Chapter 563, Whatever You Say, I'll Agree
The first time Wu Heng saw a profession scroll, he thought it just looked like a rolled-up wall painting.
Qi Hancai immediately called it an imperial edict.
"It's called a profession scroll. Try opening it!" Wu Heng said directly.
Although the profession scroll had been part of his plan for a long time—
Whether it would work in this world was still uncertain.
"How do I try it? And what's so special about this scroll?" Qi Hancai asked as she examined it.
The surface of the profession scroll was covered with embroidered silk.
It looked rather elegant.
"If it works, it will change your body. If potions provide temporary enhancement, then this scroll lays out a long-term path for improvement," Wu Heng explained.
The greatest feature of the otherworld was its vast array of professions.
As one's level increased, their abilities would also grow.
Everything depended on one's potential and diligence.
"That sounds amazing!" Qi Hancai's eyes lit up.
Compared to temporary enhancements, long-term improvements seemed much more reliable.
Besides, if anyone else claimed a scroll could enhance someone's body, most would assume they had gone crazy from the apocalypse.
But since Wu Heng said it, Qi Hancai had no doubts.
Too many unbelievable things had happened—this was nothing unusual.
"Alright, I'll watch over you. Let's see if it works."
"How do I use it?" Qi Hancai asked.
"Just open the scroll. You'll feel a subtle sensation—don't worry about it."
"Alright!" Qi Hancai stood up, walked to the side, glanced at Wu Heng, and tore open the scroll.
The moment it was torn, a light surged into her body.
Her entire demeanor shifted, her eyes growing sharper and more focused.
"How do you feel?" Wu Heng asked.
Qi Hancai looked at her hands. "I think something changed, but I can't quite tell what. My vision feels sharper, and my body feels lighter."
It seemed the scroll was effective in this world.
"I'll arrange a sparring partner for you. Keep training, and you'll get stronger over time," Wu Heng said.
"Alright, thank you!" Qi Hancai smiled.
Wu Heng had chosen a Ranger scroll for her—one of the more common profession scrolls on the market.
In truth, with Qi Hancai's awakened ability, a Boxer profession would have suited her better.
After all, her leg strength had been enhanced, making her punches and kicks even deadlier.
But after some thought, Wu Heng decided against a melee-focused profession.
Their main enemies were zombies, and the danger wasn't just from bites or scratches—blood splattering into the mouth or eyes could also lead to infection.
It was better for her to stay at the back, either in command or doing reconnaissance.
There was no need to take unnecessary risks.
"No need to be so formal—we're all on the same side."
Qi Hancai smiled and slowly walked over, sitting sideways on his lap. "Then I still have to thank you properly."
Wu Heng wrapped an arm around her waist. "How do you want to thank me?"
Qi Hancai's face turned slightly red. "You tell me. Whatever you ask, I'll agree."
"Let's wait for Li Yanhong to arrive in a couple of days."
Qi Hancai's cheeks flushed even more as she leaned lightly against him.
...…
Near dusk, Wu Heng returned to the island lord's manor.
As he walked downstairs—
Several maids approached and greeted him.
Minnie walked over and said, "Master, the five thousand bow limbs and bowstrings we ordered last time have all arrived. I had the skeletons move them into the warehouse."
These were materials for composite bows.
Now that the blueprints were complete—
Wu Heng had arranged for composite bow production in two locations.
The bow limbs and bowstrings were ordered from the elves in the otherworld, while the remaining components were manufactured in the zombie world.
This served two purposes—preventing blueprint leaks and ensuring high-quality bow limbs and strings from the otherworld.
"Take me to see them."
Wu Heng followed Minnie to the warehouse. She opened the door, revealing rows of wooden crates filled with bow limbs and bowstrings.
After a quick inspection to confirm everything was in order—
He stored them all away, planning to send them to the zombie world later.
"What do you want for dinner, Master?"
"Anything. Just add whatever you all want to eat."
"Yellowtail lionfish soup, a seafood platter, roasted beef, and beef patties!" Minnie listed off as she thought.
"Sounds good, that's a feast."
"I'll have the chefs prepare it." Minnie hopped toward the kitchen.
Wu Heng then made a quick trip to the zombie world—
Delivering the bow limbs and bowstrings and arranging for assembly.
...…
During dinner—
Wu Heng asked, "Andviel, did anyone from City Hall buy the newspaper?"
"Someone took a few copies there, and they passed them around to read. Everyone's been discussing your story," Andviel replied with a smile.
Wu Heng picked up a piece of crab meat, put it in his mouth, and said, "Tomorrow, set up a small newspaper stand at City Hall. It doesn't need to be big—just a metal rack will do."
Glenda had suggested forcing City Hall staff to buy newspapers—
But Wu Heng felt that wasn't appropriate.
After all, some of the intelligence published came from City Hall itself.
Making them buy it would feel like a forced internal sale.
He preferred to set up a newspaper stand there, so any residents visiting City Hall could purchase a copy if they wanted to.
"Understood!" Andviel agreed.
After dinner—
The group headed to the training room for a session.
Late at night, Wu Heng checked in on Glenda, who was writing in the study—
Then returned to his room to rest.
...…
The next day, in the zombie world—
Wu Heng distributed composite bows to the stationed skeleton archers.
The wooden bows remained in use, while the new composite bow archers were an expansion of his forces.
Wooden bows, composite bows, and crossbows—
This was the current loadout for the skeleton archers.
After distributing the weapons—
Wu Heng returned to the factory complex.
From a distance, he saw Qi Hancai and the Tiancheng Group representative, Gao Rong, waiting at the entrance.
As he approached, they greeted him.
Qi Hancai said, "Last night, I spoke with Yanhong. Since we were on a public frequency, I couldn't go into details. She'll be coming over in the next two days with her people."
After speaking, her face turned slightly red.
"Alright, just make sure she's informed." Wu Heng nodded.
Then, Gao Rong stepped forward. "Chief, over the past two days, we've worked with Deputy Chief Qi to map out the entire Yangtong City and divided it into several sections."
Wu Heng nodded. "Go ahead."
Gao Rong took out a map with various zones marked in red.
He explained, "This area consists of textile and footwear factories. Many were brand-name subcontractors, so they likely have complete production equipment. Over here is the automotive industry—assembly plants, engine manufacturers, and auto parts factories."
This must have been inspired by the newspaper reprints.
Finding these facilities instead of building from scratch would save time and effort.
With more time, they could focus on firearms development.
"Alright. Qi Hancai, prepare the vehicles. Let's head to the textile factories first and secure the area." Wu Heng said.
"Got it," Qi Hancai replied and used her radio to give orders.
Before long, a convoy and skeletons gathered at the factory entrance.
Wu Heng and Qi Hancai boarded a truck.
Gao Rong and two technicians took a carriage in the back, heading toward the textile district according to the map.
...…
Boom, boom, boom~!
A barrage of iron cannonballs rained down on the zombie horde, thick smoke rising over the streets.
After the bombardment—
The remaining zombies continued their charge.
Some were impaled on spears, writhing as they struggled forward, while others clutched the shafts, pulling and pushing desperately.
Blood splattered, and rotting flesh flew everywhere.
The sound of piercing weapons and snapping bones echoed across the battlefield.
As the zombies perished, wisps of lingering souls drifted toward the sky.
"Xiaoxiao, it's your turn. They're all yours today," Wu Heng called out.
"Got it~!" Xiaoxiao responded cheerfully and flew forward.
She rushed into the sky filled with lingering souls.
Glenda had reached level 18 but was stuck at "Unfinished Business."
So these souls all belonged to Xiaoxiao.
As Xiaoxiao absorbed them—
System notifications followed.
[Specter leveled up to 16. Constitution +2, Agility +1, Perception +1.]
[Specter leveled up to 17. Intelligence +2, Perception +2.]