Chapter 141: The Appearance of the Experience Orb

"So this is balance..."

On January 21st, Year 3 of the Block Era, the People's Code of the Block Kingdom was finally completed in the King's office. Mo Fangyuan had finished yet another arduous task. To compile this civil code, he had used one hundred and eighty-one sheets of paper, six pieces of leather, a fair amount of ink, and a significant expenditure of energy.

Precisely because of this, he had codified every concept he could reach or imagine—crimes of intentional injury, defamation, rape, exploitation, copyright protection, piracy penalties, psychological safety, and more—into the pages of this code. He was certain that during his tenure, no one would be able to find any fatal legal loopholes; at most, there might be some harmless contradictions between certain statutes.

"Then... it is time to promote it."

Regarding how the laws should be promoted, implemented, and maintained, Mo Fangyuan's plan was identical to that of the Currency Project: a gradual infiltration, a subconscious reshaping of people's thoughts, tying law to morality, and then rolling it out. This was destined to be an incredibly long and arduous process, one that would consume far more time and energy than the Currency Project ever could.

Mo Fangyuan estimated that using conventional methods, it would take at least a hundred years to etch the law into the collective will of society. That was simply too long—he could not afford to wait. Therefore, he blazed a new trail by writing a mandatory textbook titled "Morality." By incorporating vital laws into the curriculum, he could forcibly imprint them into the value systems of the new generation of Block People. By rapidly linking law with morality, the new generation would be able to adapt to the existence of the law and consciously uphold it. Supplemented by necessary criticism and punishment, the process of "legal moralization" could be completed in just one or two generations, consuming far less time and effort than the traditional "boiling a frog in warm water" approach.

"That's settled, then. On to the next project!"

He asked Jie Weirong, who was reading nearby, to deliver these documents to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Education. Having completed the drafting of the code, Mo Fangyuan pushed ahead without pause to refine and supplement the Currency Project.

Mo Fangyuan knew clearly that the Block Kingdom's current state was far from that of an independent, self-circulating, and long-lasting nation. There were severe voids in its economy, politics, and culture. If enemies were to seize these dangerous loopholes, the collapse of the Block Kingdom would be instantaneous. Thus, for the sake of the kingdom's longevity and the rapid construction of a complete system, Mo Fangyuan doubled his efforts, applying everything he had learned and witnessed in his previous life. He was the only one capable of this work.

"Hmm, a mountain of matters still awaits me!"

Leaning back in his chair, he stretched and continued his work. In his hands, the Block Kingdom was like a building under construction; every brick and tile would eventually be connected, forming a solid, complete structure capable of weathering any external storm. The Block Kingdom would truly become a complete and comprehensive nation.

***

"Minister! It's confirmed! It really is a plain ahead!"

To conserve supplies, the field army soldiers had followed the edge of the Black Mountain Range, seeking small caves to shelter through the nights. Enduring wind and sleeping in the open, even on horseback, it had taken them a full 18 days to bypass the massive mountain range and reach the north, which had been blocked off by the peaks. Just as Mo Fangyuan had surmised, the region behind the mountains was indeed a plain, and there truly was a large river flowing from the depths of the range toward the far north.

"It seems we have reached our target. Now, we must explore the specifics of this area and find that city!" Iron Nose announced to his comrades from atop his horse. "Soldiers, after a brief rest, we continue our advance!"

"Yes!"

***

"Did our plan really succeed?"

"It succeeded, you just can't see it yet."

In a small, bright corner, Old Fu and Old Duan whispered to each other.

"I told you, our first step was purely on a spiritual level—to help the young ladies break the shackles of inferiority and dare to pursue His Majesty... These preceding steps are just a foundation, a matter of accumulation. Therefore, our second step is also to liberate their minds on a spiritual level..."

In the corner, Old Fu and Old Duan were once again plotting something unsavory.

Meanwhile, in the lava lake beneath the Block Kingdom's mines, something interesting was unfolding.

"Young one, inherit my power and become a magical girl... Hm?! You?!"

As Zhang Lingyun swam through the lava, attempting to reach a brave new world, she heard a familiar voice. By coincidence, the thing that had made the sound also realized something was amiss.

"Uh... what a coincidence..."

"Heh, so that's it... I think I understand something now."

Deep within the lava lake, Zhang Lingyun stared intently with her crimson eyes at the colorful experience orb floating in the magma. "Speak. What is going on here? Weren't you dead?"

"Don't, don't, don't. It's the New Year, don't say such unlucky things..."

"Oh, it seems you are well-informed about the situation above."

"Kidding, I'm super informed..."

Zhang Lingyun shed her previous air of innocence, projecting a cold, queen-like pressure onto the orb, making it impossible to tell if the innocent girl or this cold queen was the real her. "So, what exactly are you?"

Ever since she had been turned into a girl, she had constantly pondered what that thing she had encountered was. Without concrete evidence, it had remained a guess. Now, seeing it, she realized she had been tricked—tricked thoroughly, to the point of losing her original body.

"What are you?" She wasn't angry about being turned into a girl; after all... it seemed rather comfortable? "And how do you know about the situation in the Block Kingdom? What exactly is that cobblestone-covered pillar on the island in the center of the lake?"

Zhang Lingyun fired three soul-searching questions at the colorful experience orb. The air grew stagnant, with only the sound of boiling, bursting lava audible.

"The more you know, the faster you die. Are you not afraid of death?" the colorful experience orb replied eerily.

"The Block Kingdom stands behind me. If I die, it will only cause the Kingdom to pay more attention to this place. By then, it won't just be this single layer of obsidian."