Chapter 708: It Turned into a Shotgun
Zhao Yanqiu's cheeks flushed. "She said we could live together, and you agreed to be her dad. Now it's up to me."
He had indeed discussed being her dad with Xiaoxiao before.
Zhao Yanqiu's look suggested this wasn't just about a change in title.
It was more like… living together as a family.
"What do you think?"
Zhao Yanqiu still shook her head. "I don't know."
From his observations, Wu Heng suspected Xiaoxiao's [Unfinished Business] was that she wanted a father.
Not just in name.
She really wanted him as her dad.
Wu Heng thought for a moment. The priority was solving Xiaoxiao's issue. "For a child Xiaoxiao's age, reality can be harsh."
He paused. "Let's just start by getting to know each other. See what she thinks, and take it from there."
Zhao Yanqiu looked up. "Really?"
"Let's try."
"Alright!"
"You head back. I'll talk to Xiaoxiao," Wu Heng said.
Zhao Yanqiu nodded and stood.
"Don't forget the skill books," Wu Heng reminded her.
Zhao Yanqiu picked up the books and ring, bowed again, and left the room.
With the door closed, Wu Heng sat back down.
As his level increased, so did his insight.
It was clear Zhao Yanqiu had prepared herself—she had dressed up intentionally.
Maybe she wasn't mentally ready, or the environment didn't feel right.
She still had concerns.
Unlike Li Yanhong or Qi Hancai, she had a family—more to think about.
Her hesitation was understandable.
Of course, Wu Heng's goal wasn't just Zhao Yanqiu. It was about fulfilling Xiaoxiao's wish.
"One step at a time."
Soon, Xiaoxiao returned with Glenda and Beni.
"Where's my mom?"
"She went back."
Xiaoxiao perched on his shoulder. "How'd it go?"
Wu Heng smiled. "We're going to spend some time together first."
"Makes sense. Mom's always hesitant."
"Let's head downstairs. Don't keep the ship waiting. We'll talk more later." Wu Heng packed up and headed down.
The three wraiths went invisible and followed.
On the way down, Qi Hancai came from the other side. They chatted while walking to the dock.
"Say hi to Yanhong for me," Qi Hancai smiled.
"Will do," Wu Heng said as he boarded the cargo ship.
The skeleton pilot started the boat.
They left the dock.
...…
Onboard the ship.
While the skeleton piloted, Wu Heng laid out bedding in the cabin.
Xiaoxiao and Beni flew alongside the ship. Glenda floated nearby. "How far have you and Xiaoxiao's mom gone?"
Wu Heng gave her a look. "We just talked about fulfilling a child's wish."
"Her mom's nice. Xiaoxiao's cute. I wouldn't mind her as a daughter," Glenda joked.
"Don't go stealing my daughter now," Wu Heng chuckled and sat across.
"Just saying." Glenda floated near the desk. "Give me paper and a pen—I want to write the story of Netarei City."
"Didn't you say it wasn't interesting enough to write?"
"Corrupt lord, cult infiltrating the army, ambush on the Guild team—that's solid drama. The military attacking the Guild alone could make it a hit," Glenda grinned.
Wu Heng handed over paper and pen. "Highlight the Guild leader's wisdom and the members' bravery. They'll read it."
"Got it." Glenda nodded and began outlining the new story.
Wu Heng pulled out his new skill books to read.
[Summon Lightning] was a high-level Conjuration spell.
Based on the text—
Its power was unquestionable, but the challenge was hitting the target.
Cloud formation and lightning strikes could be dodged.
So timing was everything.
After an hour of focused study—
He reached the last page, and the system prompt appeared:
[Skill Unlocked: Summon Lightning]
This way of learning was still the easiest.
He immediately switched to the second book.
[Summon Arrow Rain]—his surprise gain. He wondered if it matched his thoughts.
The book was twice as thick as the lightning one.
Full of magical terminology, symbols, and mana formulas.
Very complex.
It wasn't literally an arrow rain, but summoned copies of non-magical ammo or thrown weapons.
Shoot upward, then magic replicates the projectile in a forward cone.
In this world, arrows and bolts were most common—hence the name.
If used well, the effect could be amazing.
Wu Heng read carefully, not just turning pages but processing the content.
He flipped page after page, studying intently.
At last, he finished the final page.
Another system prompt popped up:
[Skill Unlocked: Summon Arrow Rain]
Unlocked.
Wu Heng put the book away and stretched.
"Learned it?" Glenda asked.
"Yep." Wu Heng stood. "You keep writing—I'm going to test it."
"Alright, go."
He left the room.
...…
On deck, Xiaoxiao and Beni flew over.
"Uncle, why'd you come out?" Xiaoxiao asked.
"Getting fresh air. Trying out a spell."
"What spell?"
"You'll see." Wu Heng drew his pistol and cast magic.
He fired toward the distant sea.
Bang!
The gunshot echoed.
In his sight, a fan-shaped burst of bullets splashed into the sea.
Damn—pretty effective!
He fired again. Bang! Another splash.
Only the first bullet per casting was affected.
Of course, he could cast again before each shot.
Xiaoxiao and Beni stared wide-eyed.
"Whoa! It turned into a shotgun!" Xiaoxiao exclaimed.
"That's magic?" Beni asked, surprised.
"Yep. A spell that multiplies projectiles," Wu Heng explained.
"So cool."
Wu Heng smiled, then pulled out a heavy crossbow. After casting [Summon Arrow Rain] again, he shot upward.
The arrow flew up, then split into many, raining into the sea.
The effect was fantastic.
"Test's done. Let's eat."
Wu Heng was pleased with the results.
He called out and returned to the cabin.
...…
A few days later, midday—
Wu Heng rode a skeleton wyvern straight into the weapons factory courtyard.
The factory had changed significantly.
Higher walls, electrified fences.
Skeletons armed with guns stood guard behind the barriers.
Survivors in work clothes chatted as they headed to the cafeteria.
Lunchtime.
As Wu Heng dismounted the wyvern, Gao Rong ran over.
"Chief, you're back."
"Yeah. I heard the autocannon production line's assembled? Show me."
Gao Rong nodded quickly. "Of course."