Chapter 609, The Villain Cries Foul First
In Wu Heng's mind, he reorganized the intel on Qi Hancai.
This survivor base at the port knew the skeleton army would pass through here, so they planted explosives in advance, waiting for the convoy to arrive to detonate them.
Before attacking a location, the skeleton squad would notify over the radio in advance, letting surrounding survivors know and prepare to evacuate.
These people, after learning the route, planted the explosives.
Blowing up the convoy wasn't hard to guess—they assumed the psychic controlling the skeletons was in the convoy. If the psychic died, the skeleton squad would disappear.
"Do we know their goal?"
"No idea. They never communicated with Bai Qing and the others. Once they saw the explosion fail, they just retreated." Qi Hancai replied, then added, "Want me to ask Bai Qing again?"
"No need for now. Do we know what kind of ship they have?"
"A cargo ship. A large cargo ship," Qi Hancai answered seriously.
The attack on the port was mainly because Wu Heng was looking for ships.
So Qi Hancai specifically asked about the ship type. They could confirm it was a cargo ship.
But the exact model or tonnage—they couldn't say.
Wu Heng nodded and said directly, "Go ask where the train is. Once this is wrapped up here, I'll head over."
"Okay." Qi Hancai nodded and turned to walk back.
Wu Heng looked toward the battlefield ahead.
The skeletons had begun cleaning up the battlefield. Corpses were being sorted and piled by type.
Wu Heng saw it was almost done.
He began converting the corpses.
A large number of skeletons rose from the ground.
...…
Before long, Qi Hancai's voice came through the radio again.
"The vehicle's ready."
"Drive it over!" Wu Heng replied, pressing the radio button.
A truck drove over from the rear.
Wu Heng said to the suit-wearing skeleton beside him, "I'm heading out for a bit. Once the convoys finish scavenging, return to the munitions factory as usual and maintain the defenses."
The suit-wearing skeleton adjusted its collar, then nodded.
Wu Heng opened Qi Hancai's car door and sat in the passenger seat. "You're coming too?"
"Things are all arranged at the factory. There won't be any issues. I'll come along to help with anything that might be inconvenient for you to handle directly," Qi Hancai said.
"Alright, let's go. Head to the station first," Wu Heng agreed.
In the city around the munitions factory, the Zombies had mostly been cleared out.
Qi Hancai being gone for a day or two wouldn't be a big issue.
The truck started up.
It left the skeleton squad, heading toward the train station.
...…
Train.
The carriage slightly bumped, and the display monitor on the side table showed the darkness outside the window.
Qi Hancai had laid bedding on the floor, occasionally sneaking glances at the man beside her.
She was just about to say she was ready.
A voice came from the radio—Bai Qing. "Sister Qi, you there?"
Qi Hancai got up and grabbed the microphone. "I'm here. Go ahead."
"Switch to the main channel. Those people are crying foul first," Bai Qing's voice was slightly angry.
"Alright, I'll switch over and listen." Qi Hancai responded and tuned the frequency to the main station.
As soon as she tuned in, a woman's aggrieved yet righteous voice came through.
"It's certain those people are the skeletons from Xinfu City. They occupied our base and made it so we don't even dare approach."
"We hope the central rescue team will make them return our base, uphold the principles of survivors helping each other and getting through hardships together."
People from other bases were speaking.
The central station also began responding.
"We've noted your issue and will contact Xinfu City to coordinate on this."
"Alright, thank you. Our base was developing just fine. We didn't expect something like this to happen."
The woman's tone grew more pitiful and indignant.
After the central station finished responding—
Other base members on the same channel began speaking up.
"Isn't Xinfu City saving people? Quite a few survivors were rescued. How did they end up attacking you?"
"They are rescuing people, that's true. But who knows what really happened."
"I heard before that someone got saved by Xinfu City. That should be true. Maybe this will flip around. Let's wait and see."
Qi Hancai and Wu Heng exchanged glances.
Their expressions showed a bit of surprise. They really came to cry foul to the central station.
"Want me to say something?" Qi Hancai asked.
"Sure, make a statement. It's like we don't even know how to use the radio. Bold-faced lying." Wu Heng added, "Tell them—anyone helping those people is our enemy."
Qi Hancai nodded, paused to think.
Then picked up the mic and said, "This is Xinfu City Base. Our rescue team was attacked by planted explosives during the operation in Binhai City. The targets were our survivors and supplies. We will not tolerate such banditry. Anyone aiding them will also be considered our enemy."
"Damn! It really flipped."
"Brutal! They actually planted bombs. Didn't leave them any way to survive."
"Told you. The central station even trades supplies with Xinfu City. Why would they target you?"
"Makes sense!"
Amidst the noisy chatter—
The complaining voice fell silent.
The central station gave no further reply.
After a brief wait—
The central station resumed broadcasting some propaganda slogans.
Qi Hancai switched the frequency back.
She didn't send a message back to Bai Qing.
"Let's talk tomorrow once we arrive," Wu Heng said.
"Alright." Qi Hancai re-laid the bedding and smiled. "Time to rest."
Wu Heng took off his coat and hung it nearby.
Wearing a sweater, he crawled under the covers.
Qi Hancai followed, gently leaning into his arms.
She half-dozed off like that.
...…
Dawn. Binhai City Port.
A vast number of skeletons occupied the port. Looking around, it was densely packed with pale-white skeletons.
Wu Heng stood by the shore, the sea breeze bringing a chill.
Bai Qing recounted the situation again, and it matched what Qi Hancai had said.
Explosives were planted on the road, which led to a skeleton attack. The culprits were scared and took a ship out to sea.
"The giant-winged skeleton in the squad wanted to fly over and kill them. I was worried they'd sail the ship away, so since they're just loitering nearby, I discussed it with the skeleton captain and waited for your arrival."
Giant-winged skeleton referred to the vampire skeleton in the squad.
Skeleton captain was the level 18 vampire, number one, leading the operation.
Level 18 and able to fly—more than enough to land on the ship and kill them all.
"Got it. You guys check what's in the containers. I'll handle this side. Qi Hancai, go with him and catalog the important goods," Wu Heng ordered.
"Okay!" Qi Hancai left with Bai Qing.
Wu Heng released all three phantoms.
"Isn't this Gold-Silver Island?" Glenda glanced around.
Xiaoxiao and Beni also curiously observed their surroundings.
But upon seeing the massive crowd of skeletons, they could confirm this was the Zombie World.
Wu Heng pointed to the small dark spots on the distant sea horizon and said, "Our enemies are on those ships. Glenda, help me scout the situation first—don't act yet."
"What about us?" Xiaoxiao raised her hand and asked.
"Xiaoxiao, you and Beni check the surrounding area. See if there are any special facilities or other ships."
"Okay!"
The three phantoms nodded. Glenda flew off toward the distant ships.
Xiaoxiao and Beni began searching the port.
...…
Not long after—
Glenda flew back from over the sea and re-entered her body.
She shared a segment of scouting visuals.
Inside the cargo ship's control room—
Two middle-aged men sat inside. One was balding and operating the console. The other had a full beard and looked a bit Western. He sat at a table, drinking red wine from the bottle.
"What now? They're still holding the port. I told you not to provoke them, but you wouldn't listen."
The bearded man sneered while sipping his wine. "Screw it! What's the point in saying that now? Those bony bastards don't look like they can swim. We've got plenty of food—what the hell are we afraid of?"