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Chapter 580, Don't Make Me Slap You
Putting away [Scrying Staff], Wu Heng took out [Faceless One's Skin] again.
Yesterday, due to the challenge, there wasn't much time to study this human skin mask.
Holding it in his hand, he brought it close to his face.
As it approached a certain distance—
It adhered to his face as if pulled by suction, seamlessly fitting together.
He recalled the fisherman's appearance that the mask had previously 'copied.'
A wriggling sensation spread across his face.
Standing before the mirror, he saw himself transformed into the fisherman.
Upon closer examination, there were still no flaws.
The two specters nearby also turned to look at him.
Xiaoxiao exclaimed, "Wow, Uncle, you turned into an old man!"
Glenda also floated over to examine him closely. "Completely undetectable. Is this a new item?"
"Bought from the Snake Emblem Consortium. A peculiar artifact that physically alters appearance." Wu Heng glanced side to side in the mirror and had the two specters inspect him.
From both his and the specters' perspectives, no noticeable flaws were found.
After confirming there were no issues,
He tugged at the back of his ear, peeling the skin away.
Xiaoxiao trembled mid-air, "Uncle, this artifact is so creepy."
"It is a bit unsettling, but quite useful." Wu Heng also found it somewhat ominous.
But there was no helping it—powerful artifacts always had their quirks.
Moreover, this artifact was something money couldn't simply buy on the open market. Letilie had really put in effort.
Glenda hovered in the air, observing the human-like skin in his hand.
She asked, "Can a skeleton wear it?"
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow, somewhat uncertain. "I didn't think of that. The downside is the cost of vitality, and skeletons don't have vitality, so it might not work."
Despite his words, he decided to test it out.
Calling over the skeletal attendant, Kashu, he handed over the mask. "Try it on."
Kashu placed the skin against its skull.
Almost instantly, it wrapped around the skeleton's head, turning it into Wu Heng's likeness.
"It actually works!"
"Wow~!"
"No visible difference at all."
All three of them exclaimed at once.
Facial features, hair, eye color—everything was identical.
There was no way to tell them apart.
This meant the artifact was even more suited for necromancers, as there was no downside.
Wait—
Artifacts like this, categorized under necromancy, were probably intended for undead use all along.
"Uncle, you should've let the skeleton fight in your place. It would've saved you the trouble." Xiaoxiao hovered nearby and blurted out.
"That kid had it worse, okay?" Wu Heng commanded the skeleton, "Switch to today's fisherman."
The face wriggled, morphing into the fisherman's likeness.
It was truly fascinating.
Wu Heng leaned in and checked inside the skeleton's clothes.
The chest cavity was still just white bones, meaning only the head changed—everything below remained the same.
"Xiaoxiao's idea isn't bad. If there's danger, disguising a skeleton as you would be safer." Glenda added.
"A solid life-saving tactic." Wu Heng nodded and stored the mask away.
Glenda returned to her manuscript, and Xiaoxiao floated off to continue her game.
As night fell,
Wu Heng retired to his bedroom.
...
The next day, in the Zombie World.
Inside the conference room.
Qi Hancai glanced at her report and said, "Another 12 survivors arrived from Gaoheshi City, all assigned jobs. The remaining survivors are assisting Bai Qing's group in fighting alongside skeletons. Tiecheng City has begun its advance into the city center, and so far, there are no issues."
Wu Heng nodded. "Keep monitoring."
"Yes!"
After Qi Hancai finished, it was Gao Rong from Tiancheng Group's turn.
Clearing his throat, he reported, "The blueprint for the rifle production line is complete. We're now manufacturing components, and assembly trials will begin soon."
That was good news.
Once rifles and ammunition reached mass production, they could be widely equipped for the skeleton army.
"Well done. If you need anything, reach out to me or Qi Hancai." Wu Heng said.
"Thank you, Chief. We'll let you know if anything comes up." Gao Rong smiled in gratitude.
After Gao Rong, it was Qiangzi's turn.
Because of his proposal to mount machine guns on wyverns and design stab-proof armor, Wu Heng had kept him stationed here.
In the entire base, Wu Heng was essentially the only one supporting his ideas.
Qiangzi stood up, pulling out a mannequin dressed in prototype stab-proof armor from under the table.
Visually, it closely resembled the scavenged stab-proof vests.
He explained, "We dismantled the original armor and replicated its unique woven structure to create the outer fabric. Even if slashed or stabbed, the seams won't easily tear apart.
As for the original material used in stab-proof armor, we haven't figured that out yet."
He continued, knocking on the front and back sections. "Inside the fabric, front and rear steel plates protect the chest, while curved plates guard the shoulders. This significantly enhances torso protection."
"The entire armor set is designed for fast production. The steel plates and fabric can be manufactured separately and then stitched together."
Wu Heng prioritized production efficiency and difficulty.
The skeleton army in the Zombie World was growing. Even if only level-five and above skeletons received armor, the number was staggering.
Ordering armor from another world looked impressive and provided excellent protection—
But the long production time, high cost, and risk of drawing attention made it impractical.
That's why he supported Qiangzi's project.
"Alright, test its durability." Wu Heng ordered.
Qiangzi grabbed an axe and struck twice.
The outer fabric shredded instantly, exposing the steel plates.
But the armor itself remained intact and stayed in place.
Wu Heng turned to his side. "Your turn."
Kelanmu drew the cursed sword and slashed downward. Large gashes appeared in the fabric, and the steel plates groaned under the pressure.
Clang!
The next second, the steel plate fell to the ground.
Qiangzi scratched his head awkwardly. "The cut was too wide."
"I still like the idea. Go back and tweak it—make sure the plates don't fall out." Wu Heng instructed.
"Got it. I'll get right on it."
Wu Heng nodded. "Anyone else have updates?"
The three remained silent.
"Alright, let's wrap up. Get back to work."
The group stood up to leave.
Wu Heng suddenly asked, "Has Zhao Yanqiu returned?"
"She's back." Qi Hancai replied.
"Send her to the conference room."
"Understood."
The others exited.
Moments later, the door knocked again.
Zhao Yanqiu entered. "Chief."
Wu Heng released Xiaoxiao and took out a profession scroll.
Xiaoxiao beamed. "Mom! Uncle got you a profession scroll! Now you'll have a class!"
Zhao Yanqiu looked at her daughter, then at the scroll.
"What's a profession scroll?"
...…
Gold-Silver Island.
The merchant ship of "Starflower" slowly docked.
Shanaila, accompanied by her housekeeper, gracefully stepped off the ship.
She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun, gazing toward Gold-Silver Island, taking a deep breath before slowly exhaling.
"Madam Shanaila, the Elders' Council has retained your honorary president status, but we need to conduct a full inventory of your assets here," said a male wood elf in formal attire, following closely behind as he disembarked.
Shanaila lifted her gaze to him, her tone calm. "I have handed over everything I was required to. The property on Gold-Silver Island is mine and has no connection to the merchant guild."
"That is not for you to decide. We have our own methods of verification," the male elf sneered, his stance growing more assertive.
"Step aside. I am going home." Shanaila walked toward the carriage ahead.
"Madam Shanaila, I am simply following orders."
The group of elves blocked her path.
People nearby began gathering, whispering among themselves.
The housekeeper narrowed her eyes, scanning the group blocking their way with a sharp gaze.
Just as she considered making a move—
A voice rang out.
"Who's blocking the road?" Philipa had just stepped ashore, a parrot perched on her shoulder, striding over with a swagger.
She glanced at "Shanaila," then at the group obstructing her path.
"Get lost, or I'll slap you."