Chapter 724, Next Step Plan
"The cheapest potion for decorative greenery is 12 silver coins per bottle. Grain-related potions are 25 silver, and medicinal herbs range from 50 to 100 silver," the wood elf representative quoted plainly.
That's not cheap.
The potions for the plants at home were all from Shanaila—who knew a bottle went for 12 silver.
That's enough to buy some ready-grown potted plants.
Wu Heng nodded. "I plan to buy the grain-related potion, and also have you bring a message back—I'd like to buy the potion recipe. I guarantee it's for personal use only and won't be sold externally."
He had already discussed this with Shanaila.
The plant growth potion was unique to the wood elves, and their control of it enabled most of the grain trade in the surrounding sea regions.
While they sold the potion, the formula had never been released.
Shanaila said the wood elves would never agree to sell it.
But Wu Heng still wanted to give it a shot.
The elf looked surprised, then said, "I'll have to consult with the tribe. I can't give an answer right now."
"Gold-Silver Island and Starflower have worked together well. But since our cultivation area isn't around Emerald Sea, we can't maintain consistent purchases. I hope you can help us obtain the recipe," Wu Heng explained.
He wanted to show he wasn't coveting the recipe—transport was simply inconvenient.
"I'll relay your message."
"Great. Meanwhile, I'll order some potion first—have it delivered."
"Certainly. How much do you need?"
The elf took out a ledger and began recording.
"Calculate based on 100 acres and tell me how much potion is required."
"Understood, sir..."
After a brief discussion,
Wu Heng finalized the potion order.
The zombie world had already started farming for a while—this couldn't be delayed.
Buying the recipe, on the other hand, might take much longer.
Even if they agreed, the back and forth plus negotiations could take half a year.
Elves lived long—things moved slower for them.
So standard potion orders came first. The recipe could be worked on slowly.
After chatting a while and asking about the latest merchant convoys—
The elf finally left.
Afterward, Wu Heng donned the complete Hundred-Arms set, tested its effects, and gauged the intensity of its side effects.
The set indeed reduced the negative effects, though whether it was by half was hard to say.
But it felt close.
...…
Late at night.
Wu Heng lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about his next moves.
Over the past few days, he'd completed several planned objectives.
The electromagnetic cannon was assembled and test-fired successfully—it could destroy targets at 150 km.
Accuracy was lacking, but the power made up for it.
"Targets need to be big—buildings are fine. Single units are harder."
"Then there's etching the shells. I need to visit the Snake Emblem Consortium to see if they can do it."
The second accomplished goal was the Hundred-Arms set.
A set he had yearned for was now complete.
It was like when playing a game—getting anxious when missing just a few pieces, only to realize the complete set wasn't all that amazing.
Just an added defensive mantle.
And some mitigation of the set's side effects.
"Now that my mage gear is complete, I won't need an upgrade for a while."
"Next steps..." Wu Heng muttered.
With gear done, it was time to focus on abilities.
Collect more skills, use Tier 3 potions to boost attributes as much as possible.
"Next, level and reputation."
"I need to be proactive, leverage the situation in Ekow Kingdom, and build reputation."
Especially with the Fifth Princess and the Guild involved.
As for the zombie world—
Focus on rebuilding.
And evaluate what modern equipment might work in the fantasy world.
...…
He reviewed both domains in his mind.
The future plans were set.
Knock knock knock~!
A soft knock came. Minnie's voice followed.
"Master, are you asleep?"
"Come in," Wu Heng said.
The door opened. Minnie, in a black sheer nightgown, and Andviel, in a light blue silk one, entered one after the other.
Minnie shyly said, "Master, Sister Viel wants to play 'punish the naughty fox.'"
Andviel's eyes widened, but the words caught in her throat.
Wu Heng lifted the blanket with a grin. "Come in—it's cold outside."
"Time to punish the naughty fox!" Minnie cheered, crawling into bed.
Andviel glared at her but joined her in bed.
...…
The next day, in the zombie world.
Wu Heng sat in the meeting room for a while until Li Yanhong returned.
She held a tablet and said, "The copper and steel have been sent to the arms factory. Machine guns and shells are in production. The skeletons stationed at the food and canning factories have nearly finished training and can work independently."
Then she added, "Also, the central station reported encountering a powerful wraith. They want to know if we can handle it—payment is negotiable."
A wraith?
"How did they encounter one?"
Even with modern tech far beyond the fantasy world's, they still had no effective counter to wraiths.
Especially during this post-apocalyptic reconstruction.
No time or resources to research how to fight spirits.
"Not sure how they encountered it, but it's causing them major trouble. Now they're reaching out to us for help."
"What about payment?"
Li Yanhong replied, "They didn't mention an amount. I think we can ask for more since no one else but you can deal with wraiths."
She knew about Xiaoxiao.
And knew Wu Heng could handle spirits.
So if Central needed wraith control, they had to ask him—and he set the price.
"Contact Central and tell them I'll help. We'll discuss payment afterward," Wu Heng said.
"Okay, I'll have someone contact them right away," Li Yanhong nodded.
Wu Heng stood. "Let's check on the factories."
Li Yanhong grabbed her radio to arrange transportation.
They went downstairs and took a truck to the factory zone.
...…
Netalei City, Guild.
In the steward's study, Elder Tapani and Archmage Janvito sat—one behind a desk, the other on a couch—each reading the paper, faces glowing.
"Janvito, did you see what Wu Heng published without our permission?!" Tapani sighed. "Two Level 18 elders trapped by cultists and the army—it's embarrassing!"
"You object?" Janvito looked up. "If so, write Wu Heng and ask him to cut your part. He'll just replace you with someone else."
"Hey, I never said I objected."
"You're grinning from ear to ear."
Tapani set the paper aside. "Wu Heng moved fast—finished the story and sent it over."
"He must have a team writing for him—he's too busy to do it himself," Janvito said.
"Yeah." Tapani nodded, then added, "I need to order more copies of the paper to send to the elves—let them read about the great detective."
Janvito raised an eyebrow. "Good idea. I'll send some too. How many are you getting?"
"At least 5,000."
"Then I'll take 5,000 too. Let's have Philipa rush Wu Heng to deliver."
"Deal!"
They called in staff to contact Philipa.
Both were Level 18 and in need of reputation.
The detective paper had launched, and their portrayal was good—wasting the publicity would be foolish.
They even felt their order size was too small.
Maybe they should've gone with 20,000.
...…
City Lord's Manor.
The Fifth Princess, Brittany, read the paper, her cheeks slightly red.
Wood elf Shanaila smiled. "You've read the article—what do you think?"
"I think it's nice. The Island Lord portrayed me well—though maybe a bit too weak."
"Commoners prefer a princess like that—gentle, tearful, and caring," Shanaila said with a smile.
Brittany puffed her chest. "I didn't cry."
Shanaila kept smiling. "So, what do you think of Wu Heng?"
Brittany blushed again. "Why are you asking that?"
"If you want to reclaim your throne, simply stationing his troops here isn't enough."
"What do you mean?"