Chapter 606, It's the Coachman
A book was split into six parts.
Each Wu Heng held a portion and found a spot to begin reading.
With improved attributes, not only was it easier to understand knowledge, but also concentration and memory were greatly enhanced.
With explanations and notes, rote memorization became simple.
As long as it was forced into the mind, it would stick.
All six of them quickly flipped through the pages in different places.
Then they began mimicking pronunciations.
The whole room was filled with murmured gibberish.
The three phantoms huddled together.
Beni looked surprised. "Is he preparing a ritual? Necromancers really are good at incantations."
Glenda said, "Looks like he's studying something."
Xiaoxiao flew a little closer, glanced at the torn-off book cover placed aside, and said, "Uncle is learning a foreign language."
"What's a foreign language?" Beni asked.
"It's a language from another country. I almost had to learn it too," Xiaoxiao explained to the two phantoms.
Hearing that, the others quickly understood.
Just meant other races' languages.
But this learning method was truly unique.
Splitting into six clones to study separately.
It was their first time seeing it.
"Then let's keep our voices down and not disturb him," Glenda said.
The other two nodded.
They stopped chatting and returned to their spots.
Glenda resumed editing, while Xiaoxiao controlled the tablet and took Beni a bit further away to keep watching cartoons.
...…
As night fell,
The six finished their reading.
One asked, "How was it?"
Another Wu Heng replied, "More or less done. Just need to memorize it. Can't compare to magic books though."
Another added, "Let's find that foreigner and try speaking when we have time."
"Doesn't matter for conversations, there's a translator. Mainly we just need to read the blueprints."
"There's still one more book. After that, we'll basically have the basics."
"Let's cancel the relic's effect for now. There are side effects."
The six nodded, merged back into one.
Immediately followed by pain and a flood of information, his head spinning.
Wu Heng held his forehead as the side effects slowly faded.
Xiaoxiao flew over, a little worried. "Uncle, are you okay?"
The other two phantoms also looked at him with concern.
Wu Heng smiled. "I'm fine. Just side effects from merging clones."
Xiaoxiao said, "More like side effects from reading."
Glenda flew over too. "Leave the last book for tomorrow. If you don't take care of your body, how will you handle so many women later?"
"You're being lewd again," Wu Heng replied.
Glenda smiled, glancing at Xiaoxiao but saying nothing.
Her expression clearly said, If Xiaoxiao weren't here, I'd really let it rip.
Xiaoxiao earnestly said, "Yes, Uncle. You need to take care of your health. We're all counting on you."
"Alright, Xiaoxiao wins. No more studying today," Wu Heng stood and stretched his neck.
"Hehe." Xiaoxiao grinned and did a loop in midair.
Wu Heng gathered the scattered pages and walked to the door. "I'm going to rest."
"Good night."
"Good night."
"Bye Uncle."
...…
Back in the bedroom.
Wu Heng washed up and lay in bed.
He stared at the ceiling.
Last time he translated a skill book for Xiaoxiao, now he was studying foreign language texts.
His clones could handle it—it wasn't just for battle.
The Hundred Arms Robe was truly a powerful relic.
He frowned in thought.
"Would it help for training too?"
His swordsmanship had plateaued at Advanced. Maybe training with six clones would help.
"I'll try it sometime."
With that thought, he drifted off to sleep.
...…
After breakfast, Wu Heng traveled to the Zombie world.
As he stepped out of the portal, it was drizzling outside.
Wu Heng released the three phantoms.
Xiaoxiao went to find Zhao Yanqiu, while Glenda and Beni flew off to explore.
Speaking of which, he'd helped Xiaoxiao's mom come over and gave her a class and skill books.
But Xiaoxiao's "unfinished business" still wasn't done.
Wu Heng even suspected—
Did Xiaoxiao really believe her dad and grandpa could be revived?
If so, she might never finish it.
Glenda's "unfinished business" was much clearer.
She wanted to find her husband and ask why he killed her.
Wu Heng figured if he was dead, they'd use necromancy to ask the corpse.
The problem was just finding him.
The final hope was Beni.
The Cult of Fate that killed her had been wiped out, and the bishop's phantom was sealed in the Demon Soul Jar.
Once Beni's level was higher, she could devour the phantom herself for revenge.
That would likely complete her "unfinished business."
As for her weak skills, they could add more later with rituals.
He mulled it over.
Then went downstairs.
As he reached the first floor, he saw the meeting room door open and people walking out.
Looked like a meeting had just ended.
"Leader!"
"Leader~!"
Everyone greeted him.
"Mm, go on. I'm just passing by," Wu Heng smiled and nodded.
The others left under umbrellas, returning to work. Wu Heng entered the meeting room.
Inside, only Qi Hancai remained.
"Just finished a meeting?" Wu Heng asked.
Qi Hancai smiled. "Planning the next steps so the workshops can coordinate."
"Don't put all your energy into work. Get some rest too," Wu Heng said gently.
"Mm, I know."
Wu Heng asked, "How are those Russians adapting?"
"No major issues, but we can't split them up yet. They can't communicate with other teams, so we assign tasks through Kadorov," Qi Hancai said, slightly helpless.
The initial plan was to assign them by specialty.
But now, it looked like that wouldn't work.
Only Liu Mingyu knew Russian, and he couldn't run back and forth translating all day.
"Keeping them together is fine for now," Wu Heng said.
Qi Hancai nodded, then added, "Bai Qing's team is advancing into Binhai City's center. In a few days, they'll bring back survivors and scavenged gold."
"Bai Qing's quite the go-getter."
"It's the skeletons doing the work. All Bai Qing's team can do is keep up with their pace," Qi Hancai said with a wry smile.
Sounded like Bai Qing had been complaining.
Skeletons didn't need logistics or rest—they just attacked.
So, yeah, logistics were getting strained.
"Hang in there a bit longer. Things will get easier."
Just one more level to 20.
Almost there.
"No complaints. Just being in the base is already lucky enough," Qi Hancai said. "I'll keep pushing them. You don't need to worry."
Uh...
They chatted for a while longer.
The rain outside didn't seem to stop.
No way to go out and clear Zombies.
After lunch at the cafeteria—
Wu Heng returned to the dorm. Once the phantoms came back—
He opened the portal and returned to Gold-Silver Island.
...…
Wu Heng descended the stairs.
He heard laughter from the maids—and Philipa's loud voice.
Philipa was back?
He reached the living room and looked over.
He saw Shanaila, Philipa, and three maids.
"Great leader!"
The red-crested parrot was the first to spot him, screeching and bowing.
Wu Heng patted its feathers. "Getting smarter."
At the parrot's call, everyone in the living room turned.
"Master," the maids greeted sweetly.
Shanaila smiled softly.
The parrot flew to Philipa's side. "Stupid bird! Captain!"
"You're the stupid bird. I'll stew you!" Philipa swatted it away and laughed. "Wu Heng, did you miss us?"
"Of course. Thought you two ran off. Been gone for days," Wu Heng said, sitting down nearby.
Philipa immediately snuggled close, hugging one of his arms. "So were you worried about me, or about Sister Shanaila?"
As she spoke, she tightened her grip on his arm.
Shanaila also looked over with a smile, waiting to hear what he would say.
Wu Heng said, "I was worried you'd sell Shanaila off. She's a treasure of our Gold-Silver Island."
Felipa nodded in agreement, "Back in the day, Shanaila's bounty was worth over a hundred gold coins. Guaranteed profit."
"Crazy. You actually thought about it," Wu Heng pulled his arm out and pinched her cheek.
Felipa pouted and said, "Come on, you know me. I'm even more benevolent than Babuchi."
Now that all the pirates in the Emerald Sea are dead.
Naturally, the pirate bounty was also voided.
Wu Heng continued asking, "Did you find anything on the way?"
"Drove off a few pirate-like fleets. Other than that, everything's fine. The entire sea route is safe," Felipa reported.
"That's good," Wu Heng added, "Oh right, I came downstairs to take a photo. Minnie, bring down that trench coat I prepared."
Minnie quickly went upstairs and brought down a trench coat.
Shanaila asked, "What photo?"
"The first volume of the detective novel is going on sale. I need a cover. I'm going to be on it myself."
The group was briefly stunned, then began bustling around.
...…
Wu Heng put on the trench coat and wore the bowler hat typical of investigators.
Under Shanaila's direction, he began posing in several specific ways.
After all, Shanaila understood a bit about art.
She was also quite skilled in oil painting, so with her guidance, it saved a lot of hassle.
After taking several shots, the group began selecting the best one.
"This one looks the best."
"I think this one's got more mystery to it."
"Daddy..."
Felipa blurted out while looking at the photo, then quickly shut her mouth under everyone's gaze.
Wu Heng said, "Then let's go with this one."
The group delivered it to the printing warehouse and imported the photo into the machine.
Printing began.
...…
After dinner.
The maids played shuttlecock in the courtyard.
Wu Heng went upstairs and entered the study.
After greeting the three ghostly souls—
He took out the remaining copy of " Russian for Beginners (Platinum Bestseller Edition) " and began tearing it into six parts.
His body split into six clones.
Each took one portion and began reading.
Time passed bit by bit, and all six portions were eventually finished.
The six bodies merged back into one.
After the side effects passed, Wu Heng pulled out a nearby box.
He took out the electromagnetic cannon blueprints and began studying them.
This time, the Russian was no longer a string of unfamiliar symbols—it was readable text.
As he continued reading—
Wu Heng began to frown.
Reproducing the electromagnetic cannon really was difficult.
The materials listed included high-performance rare earths and various precision components.
Such things, whether in the zombie world or the otherworld, couldn't be made even with the blueprints.
Let alone mass production or battlefield application.
A 150 km range, 5-meter concrete penetration.
At that range, from outside the city, you could bomb the royal palace.
But this kind of weapon was currently unachievable.
It would remain on paper for now.
"All that work for nothing these past few days."
After reading one blueprint, night had already fallen.
Wu Heng put the blueprints back.
After saying goodnight to the ghosts, he went downstairs and returned to the bedroom.
...…
Wu Heng pushed open the bedroom door.
He saw Shanaila in a white nightgown, sitting at the vanity, lifting her hair.
Her mature, beautiful face, fair, slender neck—
And delicate collarbones.
Shanaila glanced at the door through the silver mirror, "You're really diligent now, staying cooped up in the study so long."
Wu Heng hung up his coat nearby, "You worked hard to help me become island lord. Of course I have to put in effort."
"You deserved the position. The Association isn't stupid—they wouldn't appoint you just from a merchant letter," Shanaila said with a smile.
Wu Heng walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder, kneading slightly, then slid down the loose neckline.
Grasped her soft fullness.
"You've tanned."
Shanaila squirmed a little and looked over, "Does it look bad?"
"No, even more charming," Wu Heng lowered his head and kissed her red lips.
Shanaila passionately responded, releasing her pent-up longing.
Her robe slipped off, Wu Heng lifted her in his arms and laid her on the bed.
Wu Heng began undressing.
Shanaila impatiently helped untie his belt.
White legs wrapped around his shoulders.
Shanaila let out a moan of both pain and pleasure.
...…
Wu Heng held her soft body in his arms.
Caressing her back, he asked, "Starflower hasn't given you trouble again, has it?"
"Don't be so hostile. It's just about trade affairs. We're all wood elves. My family even writes to check on me," Shanaila rested in his embrace, looking up.
"Mm, as long as they're not bullying you," Wu Heng kissed her again and said, "I've got two things—can you help me out?"
Shanaila playfully slapped his wandering hand, "We've already done this much, why the politeness?"
Wu Heng placed his hand back on her waist, "Still about setting up the newspaper offices. Do you know anyone in other kingdoms or cities who can help publish and sell the paper?
Second, I want to hold a trade exhibition on the island to let merchant groups display their goods. Can you help gather the big merchant teams and spread the word?"
Shanaila frowned slightly.
After thinking, she said, "Setting up newspaper offices is difficult. Most kingdoms won't allow intelligence sales. I suggest checking with the Association—see if they can distribute it for you."
"As for the trade fair, I get your intent, but what benefit do we get from it?"
Wu Heng explained, "It'll attract more nobility to the island. Premium goods will gather here. Shops benefit, and we can choose reliable merchant teams to work with. We just provide the venue, little to no burden."
Shanaila thought for a moment and nodded, "If you've got it planned, I'll help make it happen."
Wu Heng smiled, "You're the best, sweetheart."
"Ugh, so corny."
Wu Heng got up, lifted her in his arms. Shanaila yelped as she clung to him like a gecko.
Her chin rested on his shoulder, legs tightly wrapped around his waist.
As they walked, soft moans escaped her.
Only once they reached the window did he set her down.
Shanaila said strangely, "What are you doing? What if someone hears?"
"Then let them come up and join us."
"You're incorrigible."
...…
The next morning.
Newsboys rushed to every street corner.
Waving newspapers, they shouted: "Issue Seven! Breaking news! Steward Imiro issued a challenge to Luan's master at headquarters—opponent cowered and refused! Wu Heng invited to join the Grand Hongwen Society! Mystery revealed in the detective story..."
The cries of the newsboys once again echoed throughout the island.
Hearing that a new issue had released, crowds gathered around the newsboys.
"Who's Luan? Why did Imiro challenge his master?"
"That prince from the Kingdom of Kert, the one who got beaten by the island lord."
"So now his master got beat up by Imiro too?"
"Damn, the killer's revealed in this issue!"
"Shit, stop pushing! If you're not buying, don't crowd here!"
...…
Golden Sail Tavern.
Sabban paced back and forth, acting out various roles.
Loudly he said, "Wu Heng gently shook his head, smiling as he concluded: 'The case is over. There will be no more assassinations.'"
"Over? The others rushed to ask what had really happened."
"Wu Heng slyly winked and only said: You'll know in a moment."
Below the stage, a dense crowd of patrons held their breath, waiting for the finale.
After waiting so long, the resolution was finally coming.
And everyone already had a suspect in mind.
Just waiting to confirm their guess.
Sabban lightly knocked the table in front of him, mimicking a knock on the door.
"Then, a knock rang out. A voice from outside called: Sir, the carriage is ready."
"It was Wiggins, squad captain of the Baker Street patrol."
The crowd tensed.
Their widened eyes seemed to say—Was it him?
Sabban's story continued.
"Very well. Invite him in to help move the luggage."
"Wiggins entered with the coachman. The coachman was tall and muscular."
"He reluctantly walked toward Wu Heng, reaching to lift a large trunk from the bedroom."
"Suddenly, Wu Heng jumped up and cuffed the man's wrists."
"Wu Heng smiled in triumph and announced to the others: He is the murderer of the two victims—Hobart Jefferson."
The room fell into silence.
"Holy shit, it was the coachman."