Chapter Thirty-One: Naming—Infinity City!

Today was a day of special significance—it was the day the four territories would finally be given their official names.

To mark the occasion, a banquet was held that evening. Everyone was deeply engaged in spirited discussion, throwing around suggestions for what the new names should be. Someone proposed, since it was a moving city, to simply call it the Mobile City. But that idea was quickly shot down as too plain and lacking in any poetic charm. Another suggested, since Wang Xiao was the leader, perhaps it should be called Wang Xiao’s Moving Castle. That, unsurprisingly, received an outpouring of enthusiastic support.

So much for “poetic charm,” someone joked.

Wang Xiao only smiled, saying nothing. He thought to himself, “If this name is chosen, I’ll eat my hat on live stream.”

Everyone was busy, but unlike any ordinary day, their efforts tonight were all directed toward preparing for the banquet. By evening, the front-runner for the new name was still “Wang Xiao’s Moving Castle.” Men and women alike worked together, chatting as they went, their efficiency much improved. It called to mind the old saying: Men and women working together make light of heavy work.

Night gently descended, and lights flared to life one after another. In this world where the stars had vanished from the sky, the city itself became their night of stars.

With laughter and light-hearted conversation, everyone took their seats. Tonight, there was something on the table that everyone had been craving—wine!

These were all young people, and drinking was nothing new to them, though many could hardly recall the taste of wine anymore. When word spread that there would be wine tonight, the whole hall erupted in excitement. What thrilled them even more was that wine would soon become an everyday commodity in their city.

Indeed, all the wine had been brewed by their own hands! The research department, drawing on the available foods of this world, had developed a new method for brewing, which was then handed off to the domestic affairs department for production. This new method could speed up the fermentation process, which was why they already had finished wine to serve.

Tonight, this first batch would be the centerpiece of the feast.

The tables, made of stone, had been crafted by the security department. In fact, most of the tasks requiring strength fell to the security team, who frequently joked that their department had become more of a labor crew than anything else.

At last, the banquet began in earnest. Everyone, even those from logistics, sat down together. Initially, the logistics team had intended to serve all the dishes before joining, but the women from every department had spontaneously organized themselves into a serving team, carrying dish after steaming dish to the tables, filling the air with tantalizing aromas and making everyone’s mouth water.

It felt almost like returning, if only for a moment, to the lives they once knew.

“My dear brothers and sisters, allow me to offer the first toast!” Wang Xiao rose, lifting his glass and downing it in one draught.

Someone in the crowd called out, laughing, “Since our leader is so gracious, we should return the favor!”

The women sipped demurely, while the men drank their glasses in a single gulp.

Seeing everyone had set down their glasses, Wang Xiao spoke again. “Tonight, I have a few announcements to make.”

The room fell still as everyone paused, chopsticks in mid-air. But Wang Xiao smiled, “Don’t be so formal—eat and listen!”

“Ah, our leader understands us best! We’ll punish ourselves with another drink!” someone joked, and the others joined in, drinking heartily as if they were partaking in some legendary feast.

Wang Xiao laughed, “If you want to drink, just say so! No need for excuses.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Alright, let’s get to business. You all know about Yanhuang City, right?”

Ji Weijie sprang to his feet, “Of course, that’s the territory of Fang Shengli, first in the Lords’ Rankings!”

Wang Xiao gave Ji Weijie an exasperated look—as a bald man, whenever he stood, all eyes were drawn to him, stealing the spotlight from the real star of the evening.

“Yes, Yanhuang City—what a fine name. I think our territory deserves a name just as good. Otherwise, when we meet people from other cities, and they introduce themselves as from this or that city, wouldn’t it be embarrassing if we can’t even say where we’re from?”

“So tonight, we’ll settle on a name for our city. Whoever has an idea, speak up—we’ll all discuss it together.”

Wang Xiao sat down, and immediately someone else stood up—a young man, maybe twenty, in tight pants and loafers, the very image of a spirited youth, though at the moment his mouth was stuffed with a chicken leg.

“I think we could call it—” he managed to mumble before the whole room erupted in laughter, drowning out his words. Realizing his predicament, he quickly swallowed his food and took a sip of water.

“I think we could call it Wang Xiao’s Moving Castle. What do you all think?”

The crowd began to cheer and egg each other on, the excitement building to a fevered pitch.

Wang Xiao had no choice but to stand again, exasperation showing on his face. “As much as I agree that’s a good name—” His approval only made the crowd more enthusiastic—“But! This isn’t just my city; it belongs to all of us. So it can’t be named after me.”

Seeing the understanding in everyone’s faces, Wang Xiao finally sat back and resumed eating his roast meat, satisfied.

After a round of lively debate, at last a name was chosen, one everyone could embrace: Infinity City.

It was a young woman who suggested it—“Boundless, limitless, creating infinite wonders with finite strength.” Her words were met with resounding applause.

Infinity City! From now on, this city would be known as Infinity City.

Though its area was small, and its population not yet five hundred, everyone believed this was only the beginning.

Wang Xiao then made two more announcements: first, from now on, he would be addressed as Lord Wang rather than Chief Wang. Second, there would be a banquet every ten days.

Three rounds of drinks later, the revelers helped each other back to their quarters, all except the security team, who had to remain sober for their night watch. Wang Xiao promised that the next day, each of them would be delivered two jin of wine to enjoy at their leisure—a reward that delighted them, as it would last quite some time.

As for Xiaogu, Wang Xiao hadn’t forgotten—he had traded for some treats for Xiaogu, who accepted them quietly and contentedly.

At present, Infinity City no longer struggled for food. The first level still stored ample provisions, an advantage no other city could match. The greatest concern now was water. Every day, they had to trade for large quantities, and to save water, most people bathed only once a week. That simply wouldn’t do.

A solution would have to be found.