Chapter 333, Skeleton Cavalry
Wu Heng conversed with the woman for a while.
Andviel returned with the property deed in hand.
"Master, I purchased a shop in the newly built commercial district on Lighthouse Street. The location is quite good," Andviel said.
"Hmm, that area is fine too." Wu Heng took the property deed and turned to the woman. "Come, I'll take you to see it."
"Yes, Sir."
...…
Lighthouse Street.
In a newly completed shop,
Wu Heng, wearing the [Phantom Veil] and transformed into the appearance of a plump woman, entered the store with Milisen.
The shop was completely empty inside,
but it had quite a large floor area.
It consisted of five floors in total, including a large hall and private rooms upstairs.
The building's design appeared tailored for a tavern.
Handing the property deed to her, Wu Heng said, "This shop is yours now. If you encounter difficulties, come to me. But don't mention our relationship to outsiders. I'm a deputy steward of the guild and have many enemies. That would endanger you and your daughter."
"Understood." The woman nodded, then solemnly bowed. "Thank you, Sir, for rescuing both me and Philipa from prison, and for giving us this opportunity."
"Good. It's important you know what to do."
"Yes, Sir."
The two inspected the shop together.
Wu Heng added, "Hire someone to renovate it. Don't worry about the cost."
"Understood, Sir."
After looking around,
Wu Heng closed the shop doors.
The rest would be left to her to handle.
He boarded a carriage.
The woman returned to the guild, while Wu Heng got off mid-way.
Returning to his residence.
...…
After lunch,
Wu Heng found a secluded spot, put on the [Train Conductor's Hat], and boarded the ghost train.
On the itinerary, he wrote "Netarei City."
The train vanished instantly, and upon reappearing, he had arrived at this port city of the Eko Kingdom.
Perhaps due to the kingdom's recent political instability,
the port's streets had become much quieter.
Wu Heng entered a weapons shop he hadn't visited before, glanced around, and asked, "How much for a crossbow?"
The shopkeeper smiled. "This type is 40 silver coins."
The price had certainly risen.
"How many do you have in stock?"
"Are you looking to make a bulk purchase?" The shopkeeper pondered briefly. "Sir, we have only about a dozen crossbows in stock. If you need more, we can arrange an order and deliver within 10 days."
Wu Heng frowned, thinking.
Just a dozen wouldn't be enough.
Besides, he had already ordered a thousand wooden elven crossbows and a large quantity of grain from "Starflower."
In ten days, the Starflower shipment would likely arrive as well.
So there was no need to place another order here.
"Never mind. I'll keep looking."
Wu Heng left the shop and browsed nearby stores.
Food prices had also risen, though not significantly. Supplies were still adequate.
He purchased over 200 sacks of flour and some legumes.
Whether for the bus station or for bartering, they would be useful.
After making his rounds,
finding nothing else of interest to buy, Wu Heng headed outside the city.
...…
In a desolate area outside the city,
just as he was about to put on his hat to leave,
*Thud, thud, thud~!*
The rapid sound of hooves suddenly echoed behind him.
Wu Heng pocketed the hat and turned to see a group of armored cavalry approaching quickly.
A squad of 12 riders, raising a cloud of dust behind them.
Wu Heng stood aside, letting them pass.
Suddenly, the leading rider pulled the reins, bringing the squad to a halt.
Seated high on his horse, the leader asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Passing through. Any issues?" Wu Heng replied.
The man scrutinized Wu Heng's attire, his gaze lingering on the ring on his hand before scanning the surroundings. "There's been trouble with bandits lately. Drop your weapons and submit to a search."
As he spoke, the cavalry encircled Wu Heng.
Narrowing his eyes, Wu Heng displayed his deputy steward insignia and said, "Back off!"
The riders froze.
Seeing the insignia, their eyes widened.
Running into an guild deputy steward in the middle of nowhere?
What kind of luck was this?
The captain hesitated briefly, studying Wu Heng closely before sneering. "I know all the deputy stewards in Netarei City. Never seen you before. That badge must be stolen."
He then ordered his men, "Seize him!"
Wu Heng stood his ground, realizing their intentions.
It didn't matter what identity he claimed; in this desolate spot, they clearly planned to rob and kill him.
Even the deputy steward insignia didn't intimidate them. They must have no intention of leaving any witnesses.
*Thud, thud, thud~!*
At the captain's command, the riders charged.
Wu Heng pulled a heavy machine gun from his spatial ring and opened fire.
*Bang, bang, bang~!*
Deafening gunfire erupted.
The advancing cavalry squad was mowed down instantly, horses and riders collapsing in heaps.
The captain, who moments ago wore a smug expression, now turned pale. Yanking the reins, he tried to flee.
Wu Heng cast a spell, summoning a bone cage that trapped the fleeing captain.
The man's face darkened with fear.
What was meant to be an easy plunder had turned into a deadly mistake.
His entire squad lay dead,
and his own life seemed doomed.
Wu Heng approached him. Before Wu Heng could speak, the captain pleaded, "Deputy Steward, I apologize for offending you. We were just too eager to catch bandits!"
He dismounted and bowed low.
Wu Heng frowned, unimpressed by the man's quick change of attitude.
Moments ago, he had ordered his men to kill. Now he was groveling.
Wu Heng said coldly, "Save your apologies for the next life. Don't be so arrogant next time."
With that, he dismissed the bone cage and crushed the captain's skull with a single strike.
Swift and decisive.
Searching the bodies, Wu Heng found some coin pouches, potions, and a sealed letter on the captain.
Opening it, he found it was an order to mobilize troops to hunt someone down.
So, these riders were couriers after all.
He had half-expected them to be under the influence of a blank envelope.
Pulling out straw mats from his spatial ring,
he ordered, "Wrap the bodies. Two human corpses per mat."
The straw mats were in short supply.
Once the bodies were wrapped,
Wu Heng stored them in his spatial ring and picked up the scattered shell casings.
Donning the [Train Conductor's Hat] once more, he returned to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
Zombie World, Old Factory District.
In an open area behind the factory,
Wu Heng retrieved the cavalry corpses.
Using [Battlefield of the Dead], he summoned skeletal figures from the ground.
Along with human skeletons, 12 skeletal horses rose as well.