gahe City to process slain zombies.
And the skeleton mage 'Kalema,' who had learned necromantic magic—formerly the guild's inspector, killed by Wu Heng…
Would accompany Li Yanhong's forces, advancing through cities while converting corpses along the way.
"No issues with the survivors?" Wu Heng asked.
"Nothing major. We're currently identifying their professions and skills. Special professions and younger ones will be sent back to us, while those who can work will help the teams," Qi Hancai replied.
Wu Heng nodded without further questions.
Qi Hancai continued, "Zhao Yanqiu went back to Xinfu City. She'll return in a few days. Qiangzi and his team are researching new inventions. Everything at the arms factory is running smoothly, and production is on track.
Oh, and the central station will be trading grain in the afternoon. You'll need to head over."
With everything reported…
Wu Heng stood up and said, "Let's go to the airport together."
"Alright."
Qi Hancai picked up her radio.
A convoy pulled up in front of the dormitory building, and the two boarded a truck.
They drove out of the factory, heading toward the airport.
Gold-Silver Island, Golden Sail Tavern.
"A bunch of brainless fools."
In the tavern, a bard recited a detective story as exclamations and discussions echoed from the audience.
Inside a private room, a handsome blond young man sneered.
"You think it's fake?"
Beside him, an elderly mage holding a wooden staff sipped his tea and asked softly.
"Teacher." The young man addressed him respectfully, poured him wine, and said, "Detective work? Just a trick to fool these ignorant islanders."
"Imiro thinks highly of him at headquarters. Giving him the position of Island Lord—perhaps they see him as a successor," the old mage said.
A glint of arrogance flashed in the young man's eyes. He whispered, "Teacher, I want to challenge him. Using his fame on the island, I'll trample him underfoot and claim that fame for ourselves."
The old mage narrowed his eyes but nodded. "Do as you wish, as long as you don't disrupt headquarters' plans."
"Thank you, Teacher." The young man expressed his gratitude and strode out.
He descended to the first floor, interrupted the bard, and whispered something in his ear.
The bard's brows furrowed.
He looked the young man up and down, then glanced at the silver coins in his hand.
Tossing them onto a nearby table, he said, "Find someone else. I won't say it."
The young man's brows twitched, displeasure flashing in his eyes.
He silently retrieved the coins.
Then, with a smile, he strode to the wooden stage.
Standing tall, he declared loudly…
"I am 'Luan Randolph,' from the guild headquarters, here with my teacher. I challenge Island Lord Wu Heng—an open duel, witnessed by all!"