Chapter 537, I Admit It, Let's Not Waste Time
Qi Hancai did not respond immediately, lowering her gaze to the document in her hands.
"Ability User Examination Agreement and Instructions."
This meant that the central station was researching ability users to understand what changes had occurred, allowing people to develop different types of abilities.
In the past, Qi Hancai would have fully supported such research.
After all, countless people were waiting for the headquarters to develop a solution that could offer them a new path.
But now, her thoughts had shifted.
The base had only two ability users. Her own ability was nothing special, but the way they were probing suggested something else.
Clearly, they wanted Wu Heng's blood sample.
And at this point, with the base supporting four different cities, everyone relied on Wu Heng to sustain them.
There was no way she would allow him to take risks or face unforeseen dangers.
"Commander Lu, this matter needs to be reported to our leader. Once we have any conclusions, we'll notify you."
"Of course," Lu Chang'an agreed and added, "It's just routine blood collection and analysis, no different from a hospital blood test. If we make any breakthroughs, it could significantly alter the current situation."
"Understood. I'll relay that truthfully," Qi Hancai replied coolly.
Lu Chang'an continued, "The second document outlines our Ability User Training Program. Survivors who have strong bodies or have consumed Level-1 zombie cores can gather at the main station for physical training. This can increase the success rate of awakening by 10%."
Qi Hancai gave him a brief glance.
The second matter was also related to zombie cores and ability users.
It was clear the central station placed great importance on this issue.
"What about the viral serum? Is there any progress?" Qi Hancai asked, changing the topic.
Survivors cared more about the development of a viral cure.
Without it, the spread of the zombie infection would be difficult to stop.
"Ah... Not yet. Even if there is progress, it will take a long time," Lu Chang'an replied with a sigh.
"Wasn't the virus created by another country?" Qi Hancai pressed further.
When the outbreak began, the radio waves were filled with curses directed at foreign nations.
Even though she didn't follow viral warfare closely, she had heard enough to remember this detail.
"Perhaps not," Lu Chang'an said with a heavy tone, "This virus is... rather mysterious."
Qi Hancai sighed. "I'll report these matters to the leader and notify you once we have any updates."
"Thank you. By the way, what's the name of your base leader?"
"His surname is Wu."
"If Leader Wu is available next time, I'd like to meet him personally."
"Commander Lu, you're too kind," Qi Hancai said with a hint of pride.
To receive such respect from the central station was something most regional shelters could only dream of.
As they talked, the person who had left earlier returned.
"The transaction is complete."
"Good. We'll be heading back now. Let us know if you want to place any orders in advance, and we can bring them next time."
"Understood," Qi Hancai said, standing to see them off.
As they walked outside, Lu Chang'an glanced around at the skeleton workers. "These skeletons can do all kinds of tasks?"
The skeletons were not exactly a secret, with information about them circulating across various channels.
However, it seemed only this base had an ability user capable of controlling them, as no other station had reported anything similar.
"They can handle most tasks, but the more specialized ones are a bit beyond them," Qi Hancai explained.
"And the numbers? There seem to be quite a lot of them."
Qi Hancai offered a vague response, "The numbers are just sufficient to keep us safe."
"What kind of ability did your leader awaken to control them?"
"I'm not sure, and it's not exactly something I can ask about."
"Haha, I understand. I'm just being nosy—I tend to get like this as I age," Lu Chang'an said, chuckling.
They exited the terminal, and Lu Chang'an's group boarded their plane.
The plane took off and disappeared into the sky.
After they left, Qi Hancai checked the delivered supplies and returned to the terminal.
As soon as she stepped back inside,
a base member descended from the second floor. "Sister Qi, the leader is upstairs and wants to see you."
Qi Hancai was momentarily surprised. Wu Heng had arrived.
"Got it," she said and headed upstairs.
...…
She opened the door to the room.
Wu Heng was seated in a chair.
Smiling, she asked, "When did you get here?"
"Just arrived," Wu Heng replied.
"Why didn't you meet with the people from the central station? They brought up so many things I couldn't answer." Qi Hancai sat down next to him.
"Next time. It wouldn't make much difference whether I talked to them or you did."
Qi Hancai laughed before relaying everything discussed.
She handed him the arms list and the two agreements.
Wu Heng had already overheard the latter half of the conversation.
Especially the parts about blood samples and ability user training programs.
Both were unsuitable for their situation.
His ability to summon skeletons wasn't an innate power but part of his profession.
The training program was designed to recruit as much manpower as possible for the main station, gathering capable individuals from all regions.
"The training program sounds promising, but it doesn't compare to our potion treatments," Qi Hancai remarked.
Wu Heng took a sip of tea and asked, "Do you think having more ability users would be beneficial?"
After some thought, Qi Hancai answered, "Everyone wants to be stronger. Even if they don't fight, good health is essential in this environment. The weaker individuals in the base often get sick, and the medicines we've scavenged will eventually expire."
Wu Heng pondered her words.
"So, improving their constitution is enough?"
"Combat isn't necessary for everyone. If they can resist illnesses and dangers, that would be ideal."
"You have a point," Wu Heng agreed, standing up. "Let's check the supplies. As for the two agreements, just tell them we're not interested. I'll review the arms list later."
"Understood."
They walked outside to inspect the delivered blueprints and gold.
The blueprints filled a large crate, and the gold included jewelry, bars, and silver ingots.
It was a worthwhile haul.
With a wave of his hand, Wu Heng stored everything in his spatial ring.
That afternoon, he and Qi Hancai inspected the airport area and then returned to the munitions factory with the convoy.
The blueprints were copied and backed up, while the previously copied Adventurer's Guild manuals were packed up.
He then returned to Gold-Silver Island via the gateway.
...…
Stepping through the gateway,
Wu Heng descended the stairs, where Minnie and the others had already prepared dinner.
They all gathered around the dining table.
Wu Heng asked, "Everything okay?"
"Everything's fine," Minnie replied.
Andviel added, "Everything's back to normal. Compensation for the fallen guards has been approved by City Hall and will be delivered to their families within the next few days."
"Good."
They finished dinner together.
Wu Heng returned to his study.
Sitting at his desk, he released two specters.
"Wow, it's night again already," Xiaoxiao remarked, poking her head through the wall.
Glenda reminded him, "Didn't you say you'd help level us up? Don't tell me you forgot!"
Wu Heng chuckled. "Of course not. Things got busy today, but I'll handle it soon. What's the rush?"
"It's not exactly urgent, but the last fight was dangerous. Powering up is important."
"I agree," Wu Heng said, "I'll prioritize it."
"Alright," Glenda responded.
Wu Heng took out the blueprints and laid them on the table. "I'll need your help with these."
"Why are you being so polite?" Glenda asked, examining the blueprints.
"I need you to translate them so I can hand them over to the mecha artisans for production."
"Got it," Glenda replied and began annotating the blueprints.
Meanwhile, Xiaoxiao, afraid of being given a similar task, quietly hid in the corner, engrossed in her comics.
Wu Heng sat in his chair, reflecting on the issues Qi Hancai had raised.
The main station's ability user program reminded him of his initial plans for the two worlds.
The potions were meant to enhance the physical attributes of people in the other world while maintaining their unique properties.
The class scrolls were meant for trustworthy survivors to change their professions and improve their capabilities.
Ordinary people could transition into Warriors or Brawlers, while researchers could become Investigators or Mecha Artisans.
However, over time, this plan had slipped his mind.
"I should start by changing Qi Hancai and Li Yanhong's professions to see the effects before expanding further."
He thought about it as night fell outside the window.
Wu Heng returned to his bedroom and lay down to rest.
...…
The next morning.
Wu Heng went to the guild and retrieved the printed manuals and action guides.
Sheila Grey flipped through two pages, nodding approvingly. "Not bad—the print quality and paper are excellent."
"We don't do things halfway," Wu Heng said confidently as he took a seat.
Sheila Grey summoned staff to move the manuals out.
Some would be kept at the guild, while the rest would be distributed to other regional guild branches.
She then stood up and said, "Let's head to the dungeon."
Wu Heng frowned, remembering Phillipa's pirate friend who was imprisoned there.
Following her, he left the study.
They arrived at the guild's dungeon.
The dimly lit space reeked of dampness and decay.
They stopped in front of a cell.
Inside the cage, a disheveled man with a messy appearance lifted his head slightly to look at them.
When he saw Sheila Grey in armor and Wu Heng in his black robe,
but not Phillipa,
a look of despair and resignation flashed in his eyes.
He had tried everything, but nothing had worked.
"Captain Babuchi of the Flying Fish Pirates. Robbery, murder, and killing guild members. Do you admit to these charges?"
"Heh! I admit it. Let's not waste any more time."