Chapter 553: Xi Yan
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When Ye Chong and Master Karu arrived at the contest venue, the contestants had already waited close to an hour. No one showed any signs of impatience, however, for they observed a clear delineation of status between them.
Master Karu sighed in relief and said to Ye Chong, "These are the works that made it to the finals. Have a look at them, and rank them as you see fit."
There were five people standing in front of Ye Chong. The youngest was just a teenager, who had an air of youthful stubbornness. The oldest sported a long white beard and sharp eyes. There was a woman among the five. The five of them greeted Ye Chong and Karu respectfully. Standing around them were six other people who also bowed respectfully. They were members the judging panel, and some of Eastern Cloud's best weaponsmiths. Two of them held government positions. These two showed particular admiration for Ye Chong.
Master Karu was in their ranks as well. His was a legendary name in the field of weapons building. Ye Chong's recent appearance was remarkable enough that he had replaced Master Karu as Chief Weaponsmith of Eastern Cloud, putting him on the same level of the other judges. Compared to Master Karu, Ye Chong was had a more mysterious and interesting background.
The Master level weaponsmiths who were now bowing to Ye Chong were curious about him. So far, there no weapons out in the world that bore Ye Chong's name. The two weaponsmiths who were serving the Eastern Cloud government were full of expectations. They looked to Ye Chong like a student would to their teacher. They knew more about Ye Chong than the other four judges.
Ye Chong's works were all treated as classified information by His Majesty Sun Sieha and Master Karu. It was simply impossible to sell his works openly in the market.
The five contestants were all curious, but also nervous.
Ye Chong turned his attention to the five weapons arranged on the display platform.
The first was a laser gun. Its purple colored body was compactly designed, made from the wood of purple camphor. The weaponsmith behind it must be skilled and experienced to have produced this weapon. The gun had sparse decorations, but it had character behind its minimalism. The entire laser gun was in a dark purple color unique to purple camphor wood that spoke of hidden power within. It was also a very powerful weapon.
The second was a laser sword, rarely seen in Eastern Cloud since there were not many combat experts who used this weapon. The laser sword was 1.7 meters long, with wavy edges like flames. The wavy razors could move quickly like a high speed laser saw, capable of terrifying destruction. The wavy razor operated independent of the main laser sword, but they were both fitted together perfectly. The laser sword held a solid form, and could cut through objects without so much as a flicker. Laser swords were obscure weapons, but this one made the cut to the finals.
The third was an individual photon orb launcher. The launcher looked like a big wooden box, but inside was a scary looking launch barrel. The interesting thing about this weapon was its energy reloading method. Heavy firepower weapons like this consumed energy quickly, making it difficult to maintain a steady stream of attacks in battle. However, this particular photon orb launcher needed only three seconds to reload. Hence, in theory, if a person carried enough energy with them, they could use maintain pressure on the enemy effectively. It was terrifying weapon.
The forth was a set of shurikens. The star-shaped shurikens were elegantly designed and aerodynamically shaped. This was also an obscure choice of weapons. However, compared to the laser sword, this shurikens set was perfect for shooters, especially those with strong parapsychic sense. The designer of the shurikens had put much thought into the design. He used the tracking ball in conventional aircrafts to control the shurikens. After all, the miniaturization of tracking balls was one of the outstanding issues for weaponsmiths. This weaponsmith had not succeeded in that yet, but he had introduced a new concept. Shooters could have a certain level of control over the shurikens through the tracking ball via parapsychic control. Even though the precision of control was lacking compared to in aircrafts, this was still a remarkable achievement.
The fifth was not a weapon per say, but an engine. It looked quite ordinary, an assembly of colorful mechanical parts and gears that made it look like a patchwork. Master Karu told him that the engine did not draw any attention from the judges at first, but once it was examined with specialized equipment, they found the engine to be shockingly efficient. Nevertheless, none of the judges understood the reason for it, and this made them uneasy.
This was one of the reasons Master Karu insisted Ye Chong to come for the judging session.
Ye Chong quickly ranked the weapons. The engine was no doubt in first place, followed by the shuriken set, the jagged laser sword, the photon orb launcher and finally, the laser gnu.
Everyone waited with deference for Ye Chong to explain the mechanism behind the engine. It was a rare opportunity to hear a Master speak of his field. Even Master Karu looked eager to listen.
"The engine is well designed. Unlike the common design used in this country, the weaponsmith has come up with an original design - I call it the double-U structure. The double-U structure improves energy consumption efficiency, which is why this engine is more efficient than normal engines." Ye Chong pointed at the work that he ranked first. "Besides, the weaponsmith behind this engine has put much a lot of effort into building it. He used different materials to make different parts. The overall outcome is commendable."
Everyone listened closely to Ye Chong's explanation. But what he said so far was not enough to satisfy the judges, especially people like Master Karu.
Ye Chong did not have the patience to go into the details. He took apart the engine with familiar ease. "The cushioning here is too thick, you should reduce it by a third. Besides, this exhaust pipe is not necessary, take it off. Here, too, you should add a pressure valve." Ye Chong pointed at different parts of the engine and commented casually. He was familiar with the engine's structure, since it was a classic example of the double-U design that he had seen before in his own world. However, this particular engine was only a prototype when compared to the fully developed double-U design in his world. Some small tweaks were in order. However, the weaponsmith behind the engine must be talented to have come up with this original design.
The youngest of the five finalists looked very emotional. Master Karu sighed quietly to himself. Ye Chong was the real thing. His comments were delivered without enthusiasm, but the modifications he recommended showed his true abilities!
Some of the judges looked unconvinced. Ye Chong's explanation of the engine was brief and superficial. Moreover, he had given recommendations after just giving a brief look at the engine. His words sounded more like nonsense.
There was enough equipment provided for the contest to perform those modifications immediately. The young man quickly did the changes as Ye Chong suggested.
When the engine was tested again for performance, everyone was shocked by the results - the engine's efficiency had risen by 20 percent!
Those who doubted Ye Chong earlier now felt only admiration and respect for Ye Chong. Master Karu looked at Ye Chong like the man was a monster - how can a man make a few simple suggestions and produce this staggering result?
Facts are the most convincing form of argument. No one doubted Ye Chong again.
Ye Chong benefited from the experience as well. Aside from the laser gun, the other weapons were all well designed. He was also impressed by the creativity expressed in them. The young man who designed the engine looked similar to Lian Yue. The laser sword felt like a weapon he could wield with ease. Laser swords had one advantage over metal alloy swords - they were lighter and easier to carry. This particular laser sword could extend to 1.7 meters, but when the laser was deactivated, the hilt was only the size of a dagger. Of course, laser swords had the weakness of being dependent on an energy source.
"Is this laser sword for sale? I'm alright with bartering too." Ye Chong asked. In the end, specialization matters. Only a dedicated weaponsmith could produce an excellent weapon like this sword. Ye Chong could not hope to emulate the work. Of all the work presented in the finals, only the laser sword was suitable for Ye Chong. The laser gun was definitely out of question. Ye Chong could build an even better one. The shuriken set required parapsychic abilities. Ye Chong could build an even more advanced grenade launcher than the photon orb launcher. As for the engine, Ye Chong already designed a few engines himself. There were also many engine designs in Kui's memory chips. Only the laser sword was of use to him.
Master Karu was taken aback. Never before had a judge asked to buy a weapon from the finalists. He felt a little awkward, since this might set an undesirable precedent. The request was also unfair for the contestants, since the judges were the ones who decide the winner of the contest.
Master Karu would have declined if it was anyone else, but this was Ye Chong making the request. He could not afford to offend Ye Chong, no matter the reason.
Master Karu looked inquiringly towards the other judges, who were now looking anywhere but at him.
Master Karu rubbed his nose and laughed awkwardly. "That … That would be …"
"Is there a problem?" Ye Chong looked at Master Karu.
Master Karu explained hesitantly, "Usually, the works of the finalists will be sold at an open auction at the end of the weapons design contest …"
"I see." Ye Chong nodded and went quiet.
Master Karu felt unsettled. He threw a nervous glance at Ye Chong. If he offended the man today, how could he hope to live the rest of his life in peace? He knew that this inconspicuous young man had the world's most advanced technology at his fingertips. His Majesty was always trying to pry some of that knowledge out of him.
"I am truly honoured that you are interested in this laser gun!" A middle-aged man stepped forward and said. He was the man behind the laser sword. His name was Xi Yan, age 40. He was not too old for a weaponsmith. Xi Yan looked a little thin. His eyes shone intently against his dark skin.
"According to the rules of the contest, none of these works can be sold before the final results are out. However, the contest did not forbid me from gifting my work to Master Ye Chong. Am I right, Master Karu?" Xi Yan asked suddenly.
Master Karu was surprised by the question, but he nodded in reflex. "A gift, that is not forbidden."
"Then we're all good!" Xi Yan smiled. His next words surprised everyone else. "I willingly present my laser sword as a gift to Master Ye Chong, and I am pulling myself out from the contest."
"What?" Master Karu and the rest were shocked. Becoming a finalist in the Weapons Design Contest was the highest honour for any weaponsmith. Of course they were surprised by Xi Yan's announcement.
"I only have one request." Before anyone could recover, Xi Yan looked intently at Ye Chong and said, "I hope to become a disciple under Master Ye Chong. I will follow Master Ye Chong for the rest of my life."
This was another bomb for the audience. The other contestants quickly saw the rationale behind his decision. They all saw how capable Ye Chong was.
Everyone in the room looked at Ye Chong. Discipleship was a strict practice, just like in the Five Galaxies.
Ye Chong was surprised by the offer as well. He considered it for a moment, and then replied, "You can study under me, that is not an issue. However, you must be prepared to live a life of constant travelling, unable to return home." "A life of constant travelling" was only a cover. What Ye Chong meant was Xi Yan must be prepared to never return to his home.
Master Karu was shocked. "A life of constant travelling"? His Majesty would never let him go far. He must warn the King about this soon. If Ye Chong fell into another country's hands, the consequences were unbearable.
Xi Yan smiled easily. "Xi Yan has always lived alone. Don't worry, Teacher. From today onwards, Xi Yan will always be by your side." Xi Yan was secretly overjoyed. Unlike other contestants, he did not study formally with any teacher. He was mostly self taught, ever since he was young. Everything he achieved today was the result of his own extraordinary hard work. He had always yearned for a worthy teacher to study under, and now he had found one. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He did not care about his ranking in the contest. He was only a technician at heart. Besides, he was already 40 years old. Who would want to have such an old student?
Ye Chong nodded. "Alright, you'll come with me later." Xi Yan had good fundamentals. With a bit of push, he would improve very quickly.
Xi Yan was not like Kristen. He could follow Ye Chong all the way. A skilled disciple like him would be of tremendous help to Ye Chong. Kristen would stay in Eastern Cloud in the end. She had family and friends here. Even if Ye Chong found his way back to He Yue Galaxy, he would not take her with him.
The other contestants were jealous of Xi Yan. They had teachers already, and besides, they had family that they could not leave behind.
Fate granted him the chance to under a great weaponsmith like Master Ye Chong. No wonder they were jealous of Xi Yan.
Maste Karu stared while Xi Yan was being accepted by Ye Chong as a disciple. Anyone would try to hire a talented man like Xi Yan to work for them. Now that Ye Chong had laid claim, no one else could hope to get their hands on Xi Yan again. Even His Majesty tread with care when dealing with Ye Chong. Master Karu did not believe that he would be able to convince any of Ye Chong's disciples to betray him.
"At least he's still in Eastern Cloud," Master Karu consoled himself.
Ye Chong then continued to explain the workings of the other weapons by the finalists. His words were precise and to the point. Everyone was absorbed in them. To them, Master Ye Chong seemed to have a keen sense. He could point out minor changes that could lead to significant improvements. Everyone was impressed by his abilities.
Ye Chong did not care about what his audience was thinking. He only found the designs of these weapons inspiring.
It was a day after all!
After going through all five weapons, Ye Chong took Xi Yan with him and left. The rest of the audience were still entranced by Ye Chong's explanations and miraculous suggestions.
Xi Yan sat behind Ye Chong in his Butterly-3 as they flew towards Ye Chong's manor.
Xi Yan was intrigued by the Butterly-3's manual control mechanism. Ye Chong seemed more like invincible than ever. Xi Yan always thought that piloting an aircraft required a licence, and a licence could only be obtained by having parapsychic abilities. A person without parapsychic abilities cannot fly an aircraft. Xi Yan never imagined that a person without parapsychic abilities can fly an aircraft. It was simply unthinkable!
Xi Yan's eyes widened as he watched Ye Chong maneuver the control lever.
Ye Chong noticed his curious stare at the control lever, and offered some explanation, "Mechanical parts allow easier control. I don't have parapsychic abilities, so this modification is necessary."
Xi Yan nodded, not fully understanding him.
The view around them was receding quickly. Xi Yan hesitated for a while, but finally blurted out, "Teacher, this Butterly-3's engine is modified, right?" The Butterfly-3 was flying much faster than its normal counterparts.
"Yes, but not by a lot. The hull is from the original aircraft. Only the engine, protection system and main body of the aircraft were modified. I've also changed the weapons system." Ye Chong replied casually.
Xi Yan was already in cold sweat. The engine, main body, protection system and weapons system were all modified - how could he call that "not by a lot"? Those were basically the main components of the aircraft.
"Careful, turbulence ahead." Ye Chong interrupted Xi Yan's thoughts.
Suddenly, the world around Xi Yan started spinning wildly. Everything was spinning in his vision. It made him want to throw up badly.
Ye Chong stared straight ahead, unmoved by the disturbance. His hands pushed the levers here and there.
The Butterfly-3 did a big turn in the air, and then charged forward in a corkscrew motion, drilling its way through the turbulent winds with brute force.
Swish!
The aircraft escaped from the region of turbulence.
The landing field of Ye Chong's manor came into view. Ye Chong pulled the control lever upwards. The aircraft abruptly shot upwards, and then dived straight towards the landing field. Behind him, Xi Yan looked very pale.
When they were barely a hundred meters from the ground, Ye Chong abruptly pulled the control lever up again. The aircraft's nose lifted as it began to level with the ground.
Finally, the aircraft decelerated sharply and landed safely on the landing field.
Xi Yan, now pale as a sheet, supported himself on the hull as he made his way out of the cockpit. When his feet finally touched the ground, he bent over and began to vomit.