Chapter 162: A National Power Explosion

When the bell sounded, nearly every citizen of Shampoo City felt an urge to breathe a deep sigh of relief; their hearts felt much lighter.

This time, the bell did not signal an enemy attack.

Instead, it meant the King had returned.

People saw the two Golden Knights under the King of Champoo, along with military and administrative leaders at all levels, rushing hurriedly toward the Royal Palace. The streets suddenly grew quiet. All the original residents came out of their homes. They raised their hands and looked toward the Royal Palace on the slightly higher northern ground. They were now completely won over by the young king. Not to mention the earlier battles repelling the Black Armored Army and the Nine-Nation Alliance, even during King Alexander’s temporary seclusion and absence, the entire city could still clearly feel the influence he had left behind.

During this time, many significant events happened in Shampoo City.

First, following what was said to be King Alexander’s pre-seclusion command, the massive piles of garbage in the city’s dumping area were all processed over the past month by Prison Warden Oleg and his men. It was a very strange method. At first, many people did not understand. But later, when they saw garbage soaked in ponds turned into thick slurry and transformed into light paper through simple procedures, the entire Shampoo City almost boiled over with excitement.

These large piles of garbage were a chronic, minor problem accumulated over the years in Shampoo City. Especially in summer, flies and mosquitoes swarmed everywhere—sources of filth and disease. Some had suggested more than a month ago, during the re-planning and reorganization of the city’s functional areas, that all the garbage be dumped into the Zuli River. But the King of Champoo stopped it. No one expected that these dirty, smelly heaps, which even stray dogs avoided, could one day be turned into paper.

The Azeroth Continent was not without paper, but in remote border areas like Shampoo City, paper was a rare commodity. Even the royal family normally used soft cloth or tanned animal hides for recording or issuing orders; paper was somewhat of a small luxury. Now, with large amounts of garbage soaked into thick slurry, even the poor in the city could use paper.

For many poor residents, the disappearance of garbage and the emergence of paper brought tangible benefits. Anyone willing to work in that so-called “Shampoo City Paper Mill” could earn two silver coins a day. For many, this was a rare earning opportunity. The time was now deep autumn, past the busy farming season. Who would risk their lives as guides leading mercenaries deep into the boundless mountains behind Shampoo City to hunt Magical Beasts, when they could earn safe money in the city for winter?

Second, some previously clogged urban drainage systems were repaired and put into use. These extensive sewer and drainage systems had existed long ago, but past kings paid little attention to maintenance, and they eventually got blocked. Again, following a pre-seclusion order from King Alexander, Prison Warden Oleg and his men worked hard to unclog these drainage systems that had been blocked for who knows how many years. Initially, some still didn’t understand, but since daily helpers could also earn silver coins, they happily went to work. Later, after completely restoring the drainage systems, simple water pipes were added to every household. People discovered how much easier life could be with a drainage system. Along the way, citizens started looking more fondly at that fatso Prison Warden Oleg. This guy was once the terrifying symbol of cruel punishment and darkness in Shampoo City. But after the paper mill and drainage system events, people realized that this fatso had gradually changed without them noticing.

Third, over more than a month, Shampoo City’s residents finally adapted to the Code of the Twelve Bronze Warriors in front of the temple—in fact, not only they but also the recent influx of outsiders adapted to the code. They had no choice but to adapt. At first, many reckless individuals acted wild and deliberately broke the law, only to be surrounded by the Saints and Urban Management of Shampoo City, beaten severely, and thrown into the [Black Room] for several days. After several such instances, all outsiders learned their lesson. Upon arriving in Shampoo City, their first task was to memorize the city’s code in front of the Twelve Bronze Warriors at the temple, lest they accidentally offend and get beaten to a pulp by those tough enforcers.

During this process, Shampoo City’s cohesion rapidly strengthened.

In previous years during late autumn, mercenaries, merchant caravans, down-and-out warriors, and petty thieves, swindlers, and robbers would flood into Shampoo City. Autumn was a good hunting season; many Magical Beasts gave birth in spring and autumn—prime opportunities for adventurers to seek wealth. These outsiders were arrogant and wild, often clashing with local residents. With Shampoo City’s former national strength and status, it couldn’t protect its own people. To Shampoo City’s subjects, these outsiders were a source of nightmares. But now things were different. King Alexander’s reputation had grown prominent. Under him were two Golden Knights, warrior Saints, and two hundred fierce Urban Management officers. They had already subdued those wretched outsiders with their fists. Except for the first few days, no one dared cause trouble in the city. The original residents could walk the streets with their heads held high, enjoying the outsiders’ respectful and ingratiating looks. Even meeting a stray dog on the street, those formerly arrogant and fierce outsiders now had to politely step aside!

This powerful, protected feeling made everyone feel that being a member of Shampoo City was a heavenly blessing.

All knew who brought this about.

Now, that person had returned.

With just over half a month until the Zenit Empire’s biggest event—the Martial Arts Combat Tournament—nearly every citizen of Shampoo City, from the elderly to young children, firmly believed that what was once a disaster for Shampoo City would this time become the first cornerstone of its stunning rise.

All eyes turned to the Royal Palace.

There stood a figure who was the source of their confidence.

And the focus of their faith.

…

Shampoo City Royal Palace.

The King’s Council Hall.

On the white stone throne flanked by huge twin lion Magical Beast statues, Sun Fei’s eyes flashed like lightning as he looked down upon his ministers.

The atmosphere in the hall pleased Sun Fei.

Over the past month, no one had been lazy. With Sun Fei’s current strength, a single glance revealed that everyone in the hall had made significant progress.

Drogba and Pierce, these two brutes, had reached the peak of the Two-Star Level, on the verge of a breakthrough; one foot was even in the Three-Star Warrior tier. With the Golden Bull Helmet and Holy Sword they had previously obtained, even facing a warrior at the peak of Three-Star strength, they could put up a fight.

The improvement of Saint leader Peter Cech’s strength startled Sun Fei. He had now broken through to the mid-Three-Star Level. This warrior, once at the peak of Two-Star but whose Aura Vortex was shattered by Herald Bazel, becoming a cripple, now after tempering with the [Hulk Potion], his recovery speed was astonishing. If Cech faced the former Black Armored Army’s top swordsman Lund now, he could instantly defeat him. However, Sun Fei found it hard to estimate Cech’s actual combat ability. It was said this Saint leader was a defensive genius; even at the Two-Star peak, he could withstand Three-Star experts’ attacks, earning him some reputation among the Vassal States. Now, with his Battle Qi at the mid-Three-Star Level, plus a physique far stronger than peers due to the [Hulk Potion], his actual combat prowess was highly anticipated.

Shampoo City’s military leader Gordon Brook was now at the mid-Two-Star Level. Though his growth rate was much slower than Drogba, Pierce, and Cech’s, compared to ordinary outside warriors, it was still remarkable. Sun Fei knew the reason: Brook was in charge of both the Saints and Urban Management forces. Usually busy, he dedicated himself to building Shampoo City’s military system and enhancing its strength as per Sun Fei’s designs. Naturally, his training time was less. But Brook’s loyalty was beyond doubt. More thoughtful than brutes like Drogba and Pierce, more strategic than cultivation fanatics like Cech, honest and upright, he possessed the honor and qualities of a true Knight. Whether before or after Sun Fei’s rise, Brook was deeply loved by Shampoo City’s people. Someone like him, perhaps not the strongest, could command respect and inspire others with his charisma—that was why Sun Fei appointed Brook as Shampoo City’s top military figure.

Prison Warden Oleg’s strength had also surged, his Battle Qi near the mid-Two-Star Level. But he seemed to prefer close-quarters physical combat like Drogba and others. Previously a short, stout man under 1.7 meters, he had unbelievably undergone secondary growth due to residual [Hulk Potion] effects. Now over 1.9 meters tall, his fat remained but looked more intimidating. No longer the fawning sycophant, he now appeared fierce at first glance.

Of course, the most pleasant surprise for Sun Fei was former Shampoo City’s top expert Frank Lampard. Lampard still had the Black Greatsword Titan Blade slanted behind him. But his Water Element Battle Qi seemed to be fading, replaced by surging Lightning Elemental Combat Aura. Sun Fei sensed Lampard’s lightning Battle Qi had reached approximately mid-Four-Star Level… too fast. To relearn Lightning Battle Qi and jump to mid-Four-Star Level in just a month—how did he do it? Even with the Lightning Elemental Combat Aura manual [Lightning Fist] Sun Fei created, such achievement shouldn’t be possible. What secret lay behind this former top expert? Sun Fei was a bit curious.

Besides these newly risen Battle Qi experts, Sun Fei’s personal guard Fernando Torres had also improved. This righteous young man, tempered over time, now carried a soldier’s stern aura. He was a spirited lad with good talent. Earlier, Sun Fei had Ileena give him an Ice-Attributed Battle Qi manual called [Polar Execution], a Three-Star manual with twenty-five Qi Channels. Torres seemed to have trained well; Sun Fei could feel an astonishing icy power within him, his Ice-Attributed Battle Qi about early Two-Star Level.

These individuals were Sun Fei’s key trainees; their progress satisfied him.

Aside from them, several other strongmen who participated in the Stone Bridge battle had also improved. Having undergone tempering and transformation with the incredible [Hulk Potion], their physical strength reached around mid-One-Star Level. But not all possessed Battle Qi talent; though their Qi Channels were widened, their Battle Qi cultivation varied. The best had Battle Qi around One-Star Level, while the worse ones still hadn’t generated an Aura Vortex or Qi sensation.

Besides these Shampoo City natives, experts from the World of Diablo—Ileena, Charsi, Kane, Acarra, and Kashya—also appeared in the King’s Council Hall. Since they had previously appeared as university teachers in the Back Mountain Underground Grotto Labyrinth, everyone was used to the dark experts’ presence.

On the civil officials’ side, Best, though busy, had his energy well-maintained because Sun Fei had secretly arranged for Angela to occasionally mix [Complete Recovery Potion] into her father-in-law’s food. He even showed signs of rejuvenation. Unfortunately, the old smooth-face had zero interest in cultivation and remained without any Might.

Other than Best, Shampoo City’s administrative talent pool was awkward. Assisting Best were a few elders recognized for their virtue and prestige—white-haired and bearded, a serious aging issue. Currently, Best also served as Shampoo City’s left and right prime ministers; leaders of the Six Ministries were temporarily held by these elders. Sun Fei could only hope the university would produce more such talents. Fortunately, Shampoo City was still small and weak, with few subjects, so governance wasn’t difficult. Moreover, during the earlier Eastern Peak Summit battle, Sun Fei, by using others’ hands, had thoroughly eliminated Shampoo City’s Noble and privileged classes. Thus, decrees were carried out smoothly without much difficulty for now.

Sun Fei slowly scanned everyone in the council hall, a sense of accomplishment rising within him.

In just over four months, who would have thought Shampoo City’s strength would explode so drastically?

With the current national power, even if the Black Armored Army invaded again, Sun Fei was fully confident. No longer needing to turtle in the city using terrain for defense, or pretending to be dead, just one charge could annihilate the Black Armored Army beneath the city walls. Those once unattainable Black Knights could be instantly slain by any Saint of Shampoo City.

“The Martial Arts Tournament is approaching. I know everyone has waited eagerly, growing impatient…” Sun Fei smiled, his authoritative voice ringing in everyone’s ears. “This time, in the Martial Arts Combat Tournament, we will use our own hands to reclaim everything we once lost!”

As he spoke, Sun Fei suddenly stood up. “By the King’s command, in three days, the entire army will march to the Imperial Capital Saint Petersburg to participate in the Martial Arts Combat Tournament!”