Chapter 112: with translation of chapter title

With Lin Yue's order issued, on the open ground outside Xuanwu City, the more than five hundred survivors who had been anxious and fearful burst into a thunderous cheer.

Assessment!

As long as you pass the assessment, you can stay!

To them, who had suffered greatly to rush here from Suchen, this news was nothing short of heavenly music!

"Great! Thank you, City Lord!"

"Waa… as long as I can eat my fill, I'll do anything!"

Many people wept with joy, gazing at Lin Yue's back on the city wall, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Damn it, stop crying! Crying is useless!"

Old Li looked at his excited old brothers beside him, tears streaming down their faces, his own eye sockets reddening, but he forced a stern face and bellowed with his rough voice.

"The City Lord gave us a chance—whether we're mules or horses, we've got to show what we can do! Anyone who dares to slack off in the assessment and lose face for us Suchen folks, don't blame me, Old Li, for not recognizing you!"

His words instantly silenced everyone; each straightened their back, faces filled with resolve.

Wang Gongtou looked at the vigor of the group below and nodded in satisfaction.

He walked to the city wall and shouted with full vigor:

"Listen up, everyone! I'm the head of Xuanwu City's Engineering Department; you can call me Director Wang! Your assessment for the coming week falls under my charge!"

He pointed to the vast open space outside the city, temporarily opened up by Xuanwu, covering tens of thousands of square meters.

"Your assessment is simple! See that land? Work it to the bone!"

Wang Gongtou cleared his throat and began to announce the assessment rules, or rather, the work assignments.

"Those who used to be farmers and know how to farm, go to the agricultural zone and report to the person in charge!"

"Those who understand machinery and can tinker with engines, go to the Maintenance Department! There's plenty of gear for you to mess with!"

"Former cooks, help in the kitchen! Our city has thousands of mouths waiting for you to cook!"

"Those who are strong and want to bear arms to defend our homeland, sign up with Director Han! You all know Director Han, I'm sure, and her character needs no explanation; thus, the selection assessment for the Xuanwu Guard is not easy to pass!"

Saying this, he pointed to Han Ya, who stood silently to the side.

"Hmph!"

Han Ya also let out a timely cold snort.

"Haha, Director Han is still as stern as ever!"

Wang Gongtou laughed heartily, then continued:

"Alright, let's continue. As for those who know nothing but have strength, just follow me! Xuanwu City doesn't have much else, just plenty of work! As long as you're willing to work, you won't go hungry!"

Wang Gongtou's remarks were simple and blunt; he didn't paint any big promises, nor utter any empty, flowery words.

He simply used plain language to tell everyone a simple truth: in Xuanwu City, labor can earn dignity and rebirth!

Instantly, the entire temporary settlement sprang into action.

Under the arrangements of Wang Gongtou, Han Ya, and others, aside from more than a dozen frail, sick elderly, women, and children unable to work, who were specially placed, the remaining four hundred ninety people were quickly assigned to various departments according to their pre-apocalypse occupations and skills.

Old Li and the people from the Black Wolf Shelter were all assigned to the construction crew.

"Old Li, are you still up to this?"

A young artisan in charge of registration, looking at the old man with white hair but unusually spirited demeanor, asked uneasily.

"Who are you looking down on, kid?"

Old Li glared, yanked off his worn cotton jacket, revealing a thin yet muscle-laden body underneath.

"Back in the day, I could carry two hundred pounds of cement on my own! This bit of work is nothing!"

"Hahaha! Good! Having that spirit is enough!"

The young artisan was startled by Old Li's move, quickly registered him and his brothers, then led them toward the construction site.

Along the way, he occasionally briefed Old Li and the others on the situation inside Xuanwu City.

Old Li and the others had been to Xuanwu City a few times before, but only to exchange supplies at the Xuanwu Supermarket; they had wanted to go elsewhere, but previously it wasn't allowed.

Now, as long as they pass the assessment, they can join Xuanwu City, so the young artisan's briefing was still useful to them.

"By the way, Xuanwu City is divided into inner and outer cities; entry into the inner city is forbidden without permission!"

The young artisan suddenly turned serious and said to Old Li and the others:

"Before, someone entered the inner city without permission, and the outcome was miserable!"

Saying this, he felt a pang of regret.

Old Li and the others were startled upon hearing this and hurriedly asked:

"How exactly was it miserable?"

Having just entered Xuanwu City, they might not know other things, but they certainly needed to know the taboos.

The young artisan pursed his lips,

"It's said that person was fined 500 Xuanwu Currency, almost a month's wages! Just thinking about it hurts!"

Old Li and the others looked bewildered—what happened to the dire fate we were told about??

That's it!

Old Li figured it out—this guy never says anything serious!

Not long after, everyone arrived at the construction site.

As soon as they stepped in, they were utterly stunned by the sight before them.

What did they see?

They saw countless rebars, cement, and stone, as if controlled by an invisible giant hand, continuously welling up from beneath the ground and then automatically assembling, joining, and shaping!

Tower after tower of scaffolding shot up from the ground in just a few minutes!

A huge foundation pit appeared out of thin air before their eyes, as if by magic!

"My heavens…… this…… this……"

"This is simply godly means!"

"The folks at the Black Wolf shelter all gaped, their eyes nearly popping out."

"Although they had long known Xuanwu City was out of the ordinary, they never expected it to be this distinctive!"

"Damn it, stop staring! Are you idiots?"

"Wang Gongtou appeared behind them at some point, laughing and scolding:"

"This is the marvelous aspect of our Xuanwu City; you'll get used to it after seeing it often!"

"He pointed to a foundation just condensed and formed by the Black Tortoise, waving his big hand."

"You guys! Your task today is to get the waterproofing layer of this foundation done! Materials are over there—go get the tools yourselves! Do well, and you'll get extra meat tonight!"

"Yes! We guarantee to complete the task!"

"Old Li and his men were pumped up, as if injected with chicken blood."

"For them, such work couldn't be simpler; if they can't even do this, what face do they have to claim they've joined Xuanwu City!"

"Similar scenes kept playing out in every corner of Xuanwu City."

"At the same time, everyone had only one thought—work!"

"As long as work doesn't kill you, work until you drop!"