Chapter 213: Prison (2)

Su Lun led over a dozen junior officials through the prison gates. As they entered, the light dimmed instantly. An involuntary hush fell around them. A chilly wind blew through the passage, making the officials shiver uncontrollably.

Though it was daytime, the corridor felt unnaturally cold. The lights on the walls were dim. In this faint glow, the incredibly lifelike murals on the walls created an immersive feeling.

The fierce beasts and wicked demons in the murals seemed ready to leap out in the next instant. The anguished screams depicted in the paintings felt terrifyingly close. The scenes of various tortures horrified everyone.

Su Lun was quite pleased with their expressions. While this prison had no effect on the wardens or guards, they would face similarly dire consequences if they broke prison rules. The dark passage felt endlessly long due to the dim lighting. It felt like an unending path straight to the River Styx and the Land of the Dead.

Grotesque statues placed at regular intervals sent chills down spines in the gloomy light. Here, all the wrongdoings one had ever committed – anything unethical or illegal – surfaced vividly in their minds and began to magnify. Uncontrollably, they compared their own actions to the horrific punishments shown on the murals.

Many walked along, their faces paling with dread. Once they finally emerged from this prison corridor and entered the interior, the sight of various torture devices and the grim prison environment made their hearts race again. Many burst into tears. A few even knelt, crying bitterly as they confessed their wrongdoing and begged for punishment.

When everyone finally came out of the prison and saw the bright sunlight again, they felt like they were regaining the light of day. Su Lun opened their attributes to check. Quickly, he noticed each one had gained a new talent: Impartiality and Integrity.

Seeing the group so pale-faced and drenched in sweat, Su Lun felt secretly satisfied. He then spoke warmly to these junior officials. He encouraged them, affirmed their work highly, told them to let go of their troubles, and go back to work properly.

After shaping this first batch of junior officials, Su Lun sent for the rest, bringing them over in groups. Once more, he had guards lead them on a tour of the prison.

Merely ten minutes later, the exact same scene played out again. Su Lun, very familiar with these scenes, offered encouragement to the terrified officials and sent them back to work. Following this pattern, within a day, every last junior official had toured the prison.

This ‘thought education’ program was then extended to the mid-level officials. The results remained outstanding. From this day on, Zhenbei City added a new rule: all officials must undergo this prison ‘thought education’ upon starting their official duties. Only after ‘thought education’ could they begin work.

After this ‘prison enlightenment,’ Zhenbei City’s officials suddenly became disciplined, dedicated to public service, honest, and fair. All previous nepotism, bending rules, and corruption vanished. The city’s operations became much smoother. Data showed improvements in the city’s Prosperity and construction progress was faster.

…

While Zhenbei City officials were receiving their ‘education,’ Su Lun’s Training Ground also finally completed its upgrade. After upgrading, the Training Ground didn’t look much different; only a few tools were added. However, its properties changed dramatically.

[Training Ground: Evasion Training Enhancement +28, Difficulty Increase +25, Strength Suppression +24, Reflex Training +25, Training Bonus +22, Sturdiness +25, Smooth Operation +26]

Seeing the upgraded Training Ground, Su Lun was eager to try. He started the machinery and began his training session. The most striking sensation was the moment the field activated: an invisible force immediately enveloped his body. This force suppressed his ability to exert his full strength.

Moreover, the training difficulty escalated sharply. Drills Su Lun had previously handled with ease suddenly became challenging again. He finished the day’s training badly scuffed and exhausted.

However, the training effect was superb. The Experience Points gained were double the usual amount. With such improved results, Su Lun felt mastering a new Evasion specialty wouldn’t take long anymore.

After Zhenbei City’s army had trained and rested for a while, Su Lun began preparing their next expansion. This time, his sights were set on the Gray Dwarves of the Underworld.

Gray Dwarves were cousins to the Dwarves. They too were skilled mining and forging, and possessed formidable strength. The reputation of Dwarf Warriors was solid. Bringing these Dwarves under his command would further improve Zhenbei City’s weapon-forging standards and military power.

But enslaving Gray Dwarves wouldn’t be simple. Su Lun planned to take Drow Elves, Centaurs, and Barbarians along. Humans simply weren’t suited for combat in the Underworld.

Su Lun, accompanied by Heatherway, Carina, and an army of a thousand Soldiers, arrived at the entrance to the Underworld within Zhenbei City’s Mine. He opened the heavy steel door, and the group quietly entered the passage leading downward.

For this assault on the Gray Dwarves, Su Lun planned a direct sneak attack. He took out the Shadow Mirror Sky Lantern and cast Group Invisibility. Instantly, Zhenbei City’s army vanished within the passage.

To navigate the Underworld conditions, Su Lun had specifically chosen Warriors possessing Darkvision. The Drow Elves had the best Darkvision, spanning 120 feet. The Barbarians and Centaurs had Darkvision effective up to thirty feet.

This level of Darkvision proved sufficient. After all, the Underdark wasn’t completely devoid of light; numerous fluorescent plants provided dim illumination.

The dark passages posed little difficulty for the adept army. The Drow Elves particularly felt right at home here. Underground Salamanders encountered along the way were swiftly surrounded and killed. Against the disciplined army, such monsters posed almost no threat.

Since they had traversed this path before the prior attack on the Kobold Tribe, the army moved quickly. Roughly half an hour later, they emerged from the narrow tunnels.

“So beautiful,” Heatherway breathed, her face filled with fascination as she watched Fluorescent Spores drift lazily through the air.

Indeed, the Underworld’s unique fluorescent flora transformed the naturally lightless world into a mesmerizing panorama.

The Underdark encompassed the entire underground realm – perhaps a single vast space, or countless interconnected subterranean caverns. According to theories like Hollow World, most worlds possessed an Underworld. Su Lun wasn’t interested in its formation; what captivated him were its abundant mineral resources and potential for acquiring… workers.

“Wow! Shadowgrass!”

“A Demon Mushroom!”

“Nightshade Blooms!”

Upon reaching the caverns, Heatherway soon identified many Magic Plants. These unique herbs of the Underdark were valuable alchemical ingredients. Excitedly, she readied her gathering tools.

“Wait!” Su Lun grabbed Heatherway’s arm, stopping her excitement. Under her questioning look, he pointed towards the shadows behind the plants. Shifting with the drifting Fluorescent Spores, Heatherway spotted the lurking monster within the gloom.

Coiled in the dark corner was an Underdark Viper. These snakes favored ambushes from concealed places. They possessed large jaws filled with sharp fangs, appearing truly fearsome. Once they bit their prey, they wouldn’t easily let go. They were truly dangerous Underworld predators.

But spotted, the Underdark Viper was manageable. Su Lun drew a Throwing Spear and hurled it with immense force. The spear flew blindingly fast. The viper had no chance to react before the spear pierced its head.

After slaying the viper, Heatherway gathered the Magic Plants. The army then continued along the tunnel. This time, Su Lun skipped the Kobold Tribe, heading straight towards the vast cavern housing the Gray Dwarf city.

With the Drow Elves guiding them, Zhenbei City’s army encountered few obstacles. Creatures inhabiting the Underworld – Clawterrors, Underground Salamanders, Underdark Vipers – were swiftly eliminated. Soon, Su Lun led his forces to the vicinity of the Gray Dwarf city.

Under the effect of Invisibility, Su Lun remained confident they wouldn’t be detected. Fluorescent Moss covering the ceiling of the huge cavern cast a faint glow over the Underdark. In the distance, the Gray Dwarf city was clearly visible.

Due to the harsh environment of the Underworld, the farmland outside the Gray Dwarf walls wasn’t extensive. It paled compared to Zhenbei City’s thousands of acres. They preferred to build fields within the city walls so crops wouldn’t be destroyed during attacks.

Su Lun gave Heatherway a nod. She took out her staff and began casting. To minimize magical energy ripples, her casting was deliberately slow. A spell that could normally be cast nearly instantly took her almost a full minute.

“Wizard’s Eye!”

Five translucent eyeballs appeared in mid-air. With a light gesture, Heatherway sent them floating towards the Gray Dwarf city. The eyes kept a cautious distance to avoid detection.

The Underworld didn’t have natural night and day cycles like the surface world, but its inhabitants possessed timekeeping tools. The glow of the Fluorescent Moss also changed slightly over ‘time.’ Currently, it was still ‘daytime’ in the Underground City. Su Lun had ample patience to wait for the Gray Dwarves to rest.

Not long after, around two hours later, the Gray Dwarf city grew quiet. The light from the ceiling Fluorescent Moss dimmed. Gray Dwarves who had been working outside began entering the city walls.

Su Lun planned a midnight raid. Therefore, except for a few Scouts left on watch, the rest of Zhenbei City’s Soldiers seized the time to rest. Heatherway, meanwhile, skillfully controlled the Wizard’s Eyes, keeping constant surveillance on the Gray Dwarf city.

Hours passed quickly. Su Lun checked his watch, a magical timepiece crafted by Heatherway. Seeing the time was right, he gave a silent signal. Zhenbei City’s army began advancing on the Gray Dwarf city without a sound.