Fortune Across the World

Chapter 179: Discussing Mechanisms and Revealing Past Events (Part 1)

Ding Qiyu's genuine desire to learn left Yan Huai unable to maintain his previous aloof, stern demeanor towards her. Yet, he was unsure how to engage with her, awkwardly saying, "Um, I... have work to do in the fields," before hurriedly grabbing his hoe and leaving the courtyard without waiting for a response.

Uh... Master Yan Huai clearly wasn't interested in talking. My heartfelt, tear-inducing story seemed to have no effect at all... Ding Qiyu thought with a pout. She decided to explore the area to see if there was any other way out besides the destroyed trap path.

Carefully tracing the valley's perimeter, Ding Qiyu was disappointed to find no other exits. The valley was surrounded by cliffs like a small basin, completely enclosing it. The trap path was the only natural tunnel leading out, likely discovered by Yan Huai and rigged with traps.

Standing at the entrance of the trap path, Ding Qiyu pushed aside the vines and took a few steps in. The path had completely collapsed, blocked by boulders, broken slabs, and the components of the Fractured Dragon Spine. Clearing such debris was impossible with manual labor and simple tools.

Her mind raced as she considered mechanical solutions to clear the debris. While she could design mechanisms to break through the rocks, there was no suitable "power" or "energy source" available—unlike the electricity or thermal energy of her previous world. Creating a purely manpower-driven mechanism seemed impractical.

The mechanisms she had helped improve at Qianli Palace were powered by a waterfall near the mountain path, initially set up by Yan Huai and later refined by her. Although the valley had its own waterfall and pool, there was no energy conversion system built there, indicating that the Fractured Dragon Spine's power source wasn't the valley's waterfall. Constructing a new system would be a massive undertaking, and even if feasible, who knew how long it would take?

Beyond the immediate energy conversion issue, the lack of power sources was a major bottleneck for Ding Qiyu's mechanical designs, preventing many innovative ideas from becoming reality. For portable mechanisms, a large-scale system like a waterfall generator was out of the question.

Approaching the boulders, Ding Qiyu pushed on one, feeling its immovability. Sighing, she gazed at the rubble, her thoughts drifting beyond the stones. In this nameless valley, communication was impossible. If she didn't find a way out soon, would Qing'er and the others worry? Spring was in full bloom in Yinzou, which she had yet to experience...

These thoughts stirred a deep longing within her. Unconsciously, her hand tightened on the boulder, leaving fingerprints in the dust. If there was no other way, she would have to build a "man-powered excavator" or painstakingly construct a new energy system. No matter how long it took, she had to leave; she couldn't stay here forever.

Yet once they escaped, after helping Zhuyi through her ordeal, she and Zhuyi might truly part ways... This realization brought a wave of heartache and reluctance. But what could she do? This thread of affection was destined to be hidden, deliberately forgotten, and they were fated to separate.

Feeling dejected, Ding Qiyu started back towards the small courtyard. As she passed the field Yan Huai had cultivated, she noticed him sitting idly on a dirt path between plots, staring into space. He wasn't working as he'd claimed. Glancing around, she saw half-plowed fields, indicating he was preparing for planting.

Could Yan Huai have a solution for the energy source problem? It was her only hope for a quick exit and a chance to overcome her mechanical limitations. What was pride compared to this opportunity? Mustering courage, Ding Qiyu approached, deliberately making noise to avoid startling him.

Yan Huai, savoring the joy of having a daughter, turned at the sound to see Ding Qiyu approaching. Startled, he looked as if he'd seen a debt collector, his expression one of panic, nearly fleeing with his hoe. Suppressing the urge to flee, he chastised himself—why hide from a child? Calming his nerves, he realized this child wouldn't give up easily.

Ding Qiyu felt a bit hurt—why did he look at her like she'd seen a ghost? She respectfully greeted, "Uncle Huai," and flashed an irresistible warm smile, "Are you preparing to plant crops?" She wasn't rushing to the main topic, hoping to build rapport through small talk.

Yan Huai recognized her clumsy "small talk" attempt, finding it endearing rather than irritating. In a gentle tone, he replied, "Yes, it's planting season." According to Lingyu, Yu'er and Zhuyi were lovers. Though unfamiliar with same-sex relationships, Yan Huai found himself unconditionally doting on his newfound daughter. Having been away from worldly affairs, he saw nothing wrong with it. As long as Zhuyi was happy, her choice of partner didn't matter.

Ding Qiyu, recalling something, asked awkwardly, "Am I consuming too much of the valley's food supply?" She hadn't considered this before, eating heartily at every meal. Was she depleting their stores, forcing Yan Huai to work overtime?

Yan Huai chuckled, finding her charming, and teased, "What if I said yes? Would you starve yourself?"

Worried she'd caused trouble, Ding Qiyu offered, "Then I'll help you plow and plant!"

Yan Huai laughed heartily at her earnestness, "If we were out of food, planting now means we'd all starve before the harvest!" Her innocence amused him, "You're quite interesting."

Oh, he was teasing me. Ding Qiyu realized, seizing the chance to steer the conversation, "Using a hoe is slow. Why not try something else?"

"Something else?" Yan Huai was puzzled, "What besides a hoe?"

Observing his expression, Ding Qiyu cautiously suggested, "Like... mechanisms." Seeing him tense, she bravely continued, "You're a master of mechanisms. Why not use them to improve life?"

"Improve life?" Yan Huai suppressed the discomfort the term evoked, choosing not to flee as before. Instead, he shook his head with a rueful smile, "Mechanisms are tools for killing, harmful to oneself and others. What's there to improve? It's a skill best left alone. Why pursue it?"

In his youth, Yan Huai had been fervently devoted to the destructive power of mechanisms, never considering their practical applications. His experiences with betrayal and hardship led him to forsake mechanisms altogether. To him, they epitomized destruction.

From his writings, it was clear Yan Huai focused on offensive and defensive uses. Disagreeing, Ding Qiyu argued, "Mechanisms can kill, but they can also save lives and benefit countless people!"

"But their potential for harm is reason enough to abandon them," Yan Huai insisted, stuck in his past trauma.

Understanding that Yan Huai's past hardships were tied to mechanisms, Ding Qiyu knew changing his view would take effort. Patiently, she explained, "Mechanisms aren't inherently good or bad; it depends on their use. For example, using a traditional hoe takes half an hour to plow this field, but with..." She described her design for a curved blade plow, noting his thoughtful expression, "It could greatly ease farmers' work. It's just one small example."

Pressing on, she highlighted a key point, "Even 'weapons' can save and protect. Without your traps at Qianli Palace, Zhenxiao Sect thieves would have invaded, harming its disciples. My efforts with mechanisms helped fend them off and protect Zhuyi and the others."

At the mention of "Zhenxiao Sect," Yan Huai visibly trembled, the nightmare of the past resurfacing. He asked, "What did you say? Did Zhenxiao Sect find Qianli Palace?"

Could his past calamity be linked to Zhenxiao Sect? Ding Qiyu wondered, answering honestly, "Yes, there was a traitor who sold out Qianli Palace's location."