Chapter 313, The Paper Crane Messenger
The auto repair shop's convoy is equipped with a vehicle radio.
They can contact the outside world during the journey.
It seems the convoy estimated their arrival time and notified the old factory area.
"Is someone coming?" Zhao Yanqiu stood by the stairs and asked, looking up.
Wu Heng glanced at her, "It's the auto repair shop's convoy, bringing over some supplies and equipment to support the construction here."
"That's a good thing!"
"Of course it's a good thing," Wu Heng replied with a smile.
Zhao Yanqiu thought for a moment and continued, "Then I'll organize some people to go welcome the convoy."
"No need, I've already arranged things here. You just make sure the dormitory rooms are tidied up; they'll need to stay."
"Oh, okay!" Zhao Yanqiu nodded in agreement, but still stared with wide eyes, watching from the side.
Wu Heng glanced at her and said, "When I come back, let Xiaoxiao find you."
"Alright!" After saying that, she clattered down the stairs to assign the task of cleaning to others.
Wu Heng, on the other hand, went straight up to the rooftop.
He sat on the back of a skeleton dragon, flew into the sky, and headed toward the edge of the city.
The dragon was faster.
When he arrived, it was still early.
After waiting by the roadside for a while, he saw the convoy approaching in the distance.
From a distance, the bloodstains on the armor plates of the vehicles and the severed limbs hanging from the front of the trucks could be seen.
It seemed that even though they had taken the route around the city's edge, it was still not smooth sailing.
But they were relatively lucky.
The convoy didn't appear to have suffered any major damage.
Screech~!
The convoy began to slow down and stopped across from him.
Qi Hancai jumped down from one of the vehicles and quickly ran over.
"Boss, more than 20 survivors, 1,000 skeletons, all transported here."
As he spoke, many survivors got out of the convoy and opened the back of the trucks, pouring out a large group of skeletons.
Dressed in leather armor, wielding spears, with a few holding longbows and quivers slung over their shoulders.
"Good work," Wu Heng said.
"It's my duty," Qi Hancai replied with a smile.
Wu Heng then looked at the big-headed skeleton beside him and said, "Have the skeleton soldiers form ranks!"
Whoosh~!
With the order given, the scattered skeleton soldiers quickly gathered.
Forming a tight formation.
Wu Heng turned back and said to Qi Hancai, "Have the convoy follow behind."
"Got it!"
...
They moved down the road.
Ahead were various auto repair shops.
As the skeleton army advanced, the sound of zombie roars began to emerge from the surroundings.
One by one, zombies appeared from the alleys and buildings, screaming furiously at the skeleton troops and rushing toward them.
Bang bang bang~!
The zombies charged into the skeleton ranks, wildly biting and tearing.
The skeleton army relentlessly thrust their spears, piercing through the oncoming zombie horde, leaving bodies strewn across the ground.
Wu Heng ordered the advance to continue, while he stayed behind to cast [Battlefield of the Dead].
Large numbers of fallen corpses rose from the ground, joining the skeleton ranks.
Qi Hancai handed the trucks over to others and quickly walked over, "Should we scavenge around here a bit?"
"Search the area nearby for some weapons for the skeletons. We can come back for the rest tomorrow," Wu Heng instructed directly.
They needed to get back to the old factory before nightfall.
There wasn't much time to linger here.
Qi Hancai nodded and quickly headed to the rear, telling the others to scavenge for supplies around the area.
Some handed over scavenged items like kitchen knives and hammers to the newly joined skeletons.
The rest continued with the convoy, loading important supplies onto the trucks.
The skeletons were now more or less equipped.
Wu Heng ordered the advance to continue.
The skeleton army passed through the area and entered an old residential district.
More zombies converged from within the district, charging toward the skeleton army.
Their numbers rapidly increased before everyone's eyes, soon surpassing the skeletons, numbering at least over 5,000.
Qi Hancai, who was by Wu Heng's side, had a change of expression and slapped his forehead, saying, "Qiangzi brought a lot of solid iron bullets. Should we use them?"
Wu Heng glanced around, "No, we're too close. Fall back and tell everyone to stay in the trucks."
"Understood!" Qi Hancai quickly ran back and dove into a truck.
Wu Heng looked at the rapidly approaching zombie horde and first cast [Bone Armor] on himself.
White bones covered his body.
Only his eyes and nose were left exposed.
Then he gave the order, "Archers, volley!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh~!
A dense rain of arrows fell from the sky, piercing into the zombie horde with crackling sounds.
Many zombies were turned into porcupines, their bodies swaying before they fell, tripping the ones behind them.
The archers continued to draw their bows and fire.
Wu Heng also timed it right and cast [Grease Spell] and [Fireball Spell].
Fireballs exploded above the zombie horde, igniting the grease, creating a blazing inferno.
The zombies charged fearlessly into the fire, their bodies engulfed in flames. After stumbling a few steps, they collapsed two meters from the skeleton formation.
It was as if they had returned to the early days of learning [Grease Spell].
Luring the zombies through the fire.
Once the flames diminished, the horde lunged into the skeleton spear formation.
A fierce battle ensued.
But the number of zombies had already been reduced by more than half due to the fire and arrows, so they were not as many as before.
After a round of intense fighting.
The battle was nearing its end, with the skeletons standing by, waiting for orders, while Wu Heng cast [Battlefield of the Dead] again, increasing the number of skeletons.
Once all the bodies had been transformed, the army continued advancing along the road.
They fought zombies continuously, replenishing their ranks with more skeletons.
...
As dusk approached.
The old factory's shelter suddenly became chaotic and noisy.
People outside rushed back in a panic, while those inside gathered around the doors and windows, staring outside in terror.
At the entrance of the factory.
Dense figures slowly appeared, wearing armor and leather helmets, holding metal spears.
The blood on the spears hadn't dried yet.
Their faces, where the helmets didn't cover, were pale skulls with eerie blue flames flickering in their eye sockets.
It looked like an army straight out of hell was marching towards them.
Inside the factory, everyone's eyes widened, their expressions growing increasingly terrified as the skeleton army approached.
"What...what's going on? Why are there so many monsters?"
"Are those skeleton soldiers from the auto repair shop leader?"
"Let's run, grab the food and run!"
The area was filled with panic and confusion.
Just as the chaos was reaching a peak, with some people preparing to pack up and flee.
The skeleton army marched into the factory courtyard, re-formed ranks, and faced outward in neat formation.
Six trucks followed the skeletons and drove in.
Wu Heng, Qi Hancai, and others got out of the trucks and headed toward the old factory's dormitory.
Only now did the survivors in the dormitory start to calm down.
So, these were indeed the leader's skeleton soldiers, and they could even wear armor.
Entering the dormitory building, everyone inside stared at him in unison.
Wu Heng spoke directly, "Everyone, help unload the trucks. Zhao Yanqiu, record the supplies on the trucks."
"Oh, okay!" Zhao Yanqiu responded.
The others immediately started moving, carefully avoiding the skeletons as they unloaded the supplies from the trucks.
...
On the first floor, the repurposed meeting room.
A few people sat around the wooden table, discussing the development plans.
After the discussion.
Wu Heng said directly, "Qi Hancai, you were previously the leader of the Dong'an shelter, so you'll now be in charge of distribution and management here at the old factory."
Qi Hancai, who was sitting beside him, was stunned for a moment, then a look of joy appeared on her face.
She cleared her throat, "Thank you for your trust. I'll do my best."
Having come from Dong'an village, Qi Hancai had served more like the head of security.
Now, she was directly assigned as the leader of the territory, a significant promotion.
Although not quite at Li Yanhong's level, it definitely surpassed Qiangzi and Wang Chenggang.
Wu Heng nodded and continued, "Wang Chenggang, you're in charge of leading everyone in resuming production. There are many workshops here, make use of them. Focus on producing spears, arrows, and those solid iron bullets."
"Understood!" Wang Chenggang nodded.
Next was Zhao Yanqiu, as Xiaoxiao's mother, she was someone Wu Heng could trust.
After all, her daughter was in his care.
"Zhao Yanqiu, continue to manage the radio station and keep track of personnel and supplies. If you're too busy, find two people to help."
"Got it." Zhao Yanqiu nodded as well.
With everyone's roles assigned.
The sky was gradually darkening.
"Alright, everyone go rest. We'll get back to work tomorrow."
They all nodded and left.
...
Returning to the dormitory.
When Xiaoxiao came back from Zhao Yanqiu's, she reopened the portal and returned to Gold-Silver Island.
It was getting dark here too.
Wu Heng went downstairs for a late-night snack and took a stroll in the courtyard.
He looked up and saw that the study in 'Shanaila's' house next door was still lit.
It looked like she was staying up late again.
Wu Heng stood there for a moment, then folded a paper crane and cast [Animate Object] on it.
The paper crane flapped its wings and flew up.
It bypassed the guards below and flew straight into the window.
Soon after, a stunning 'Shanaila' with loose hair leaned out of the window.
Wu Heng jumped and waved his arms at her.
Shanaila leaned out further, her face lighting up with joy, but then she gave him an exasperated look before pointing to the roof.
...
On the roof.
Wu Heng opened his arms and caught the beautiful wood elf as she leaped toward him.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Can't sleep, I was reading the comics 'Minnie' gave me," Shanaila said, twisting in his embrace. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"Was thinking of you, couldn't sleep."
Shanaila pursed her lips, "Smooth talker, I don't like that."
"Alright, I was busy earlier, but I did miss you."
Shanaila blushed slightly and lowered her head, "Okay, okay, I get it. No need to keep saying it."
She looked down, "What's up with your roof?"
"Solar panels, a device that converts energy," Wu Heng said as he tightened his arms around her waist.
He continued, "It's cold up here. Let's go inside."