Chapter 608, Got Blown Up
The ghosts floated in midair.
Xiaoxiao rushed to say, "Uncle, those people didn't guess who the killer was. They're throwing a fit in the tavern!"
"If they guessed it, then the protagonist in the book wouldn't seem so impressive anymore." Wu Heng said with a smile.
"True! If everyone could guess who the killer is, then everyone would be a great detective." Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.
Glenda, on the other side, said, "I went to the city hall to check the book sales, and there's already a long line. Judging from the current heat, the printed copies will sell out in three days."
"I'll make sure to ramp up printing. The more we sell, the better it is for us." Wu Heng replied, then asked, "What's your plan for the next part of the story?"
Glenda said directly, "We'll continue serializing it in the newspaper. Once each story arc finishes, we'll bind it into a book and sell it, creating a time gap."
"Alright, go ahead and schedule it as you said!" Wu Heng nodded in agreement.
"I'll head upstairs to continue editing." Glenda said.
Wu Heng nodded.
Glenda flew directly to the fourth floor. Xiaoxiao and Bennie followed her and left.
Then, Wu Heng opened his panel and checked his reputation.
Although the reveal of the killer was a hot topic, it didn't lead to a huge increase in reputation.
It showed that gaining reputation on the island had become harder, without the exaggerated increases from the start.
Now, the effect of the first book would be the next test.
When it was just the newspaper, trade caravans already transported and sold them externally. Now that it's a bound book, it should have some effect too.
It all depended on how the book performed.
Wu Heng sat and rested in the stone pavilion for a while, then stood up and activated "Mansion Spell."
He resumed assembling the railgun components according to the blueprints.
Behind the massive stone gate, parts were created one by one and assembled like Legos.
It didn't feel dull at all.
...…
Afternoon.
Andviel returned from outside, and Shanaila also came over for dinner.
They sat at the dining table together, chatting while eating.
Andviel said, "Master, the books at city hall are selling fast. Some traders have already signed purchase agreements with city hall, totaling 50,000 copies."
The book sales were doing well, as Glenda had mentioned earlier.
But it looked like the caravans were now placing bulk orders too.
The detective book wasn't priced high.
Coupled with a modern full-color cover and side-glued compression instead of thread stitching.
In this world, it counted as a deluxe edition.
It's not surprising it was selling well.
Wu Heng nodded, "That's good. I'll instruct the printing side to increase production and fulfill these orders quickly."
After the city hall matter, Shanaila picked up a napkin and gently wiped her mouth. She said, "The product expo has been discussed with those caravan representatives. They all said they'd participate and would submit applications to city hall."
"Viel, arrange for someone to assist those people and record the products they'll be exhibiting." Wu Heng looked at Andviel.
"Yes, Master." Andviel nodded again.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and continued, "Viel, have that gnome designer come over tomorrow and accompany Shanaila to select the expo venue."
Shanaila widened her eyes in surprise, "I'm still the president of Star Flower, it's not convenient for me to get too involved."
"Take Minnie with you. Just pretend you're accompanying the caravan reps to check the venue. Plus, you've got experience and an eye for art. Help give some input on the decoration." Wu Heng gave a reason, and added, "You've seen the world and understand aesthetics."
After being praised several times,
Shanaila agreed, "Alright, I'll go check it out."
"Great!"
After some chatting, they all finished dinner.
The maids and Shanaila went to the back garden to tend the seedlings.
Wu Heng stayed in the front courtyard and continued assembling components inside the Mansion Spell.
As evening fell, the chirping of insects filled the surroundings.
Wu Heng put away the blueprints and returned to his bedroom.
Shanaila was lying on her side on the bed, reading the newly published novel.
Wu Heng hugged her waist from behind, "Let's rest. We need to get up early tomorrow."
Shanaila nodded and closed the book.
After turning off the lights, she curled up in his arms and closed her eyes.
...…
The next day, morning.
After breakfast,
The women of the Island Lord's estate all went out together to city hall.
According to the plan,
Shanaila, Minnie, Annette, and Robe would meet the gnome designer at city hall and go together to select the expo venue.
Minnie, as the housekeeper, and Shanaila, as a companion.
As for Annette and Robe,
Staying home wasn't necessary, so Wu Heng let them tag along too.
The women took several carriages, leaving under the protection of skeletons.
Wu Heng packed up briefly and headed to the zombie world.
...…
Zombie World.
Hordes of zombies surged forward like a tide.
They soon collided with the skeleton formation.
The chaotic sounds of combat echoed endlessly.
Wisps of lingering souls rose up.
Bennie rushed out and began devouring the soul remnants.
Her experience points rapidly increased.
[Ghost leveled up to level 14...]
[Ghost leveled up to level 15...]
Soon, she reached level 15.
Zzzzz~!
A faint electric sound buzzed, and Qi Hancai's voice came from the walkie-talkie.
"Chief, something came up on Bai Qing's side, needs to report to you."
Wu Heng looked at the battlefield and pressed the walkie-talkie, "Give me ten minutes."
"Alright!"
Wu Heng gave a direct order, "Have the skeletons push forward. End the fight quickly."
Clatter~!
The standby skeleton troops immediately moved.
Advancing along the road, they wiped out the remaining zombies.
Before long, Bennie finished devouring the souls, and the skeletons were nearing the end of the battlefield.
Wu Heng signaled the three ghosts to hide their forms.
Then he picked up the walkie-talkie and said, "Qi Hancai, come over."
Soon, Qi Hancai came through the skeletons from the rear.
Before Wu Heng could ask, she began reporting,
"Near Binhai City, en route to the port, they were ambushed. A group of survivors who occupied the port attacked. The skeletons retaliated, and the attackers fled to sea with a fleet."
Ambushed? By survivors?
"Any losses?" Wu Heng asked.
"According to Bai Qing, there were some skeleton losses, but not many. A few trucks from the survivor logistics team were damaged. They captured the port and are doing emergency repairs," Qi Hancai explained while thinking.
Since there weren't many casualties, Wu Heng let out a sigh of relief.
"Tell me more about what happened."
Qi Hancai stood still, gathered her thoughts, and continued, "According to Bai Qing, there was an explosion on the way to the port. It seemed targeted to destroy the convoy, but the blast was a bit off and went off before the convoy arrived. Right after that, they discovered the survivors, and the skeletons counterattacked. The enemies fled by boat from the port."