Chapter Nineteen: The Undead

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Wang Sheng and Director Dian frowned as they returned to the director’s office. The artificial human Shen Yi, who had been joking with them moments before, had just been given his meal ticket—and yet they had no idea he was synthetic. To them, he was a living, breathing human being. Crucially, he was a subordinate of the Commander, and any fallout could strain relations with the Commander himself, a result they were unwilling to see.

“How do we make amends? If one of my people had been assassinated, I would never let it go. Blood for blood—we must make the undead pay,” Wang Sheng said angrily.

“Better to inform the Commander. Xiao Wang, you should call him since you know him well,” the old director suggested.

“Why don’t you call him?” Wang Sheng asked.

“Because I’m the director,” came the reply.

“Alright then.” Wang Sheng sighed and dialed Shen Yi’s number.

At that moment, Shen Yi was strolling through the base. Since taking the medicine, he felt invigorated, his energy boundless with no outlet. The phone rang. “Vice Director Wang, is this about the assassin?”

“Yes, yes. This time we were careless. After just winning a battle, we let our guard down. I take full responsibility. I didn’t expect the undead to go so far. A level-four peak assassin—if they wanted to kill me, I wouldn’t be sure I could defend myself. Since this happened at our academy, involving your subordinate, the assassin has been eliminated. I promise you, the undead will pay a heavy price for this incident,” Wang Sheng rambled.

Shen Yi wasn’t overly concerned. After all, he had only lost synthetic soldier units and had expected things wouldn’t be so peaceful. The intensity of the undead’s effort was surprising, though, and gave him pause. “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll send someone over. Don’t worry about the teaching matters; just publicly announce that I’m dead. Also, tell me where the undead’s domain is—I’ll pay a visit. It’s only polite to reciprocate, right?”

“The western side of the Holy Dragon Empire is an endless forest; to the east lies the Great Xia Empire; northward are the orc tribes; and to the south is the undead empire. It’s shrouded in mist and deathly aura year-round, so conditions inside are unclear. No human who has ventured deep has returned. The undead empire remains the most mysterious.”

Shen Yi thought, “No wonder I never saw the undead on satellite images—they’re all hiding.”

“I haven’t threatened the undead. Why would they go to such lengths to kill me?” he asked, puzzled.

“Commander, the undead and the orcs are humanity’s mortal enemies. You helped us defend the city and possess the White Puppet, which plays a crucial role. Naturally, malevolent undead elites have targeted you. If I’d known you were coming, I wouldn’t have let you,” Wang Sheng explained.

“I understand, I understand. Thanks for the explanation, Vice Director Wang. We’re old friends—no hard feelings. I’ll let you go now.” Shen Yi ended the call, then picked a peach from the orchard, wiped it with his sleeve, and began eating. After finishing, he returned to the command hall and used satellite imaging to survey the undead’s domain.

A vast area was enveloped in black mist, roughly the size of the entire Holy Dragon Empire. The thick fog obscured all details inside, so there was nothing to observe. It was likely a power on par with the human empire—defying them now was unwise. Better to finish gathering the battlefield crystals before considering other moves. It wasn’t cowardice; rather, restraint.

News of the Commander’s assassination in Holy Heart City spread quickly. Having just won a battle, humanity’s great support had been struck down, a staggering blow.

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“It’s said that His Majesty of the Holy Dragon Empire was furious and ready to declare war on the undead, but the ministers’ counsel calmed him.”

“We just repelled the orcs, and now the undead stir trouble. It’s infuriating. I say we take advantage and seize the orc lands, enslaving those filthy beasts, just like our great ancestors did.”

“Bazhahei, did you lose your mind while on the throne? Other races will quietly let us fight the orcs. As humans, we must unite to defend our land.”

Across the Holy Dragon Empire, soldiers and civilians alike united like never before. The unseen threats didn’t cause panic; only when the blade was unsheathed did some grasp the peril humanity faced.

As the second group of battlefield medics arrived in Holy Heart City, people from across the empire hurried to the city to treat the dreaded internal injuries. With the Commander’s death, the city’s White Puppet seemed irreplaceable. Holy Heart City experienced an unprecedented population surge.

Battlefield medics became prime targets for assassins with ill intent. Several attempts failed, and high-level protectors stood guard day and night to ensure first-rate medical care. Holy Heart City’s prestige soared, even showing signs of overshadowing the capital, Holy Dragon City.

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace of Holy Dragon City, His Majesty Mede was fiddling with his phone, reading a long manual. He grumbled, “Vice Director Wang really needs to improve his handwriting. What’s this? Even my personal secretary can’t decipher it. How did he become director?”

Standing nearby was a middle-aged man, sweating and scholarly in appearance, who respectfully said, “Your Majesty, Director Wang’s cursive script has become increasingly wild. I’m powerless. Since you’ve learned to use this so-called communication device, why don’t you call Director Wang?”

“Very well. You may leave. I’ll test whether this thing is as marvelous as they say.” After the secretary left, Mede dialed Wang Sheng’s number.

At that moment, Wang Sheng was cheerfully teaching students, holding twenty battlefield medics in his hands. These days had been quite comfortable for him, even overwhelmed with gifts.

Suddenly, his phone rang with a clear ringtone. Wang Sheng took out his treasured phone, expecting the Commander’s call. Seeing an unfamiliar number, he assumed it was Cao De—the ‘water jar’—and prepared to show off as he answered.

“Cao—” Wang Sheng had not yet spoken.

“Can you really hear me? Director Wang, what did you just say?” came Mede’s voice through the phone.

“Your Majesty, you know how to use it? You’re so clever. I didn’t say anything just now!” Wang Sheng thought to himself that he’d never speak first on the phone again.

“It really transmits sound. Director Wang, why can’t you write a proper manual? You’re a director, after all. How do you teach your students if they can’t read your writing?”

“Oh, Your Majesty, if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me. I’ll explain everything,” Wang Sheng replied.

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Thus, Wang Sheng and Mede began a long phone conversation, completely forgetting the students still attending class.

The students in the classroom watched Wang Sheng with envy.

“This must be the legendary phone. You can hear the other person so far away—amazing...”

“I want one so badly. I wonder where they sell these.”

“Don’t even dream about it. Since the Commander died, these are discontinued. Maybe they’re still in the Endless Forest!”

The students’ chatter distracted Wang Sheng during the call. Frowning, he said, “Class is over. Everyone, go to the library to read.” Saying this, he continued his call and left the classroom.

Focused on answering Mede’s questions, Wang Sheng didn’t notice the doorway threshold and tripped, falling hard to the ground with a loud thud. His right hand still held the phone.

“What’s wrong, Director Wang? Is something wrong?” Mede asked anxiously upon hearing the noise.

Wang Sheng, nose bleeding, got up and brushed off the dust. “Nothing, nothing, Your Majesty. Please continue.” Once Wang Sheng walked away and boarded the parked Vulture war vehicle, laughter echoed from the classroom. The Vulture roared away at top speed.

Meanwhile, a group of cloaked figures crossed into the Holy Dragon Empire’s border. Among broken houses and scattered human corpses lay a burly man clutching a gnarled, chipped broadsword, standing motionless at the village entrance, serving as the backdrop for these mysterious visitors.

“Zani, why are the orcs so stupid this time? They didn’t detect such an obvious conspiracy?” one leader in black robes asked.

“Are they ever clever? This attack on humans was incited by our Lord Monarch,” Zani replied.

“But what if there’s a trap in the Endless Forest? The humans have no troops stationed there.”

“Stop talking nonsense. How dare you question the Lord Monarch’s orders?” Zani said, rapping hard on the black-robed man’s head, producing two sharp knocks.

[End of text.]