Chapter 18: Xuanwu City, Alive!

At the City Lord’s residence, one hundred large steel pots were lined up, each simmering with pork, lamb, and bubbling rice.

The rich aroma of meat spread throughout the area, especially captivating in the freezing winter, winding around everyone’s senses. The crowd stretched their necks, eagerly waiting, their hands tightly clutching bowls and chopsticks.

The queue was perfectly organized. Even though their stomachs were growling, no one dared to push or shout.

Because of the previous lessons, those who tried to crowd were pulled to the back, never knowing when their turn for a meal would come.

Despite the order, the crowd was still excited, discussing the fragrance from the pots.

“This is the smell of meat, right? It smells so good, I can’t stop drooling!”

“Which one is the meat and which is the rice? Does anyone recognize it?”

“I know! I studied the culture history of the Golden Age. The chunks are meat, and the little grains are rice… Oh my God, Golden Age food! Just looking at it makes me so hungry!”

“What? This is food from the Golden Age? Oh my God! Where did the City Lord get this from?”

“Shh, don’t tell anyone… It’s from the Savior, the Savior has shown us mercy, and these are the food the Savior granted us!”

“It’s my turn, it’s my turn! I’m going first!”

A man in line happily picked up a bowl of porridge and two pieces of meat.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

But the fragrance continued to assault his nose.

He took a deep breath.

It was just too fragrant, too good!

He carefully took a sip, savoring the taste, feeling his soul almost leave his body.

The warmth spread through his nearly frozen body, the rice and oil soothing his dried-out intestines.

This was what it felt like to be alive!

“What’s it taste like? Don’t just eat, tell us how it tastes!” someone urged.

But he was too absorbed in the food to respond.

Everyone else, seeing his reaction, became even more eager to taste the rice porridge and meat.

By the time the line reached the halfway mark, most of the meat and rice in the large pots had been served.

People at the back became anxious, some fearing there wouldn’t be enough, stirring up unrest.

Those who had already eaten worried they might not get another chance.

At that moment, a group of soldiers quickly came out and laid down shiny steel plates.

The next second, the steel plates were covered with red beef.

The soldiers had misjudged the area, and much of the beef fell to the ground.

Because the beef had been frozen solid in the extreme cold, some of it rolled off the plates and onto the ground.

Seeing this, the onlookers’ eyes widened in shock!

What kind of miracle was this?

So much meat!

So much meat!

The crowd couldn’t help but cheer.

Those still waiting in line were no longer worried.

Those who had already eaten were even happier, now assured that there was more than enough for everyone!

The Savior was amazing!

Bai Shuang, who had come with Song Lufeng, was stunned by the sight of so much meat.

She was no stranger to hardships and usually kept her emotions steady.

But now, she could not remain composed.

“City Lord, this—”

Her eyes sparkled with hope.

“This is from the Savior, who couldn’t bear to see us suffer. It was granted to us.”

Song Lufeng did not hide the truth.

The Savior!

The Savior sent so much meat—this was lifesaving food!

“So much!”

“And more.”

Bai Shuang nearly wanted to kneel.

More!

There was even more!

What could be more exciting than this news?

In fact, there was more!

More meat.

Loads of meat.

According to Gu Man, Song Lufeng had arranged for special transport vehicles, the kind used for carrying exotic beast carcasses, to be cleaned thoroughly, lined with steel plates, and filled with one truckload after another of beef, pork, and chicken!

These trucks passed through the crowd, heading towards the storage city.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on these trucks as they watched them enter.

Everyone felt a sense of relief.

So much meat, enough to last for a long, long time.

“I’m signing up for city management work!”

“I want to join the patrol team, I’m an A-level ability user!”

“I have repair skills, I can help maintain the mechs!”

At this moment, people who had hesitated or doubted the truth earlier were now signing up enthusiastically, eager to contribute.

Bai Shuang personally managed the process.

The reception was orderly.

Shi Hai, who had previously been in charge of boiling meat, and Shu Weng, the team leader, came over.

Even though they had seen the Savior provide food before, today’s sight was much more impressive.

“City Lord, so much meat!” Lin Zhoumin was nearly speechless, his excitement overwhelming.

“800,000 pounds of meat! How much nutrient solution could this make? 40 billion! 40 billion, how long will this feed our base?”

“Damn, forget the nutrient solution, this is too wasteful!”

Du Guan was just as excited, walking around the meat, reluctantly escorting it to the storage room.

A dazed smile was on his face.

“Meat! Beef, pork, chicken! All high-protein, nutritious! This is salvation, Xuanwu City is saved!”

The entire army was jubilant.

The soldiers who were transporting the meat were also energized.

This was hope!

Song Lufeng was even happier, though his reserved nature kept him from showing it outwardly.

“The Savior spent a lot on this meat. We need to find a way to give back more.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“I’ll get whatever the Savior likes. Once my abilities improve, I’ll kill some exotic beasts to help the Savior celebrate!”

“I know where there are gemstones. They’re not very useful, but girls seem to like them!”

“Speaking of which, we dug up an ancient market full of jewels. I wonder if the Savior would like them!”

“You guys are talking nonsense. I think a ton of gold is the most practical!”

“I’m going to send the Savior a set of female mechs, my latest masterpiece!”

Everyone was talking excitedly.

The Savior was so great, they wanted to repay her at any cost.

Gu Man, who was listening from a distance, was also pleased.

“Are you ready? We’re about to ship 1 million bottles of mineral water. Find a place to receive them.”

“Forget it, the City Lord’s residence has a large enough space. Let’s use this area.”

She wasn’t worried anymore.

Once the meat and water were delivered, who would dare to stir up trouble!

Gu Man spoke through voice message.

Everyone around heard it.

Bai Shuang, who was reporting to her, also heard it.

So the Savior was a girl!

Her lips curved into a smile.

This was wonderful!

Song Lufeng had people clear the area, leaving no one behind.

By now, most people had finished their meals and gathered around.

Suddenly, bottles of mineral water began to pile up on the open ground.

A large area was filled, packed to the brim!

1 million bottles of mineral water—visually, it was astonishing!

Once again, everyone was stunned.

This was water!

Clear, clean, and obviously refreshing water!

They had just drunk porridge, and the pollution threshold had been lowered significantly. Everyone felt comfortable and energized.

Now, with mountains of water in front of them, they were completely stunned!

“Everyone, start moving the mineral water!”

“Anyone helping with the transport can take 100 milliliters home!”

Song Lufeng gave another order.

People rushed to help move the water.

They carried the bottles, heavy but reassuring in their arms!

This wasn’t just water, it was the source of life!

The water they earned could be taken home to their families.

Starting a job now meant they would have food and water every day, and they could take some back for their families.

A happy life was within reach!

Everyone eagerly moved the water.

Some, slower, sighed in frustration when they didn’t get enough.

The pots in front of the City Lord’s residence continued to boil, with more water and meat being added.

People kept coming.

Eventually, those who could eat would be the capable ones or the elderly, weak, women, and children who had no survival abilities. Young adults would need to work for their food.

But even so, everyone was happy and willing!

Bai Shuang sighed:

“City Lord, with this batch of meat and water, Xuanwu City will have peace for a long time.”

Song Lufeng didn’t respond.

What he wanted wasn’t just temporary peace.

“Let Du Weiguang go.”

Bai Shuang and the others froze.

Let him go now?

That person was likely from the Light Group!

Bai Shuang understood the City Lord’s intentions.

So the City Lord was playing the long game, waiting for a big catch!