Chapter 108: Experimental Iron Golem Mark II

"Ding-dong!"

As the corpse of the attribute-based elite zombie burned to ash, the wrath of the Blockman had finally purged the area of all its elite monsters. Three green loot bags, five white ones, and a smattering of monster drops—these were the fruits of Mo Fangyuan's night of labor.

"What a pity!"

Eight elite monsters and hundreds of common ones hadn't even pushed his experience bar halfway. That capitalist experience system was truly stingy!

"That's enough for today..."

A trace of exhaustion flickered in Mo Fangyuan’s deep blue eyes. The prolonged combat had left him, a young man in his adolescence, feeling drained. After marking an 'X' with green dye over the final icon of an elite monster on his map, he began his trek back.

"Ah, my beautiful, enchanting bed..."

"Humm!"

The Iron Golem Processing Laboratory was the second most heavily guarded facility in the Block Kingdom, surpassed only by the central castle. In the depths of the night, the place was silent—at first glance, one might mistake it for an abandoned, haunted building, eerie and chilling—until a thunderous "Humm" shattered the quiet.

Inside the lab, the lights were blazing. Fang Zhi and his team of apprentices were circling the newly finished second-generation experimental iron golem, scrutinizing it.

"What are the masters doing?"

The iron golem looked puzzled. Compared to the first-generation experimental golem, this second iteration was clearly more intelligent, though only by a small margin; its reputation as a "clumsy oaf" was well-earned.

"Thud, thud, thud!"

A researcher tapped the golem’s body with a hammer, noting that nothing seemed amiss on the surface.

"That is why we must conduct tests."

Fang Zhi ordered the iron golem to take a few steps to gauge its speed.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

As the golem stepped out, everyone present immediately understood the meaning of a "heavyweight contender." The tremors nearly shook the laboratory apart.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Fang Zhi hurriedly halted the golem, fearing it would collapse the lab. That would be impossible to explain to Mo Fangyuan. Their research department was still in its infancy; they couldn't afford to cause such a commotion, or future supplies might be cut off.

"It is still very heavy, but its movement speed is significantly faster than the first generation..."

Crossing three blocks in just twenty seconds was a massive breakthrough for the researchers.

"Ohhhhhh!"

"I believe we can make it even faster and lighter in the future!"

Many held great expectations for what was to come.

"Alright, lads, the mission is not yet complete. We need to conduct more detailed tests!" Fang Zhi stroked his pale, lusterless beard and spoke calmly to the youngsters circling the golem.

"Understood, Minister!"

The testing was divided into speed, defense, attack, and intelligence. Most required the participation of monsters.

[Speed: 0.2–0.4 blocks per second]
[Defense: 5 points of immunity for every 7 points of attack]
[Strength: 14–20]
[Throwing Height: 5–6 blocks]
[Raw Stone-tier Intelligence]
[...]

Per the King’s strict requirements, the R&D department classified the machines by their intelligence levels: Dirt-tier, Raw Stone-tier, Iron-tier, Gold-tier, Diamond-tier, and so on. This hierarchy also extended to other sectors, such as the medal and honor systems.

"The comprehensive data is at least twice as good as the first generation, and the resource consumption has been reduced slightly. This is a good omen!" A Blockman researcher chuckled, his gaze sliding over the monsters on the floor that had been smashed or crushed into pulp.

"As long as we can mass-produce these iron golems, defending the Block Kingdom will no longer be a fantasy!"

"Indeed, machines know no fear!"

"I feel as if I can see the future!"

The researchers wagged their large noses, excitedly exchanging opinions on the second generation.

"Tomorrow, we can send it to the Night Watch department for field testing... Only real combat can prove if something truly meets the standard!" Fang Zhi still vividly recalled the failure of the first generation. This time, he wanted to prove once and for all that machinery was the future of the Block Kingdom.

"If we mounted tools like pickaxes or shovels onto the iron golems, would they gain more capabilities?"

"What if we replaced their iron fists with iron swords or axes? Would their damage output be higher? Would they be more powerful?" Mustard, a blue-robed villager mingling among the researchers, pondered to himself.

"If there were a type of head that could turn iron blocks directly into iron golems, what would its value be? What could I do with it?" Mustard wondered silently.

As the sun rose in the east, the reforms of the Block Kingdom continued under controlled conditions. The vital state organs had already been established; the next step was the core of the reform: the nationalization of grassroots management. This was the most critical step—the success of the entire reform depended on it.

Mo Fangyuan’s directive was to prioritize the large before the small. First, turn the management of large districts into official positions, then unit leaders, and finally, floor managers.

"Li Shuncai, are you willing to assist His Majesty the King in truly managing this place?"

"I am... I am willing, my lord!"

Li Shuncai was the district head of the Second Residential Area. In theory, this was a high-status position with significant authority, and such a position meant receiving more attention from the King. That was what Li Shuncai had thought when he had worked overtime and cared for the residents' needs to fight for the position during the selection process.

His efforts had paid off, and he had successfully been elected. Yet, reality was completely different from his imagination. He had not garnered much attention from the King, and he found that his own abilities were simply insufficient for the responsibility. Furthermore, he had his primary job—woodcutting—to attend to. Even managing the daily affairs of the area was a struggle.

He had laid in bed countless times, wanting to shed the burden and enjoy a simple life, but every time he thought of those who supported him, he retreated. He was afraid of failing the King and failing the people who backed him.

And now, a blessing from above!

His Majesty the King recognized his efforts and sent someone to tell him to serve the people heart and soul!

"What an honor this is!"

In the eyes of Mo Fangyuan’s fanatical followers, this was the highest glory.

Bowing low, Li Shuncai trembled as he accepted the "Blockman Iron Fist Medal," the symbol of a Kingdom official, along with the task ledger. He was exceptionally moved. He was finally one step closer to his ideals! If he only worked a little harder, one day he would surely earn the encouragement of the great King of the Blockmen! He would please the great King!

"Excellent! Congratulations, District Head Li. You have officially become a state official, serving the people and alleviating the worries of our great King!" Old Fu, clearly unaware of the magnitude of Mo Fangyuan’s status in the hearts of the people, was startled by Li Shuncai’s reaction.

"Your affiliated department is the Ministry of Civil Affairs... This is the work manual and the list of points to note. Read it over later to understand the responsibilities and relationships between departments; otherwise, if something goes wrong, no one can protect you..."

Handing a copy of the *Block Kingdom Administrative Manual* to Li Shuncai, Old Fu continued, "As an official of the Block Kingdom, your duty is to serve the happiness of the people and the stability of order heart and soul. That previous job is no longer necessary; the state will provide you with official supplies and points, ensuring your food, clothing, housing, and transport..."

"Of course, if you enjoy it, you may continue that work... provided that your management of the district is qualified and reaches the national standard..."

"If you excel, the better your district is managed, the more administrative points you will receive, and you shall be promoted..."

After giving Li Shuncai a long list of instructions, Old Fu departed. He still had to discuss the reforms with the other district heads.

"I will definitely complete His Majesty the King's mission!" Li Shuncai said, clutching the medal engraved with the Blockman's fist and a five-pointed star tightly to his chest.