Records of Mysterious Things in the Southern Dynasties

Chapter 387 A blockbuster

Ren Yuan and the others only need to cheer each other on, while Zu Geng has many more things to consider.

After designing each part, the compatibility of materials and structure also needs to be considered. For example, how to combine lightning-struck jujube wood with black iron components to ensure the vehicle body is sturdy yet lightweight. At the same time, it is also necessary to ensure that the talismans and spirit stones are perfectly integrated and that all components can work together.

Even for a master mechanic like Zu Geng, this was the first time he had designed and manufactured such a sophisticated and complex device. And the most troublesome part was that it couldn't be test-flown, otherwise it would be exposed immediately.

Therefore, the only way to verify this is by using partial testing. For example, after building the Bagua Furnace, we can fill it with refined Red Fire Essence and test its energy output to see if it is sufficient to propel the machinery into the sky.

For example, whether the vehicle body materials and the protective properties of the talisman shield meet design standards, etc.

Zu Geng needed to personally test all of these to ensure they were correct before integrating them together and gradually building the system.

Whenever Gao Huan didn't go out to find materials, he would stay in the workshop from morning till night. Although he was a complete novice, he still felt that something was wrong.

“Mr. Zu, does this Thunderbolt Cart need such a large pair of wings?” Gao Huan asked.

"This is for crossing rivers. When used with the Earth Fire Stone, it allows for short-distance gliding across the river. Isn't that incredibly convenient?" Ren Yuan explained to Zu Geng. "Moreover, if a siege goes on for too long without success, you can even drive a Thunder Chariot to fly up to the city wall. Isn't that incredibly unexpected?"

"So thoughtful?" Gao Huan exclaimed in surprise, "It seems the only downside to expensive things is that they are expensive."

“Since Your Majesty wants a complete version, of course we’ll give him everything we can, regardless of cost, and push the performance to the highest level.” Ren Yuan then laughed and said, “We can slowly develop a youth version later… oh no, a civilian version.”

"That's true." Gao Huan nodded with a smile, then asked casually, "How high can that car fly?"

"With a car body this heavy, you still expect it to fly into the sky?" Zu Geng glanced at him: "Being able to fly as high as the city wall is already quite remarkable, okay?"

"General Gao is worried that we'll fly away in a thunderbolt-powered vehicle," Chen Baxian said sarcastically.

Everyone burst into laughter, as if they had heard the biggest joke.

"Brother, you're joking. I have that much common sense," Gao Huan said somewhat awkwardly. "I just want to learn more about this car."

Actually, he did have this concern, and now he was amused by his own thoughts, realizing he was worrying unnecessarily...

But Gao Huan wasn't about to be outdone. He looked at Ren Yuan and the other three and said, "But I haven't seen these four helpers. What help can they be?"

"Serving tea and water, helping out," Chen Baxian said without changing his expression.

"Our main focus is on providing emotional value," Ren Yuan said with a smile.

"At my age, I should probably take on a few apprentices by now, shouldn't I?" Zu Geng glanced at Gao Huan and said.

"Besides, don't you Northern Dynasty officials also have fewer people doing the work and more people just watching the show?"

"That's true." Gao Huan was thoroughly rebuked and stopped trying to embarrass himself after that.

However, as the massive and sophisticated machine was gradually built up, he was still deeply impressed.

~~
Seven days later, a huge chariot, two zhang long and eight chi wide, was finally completed.

Looking at its imposing and massive body, its intricate and sophisticated mechanical structure, and its flamboyant red and yellow color scheme, which man wouldn't be bewildered?
It resembled a ferocious dragon covered in crimson stripes, its four steel claws powerfully driven into the ground. The front of the vehicle, adorned with fang-like black iron horns, lay there silently, exuding an unbearable heat!

Gao Huan stroked the sharply defined lines of the 'Royal Salute' car with fascination; he truly loved it.

"How impressive it would be to go to war in this chariot! The enemy would probably be routed at the mere sight of it." He swallowed hard and said, "I happen to have some materials left over, so please build one for me too." He thought to himself, if he could drive this chariot to join Erzhu Rong, he would definitely be looked up to.

"See?" Zu Geng said noncommittally, "Isn't it time to report to the Emperor?"

"Don't rush, let's test it first." Gao Huan shook his head and said, "No matter how good it looks, we still need to see its actual power first."

“No need to look, the power is definitely enough.” Zu Geng’s expression changed. He didn’t expect Gao Huan to cause any more trouble, so he only loaded the three God-Slaying Arrows into his carriage.

"Let's take a look." Gao Huan noticed Zu Geng's unusual expression and became even more insistent.

"This arrow is too powerful; we can't test it here," Zu Geng declined again.

"Shoot it into the sky," Gao Huan said.

"I can't handle this alone," Zu Geng refused repeatedly. At this moment, Yang Zhong, Ren Yuan, and the others had been called away by Yuwen Tai to drink, while he remained in the workshop.

"I'll help you control it, and if it's not enough, I'll call two more people." The more he did this, the more Gao Huan suspected he had a problem, and he insisted on seeing for himself.

"Sigh, alright." Zu Geng had no choice but to ask Gao Huan to help him turn the handle to drive the crossbow on the vehicle and aim it at the night sky.

Then he slammed the trigger, and with a whoosh, a god-slaying arrow shot out.

Gao Huan shaded his eyes with his hand, looked up at the sky, and saw the arrow suddenly disappear into the clouds. He said, "It didn't have much power."

But then Zu Geng covered his ears, opened his mouth wide, curled up like a shrimp, and hid behind the chariot.

Gao Huan was wondering why he was so alert when suddenly a bright white light flashed before his eyes, and the night instantly became as bright as day. A terrifying shockwave followed, and with a deafening explosion, the entire city of Xindu shook violently.

Gao Huan was facing the epicenter of the explosion. First, he felt his eyes were about to be blinded, then he was thrown heavily to the ground, and finally, his ears were ringing loudly, and he lost his hearing completely...

The rest of Xindu City was also stunned...

~~
At that time, Yuwentai was hosting a farewell banquet at his home for Yang Zhongrenyuan and others.

"Ah Zhong, I really want you to stay." Yuwen Tai hugged Yang Zhong reluctantly and said, "We've only been together for a few days, I really don't want to let you go."

"I don't want to leave you either," Yang Zhong said, his eyes red. "Why don't you let my brothers go back first, and I'll stay and fight alongside you until the end of the war?"

“That won’t do.” Dugu Xin shook his head and said, “Not to mention that your sister-in-law is waiting at home, if you stay here after Brother Ren and the others leave, the Emperor will definitely take his anger out on you.”

“Yes,” Yuwen Tai sighed, “It’s just that we are too weak, and our fate is in the hands of others.”

"One day we will take control of our own destiny!" Ren Yuan said, trying to comfort the three of them.

“That’s right. When that time comes, we will share both good fortune and hardship! May I be struck by lightning if I break this oath!” Yuwen Tai said in a deep voice, picking up his wine bowl.

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden explosion rang out, shaking the room so much that cups spilled, people staggered, and dust fell from the roof.

"Damn it, Heaven, you're too impatient! I haven't broken my vow yet!" Yuwen Tai's face turned green with fright.

(End of this chapter)