Chapter 709: Helping with Construction
Gao Rong led the way to a workshop.
As the doors opened, a cool breeze greeted them.
Gao Rong flipped a switch, illuminating the entire factory.
Several mechanical production lines came into view.
"Chief," Gao Rong explained, "The autocannon is made up of two major parts: the barrel and the mount. This workshop mainly produces the barrel components, like the gun barrel, breech, and bolt assembly.
The next building makes the mounting parts—elevation unit, balance stabilizer, and such.
Once all components are ready, they're sent elsewhere for final assembly."
Gao Rong walked and explained simultaneously.
His explanation was detailed and professional.
Even in peacetime, most wouldn't know autocannons, but setting up a full production chain was no easy feat.
Naturally, he memorized all the parts involved.
Wu Heng nodded and examined the machinery.
It was much larger than the machine gun production line.
"How many barrels does this model have?"
"Double-barreled autocannon," Gao Rong replied.
Wu Heng quickly understood.
The base used double-barrel autocannons, and the blueprints he gave were for them too.
Although not as fast as a Gatling rotary cannon, the double-barrel model was more than enough for both worlds.
If heavily equipped in the other world, combat strength would soar.
"What about the shells?"
"That production line came online earlier than the cannon's. We can start producing anytime."
"What's still missing?"
Gao Rong answered, "We need to staff the production line with skeleton workers and have a steady material supply."
So far, skeletons were used as the workforce in all production lines.
They were safe, controllable, tireless, and didn't need lighting—perfect for 24-hour work.
Efficiency skyrocketed.
"Got the materials list?"
"Yes. I'll give you the list once we're back."
"Alright. I'll go assign skeletons now. Have someone teach them how to use the machines," Wu Heng said.
"Understood!"
They left the workshop and headed to the skeleton barracks.
Wu Heng picked skeletons above level 10 and assigned them to the workshop to learn operations.
The materials would need to be sourced from the other world.
After dealing with the autocannon line, Wu Heng inspected the rifle and ammunition workshops.
He collected all inventory into his space pouch and belt.
Then they returned together.
Wu Heng said, "Call Qiangzi and the Russian researcher to the meeting room."
"Got it." Gao Rong grabbed the radio to contact them.
...…
In the meeting room—
After chatting briefly, the door opened.
Qiangzi and the Russian researcher 'Kaderov' entered together.
"My lord."
"Chief, sir!"
Kaderov's Chinese was odd in tone but understandable.
"Take a seat," Wu Heng said.
Once seated, Wu Heng asked, "Any progress on your projects?"
Qiangzi was in charge of stab-proof armor and wyvern-mounted machine guns.
But the wyvern gun project had been paused. Mounting a skeleton with a gun on the wyvern was simpler and more effective.
Easier to command and execute.
Kaderov was working on vehicle battery systems—restoring and potentially enhancing electric vehicle tech.
When asked—
The two glanced at each other. Qiangzi spoke first. "We recruited skilled people. The stab-proof vest is now Gen-5. Double-stitched fabric for toughness, internal alloy plates for better defense."
Fifth generation already?
That was fast…
"Got a sample?" Wu Heng asked.
"Yes." Qiangzi pulled a dark-blue vest from a bag.
He placed it on the table, pulled a dagger, and stabbed twice.
Then slashed forcefully.
The vest had visible marks but no serious tearing.
"Hang it. Keramu, give it a try," Wu Heng said.
Qiangzi hung it. Keramu slashed diagonally with a blade.
Metal tore, leaving deep marks, but still no unraveling.
A clear improvement.
"That's progress. Write down the process."
"Understood."
Qiangzi beamed with pride.
Armor done, Kaderov's turn.
"Chief, we've made a breakthrough in battery tech—it's usable for vehicles."
"Any finished product?"
"Not yet. But we can start converting vehicles to electric." Kaderov explained.
"Gao Rong, give them trucks to work on."
Gao Rong nodded. "We've got many trucks. I'll assign them for your team."
"Excellent," said Kaderov.
Wu Heng said, "If this succeeds, our earlier promise still stands."
"We'll do our best," Kaderov replied seriously.
With everything covered—
Wu Heng turned to Gao Rong. "Any needs or issues?"
"None. Everything's running smoothly. Thanks to you and the deputy chiefs."
Wu Heng nodded. "You're the key to development. Keep it up."
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, back to work. Qiangzi, give me that process file."
Qiangzi nodded and left with Kaderov.
"Anything you'd like to eat? I'll have lunch prepared," Gao Rong asked.
Wu Heng glanced at the time. "Not eating here. Check if the train's at the station—I'm heading to Xinfu City."
"Right away," said Gao Rong, leaving.
Soon, Qiangzi brought the document and Gao Rong arranged a ride to the station.
Wu Heng boarded the train to Xinfu City.
...…
Dusk—Wu Heng arrived in Xinfu City.
With fewer zombies, rail travel was safer and faster.
In four hours, he arrived.
He made his way to the central trade hub.
Compared to other bases, Xinfu was livelier.
As Wu Heng and Li Yanhong's original city, it had the cleanest zombie purge and best facilities.
Most survivors rescued during the skeleton army's expansion were sent here.
Given homes and jobs, the city's vitality was returning.
The trade center now served as the administrative hall.
Handling base matters.
Wu Heng didn't see anyone familiar—no sign of Qi Hancai.
Upstairs, he passed the radio room and knocked.
The girl on duty looked up, surprised. "My lord!"
Only veteran base members used that title.
"Where's Li Yanhong?" Wu Heng asked.
"I'll call her." She picked up the radio.
Soon, footsteps echoed—Li Yanhong arrived.
She glanced at Wu Heng. "Let's talk in the office."
They left the room and headed upstairs.
Inside—
Li Yanhong closed the door, opened a drawer, and pulled out five backpacks. She also pointed to some freezers. "Gold's in the bags. Corpse cores in the coolers."
Wu Heng peeked—backpacks full of gold jewelry.
Impressive haul.
He stored the gold, then opened a freezer—core crystals sealed in jars, neatly stacked.
Mostly tier-one, but plenty of tier-two too.
He focused on the tier-threes—twelve jars.
Very fruitful.
As he stored them, he casually said, "You manage things well."
Li Yanhong gave him a look. "Why didn't you call? I could've picked you up."
"Came with the convoy. No need for extra trips," he explained. "How's everything here?"
"All good. We started spring planting. By autumn, we should meet food demands."
"That's great." Wu Heng nodded.
Li Yanhong noticed the skeleton behind him. "No alchemy skeleton?"
"I'll bring one in a few days. Don't worry."
"Staying here a few days?"
"Yeah."
Li Yanhong smiled faintly. "Good. You've still got a conscience."
Buzz~
The radio crackled.
Li Yanhong answered. "What is it?"
"Sister Hong, lunch is ready."
She glanced at Wu Heng. "I'll have food sent up."
"Alright."
"For two."
"Got it."
...…
Dinner.
Wu Heng sat at the dining table and reached under to pat her cheek. "Let's eat first."
Li Yanhong lightly tapped her thigh and glanced up at him with wide eyes, signaling him not to worry.
Wu Heng pinched her cheek and continued eating.
When dinner was almost done, he pulled Li Yanhong out from under the table.
The two walked into the bathroom together.
...…
Next morning.
Li Yanhong left for work, and Wu Heng returned to his dormitory.
The room was clearly cleaned regularly—it looked decent.
After placing skeletons at the door, he opened the Realm Gate and stepped through.
On the other side, he was back in the City Lord's study.
Heading downstairs, he saw Philipa grooming her parrot's wings.
Seeing Wu Heng, Philipa said, "Shanaila arrived and brought several alchemy skeletons. I placed them in a room on the first floor."
Shanaila was here!
And his skeletons had been delivered.
"Where is she?" Wu Heng asked, petting the parrot's head and taking a seat nearby.
Philipa was about to answer—
The parrot screeched, "Great chief!"
Philipa grabbed its neck and shook it. "What are you yelling for? You scared me."
"Idiot, captain!" the parrot cursed, flapping away.
Philipa looked back at Wu Heng. "She went out with 'Britanny'. I wasn't feeling well today so I didn't go, but I sent skeletons with them. Don't worry."
Wu Heng got up and touched her forehead. "What's wrong? Took medicine?"
"Girl stuff. You wouldn't understand," Philipa said, pushing his hand away.
"I do understand. Don't catch a cold," Wu Heng said, then asked, "Anything happen in town while I was gone?"
"Nope. Same as before."
"What about HQ? No news?"
Philipa scratched her head. "No word yet. Tapani hasn't arranged anything either. Nothing new."
Wu Heng thought for a moment, then stood up. "Alright, I'll stop by the Guild."
"I won't go with you."
"Stay home and rest."
"Okay."
...…
On his way to the Guild.
He saw townsfolk out and about.
It wasn't as lively as under the old king, but much better than before.
At least the city was regaining some life.
"Island Lord Wu Heng."
"Haven't seen you in days."
As he entered the Guild Hall, several members greeted him.
"Been researching spells at home. Didn't step out," Wu Heng explained with a smile.
After the last battle—
Wu Heng had grown more familiar with HQ members.
They had, after all, faced death together.
After some greetings, he arrived at the Steward's office.
There was still no local steward, so Tapani used the office.
He knocked lightly and entered when answered.
"If you stayed hidden any longer, we were about to launch a city-wide search," Tapani joked as Wu Heng entered.
Wu Heng sat down. "I borrowed two books from Dean Janvito. Been holed up studying."
Tapani poured him tea. "You mages are serious. A book can lock you away for days."
Wu Heng took the tea, not commenting further.
He asked, "Elder, HQ orders haven't come yet?"
"By the timeline, they're en route. Don't worry."
"I'm not." Wu Heng sipped his tea. "The city's much livelier now."
"It'll keep improving. The rescued women and children—we sent teams to their homes. Villages were chaotic, so we're keeping them in the city for now," Tapani explained.
Wu Heng nodded. "I'll leave the arrangements to you."
"If you've got nothing urgent, go patrol with a squad. Get some fresh air. Staying in all day will rot your brain."
Wu Heng considered. "Let me finish those books. Dean Janvito only lent them for a few days."
"That Janvito… treats books like sacred relics."
Wu Heng chuckled.
After some tea and light probing about HQ matters—
Someone came to fetch Tapani.
Wu Heng also left the Guild and returned home.
...…
Back home—
Wu Heng sat in the study, continuing to assemble his railgun.
His entire [Mansion Spell] was filled with components, and by the blueprint's thickness, it was nearly finished.
"If you don't work, I'll really lose it," he muttered.
He'd poured time and effort into this railgun.
He even cleared out the whole [Mansion Spell] for it.
If the old turret bunker setup had still existed, the army ambush might've ended very differently.
Still, he was excited about the railgun's potential.
After some assembling—
A knock at the door. The princess' maid's voice came through. "My lord, dinner is ready."
"Got it. Be right there."
He closed the Mansion Spell and headed downstairs.
...…
In the dining room—
Besides the Fifth Princess, Philipa, and the maid, Shanaila was at the table, with her attendant standing behind.
Seeing Wu Heng, Shanaila winked.
Wu Heng sat and asked between bites, "What did you do today, Shanaila?"
"Went around town with Princess 'Britanny' and discussed cooperation," she replied calmly.
"How'd the talks go?"
"Pretty well. We're drafting a deal to buy properties and mines," she said.
"As long as you two agree."
Shanaila smiled and nodded.
Britanny added, "Island Lord Wu Heng, we talked about a defense pact with Gold-Silver Island."
Wu Heng glanced at Shanaila, who kept calmly eating.
"What kind of pact?"
Britanny said, "Nettalei City alone can't hold. If the Guild and Gold-Silver Island withdraw, we're defenseless. I plan to offer 15% of annual tax revenue as Gold-Silver Island's defense fee."
Wu Heng looked at her in surprise.
She clearly understood the city's limitations.
Without Guild and skeleton troops, the city would fall.
So she was determined to keep Wu Heng's skeletons.
"No problem. But the defense infrastructure and equipment are your responsibility," Wu Heng replied after brief thought.
No choice—Shanaila already planned investments.
If he left, that money would be wasted.
And it wasn't Shanaila's personal funds, but Gold-Silver Island's.
Britanny looked pleased. "Thank you, Island Lord."
She added, "One more thing—I'd like help building the city: homes, walls, roads, and those streetlights. I want Nettalei to be a city that never sleeps."
She wanted a second Gold-Silver Island.
"Sure, but that's a huge workload. We'll need to discuss manpower and logistics."
"Understood."
...…
After dinner—
Philipa chatted with Shanaila, recounting the journey here.
Shanaila listened with curiosity, like hearing a story.
As night fell, everyone returned to their rooms.
Shanaila took a room across the hall on the same floor—still the president of Starflower, so she couldn't live like she did at the Island Lord's residence.
Wu Heng read for a while in his study.
Then teleported using a portal spell—appearing in Shanaila's room.
He looked up to see Shanaila and her maid staring at him in alarm.
The maid stood guard, sword and shield in hand.
Shanaila stood behind, aiming the pistol Wu Heng gave her.
When the magic circle faded and they saw who it was—
They relaxed.
Shanaila scolded, "You scared us! Thought someone broke in."
"New skill. Wanted to try it. Put the gun away," Wu Heng said with a smile.
Shanaila stored the pistol and whispered to her maid.
The maid nodded. "Master, Madam, I'll be next door. Call if needed."
"Alright."
She left and closed the door.
Wu Heng stepped forward and picked up the wood elf he hadn't seen in nearly two weeks.
Shanaila easily wrapped herself around him.