Chapter 706, A Positioning Iron Lump
Qi Hancai was intrigued. "How exactly are you selling it?"
The Westerner, David, smiled and said, "No worries, Deputy Leader Qi. We're not selling satellite usage rights—we're offering a standalone satellite."
"A standalone satellite?"
"Yes! We can provide a satellite that hasn't been launched yet, help you launch it into orbit, and guide you through its use," David explained.
An unlaunched satellite!
Last time, Qi Hancai had mentioned the other party's satellite, but they only offered certain functions.
So she declined back then.
This time, they were offering to sell an entire satellite.
For regular people, this truly counted as high-tech.
Firearms and bullets could be made from blueprints. Satellites? Not a chance.
Qi Hancai looked surprised but quickly regained composure. "In this environment, having one more satellite doesn't seem very useful."
David quickly countered, "How could it not be? Communications, TV, terrain mapping, positioning—these are all practical. Every country keeps launching satellites. That shows how important they are."
Qi Hancai listened without reacting. "What's the price? I'm not optimistic about this."
"Five thousand tons of food, or equivalent resources. We'll handle the launch and teach you how to use it," David said seriously.
Silence filled the room.
That was enough food to last a lifetime.
The base's food came in 50 kg bags.
One ton meant 20 bags of rice.
Five thousand tons!
In today's world, that was a massive amount.
Qi Hancai paused, then said, "Are you joking? No base can offer that much food."
"That's already a cheap price. It used to cost hundreds of millions," David emphasized.
"Exactly. That was back then. Now it's just a positioning iron lump," Qi Hancai said, then added, "Forget it. We don't need it."
David grew anxious but forced a smile. "Don't rush, Deputy Leader Qi. Tell us your expected price."
"Ten tons of food," Qi Hancai replied directly.
Just 200 bags.
One truck could carry it all.
The other party frowned.
The offer was lower than their previous basic supply trades.
David stressed, "Deputy Leader Qi, this is a satellite."
"I know. But without food, people die. Without a satellite, we save food," Qi Hancai responded.
...…
David wanted to say more.
Qi Hancai interrupted, "That's our offer. You can check with other bases if they want one."
"I need to discuss it with my team."
"Sure," Qi Hancai nodded.
David added, "One more thing—we've formed a joint research base with several foreign bases to study superpowers and antiviral medicine. Are you interested?"
"Oh? You want to invite us to collaborate?"
David smiled. "The researchers are all professionals. Regular people can't join. But you can be part of the project. Any breakthroughs will be shared with you."
Qi Hancai glanced at Wu Heng briefly, then looked away and asked, "What do you want from us?"
"It's simple—some supplies, and cooperation from special ability users. Controlling that many skeletons is an incredible power. Collaborating could really help our research," David said, clearly excited.
Neither Qi Hancai nor Wu Heng showed any surprise.
It was similar to the superpower development plan from the central broadcast station.
Except the central station only needed blood samples—these guys wanted live cooperation.
They wanted supplies and research assistance.
Shamelessly asking for everything.
"So? It's just helping with some experiments. Any antidote we develop will be shared with all members," David continued.
Qi Hancai said, "I'll talk with the leader and let you know."
"Right, that works."
Qi Hancai didn't want to continue the conversation. "Did you bring anything for trade this time?"
"Some military equipment."
"Let's go. I'll have someone log it, then we'll give you the food."
"Sure, sure!"
Everyone stood up and headed for the exit.
People were assigned to inventory the goods and deliver the agreed food.
After the deal, the visitors repeated their offer about the satellite and research base.
Then both sides boarded their trucks and went separate ways.
...…
In the returning vehicle—
Qi Hancai drove and asked, "Should we buy the satellite?"
"Let's see what they say. If they accept your price, we'll take it," Wu Heng replied.
"I intentionally lowballed it. They probably won't accept."
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "Maybe they will."
"Why?"
"No other base can afford it. We're the only buyer. They don't set the price—we do," Wu Heng said.
"That… makes sense."
Wu Heng continued, "We'll wait for their response. I don't think it's that useful."
"Yeah. Let's wait."
The convoy drove on smoothly.
...…
At 3 PM, the convoy returned.
Wu Heng waited in the conference room. Qi Hancai returned with a notebook.
She sat down across from him. "Yanhong asked when you'll bring the alchemy skeleton. I think that's just an excuse. She probably misses you."
It had been a while since Wu Heng saw Li Yanhong.
Wu Heng said, "I'll visit in a few days and bring the skeleton."
"Alright." Qi Hancai added, "Also, Gao Rong succeeded with the autocannon production line. Full industrial setup is underway. We'll get updates soon. Also, the skeleton pilot sent to learn aircraft operations is back. We can use planes now."
Successful autocannon production was great news.
Mass production would boost military strength in both worlds.
Other bases might have factories but no raw materials.
Wu Heng's side was different. They could buy anything from the other world.
As for the pilot, that project had been ongoing for a while.
Now that training was done, aircraft could be used for transport.
"Have each location report the number of planes."
"Got it," Qi Hancai nodded. "That's all for now. Everything's normal."
"Let's go. Show me around the base and let me greet everyone."
"Sure!"
The two of them left.
...…
Gold-Silver Island, steward's study.
Sheila Grey returned from outside, took off her helmet, and tucked it into her space ring, brushing hair from her forehead.
Shiyali said, "Minnie was here."
"What for?"
"Brought news from Wu Heng."
Sheila Grey's eyes lit up. "Did they find anything?"
Shiyali smiled. "You've been acting so calm lately—I thought you two were secretly talking."
"What nonsense." Sheila rolled her eyes, sat at the desk. "What did Minnie say?"
Shiyali poured tea and replied, "They found the killer. Guess who it was."
"How would I know? I don't even know who's who," Sheila complained.
"Guess! I bet you can."
"The city lord?"
Shiyali raised her brow. "Told you you'd guess it."
Hearing she was right, Sheila looked surprised.
Because she couldn't think of anyone else.
"What happened? Don't mess around—just tell me."
Shiyali stopped teasing and explained everything Minnie had said.
When she heard the investigation team was trapped and attacked by the army, Sheila's face turned pale with shock and fear.
Madness.
The whole city had gone mad.
They actually dared to kill HQ members.
Did they not understand the consequences?
"Why would he do that? Did the city lord not want his position?" Sheila asked.
"Let me finish." Shiyali continued.
She described how Wu Heng killed the city lord, scared off the army, and the results of the corpse interrogation.
"So, it was the level 18 Fist Master who killed the steward. The city lord was stuck in the middle and had to go along," Shiyali concluded.
Sheila's eyes widened. It took her a while to digest it.
The news was explosive.
The city's supreme commander was from a cult and dragged the city lord into killing the Guild's team.
And they nearly succeeded.
If Wu Heng hadn't sent the report, she wouldn't have believed it.
She hesitated and asked, "Was Wu Heng hurt?"
"Minnie said no," Shiyali answered. "Want to go to the island lord's mansion tonight? We can talk to him. They've got comms equipment."
Sheila hesitated. "Is that okay?"
"Why not? His safety concerns the whole island. You're the steward. It makes sense."
Sheila sipped her tea. "Alright. Prepare some of the flower tea the clan sent. We'll bring it."
"I already prepared some. We'll take it over."
Sheila paused. "Shiyali, what's with you today?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're acting weird around Wu Heng."
"He saved both our lives. Can't we treat him better?"
"Still feels strange," Sheila stared suspiciously.
Shiyali turned her head away.
...…
After a quick tour of the base, Wu Heng returned to the other world.
Time was nearly the same—dusk had arrived.
Coming downstairs, he heard voices in the main hall.
Philipa, the Fifth Princess Brittany, and the maid were chatting.
Seeing Wu Heng, they stood to greet him.
"Lord Wu Heng, dinner's ready. I'll go get it," the maid said, hurrying to the kitchen.
Soon, skeletons brought dinner, and they sat around the table chatting and eating.
Wu Heng looked at the Fifth Princess. "How was today?"
Brittany replied, "This afternoon, Director Janvito accompanied me to the barracks. We reorganized the remaining troops and appointed a new commander."
Philipa chimed in, "I went too. The old guy was serious—kept a stern face the whole way. Everyone behaved."
"How many soldiers left?" Wu Heng asked.
"Only about 300. The new commander is Hield, former deputy of city defense," Brittany said.
"Can he be trusted?"
Brittany shook her head. "Not sure. But I don't have anyone else to use right now."
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "If Janvito stepped in, it should be fine. But stay cautious. Train your own people soon."
"Understood!"
The army was weak now—only 300. Not a threat.
Even without the skeletons, the Guild could wipe them out.
Janvito must've felt the same, or he would've ordered disbandment or inserted Guild members.
Brittany continued, "City hall is back in operation. The port is open again."
"What about the rescued women and children?" Wu Heng asked.
"Temporarily settled in the city. We'll visit their villages in the next few days to assess their situations," Brittany replied.
Wu Heng nodded. "You're doing great. Better than I did when I first became island lord."
Brittany smiled. "Really? I'll keep working hard."
"No rush. Take it slow."
"Mm!" Brittany nodded obediently.
Wu Heng turned to Philipa. "How's the fleet?"
"Fine. Skeletons are repairing some minor damage. Damn rebels nearly broke my ship," Philipa pouted.
"Gold-Silver Island's fleet will arrive soon. Assign some ships to patrol nearby."
Philipa nodded. "Okay. I'll arrange it tomorrow."
After dinner, skeletons cleaned the table.
Wu Heng went upstairs. The three girls and the parrot headed to the courtyard.
Philipa brought out bikes, shuttlecocks, and other mansion toys to teach them how to play.
...…
Rentam City.
Inside the city lord's mansion, a leather-armored ranger with a tamer on his shoulder rushed in.
He bowed. "City Lord, news from the front."
Wen Mansa sat on the throne, with a skeleton mage and Bone Demon Two in a pink dress beside her.
"What is it?" Wen Mansa asked.
The ranger quickly said, "Ekow Kingdom's army has departed. Infantry, chariots, and equipment are all ready."
Wen Mansa's eyes sharpened.
As expected. The Ekow Kingdom was determined to drag Rentam City in.
No matter what, they wanted this side involved.
"How many troops?"
"Nearly ten thousand," the ranger said gravely.
Wen Mansa pondered and said, "Keep tracking them."
"Yes, ma'am!" The ranger nodded and left.
Wen Mansa thought for a moment. "Hartel!"
The female steward stepped forward. "Madam."
"Have the allied tribes send representatives tomorrow to discuss dealing with Ekow's army," Wen Mansa ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." The steward picked several skeletons and hurried out.
Wen Mansa spread out a map, her face thoughtful.
...…
Wu Heng returned to the study.
Glenda said, "Someone called for you on the radio."
"Who?"
"Sounded like Minnie. She didn't sound urgent, so I didn't call you," Glenda replied.
Wu Heng looked at the logbook—there was a new entry.
He picked up the mic. "Minnie, you called?"
Soon, Minnie's voice came through. "Master."
"Yeah, I was eating earlier. What's up?" Wu Heng leaned on the desk.
"Steward Sheila and Assistant Shiyali are here. They heard you were in danger and want to talk," Minnie said cheerfully.
Then he faintly heard Sheila's voice: "Talk? We're here to check on the case."
"Steward Sheila says she wants an update," Minnie relayed.
Wu Heng laughed. "Put her on."
A bit of noise, then Sheila's voice came through. "Lord Wu Heng, how's your situation there?"
Damn, so formal.