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Chapter 634, A Wrong Decision
Gao Rong's pupils widened, eyes full of shock.
Corpse cores without side effects.
Wasn't that exactly what the Central Station had been researching?
And now the base already had it?
Thinking of this, Gao Rong's heart beat faster.
Wu Heng bringing this up meant he intended to entrust it to him.
His attitude grew more respectful, "Leader, please give your instructions."
"No special instructions. You've done well, so I plan to help you improve—of course, only if you're willing," Wu Heng said while looking at him.
Gao Rong asked, "No side effects at all?"
"None."
"We're willing," Gao Rong hesitated briefly, then agreed.
Wu Heng took out three class change scrolls for Technomancers from his space ring, placed them on the table, and said, "These are profession scrolls. The ones I'm giving you differ from Qi Hancai's—hers are focused on scouting, while yours are for research and development. You can think of it as mainly boosting intelligence."
Gao Rong looked at the scrolls on the table.
His eyes widened even more.
Wu Heng continued, "There are only three for now. You use one, and I'll supply the rest later. As for your apprentices, they'll receive some resource rewards."
"Yes, Leader," Gao Rong nodded, then looked at the scrolls. "Leader, how do you use them?"
"Pick one up, open it, and don't resist the power inside your body," Wu Heng instructed.
Gao Rong stood, picked up a scroll, and opened it.
A flash of light shot into his forehead.
The next moment, Gao Rong furrowed his brows. "I can feel it—it's like my body is changing."
"Your profession path is now focused on mechanical R&D. As long as you pursue this path, you'll continue to grow," Wu Heng explained.
"Thank you, Leader. We'll continue to work hard and help develop the base," Gao Rong said with a deep bow.
"Also, tell your subordinates not to spread this. If word gets out, we'll be in deep trouble," Wu Heng said seriously.
Gao Rong understood the severity and nodded.
"Sit and talk, don't just stand there."
Gao Rong sat down again. Wu Heng asked, "Any news from the Central Station recently?"
"After you and Deputy Leader Qi left, the Central Station came by once more. They haven't returned since. The exchanged supplies are all stored in the warehouse."
"What about those Russian researchers? What are they doing now?"
"They've been given a separate research project—on electricity. They're continuing to research new energy sources to reduce reliance on gasoline," Gao Rong explained.
"Good. Keep things running as they are. You're still in charge of the arms factory."
"Understood," Gao Rong nodded.
"That's all. Go get back to work."
Gao Rong stood, took the remaining two scrolls, and left the room.
Wu Heng also exited the meeting room and headed upstairs.
...
Just as he reached a room—
He heard women chatting inside.
He knocked lightly, got a reply, and walked in.
Zhao Yanqiu, dressed in a black sports jacket, was sitting in a chair.
She looked up and greeted him, "Leader."
Xiaoxiao was also there, revealing herself. "Uncle, you're done talking over there?"
"Yeah, all done. Nothing major," Wu Heng replied, then looked at Zhao Yanqiu. "How's the skill learning going?"
Xiaoxiao flew over, landed on Wu Heng's shoulder, and jumped in, "My mom learned it! Can you get her more high-level books? Preferably combat ones—so she can protect herself."
Looks like Zhao Yanqiu did have some talent.
She really learned it.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and said, "I'll check back home. If I have any, I'll bring them."
Zhao Yanqiu said, "Thank you, Leader. Sorry to trouble you."
Xiaoxiao flew next to her mother. "Not a trouble at all! Uncle's amazing now—right, Uncle?"
"Yeah, not a trouble. We're family," Wu Heng said.
Zhao Yanqiu looked a little shy, while Xiaoxiao beamed with joy.
Wu Heng chatted with Zhao Yanqiu for a while.
Checked on their living situation—after all, she was Xiaoxiao's mother.
And it related to Xiaoxiao's future legacy.
He chatted with the mother and daughter for a bit.
Seeing the sky darken, he left the room.
Took Xiaoxiao, returned to his bedroom, and entered the realm gate.
...
Gold-Silver Island.
Wu Heng came down the stairs, just in time to see the skeleton chef serving dinner on the table.
"Master..."
The maids all greeted in unison.
Minnie asked, "Master, anything you'd like to eat? We can have the chef make more."
"No need. This is fine," Wu Heng said, sitting down to eat.
After dinner—
Wu Heng asked, "Andviel, how has the island been lately?"
Andviel said, "Master, more ships and merchants have arrived. Properties on the island, especially mansions in the central district, are being bought up quickly."
So this even boosted real estate.
But most of the arrivals were just merchants.
"Raise central district prices a bit. Those guys aren't short on money."
Andviel nodded with a smile, "Got it."
"Shanaila didn't come?" Wu Heng asked.
Minnie replied, "Since you weren't here, Sister Shanaila hasn't come."
"It's fine. I'll go see her tomorrow."
They chatted in the lounge for a while.
As it grew darker, they each went back to rest.
...
Emerald Sea.
A pirate fleet bearing black flags with red whirlwind symbols floated across the sea.
On deck, scattered pirates yawned while patrolling.
In the sky, several harpy-like sirens circled the ship, occasionally letting out baby-like cries.
Soon, another pirate ship with the same flag approached.
The sirens quickly flew over to inspect.
After confirming it was friendly, they returned to perch on the main ship's mast.
The approaching pirate ship drew closer, and a man used a rope to swing onto the main ship.
He greeted the patrolling pirates on deck.
Then hurried toward the captain's cabin. From outside, heavy breathing and a woman's moans could be heard.
He waited at the door.
Once the sounds stopped, he knocked lightly and said, "Captain, I've got some intel."
The door opened, and a seductive woman lazily walked out.
She glanced at him and said softly, "Good timing."
Ignoring her, he stepped into the room.
A burly, bearded man sat shirtless on the bed. "What intel? Speak."
The crewman said, "According to reports, the Emerald Sea pirates were wiped out by the guild. They were lured to Gold-Silver Island and eliminated in one strike."
"All of them?" The captain frowned, clearly surprised.
"Almost. A few escaped, but they're all hiding now."
The captain paused in thought. "Why are there so many merchant convoys on the sea routes lately?"
The man replied, "Also because of Gold-Silver Island—they held some kind of banquet or ball, inviting many major guild figures."
"Gold-Silver Island..." the captain muttered, then asked, "Who's in charge there on behalf of the guild?"
"They say it's a newly appointed Island Lord—not even level 15."
...
The sun rose high. Gold-Silver Island buzzed with life again.
"The Island Lord's Mansion started selling fountain pens—limited quantities," someone said upon returning from the central district.
"When did that happen?"
"This morning. There's already a long line—it's all merchant guild people."
"Really? I'll check it out. If it's not too pricey, I'll grab one."
"25 silver—not cheap... Feels like the price was set for guilds who want to reverse-engineer them."
"Yeah, that's pretty steep. Might as well watch the excitement."
...
Outside a building near the town hall in the central district, the crowd was overflowing.
A large sign at the entrance read: Fountain Pens – 25 Silver Each. Limit 1 Per Person. Guild Limit – 100 Pens.
Pricey, and limited.
First time seeing a sale with so many restrictions.
Yet the line stretched dozens of meters.
Especially the merchant guilds.
They needed to buy and disassemble them—see if they could reproduce the tech. So no matter the cost, they had to get the first batch.
"Island Lord Wu Heng really improved it—impressive," someone in the queue said.
"Heard he was pressured in the Ekow Kingdom and only found his footing on Gold-Silver Island."
"Ekow Kingdom's been done for a while. Now even their borders are sealed with constant internal strife."
"Still, if they'd kept Wu Heng back then, maybe they could've risen again."
"If Wu Heng had stayed, those people would've only feared he'd threaten their own positions."