As it turned out, under the proactive chatter of the two talkative soldiers, Biscuit Tang and his group smoothly obtained the pass to enter the logistics area. Due to their friendly conversation with Biscuit Tang, a stout guard even recommended a newly opened leisure inn called "Wind and Snow" just before they entered the logistics area.
The guard mentioned that the inn was only a few blocks away from the problem zombie maintenance center, making it very convenient for soldiers to drop off and pick up zombie soldiers for factory repairs. Additionally, the prices there were fair, making it suitable for them to stay while waiting for their zombie soldiers' repairs to be completed. Moreover, they would get a discount at the inn by mentioning the guard's name.
Since Biscuit Tang and his team needed a place to settle down and plan their next move, they accepted the guard's offer and followed the route he provided to check into the inn named "Wind and Snow."
So far, luck had been on their side, and their plan to enter Cold Moon City had been executed smoothly. However, their good luck and smooth plans ended there because shortly after they settled into the inn, an unexpected event occurred.
The unexpected event was caused by the inn, but Biscuit Tang and his team couldn't blame all the problems on the inn. The guard had mentioned earlier that the inn was very suitable for soldiers like them who were waiting for zombie soldiers to be sent back for repairs. The suitability was not only because of the low prices but also because the inn was very professional.
Upon hearing the purpose of Biscuit Tang's group, the inn staff not only arranged their accommodation but also proactively contacted the zombie maintenance center to have them pick up the zombie soldiers in need of factory repairs.
Biscuit Tang and his team had originally planned to settle here first, carefully investigate the area, and then plan their infiltration into Blackstone Castle. However, they hadn't expected the zombie maintenance center to send soldiers to pick up the zombie soldiers. Furthermore, several soldiers suggested to Biscuit Tang that since they had come all this way, they might as well send all four zombies to the maintenance center for inspection and repairs. This would prevent any problems with the other two zombies in the future, avoiding the need for another trip.
The soldiers' suggestion was obviously for the benefit of Biscuit Tang and his group from the Cross Camp. Since the soldiers had already arrived at the door, Biscuit Tang could only smile and agree. He then led the four zombies with the soldiers to the maintenance center to arrange for their return for factory repairs.
"Um... gentlemen, since we soldiers have been living in remote areas for many years and haven't been to Cold Moon City for a long time, we are completely unfamiliar with everything here. So, could I take a few of my comrades to visit the maintenance center and broaden their horizons?" Biscuit Tang, feeling a bit embarrassed, asked casually, pointing to a few teammates.
Although Biscuit Tang's question sounded a bit awkward, his gesture of handing Elven biscuits to the soldiers was very natural and skilled.
The leading soldier distributed several bags of Elven biscuits to his colleagues naturally and then said nonchalantly, "What officers? We are all soldiers here, just workers. Just call each other brothers! Since you gentlemen are rare visitors to Cold Moon City, my brothers and I will take you to the maintenance center together! Also, we'll help you find a place close to Blackstone Castle so you can pay your respects to the holy place up close!"
"That would be perfect! That would be perfect!" Upon hearing the soldier's words, Biscuit Tang immediately put on a very devout look, clasping his hands together and bowing in the direction of Blackstone Castle outside the window, thanking repeatedly.
At the same time, Biscuit Tang felt delighted. He hadn't expected these soldiers to take him to visit Blackstone Castle up close. With this arrangement, he could better inspect the surveillance around Blackstone Castle and find any vulnerabilities.
The soldier then reminded them, "But let's be clear, when we get to the maintenance center, you must follow our instructions and not wander around. Zombie soldiers are valuable assets. If they are damaged because of you, you can't afford to compensate for them! Also, when we get to Blackstone Castle, you must not wander around either. If you violate the rules of the restricted area and are caught by the guards there, you'll be on your own. I won't be able to help you."
Biscuit Tang immediately puffed up his chest and said, "Right! Brother, you're right! Then I'll trouble you to lead the way! You can rest assured that we just want to gather more information to brag about when we go back. Besides, we are all very disciplined soldiers. Otherwise, why would the leaders of Cross Camp entrust us with these zombie soldiers and ask us to send them back for factory repairs?"
The soldiers felt that what Biscuit Tang said made sense, especially since they had just received benefits from him. So, they didn't say much more and, after loading the zombies into a cart full of soldiers, immediately returned to the zombie maintenance center.
Because the cart was specifically used to transport zombie soldiers, there weren't many seats available for Biscuit Tang and his group to sit in. This forced them to squeeze into the back compartment with the four fake zombie soldiers. However, this gave them more opportunities to discuss their strategies.
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"Whew! I didn't expect things to take such a turn, but fortunately, these Dack elves are all greedy for Elven biscuits, which prevented us from being forcibly separated." Biscuit Tang, upon entering the transport compartment, said with lingering fear.
"Normal. There's no such thing as smooth sailing in anything. But luckily, you're clever enough, Old Tang, or else we would have really been in trouble if we were separated." Dao Lao comforted Biscuit Tang.
Biscuit Tang smiled helplessly at Dao Lao's words and then asked with concern, "So, what should we do next? Once you're taken to the maintenance station, it's only a matter of time before our identities are exposed!"
Dao Lao, who had experienced many ups and downs, remained calm and said, "Old Tang, when we get to the maintenance center, negotiate with them. Make up a reason, see if you can delay our repairs. Then, stick to the original plan and scout near Blackstone Castle."
"What about you guys?" Biscuit Tang asked.
"We'll find a way to escape from there before the repairs. So, try to delay our repair time as much as possible to buy us more time," Dao Lao replied.
Then, Dao Lao handed several earplugs, which had been prepared in advance, to Biscuit Tang and said, "Old Tang, distribute these earplugs to everyone. These are remote communication tools I made using a special spell. Just put them in your ears, and we can communicate over long distances within a certain range. This way, even if we're separated later, we won't lose contact."
Biscuit Tang naturally didn't know what the earplugs were, and he was eager to ask how Dao Lao had created such a magical communication device. However, he knew it wasn't the time to ask these questions. So, he quickly suppressed his curiosity, followed Dao Lao's instructions, put on the earplugs, and began to learn how to use them for communication.
"Do you think it's okay to give them the miniature communication devices from the Spirit Realm? Won't that violate regulations?" Haoyun, recognizing what Dao Lao had taken out, asked.
"Don't worry, as long as I don't directly tell them the truth behind these devices, it should be fine. Besides, I have limited the communication range and set them up as disposable items that can only be used once for a short period. Their impact on this timeline is almost negligible. Moreover, we're only temporarily lending them to the creatures of the lower realm for mission execution. So, there shouldn't be any punishment from higher-ups for this minor matter."
Since the Wind and Snow Inn was indeed very close to the zombie maintenance center, shortly after Biscuit Tang learned how to use the miniature communication devices, their carriage was about to reach its destination. So, Biscuit Tang asked anxiously, "Dao Lao, what if, I mean, what if we can't buy you much time later?"
"It's okay. If something unexpected happens, we'll proceed with Plan B." Dao Lao waved his hand. At the same time, the carriage stopped, and the soldiers jumped off, opening the back compartment and gesturing for Biscuit Tang and his team to take the four zombie soldiers off the carriage.
"Plan B? Old Dao, we haven't even confirmed Plan A yet. Where did Plan B come from?" Haoyun continued to feign a stiff and dull demeanor as he climbed off the carriage under Biscuit Tang's command, asking Dao Lao in his mind.
"I haven't figured it out yet! I just said it to reassure Old Tang and the others." Dao Lao casually replied.
Haoyun expressed his speechlessness: Alright, I should have guessed you were just talking nonsense earlier!
As they got off the carriage, they saw a factory building, thirteen stories high, built entirely of stone. Although the entire building looked like a simple square box, due to its purpose and the large number of zombie soldiers housed inside, the sight of the building still instilled a natural sense of dread in them.
"Hey! Guys, we're here. This is the newly completed Zombie Maintenance Center! See those round buildings behind the main building? Those are newly built storage warehouses for Amande Flowers and Aga Grass. The buildings emitting white smoke around them are the newly built Elven Biscuit production centers. In fact, this entire area has been rebuilt on the basis of the old equipment."
"Behind the Elven Biscuit production center is the road to Blackstone Castle. Remember, that's a military restricted area. Except for elves authorized by the Black Magic Association, no one can enter Blackstone Castle through the forbidden zone without permission. But you guys just want to take a closer look at Blackstone Castle. So, I can still take you to visit the area as close to the restricted area as possible." The leading soldier acted as a tour guide, introducing the surroundings to Biscuit Tang and his team.
Then, the soldier waved his hand, gesturing for Biscuit Tang and his team to follow, while saying, "This is the general environment here. Come, I'll take you to register first, hand over these four zombie soldiers to the repair department, and then take you to visit Blackstone Castle."
The decoration inside the Zombie Maintenance Center was close to zero, and it could even be described as crude and rough. Some elves were showing off how they had discovered out-of-control zombies; some elves were quietly calculating the rewards for returning zombies; and some elves were complaining that the zombie soldiers they were repairing had not been fixed yet. In short, the presence of various elves made the maintenance center look very lively.
With the help of the accompanying soldiers, Biscuit Tang quickly completed the procedures for the zombie soldiers' return for factory repairs at the reception desk. During this time, he claimed that he wanted to stay here for a few more days to visit Cold Moon City properly, asking the maintenance center to delay repairing the zombie soldiers.
The negotiation process with Biscuit Tang went smoothly. Due to the recent influx of problematic zombies received by the maintenance center, Haoyun and his group of four fake zombies would have to wait at least ten days before receiving repairs. Furthermore, after the zombie soldiers were repaired, they would need to remain in the maintenance center for an additional fifteen days to undergo a series of tests, ensuring that they wouldn't encounter any quality issues in the future. Only after completing these procedures would the zombies be put back into service. This meant that Haoyun and his group of four fake zombies had at least nine days from now to figure out a way to leave.
After Biscuit Tang paid the maintenance fees, he and a staff member escorted Haoyun's group of four into the storage area for zombies awaiting repairs. Their feet were securely fastened in place with extremely tough leather bindings. Once Haoyun's group was secured, the staff member produced a dark necromantic control token and issued a command to them, ordering them to remain in place until further instructions were given.