Chapter 612, Landing
"Leader, we can see Sanbu Port now."
Qian Chengfeng turned and said to those behind him.
Wu Heng looked up. The sky was beginning to brighten, and a port appeared at the edge of the sea.
"Don't approach yet."
"Alright," Qian Chengfeng responded.
The ship stopped advancing and began circling in place.
Inside the control room were Qi Hancai and the translator Xin He, all in the same room.
Qi Hancai walked over and glanced outside. "Attack directly?"
They had brought one thousand skeletons this time.
Among them were several powerful ones, with combat strength on par with a Corpse King.
Taking a standard base would be no problem.
Unless it was a central station-level base, with ample heavy firepower—then a thousand wouldn't be enough.
"Let's assess the situation first," Wu Heng said, then continued, "Go prepare breakfast. We'll decide after eating."
Qi Hancai nodded and gave a signal with her eyes.
Xin He immediately said, "I'll go get it ready."
He then headed below deck.
Wu Heng walked out of the control room. On the deck, a large group of axe-wielding skeletons stood, swaying slightly with the rocking ship.
He looked into the distance and summoned the three phantoms.
Remaining invisible, they hovered by his side.
Wu Heng said directly, "That over there is a base. Split up, scout, and come back to report."
"Understood!"
The three phantoms responded and quickly flew off.
...…
Breakfast consisted of canned goods and instant noodles.
For most survivors, that was already a rare treat.
After breakfast, they waited a bit.
Xiaoxiao was the first to return, and since others were present, she entered her body directly.
The visual she saw was shared in Wu Heng's mind.
The view started from the cargo ship beneath her, flying toward the distant base.
Nearing Sanbu Port, she saw docked cargo ships, many fishing boats, and what looked like a military vessel.
She continued flying inland along the port, heading left.
Along the way, shabby temporary tin houses were densely packed, their walls painted with various slogans and images.
Last night, they had studied some Korean with Xin He.
She could make out words like "Unity brings final victory."
Then came a plaza, where people lined up neatly, holding bowls or meal boxes, waiting for thin soup-like food.
Life in the base didn't seem great.
Next, Beni and Glenda returned in succession.
Beni had gone to the other side—it was a similar scene.
Open areas filled with tin huts. In another plaza, people were queuing for food.
Glenda had scouted the military area. The base had many armed personnel, mostly gathered near the land side.
No armored vehicles, and no signs of heavy weapons.
Now, it was just a matter of deciding how to handle this.
...…
Zzzzt~~!
While Wu Heng was thinking, the radio crackled.
Then a voice spoke fluent Chinese: "This is Sanbu Port. Kondra, are you still there?"
Qian Chengfeng looked at Wu Heng, questioning with his eyes.
Wu Heng said, "Tell them we've arrived near Sanbu Port."
Qian Chengfeng picked up the mic and said, "We've arrived near the port."
"That cargo ship in the distance—is that yours? You may dock, but have your people avoid any extreme actions."
Everyone present looked at Wu Heng.
If they wanted to launch a surprise attack, early morning would be best, while people were still unprepared.
They didn't attack—but if they docked now…
With so many skeletons packed on the ship, getting too close might trigger conflict.
Qian Chengfeng looked back. Wu Heng said, "Tell them I'll go ashore first. Once we've negotiated, we'll dock the cargo ship."
Qian Chengfeng, confused, covered the mic. "Who's going?"
"Say it's Kondra."
Though still puzzled, Qian Chengfeng followed instructions. "Our leader 'Kondra' will go first. Once negotiations are complete, the cargo ship will dock."
"Whatever." The other side replied and hung up.
The three people in the room looked confused.
Qi Hancai asked, "Seems like they knew him before. How are we going to go over?"
Kondra was the bearded man Wu Heng had killed.
He was already dead—no way he'd be going ashore.
Wu Heng said, "I've got a way. Qi Hancai, stay here and command the cargo ship. I'll take Kashu to the island. If anything goes wrong, I'll signal you to order the skeletons to attack."
"Okay." Qi Hancai nodded, then asked, "Shouldn't Xin He go with you?"
"No need. Someone on their side clearly speaks Chinese," Wu Heng replied, then turned to Qian Chengfeng. "Lower the boat."
Qian Chengfeng pressed a button, and the small boat hanging on the side was lowered into the sea.
Wu Heng walked out of the cabin. Qi Hancai followed.
Her eyes showed some concern.
Wu Heng took out a human-skin mask and put it on. In an instant, he took on Kondra's appearance.
Hair color, beard—identical to the corpse.
Qi Hancai's eyes widened. "Disguise technique."
"Don't worry. I'll be fine. Keep an eye on Qian Chengfeng. If he makes any move, kill him," Wu Heng said seriously.
Qi Hancai looked back to make sure no one was near and whispered, "Isn't he just the captain?"
"Also the deputy leader of the port base. A man in that position can't be an ordinary person."
"Got it! If anything happens, I'll kill him," Qi Hancai nodded.
Qi Hancai was guarded by a level 15 skeleton.
And with a ship full of skeletons, killing Qian Chengfeng wouldn't be a problem.
"I'm going now. Keep an ear on the radio."
"Mm."
Wu Heng started the speedboat and headed toward the island.
...…
Reaching the port—
Wu Heng and Kashu stepped ashore.
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As they looked around, a man in a suit and trench coat walked over and greeted them in Chinese. "Kondra, long time no see."
Wu Heng played his part. "Long time no see. You look thinner."
"In this environment, I'm doing pretty well. Your Chinese is more fluent than ever—even has a Northeastern accent."
"Really? A lot of people say that."
The suited man dismissed the guards and waved. "Come, I'll take you to see Chairman Cui. This place welcomes psychics. With your power, you'll be well utilized."
Wu Heng looked grateful. "Thanks to your recommendation, my friend."
"In times like these, we need to help each other."
The two walked out of the port and got into a car.
The suited man looked back curiously at Kashu, who sat in the rear, tightly wrapped. "What's your friend's name? Isn't he hot dressed like that?"
"He's Kashu, a friend from abroad. He doesn't understand our language. He's my bodyguard," Wu Heng explained.
"Haha, fair enough!"
Wu Heng looked out the car window at rows of refugee-like houses. "Is food here sufficient?"
"Yes, no need to worry about that."
"Then why does everyone look half-dead?"
The suited man smiled, glanced at the rearview mirror. "It's the apocalypse, brother. Some people are no longer useful. Keeping them alive just means they'll drag us down if a corpse tide hits."
Wu Heng looked slightly shocked.
Many people think that way—but few say it as if it were a guiding principle.
Wu Heng didn't respond. He changed the subject. "No rescue troops?"
"Who? South Korean army or U.S. military?"
"No one came at all?"
"No one," the man sneered.
The car continued.
They stopped at a portside hotel.
Armed guards stood at the entrance. A flag hung above the roof like a merchant guild's.
It had the feel of a lord's manor in another world.
As they approached—
A woman in a long dress stumbled out.
Her eyes darted around, looking nervous.
She ran toward a corner.
A man stood from the shadows and urgently questioned her.
"Let's go. We're heading in," the suited man said.
Wu Heng and Kashu followed him inside.
...…
Top floor, outside a room.
Guards stood at the door.
They gave a quick search, eyeing the tiger claws at Kashu's waist.
The guards smirked but didn't stop them.
The suited man greeted them and knocked lightly. In Korean, he said, "Chairman, Kondra is here."
"Come in!"
The door opened.
They all entered.
The room was fairly luxurious—probably a premium suite.
A burly man in a bathrobe sat sprawled on the living room sofa.
He looked at the two entering figures.
The suited man said, "Chairman, this is the 'Kondra' I mentioned. The other is his bodyguard—also skilled."
"Where's their ship?" the chairman asked.
"Didn't dock yet. Said they'd wait until talks were complete."
"A bit too cautious."
They conversed in Korean, which Wu Heng could still understand.
After they finished—
The suited man smiled. "This is Chairman Cui, the leader of the entire base."
The burly Chairman Cui looked over, expecting flattery.
But his expression suddenly darkened.
The look in Wu Heng's eyes had changed.
Totally different from when he entered.
Cold—like staring at prey.
"Shibal!"
Chairman Cui cursed and reached under the tea table.
Wu Heng said calmly, "Kill him."