[Target: Tier-1 Thunder Cannon Shells]
[Type: Quantity Critical Strike]
[Talent Activation in Progress…]
[Activation Successful! Multiplier: 49x!]
Inside the ammunition hold.
The moment Jiang Zhixu’s talent activated successfully, 49 Thunder Cannon Shells materialized out of thin air!
Added to the two remaining shells, their “Deep Blue” now possessed a staggering 51 of these Tier-1 shells, treasures beyond measure for anyone else.
Their stockpile now surpassed the standard ammunition count of other cities.
“Even though it’s not the first time I’ve seen it, the City Lord’s talent still feels utterly absurd,” Qi Honglang remarked with awe beside him.
Only the two of them were in the ammunition hold. The fewer who knew about Jiang Zhixu’s talent, the better.
Jiang Zhixu nodded, then added with a hint of greed, “A pity it can only be used once per day.”
“……”
Qi Honglang opened his mouth, wanting to tell him not to flaunt his fortune so shamelessly in front of him.
But he held his tongue.
After a moment, gazing at the fully stocked hold, he proposed with eager anticipation, “City Lord, should we… find a spot for a test firing?”
These were Tier-1 shells!
*Test firing*—in the resource-scarce Wasteland, what a luxurious concept that was.
Meeting Jiang Zhixu’s gaze, he justified himself confidently:
“After all, none of us have actually operated a Tier-1 cannon before.
“I believe it’s necessary for our gunners to personally experience its actual trajectory and power. Only with firsthand data can they perform better in actual combat. What do you think?”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhixu gave a slight nod. “I think you have a point.”
Truth be told, he was itching to try it himself.
He cleared his throat lightly, maintaining his City Lord’s dignity, and ordered, “Go check if Lu Yan is asleep. If not, bring him here to… fire the cannon with us.”
“On it!”
Ten minutes later.
Qi Honglang led a drowsy Lu Yan, who was hurrying along while rubbing his eyes and yawning, traces of sleepy tears still at the corners.
“City Lord, he wasn’t asleep,” Qi Honglang reported without batting an eye.
Lu Yan: “…”
He didn’t know how Mr. Qi could lie so blatantly with his eyes open.
But young as he was, he knew better than to expose a superior to their face. He could only force himself to stay alert and ask, “City Lord, did you need me for something?”
Jiang Zhixu handed him a tissue, gesturing for him to wipe his eyes. “The Italian Cannon… want to fire it?”
Lu Yan didn’t get the reference to the “Italian Cannon,” but he caught the words “fire the cannon”!
His eyes instantly lit up, sleepiness vanishing, his voice rising an octave. “Yes!”
Only then did he realize that firing the cannon meant there were enemies!
His entire body tensed instantly, expression turning wary. “City Lord, have raider cities snuck up on us again?”
With that, he turned to rush towards the observation port of the gun turret.
“Hold on,” Jiang Zhixu swiftly pulled him back. “No enemies! We’re just planning a test firing of the Thunder Cannon.”
“T-test firing?”
Lu Yan’s mind could hardly comprehend the term.
In these times of such strained resources, what Mobile City would waste resources on a meaningless test firing of shells?
They were all factory-produced, parameters were absolutely accurate, and defective products were impossible. What was there to test?
But remembering the City Lord’s miraculous abilities, Lu Yan quelled his urge to dissuade him.
Besides, firing a Tier-1 shell!
This was something he hadn’t dared to imagine before.
He was still a teenager after all; how could he not be excited now?
“Are we firing now? What will be the target? It’s too dark now, won’t it be hard to see?”
A string of questions tumbled from Lu Yan’s mouth.
His words made Jiang Zhixu realize something.
Right, it was too late.
His concern wasn’t about visibility—he thought Thunder Cannons would look even more spectacular fired at night—his concern was about waking up the entire city.
Everyone had endured successive battles during the day, already physically and mentally exhausted. They had to start work early tomorrow. Waking them all now just for a test firing was indeed inconsiderate.
Jiang Zhixu felt a pang of regret.
“Forget it, let’s wait until dawn. Let everyone get a good night’s sleep.”
“On the contrary, City Lord,”
Qi Honglang suddenly spoke up, “I believe it’s precisely now that we should wake everyone up, have them all witness this test firing together. That would be best.”
Jiang Zhixu was taken aback. “Why?”
Qi Honglang explained, “We just succeeded in our uprising today. The city’s morale is still unstable, and after the major battle, everyone remains on edge.”
He sighed. “Even if people are asleep now, they’re bound to be filled with anxiety. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. But if we wake everyone up to watch this test firing together, there are at least two benefits.”
He raised one finger. “First, collective activities help foster a sense of community and belonging. Second, and most importantly, it demonstrates to everyone the power we possess to protect them, giving them the much-needed ‘sense of security’!”
In the old world, this was called a military parade.
They didn’t have the means for that now, but a cannon test firing could serve the same purpose.
Qi Honglang said with absolute confidence, “City Lord, I assure you, after this cannon shot, everyone will sleep more soundly and peacefully!”
These weren’t just excuses he concocted on the spot to see the cannon fire; he had given it prior thought.
Otherwise, it would merely be childish behavior driven by curiosity, something he couldn’t accept himself, let alone propose as a formal suggestion to Jiang Zhixu!
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhixu pondered for a moment, then a look of approval appeared on his face. “Well said. You’ve considered this very thoroughly.”
—*So, I was the only one who simply wanted to see the cannon fire*, he mocked himself inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he immediately made the decision:
“Let’s do it! You go use the broadcast to notify everyone to come to the upper deck! Also, since we’re making this an event, we can’t be too stingy. Fire three shots, all using Thunder Cannon shells!”
Now that they had a reserve of 51 Thunder Cannon shells, dedicating three to boost morale and unity was a deal with absolutely guaranteed returns.
“Yes, sir!”
Qi Honglang immediately went to make arrangements.
…
The tranquil freshwater lake shimmered under the dim moonlight.
A steel behemoth lay quietly by the shore, a thick suction pipe buried in the water, emitting a “gurgling” sound as it replenished the city’s freshwater reserves.
And in the darkness further away.
Another colossal entity lurked, silently watching the drinking beast by the lake.
—The Tier-1 Mobile City, *Silent Vessel*.
It had arrived half a day earlier than the “Deep Blue,” replenished its water, and hadn’t left.
Now, inside the City Lord’s chamber of the *Silent Vessel*, City Lord Liu Yao and his core officials were holding a discussion.
And the subject of their discussion was precisely the “Deep Blue,” which had just arrived at the freshwater lake!
“…Now, let’s begin the vote. Do we remain dormant, or do we hunt this unfamiliar city?”
The City Lord initiated the final vote.
The *Silent Vessel* did not fly the Dragon Hunter flag, nor was it a pure raider city.
However, faced with an unfamiliar city like the “Deep Blue,” seemingly unprepared, battered, and lacking strength…
They didn’t mind accepting this takeout delivery!
“I agree. Since we’ve decided to settle long-term around this freshwater lake as our core, we need to boost our strength.”
“Exactly. Take over this city, assimilate their technology and slaves. Even if we can’t use them ourselves, selling them in Rust Town would fetch a handsome income.”
“I agree too!”
“I object! Now that we’re transitioning to a settled city, we can’t make enemies like before. We’ll need to rely on selling freshwater for survival. Who knows if this city has friends or family elsewhere!”
“I… I abstain.”
City Lord Liu Yao of the *Silent Vessel* scanned the room. Seeing everyone had stated their position, he said, “Good. Since the vote is 3 to 1, notify the entire city: prepare for battle! In five minutes, launch a surprise attack!”
“Wait!”
The moment the order was about to be given, an official suddenly let out a startled exclamation.
Through the porthole of the City Lord’s chamber, he saw with horror that the city two kilometers away… had suddenly lit up like a beacon!