Liang Xin’an said nothing, but simply stared at Jin Fu intently, only sighing deeply after a long time.
"Truly, a hero emerges from the young!"
Liang Xin’an’s exclamation came from the bottom of his heart.
Because although this machine is extremely simple, the ingenious ideas it exhibits are something he himself admires and feels he cannot surpass.
Upon hearing Liang Xin’an’s praise, Jin Fu didn’t react much, but Gui Xuanqing was utterly excited.
Because it was only until just now that he realized, the Liang uncle who had left a profound impression on his childhood, turned out to be an expert from the Mechanical Sect.
With this realization, his praise seemed all the more valuable.
After all, Gui Xuanqing and Jin Fu tinkered with this machine precisely to imitate the crossbow arrows of the Mechanical Sect.
Getting the praise from the original would, of course, have an extraordinary significance.
In contrast, Jin Fu appeared much calmer; he just looked at Zhao Ya with a puzzled expression, seemingly wanting to confirm the identity of this person.
Zhao Ya smiled and then introduced, "This is Liang Xin’an from the Mechanical Sect."
Upon hearing that he was from the Mechanical Sect, Jin Fu’s expression changed instantly, looking somewhat apprehensive.
Liang Xin’an didn’t mind these reactions at all; to avoid scaring him, Liang Xin’an even rarely showed a slightly ingratiating smile.
"No need to worry, what you’ve done is excellent. I have no other intentions coming here; in fact, if you’re willing, I could even help you improve this machine."
Jin Fu didn’t dare speak, again turning his gaze to Zhao Ya.
Of course, Zhao Ya didn’t reject such a proposal, smiling pleasantly, "Of course there’s no problem, if there’s anything you need, just say it, Azure Dragon Temple will certainly accommodate."
Without any hesitation, Liang Xin’an pointed directly at Jin Fu and Gui Xuanqing.
"I need nothing else, just the two of them."
"Alright!" Zhao Ya agreed without a moment of hesitation, immediately giving Gui Xuanqing and Jin Fu away.
"The two of you should do nothing else during this period, just follow this Lord Liang, do whatever he instructs, got it?"
"Yes!"
Gui Xuanqing and Jin Fu certainly didn’t dare disobey Zhao Ya’s orders, immediately bowing and agreeing.
"Alright, now that my condition is met, since this is a critical area, everyone unrelated should hurry and leave, so as not to hinder our work."
After his condition was satisfied, Liang Xin’an promptly issued an impatient order to leave.
Zhao Ya didn’t mind, merely chuckled and then left with the others.
He thoroughly understood this type of iron-willed technologist’s nature.
Once something they are interested in comes up, everything else becomes unimportant immediately.
This is not the Azure Dragon Temple exploiting him, rather, it is his voluntary request.
Moreover, since Liang Xin’an dared to come, Zhao Ya was confident he couldn’t leave easily in the short term.
At the very least, he had to stay until the crossbow arrow workbench and the production and repair methods of the mechanical crossbow were completed.
Gui Heshu was completely bewildered the whole time.
Although he had the relationship through Gui Xuanqing, Gui Heshu was sure Liang Xin’an wouldn’t go crazy.
But on the way here, Gui Heshu still felt quite apprehensive.
After all, he knew well that Liang Xin’an came to the Azure Dragon Temple not just for the crossbow team, but also to meet Zhao Ya.
So he feared that there would be conflicts again between Liang Xin’an and Zhao Ya.
Unexpectedly, after Liang Xin’an and Zhao Ya met, not only did the situation not escalate, but they quickly reached an agreement.
Liang Xin’an actually decided to stay at the Azure Dragon Temple voluntarily, and it seemed he intended to help them complete the crossbow platform before leaving.
This turn of events was completely unexpected for Gui Heshu.
Only after they reached the front yard, he couldn’t help but ask, "Zhao... Young Hero, I apologize, my visit this time is sudden, and this Liang Xin’an..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Ya directly interrupted him, "No need to be so polite, Uncle Gui."
"Besides, this time, I must thank you properly."
"Thank me?"
"Yes indeed, if it weren’t for you, Uncle Gui, Liang Xin’an wouldn’t even be here! Moreover, I estimate after this incident, Xuanqing will also face a new opportunity." Zhao Ya smiled.
Gui Heshu, being very clever, immediately felt a jolt in his heart.
"You mean...."
"It’s something that can only be understood, not spoken!" Zhao Ya said mysteriously.
Although the Azure Dragon Temple is now closed off, Gui Heshu, as the family of a disciple of the Azure Dragon Temple, visiting was perfectly reasonable.
Therefore, he was quickly taken away, with arrangements for accommodations and other trivial matters promptly made.
Zhao Ya then turned and went to the library.
Upon seeing him, Guo Luming’s first words were,
"Someone from the Mechanical Sect came?"
"Yes," Zhao Ya nodded, and then recounted what happened.
After listening, Guo Luming was also silent in thought, speaking only after a long while.
"I know the Mechanical Technology Department, it’s one of the top forces in the Mechanical Sect, second only to the Celestial Craft Department. I didn’t expect this Liang Xin’an to have such a considerable background."
Zhao Ya listened, his mind stirred.
"Master, what are the divisions of forces within the Mechanical Sect?"
"The Mechanical Sect is broadly divided into three major forces: the Celestial Craft Department, known for their research in mechanisms and ambush techniques, the Mechanical Technology Department, known for their research in bow and crossbow mechanisms, and the recently rising Thunder and Fire Department."
Guo Luming, known as an encyclopedia of all things beyond the world, could narrate any sect’s matters effortlessly.
And upon hearing of the Thunder and Fire Department, Zhao Ya’s eyes lit up, as if something occurred to him.
Guo Luming also picked up on his thoughts, pondered briefly, then said,
"Ya, I know what you’re thinking. Nowadays, Liang Xin’an, too, is attracted by Jin Fu and Gui Xuanqing’s talents and voluntarily stays at the temple to help. But you mustn’t let your guard down because of this."
"Remember, the Mechanical Sect is an entity that straddles both right and wrong; its disciples are mostly eccentric, not to be understood by conventional means."
"So you must be cautious and prudent when interacting with them."
Zhao Ya knew that Guo Luming’s advice was completely out of care for him, so he nodded and said, "Rest assured, Master, I know my limits."
"That’s good. But the people of the Mechanical Sect also have their charming sides, mainly that as long as you can grasp their interests, they will behave obediently and not make trouble." Guo Luming laughed like an old fox.
Zhao Ya also laughed, smiling like a little fox.
"I understand!"
Night fell.
After hastily finishing dinner, Liang Xin’an didn’t rest for even a moment before diving directly into modifying the crossbow arrow workbench.
"The way you two are thinking is correct, but many aspects are still dealt with too immaturely. For example, here, why unnecessarily add an extra gear?" Liang Xin’an said.
"But if there’s no gear here, how would the force be transmitted?" Jin Fu asked, frowning in thought.
Gui Xuanqing seemed to realize something, suddenly brightened and said, "Sir, are you suggesting that they could be fixed together directly here?"
Liang Xin’an revealed a satisfied smile, "No need to call me ’sir,’ just call me Liang."
"You guessed correctly, that’s exactly what I meant."
Jin Fu also suddenly realized but quickly raised another question.
"But if we do it this way, the pressure on the gear behind will inevitably increase greatly."
"Given the present situation, gears need replacing every day; wouldn’t it be even more unusable then?"
"So, we need to improve the craft; the gears at many key parts need to be replaced with iron ones."
Then the three of them had a very detailed discussion about the working principles of this crossbow arrow workbench.
By the time they finished discussing, it was already late at night.
The three of them, however, had no sense of sleep, so they took advantage of the momentum to start disassembling the workbench.
This kept them busy until the early hours of the morning.
When Zhao Ya brought food and wine over, the three of them were covered in oil and grime, engaged in a heated debate over the details, seemingly akin to arguing.
"There must be an additional corner here!" Liang Xin’an insisted.
"No, doing so would require major changes in many places," Jin Fu argued tenaciously.
"What do you know? Adding a corner here will not only make it look better, but also make the work much easier!" Gui Xuanqing sided with Liang Xin’an.
Zhao Ya listened outside, amused, but still entered with the food box.
"Stop arguing for a moment and have something to eat."
Only then did the three stop their debate; they were indeed exhausted after a night of work, so they turned and sat down to eat and drink heartily.
Zhao Ya accompanied them at the side, and after they had almost finished eating and drinking, he took out a piece of paper and handed it to Liang Xin’an.
"Brother Liang, can such a thing be made by your Mechanical Sect?"