Chapter 117: Steward, your letter.
After adjusting the formation.
Wu Heng had the Skeleton Dogs run around the nearby neighborhood.
The Skeletons couldn't make any sounds, but as they ran, the zombies began to roar one after another, their cries merging into a cacophony.
An even larger horde of zombies surged out from the surrounding neighborhoods.
They gathered on the main road, forming a massive horde, dark and dense like a flood breaking through a dam.
The zombies were tightly packed, pushing and shoving against each other.
The number of zombies here was truly significant. Once they gathered, there were probably over a thousand.
Li Yanhong became a little nervous. Seeing the horde, she instinctively took two steps back.
Seeing Wu Heng unmoved, she steadied herself and stopped.
Wu Heng seized the moment and cast [Grease Spell] followed by [Fireball]. As the fireball exploded, it ignited the grease on the ground.
Whoosh~! A raging fire roared to life.
The zombies, undeterred, rushed straight into the flames.
The first batch of zombies entering the fire.
Struggled briefly before slowly collapsing to the ground.
More zombies behind them charged through the flames, their bodies catching fire as they rushed into the spear formation.
The battle erupted instantly.
Zombies clawed and snarled.
Skeletons, silently, thrust their spears.
It was like waves crashing against the shore, delivering a visually stunning impact.
Wu Heng issued two more commands, ordering the Cleaver Skeletons to weave between the Spearmen and cut down the zombies that had forced their way in.
Thud thud thud~!
Amid the chaotic battle.
A heavy footstep sounded from a distance.
The Giant Zombie Xiaoxiao had spotted was striding out from the neighborhood.
Its eyes locked onto the group of Skeletons ahead.
Its already hideous face twisted into an expression of excitement and frenzy.
Thump thump~!
After jumping twice on the spot.
It grabbed two shared bikes from the roadside and hurled them with force.
Bang~ Clang~!
The bikes crashed into the Skeleton formation, toppling a large number of Skeleton soldiers.
The Giant Zombie let out a deafening roar and, with heavy steps, bulldozed through the horde of zombies, charging forward.
It moved with unstoppable force, like a runaway truck.
Seeing it about to crash into the Skeleton formation.
Wu Heng said, "Big Guy, stop it."
Thud thud thud~!
Big Guy, clad in iron armor, also began to charge forward.
Bang~!
A loud crash echoed as the two massive creatures collided at the front line.
The powerful impact made both of them sway slightly, taking two steps back.
Then they quickly resumed their attack, swinging their giant fists at each other.
Thud thud thud, bang bang bang~!
There was no finesse in their combat, just a pure contest of strength.
Wu Heng observed the surroundings, confirming there were no other threats.
He then said, "Bagdong, kill it. Make it quick."
Bagdong shed his outer armor, revealing iron-gray bones.
With a powerful leap, he covered several meters in an instant.
Rapidly closing in on his target.
The Giant Zombie saw a smaller figure approaching and its eyes filled with enraged humiliation.
Taking a punch from Big Guy head-on.
It clenched its massive fist and swung it at the approaching gray Skeleton.
Bagdong sidestepped the blow, then delivered an uppercut to the zombie's elbow.
A shockwave rippled out.
The swollen muscles sank in, and bones cracked audibly.
The Giant Zombie staggered back a step, and Big Guy quickly followed up, swinging his fists wildly at the zombie.
Bagdong closed in again, using various angles to maneuver around the Giant Zombie's sides.
Continuously striking its ribs and joints.
The Giant Zombie, panicked, tried to defend itself.
Its movements became increasingly chaotic, taking more and more hits.
Bagdong seized the opportunity and swept its legs.
The Giant Zombie instantly lost its balance and toppled to the side.
Big Guy raised both fists and brought them down on the zombie's head.
The Giant Zombie arched its body, enduring the blow, and hurriedly tried to get back up.
Bagdong rushed forward again, delivering a flurry of punches, faster and faster.
Amid the successive bursts of shockwaves, its muscles began to burst open, spraying pus and blood.
Another leg sweep.
Bang~!
A heavy, dull sound echoed as the kick connected with the zombie's head.
The Giant Zombie's head drooped at a 180-degree angle, its neck hanging limply like rubber, with its head flopping onto its back.
Its body tried to take a few steps forward, but after a few paces, it collapsed with a thud, falling to the ground.
Wu Heng stood on top of a car, watching as the Giant Zombie fell, and immediately gave the order, "Attack, advance!"
Clatter!
The Skeletons began advancing, pressing the attack against the zombies.
...…
Meanwhile, on a distant rooftop.
A few people stared in terror at the battle unfolding below.
"Isn't this too much of a coincidence? The ones who asked about Mutated Zombies yesterday—could they be connected to these Skeletons?"
"Shut up, let's just get out of here. No more scavenging today."
"Agreed!"
They set up the iron ladder again, preparing to return the way they came.
Even though the zombies below had been drawn away, they didn't dare descend and walk openly on the streets.
After climbing back across two buildings, they were halfway across the third one.
In the open space below, a woman wearing work clothes and safety gloves walked in, flanked by several Skeletons.
She looked up at them.
Clang~!
The man on the ladder lost his footing and almost fell.
He clung tightly to the ladder, frozen in place.
Li Yanhong frowned at the man, unsure why he had stopped midway.
She looked up and said, "Are you survivors?"
"Holy crap, you're human...?"
Li Yanhong rolled her eyes. "Come down, let's talk."
"Uh, let's talk here."
"We're survivors from the area. You can come with us or stay here. If you come with us, you'll need to work, but you'll get food and protection," Li Yanhong said calmly.
Whenever they encountered survivors, this was pretty much the standard speech. There wasn't much need to say more.
Survivors?
The men exchanged glances.
One of them asked, "What's with these Skeletons? What's going on?"
"Ever heard of superpowers? I can't explain everything to you," Li Yanhong said.
In her mind, she believed it to be some form of superpower.
Though, there were many things that even superpowers couldn't explain.
"Are you really survivors?"
"Given the current situation, do you think I'd need to lie to you?"
"Aren't you from the auto repair shop? I had my car fixed at your place once," one of the men said.
"Yeah, I'm from the repair shop. Let's not talk about that. Have you decided yet?" Li Yanhong replied directly.
"We need to discuss it."
Li Yanhong nodded. "Take 20 minutes. I'll wait at the entrance. If you're not there by then, I'll assume you're staying."
With that, she turned and walked away without waiting for a response.
...…
Twenty minutes later.
Wu Heng directed the Skeletons to start cleaning up the battlefield.
The Skeletons began carrying the bodies, while Big Guy dragged the Giant Zombie, preparing to head back.
At that moment, Li Yanhong returned and softly said, "They didn't come over, probably don't want to join us."
During the battle, Xiaoxiao had already spotted the survivors.
So, Wu Heng had Li Yanhong talk to them, but it seemed they had their reasons for not wanting to join.
It didn't matter much. Wu Heng was willing to help survivors, but they had to be willing to accept the help.
"Alright, let's go."
Wu Heng turned, and the group began to retrace their steps.
They had just taken a few steps when the sound of a car approaching came from behind.
The Skeletons immediately sprang into action.
They raised cleavers and spears, charging toward the vehicle.
"Wait, don't attack! It's us!" someone from the car shouted in panic, sticking their head out.
Afraid that if they spoke too late, they'd be chopped into mincemeat by the Skeletons.
The zombie horde here had already been cleared by the Skeletons, let alone them.
"Order the Skeletons to stand by."
The attacking Skeletons stood still in place.
Surrounding the small van in several tight layers.
Wu Heng glanced at Li Yanhong, who understood and walked over, asking, "You want to come with us?"
"Yes." One of the men raised both hands like in a crime movie and said, "We were packing our things, so it took a bit of time."
Li Yanhong looked into the van, seeing a chaotic pile of stuff.
And quite a few people.
"How many of you are there?"
"Eight of us, some are our family members, and the rest are survivors from the same building nearby."
The window rolled down, revealing women and children inside, with fewer men.
No wonder they wanted to join.
These people were a burden.
Staying here, scavenging the nearby food, would eventually lead to running out.
Li Yanhong said bluntly, "Think it over. Once we get back, you'll have to follow our rules. Even the women will need to do some labor. You know no one's going to take care of anyone for free in times like these."
"Understood, we've already discussed it. All we want is a safe place."
"Alright." Li Yanhong looked ahead and said, "The road up ahead is blocked. Your van won't make it. Get out and walk. Carry what you need."
"Oh, okay, thank you."
They got out of the van and gathered their things.
Glancing at the dense horde of Skeletons, they carefully followed behind, continuing to walk forward.
They made it to the crossroads.
Wu Heng called Li Yanhong over and quietly said, "Now that there are more people, make sure to support your own. Don't let any trouble start."
Li Yanhong understood what he meant.
Women naturally have less strength and stamina.
Over time, some might get other ideas.
Securing her own position was just as important.
Wu Heng was satisfied with Li Yanhong. She followed the rules and always completed the tasks he gave her well.
He wanted to continue their cooperation.
Wu Heng had even thought about giving her a handgun or something.
But he worried that one day it might be turned against him.
"I understand, I'll be careful," Li Yanhong replied with a smile.
She felt a bit touched inside.
At least Wu Heng valued her, not just as someone who could make iron spears.
"Good, go on. In a few days, I'll assign some Skeletons to protect you."
"Uh… that's not necessary. It's not that dangerous."
After a few more words, they parted ways.
Wu Heng directed the Skeletons to pile up the bodies, while Li Yanhong led the survivors carrying bags of rice, flour, and toilet paper toward the auto repair shop.
From afar, Qiangzi and the others ran out.
They welcomed them in.
...…
Blackstone Town.
Adventurer's Guild Hall.
The busy hall was packed with adventurers waiting to accept commissions.
Steward 'Slater,' dressed in leather armor, entered the hall with his team and the Golden Leopard.
"Steward, there's a letter here addressed to 'Golden Cat,' but no recipient's name," a staff member called out.
"Give it to me!" Slater reached out and took the letter.
Anyone sending a letter through the Guild to Golden Cat could only be sending it to her.
Holding the letter, he returned to the steward's office.