The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1390 - 718: The Divine Artifact of Reform

Li Yan's eyes twitched slightly, holding back his laughter.

To be honest, he had thought of many possibilities.

For the court to release the steam engine on this day, there must have been significant progress.

Perhaps it was a steam-powered vehicle, or a steam-driven millstone, something that would demonstrate practicality.

But unexpectedly, what was first created was a steam dragon carriage.

This dragon carriage was entirely adorned with gilded dragon decorations, with a coiled dragon relief sprawling over the beam, golden scales glistening, the dragon's head proudly standing at the shaft, full of royal flair, but in the carriage's belly was a massive cast iron boiler, with steam pipes and coiled rods exposed outside, and on both sides visible were brass gear sets and cast iron flywheels.

As the dragon carriage moved forward, it burst forth with a "boom boom" roar, and billowing black smoke trailed behind.

Moreover, this steam dragon carriage obviously lacked a shock absorption system.

Emperor Xiao Qixuan sat above, relying entirely on his strong foundational skills to remain steady. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Such a scene seemed unexpectedly absurd to Li Yan.

It seems this emperor also loves to show off...

He held back his laughter, but others couldn't muster a smile.

With such an unprecedented thing appearing, some were dumbfounded, some were slack-jawed, some swallowed hard, and out of the several hundred present, not a single sound could be heard, only the roar of the steam dragon carriage.

Seeing this, Li Yan's expression also turned serious.

He thought of something.

He had witnessed many things in his past life, but it was different for others.

The roar of the steam and gears was challenging their understanding.

Hiss——!

A large plume of steam suddenly spewed from the chimney atop the dragon carriage, halting the iron wheels on both sides.

Billowing steam surged above the dragon carriage's canopy, making quite a commotion.

Seeing the astonished expressions of the crowd, Emperor Xiao Qixuan was evidently quite pleased.

At this moment, an official dressed in a blue robe and wearing a beam crown stepped quickly from the crowd.

He was visibly excited, eyes wide open, and after tidying his attire, he knelt and bowed to the ground, loudly exclaiming: "The canopy steams with auspicious clouds, the dragon carriage exhales mist, the divine mechanism operates to illuminate. Your Majesty's holy virtue moves the heavens, a white rainbow penetrates the sun, heralds the Emperor's majesty!"

"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!"

"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!"

Others also came to their senses and quickly began to fawn.

Plop!

A front-row South Sea ambassador accidentally dropped and shattered the jade walnut he was playing with in his hands.

However, he seemed unaware, his eyes locked on the dragon carriage billowing with black smoke, his face pale, throat bobbing as he squeezed out an almost inaudible sigh.

He turned to the side, his eyes darting, and he whispered, "Alas... with this in the Central Plains, how can we have peace?"

The man beside him was wearing a broad-sleeved robe with a cross-collar, a jade headband, tall and burly with a round face and a bushy beard, clearly different from the people of the Central Plains, a Wala Country ambassador.

He also looked sullen but did not reply.

Wala was a tribe that split from the Golden Tent Wolf Country, paying tribute to Great Xuan to counter Tatar.

Relations with Great Xuan could not be deemed good, and there was mutual caution.

With Great Xuan's flourishing national power, Wala could not invade south.

Likewise, with vast grasslands, Great Xuan was unwilling to exhaust its treasury for conquest and needed Wala to balance against Tatar, thus both were in a state of apparent harmony.

With Great Xuan emerging with this thing, though they didn't know its marvelous uses, the Wala Country ambassador's mood could not be good.

Upon hearing the South Sea ambassador's incitement, the Wala envoy sneered, "Indeed, will your country just watch with eyes wide open?"

The South Sea ambassador's face stiffened, and he stopped talking.

As for the Persian merchants in the distance, they twitched the corners of their eyes, feigning calmness, elbowing their partner lightly, and stealthily pointing their fingertips towards the gaps between the gears, whispering: "Hurry, take notes! …if we imitate that cranked arm transmission…"

Being far from Great Xuan, they considered more about profit.

As for the court members present, they each had their own thoughts.

A young officer from the Sea Opening Sect, with an egret and peacock embroidery, appeared thoughtful, quickly stepping forward, bowing respectfully to Yuan Feng, his voice laced with eagerness: "Your Majesty's great fortune! May I dare to ask, Director, the strength of this divine artifact?"

Yuan Feng stroked his beard and said: "In time, it may command tens of thousands of pounds."

The young officer swallowed a mouthful of saliva, "If... if placed within a tower ship or huge vessel, can it sail against the wind?"

Yuan Feng turned to glance at the emperor, seeing his calm expression, thus he spoke: "It can, but it will take time."

Upon these words, many people immediately gasped in amazement.

In the distance, Li Yan heard this and frowned.

This steam engine was indeed a crucial element of human Dao transformation. Though the information had been leaked, the method of application should still be kept secret, not allowing others to discern.

How could the Director casually divulge this?

Of course, he just watched without speaking.

While this world's people might not understand past life technology, they were certainly not foolish.

Moreover, Emperor Xiao Qixuan was extremely astute; what he could think of, surely his counterpart had already considered. Displaying the steam engine so openly, surely there were deeper considerations.

What other plans might the court hold...

Yuan Feng's clear words naturally piqued the interest of many.

The wealthy Shen Kui from the capital heaved his massive body, disregarding his demeanor, and forced his way to the forefront.

His face flushed red from excitement as he rubbed his rounded belly with a thick palm, his voice striving to stay steady, though still trembling slightly: "Lord... Lord Yuan, forgive my audacity! I dare to ask—if using this 'iron ox' to drive a hundred mills in tandem…"

He gestured with short, thick fingers, "In one day and night... how much grain can be milled? Can you grant us a certain number, my lord?"

Yuan Feng pondered briefly, "Comparable to a water mill, working day and night without rest."

With that, he laughed silently and shook his head, "To use it just for milling is truly a waste. However, taking advantage of the terrain, without the need for rivers, if our Mo Sect craftsmen design it, creating machines for hulling or oil pressing, then that would be efficient."